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When it comes to choosing a yoga mat, there’s more to it than meets your third eye chakra. Sourcing a stylish design might look good in a yoga class, but a mat that feels easy to move on and offers essential grip is key to perfecting your poses. From dynamic moves such as dolphin plank or crow pose to a restorative savasana at the end of your practice, using a supportive and comfortable yoga mat can make all the difference.
Grip, flexibility, and materials that clean easily are all important factors. You might also want to consider a mat that travels well and isn’t too heavy to carry to class. Or perhaps you’re after a design that you can use for Pilates, body balance, and a body-pump class too? If so, look for a versatile mat that is built to cater to all forms of exercise, not just pigeon pose. Our top pick is the Lululemon mat ($98), but for travel, you might want to consider the Manduka eKO Superlite ($52).
To assess each mat, I also called on the expert help of Maite Brines von Melle from Superhealth Playbook. Be sure to read our other health and fitness guides, including the Best Protein Powders, the Best Fitness Trackers, and the Best Walking Pads.
Updated July 2025: We added the Manduka Superlite, the JadeYoga Harmony, and the Sweaty Betty Balance. We also checked links and prices and removed out-of-stock picks.
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Best Overall
Photograph: Maite Brines von Melle
For comfort and support when you’re stretching and moving, this yoga mat is an excellent option. At 5 mm, it’s a little thicker than the average mat, which makes it a little bulkier to transport. But it provides a plush yet balanced feel underfoot, and has good grip. I felt secure while in downward dog, but felt that the mat was equally supportive when I was doing a weights session with bare feet.
It’s made with FSC-certified rubber and contains latex, which helps to provide a luxurious finish, and it comes in a selection of colorways. The mat is designed to absorb moisture so you don’t slip in high-sweat practices, which makes it a particularly good option for anyone who loves hot yoga.
Health coach Maite Brines von Melle was impressed with this mat too. “This was my favorite of the bunch,” she says. “I like the design and it’s very versatile—I taught Pilates and resistance training on this mat and it worked well. It’s cushioned, which makes it comfortable to lie on for restorative yoga such as yin. It is larger in size than average but not too heavy to carry across town to class—it wipes clean easily so stays fresh too.”
Specs Thickness 5 mm Material FSC-certified natural rubber with latex Weight 5.24 lbs. Dimensions 26 in. x 71 in. -
Best Yoga Mat for Grip
Photograph: Maite Brines von Melle
Manduka
Prolite Yoga Mat 4.7mm
This yoga mat has a closed-cell PVC construction that seals out moisture, sweat, and bacteria so it’s durable and easy to maintain. But the real appeal here is the no-slip dot pattern on the bottom layer that keeps the mat firmly in position whatever the surface. It’s a latex-free mat too, which might make it a better option than the Lululemon if you suffer from allergies.
I found this mat very comfortable to practice yoga on, and its texture feels good. It has just the right amount of grip without feeling too sticky, and its smooth, tactile finish felt relaxing to lay on. Importantly too, the cushioning was dense enough to support my knees when in a kneeling plank. It comes in a lush choice of colors, including a Black Sage green that looked great in my living room, and it didn’t pick up every bit of dirt, dust, and hair like some mats can. It’s also very easy to wipe clean.
“The Manduka ProLite is one of my favorite yoga mats and has a fabric-like finish that gets grippier with age,” says Brines von Melle. “This mat is very versatile for all types of exercise—from yoga to strength training—and I didn’t find myself slipping, which is always testament to a good design.”
Specs Thickness 4.7 mm Material Oeko-Tex® certified Standard 100 PVC Weight 4.63 lbs. Dimensions 24 in. x 71 in. or 79 in.
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Best for Travel
Photograph: Emily Peck
Manduka
eKO Superlite Yoga Mat
If you want to downward dog while drinking daiquiris on vacation, this lightweight travel mat will provide the base. At 1.5 mm, the eKO Superlite is much thinner than the award-winning 4.7-mm Manduka Prolite Yoga Mat, but this makes it easy to roll up tightly in your suitcase so that you can take it away with you, and it’s always ready when you need it.
Its 24-inch-wide frame comes in a standard 71-inch length and a longer 79-inch frame. The standard version gave me plenty of space for standard yoga moves, but if you are tall and need something longer, the 79-inch length isn’t that much heavier at an extra 0.5 pound.
Made from sustainably harvested latex-free tree rubber, I found the grip here was excellent. It has an “orange peel” top surface that has been designed to create good traction so you won’t be slipping around when stretching out in warrior. It’s not as padded as a regular yoga mat, so you might have to protect your knees with an extra towel, but having such a grippy surface will do wonders for your practice. Its closed-cell surface is designed to lock out moisture and bacteria, and wiping it down with a yoga mat spray helps to keep things hygienic.
Specs Thickness 1.5 mm Material Latex-free rubber Weight 2 lbs. Dimensions 24 in. x 79 in. -
Best for Grounding
Photograph: Emily Peck
It’s easy to see why the Harmony is JadeYoga’s most popular design and has won numerous awards. Not only is it made in the USA from natural, nontoxic, eco-friendly rubber, but for every yoga mat sold, one tree will be planted.
Grounding is the practice of coming into contact with the Earth, or … well, being in contact with products that are grounded in the Earth. That seems like a specious description, and there’s not much research in the practice, but this mat looks and feels premium and is made from a high-quality material that is designed to provide good grip and better cushioning that synthetic mats. It might not be the softest material I’ve discovered, but it does provide great grip.
It comes in a 5-mm thickness in two lengths, including a 68-inch and 74-inch, so it works well for tall and shorter users. I tried the 68-inch size and found it gave me plenty of space to comfortably stretch out and lay down after my yoga session. It comes in a choice of 11 stylish colorways. As the raspberry color is quite dark, I found that dust and dirt showed up more, but this was easy to wipe away using one of my yoga cleaning sprays. The mat dries quickly so I could pop it back in my yoga bag ready for the next session.
Specs Thickness 5 mm Material Natural rubber Weight 5 lbs. Dimensions 24 in. x 68 in. or 74 in.
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Best Latex-Free Mat
Photograph: Emily Peck
Sweaty Betty
Balance Yoga Mat
If you suffer from a latex allergy, you might want to consider this attractive rubber design that is made from a smooth and durable TPE fabric. It comes in two eye-catching colorways: a brooding Midnight Cherry Purple (shown) and a brighter Heather Purple with the Sweaty Betty logo emblazoned on the front. This is the only yoga mat that the brand sells in a sea of wonderfully comfortable and functional active wear in the way of yoga leggings, yoga tops, bras, and trousers.
Sweaty Betty highlights this yoga mat as being great for balance, and I found the nature of its latex-free rubber worked well to keep my feet positioned securely. While I prefer a textured yoga mat, the smooth but grippy nature of this mat did well to ensure that my feet neither slid around too free or awkwardly squeaked while moving.
On each side the mat there are markings to help you align your body, which can be helpful in certain poses such as downward dog and warrior. Overall, I think this mat is a good all-rounder. At 4.85 pounds, the mat has a nice weight to it without feeling too bulky, and I found that it was just the right size to roll up neatly and slide into my yoga bag after each yoga session.
Specs Thickness 3 mm Material Polyurethane and rubber Weight 4.85 lbs. Dimensions 26 in. x 72 in. -
Best Yoga Mat for Alignment
Photograph: Emily Peck
At 70 by 26 inches wide, this mat is slightly longer and wider than your average design. While this makes it a bit heavier than a standard mat, the supplied zip-up Liforme bag makes it easy to carry.
I love the style of this mat. It’s printed with eco-friendly, nontoxic inks to give you Liforme’s “alignment system” that’s designed to help you perfect your practice. The lines are there to help you position your hands, feet, and body, and make it easier to perform poses such as warrior or to carry out a sequence.
Brines von Melle was also impressed. “It’s got very good grip and I really enjoyed moving on this mat,” she says. “I noticed how good the grip was in downward dog and when doing sun salutations, and I think the alignment points are great for anyone new to yoga.”
If your budget is tight but you like the idea of a mat that offers guide points, check out the less expensive Liforme Classic Yoga Mat. While it doesn’t have this specific moon design, it does have Liforme’s alignment system and is similar in construction.
Specs Thickness 4.2 mm Material Sustainably-sourced polyurethane and rubber Weight 5.5 lbs. Dimensions 26 in. x 72 in.
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Best Yoga Mat for Dynamic Exercise
Photograph: Emily Peck
Like the Lululemon, the Les Mills mat is just 5 mm thick, but it has a very different finish and feel. It is made up of a red and gray high-density eco-PVC material that is built for working hard whatever your style. Its surface is made to anchor you during the sweatiest of training sessions. The gray side has an anti-slip coating for high-impact exercise and weight training, while the red surface has excellent grip, ideal for yoga.
While I didn’t find it as smooth or tactile as a standard yoga mat, I did like the versatility. I found it easy to wipe clean, and it lasted well. I positioned it under my spin bike for a month (to protect the floor) and was surprised to find that the dent marks from the bike faded fast. Brines von Melle thought that this was a good option for all-round exercise. “I like the fact that this mat has two sides to it to suit your goals,” she says. “It’s not the most comfortable yoga mat, but it works well when moving, it’s convenient and easy to store. It has eyelet holes on one end so you can hang it up to air and store if needed too.”
Specs Thickness 5 mm Material PVC Weight 4.85 lbs. Dimensions 24 in. x 70 in. -
Best Yoga Mats for Kids
Liforme
Playful Kids Yoga Mat
It’s a luxury choice for the little yogi in your life, but the Playful Kids yoga mat offers the best quality in a fun-size bundle. There aren’t that many designs for kids out there, but this is the most attractive I’ve found. In truth, it’s better looking than many adult designs.
The mat is 36 centimeters shorter than the adult-size Liforme yoga mat and half a kilogram lighter. It also comes with a useful carry bag, which means it’s significantly easier to carry than an adult-size option.
A mat like this can be an enticing way to get kids to join in on a yoga session, such as the popular Cosmic Kids Yoga on YouTube. It worked well for my 7-year-old son William, who suffers from tight calf muscles after playing soccer. The mat was a good way to encourage him to stretch more and unwind before bed.
Specs Thickness 4.2 mm Material Rubber and polyurethane Weight 4.4 lbs. Dimensions 24 in. x 24 in.
WIRED asked the popular YouTube yoga teacher Sara Beth for her top tips on buying the best yoga mat:
Thicker is not better. You still want to support your balance by having a firm connection to the ground beneath you, so aim for a 3 to 5 mm thickness. You can always add more cushion for your knees in the center, but too much cushion under the front and back, where your hands and feet go, can disrupt your balance.
Look for good grip. For hot yoga or sweaty people, make sure your mat gets grippier when wet. A washable design is more hygienic. A microfiber-finished mat can be put in the washing machine (manufacturers instruction advised) or you can opt for a “yoga towel” you cover the mat with before wiping down and washing after your session.
Take a travel mat. For holidays, a thin, lightweight, 0.059-inch (1.5-mm) mat can be folded or rolled in your suitcase. They work well on hotel room carpet, but if you need more cushion you can always layer a towel where your knees go. I’ve also practiced yoga in my hotel room with just the bath towel laid out like a mat.
Make it easy to workout. If you plan to use your mat like a gym floor for Pilates, weights, yoga, and HIIT, then consider investing in a jumbo 5- by 8-feet mat (like Gorilla mat), which shouldn’t move. These are typically a bit heavier and sturdier, which will help it stay in place while you move.
I take yoga mats to yoga, Pilates, and body balance classes, as well as my own personal practice at home. I assess the grip, finish, thickness, and design. I also called on the expert help of Maite Brines von Melle from Superhealth Playbook, who was invaluable in assessing each mat and whittling them down to the very best options for your style, size, and budget.
How to Properly Clean a Yoga Mat
Keeping your yoga mat clean isn’t just about basic personal hygiene—a clean mat will also last longer. Given the range of materials used to manufacture them—from polyurethane, PVC, natural rubber, and cork—it’s important to heed the manufacturer’s recommendations before you reach for the bleach.
Some mats benefit from a simple wipe down with a damp microfiber cloth, while others can be dunked in the bath, put in the washing machine, and left to air dry. And then there’s specialized yoga mat cleaning sprays that promise to sanitize and prolong the life of your mat, and make it smell a whole lot better. Here are our suggested cleaners:
Liforme Ultimate Everyday Yoga Mat Cleaner for $24: This plant-based cleaning foam is made from 95 percent natural ingredients and has a subtle, clean scent. I pumped the foam onto a sponge and rubbed it onto my mat. It dissolved quickly and left the surface refreshed.
Manduka Yoga Mat Wash and Refresh for $12: I love the lavender scent, which is made from 100 percent naturally derived ingredients. You can spray the surface and wipe down for a quick refresh, or spray generously and let soak for two minutes for a deeper clean before drying.
Moxe Yoga Mat Cleaner Spray (2 for $20): With rosemary and lemon essential oil, this solution smells like a sleep spray you’d put on your pillow before bed. It comes with a soft microfiber cloth as part of the price to make it easy to clean and dry. I use it on my mat before class so I can enjoy the scent during the session.
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