The 8 Best Yoga Mats to Buy in 2018

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Anyone who practices yoga knows how essential the right yoga mat is to their routine. If your mat slips, smells, or falls apart, it can distract you from your task at hand—plus the wrong mat could be dangerous when you are in more complicated moves. Since everyone is at a different level and has a range of preferences when it comes to their yoga mat, just buying any old mat won't do. And besides yoga, these are also used for pilates, calisthenics, meditation, and more so they serve a lot of functions.

Thankfully, you’ll find that there are a whole lot of options out there, and that’s a good thing! Some people like a heavy duty mat for their home workout, and a very basic one for their yoga in the park days. Some people practice hot yoga, and require a mat that will absorb all the sweat, while others might want one that is easy to tote to their class. Whatever your style or preference, here, the best yoga mats for you.

Best Overall: BalanceFrom GoYoga All-Purpose Yoga Mat with Carrying Strap

If you are looking for an all-purpose mat that can work for at-home workout routines, simple yoga moves, and more, the GoYoga Mat is right for you. At 1/2" thickness, it is a little cushioned for some advanced yogis, but if you like added padding this is just the thing. The price is also very reasonable, so if you are just starting out on your fitness journey and aren't sure what you really like yet, this is a good starting point.

This model has over 7,000 reviews from people who praise it for its great price and comfortability. It comes in six different color options and comes with a handy carrying strap to take to the gym or when you travel.

Best Heavy Duty: Manduka Pro Yoga Mat

If you need a super resilient mat, get the Manduka Pro Yoga Mat. While it’s not ideal for a hot yoga class, it’s great for your home practice or a non-heated flow. Due to its 6mm thickness, the mat has superb knee support. For people who really want to avoid sweat absorption and its leftover odor, this mat provides just what you’re looking for. It’s also made with eco-certified safe PVC and is free from toxins like phthalate.

Best Non-Slip: Gaiam Sol Studio Select Dry-Grip Yoga Mat

Gaim has always offered a really basic and wonderfully reliable mat. The dry-grip option is the brand’s best selling yoga mat and features a mat that is sticky with or without a sweat. While some mats can move all over the place—sliding around the floor—this option stays put. Even if you start to sweat and need to put a yoga towel down, it provides a nice gripping surface.

The mat allows you to get deeper into postures thanks to a topcoat that wicks away moisture and makes for a great grip as you sweat. The 5mm mat made from PVC is great for anyone who can’t use a rubber mat due to a latex sensitivity.

The lightweight and durable mat also provide plenty of cushioning to support your joints.

Best for Hot Yoga: The Aurorae Synergy 2-in-1 Yoga Mat

You know you’re going to sweat a lot in a hot yoga class, be it Bikram style or a heated vinyasa flow. This means you need a mat that provides a non-slip surface. The Aurorae Synergy 2-in-1 Yoga Mat is your best bet, as its top layer is a non-slip, ultra-absorbent microfiber towel that’s connected to a 5mm-thick PER Polymer Environmental Resin) yoga mat.

The more you sweat, the grippier the mat gets, allowing you to focus on your long holds, flows, and inversions without fear of slipping and injuring yourself. If you mix up your practice between hot classes and non-heated, you can simply flip the mat over to use the PER side.

Best Extra-Large: Hugger Mugger Para Rubber XL Yoga Mat

A standard yoga mat measures approximately 68"L x 24"W. But if you’re really tall, that’s not exactly ideal. Hugger Mugger’s Para Rubber XL Yoga Mat measures 78”x 28”, so your long limbs have plenty of space on the mat. Even someone who fits great on a standard mat will like the extra surface for creative sequences that have you utilizing every inch of your mat. The mat also features superior grip on both sides, is made of natural rubber that is extremely durable and has a 6mm thickness with excellent cushion and shock absorption.

Best Eco-Friendly: Jade Harmony Yoga Mat

This 4.8mm yoga mat is Jade’s most popular mat. It offers impeccable traction and just enough cushion while also being extremely light. The grip is another notable feature. Due to the mat’s open-cell design, it absorbs moisture, so you can keep from sliding all over the place. It’s not quite as absorbent as mats designed for hot yoga, but the brand’s terry cloth yoga towel lays down nicely and will stick well if you’re sweating quite a bit. Jade products take eco-friendly to another level. The mats are made sustainably with natural rubber tapped from rubber trees, which is a rapidly renewable resource. They’re made in the United States, and are in compliance with all U.S. environmental, labor and consumer protection laws as well. In addition to that, for every mat sold, Jade plants a tree!

Best for Travel: Lululemon The Reversible (Un) Mat Lightweight Travel

While an extra large heavy duty rubber mat might be great for your home or studio yoga practice, its weight and size make it impossible for travel. If you want to throw your mat in your bike basket and go to the park, or even want to take it with you as you jet off for vacation, you need to make sure you have something that’s lightweight but gets the job done.

Lululemon’s The Reversible (Un) Mat is an extremely lightweight mat perfect for your yoga on the go. The easy to pack mat, which measures 71" x 30", is made with a polyurethane top layer, which absorbs moisture so that you can work hard, break a sweat, and still have a nice grip. The mat’s thickness measures 1.5mm.

Best Design: Gaiam Premium Print Yoga Mat

While solid colors are the norm for yoga mats sometimes you want something with a little more style. Gaiam's Premium Print yoga mat infuses your Vinyasa with a bit of color and pattern with over 24 designs. What's more, the pad is extra thick providing you with support where you need it and is non-slip, helping you keep up your flow without falling.

Reviewers are happy with the designs to spice up their at-home workouts, and many think the thickness is just right for practicing yoga. One reviewer mentioned hers was slippery so she washed it and now it performs well.