The 10 Best Yoga Mats of 2021

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Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Alo Yoga Warrior Mat at Aloyoga.com

Compatible with any yoga type, it offers a slip-resistant base to support your poses while its cushioning protects your joints.

Best Budget:

Gaiam Premium Print Yoga Mat at Amazon

Lightweight and complete with ample traction, the affordable mat works for home and studio practices so you can stay grounded.

Best for Hot Yoga:

Jade Yoga Harmony Yoga Mat at Amazon

Sweat is no match for this mat, which works to support your hot yoga sesh with its traction, high absorption, and grip.

Best No-Slip Grip:

IUGA Pro Non-Slip Yoga Mat at Amazon

Its top layer provides excellent traction to ensure a slip-free sesh while its textured bottom adheres to any surface.

Best for Carpet:

Manduka PRO at Amazon

If carpet is your preferred yoga surface, this mat fares better on soft textures than others thanks to its unique dot pattern.

Best Extra-Long:

Lululemon The Reversible (Big) Mat 5mm at Lululemon

Ideal for taller yogis, this 7-foot-long mat offers the freedom needed to stretch and is reversible for both hot and dry sessions.

Best for Travel:

Manduka eKO Superlite Yoga Travel Mat at Amazon

The portable yoga mat neatly folds into a suitcase and weighs only 2.2 pounds, so you can maintain your flow wherever you travel.

Best for Beginners:

Liforme Original Yoga Mat at Amazon

Yoga beginners can easily track, and perfect, their form thanks to the mat's unique markers that guide poses and movement.

Best Cushioned:

BalanceFrom GoYoga All-Purpose Yoga Mat at Amazon

With dual-sided, non-slip surfaces, the mat ensures a stable, balanced workout while protecting joints from hard flooring.

Best Eco-Friendly:

Yoloha Aura Cork Yoga Mat at Amazon

100-percent vegan and free of PVC and latex, its cork material is an eco-friendly resource that naturally offers traction.

In This Article

Our Picks
What to Look for in a Yoga Mat
FAQs
Why Trust Verywell Fit?

A high-quality yoga mat is critical to keeping you safe and grounded as you flow through your daily yoga poses and even as you work on your core at the gym. And when it comes to yoga mats, toting your own is always a good idea.

While yoga mats may all appear to perform the same function, each is uniquely designed to suit different physical needs, preferences, and workouts. So set yourself up for success and find a yoga mat that’s tailored to your build, style, and needs.

Here are the best yoga mats on the market.

Pros

Sleek and stylish
Versatile design
Hygienic

Cons

Can pick up debris from the floor
Edges remain slightly curled after unrolling

The versatile Alo Yoga Warrior Mat is designed to handle any type of yoga or workout, delivering a stable, slip-resistant base. This 4.2-millimeter-thick mat is formaldehyde-free, PVC-free, and non-toxic. It's constructed from sustainably-sourced rubber with a polyurethane leather top layer, delivering ample cushioning to support your wrists and knees throughout a workout.

Sporting an ever-so-chic matte finish, it features a moisture-wicking, antimicrobial surface that prevents sweat from saturating the mat. Simply wipe it clean with a microfiber cloth after use. The mat comes in a range of colors, measures 74.4 x 26.4 inches, and weighs 6 pounds.

Thickness: 4.2 mm | Material: Sustainably-sourced rubber and polyurethane leather | Size: 74.4 x 26.4 in | Weight: 6 lbs | Style: Closed-cell

Pros

Affordable
Durable yet lightweight
Fun colors and patterns

Cons

Chemical smell before first washing
Slippery before first washing

With 6-millimeter-thick cushioning, this yoga mat is both lightweight and durable, serving as a convenient option for both home and studio practices. The sticky, textured non-slip surface provides excellent traction, keeping you grounded and focused. It also features ample padding and cushioning to protect your joints. Made from PVC, it's latex-free and is made without the top six most harmful phthalates: DEHP, DBP, BBP, DINP, DIDP, and DNOP.

Ideal for those who love boho designs, this 68 x 24-inch mat comes in a wide variety of colors and prints, from cherry blossoms to a printed mountain range design.

Thickness: 6 mm | Material: PVC | Size: 68 x 24 in | Weight: 3.4 lbs | Style: Closed-cell

Pros

Great traction for sweaty workouts
Plenty of cushioning
Made from natural materials

Cons

Must clean after every use
Not as durable as other options

The Jade Yoga Harmony Yoga Mat is one of the best mats on the market for hot yoga due to its traction and stellar stability. This mat is highly absorbent, allowing you to keep your footing when things start heating up. Plus, it's specifically designed for working out in the heat, so its grip on the floor increases with sweat and movement.

It's an open-cell mat—meaning it's porous—and it's made in the United States from naturally-sourced tree rubber. With 4.7-millimeter-thick cushioning, it offers excellent support for your knees and elbows while you exercise. It's also easy to clean using mild soap and water. The 5-pound mat comes in virtually every color of the rainbow.

Thickness: 4.7 mm | Material: Naturally-sourced tree rubber | Size: 68 x 24 in | Weight: 5 lbs | Style: Open-cell

What Our Editors Say

"This mat has been my go-to for over a decade, and while I don't specifically practice hot yoga, I can really work up a sweat in vinyasa classes. It's easy to clean and the weight makes it easy to carry around the city. Plus, Jade plants a tree for every mat sold!" — Nicole Kwan, Editorial Director, Verywell Health

Pros

No chemical smell or harsh odor
Easy to tote around
Excellent non-slip surface

Cons

Edges remain slightly curled after unrolling
Stains more easily than other options

While most rubber yoga mats can be a pain to lug around, the IUGA Pro mat weighs only 2.5 pounds while still providing 5-millimeter-thick cushioning. Made from sustainably harvested tree rubber, the eco-friendly yoga mat is both PVC-free and latex-free, and it doesn't have that unpleasant chemical odor that many other mats do.

The mat's polyurethane top layer provides excellent traction and grip along with sweat absorption for a slip-free yoga session. Meanwhile, the textured bottom adheres to any surface, keeping you safe and secured. The IUGA Pro Non-Slip Yoga Mat includes a carrying strap and comes in five fun and classic colors.

Thickness: 5 mm | Material: Sustainably harvested tree rubber | Size: 72 x 26 in | Weight: 2.5 lbs | Style: Closed-cell

Manduka Yoga Mat PRO Pilates Sporting goods

Pros

Sticky, grippy surface
Comes in extra-long size
Lifetime warranty

Cons

Heavier than other options
Gets slippery when wet

Manduka PRO Yoga Mat Review

While carpet isn’t ideal for yoga, as it can cause instability and sliding, some mats fair better on this surface than others. The Manduka PRO Yoga and Pilates Mat offers one of the grippiest surfaces in the game and performs well on carpet.

The latex-free PVC mat is sustainably engineered, using high-quality materials that won’t peel, flake, or fade, and it's made without toxic chemicals, dyes, and phthalates. It provides a sticky, sturdy grip, allowing for seamless transitions between poses. Plus, its closed-cell surface prevents sweat and bacteria from seeping in. Thanks to its extra-long build, it can fit a person up to 7 feet tall.

The mat comes in a variety of colors and in two different lengths—71 inches and 85 inches. With a 6-millimeter-thick construction, it provides the ideal balance of support, cushion, and stability. As an added bonus, it comes with a lifetime warranty.

Thickness: 6 mm | Material: PVC | Size: 71 x 26 in and 85 x 26 in | Weight: 7.5 lbs and 9.5 lbs | Style: Closed-cell

What Our Editors Say

"The MandukaPRO mat has long been referred to as the "Cadillac of yoga mats," for its focus on comfort and larger size. During the pandemic, I invested in one for my home practice and it feels luxurious— the thicker padding means I don't have to fold over my mat or use an extra blanket under my knee in anjaneyasana and practicing restorative poses on it feels extra restful. It takes time to break in, but it's so durable that I'll use it for my home practice for years to come." — Nicole Kwan, Editorial Director, Verywell Health

Pros

Plenty of room for any user
Excellent traction during sweaty yoga sessions
Stays in place as you use it

Cons

Stains and scratches easily
Heavier than other options

Lululemon The Reversible (Un) Mat Review

This 5-millimeter-thick yoga mat is for people in the 6-foot-tall and above club. The extra-long and extra-wide design gives tall yogis the freedom to stretch out and feel fully supported during workouts. The 7-foot-long reversible mat can be utilized for a variety of yoga practices, as well as other fitness endeavors.

The absorbent polyurethane top layer ensures a stable, slip-free base during sweaty classes like hot yoga. On the flip side, the natural rubber base provides a bit of padding with a textured grip for drier practices. A supplemental antimicrobial layer helps prevent mold and mildew from forming.

It's composed of 61 percent natural rubber, 17 percent synthetic rubber, 15 percent polyurethane, 5 percent polyester, and 2 percent nylon. For easy care, simply wipe with a damp cloth after use and air dry before storing.

Thickness: 5 mm | Material: Natural rubber, synthetic rubber, polyurethane, polyester, and nylon | Size: 84 x 28 inches | Weight: 7.05 lbs | Style: Closed-cell

What Our Editors Say

"I'm almost six feet tall, so one of the most important things to me in a yoga mat is that it's long enough to fit my entire body—and this one from Lululemon fits the bill. Plus, it's the perfect combination of cushy and grippy to stand up to my sweatiest workouts (I haven't slipped once)." — Ashleigh Morley, Editorial Director, Verywell Fit Commerce

Pros

Great grippy surface
Perfectly portable
Made with natural materials

Cons

Lacks cushion of other options
Strong rubber smell

This compact, portable yoga mat weighs only 2.2 pounds and can be neatly folded, taking up as little space as a laptop or pair of jeans. It features a grippy, non-slip surface with a dimpled feel. And since it's on the thinner side, it can be used on its own or as a hygienic topper over a thicker, communal mat at your gym.

It’s made from high-quality, eco-friendly natural rubber that's biodegradable and made in a zero-waste manufacturing facility. The mat is also 99 percent latex-free and made without PVC, toxic plasticizers, or harmful dyes. The mat comes in a variety of prints and colors as well.

Thickness: 1.5 mm | Material: Eco-friendly rubber | Size: 71 x 24 in | Weight: 2.2 lbs | Style: Open-cell

What Our Editors Say

"I'm a longtime fan of Manduka's eKO series because of its use of sustainable, non-toxic materials, the mats' durability, and the strong grip—which only improves the more you practice. The eKO Superlite has all the qualities I love, in addition to being foldable and lightweight. It barely adds weight to my luggage, and it also works great as extra cushioning when I'm renting a mat from the studio." — Fran Sales, Associate Commerce Editor, Simply Recipes and Liquor.com

Pros

Larger size than most mats
Great for sweatier yoga sessions
Eco-friendly design

Cons

Stains easily
Top layer can wrinkle over time

The Liforme Yoga Mat is a highly versatile mat made from eco-friendly material. Perfect for yoga newbies, the mat features Liforme's signature AlignForMe system, which serves as a navigational tool, using markers to help yogis of all sizes employ ideal form when striking a pose during practice.

It provides a more generous surface area than most yoga mats, allowing one to spread out and move freely. It's also highly absorbent—the polyurethane top layer absorbs sweat and moisture, keeping the mat’s sticky grip, no matter how much you perspire.

Liforme's Original Yoga Mat is composed of fully-biodegradable and sustainably-sourced materials, including a natural rubber base and an eco-polyurethane top layer. It comes in various colors and weighs 5.5 pounds. You also get a complimentary yoga mat bag with your purchase.

Thickness: 4.2 mm | Material: Natural rubber and eco-polyurethane | Size: 72.8 x 26.7 in | Weight: 5.5 lbs | Style: Closed-cell

Pros

Super lightweight
Versatile
Plenty of cushion for sensitive joints

Cons

Less stable than other options
Foam stretches and imprints over time

Those who prefer to double up on yoga mats for extra cushioning need to try this mat from BalanceFrom. Made of high-density foam material, the mat safely protects and cushions the spine, hips, knees, and more while you exercise.

Along with yoga, the half-inch-thick premium mat suits a variety of activities. It’s also super lightweight and portable. With dual-sided non-slip surfaces, the mat ensures a stable, balanced workout while protecting joints from hard flooring. It's also moisture-resistant, so sweat beads right off and won’t seep in. It’s easy to clean using soap and water. It also comes with an adjustable strap for easy travel.

Thickness: 0.5 in | Material: High-density foam | Size: 71 x 24 in | Weight: 1.8 lbs | Style: Closed-cell

BalanceFrom GoYoga All-Purpose Yoga Mat Review

Pros

Naturally anti-microbial
Dries quickly
Lightweight and portable

Cons

Cork grain can shed
Can be slippery when dry

Cork is an eco-friendly, renewable resource that's hand-harvested from the outer bark of the cork oak tree every nine years. This yoga mat features a soft, fine-grain cork top from this tree, plus a foam bottom. Cork naturally provides a non-slip surface, ensuring exceptional traction and grip. It also naturally possesses antimicrobial properties, eliminating bacteria and making cleanup a breeze. Meanwhile, the closed-cell foam bottom will not absorb moisture or odor.

This 6-millimeter-thick mat provides support and cushioning without compromising balance and stability. It weighs a mere 2.8 pounds and has a 5.5-inch diameter when rolled up. The mat is also 100-percent vegan and is free of PVC, latex, and plasticizers.

Pro tip: Cork increases its grip when wet. To supercharge the level of traction, sprinkle some water on the mat where you place your hands and feet.

Thickness: 6 mm | Material: Fine-grain cork and foam | Size: 72 x 26 in and 80 x 26 in | Weight: 2.8 lbs | Style: Closed-cell

Final Verdict

The Jade Yoga Harmony Yoga Mat (view at Amazon) delivers premium traction and grip for those who prefer an extra-grippy surface. This 18-inch mat provides cushion and support without interfering with balance, allowing you to still feel the ground beneath you.

For anyone over 5-feet-8-inches tall, the Manduka PRO Yoga and Pilates Mat (view at Amazon) is a fantastic choice. It comes in two length options—71 inches and 85 inches—and features an extra-wide width of 26 inches. This .23-inch-thick mat delivers cushion and provides a sticky, stable base.

What to Look for in a Yoga Mat

Thickness

The thickness of the mat plays a role in both cushioning and stability. “A thicker mat will offer more comfort for your wrists and knees, but a mat that’s too thick may make it difficult to stay grounded and stable during standing asanas and inversions,” says Kayla Hargett, E-RYT and former yoga teacher training co-lead. For this reason, some people opt for thinner mats that allow users to feel the ground beneath them.

Material

Yoga mats are made from a variety of materials—both eco-friendly and synthetic. The most common materials used are PVC (polyvinyl chloride), TPE (thermoplastic elastomer), and natural rubber. PVC mats are easy to clean, durable, and long-lasting—but they aren’t considered eco-friendly. TPE mats feel more like rubber and can be recycled after use, whereas natural rubber mats are favored for their traction and slip-resistance.

“I typically suggest the standard mats that are made of PVC, as they work really great for most styles of classes, including heated ones where you’ll need that stickiness and durability,” notes Hargett. She says that any mat that offers stickiness or texture is great for heated classes, as long as it can be easily cleaned.

Length

The standard length for a yoga mat is 68 x 24 inches. People over 5-feet-5-inches tall may want to consider sizing up for a bit more room on both ends of the mat—allowing for full-body stretching. To test out the length of a yoga mat, move into a downward-facing dog and make sure your hands and feet are firmly planted on the mat. If both fit without hitting the edges, the mat is the proper size for you.

Cell Type

Open-cell mats are porous and absorb sweat and moisture effectively. For heated and high-sweat practices like Bikram, open-cell mats provide more traction along with a slip-resistant surface, but they can also lead to trapped odors and bacteria growth. When using an open-cell mat, it's important to clean it and air it out after each use.

Closed-cell mats are great for low-intensity practices since they’re hygienic and don’t absorb moisture, however, they don’t offer as much traction as open-cell mats. They are also easy to clean and waterproof—designed to last for years thanks to their water resistance.

balancefrom goyoga all-purpose yoga mat — Verywell / Joline Buscemi

FAQs

What's the best way to clean a yoga mat?

When it comes to cleaning your yoga mat, simple is better. Combine warm water and a few drops of your preferred dish soap, spray the mixture generously over the surface of your yoga mat, and scrub it firmly (but not aggressively) with a microfiber towel. Flip it over and repeat. Finally, rinse both sides of your yoga mat with warm water and hang it up to air dry.

What's the difference between a yoga mat and an exercise mat?

A yoga mat is typically thinner than an exercise mat, features a textured surface for helpful grip, and provides a medium firmness for support, comfort, and grounding. Meanwhile, an exercise mat tends to be much thicker and is either very firm to support heavy gym equipment or very cushioned to keep you comfortable during bodyweight exercises.

Lululemon The Reversible (Un) Mat — Verywell Fit / Joline Buscemi

Why Trust Verywell Fit?

Emily Stone is a Chicago-based journalist specializing in fitness and lifestyle content. Emily uses different mats for different workouts. For yoga and pilates, she’s a fan of Alo’s Yoga Warrior Mat, as it provides excellent traction and stability. Meanwhile, she uses the BalanceFrom GoYoga All-Purpose Yoga Mat for non-yoga workouts because it features extra cushioning for the joints.

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What are your concerns?

The 10 Best Yoga Mats of 2021

Keep calm and flow on with these picks

Best Overall: Alo Yoga Warrior Mat

Best Budget: Gaiam Premium Print Yoga Mat

Best for Hot Yoga: Jade Yoga Harmony Yoga Mat

What Our Editors Say

Best No-Slip Grip: IUGA Pro Non-Slip Yoga Mat

Best for Carpet: Manduka PRO Yoga Mat

What Our Editors Say

Best Extra-Long: Lululemon The Reversible (Big) Mat 5mm

What Our Editors Say

Best for Travel: Manduka eKO Superlite Yoga Travel Mat

What Our Editors Say

Best for Beginners: Liforme Original Yoga Mat

Best Cushioned: BalanceFrom GoYoga All-Purpose Yoga Mat

Best Eco-Friendly: Yoloha Aura Cork Yoga Mat