The best yoga mats in 2024, tried and tested

I’ve been practicing yoga for over 20 years. In that time, I’ve realized there are countless mats to choose from in various colors, designs, shapes and sizes. This means that finding the perfect mat — regardless of your health and fitness expertise — is no easy feat. For example, if you’re in a hot yoga class, you’ll want a nonslip mat. If you frequent power yoga, you’ll need a grippy mat that won’t slide across the floor as you flow from one pose to the next.

To find the best yoga mats, I researched top-rated, editor-approved picks, as well as yoga teacher favorites. I then selected 10 mats to test at home or during in-person classes at a local yoga studio and compared them head-to-head (think Lululemon vs. Alo, etc.). Finally, I practiced pigeon pose, did hundreds of chaturangas and flowed from upward dog to downward-facing dog and back again. In the end, I found five yoga mats that stood out as clear winners.

Best yoga mat: Lululemon The Mat 5mm

Lululemon has a long-standing reputation as one of the top brands in fitness, and this bestselling yoga mat is no exception. We loved the look and feel of The Mat 5mm, which comes in 10 different colors and has two different reversible surfaces — one textured and one smooth. Regardless of whether we were practicing hot yoga or taking a slow-flow class, this mat had serious staying power. My hands and feet went exactly where they were supposed to go, even during tricky transitions, and The Mat 5MM never slipped once on the hardwood floor.

We also loved the extra-thick layer of cushioning (hence the “5mm” moniker), which helped keep our tender wrists and knees comfortable throughout our practice. Although the manufacturer warned of a slight odor when the mat first came out of the box, I never noticed any distinguishable smell so I didn’t feel it was necessary to air the mat out before using it for the first time. I did, however, follow Lululemon’s instructions to wipe the polyurethane and rubber surface down with a natural cleanser and store it out of direct sunlight to keep the graphics from fading.

All the residue came off easily with a store-bought yoga mat spray and took me less than five minutes to clean. Afterward, it was like a brand-new mat again and stayed that way during several hour-long yoga sessions.

Although The Mat 5mm is larger and heavier than your average yoga mat — weighing 5.24 pounds and spanning 26 inches wide and 71 inches long — we think its ample cushioning, reversible surface and grippy texture make it worth the extra effort of carrying it to your favorite yoga class. We also loved the stylish designs, which are available in color combinations like taupe and lilac, navy and pink, and black and white.

And if The Mat 5mm ever fails to live up to your lofty expectations, Lululemon has you covered with their “Quality Promise” guarantee, which is good for the lifetime of the product. So you’ll never have to worry about anything during your weekly yoga class beyond nailing your next scorpion pose.

Best hot yoga mat: Manduka Pro Yoga Mat 6mm

This is the only mat they sell at my local yoga studio. And after testing it out for myself, I understand why. The Manduka Pro Yoga Mat 6mm is the Cadillac of yoga mats. Not only is it 6 millimeters thick — which means it’s guaranteed to give you lots of dense cushion — but this mat has tons of grip and weighs a whopping 7.5 pounds, which means it won’t move easily or slip during your practice. It’s also available in two sizes, 71 inches and 85 inches, so you have plenty of options to accommodate all shapes and sizes. The sheer bulk alone means you’ll never have to worry about losing traction during a hot yoga class, regardless of how much you’re sweating.

Although the Maduka Pro isn’t the most glamorous-looking mat you can buy, its textured top layer and proprietary dot pattern are the gold standard for a slip-free hot yoga experience. Every instructor I know recommends this mat and with good reason. It’s a total workhorse, and what it lacks in style compared to competitors, it more than makes up for in craftsmanship.

I tested this mat multiple times, and it never failed to surpass my expectations. Full disclosure: I frequently slip and slide all over the place during hot yoga. Keeping my cool in a 100-plus-degree room has never been my forte. But this magical mat somehow helped me nail each pose without struggling to stay out of my neighbors’ personal space.

I also loved how easy this mat was to clean. I ordered it in black, which made the appearance of dust and debris almost nonexistent. But I could still feel the dirt underneath my hands and feet after many sweaty classes. However, one quick swipe using a yoga mat cleaning spray and a damp cloth immediately left my mat feeling new again in no time.

And if you’re feeling hesitant to pull the trigger on such a pricey mat, rest assured that yoga devotees say this mat stands the test of time. One teacher I know has owned the same Manduka Pro Mat for close to 10 years.

Like Lululemon, Manduka also offers a lifetime guarantee. So, if your Pro ever fails to live up to the hype, you can return it for a replacement or a full refund.

Best yoga mat for beginners: Omala Aurora Color-Changing Yoga Mat

When I first started practicing yoga, one of the biggest challenges I faced was knowing whether or not I had proper form. Of course, I could always rely on the teacher to correct a pose if I was practicing at a yoga studio. But if I was unrolling my mat at home, I had no idea if I was out of alignment.

That is until I discovered the Aurora Color-Changing Yoga Mat. I’m not exaggerating when I say that this mat is life-changing for yogis who practice solo. Unlike a standard mat, the Aurora reacts to your body pressure and temperature, leaving imprints on the surface of your yoga mat. So you can see if your hands and feet are lined up correctly while you’re flowing from one pose to the next.

The brand recommends letting your mat air out for 48 hours before use. I initially skipped this step and immediately regretted my decision due to the strong odor that’s released when you unpack the mat. That said, the chemical smell eventually dissipated and didn’t return, even after several sweaty yoga sessions.

Cleaning this mat is also a breeze. You only need a damp cloth and soapy water to wipe it down after class. Although it isn’t the cushiest mat we tested, it does offer ample support and it’s comfortable to lie on during pigeon pose or savasana.

The 24-by-70-inch yoga mat is currently available in two colors — reddish pink or dark purple — and is free of BPAs, phthalates and paraffin. Omala also offers an environmentally friendly program where you can upcycle your mat with one of its partners once it’s worn out. You’ll also receive a lifetime warranty for the life of the product as long as it’s cared for properly.

Best nonslip yoga mat: Jade Yoga Elite S Yoga Mat

If you’re looking for a mat with serious staying power, look no further than the Jade Elite S. This 71-inch-by-24-inch mat weighs just 5 pounds but will not budge during your practice. I tested its claim to be designed specifically for vigorous yoga practices by using this mat during several power yoga sessions. Despite the fast pace of these classes, my yoga mat never slipped, even during countless rounds of sun salutations.

I was particularly impressed by the extra layer of rubber built into the top of the mat, which made the mat feel extra sticky (in a good way) on the studio’s hardwood floors. I felt secure throughout my practice, even while balancing during tricky asanas like half moon and tree pose. These poses usually tend to make me wobble or fall, but the Jade Elite S helped my hands and feet stay firmly in place, which made it much easier for me to hold these poses longer.

Another huge selling point for me is the brand’s eco-friendly message. Every Jade mat is made with natural rubber rather than synthetic material. The Jade Elite S is also PVA- and EVA-free and the company plants a tree for every mat sold, solidifying its claim to be an environmentally conscious company.

This mat is easy to clean with a damp cloth or the brand’s natural yoga mat spray, which lifts sweat and dirt with minimal effort. In addition to the sticky texture, we love this mat’s Forest Green color, which doesn’t show stains easily and looks great right out of the box.

The only downside is that the company only offers a two-year warranty, unlike competitors that offer warranties for the life of the product for a similar price point. Jade does, however, have a program where you can recycle your mat after it’s worn out by returning it to be made into a brand-new yoga mat.

Best yoga mat for travel: Alo Yoga Air Mat

If you’re anything like me, finding the perfect travel mat might as well be searching for a needle in a haystack. Most of the yoga mats I’ve tried are either too bulky, too flimsy or too difficult to pack in a suitcase or bag. So, when I came across the Alo Yoga Air Mat, I knew I’d finally hit pay dirt.

This lightweight mat is Alo’s counterpart to their infamous Warrior mat. Like the Warrior, the Air Mat has a shiny, luxe-looking surface with a rubber backside that absorbs sweat and draws moisture away. It also has plenty of grip, although this mat isn’t as thick as the Warrior, which means it can be hard on sensitive joints. Unfortunately, it’s currently only available in one color (black) too.

That said, what this mat lacks in thickness and color options, it more than makes up for in portability and ease of use. Unlike standard mats, which typically weigh 5 pounds or more, the Air Mat is just 3.5 pounds, an anomaly for a high-quality mat in the yoga world.

When I initially unrolled the Air Mat, I was pleasantly surprised by the total lack of odor. For me, this was a huge selling point after several days of testing other mats that needed time to air out their noxious chemical smell.

Surprisingly, though this mat is very thin — measuring just 2 millimeters thick — it performed almost as well as most “regular” mats that come with more cushioning. Although I did miss the extra padding on my wrists and knees, I think it’s a worthwhile sacrifice for how portable this mat is, regardless of whether you’re carrying it to yoga class or a far-flung destination.

In addition to testing the Air Mat during several hot yoga and flow classes, I decided to see how easy it would be to pack in a suitcase. I can happily report that I was able to fit the Air Mat in my carry-on luggage alongside clothes, shoes and a travel hairdryer.

Bonus points: While there’s no warranty, this mat is made of natural rubber and doesn’t require any expensive products to keep it clean. Just use a microfiber cloth or plain old vinegar and water if you notice any debris or sweat after class and it will immediately look brand-new again.

How we tested

As we mentioned earlier, there are a whole lot of mats out there. This is why we spent weeks rigorously testing them, rating comfort, style and functionality. We toted our top picks back and forth to hot yoga, vinyasa flow, power yoga and restorative classes. Each mat was used for a minimum of two hour-long classes, at home and at our local yoga studio, to see how well they held up for grip, cushion and stability.

Here are the criteria we used in our testing process:

Material

Functionality

How to choose a yoga mat

With so many yoga mats out there, how do you find the right one? According to celebrity health and fitness expert Desi Bartlett, M.S., CPT, E-RYT, who has taught A-listers like Kate Hudson and Alicia Silverstone, choosing the perfect mat is a completely individual experience.

“As someone who has designed yoga mats, tested yoga mats and has decades practicing on yoga mats, my personal list of things to look for is quite extensive,” she says. “Yoga mats are considered by many practitioners to be a sacred space. For this reason, choosing a yoga mat can be a very personal decision. It should be comfortable, technically sound and not break the bank.”

Although shopping for a new yoga mat varies from person to person, Bartlett highly recommends investing in a natural rubber mat if you’re brand-new to yoga since this material has a strong grip. Or if you’ve been practicing multiple times a week for years, thicker, mildew-resistant mats are a perfect choice, as they can withstand a lot of use.

But more than anything, Bartlett suggests taking your mat for a spin first, as well as checking the warranty, weight, material and price before you open your wallet. And, of course, find a mat that inspires you with colors, textures and designs that will make you want to step on your yoga mat more often.

“I highly suggest test-driving your mat like you would a car,” Bartlett says. “Choosing a mat can be a very personal decision, but you should look for materials that give you a great ride. For some, that will be rubber, while others prefer cork or TPE. If you have the opportunity to touch, feel or try out a mat with samples at a retail store or by renting one at your local yoga studio, it will help you decide. And as with any product, you can sense when it’s made with great love and care.”

Others yoga mats we tested

The Alo Warrior was a close runner-up to the Manduka Pro and Lululemon The Mat 5mm. Although it didn’t make the top five, this is a great choice for yogis looking for plenty of extra cushion. Like our Lululemon top pick, the Warrior is 5 millimeters thick, so it gives tons of support and relief to our tender knees and elbows, which often get sore when we try to hold longer poses. In addition to keeping us comfy, it’s made with renewable, all-natural rubber and is 100% nontoxic, formaldehyde-free and PVC-free.

The Warrior also has a strong grippy surface, which kept us stable during all types of yoga classes. It comes in seven solid colors — including pink, yellow, navy blue and green — as well as other limited patterns including camo and tie-dye. You can even purchase an extra-long mat, which is a full foot longer than the original 6-foot mat if you’re tall and want extra space to stretch out in savasana. Unfortunately, like the Air Mat, the Warrior doesn’t have a warranty.

We love Jade’s earth-friendly philosophy. Not only does the brand plant a tree for every mat sold, with over two million trees planted so far but it doesn’t sacrifice style or comfort. I tested the Harmony mat multiple times during restorative, yin and vinyasa flow classes at home and was seriously impressed by its staying power. It had great grip and a good amount of support. It also came in a wide variety of fun colors, including purple, blue, olive green and orange, to name a few.

We also loved the fact that the Harmony mat was fairly lightweight at 5 pounds versus heavier mats at the same price point like the Manduka Pro, which weighs well over 7 pounds, and the Warrior, which weighs 8 pounds.

This is the most affordable, as well as one of the most attractive, mats we tested. We loved the two-for-one option with the reversible feature, which allowed us to choose between a solid print or graphic design. And the textured surface helped our hands and feet stay in place when we were testing it out in a vinyasa flow class. It’s also latex-free, meaning it’s perfect for people with allergies.

The mat is 6 millimeters thick so it has plenty of cushion, but it doesn’t have a great grip on hardwood floors. We were disappointed by how easily this mat slipped during power yoga classes. It was tough to keep our footing when we tested it out in a heated room. It also had a strong smell that needed to air out when it first came out of the box. We do, however, appreciate Gaiam’s lifetime warranty, which is good for the life of the product.

We first heard about the Stakt Mat from “Shark Tank,” where it was featured in 2023. One year later, the creators launched their business online with this foldable yoga mat that, you guessed it, stacks into a rectangular shape when it isn’t in use. I was intrigued by the gimmicky concept and couldn’t wait to try Stakt, which is available in seven colors, including black, pink, green and beige.

Initially, I was impressed by how little space the mat took up when folded, especially since I was testing and storing 10-plus yoga mats in my home office. It’s very pretty, and I loved how easy it was to carry to and from class at my local yoga studio. It’s also extremely thick and lightweight, measuring 69 inches long and 24 inches wide when it’s unfolded and 3 inches by 24 inches when it’s stacked. It’s also just 3 pounds, compared to standard mats that typically weigh 5 to 8 pounds.

You can even use the Stakt mat to help support you in restorative poses if you have tight hamstrings or hips, which I did a few times, instead of investing in additional props like bolsters and blocks. I was, however, disappointed by the actual size and feel of this mat. I’m fairly petite at 5 feet 2 inches, but this mat still felt too small and narrow when I tried to flow through sun salutations. It was also very slippery, and you only get a 15-day warranty, which is disappointing for the price point.

The Gaiam Performance Camo Yoga Mat looks and feels like a much more expensive mat. We loved the rounded edges, the stylish gray-and-black camo design and the cushy 6-millimeter thickness. We are also fans of Gaiam’s yogi-first philosophy, which enlists actual yogis to help design their products. This mat performed well in vinyasa flow and restorative yoga classes.

Unfortunately, it didn’t have enough grip to keep me in place during hot yoga. The Performance Mat also had a strong chemical smell when it was first unpacked, which meant I had to wait a few days to use it. Overall, we think this mat is a great value if you aren’t looking for all the bells and whistles of fancier mats. It has a lifetime warranty, works well for non-heated yoga classes and has a fashionable design. However, if you’re in the market for a hot yoga mat, you may want to look elsewhere.

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