Reviewed and Tested: The Top 8 Yoga Mats of 2023

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For those experiencing issues with slipping during a plank, joint pain due to lack of padding, or dust allergies caused by shedding, it might be time to rethink your yoga mat. The right mat can elevate your yoga practice, whether it's Pilates, yoga, or intense ab exercises. It acts as a buffer, protecting your joints from rough surfaces, and is more hygienic than working on a dirty floor.

With so many options on the market, choosing the right yoga mat can be overwhelming. Sabrina Washington, a yoga instructor at CorePower Yoga in Fair Oaks, California, suggests assessing the type of class before investing in a mat. Knowing the session type and selecting the appropriate mat is essential to prevent slipping or trouble balancing.

Factors to consider include the room temperature, whether the class involves dynamic movements, and if poses are held for a long time or focus on the ground-based and restorative flow. Checking the studio's website for a class description or asking an instructor can help ease the decision-making process.

Our team tested 19 yoga mats over four weeks, examining factors such as thickness, cleaning ease, portability, and more, to provide a list of top picks.

The standout winner was Lululemon's The Workout Mat, which is versatile and suitable for taller individuals. With a 71" length, it offers plenty of space for poses like downward-facing dog and plank. The top layer is made from robust recycled polyvinyl butyral, a resin present in windshields and other protective glass that gives it a textured, grippy feel.

At 6mm thick, it provides ample cushioning for Pilates and barre workouts and is suitable for low-impact exercises, even during a HIIT session. The mat's versatility makes it ideal for those who mix and match their workouts. However, note that the 6mm thickness increases the weight to 4.4 pounds, making it less portable.

For individuals seeking a more affordable option to test the waters, Aeromat Elite offers high-performance features at a lower price point. The 6mm-thick mat is great for restorative yoga, offering cushioned support for joints, anti-stretch resistance, and secure grip during sweaty workouts. Its portability features, such as a strap and shoulder strap, made it easy to transport.

Additional features include:

• Thickness: 6mm
• Material: Recycled PVB and TPE (Lululemon); PVC free of latex or phthalates (Aeromat Elite)
• Length: 71 inches (Lululemon); 72 inches (Aeromat Elite)
• Width: 26 inches (Lululemon); 24 inches (Aeromat Elite)
• Colors: Two options (Lululemon); eight with harness, four without (Aeromat Elite)

For serious fitness enthusiasts, having a high-quality mat is essential just like professional athletes invest in the best equipment. The Jade Yoga XW Fusion is a superior option, made from natural eco-friendly rubber and measuring 8mm thick, 80 inches long, and 28 inches wide. It offers an exceptional grip with small raised peaks to prevent sliding and enhance daily practice. The extra mat space is perfect for transitioning between movements, however, the thickness can make balance-focused exercises more challenging and it is less portable due to its weight and bulkiness. A 24-inch wide Yoga Fusion Mat is also available for those who don't need the full 28 inches. 

The Manduka Begin is a fantastic choice for exercise newcomers looking for a functional and affordable yoga mat. It is free of toxic glues and chemical solvents and is eco-friendly. Though considerably thinner at 5mm, it still provides cushioning for flow-style or power yoga but may lack ample support for restorative exercises. Its closed-cell surface can keep moisture out, and it remains secure to the ground, even during sweaty sessions. Lightweight at just 2.5 pounds, it is easy to carry and perfect for on-the-go workouts. 

The Gaiam Premium Reversible Lunar Wave, made from PVC, is another great option for those seeking a superior grip. The two-sided mat has a sticky, textured surface with tremendous non-slip grip even when moisture is present. With its lunar print, this mat also has a stylish look and feels more luxurious than expected for its price. At 6mm thick, it offers ample cushioning and comfort for most workouts. It is lightweight at just over 3 pounds and easy to fold and carry, even without a wrap or handle.

The Bala The Play Mat, 5mm thick and made with FSC-certified natural rubber and high-grade polyurethane top coat, provides the right amount of thickness for stability during Vinyasa flows. Its sleek surface has a smooth, non-sticky texture for a strong latch and to keep you steady during a hot yoga session where you need to focus on form.

Prices and Specifications:

• Jade Yoga XW Fusion: $199.95 | Thickness: 8mm | Material: Natural rubber | Length: 80 inches | Width: 28 inches | Colors: 3 options
• Manduka Begin: $58 | Thickness: 5mm | Material: TPE | Length: 68 inches | Width: 24 inches | Colors: 4 options
• Gaiam Premium Reversible Lunar Wave: $35 | Thickness: 6mm | Material: PVC (latex-free) | Length: 68 inches | Width: 24 inches | Colors: One color
• Bala The Play Mat: Price not specified | Thickness: 5mm | Material: FSC-certified natural rubber and high-grade polyurethane top coat | Length and width not specified

While the 5mm thickness of the mat makes it unsuitable for joint-bearing exercises that require more bounce back and a higher degree of cushioning, it is still a good option for other workouts. We had to roll it under our knees and wrists to avoid our joints digging into the ground. However, this is where the YogaAccessories 1/4' Extra Thick Deluxe steps in with its extra cushioning.

Not only is this mat thicker, but it also has a curved top that gives it a sleeker edge than other mats. Despite this design feature, it is effortless to fold and carry, making it convenient for toting to and from classes, especially since it is lightweight. Unlike many other mats we reviewed, there was no distinct smell straight from the packet, so this odor-free choice is a winner if a strong mat smell might deter you from working out. At the time of publication, it costs $99.

The YogaAccessories 1/4' Extra Thick Deluxe is a welcome relief if creaky knees and achy wrists interfere with your workout. Comfort is at the core of this foam mat, as it’s just the right amount of thickness that supports without your hands sinking into the material. The extra ¼ inch of cushioning is just right, instead of being excessively pillowy, so you won't completely sink into the mat. This is especially important during weight-bearing workouts like power yoga and strength exercises, particularly when kneeling. Even when sweaty, the slightly textured surface is slip-free, keeping hands and feet in place, even during planks. The mat is a good option for taller individuals as it's on the higher end of a standard-length mat at 72 inches (6 feet). At around 3.5 pounds, it’s a very portable mat, but a shoulder strap makes it considerably more compact and easier to carry. There is no chemical smell upon unboxing, and it's super simple to wipe clean with no visible dust gathering during workouts. At the time of publication, it costs $35.

If hot yoga is on your weekly agenda, the Jade Yoga Voyager may fill a void in your practice due to its non-slip surface that grips the floor with a rubber tread. Even with the heat cranked up, we remained glued in place. We tested it under some of the sweatiest of conditions — hot yoga, yoga sculpt, HIIT, and floor work (think push-ups and ab exercises). We can say with confidence it’s highly slip-free during extra sweaty exercises, even during long-hold positions like downward-facing dog. The texture feels like the grips on Pilates and barre socks, although instead of dots, it’s the entire mat. It's sticky, but that’s what kept us from sliding. This makes it a top pick for standing balance exercises, and leg stands were a breeze. Sustainability is a selling point, as the mat is eco-friendly, made from recyclable materials (natural rubber, in this case), and for every mat purchased, Jade Yoga plants a tree. It’s also one of the most portable mats we tested. Super lightweight and only 1.6mm thick, it rolls very thin, around 3 inches, and stays that way due to its grippy texture. Alternatively, you can roll it into a cube with dimensions of 6” (W) x 4” (H) x 3” (D) and toss it into a suitcase for your travels. However, the mat emits a very strong, lingering rubber smell that remained for two weeks. The rubber also attracts all types of dirt, hair, and fluff from the floor, which is difficult to wipe off due to its static and stickiness. Additionally, its thinness is a no-go for stretching exercises as cushioning and support are lacking. It’s almost as if there’s no mat between the floor and your hips or backbones, which can benefit balance work, but not lying down exercises. At the time of publication, it costs $43.

Before starting testing, we sought recommendations from experts we consulted on the methodology who helped gather a list of the most highly rated yoga mats on the market. We also received guidance from Mandy Ingber, an expert yoga instructor who works with Jennifer Aniston, and leaned on our own team of fitness-obsessed editors for recommendations.

Our testers sized up 19 mats for three to five workouts a week over a four-week period. This included partaking in a variety of workouts (including yoga, Pilates, high-intensity interval training, and strength training) and ranking the mat out of 5 across categories of design, comfort, grip, and portability, considering other criteria of thickness, ease of folding, and weight. The scores were tallied up to determine the best of the bunch, and we landed 8 category winners. We also interviewed Sabrina Washington, a yoga instructor at CorePower Yoga in Fair Oaks, California, for further insight on yoga mats and how they can improve your practice.

The right yoga mat makes all the difference in a successful yoga practice as the main focus of yoga should be on your breath and movement, and not worrying that your hands and feet are about to slip out, says Washington. “If there is one bit of advice I could emphasize above all others, resist the urge to buy a cheap yoga mat from a big box store or a discount store as it's comparable to hiking a mountain in flip-flops,” says Washington — i.e., not the most supportive.

Yoga mats are made from a variety of materials including PVC, rubber, foam, cork, cotton, jute (from the jute plant), and a rubber-like material known as Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE), says Washington. While PVC mats had the highest market share in 2019, those searching for a sustainable option are in luck as recyclable and eco-friendly options — cotton and jute included — are becoming more widely available. 

While the standard length of a yoga mat lies somewhere between 68-72 inches, it’s also worth noting there are longer yoga mats for those on the taller side, says Washington, like the Jade Yoga XW Fusion Yoga Mat at 80 inches.

A 5mm mat is a popular thickness as it provides enough support for kneeling or seated poses. However, it doesn’t compromise stability when balancing on one foot, explains Washington. “One drawback is that thicker mats tend to be heavy,' she explains. The Lululemon The Workout Mat 6mm is a prime example. For that reason, she suggests a less dense mat when you travel (1.5mm is ideal) and rolling it up under the knees during weight-bearing poses or exercises. 

She cautions against using a thick foam mat in the range of 7mm-15mm as these are intended for floorwork rather than balance-focused exercises.

Leoni Jesner is a contributing fitness, health, and lifestyle writer for Shape. As an ACE CPT and mat Pilates instructor, Leoni is well-acquainted with fitness and exercise. She has tested dozens of yoga mats during her trainer career and can spot the cream from the crop a mile away. For this roundup, she conducted an interview with a qualified yoga instructor and conducted extensive research based on in–house tested reviews and product data.