The Best Yoga Mats, According To Top Yoga Instructors

Choosing the best yoga mats can feel like choosing the right flavor of ice cream: is there a bad option?

But then you get a dud that gives you no grip and leaves you slipping all over the place during class, you realize that all yoga mats are not created equal.

Picking the best yoga mat for you is not a decision that even a calm yogi should take lightly.

After all, in addition to costing you money, it can disrupt your practice.

But how do you make the perfect choice?

There are MANY different types available.

Some are thick, while others are thin; some are very grippy and others are soft.

Is it better to go for a pretty rug or one that seems super durable?

And are the most expensive ones worth their price?

Aid!

It’s not like you can try every single one on the market to find out which one feels best during your flow, but fortunately, there is a wonderful group of people who have tried countless mats: yoga teachers.

These are the best yoga mats out there, according to some of the best instructors across the country.

Best Budget: Gaiam Premium 2-Color Mat
Best Grip: Jade Harmony Yoga Mat
Best Padding: Manduka Pro Mat
Best Upgrade: Liforme Yoga Mat
Highest Technology: yoga mat with reverse bar fit
Best Mat for Vinyasa: Gaiam Sol Yoga Mat
Best Pattern: La Vie Boheme Botanical Yoga Mat
Best for Travel: Manduka eKO SuperLite Travel Yoga and Pilates Mat
Best for Hot Yoga: YogaZeal Yoga Mat
Best Dual Purpose: Kulae Elite Hybrid Mat
Best Natural Rubber Rug: Lululemon Reversible Rug

Table of Contents

1. Best Budget Mat: Gaiam Premium 2-Color Mat

There is no need to spend a lot of cash on a high-quality yoga mat. Gabrielle Cook, a yoga instructor at Prospect Heights Yoga in Brooklyn, New York, is a big fan of Gaiam’s premium 2-color mat. “The rough texture of the mats is great because my hands don’t slip, even when I sweat,” she says. “I also love how thick they are – they provide great support for my knees.” Plus, it’s only $30! That deal is even sweeter because the mat is reversible, meaning you get two beautiful color options for the price of one.

Reviewer raves: “My yoga practice is very casual, so the grip is perfect for me. The beautiful color looks just like the photo. Comfortable.” —De’Andra, gaiam.com

2. Best Grippy Mat: Jade Harmony Yoga Mat

Do your hands always get hot and sweaty during class? Jade Harmony Mat is your choice, says Sam Emrich of Y7 Studio. You can sweat buckets and this mat, made of open-cell natural rubber, stays put. “It has a fantastic grip, which is important during an intense yoga class,” says Emrich. “It keeps me from slipping and sliding when I’m sweating.” It also comes in many sunny colors.

Raved Reviewer: “I’ve been using this mat for a year and have absolutely no complaints. It’s non-slip, I used to have a hard time getting my hands to slide with other mats, but that problem has gone away since I started practicing. with this mat.” —Kaliegh, jadeyoga.com

3. Best Cushioned Mat: Manduka Pro Mat

Mandy Ingber, a celebrity yoga instructor based in Los Angeles, has taught clients such as Jennifer Aniston and Jennifer Lawrence. Her favorite mat, the Manduka PRO, is a tried and true choice that is great for many yogis. Ingber likes that this comfortable mat is fairly lightweight, but the best part is that “it doesn’t leave a rubbery smell on your hands and has light cushioning without being too slippery.” A plus: it is latex-free for those who may be allergic. (No one wants hives during savasana.)

Reviewers Praise: “I love that it’s dense and firm. I’ve typically used thinner mats because I like the feel of the floor and I was worried it would feel too cushiony, but it doesn’t. It gives me great support and works well for my balance. poses too. Everyone is very happy with this purchase and the color is beautiful.” —Sammy, manduka.com

4. Best Upgrade Mat: Liforme Yoga Mat

This one is a little more expensive than the standard mat. However, if you’re hoping to take your practice to the next level, Colleen Saidman Yee, celebrity yoga instructor and founder of the acclaimed Yoga Shanti studios, says the Liforme mat is worth investing in. “The mat has the perfect amount of grip and cushioning for my 58-year-old body. Plus, the geometric patterns on the mat are wonderful for alignment, stride, and symmetry, all of which make a big difference in asana practice.”

Raving Reviewer: “I’m so happy my yoga teacher recommended a Liforme mat. The grip is amazing, especially for someone with sweaty palms and feet. I no longer slide, so I feel much more confident performing postures. It has also been perfect for learning inversions. I love this mat!” —Abbi M., us.liforme.com

5. Most High-Tech Mat: Backslash Fit Yoga Mat

“When I taught yoga, students always asked me, ‘How can I practice yoga more regularly at home?'” says Alisa Bowman, yoga instructor, and former Yoga Journal columnist, who consulted on the creation of the Backslash mat. “This Backslash Fit yoga mat makes it super easy. It combines with an Amazon Alexa skill to give you simple yoga routines. Alexa will walk you through the flows to improve digestion, build strength, burn calories, and more. Bonus: the mat also has great grip and stores itself when you’re done because it rolls up on its own.” (We are affiliated with Backslash Fit).

Raved Reviewer: “This mat is exactly as advertised, with no disappointments or surprises. Works exactly as advertised. Wish it had color options.” —Paula, amazon.com

6. Best Mat For Vinyasa: Gaiam Sol Yoga Mat

The last thing you want when focusing on your flow is a pain in your hands and feet from a lack of cushioning. That’s why Bethany Lyons, founder of Lyons Den Power Yoga, loves this one from Gaiam: It’s a dense mat that will still allow you to connect with your body. “It’s super padded, so I can work my hands and feet on the mat,” she says. And if you want to advance your practice, this mat will get you there, Lyons says. “It’s also great for doing handstands!”

Raved Reviewer: “This is the perfect mat I was looking for! I’ve tried many other brands, but this is the best one I’ve used so far! I took my practice to the next level! This mat is great for down dogs and “Drop dog splits without slipping and it’s not too sticky where it hurts to slide your knee or elbow back or forward to adjust posture.” —NiMarie, amazon.com

7. Best Pattern: La Vie Boheme Botanical Yoga Mat

Sometimes you just do yoga to get into a gloriously hippie-zen mood, so you need to have a mat that matches that goal. Lauren Taus, RYT, swears by La Vie Boheme for exactly that reason. “They are the most beautiful mats. “I love how it feels to lay out my mat and practice on something that grounds me visually and inspires me,” she says. As a bonus, Taus adds that she feels good practicing on a non-toxic, latex-free mat from a company. Owned by two incredible women.

Raved Reviewer: “I love this yoga mat. Great buy, it’s beautiful, when I take it out someone always comments how great it looks. Plus it’s not thin, it’s a medium thickness and not too sticky.” —Katie, yogaoutlet.com

8. Best Travel Mat: Manduka eKO SuperLite Travel Yoga and Pilates Mat

When it comes to a truly portable mat, “the best mat I’ve ever used is my Manduka EKo Lite,” says Madison Semler, yoga instructor and founder of Salvajé Yoga. This ultra-thin mat can be folded and stored in your bag or suitcase with ease. Plus, it comes in a variety of beautiful colors.

Raved Reviewer: “I love this yoga mat. The color is beautiful. The material is high quality and safe for your body, which is especially important to me because I’m pregnant. It’s very supportive, but not heavy. ” Highly recommended! Worth the money!” —Megan, manduka.com

9. Best Mat For Hot Yoga: YogaZeal Yoga Mat

Obsessed with hot yoga? Los Angeles-based private yoga instructor Alexis Novak gives top marks to YogaZeal’s mat of the same name. Not only does he love the design, but he says “they can be machine washed and hung to dry. They don’t need a towel because they are a towel and a mat in one.” Which is a sexy yogi’s dream come true.

Raved Reviewer: “I was looking for a small tropical print rug for my bedroom hardwood floor when I found this yoga mat. Now that it’s next to my bed, guess what motivates me to do first thing in the morning? tomorrow? It’s more comfortable than a normal yoga mat and smooth, with no bumps, so yoga positions on my knees are much more comfortable on this mat. It’s very high quality and has a good grip too.” —Patricia M., neimanmarcus.com

10. Best Dual-Purpose Mat: Kulae Elite Hybrid

Do you want to get the most out of your investment? Jen Lobo, yoga instructor and co-founder of Bode NYC, recommends the Kulae Elite Hybrid mat, which features a built-in yoga mat towel, perfect for heated yoga classes. “Because it’s so thin, there’s more stability,” she notes. “It’s hard to find your balance on a soft, squishy rug.” And despite its slim design, Lobo notes that the mat doesn’t bend or move during class, even during the heaviest flow.

Rave Reviewer: “I love this mat because, unlike the rubber mat I had before, I don’t slide around on it. The towel keeps my feet and hands right where they should be during poses like downward-facing dogs. It’s a little thin, however, you can always fold it with the rubber mat you no longer want on top, or use a towel or blanket for your knees here and there.” —Maya, amazon.com

Best Natural Rubber Mat: Lululemon Reversible (Un) Mat Lightweight Travel

“The Lulu mat is incredibly durable and perfect for classes where you get a lot of sweat,” says Claire Ewing of CorePower Yoga. “My hands and feet don’t slip when I practice and it’s very easy to clean.” Lululemon’s reversible mat may not be as pretty as some of the other options, but if you’re looking for a great hybrid of form and function, you can’t go wrong with a solid natural rubber with an antimicrobial additive that also dries easily.

Reviewers rave: “It has a slight rubbery smell, but overall the mat is excellent! You don’t slip at all during your workout and you feel the support due to the thickness of the mat. I am very happy with my purchase!” —Jena, store.lululemon.com

Thanks for Reading.