Even when just getting started with yoga, most people want their own mat. You don’t need to spend a lot of money, and for hygienic reasons you probably want a mat of your own. A good mat is also essential for traction, cushion, comfort, and support. Our guide covers the key factors to think about while shopping, so you can find the best yoga mat for you at a price you like.
Click on any column header to sort the table, for example by cost, thickness, or material. Detailed explanations of prices, ratings, etc are located beneath the guide:
| Mat | Size | Cost | Weight | Colors | Material | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BalanceFrom GoYoga 1/2" with Carrying Strap | 1/2" thick 71"x24" | $19.95 | 2.5 pounds | Black, purple, red, blue, green, pink, gray | Foam. | 4.4 |
Yes4All Premium PVC Mat | 3/16" thick 68"x24" | $11.99 | 2.5 pounds | Black, blue, orange, purple, red | PVC. | 3.8 |
Yoloha Cork Mat | 1/4" thick 72"x24" | $119.00 | 6 pounds | Natural cork | Natural cork surface, backed with domestic rubber from recycled tires. 100% recyclable. | 5.0 |
Yoga Design Lab combo mat | 1/8" thick 72"x24" | $68.00 | 4.1 pounds | Aegean, Bloom, Chevron Gray, Dreamscape, Ella, Geo | Biodegradable natural tree rubber & microfiber | 4.4 |
Aurorae Classic Yoga Mat | 1/4" thick 72"x24" | $35.00 | 3.5 pounds | 11 options | Unknown material. Free of phthalates, silicone, latex, and toxins. Bio-degradable. SGS approved. | 4.5 |
Sivan NBR Yoga Mat | 1/2" thick 72"x24" | $19.99 | 1.8 pounds | Red, blue, black, purple, green, pink | Foam. | 4.5 |
Yogasana Handmade Cotton Yoga Rug | 1/4" thick 72"x24" | $85.00 | 4 pounds | 7 colors | 100% Cotton | 4.6 |
Aurorae Printed Northern Lights Yoga / Fitness Mats | 1/4" thick 72"x24" | $39.95 | 3.0 pounds | 12 options | PER. Free of phthalates, silicone and latex. Bio-degradable. SGS approved. | 4.5 |
Spoga High Density Yoga Mat with Carrying Straps | 5/8" thick 71"x24" | $19.99 | 2.1 pounds | Black, red, blue, pink, green, dark purple | Foam. | 4.4 |
Jade Harmony Professional 3/16-Inch Yoga Mat | 3/16" thick 68"x24" 74"x24" | $62.95 | 4.6 pounds | 11 options | Natural rubber. No PVC or ozone-depleting substances. | 4.6 |
Jade Fusion Professional 5/16-Inch Yoga Mat | 5/16" thick 68"x24" 74"x24" | $134.95 | 8.2 pounds | Midnight Blue, Purple, Olive Green, Teal | Natural rubber | 4.7 |
ProSource Premium 1/2-Inch Extra Thick Yoga Mat With Carrying Straps | 1/2" thick 71"x24" | $18.99 | 2.5 pounds | 8 options | Foam. | 4.3 |
ProSource Premium 1/4-Inch Yoga Mat With Carrying Straps | 1/4" thick 68"x24" | $16.99 | 3.0 pounds | 7 options | Foam. | 4.2 |
Jade Harmony XW Extra Large Yoga Mat | 3/16" thick 80"x27" | $99.95 | 5.4 pounds | Midnight Blue | Natural rubber | 4.7 |
Jade Travel Yoga Mat | 1/8" 68"x24" 74"x24" | $53.95 | 3.4 pounds | 6 options | Natural rubber | 4.4 |
prAna Indigena Natural Yoga Mat | 3/16" 78"x26" | $69.95 | 7.7 pounds | Plum, Sapphire, Spinach | 100% Rubber | 3.7 |
prAna Revolution Natural Sticky Mat | 3/16" 78"x30" | $89.95 | 9.1 pounds | Black, Orange, Seaweed | 100% Rubber | 4.1 |
MRS Fitness Matt | 1/4" thick 72"x24" | $39.95 | NA | Black w/ Lavender, Dark Blue w/ Light Blue, Purple w/ Pink | PVC. Free of phthalates and other toxins. | 4.2 |
Incline Fit Mat with Carrying Strap | 1/2" thick 72"x24" | $19.99 | 2.4 pounds | 11 options | Foam. | 4.3 |
Aurorae Synergy Yoga Mat / Towel | 1/4" thick 72"x24" | $49.95 | 3.3 pounds | 5 options | Microfiber towel with PER backing. Free of latex, silicone and phthalates. SGS approved. | 4.7 |
Hugger Mugger Sattva Jute Mat | 1/8" thick 68"x24" | $36.84 | 2.7 pounds | Natural | Natural jute plant fiber with PER backing. | 3.9 |
Hugger Mugger Tapas Original Sticky Yoga Mat | 1/8" thick 68"x24" | $25.55 | 2.6 pounds | Purple, emerald, olive, autumn, lapis blue | PVC. Phthalate-free, antimicrobial. | 3.8 |
YogaAccessories 1/4" Yoga Mat | 1/4" thick 74"x24" | $17.99 | 3.3 pounds | 23 options | Unknown material. Phthalate free inks and dyes. Free of latex and heavy metals. | 4.2 |
Yes4All 1/2-Inch Extra Thick Yoga Mat w/ Carry Strap | .4 to 1/2" thick 68"x24"x .4" 68"x24"x1/2" 72x24x1/2" | $20.05 | 2.2 pounds | Black, blue, green, orange, purple, red | Foam. | 4.2 |
Manduka PRO Yoga and Pilates Mat | 1/4" thick 71"x26" 85"x26" | $93.04 | 7 pounds | 12 options | Blend of polyester and eco-certified PVC. 100% Latex Free. | 4.5 |
Manduka PROlite Yoga Mat | 3/16" thick 71"x24" | $65.00 | 4.5 pounds | 11 options | Blend of polyester and eco-certified PVC. 100% Latex Free. | 4.3 |
Manduka eKO Lite 2.0 Natural Tree Rubber Yoga Mat | 1/8" thick 68"x24" | $52.00 | 3.5 pounds | 4 options | Natural rubber. Biodegradable, non-Amazon harvested. | 4.1 |
Yoga Monster Mat by Bean Products | 1/4" thick 72"x24" | $24.95 | 3.5 pounds | 16 options | PER. Free of toxic phthalates, dioxins and furans, phenal, or heavy metals. SGS approved. | 3.8 |
Gaiam Print Premium Yoga Mats (5mm) | 3/16" thick 68"x24" | $29.98 | 2.5 pounds | Citron Sundial, Flower Burst, Ash Leaves, Sage Lily, Taos Alignment | PVC. Free of phthalates and other toxins. | 4.3 |
Gaiam Solid Premium Yoga Mats (5mm) | 3/16" thick 68"x24" | $29.99 | 2.5 pounds | Purple, Brown, Honeydew, Citron Meadow, Granite Storm, Robin's Egg, Plum/Jam | PVC. Free of phthalates and other toxins. | 4.2 |
Gaiam Solid Yoga Mats (3mm) | 1/8" thick 68"x24" | $19.99 | 2.0 pounds | 6 options | PVC. Free of phthalates and other toxins. | 4.0 |
Gaiam Sol Premium-Grip Yoga Mat (8mm) | 1/3" thick 68"x24" | $74.96 | 6.5 pounds | Green | Natural rubber. | 4.5 |
Bixle 1/2" Inch Extra Thick Yoga Mat with Carrying Strap | 1/2" thick 72"x24" | $22.95 | 2.3 pounds | 4 options | Foam. | 4.3 |
Tomuno Natural Rubber Eco Friendly Yoga Mat | 3/16" thick 68"x24" | $41.99 | 5.6 pounds | Cadet blue, grey | Natural rubber. | 4.6 |
YogaHola Super Soft Eco-Friendly Yoga Mat w/ Carry Cord | 1/8" thick 70"x24" | $13.95 | 2.5 pounds | 5 options | Foam. | 3.6 |
Da Vinci Yoga Mat with Carry Strap, 1/4" Inch | 1/4" thick 72"x24" | $18.99 | 2.8 pounds | 12 options | PVC. Free of phthalates. | 4.0 |
Da Vinci 2-Tone Yoga Mat with Carry Strap | 1/4" thick 72"x24" | $16.99 | 3.0 pounds | 8 different 2-tone options | PVC. Free of phthalates. | 4.0 |
HemingWeigh Extra Thick Foam Mat With Carrying Straps | 1/2" thick 70"x23.5" | $26.99 | 2.3 pounds | Black | Foam. | 4.5 |
Milliard 1/4" Yoga Mat | 1/4" thick 72"x24" | $17.21 | NA | 11 options | Unknown material. | 4.3 |
Zen Active Non-Slip Yoga Mat w/ Strap | 1/4" thick 72"x24" | $22.22 | NA | Black | Unknown material. | 4.6 |
Valeo Yoga Mat Blue | 3/16" thick 68"x24" | $12.50 | 1.9 pounds | Blue | Unknown | 3.0 |
YogaDirect 1/4" Sticky Yoga Mat | 1/4" thick 72"x24" | $13.99 | NA | 12 options | PVC | 4.2 |
Harbinger Treated Mat | 5/8" thick 72"x24" | $36.66 | 2.4 pounds | Blue, green | 99% NBR Rubber Foam; 1% Elastic | 4.3 |
BalanceFrom GoYoga Mat with Carrying Strap | 1/4" thick 72"x24" | $24.95 | 2.5 pounds | 9 options | Unknown. PVC free, phthalates free, latex free. | 4.1 |
Yoga Direct 6-Feet Square Yoga Mat | 1/4" thick 72" x 72" | $51.99 | 12 pounds | Purple, blue, olive green | Latex free | 4.5 |
Khataland YoFoMat Travel Mat - Foldable with Travel Bag | 1/6" thick 72"x24" | $40.43 | NA | 5 options | PVC. Latex free, free of phthalates | 4.3 |
The 7 columns in the guide are:
- Mat name & picture (click to view more details or to purchase).
- Mat size dimensions in inches
- Mat price – These are current prices on Amazon.com in U.S. dollars. Outside the U.S., click the price in dollars to see the price in your local currency. In some cases price will change depending on mat color and/or style.
- Mat weight in pounds.
- Color and/or style options.
- Mat material (more on mat materials below). SGS is a private, independent laboratory that tests many types of products and makes recommendations regarding consumer safety.
- Rating – This is the average user rating on Amazon.com, where 5 is the best possible rating. It can be very helpful in deciding whether people were satisfied with their purchase.
Finding the best yoga mat for you
The main purpose of a yoga mat is to give cushion and traction. Thickness determines the amount of cushion. Traction allows you to balance while doing your poses. This is the “stickiness” of a mat. You may also want your mat to be non-toxic, environmentally friendly, and odor free. Other factors to consider are portability, durability, color and design, and of course price.
Thickness and cushion
Thickness is critical since you want enough cushion to make you comfortable, but not so much that it interferes with your balance. Standard thickness mats such as the YogaAccessories High Density Yoga Mat strike a balance at around 1/4”. Extra cushioning mats like the Prosource Premium Extra Thick Yoga Mat are a luxurious 1/2” thick. Thin, portable mats like the Gaiam Travel Yoga Mat are around 1/16”. If you’ll be taking your mat to classes, you may also want to consider a sling harness or a carrying tote.
Unless you are very tall, mat size is generally not an issue. Standard yoga mats are 24″ by 68″, which is the best yoga mat size for most people.
Material, stickiness and texture
Mat material determines stickiness, texture, sponginess (responsiveness to pressure), eco-friendliness, and durability. PVC (or vinyl) is the most commonly available mat material because of it’s affordability and durability. PER stands for Polymer Environmental Resin, which is another widely available material.
Stickiness is important since it’s what keeps you from slipping when doing poses. PVC mats are generally the most sticky and spongy. However textured surfaces can also affect how much traction a mat provides. Texture also determines how comfortable the mat feels to touch. Texture can either be by design, such as raised bumps, or it can be a feature of the material (such as jute mats, which are organically rough). Rubber, jute, and cotton mats are generally not as sticky as PVC, but can have surface texture that helps prevent slippage.
Eco-friendliness
Mats that are made from “foam”, or that don’t publicize what material they are made of, are most likely made from PVC. Generally mats that are not made from PVC prominently display what they’re made of as a selling point.
Not all PVC mats are created equally. Some are manufactured without phthalates and other toxins. However there are no PVC mats that are biodegradable.
Newer more eco-friendly options include recycled and natural rubber, organic or natural cotton, and jute. Rubber mats are the most popular eco-friendly option, but you should avoid rubber if you’re allergic to latex. Popular rubber mats include the Jade Harmony Rubber Mat, the Manduka eKO Eco-Friendly Yoga Mat, and the Harmony Natural Yoga Mat.
Cotton is the most absorbent mat material, which is important if you sweat a lot or are planning on doing hot yoga. Cotton mats can cost a bit more, such as the Hugger Mugger Cotton Yoga Mat, but are also available in a more affordable rug style. Jute mats such as the Hugger Mugger Sattva Jute Mat feature an organic surface texture which prevents slippage naturally.
Beware of mats with non-natural materials that make eco-friendly claims. Many companies use environmental issues as a marketing strategy, and claim products are eco-friendly when they really aren’t. If it’s not a material that grows in nature, it’s probably not very environmentally friendly.
Price
Last but not least, price matters. Cheap mats are easy to find at big box stores, but with yoga mats you tend to get what you pay for. Mats under $20 can wear out pretty quickly, and often have a chemical odor. Some of the best selling yoga mats are in the mid $20 range, if you don’t mind a PVC mat. Cost generally goes up with the quality of materials, construction, and eco-friendliness.
If you’re buying a mat online don’t forget to consider shipping costs. Many online retailers offer inexpensive or free shipping options on some of the best yoga mats out there. Also depending what state you live in, and what online store you’re buying from, shopping online can often save you sales tax.
Beginners kits
If you’re new to yoga, the best yoga mat for you may come in a beginners kit such as the Valeo Yoga Kit or the Sivan Essential Yoga 5 Piece Beginners Kit. Beginners kits are usually very competitively priced, and have extra items like blocks and straps which are fun to experiment with. The Gaiam Yoga for Beginners Kit even comes with a DVD with introductory workouts to get you started.
Cleaning and care
When you find your own best yoga mat it’s a good idea to wash it before you use it. This will remove any factory odors. Additionally, some new mats are slippery until you break them in, and washing will help with that.
Cleaning the mat after each use is important to help it last. It’s important to remove sweat and body oils, which can cause mats to deteriorate. Yoga mat cleaning sprays such as the Aurorae Organic Yoga Mat Wash can make clean up easy. You can also make your own at home, check out this fun video:
Don’t forget to store your mat in a cool place. Heat or direct sun can cause even the best yoga mats to age prematurely.
Now it’s your turn
Now that you have seen the options and reviewed our top picks for the best yoga mat on the market, its up to you to pick which one meets your needs in your price range.
New mats come on the market frequently, so we’ll update our guide as needed. But if you feel like we missed a superior mat that needs to be included on the list, or if you have your own tips on finding the best yoga mat, please let us know in the comments below. Namaste!:)