The 15 Greatest Yoga Mats of 2025, Examined

As a registered yoga trainer with years of expertise guiding personal purchasers—and practically 20 years of non-public observe underneath my belt—I’ve spent numerous hours on the mat. Through the years, I’ve examined dozens of one of the best yoga mats to seek out what actually fits me as I move by a vinyasa, sweat by scorching yoga, settle right into a yin observe, and discover my heart in prenatal courses. Whereas every type of yoga lends itself to distinctive yoga mat traits, I are inclined to search for a mat that strikes the appropriate steadiness between consolation and grip, with simply sufficient cushioning to assist my joints with out sacrificing stability. Portability issues, too—a mat that is light-weight and straightforward to hold is a should.

• How We Examined

  I used to be a part of a staff of Verywell Match editors testing over 50 of one of the best yoga mats, utilizing them throughout varied yoga practices, together with vinyasa, yin, prenatal, scorching, and extra. We additionally consulted with yoga instructors to assist us determine which key options to prioritize when purchasing for a high-quality yoga mat. When testing yoga mats, we consider every possibility based mostly on design, consolation, grip, portability, and worth to determine the highest choices in the marketplace.

  • Design: Earlier than our first mountain pose, we unroll the mats, pay attention to packaging, any lingering smells, and consider how nicely the mats lay flat. We additionally observe how nicely the mat stays flat underneath our arms and toes all through testing, and whether or not this element modifications over time. 
  • Consolation: We check every mat at the least twice by a guided vinyasa move after which by a number of different exercises. When flowing, we think about the padding and thickness of the mat and pay attention to how supportive the mat feels underneath our arms, toes, joints, and head. “I move on squishy mats personally, however I like to recommend them for college students in want of added assist,” says Ian Callahan, RYT, a licensed vinyasa and yin yoga trainer. “Sometimes, if my downward canine feels good, I do know I’ve picked a superb mat.”
  • Grip: To check the grip of every yoga mat, we full one move with dry arms and toes after which spray our arms and toes to do the identical whereas moist (mimicking sweat). We observe how confidently we are able to maintain poses with out slipping. We additionally think about the feel of the mat and whether or not the sensation of the mat is interesting on naked pores and skin. “Grip undoubtedly issues for stability and strength-building, and good grip can contribute to good alignment,” says Callahan, noting that if a mat feels slick or artificial, he feels much less safe in his pose.
  • Portability: We roll up every mat, evaluating how simply it rolls and stays rolled. Then, we take them with us to courses, the park, or whereas touring to charge their portability and storage. In accordance with Callahan, the extra compact and transportable a mat might be, the higher. Mats that embrace a carrying bag or strap are inclined to carry out higher on this class.
  • Worth: We don’t examine the worth of the mats till after we’ve evaluated every possibility in all different key standards. We think about whether or not the mat is pretty priced given its options, efficiency, and high quality. We additionally think about whether or not we’d buy the mat at full retail worth or look ahead to it to go on sale.

• What to Look For

  • Supplies: Yoga mats might be constituted of quite a lot of supplies, the commonest being PVC (polyvinyl chloride), TPE (thermoplastic elastomer), pure rubber, and cork. Mats manufactured from PVC are simple to scrub, sturdy, and long-lasting, however they aren’t thought-about eco-friendly. Mats made with TPE really feel extra like rubber and might be recycled after use, whereas pure rubber mats are favored for his or her traction and slip resistance. Cork yoga mats are one other eco-conscious possibility that characteristic pure antimicrobial properties and truly get grippier as they get moist. Callahan notes that pure parts are inclined to really feel higher on the arms and toes than artificial choices.
  • Thickness: The thickness of the mat performs a job in each cushioning and stability. A thicker mat presents extra consolation to your wrists and knees, however a mat that’s too thick could make it tough to remain secure throughout standing poses and inversions, says licensed yoga trainer Kayla Hargett, E-RYT. Because of this, some folks go for thinner mats to allow them to really feel the bottom beneath them. Callahan commonly alternates between a yoga rug, a journey mat, and the extra frequent “sticky” mat, noting that mixing it up helps him keep alignment and reduces reliance on the mat’s grip.
  • Size: The usual dimensions for a yoga mat are 68 inches in size and 24 inches in width. Folks over 5 toes 5 inches tall could wish to think about sizing up for a bit extra room on each ends of the mat, permitting for full-body stretching. To check the size of a yoga mat, transfer right into a downward-facing canine and guarantee your arms and toes are firmly planted on the mat. If each match with out hitting the perimeters, the mat is the right dimension for you.
  • Weight: Yoga mats can vary from super-lightweight to heavy, so it’s important to think about the way you’ll use your mat to find out the appropriate weight for you. If you happen to’re touring to and from a yoga studio along with your mat, you’ll need an possibility that’s not robust to hold. If you happen to’re on the lookout for a considerable piece of apparatus so as to add to your house gymnasium, you could desire a heavier possibility.

• What We’ve Up to date

  • Since we final revealed our preliminary, totally examined roundup of one of the best yoga mats, we’ve examined 10 further choices, bringing the whole to over 50 examined yoga mats. We evaluated each for its design, consolation, grip, portability, and worth, and have included these new insights in our article.
  • Primarily based on our up to date testing insights, we have changed 5 of our picks, together with Greatest Price range, Greatest Grip, Greatest for Plush Cushioning, Greatest for Agency Cushioning, and Greatest Design. We’ve additionally added two new superlatives: Greatest Cork and Greatest Massive.
  • We interviewed one new knowledgeable, a licensed vinyasa and yin yoga trainer, to make sure our recommendation on selecting yoga mats is correct and up-to-date.