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We tested 18 top yoga mats from Manduka, Lululemon, Hugger Mugger, Gaiam, Prana and more, to find the best for any sort of practice.
Ready to roll out, test asanas, and feel the difference with the best yoga mats.
Credit: Kate Pitts
By Kate Pitts ⋅ Review Editor ⋅ Updated March 16, 2026
A great yoga mat is so much more than just a slab of squishy material for child's pose. You want enough grip to keep your hands and feet from slipping around in a sweaty down dog, and plenty of protective cushioning for your wrists and knees as you move through your cat-cow stretches. When the flow winds down, you want to be able to settle into your long-hold poses in comfort.
We've tested more than 50 different yoga mats over the years, led by a long-time yoga teacher and yoga therapist who spent hundreds of hours in the studio, at home, and on the road with these mats.
The Manduka PRO is the best yoga mat we have tested and the one we recommend for most people, because it can support you through the widest diversity of practices and poses. It has excellent cushion, solid grip even when sweaty, and a stellar lifespan, making it an all-time favorite among yogis and teachers.
For yogis on a budget, the best lower-cost mats are the Gaiam Premium 6mm and Iuga Eco Friendly Non Slip. The Gaiam mat provides joint-friendly cushioning for beginners and occasional home sessions. The Iuga mat is a great middle option that steps it up a notch by offering a well-balanced combination of cushioning and grip, and is made from sturdy materials comparable to more expensive mats.
Editor's Note: We updated this article on March 21, 2026, to include additional mats and insights from extended testing.
The Manduka PRO offers something for every ability level. It's a stable and supportive option for complicated arm and head balances, while remaining comfortable enough for mobility work when recovering from injury. One yoga therapist on our testing team professed, “I love using this mat with my cancer patients, as it holds them in place and better protects their already-stressed joints.” With top-notch grip, this mat is the ideal foundation for working through twisting poses that often result in sweaty foot slippage on other yoga mats. And we can't say enough about its longevity; one tester has been using this same mat for 20 years, and it still looks and feels like new.
SPECIFICATIONS
Thickness
6 mm
Length
71"
Measured Weight
7.5 lb
The Manduka PRO's biggest downside is its heft. Weighing over seven pounds, this mat feels like it's full of great cushioning and support — and it is. The Jade Harmony 2.0 and Iuga Eco Friendly Non Slip weigh less and are easier to carry to a studio. When really wet (like during intensive hot yoga sessions), you may slip a bit without a yoga towel on top (Manduka makes one sized perfectly to fit the PRO). Ultimately, the best yoga mat is dependable, supportive, stable, and comfortable — and the Manduka PRO perfectly embodies that description.
The Iuga Eco-Friendly Non-Slip is hands down one of the best budget options we've tested for both quality and portability. It's super lightweight, clocking in at just over two pounds, and it provides excellent grip, comfort, and stability. It's longer and wider than many other mats, making it even easier to practice on, no matter your size or experience level. It also has a great grip, perfect for sweaty yogis and hot yoga sessions. The cushioning is thick enough to protect your knees but firm enough to provide a solid foundation for your practice — even during challenging single-leg balance poses.
SPECIFICATIONS
Thickness
5 mm
Length
72"
Measured Weight
2.1 lb
With an open-cell design, the Iuga is less water-resistant than some others and may require additional cleaning for yogis with sweatier practices. That same design can also degrade more quickly when used frequently on abrasive surfaces like pavement or dirt. If you don't use your mat outside the studio, it shouldn't be a problem, but mats like the Manduka Pro and Jade Harmony 2.0 are more durable. But if you most often practice indoors and are after an affordable mat that's great for all skill levels and types of yoga practices, we love this one.
Easy on the wallet, the Gaiam Premium 6mm features comfortable cushioning that supports casual and beginner practices. This mat is consistently a best seller and a favorite among studio owners for its padding and fun design, making it our favorite entry-level mat. The 6mm thickness provides noticeable padding for knees and wrists. “I love this mat for restorative yoga and slow flows because the cushion is so comfortable during kneeling poses, seated stretches, and longer floor sequences,” commented one tester. “Plus, it is lightweight and one of the easiest to carry, which makes it convenient for commuting to class,” she adds. It is available in more fun colors and patterns than any other mat, and you can choose from poppy colors to flower mandalas to starry constellations.
SPECIFICATIONS
Thickness
6 mm
Length
68"
Measured Weight
3.3 lb
The Gaiam's performance is less impressive during more dynamic or sweaty sessions. “I noticed that the foam surface becomes somewhat slippery as moisture builds on the mat, which made me less confident in poses that require strong traction, like a wide-legged forward fold or even warrior one and two,” commented one tester. Over time, we also noticed that the material can show signs of compression, scuffs, and wear with regular use, especially daily use in a studio. While it provides ultra-comfortable cushioning for slow to moderate yoga flows, stretching practices like Pilates or restorative yoga, those who frequent hot yoga classes or practice inversions and fast-paced vinyasa may want a mat with more grip, like the Manduka Eko or the Liforme Original. Overall, it is an incredible price for a comfortable mat that keeps your joints happy and comes in joyful patterns.
The Gaiam Premium 6mm has a thick cushion that makes long kirtan sits in lotus nicely padded—supportive enough to stay grounded in the music without distracting pressure on knees and hips while we sing the Hanuman Chalisa. Credit: Kate Pitts
Rolls tight and packs easily into the included travel case
Lays flat
Alignment lines for learning healthy form
One of the easiest mats to clean
CONS
Stains easily
Thin for sensitive joints
The defining feature of the Liforme Original is its surface pattern, which is printed with “AlignForMe” markers that yogis can use as a visual guideline for mindful placement during yoga practice. This is an excellent choice for those who are new to yoga, or even intermediate yogis who want to fine-tune their form. With 4.2mm of buffer between you and the hard floor, this mat offers a beautiful balance of comfort, grip, and firmness. Although the Liforme is not as light as many “travel mats” on the market (which are thinner than a piece of cardboard), it is a decent mid-range weight and such a high performer in all our testing metrics that we would also recommend it as a more protective travel mat. We were happy to carry it across town or on a bike. One of our testers flew with it internationally and said it was “a breeze to fly with and fit easily in the overhead bin.” It is resilient and won't crimp or wrinkle. Plus, the mat comes with a protective, fully zippered bag.
SPECIFICATIONS
Thickness
6 mm
Length
72.8"
Measured Weight
6.2 lb
The Liforme is incredibly comfortable, and the cushion feels sufficient for most poses. Still, if you need a more supportive mat, consider a thicker cushioned option like the Prana Verde. An extra half-millimeter of thickness provides a nice balance of cushion and support. Liforme uses eco-friendly materials and has designed its mats to biodegrade in standard landfill conditions within 1 to 5 years, which we love, but they are also less durable than other mats. However, the well-balanced performance makes this a terrific option mat that can transition between home, studio, and travel carry-on. Add intuitive alignment guides and a gecko-like grip, and you have a supportive yoga mat that can inspire deeper body awareness and healthy posture on the mat.
Our team enjoyed Liforme's cushion and grip wherever we traveled. The alignment lines helped us navigate with more stability and steadiness through asana practice. Credit: Kate Pitts
The Lululemon The Mat offers a great balance of features, making it a multi-use high performer for any style of yoga. Some mats may specialize in uber-grippy texture or plush cushion, but a rare few can juggle being grippy enough for hot yoga, stable for inversions, and cozy on the joints. The Mat is that mat. It's a versatile and multi-use reversible mat, making it suitable for cooling yin sessions or sweaty yang flows. The smooth side is sticky but smooth enough for sliding into jump-throughs or rolling over the toes. The sticky side becomes grippier with a bit of moisture. One tester put it, “I could settle comfortably in a downward dog without my hands sliding forward at all.”
SPECIFICATIONS
Thickness
5 mm
Length
71"
Measured Weight
5.9 lb
For an open-cell, sweat-absorbing mat, The Mat is decently resilient. Its lifespan is usually over 5 years, but the absorbent top layer soaks up oils and dirt, making it easy to stain. Selecting a darker color can significantly affect how fresh it looks over time. It has decent wet grip, but if you want the grippiest mat with a slick surface for hot yoga, then consider the Manduka Adapt 2.0. The Mat rolls up tightly and is easy to carry, if a bit heavier than average. The Mat shines as a studio or home yoga mat. It's a versatile and adaptable choice for almost every ability level, practice type, or movement style.
The Manduka GRP Adapt 2.0 earns our top pick for hot yoga due to its unparalleled grip in both wet and dry conditions — it is a micro-wicking sponge for sweat. It features a Satin Grip™ surface that balances a smooth texture with a tacky grip. At first glance, the mat looks slippery as snot, but after putting our hands on it, we were delighted by the superb grip — we felt secure as a geco on glass. We dumped a liter of water on the mat to simulate a sweatfest and still felt secure in sun salutations. “The grip is incredible. The tacky surface feels solid and secure, and yet the satin finish of the mat gives the smooth skin-to-mat contact ideal for transitions like sliding over the tops of my feet.” When we started sweating, the mat quickly absorbed moisture and remained sticky when wet.
SPECIFICATIONS
Thickness
5 mm
Length
71"
Measured Weight
5.5 lb
While we love the grip on the Adapt 2.0 for hot classes, it trades deep cushion for a lighter weight. It's adequate for most yoga classes, but it can be sharp on the knees for poses like deep lunges. Compared to the Manduka PRO, the open-cell Adapt offers a slightly softer, more responsive feel, yet we recommend the PRO for sensitive joints because it has a denser cushion that gives noticeably better support under knees, hips, and spine. The Jade Harmony 2.0 also offers strong dry grip and springier cushioning in its natural rubber construction. However, if you prioritize firm stability and premium dry and wet grip, the Adapt blows the competition out of the water for hot yoga, sweaty practices, and grip in all conditions.
The Adapt 2.0 felt amazing under my hasta banda (hand lock) for handstand drills because its sticky, moisture-absorbing surface keeps hands firmly planted even when sweaty, providing stable traction for balance and inversions Credit: Kate Pitts
The Adapt 2.0 grip remains excellent even with damp palms during a sweaty midday practice in the desert. Credit: Kate Pitts
The Jade Harmony 2.0 is one of the best-performing natural rubber yoga mats I've tested for grip and stability. The traction is exceptional thanks to the open-cell natural rubber surface. “It almost 'locks' your hands and feet in place,” comments one tester, adding, “I love it for inversions, and I especially like grabbing this mat for handstand practice because my fingers and palms can really grip.” At about 5.0 mm thick, it strikes a nice balance between cushioning and ground feel, making it supportive for standing poses while still stable for balance work. Jade also stands out for its environmental commitment, and through its partnership with Trees for the Future, Jade plants one tree for every mat sold, primarily supporting reforestation and agroforestry projects in countries like Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. Combined with the use of natural rubber rather than PVC, the mat has a more eco-conscious profile than many competitors.
SPECIFICATIONS
Thickness
5.0 mm
Length
68"
Measured Weight
5.2 lb
The main downsides are durability and maintenance. Because it's natural rubber, the mat can show wear faster than synthetic options and may start to look a bit “fuzzy” or worn with heavy use. It also tends to absorb sweat, which means it benefits from regular cleaning and may not be ideal if you want something extremely low-maintenance. Mats with a closed-cell surface, like the Manduka Pro, are easier to clean and maintain. The Jade can sometimes feel too grippy for smooth transitions. “I noticed that the texture felt rough when I slid on my toes,” mentioned several testers in more active practices, and if you want grip but a smoother surface for transitions, you might prefer the Manduka Eko. However, if you find your hands and feet constantly sliding apart in down dog, then the Jade mat might be your new best friend.
On bare Joshua Tree rock, the Jade Harmony 2.0 demonstrates the sticky traction natural rubber is known for, keeping poses stable, even in outdoor asana practice. Credit: Kate Pitts
If you love playing outside but don't want to expose your regular (possibly expensive) mat to dirt, sand, pine needles, or gravel, the Primasole Foldable is a fantastic option. This inexpensive foldable mat costs less than a drop-in yoga class and folds into a packable 10 x 12-inch square that is easy to tuck into a tote or backpack. It's not the most comfortable, firm, durable, or grippy, but it weighs less than two pounds, and its simplicity can't be beaten for outdoor yoga sessions. One tester, a backcountry park ranger, testified, “I actually love taking this mat with me on my patrol trips. It's so easy to carry — and practicing yoga away from everyone, in the wilderness, is an absolute dream.”
SPECIFICATIONS
Thickness
4 mm
Length
68"
Measured Weight
1.9 lb
The Primasole is a budget option that you don't have to worry about playing with outside, but it doesn't offer the performance of models meant for regular use. The cushion on the Primasole is thin — one of our testers rolled up a shirt to get extra knee padding while doing yoga on a granite slab in Yosemite. Though the Primasole doesn't have the grip and comfort of more plush, traditional studio mats, we love it for yoga at the park or while hiking.
Unfolding the lightweight Primasole for yoga outdoors was lovely, connecting nature, movement, and breath. Credit: Kate Pitts
Product Comparison Table
"Yoga is the calming of thought-waves in the mind." - Yoga Sutras 1.2 Credit: Kate Pitts
How We Tested
To find the best yoga mats, we consulted yoga teachers, yoga therapists, and longtime practitioners about the qualities they look for in a yoga mat to support their practice. The search for the best options available began with extensive market research. We considered over 60 models before choosing the most promising to put through our battery of tests. Our testers then assessed each mat over two months of rigorous practice. For the current lineup, we consulted with over 15 yoga teachers about their long-term experience with top contenders. Our testers then spent over 200 hours practicing on the mats in dry and wet conditions, documenting how each mat cushioned the joints and provided stability for balance, and the level of non-slip grip they provided. We also documented each mat's durability and ease of care. A final consideration was the material's sustainability and the manufacturing of the mats.
We ranked each mat across the following four test metrics:
-Comfort and Support (35% of overall score weighting)
-Grip (30% weighting)
-Materials (20% weighting)
-Ease of Use (15% weighting)
We tested out wet traction on each and every mat in this review. Credit: Kate Pitts
Why Trust GearLab
Collectively, our expert testers have practiced yoga on these mats for thousands of hours. Our primary yoga mat tester is Kate Pitts, a writer, wilderness hiking guide, yoga teacher, and hypnotist based in Estes Park and the Desert Southwest. Her work focuses on nature, wellness, and mindful adventure. She has been a yoga teacher for almost a decade, and practiced yoga for twice as long. She is authorized by Manju in the primary and secondary series of Ashtanga, and often teaches Mysore in addition to Yin, Yoga Nidra, and Yoga for Hikers. She supports Recovery 2.0, an organization that integrates yoga, meditation, and spiritual practices with the principles of 12-step recovery.
Kate taught her first yoga programs as a ranger for backcountry hikers at the bottom of the Grand Canyon, where sleeping pads were stand-ins for yoga mats. She loves doing yoga outside and is grateful for how her practice connects her to nature and the deep ecology that supports her community.
Yoga is like music: the rhythm of the body, the melody of the mind, and the harmony of the soul create the symphony of life. - B.K.S. Iyengar
Our testers used their years of experience to ensure each yoga mat was thoroughly tested.
Analysis and Test Results
In an age of information, too many options can trap you in choice overload, and today, there are more yoga mats on the market than there are traditions of yoga. The options range from inexpensive mats you can pick up at a big retailer to expensive specialty designs crafted by yoga teachers. Choosing a mat is about finding one that works for your body, preferences, and the style of yoga that you practice. We've rolled out our mats and offer nuanced insights from decades of practice to help you find a supportive fit. We discuss pricing in the yoga mat market, what to look for when making a value-based purchase, and how the different models performed during our testing.
Worse Value
Better Value
What's the Best Value?
We recognize that getting a product worth your dollars is important. That said, inexpensive mats often sacrifice cushion or grip, which detracts from a practice that should feel good on your body, so we like to highlight products that balance wallet-friendliness with excellent performance.
The Gaiam Premium 6mm is commonly found in studios, especially for beginner-friendly or community classes. It is an excellent choice for beginners because it combines extra-thick cushioning with a budget-friendly price. If you're ready to move beyond the beginner mat, but still don't want to pay $100+ for your mat, the Iuga Eco Friendly Non Slip offers an excellent balance of cushion, dry grip, and portability at a fair price, and is a step up from the Gaiam.
The 6mm padding provides plenty of support for knees, hips, and joints, making it forgiving for new practitioners still building strength and flexibility. Credit: Kate Pitts
If you do a lot of yoga, and are in it for the long haul, Manduka mats consistently last teachers over a decade with little signs of wear, particularly the Manduka PRO. They have a higher price tag, but if you think of it in terms of the cost per use, these mats are definitely worth it.
The yoga teacher giving this adjustment says the Manduka Pro mat in this photo is nearly two decades old! Nine out of 12 teachers at this workshop own a Manduka Pro as their personal mat. Credit: Kate Pitts
We'll give a last shoutout to the YogaAccessories mat. It is also a solid, budget-friendly 6mm mat that gets the job done. It's not fancy, but it provides decent grip and cushioning for a weekly practice.
Ample cushioning at an affordable price, the YogaAccessories offers a little more cushion than standard studio mats for beginner yogis on a budget. Credit: Kate Pitts
Comfort and Support
Comfort and support are arguably among the most important metrics to consider in a yoga mat. The best yoga mats are not too soft or hard but hit the Goldilocks balance of “just right.” We look for protective cushioning against unforgiving surfaces that is firm enough to help you balance, stabilize, and prevent joint overextension.
It only takes a few breath cycles in cat-cow to feel your femur pressing down through your knee joint, and if your yoga mat doesn't have enough cushion, pain or discomfort can radiate from hard contact with the ground. But softness doesn't equal support; you want a dense cushion with a protective barrier. If you stand on a mat and can see footprints, it is too soft for daily practice because the cushion compresses to the ground.
In our tests, we simulated how each mat performs when a person's bones compact the mat's buffer by compressing the padding onto a pen (like the head of a joint) under the weight of a 40-pound cinder block. Mats that squeeze only a little of their depth are denser and springier, offering a protective barrier between your bones and a hard floor.
This test looked to simulate hard bones and joints pressing into the mat — the differences between models were immediately noticeable.
The Manduka PRO has one of the most supportive cushions in our tests. We talked with a yoga therapist who uses the PRO when she works with people rehabilitating injuries or with terminal illnesses like cancer patients. Though it doesn't feel cushy like a pillow, it is protective yet firm, helping balance postures and providing proper support for therapeutic and athletic flows.
Many find that the PRO has an excellent balance of cushion and firmness for challenging moves, recovery, and therapeutic practice. Credit: Kate Pitts
The Adapt 2.0 provides excellent cushioning while being firmer and more grounding, making it suitable for hot yoga and balancing poses. We compared it to the Manduka PRO by switching between them. The Adapt felt stable during standing poses but was perhaps a tad too firm on the joints during deeper lunges. In contrast, the PRO's denser cushioning provided greater support and comfort for the knees, hips, and spine.
While the Adapt is lightweight and offers great grip, it provides just enough cushion for most practices yet sacrifices some of the plushness the PRO offers in long floor holds. Credit: Kate Pitts
The Mat from Lululemon is another of the most comfortable mats we tested. One surprising thing about this mat is its surface texture; it feels lovely and smooth as you glide into a pose. The Manduka eKO walks the line of comfort and support “just right” for many people. It offers a standard thickness of 5mm and has a little more spring in its cushion than the PRO.
The Manduka eKO is made of 5mm of sustainable rubber padding that has a resilient spring and creates an excellent cushion for the joints. Credit: Kate Pitts
Despite being one of the lightest non-travel mats in our tests, the Iuga Eco Friendly features a high-performing cushion that is thick enough to protect your knees on hard floors and firm enough to support strength and balance poses. We also appreciate the thick, firm 4-millimeter cushion of the Prana Verde, which has a lovely rebound spring.
The Prana Verde has a dense cushion that protects you even on hard surfaces like concrete. Credit: Kate Pitts
The Gaiam Performance Dry-Grip has an ideal cushion level. It feels good on the joints, is firm for support, and doesn't budge on the ground. Although it is not the grippiest sticky mat, it is a lovely choice for restorative practice.
The Gaiam Performance Dry-Grip has a soft 5mm cushion and a silky-smooth surface for relaxing. The surface dye can rub off, so we recommend buffing it with a towel before first use to prevent clothing stains. Credit: Kate Pitts
Although the Liforme Original has a slightly thinner cushion than other top-scoring models, it offers an excellent balance of cushion and firmness while being slightly lighter. One innovative feature of the Liforme is its alignment grids, which can help you learn healthy structural form and address left-right imbalances in your body.
Self-correcting is a skill that develops over time in your yoga practice and is one of the joys of body awareness. The alignment lines on this mat help yogis of any level increase proprioception and work on left/right imbalances. Credit: Kate Pitts
If you want an extra-long and wide mat, we loved spreading out on the Alo Yoga Warrior Mat. At 73.5 x 26 inches, it is two inches wider and five inches longer than standard mats. It provides a comfortable cushion for joints in most poses, but is slightly thin for dynamic rolling on the spine.
The Alo Yoga Warrior Mat is extra spacious and has decent cushion, although some testers wished the surface was a little more elastic to let energy move through the hands. Credit: Kate Pitts
The Jade Harmony 2.0 offers 5mm of natural rubber cushioning, providing a firm yet slightly springy feel. It's denser and more supportive than budget studio mats. It's comfortable for floor work without feeling overly squishy, making it a versatile choice for most yoga styles, including hot yoga, where grip and joint support are both important.
The Harmony 2.0 provided firm yet comfortable support under my knees while warming up for Kapotasana. It offers sufficient padding to protect larger joints during floor poses and long periods of kneeling. Credit: Kate Pitts
A firm mat will not feel as comfortable at first, but it helps with inversions by preventing the wrist joints from squishing forward or to the side when you carry weight on your hands. The same applies to upright balancing poses. A mat that is too squishy can cause your foot to turn in or out, unevenly distributing weight and forcing muscles up the chain to compensate for an off-kilter base. The Yoloha Unity Cork Pro is extra-firm and among the most stable mats we tested.
Yoga mats are like mattresses, some like it soft and some like it firm the - the Cork Pro is on the “some like it firm” side for grounding. Credit: Kate Pitts
If you have sensitive joints, we recommend buying a mat with a dense, rebounding cushion to enhance balance in your flows and standing asanas. A solid rather than squishy foundation will not force your body to compensate for a “too soft” yoga mat. Use complementary padding when you need support for sensitive joints. That said, a cushy mat may be a good choice if you primarily use it for restorative or yin practices. The Hugger Mugger Earth Elements features a foamier cushion that offers moderate stability for balance while being deliciously comfortable for seated postures, yin classes, and sound baths.
The Earth Elements offers a cozy cushion for relaxing into a pose or meditation. Credit: Kate Pitts
The Gaiam Premium 6mm and YogaAccessories offer more mm of cushioning than most standard studio mats, which are typically 3–5mm thick. The extra padding in these mats makes them especially comfortable for beginners or anyone who needs joint support during floor poses. However, when you press your hand down on the material, it compresses, and your handprint remains for a time. While these budget mats offer good cushioning initially, they will compress over time and have a shorter lifespan.
Even in a Joshua Tree campground, the Gaiam Premium 6mm delivers dependable cushioning, softening pressure on sit bones, knees, and wrists during extended floor work in the primary series of Ashtanga. Credit: Kate Pitts
Grip
Slipping all over your mat or having a yoga block slide out from under you is a great way to disrupt your flow state. For many people, traction doesn't depend solely on the mat since grip is also a skill that improves as you learn to control your body. Different levels of grip on a yoga mat are appropriate for different types of practice and experience. Our tests assessed each mat's dry and wet grip in a side-by-side comparison, as yoga mats perform differently depending on conditions.
Yoga Mat Wet/Dry Grip Ratings
Product
Dry Grip
Wet Grip
Manduka GRP Adapt 2.0
9.5
8.5
Prana Verde
10
8
Manduka eKO
10
7
Jade Harmony 2.0
9.5
7
Manduka PRO
9
7
Liforme Original
9
7
Jade Voyager
9
7
Iuga Eco Friendly Non Slip
8
7
Yokohama Unity Cork Pro
7.5
6
Manduka eKO SuperLite
7.5
5
Alo Yoga Warrior Mat
7
4.5
Lululemon The Mat
6.5
4.5
Gaiam Performance Dry-Grip
6.5
3.5
Gaiam Premium 6mm
6
4
Gaiam Premium Reversible
5
5
YogaAccessories
5.5
4
Yoga Design Lab Combo
4
4
Primasole Foldable
3
3
Different mats offer a variety of grip options, so you can choose the one that best supports your body and the type of yoga you enjoy. Hot yogis will want to prioritize the wet grip for when things get really sweaty. If you practice at normal temps but still find your palms constantly slipping, stronger dry grip will help with stability.
Each mat in our lineup got saturated with a liter of water, about the amount of liquid most people shed during a hot yoga class. We then tried a series of poses on each mat to determine which ones retained some traction and which ones became a slip-and-slide. Credit: Kate Pitts
The Adapt 2.0 offers the best combination of wet and dry traction, making it an excellent choice for hot yoga. Its open-cell polyurethane surface provides reliable grip in both dry and sweaty conditions. On dry skin, it feels naturally sticky, ensuring stability during poses. During sweaty, high-heat sessions, the open-cell texture absorbs moisture instead of allowing it to pool, maintaining its grip even when wet.
Do you need a built-in sweat sponge in your yoga mat? Manduka engineered the Adapt 2.0's open-cell interior to pull sweat into the mat’s layers, keeping the surface tacky for reliable traction during hot yoga. Credit: Kate Pitts
The Harmony 2.0 features a premium natural rubber grip with a slight texture that is tacky without being sticky. We found it hard to slip on when our hands and feet were dry, though it is excessively grippy for sliding transitions.
The Harmony provides excellent grip for your hands and the bottom adheres well to the floor, even on slick granite during outdoor sessions. Credit: Kate Pitts
We like the tiger-stripe traction lines on the top of the Manduka eKO and Prana Verde, especially for a dry grip, non-heated session. We found that they gave good friction for arm balances and inversion practice.
Some yogis find the Prana Verde's sticky grip pattern offers excellent traction, while others find it too grippy for some sliding transitions. Credit: Kate Pitts
The Mat from Lululemon offers incredible wet and dry traction for almost any style of yoga. The mat is absorbent and quickly soaks up your sweat, and it takes significant sweat input to build up any moisture on the surface. Even when this mat was soaking wet, we found excellent suction with hands and feet “activated” on the mat.
A yoga teacher assists in Prasarita Padottanasana C, a wide-legged stretch that puts significant oppositional force on the yoga mat. On a slippery mat, it is easy to slide splits-wise but you can trust your feet not to budge on Lululemon The Mat as you exhale and fold. Credit: Kate Pitts
The Mat is also reversible. The polyurethane top layer absorbs moisture to help offer traction during sweaty practices like hot yoga. The natural rubber base provides a textured grip for more challenging moves. You can experiment with the grip that feels comfortable when you activate your hands and feet to ground into the surface.
The Mat from Lululemon is reversible, with a sticky yet smooth top and a textured underside. Credit: Kate Pitts
The Liforme Original may look as smooth as a glass castle, but it sticks like a gecko on a window. The alignment lines are engraved on the surface and have a slight texture, so you can feel them under your hands without having to look down at them. This is an excellent sticky mat for beginner and intermediate yogis to study posture integrity and proprioception (body awareness).
Grip like a gecko on the luxuriously smooth top of the Liforme. Your hands and feet won't slide out even when you apply oppositional force to balance. Credit: Kate Pitts
If you love the sticky mat style, the Iuga Eco Friendly is another favorite for sweaty yogis. Its uniquely soft surface is non-slip but less aggressive, and it remains comfortable for sliding transitions. It is lighter, so the only downside is that it can wrinkle slightly in the middle if you are heavy on your feet.
Even when wet, the Iuga Eco Friendly stays grippy. Credit: Kate Pitts
The Manduka PRO has a textured surface that provides great grip for handstands and inversions. It offers an excellent balance of stick and glide that is a good fit for dynamic flows or Ashtanga. However, it becomes more slippery when wet, so there are better choices if you strictly practice hot yoga. When looking at floor traction the Pro excells. The circle-patterned tread on the bottom of the mat suctions the floor, and this mat doesn't fold when you roll over the toes or budge when you jump, rock, or roll. We tested how easily mats slid across different surfaces, and the PRO was among the least movable foundations. The Alo Warrior Mat, Jade Harmony, Lululemon The Mat, and Manduka eKO also have notable grip strength on the floor.
Testing the grip both regarding our feet and the floor beneath with the Manduka PRO. Credit: Kate Pitts
A few yoga mats actually work better when wet. The Unity Cork Pro optimizes traction when at least a little moisture is present. This mat is moderately grippy when wet or dry, and we recommend spritzing it with water to build traction at the start of your practice. Water doesn't absorb into the mat's surface, so it is good to have a towel handy if sweat starts to pool. The bottom of the mat has a tread that grips most of the time, but can slide a little on smoother surfaces like hardwood.
The extra-firm material of the Yoloha Unity gives one of the most stable bases for outside practice. Credit: Kate Pitts
The Manduka eKO SuperLite and Jade Voyager are super-grippy travel mats but thinner than a cardboard box. Used on their own, this paper-thin travel mat tends to wrinkle on smoother floors and does not cushion your bones. We've seen people creatively use them as yoga mat toppers instead of a towel when they visit studios while traveling, for a hygienic grip.
The Manduka Eko Superlight offers excellent grip, and some students enjoy it as a mat topper when they travel. Credit: Kate Pitts
Materials
We aim to find durable and sustainable yoga mats. Many companies market “green credibility” by claiming they use toxic-free manufacturing/materials and zero-waste factories. While we appreciate companies that prioritize sustainability, the greenest option is often to choose “Reduce” before “Reuse” and “Recycle.” High-performing mats that can last through years of practice scored higher than recyclable materials that fall apart in six months.
Our team of testers practiced on each yoga mat at least a dozen times, noting any signs of wear. We conducted extensive market research to see how mats have held up for various users. When considering our award winners, we consulted over 15 yoga teachers for their insights on how their yoga mats have held up over the years. For some of our top choices, we have continued to use them so we can note long-term wear over multiple years.
Even after extensive testing, the Manduka Pro looks and feels as good as new. How many sun salutations will it take to wear out this mat? We don't have the energy for that test. Credit: Kate Pitts
The Manduka PRO is a dense and durable mat. The closed-cell construction prevents moisture, sweat, and dirt from absorbing into it. The PRO is constructed from PVC that has been certified Standard 100 by Oeko-Tex. PVC is notoriously immune to tears, so this mat endures. We talked with several teachers who are still practicing on a PRO they have used for 5-20 years, and all of them told us their mats still look in mint condition.
One teacher at a yoga teacher workshop said this mat was nearing its 20th birthday. The Manduka Pro ages gracefully - this mat still looks in top shape! Credit: Kate Pitts
As for the rubber mats, they break down more quickly than PVC. A classic wear pattern on rubber mats is track lines where the hands and feet rub parallel rails into the surface. The Manduka eKO doesn't come with the lifetime guarantee that the company offers with the ultra-durable PRO. This was intentional on the company's part, as they made the eKO from biodegradable natural tree rubber. We spoke with several practitioners who used this for vigorous, daily Ashtanga practices for 3-6 years before retiring the mat.
The Manduka Eko gives excellent dry grip so your hands, feet, and yoga props don't slide on the mat. Credit: Kate Pitts
The Harmony 2.0 is made from natural rubber harvested from sustainably managed rubber trees. Plus, with every mat sold, Jade Yoga plants a tree. We like to verify sustainability claims, and we found that Jade Yoga partners with Trees for the Future, a nonprofit focused on reforestation of degraded lands, primarily in Africa.
Jade states that they plant a tree for every mat sold, which is part of their program to help restore ecosystems, improve soil health, and support local communities. Credit: Kate Pitts
Lululemon's The Mat has a relatively long lifespan for a rubber mat. Several practitioners reported that they used this mat for 5-6 years of regular practice, with only moderate wear and grip loss in the feet and hand “hot spots.”
Think about where you like to practice and how often before deciding. That said, if you take care of your mat, it's likely to take care of you for a good long time.
Also of note is the Iuga Eco Friendly, which we found easy to carry. It didn't get banged up in airport overhead bins and is in top condition after many outdoor practices. Because of the material's unique mesh design, it weighs less than half that of any other rubber mat tested.
Even though it's slightly longer than most mats, it is one of the lightest in our lineup, making it a top choice for travel. Credit: Kate Pitts
Care and Cleaning
For this metric, we considered how easy each mat was to clean and care for. How easily does the mat attract dirt or pet hair? Does it show stains? Does it hold odors? How often does it need to be cleaned? Does it need to be deep-cleaned? How easily does the mat roll up and store? Mats that simply need to be wiped down with a cleaning solution are what we consider low maintenance and are rated higher. Mats with break-in periods, detailed care instructions, or a tendency to attract dirt/hair stains are rated lower. We also considered portability in terms of weight and in the experience of schlepping each mat across town on our shoulders. We considered which mats are more suitable for home use and which are easier to carry between classes or for travel.
Yoga Mats typically fall into one of two categories that impact how they are cleaned: closed-cell or open-cell material. Closed-cell mats repel moisture, and water pools at the mat's surface. Closed-cell yoga mats are usually slicker unless the mat has a technical sticky surface or traction pattern. Since they don't absorb moisture, they are easier to clean and keep fresh.
Closed-cell mats keep fluids on the surface, while open-cell mats absorb it.
Deeply absorbent mats can help with sweat management by keeping the surface drier longer, especially when paired with a well-frictioned surface material. The downside is that all that sweat and moisture drain through to the mat's base, making it hard to clean. Unless you periodically deep clean them, these mats can be unhygienic if they accumulate bacteria, germs, and stinky odors. One innovative design that bypasses this common issue with open-cell mats is the Liforme Original. An absorbent top layer soaks up sweat, and a waterproof middle layer acts as a moisture barrier, helping wick sweat away and preventing the deeper layers of the mat from becoming saturated with body fluids. The Liforme has the absorbent grip of an open-cell mat but doesn't need the deep cleans. This makes it one of the lower-maintenance grippy mats.
Sweat absorbs and wicks on the top layer of the Liforme, but a waterproof barrier keeps the deep part of the mat from saturating with body fluids. This genius design keeps this mat fresh and practical for a wipe-and-go after class. Credit: Kate Pitts
When it comes to cleaning a yoga mat, there are two levels of care involved: regular surface cleaning and occasional deep cleaning. For surface cleaning, most manufacturers recommend wiping it down with only water or a cleaning spray after each class to remove residual sweat and oils. This helps prevent sweat from building up inside your mat and making it stinky. The Manduka PRO is a classic example of a closed-cell mat that simply needs a gentle spray and surface wipe after yoga. If the mat gets dirtier than usual, use a little more spray to lightly cover the surface and let it sit for a few minutes before you wipe it and let it air dry completely. Another closed-cell mat, Hugger Mugger Earth Elements, is also an easy wipe-down, even after yoga outdoors.
Sweat and grime don't absorb into the deeper layers of the Manduka PRO, and it is easy to wipe the surface after each class. Credit: Kate Pitts
There is no quick and easy way to deep clean a yoga mat. It involves rinsing your mat in the shower, soaking it in a bathtub like scuba gear, or hosing it off in the backyard. It is important to let mats completely air dry before storing them. If that feels like a Herculean effort, you'll want to consider a PVC or cork mat that's low-maintenance. The Unity Cork Pro is antimicrobial; it simply needs to be sprayed, wiped down, and air-dried.
The Unity Cork Pro's antimicrobial cork helps keep the mat fresh between sessions, reducing the need for frequent deep cleaning. Credit: Kate Pitts
The Yoga Design Lab Combo is a unique towel-and-mat combo that can be machine-washed after use and hung to dry. There is no scrubbing or hosing involved, and it comes out smelling fresh each time. However, the towel's dry and wet grip was slicker than we had hoped for a mat designed for hot yoga.
Towel and mat combined, wash out the sweat from the Yoga Design Lab Combo by throwing it in the wash. Credit: Kate Pitts
If you use public transportation, walk, or bike with your mat to a studio, then you may be looking for a mat that is easy to transport. For most situations, we recommend lightweight mats that don't compromise comfort, grip, or stability. The models we tested range in weight from under two pounds to almost eight pounds. Carrying a heavy eight-pound mat from your car to the yoga room isn't too big a deal, but if you walk or bike to your studio, your shoulders may start complaining.
The most compact models in our suite are the Manduka eKO SuperLite and Jade Voyager, but they are thinner than a piece of cardboard and don't offer comfort and support. They are not ones we would recommend for solo daily use, but some people use them as mat toppers when they travel. The Primasole Foldable weighs less than two pounds and is easy to slip into a tote for yoga at the park, throw in your suitcase, or take on a day hike.
The Primasole is easy to fold, store, and transport to your favorite places to do yoga. Credit: Kate Pitts
We love that the Iuga Eco Friendly weighs just over two pounds and comes with an adjustable carry strap. And this is a standalone mat that you can use every day. It is also easy to wipe down with a cloth and mild detergent, though it has a long dry time.
Even after yoga outside, the Iuga Eco Friendly was a simple wipe down. Credit: Kate Pitts
Also of note is the Gaiam Premium 6mm, an affordable option for beginner yogis that is easy to wipe down when dirty and fairly portable, weighing just over 3 pounds.
The Gaiam Premium 6 mm is a great mat for people that want to try yoga because it has decent cushion, is lightweight, and is easy to clean. Credit: Kate Pitts
The Hugger Mugger Earth Elements is ultralight for a yoga mat, weighing less than 2.5 pounds. We never minded taking it on long day hikes for a grounding movement practice in nature.
The Earth Elements offers a lovely balance between plush cushion and textured grip while being lightweight. Credit: Wayne Hartlerode
How to Pick the Best Yoga Mat for You
Selecting the right yoga mat depends on your practice goals, preferred yoga style, and joint sensitivity. Below, we have outlined some of the most important points to consider when buying a yoga mat.
One to two millimeters: Mats within this range are considered thin and are usually categorized as “travel mats” because they reduce weight and are often foldable. If you plan to strap your mat to your back as you bike to the park or pack it in your carry-on, a thinner option is for you. These won't feel as good on your joints, but you can always fold the mat over or use a folded-up blanket for extra cushion when needed.
Three to five millimeters: Most yoga mats are within three to five millimeters thick. This range is perfect for finding balance on your mat while having enough cushion for your joints. We recommend sticking within this range unless you specifically want a travel mat or need extra cushion.
Six millimeters and up: Mats on the thicker side of six millimeters are a good option for joint support. These are also good for yoga practices with extended standing or sitting periods. If you struggle with joint pain, a thicker option might be best. Just keep in mind the thicker the mat, the more “squish” you'll have to balance on.
Mat density matters as much, or more, than thickness. A thinner, but denser mat will feel more supportive to your practice than a cloudlike mat that compresses straight to the ground when you kneel on it. Think 6 inches of memory foam vs 6 inches of feathers. A denser mat will also offer more stability in balancing poses and prevent your hands and feet from having to compensate for a mushy surface.
Closed-cell mats have a sealed surface that is non-porous, meaning it doesn't absorb sweat, dirt, body oils, or anything else that it comes into contact with. They are generally more durable and easier to clean, but because they repel liquids, sweat can pool during hot practices, making the surface slippery. Open-cell mats have surface materials that allow moisture to pass through, effectively absorbing sweat and providing better grip during sweaty sessions. However, along with sweat, these mats can absorb bacteria, body oils, and other undesirables, and require a deeper clean to keep them hygienic.
Travel yoga mats can be a good accessory to your practice, but we don't recommend relying on one for your daily flow. They are generally too thin to properly support your joints and lack the grip found in more substantial mats. However, there is a time and a place where a travel mat can come in really handy, such as using it as a topper to a rental mat at the studio you found while on vacation, or as a protective base for your regular mat during yoga in the park.
Those focusing on flow/vinyasa should prioritize a mat with traction, but not too much. As you'll be frequently practicing downward-facing dog and quickly moving through positions, select one with good dry and wet traction that allows you to slide into positions. For hot classes, wet traction reigns king, and we also recommend choosing a “closed-cell” option to make sweat wipe off easily.
If you're planning on relaxing during a restorative flow, opt for a thicker option. These flows mostly involve long-hold sitting and lying poses, so you'll want something cushiony to rest on. However, you can always choose a sturdier option and pair it with a blanket or secondary mat.
Beginners shouldn't worry too much about spending a lot on their first mat. Instead, select a mat that has a balanced combination of traction, cushion, and stability at a good price. If you need to upgrade later, you can better decide which feature to prioritize.
More than 20 dedicated yogis put the top mats on the market to the test! Credit: Kate Pitts
Conclusion
Whether you are just starting your yoga journey or have been on the mat for years, the right yoga mat can support your body's comfort, balance, alignment, and grounding. We hope this review has helped you make a confident decision about which yoga mat best supports you. May your practice on the mat be reflected in more moments of ease, peace, and kindness throughout the rest of your day.
You don't need much gear to show up on the mat and cultivate a practice. But if you want extra support, we've tested yoga blocks to help you find healthy alignment and deepen flexibility. We've got picks for the best massage guns to loosen tight fascia and muscles, and if you need something comfortable to move in, we recommend checking out our sports bra and yoga pants recommendations.
