While there’s a variety of yoga accessories out there, a yoga mat is the foundation to the practice and complements your favorite poses and breathing exercises. The amount of options can be overwhelming, which is why we purchased and tested 16 yoga mats in our Verywell Testing Lab. For the test, seven testers spent eight hours in our Lab touching and evaluating yoga mat options. Our evaluation began as soon as we took each mat out of the box, noting whether a chemical or rubber odor lingered. We did an intermediate vinyasa yoga flow twice on each mat—once with dry hands and once with wet hands to assess how well the mats would maintain their grip against elements like sweat and water. We also assessed thickness, grip, portability, and overall value. And we weighed how they held up against certain poses, if they were prone to stains and slipping, and absorbency. We found that every single mat had room for improvement, and the perfect mat for you is all up to your preferences.  Yoga can help promote mindfulness—so you can get the most out of the meditative benefits—and improve your breathing control and posture. As with any form of exercise, the mind-body connection is integral to your practice, making it all the more important that you enjoy the feel and grip of your mat. You’ll want to take into consideration the mat’s length so it’s compatible with your size, the material for traction and grip, and thickness based on your preferred comfort. Whether you’re a beginner, advanced yogi, or even an instructor, we’ve gathered and tested the best yoga mats for your needs, according to our testers. The Liforme mat stands out thanks to its unique alignment markers, which are extra helpful if you’re a beginner. And even if you aren’t, like our tester, you may find them helpful for poses like Warrior I and Warrior II. With its markers for your hands and feet, you’ll have no issue finding your center—especially if you’re at home and there’s no instructor on hand. Additionally, thanks to its three-layered construction, it offers superior grip and a quick-drying top surface. This is why it received a five out of five for padding and thickness. While our tester noted that it stains easily, the marks quickly evaporated, making it ideal for hot yoga.  Our tester noted this mat may be better for at-home practices, as it’s longer and wider than average and may not be suited for limited studio space. If sustainability is a concern of yours, the mat is PVC-free and biodegradable within several years, making it a planet-friendly choice you can feel good about. Price at time of publication: $150 Our tester praised it for its non-slip feel, even with wet hands and feet, and thinks it’s suitable for a hot yoga practice. However, the budget buy never fully unrolled during our test, and its sticky material easily held onto dirt and stains.  While the mat has its flaws, it would make a great starter mat, and an eco-friendly one at that. Composed of biodegradable tree rubber, it’s free of PVC and latex. Price at time of publication: $75 This mat claims to offer dense cushioning tailored specifically to joint protection, measuring at 6 millimeters—one of the thickest in our tests. However, our tester warned that it may be too firm for yogis with joint pain. Though, this may improve after the break-in period. If you’re staying in place for a meditation session, the mat offers more than enough cushioning to serve as a divider between you and the floor.  The Manduka Pro was the heaviest yoga mat tested in The Lab, at 8.8 pounds, so it may not be the ideal choice for toting to and from class or the park—especially since it doesn’t include a carrying strap. For this reason, it earned a three out of five for portability. However, designed to last a lifetime, it doesn’t skimp on quality and is worth the investment if yoga is part of your long-term routine.  Handmade and latex-free, the mat’s also OEKO-TEX certified, so you can rest easy knowing that it’s free of harmful substances. And if you’re upgrading your old mat, of any brand, you can donate it to Manduka. The retailer is committed to sustainability through its partnership with The Renewal Workshop, working to repurpose second hand yoga mats and keep them out of landfills. Price at time of publication: $71 for 71 x 26 inches
And since the mat isn’t too thin, it also isn’t the lightest of the test—but at 4.8 pounds, it wasn’t the heaviest either. Therefore, it received a four out of five for portability. Additionally, our tester found a lingering rubber smell while in Child’s Pose. We’ll continue to test this mat at home and will update our review with more detail about how the smell dissipates with time. This Jade Yoga mat is constructed of open-cell natural rubber, which works to absorb moisture and is free of PVC and synthetic plastics. Your purchase also does some good—partnering with Trees for the Future, the brand will plant a tree for every mat sold, in addition to donating $5 to designated charities for specific colors purchased. Price at time of publication: $85 We found this mat to be very similar to the Liforme Original Yoga Mat, our Best Overall pick. It provided sufficient cushioning while allowing our testers to maintain balance. One tester found it “very suited to both my vigorous and gentle yoga practices, as well as to my meditation practice and my pre-and post-workout stretches.”  While it’s heavier than some other options, weighing in at 6.2 pounds, our tester thinks it’s fully worth toting to the studio due to its grippiness and non-slip surface. And if you’re sensitive to materials, you can rest assured this mat is constructed of polyurethane leather and all-natural, ethically sourced rubber. Alo Yoga is also dedicated to ethical production—promising to be sweatshop-free and using solar power and low-water dyes to limit their footprint. Price at time of publication: $100 It was one of the lightest mats that were tested, weighing at 2.2 pounds, and compact enough for small spaces. While it’s ranked high for portability and storage, it falls short when it comes to padding and thickness, at 1.5 millimeters—earning a three out of five for grip and feel. Despite Manduka’s claims of superior grip, even with perspiration, our tester slipped a few times, especially with wet hands and feet. If hot yoga is your speed or if you’re a heavy sweater, it may not be the best choice.  If you’re prioritizing budget-friendliness and easy carrying for travel, you can’t go wrong with this option. As a bonus, the mat is made from sustainably harvested rubber and free of toxic chemicals. Price at time of publication: $49 We began the test by noting whether or not there was a lingering smell on the mat and how well (and how quickly) the mat lay flat after unrolling. As our testers went through two intermediate vinyasa yoga flows—once with dry and once with wet hands and feet—they offered insight into the mats’ padding and absorbency, taking into consideration that the test was performed on a concrete floor. Next, they evaluated the grip and feel of each mat, and whether or not it was gentle on joints or prone to slipping or stains. Some mats were larger than others, and our testers made note of what would (or wouldn’t) be suitable for at-home use. After we performed the flow with both dry and wet hands and feet, we cleaned the mats and took into account how much maintenance and care this entailed. Lastly, we rolled the mats, and fit them into bags and straps—noting whether or not these were included with the product—in order to judge each mats’ portability. Yoga mats need more than a few hours for assessment, especially since some require a break-in period. With this in mind, our testers will continue to evaluate each mat so we can judge how well they hold up over time.

What to Look for in a Yoga Mat

Material

Yoga mats can be made with many different materials, including PVC, natural and recycled rubber, cork, or even cotton. Directly affecting how they’re used, certain materials can increase grip and others can absorb moisture. Look for one with texture (think raised patterns such as nubs) for traction. According to Elliot, even color matters; he notes that how you feel on your mat can make a difference in your practice.

Thickness

Thickness directly affects the comfort of the mat. Thinner ones make great travel companions since they fold easily and typically weigh less. Thicker ones offer more cushion and ground support, but they might not be ideal for travel. Additionally, the thicker the mat, the better it is for those with knee or wrist issues. A standard yoga mat is typically 0.125 inches thick and offers a nice balance of support and stability.

Length

You want to find a mat that allows you to fully stretch out for poses like Savasana. A standard yoga mat, which is 24 x 68 inches, is sufficient for those 5-foot-9 and shorter. But if you’re taller than average, you may want to upgrade to a longer mat.

Why Trust Verywell Mind 

Tori Zhou is the Associate Health Commerce Editor at Verywell. She enjoys staying up-to-date on wellness trends and products, with a focus on holistic health and functional medicine. She continues to test mats at home to see how they hold up after long-term use. Elliott takes a more eco-friendly route by filling a spray bottle with apple cider vinegar diluted in water. “I use a 1-to-4 ratio, with 10 drops of tea tree oil,” she says, noting that she cleans hers after every single practice, making it a ritual of sorts.  “When I see students practicing with an exercise mat I will always follow up with them as to why,” says Elliot, noting that practicing with an exercise mat may be necessary for those with injuries. “Whether injury, disability, or preference, everyone has their own needs and needs to find a way to practice that works for their body," she added. She recommends investing in a mat that fits your own needs. She personally prefers using yoga mats at home and doesn’t mind a heavier weight in exchange for solid grip and padding. Having used budget-friendly picks over the years to follow along to cardio and meditation videos, her ideal mat is versatile enough for both yoga and HIIT workouts, sustainably made, and latex-free. Additional reporting to this story by Rozalynn S. Frazier. Rozalynn S. Frazier is an award-winning, multimedia journalist with more than 20 years of experience reporting on health and fitness. She is also a NASM-certified personal trainer and an avid exerciser who routinely puts wellness tools and fitness gear through its paces to help access which products are worthy of praise. She has created content for SELF, Men’s Health, Real Simple, Health, Essence, Cosmopolitan, Livestrong.com, among others.