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Searching for the best yoga mat on the market? Whether you’re a dedicated yogi who needs to remain steady throughout your asanas or a HIIT junkie in need of a soft surface for chest-to-floor burpees, a yoga mat is a workout essential.
The best yoga mats could make your practice easier, with everything from super grip that means you'll never slip again, to thickness that makes savasana so much comfier, but there's so many out there that it can be hard to separate the wheat from the chaff. Our job is to do that for you. Read on for everything you need to know about yoga mats, including our edit of the ones worth buying.
There are seven questions to ask yourself before you add a yoga mat to cart:
How thick a yoga mat should be depends on personal preference. If you have joints that ache after exercise (or just generally), choose a yoga mat above 3mm thick. This will make sure there's enough cushion to support you while you move. If you like to feel the floor beneath you (some do for extra sturdy vibes), plump for a yoga mat of 3mm or less.
Wipes or a cleaning spray applied in circular motions to both sides of the yoga mat with a towel are a good call for a quick fix between classes, but at some stage you’re going to want to give your yoga mat a deep clean.
Some yoga mats are machine washable (rejoice!), in which case giving it a deep clean is as easy as throwing it in the machine, putting it on a cold gentle cycle with mild detergent and air drying it afterwards.
Other yoga mats require just a bit more effort (always check the label). The safest way to deep clean a yoga mat is by using a gentle cloth and warm water with either dishwashing soap or a mild detergent. Once you’ve cleaned both sides, make sure to use clean water and rinse the surface of the yoga mat with the cloth before giving it a quick dry with a towel and leaving it to air dry.
Keep an eye out for any yoga mats that have our WH Lab Approved badge proudly displayed on their picture. Think of it like a Where’s Wally for quality products, as these items have all been given our resident PT and yoga expert’s seal of approval.
Our pros put a total of 30 yoga mats through their paces, seeing how each one performed during yoga, yoga nidra (a form of deep rest), HIIT and even weights sessions (most yoga mats double up as exercise mats). They were scored based on how grippy, comfortable, portable and stable they were (with bonus points for eco credentials), and only their favourite few made it on to this list.
Our editors (no strangers to a soothing stretching session) have also listed their top yoga mat picks, too. Happy shopping.
Lighter and easier to roll out than traditional yoga mats, this travel mat is ideal for taking on holiday (poolside yoga anyone?). The bag with a shoulder pad is a particularly nice touch, making keeping fit on the go stress free.
Extremely grippy, even when sweaty, this mat would suit yogis and general fitness fanatics alike. Our expert enjoyed the alignment system feature that helped with positioning and technique, and WH Fitness Editor Bridie has used hers almost every day since investing in it two years ago.
USP: The ‘AlignForMe’ system helps with positioning
Dimensions: H180cm x W66cm x D2mm
One of the wider mats tested, this one is suitable for most heights. Lightweight with a bumpy texture, it had fantastic grip when tested with yoga and high intensity exercise, as well as with shoes on or off.
Cleaning this mat is a painless experience too, as all you have to do is wipe it clean!
USP: Good size for most people
Dimensions: H 172cm x W61cm x D6mm
A vegan suede yoga mat with a luxury feel? Yes, please! Unravelling easily, with a light cushioning, we found it had the perfect balance of being soft yet grippy on our hands and feet.
The mat felt sturdy and stayed flat throughout all the workouts tested. With lots of patterns and colours to choose from, your mat can be as stylish as your workout gear.
It’s also machine washable and dries overnight for the ultimate convenience, what more could you want?
USP: vegan friendly and free from silicone, toxic glue and phthalates.
Dimensions: H183cm x W61cm x D4mm
Don’t fancy shelling out big bucks on a luxe yoga mat? Well, if it’s great grip you’re after, turns out you don’t need to. This Domyos Travel Yoga Mat was great for standing practices, allowing us to flow between poses without worrying about slipping. It’s incredibly thin too, so can easily be scrunched up and popped in your gym bag.
Don’t expect much support though — at only 1.5mm thick, it didn’t offer much protection for our expert’s spine during lying poses. However, if you want a mat to lay on top of your yoga studio’s well-worn offering (think hygiene, people), this portable option will definitely do the trick.
USP: The thin, lightweight design means this mat will take up minimal space in your gym bag.
Dimensions: 180cm x 62cm, 1.5mm thick
We’re all for keeping your fitness routine fresh by trying new things. And, luckily for us, so is this versatile mat. It’s double-sided, with the cushioned red surface ideal for yoga and the grey side (with its anti-slip coating) providing a brilliantly grippy platform for energetic workouts.
Our expert said it lay flat on the floor instantly when rolled out (nothing like tripping over curled-up edges to ruin your flow) and was robust enough to withstand a weighty dropped barbell, while also proving super comfy for yoga. The eyelets were a nice touch for hanging in our home gym, too.
USP: This double-sided mat is great for stretching sessions and sweaty workouts alike.
Dimensions: 180cm x 61cm, 5mm thick
Ever tried savasana (also known as corpse pose — you get the idea) on a hardwood or tiled floor? Not fun. Or it didn’t used to be, anyway. Now, thanks to this plush mat, you can transform the hardest surfaces into cushioned workout zones.
It’s sticky and feels soft on bare feet, a potent combo for yoga, and is also more than durable enough to provide a solid base for weights sessions. Thicker than most mats, it cocooned our spines during ab workouts, but can still be rolled up tight thanks to its nifty adjustable carry straps.
USP: The plush, 10mm thick rubber provides plenty of cushioning for ab workouts and burpees.
Dimensions: 183cm x 61cm, 10mm thick
First things first, let’s address the elephant in the room: this mat looks great. But, how did it perform?
Thankfully, there was plenty of substance to back up its stand-out style, with a layer of soft towelling providing a nice, soft feel to the upper. This could be a little slippy on dry hands, but (top tip) you can solve this small setback by giving it a quick spritz with water before using.
It’s incredibly light — great for travelling — and the soft towelling provided a surprising amount of cushioning for a 2mm mat. It did mark quite easily, though the fact that it’s machine washable means cleaning it is a doddle.
USP: The thin, lightweight design means this mat will take up minimal space in your gym bag.
Dimensions: 183cm x 61cm, 2mm thick
If a mat has any green credentials, it’s a big bonus in our book. So, when we found out this mat is partly made from literal algae (yep, the stuff from lakes and ponds) we knew we had to give it a try.
Our expert said it was one of the most comfortable mats they tested, offering mattress-esque levels of cushioning, and felt soothing on their hands and feet. It was surprisingly lightweight and portable too, handy if you fancy some Pilates in the park. Our only niggle: it wasn’t amazingly grippy, so we’d reserve it for more relaxed practices.
USP: Top eco credentials make this a conscientious buy. It looks great and provides comfy cushioning too!
Dimensions: 190cm x 60cm, 5mm thick
If you're looking for a one-stop shop for all things yoga, Alo Yoga not only has the perfect outfit to keep you satisfied from sun salutations all the way through to Savasana, but they also have gear that won’t let you down on your first downward dog of the day.
Just one add to the bag will get you not only the renowned Warrior yoga mat but a set of yoga blocks, a yoga towel and a strap too.
While you’re at it, why not add a matching sports bra and yoga leggings to finish off the look?
USP: Dreamy design doesn’t detract from the performance of the yoga mat or the extra goodies you get with it.
Dimensions: 189cm x 67cm, 4.2mm thick
While the beautiful mandala print on this yoga mat may have spiritual meaning for some, it also has a practical purpose and will help you to perfect your alignment with its symmetry.
Lightweight, easy to clean thanks to its closed-cell structure, and coming with a handy carry strap; the only real effort will be what you bring to your yoga mat come practice time.
The material isn’t a fan of burpees or mountain climbers though so you’ll want to keep this exercise mat strictly for yoga. Can’t say we blame it…
USP: Cheap, cheerful, easy to carry and just as easy to clean. This yoga mat offers great value for money.
Dimensions: 173cm x 61cm, 6mm thick
Cork is a great material for a yoga mat. The more you sweat the grippier it gets, and you won’t have to break it in either. You’ll have steady hands and feet from the get-go.
As for strong odours and pesky bacteria? That’s old-you's problem. Cork is antimicrobial and will kill off bacteria and germs before they set in.
Did we mention it's a renewable resource, 100% biodegradable and 10 trees are planted with each yoga mat purchased?
What are you waiting for?
USP: The power of cork is strong with this one.
A biodegradable, sustainable, antimicrobial and non-slip mat is everything you’ve ever wanted from a yoga mat.
Dimensions: 183cm x 61cm, 3mm thick
Ah Decathlon, you’ve done it again. Given us just what we need before we even realised we needed it and at a price we can stomach.
This time it’s a yoga mat made for restorative sessions like yin yoga.
When you’re holding poses for longer periods of time you want a mat that can keep you comfortable and your joints happy. And at 8mm thick, this exercise mat does just that.
USP: If gentle yoga practices are your jam, you’ll love this comfy yoga mat with extra cushioning.
Dimensions: 173cm x 61cm, 8mm thick
Scoring an average of 4.5* out of 5 amongst the Amazon reviewer crowd this mat is a good beginner exercise mat.
USP: It's plush so offers good cushioning for floor work - welcome news for those with sore knees. But perhaps, something to consider if yoga is more your thing than workouts.
Dimensions: 183cm Length x 58cm Width x 1cm Height.
Now that travel isn’t just a thing of our imaginations (hallelujah), a yoga mat you can throw in your suitcase for your next trip out or in the country feels like a good investment.
This one folds up and comes in at under a tenner – everything we love.
USP: It's a toss-up between the price and the ease of carrying it around, to be honest.
Budget and lifestyle-friendly, what more could you ask for?
Dimensions: 173cm x 61cm, 3mm thick
Style and simplicity are all rolled into one with this designer yoga mat.
The black upper layer is anti-slip and features an intricate leaf pattern while the lower layer is ridged to improve grip and comes in a soft hazy pink that’ll make you sad it only gets to see the floor.
And finally, a hazy pink carry strap ties it all together perfectly.
USP: Having any Adidas by Stella McCartney exercise equipment is a style statement in itself, and this appealing yoga mat is no exception. Roll it out for your fanciest of yoga classes.
This mat is built for training so can handle all the burpees, lunges and sweaty HIIT workouts you throw at it. Plus, it can easily be rolled up and stashed behind the sofa when not in use.
USP: Designed for functional movement
Dimensions & weight not available.
We’re all for making your yoga life that little bit simpler so we’ve gone and found you a yoga mat and yoga towel all in one.
Micro-crystal technology (say what?) makes for excellent grip, and the microfibre suede surface will wick away all that moisture you create along the way.
With a natural rubber biodegradable base and no harmful substances used in its making, this yoga mat is also kinder to the planet.
USP: If it’s the pink leopard print that draws you in, it’ll be the yoga mat - yoga towel combo that keeps you around both during and after purchase.
Dimensions: 183cm x 68cm, 4mm thick
Skipping out on your much-looked-forward-to daily flow, because you're not at home and didn't feel like lugging a hefty workout mat around?
That won't be a problem once you get your hands on this super light yoga mat. Weighing only 450g, you won't mind taking it along for the ride.
USP: Ultra-lightweight in a fun speckled design, this yoga mat will have you flowing wherever the day takes you.
Dimensions: 173cm x 61cm, 4mm thick