Whether you’re a veteran yogi or think that a downward-facing dog is a description of an unhappy mutt (yes, it’s a yoga position), getting the right yoga mat can help make the most of every practice. It doesn’t matter if you prefer bikram or ashtanga, either – a good yoga mat will help you hold your poses wherever you are, so you can perfect your posture and keep your flow without worrying about slipping or sliding.
Just like yoga itself, choosing the right yoga mat is personal to every yogi. Mats differ in length, thickness, texture and material, so it’s crucial to choose one that’s suited to your experience and practice style. You’ll also want to think about where you’ll be practicing - if you’ll mostly be using your yoga mat at home, portability might not really matter for you, but if you’re planning on taking your mat travelling, choosing one that’s lightweight and compact will be a priority.
How to choose a yoga mat
Whether you’re buying your first yoga mat or adding another to an extensive collection, these are the factors you’ll want to consider before you make the decision. There isn’t a best option for any of these categories because it's all down to personal preference and what you need out of a mat. You’ll probably find that one of these factors is more important to you than the others, however, and this can make a great starting point for narrowing down your options from the many yoga mats out there.
1. Thickness
Yoga mats vary in thickness, from sheet-like styles that almost feel like you’re practicing directly on the ground to thick mats that offer a higher level of cushioning. Generally speaking, a thinner yoga mat will be easier to pack up, store and carry around when you’re on the go, and is often used by experienced yogis with a strong, flowing practice. If you’re still fairly new to yoga or need a little extra support - for example, for therapeutic practice - a thicker mat will make your experience much more comfortable.
2. Material
When you think of yoga mats, you probably think of the PVC ones found in most gyms and 80s music videos. While these are still the most common and there are plenty of great PVC mats on the market, they’re certainly not your only option. Greener products are becoming increasingly popular - and increasingly easy to find at affordable prices - so eco-conscious yogis will probably prefer a mat made from rubber, jute or organic cotton. If you’re new to yoga or just want to stick with the most popular type of mat, you’ll still be making a great choice. PVC mats offer a lot of give and are usually the spongiest and comfiest of them all.
3. Texture
Once you’ve decided on a material, you’ll want to think about texture. Yoga mats of all compositions can range from silky smooth to textured surfaces. Just like choosing a material and thickness, texture is largely down to personal preference, with softer mats offering a more comfortable experience at the expense of extra grip. A bumpier texture can be especially useful for yogis who practice bikram or other types of hot yoga, as it will give you more grip to stop you slipping and sliding as you sweat. Jute has a naturally rougher texture than other yoga mat materials, but many PVC mats have a bumpy surface to help with balance.
The best yoga mats to buy
Yoga Mad Warrior Plus Yoga Mat: The best all-round yoga mat
Price when reviewed: £19
The Warrior Plus mat is the bigger sister of the original Warrior mat - one of the most popular yoga mats around. It’s a little longer than a standard mat and offers 6mm of padding for extra cushioning, which is good for sore knees or therapeutic practice. This combined with its sub-£20 price tag means it’s a great mat for beginners and more experienced yogis on a budget.
Yoga Mad claims that the Warrior Plus is machine washable up to 40 degrees, and while this sounds like a really handy feature at first, the fact that it can’t be put through a spin cycle means you’ll probably find yourself wiping it clean instead. It’s a little on the bulky side and not the easiest to carry around, but it’s surprisingly lightweight, portable enough to take to the gym and easy to roll up when you’re done - all at an affordable price.
Key specs - Size: 183 x 61cm; Thickness: 6mm; Material: PVC; Weight: 1.6kg.
Reebok Yoga Mat: The best budget yoga mat
Price when reviewed: £14
Reebok probably isn’t the first name that comes to mind when you think about buying a yoga mat, but the brand’s extensive range of mats make a great entry-level option for new yogis who want a mat that’s actually fun to use. This eye-catching mat won’t just get you loads of compliments at your next yoga class, either - it’s a comfortable mat that feels surprisingly supportive for its compact size.
The mat’s minimal texture gives adequate grip for most practices, but the smooth surface won’t offer enough grip for hot classes and sweaty sessions. It also lacks a mat bag, which might put off anyone wanting to carry their mat on their commute, but it does have a small - albeit flimsy - strap. That said, it’s hard to beat for less than £15 and makes a great first mat for beginners and more experienced yogis who want a functional mat at an affordable price.
Key specs - Size: 173 x 61cm; Thickness: 4mm; Material: PVC; Weight: 1.1kg.
Manduka eKo SuperLite Yoga Mat: The best yoga mat for travel
Price when reviewed: £38
If you’re looking for a mat that you can take anywhere, this is it. As the name suggests, the Manduka eKo Superlite is one of the lightest yoga mats around, and it’s compact enough to easily fit into a backpack or a small hand luggage case. That said, even though the Manduka folds up smaller than most mats - especially ones made from rubber - folding it isn’t the easiest of tasks. As might be expected with such a compact mat, you may find it too thin or need to add a towel if you’re looking for a good amount of cushioning and support.
Unlike most lightweight yoga mats, the Manduka is made from rubber so you still get a good amount of grip - even if it is a little slippy for the first few uses. Unlike most rubber mats, however, Manduka uses only sustainably harvested rubber that’s free from PVC and toxic dyes so it’s a great option for eco-conscious yogis too.
Key specs - Size: 173 x 61cm; Thickness: 1.5mm; Material: Rubber; Weight: 0.9kg.
ecoYoga The Original Eco Yoga Mat: Best eco-friendly yoga mat
Price when reviewed: £36
Eco-friendly products don’t always get the best rep, not least because they often come at a higher price without offering superior function. The ecoYoga mat is indeed one of the pricier mats to make our list, but we think it’s also one of the best when it comes to performance - whether you’re looking for an eco-friendly product or not.
The ecoYoga mat has a 100% rubber base, which gives it maximum grip on smooth floors, but the mixed upper side makes it grippy enough under the feet for every practice. Despite being one of the grippiest mats around, you might find you need an extra layer to protect knees when holding kneeling poses or doing a lot of floor-based work. As with any jute or jute mix mat, you can also expect some shredding over time, but the ecoYoga mat is one of the most durable around and won’t need replacing as quickly as other environmentally friendly options.
Key specs - Size: 183 x 63cm; Thickness: 4mm; Material: Rubber and jute; Weight: 2kg.
Manduka Yogitoes Skidless Mat Towel: The best mat for hot yoga
Price when reviewed: £45
If you’re a fan of hot yoga, a mat that won’t slip and slide when you start to get sweaty is a non-negotiable. Manduka makes our list once again, this time with its non-slip Yogitoes design. The Yogitoes mat will stay put through any series of poses thanks to its Skidless Technology, which guarantees a steadier practice on every floor or carpet and is why it’s an especially great choice for hot yoga sessions.
Like all of Manduka’s yoga mats, the Yogitoes range comes in a wide range of fun, multicoloured designs. It’s hard to believe that the the mat is made from recycled plastic bottles, but the fabric is super absorbent and stays odour-free even after a week of practice. The Yogitoes mat is also super lightweight, weighing just half a kilo, which makes them ideal for travel too - if you’re willing to splash out and pay the premium price tag. If portability, reliability and minimising your impact on the environment are all important to you, the Yogitoes has it all and is worth the extra pennies.
Key specs - Size: 172 x 61cm; Thickness: 4mm; Material: Recycled plastic and poly yarn; Weight: 0.5kg.
