The 9 best yoga mats for finding your flow at home or in the gym

We've reviewed the very best yoga mats on the market to help you find your inner zen, stretch, or meditate

A selection of the best yoga mats from Lululemon and John Lewis
(Image credit: Future)

Looking to buy one of the best yoga mats? Whether you've recently taken up classes or want to stretch out at the end of a run, a mat like this can make a real difference. And with great buys from the likes of Sweaty Betty, Yogamatters, and Lululemon to consider, there's certainly something for everyone in our round-up.

But while there are plenty of yoga mats on the market to choose from at these brands and more, some will be more suitable for your needs than others. For example, those who are a little taller will have different requirements to those of average height. Fans of intense yoga and Pilates poses will likely favor cushioning and stability above all else, while beginners won't need something quite as complex. 

Whatever type of yoga mat you're looking for though - from the best thick yoga mats to beginners' mats - we've got you covered with our tried and tested guide. We've also consulted the experts to determine what makes a truly good mat and the features best avoided. 

The best yoga mats as chosen by the w&h team

How we chose the best yoga mats

After consulting the experts on what goes into a great yoga mat, we gathered a range of different ones in all kinds of shapes, sizes, colours, and materials to test them out for ourselves. The health team at woman&home put each mat to the test during a range of activities from yoga mat workouts like power yoga and Vinyasa, to meditation and home workouts. Then we decided on the most important factors to consider:

  • Material: Natural rubber is antimicrobial and cork is eco-friendly, while PVC is affordable and easy to clean. So ultimately, this is down to personal choice, with each option having particular benefits. We tested a range of different materials to provide insights on all the best ones. 
  • Grip: A mat with a great grip on both sides is a must-have to avoid any nasty slips as you flow. Options with a non-slip coating or those that are made from materials like rubber are best, we found. 
  • Support: Most yoga mats will be thick enough to offer support for your joints but we noted the thickness of each mat and how it made a difference. If you want extra support for joints, choose one of the thicker mats with extra cushioning for ultimate comfort. 
  • Design: Is a brightly coloured mat important to you? Or do you enjoy an alfresco flow and need a yoga mat that comes with a helpful carrying strap? There are so many designs on the market, and the right one will help bring out your inner zen, so we tested a range to decide on the best.
  • Size: If you plan to use your yoga mat for HIIT workouts too, it's worth opting for a slightly larger size than the standard yoga mat. As members of the woman&home health team are all different heights, we were able to test a variety of different sized mats - following expert advice that a yoga mat should be taller than us by around 7 inches. 

FAQs

What should I look for in a yoga mat?

When figuring out how to choose a yoga mat you like, consider what level of grip you want: "Don't assume that the most popular yoga mat brand is right for you just because it's popular," warns Cat Meffan, a certified yoga instructor and founder of the Soul Sanctuary. "There are different types of grip, all of which have a slightly different lifespan. The smooth recycled rubber mats that we see everywhere (e.g. Lululemon) are amazingly grippy at the start, but on average they will last for around 300 - 400 practices. If you're someone that does yoga every day, this might feel a little excessive to be buying a new mat each year. Or you could feel the opposite and know that a good mat is helpful to your asana growth." 

Think about what materials will work best for you: "Some materials like cork or a soft velvety texture are great, but more so for hot yoga classes or very dynamic flows when you know you'll get sweaty. When buying a "yoga towel" or hot yoga mat, be aware that these are often only 1 - 2mm thick, so you'll want to have another mat to pad underneath. Something else to look out for is brands that don't have any latex or PVC in their mats - many people have allergies to these, so it's worth finding a mat without them," she says.

Weigh up thickness vs weight: "Thickness matters, especially if you like extra padding under the knees and spine," says Meffan. "But bear in mind that the thicker the mat, the heavier it will be. 6mm mats are rather common now, as are longer and wider mats. These are all great for home practice but if you like to travel with your mat, or you have to walk to your local yoga class, it might be a little too much." 

Consider whether you want an alignment cue: "Many yoga mats now have alignment cues (including those on our list) and those these can be helpful, especially that center line, I don't believe that they are crucial in a mat," she says. "We have to remember that all bodies are different, so the standard alignment markings on a mat may not work for you and may therefore just get in the way of your practice."

Consider whether it's sustainable and the company's values: "We have so many choices in yoga mats now, so if you find yourself in a privileged position to be able to think about this point when purchasing a mat, then that's brilliant," says Meffan. "The yoga industry is said to be worth around £74bn globally, which equates to a lot of people profiting from this beautiful ancient practice. There's nothing wrong with that, but these yoga brands must be honouring the roots of yoga and giving back into the community, rather than just being all about profit." 

Is there a difference between a yoga mat and a fitness mat?

The short answer is yes. "The differences between yoga mats and exercise mats are the thickness and firmness of the material," says yoga instructor Thimela Garcia, yoga instructor and founder of Chakra Mama Healing. "Yoga mats need to provide support and some cushioning, but they should also allow you to feel stable and grounded when performing poses." 

Similarly, Caroline Lucas, yoga instructor and owner of Karma Studios, adds, "A yoga mat generally has better grip. No one wants to be slipping around in downward facing dog."

In contrast, Garcia explains, "Exercise mats are mostly thicker than yoga mats because they need to be relatively firm to provide some level of padding for dropping barbells, kettlebells and weights." In addition to being designed for impact-heavy movement, including to withstand intense HIIT workouts and strength training with weights, "fitness mats tend to be designed so that the user doesn't feel the ground as closely." 

What is the best thickness for a yoga mat?

The same goes for the thickness of the yoga mat. "The thickness and quality of your mat makes a big difference too," personal trainer and yoga specialist Kira Mahal, who also founded MotivatePT, says. "4mm are thinner and ideal for balance poses, while thicker 8mm mats are too thick to balance on but great for laying on. A 6mm mat provides enough support for the back when lying down, whilst also being able to do balance postures when standing, so that’s a good place to start."

Our experts

Cat Meffan

Cat Meffan is a certified yoga instructor and founder of the Soul Sanctuary.

Thimela Garcia

Thimela Garcia is a yoga instructor and founder of Chakra Mama Healing.

Caroline Lucas

Caroline Lucas, yoga instructor and owner of Karma Studios.

Grace Walsh
Health Channel Editor

Grace Walsh is woman&home's Health Channel Editor, working across the areas of fitness, nutrition, sleep, mental health, relationships, and sex. In 2024, she will be taking on her second marathon in Rome, cycling from Manchester to London (350km) for charity, and qualifying as a certified personal trainer.


A digital journalist with over six years experience as a writer and editor for UK publications, Grace has covered (almost) everything in the world of health and wellbeing with bylines in Cosmopolitan, Red, The i Paper, GoodtoKnow, and more. 

With contributions from