Best Yoga Mats 2026

Yoga is my therapy. I’ve practiced daily for over 10 years, taking heated Vinyasa flow and sculpt classes five to seven times a week, in addition to heated Pilates and at-home stretching. And yet, beyond the obvious benefits like strength, flexibility and mental well-being, one of yoga’s best qualities is its simplicity: all you really need is a good mat to get started. To that end, I put the best yoga mats to the test for years before landing on the Lululemon The Mat 5mm as my top pick for everyday use. I’ve also highlighted standouts for value, hot yoga, travel and anyone who wants a mat that turns heads.

I tested 10 popular yoga mats to determine which mats best supported my body through a range of movements.

Photo: Kim Peiffer for Forbes

I deemed Lululemon’s popular The Mat 5mm the best yoga mat overall because of its versatility. It has proper grip on the top layer and underside that’s helpful in guiding both newbies and seasoned yogis through their practice without slipping around, even if you sweat a lot. And at 5mm thick, it’s cushioned enough to take the pressure off your knees and ankles, along with some of the shock that comes with jumping. It’s also sturdy enough that your shoulder blades and tailbone don’t feel the floor when performing crunches or back-centric exercises (one of my biggest gripes with other mats I’ve used in the past).

The Mat 5mm is a bit longer than the traditional 68-inch mats sold by many yoga brands. It also weighs more than five pounds, which places it on the heavier side, and for that reason, I’d recommend using carrying straps or a bag to make transport a bit easier. On the other hand, that weight does help the mat to lie perfectly flat after being unfurled.

Lululemon’s The Mat 5mm is my top choice for the best yoga mat overall.

Photo: Kim Peiffer for Forbes

The Lululemon mat is made with natural rubber that’s Forest Stewardship Council-certified, which basically means the product meets the gold standard for responsibly sourcing its materials. It comes in five colors, including a solid black option and four tie-dye options for added style. It’s also reversible, so you can flip it as needed between the smooth, grippy side and the cushioned, natural rubber side, depending on the type of class you’re taking.

From a care standpoint, the top of the mat is a breeze to clean—just wipe it down with a natural cleanser and wait for it to dry before rolling it up. The bottom of the mat poses more of a cleaning challenge, however, because the material’s grippy quality means it’s likely to hang onto dirt and hair. If you have pets that shed, this may prove to be a bigger problem over time that, if left untreated, could degrade the mat’s ability to adhere to the floor. Another drawback is the smell: When the mat first comes out of the packaging, it has a strong rubber odor that takes some time to dissipate (and it’s worth noting most of the other mats I tested had this same exact problem).

Overall though, this is my go-to yoga mat that I reach for on a regular basis. I’ve been using it several times a week for nearly two years, and it’s shown very few signs of wear. Plus, it performs great in a variety of classes, and because I switch things up often, I love that I can count on it to perform just as well in a heated sculpt class as a traditional Vinyasa class. If you live in a city and plan to lug it around for significant distances, or take it on public transport, it can be a bit cumbersome. But the comfort, durability and versatility are ultimately worth the trade-off.

---

The 2026 Forbes Vetted Best Product Awards are here: Explore our 150 top-recommended items across categories after extensive research and testing.

---

Yoga mats can be pricey investments these days, with many brands charging well over $100 for a piece of foam. And yet, at around $20, this mat from Amazon is surprisingly nice. It’s by far the cheapest mat I’ve tested in my decades of practicing yoga, but so far I’m impressed by how well it’s held up. After two years of use, it’s showing signs of wear and tear, but I’m not surprised given the price, and I still think it’s a great value.

At a half-inch thick, it’s more comfortable than many of the other mats I tested: It makes you feel very buoyant, almost like you’re practicing on a pool float. For that reason alone, it’s a great choice for those attempting more challenging positions, like headstand variations or crow pose, who might want a little more cushioning in the event of a fall. It’s also great for anyone with joint pain or injuries, as it’s literally the thickest mat I’ve ever come across.

However, I’d be very wary of recommending this to anyone who does more modern yoga classes, such as yoga sculpt, power yoga or any heated classes: I tried this mat in all of the aforementioned classes, and it does not provide a lot of grip if you’re moving around too much, and it definitely doesn’t perform great in a heated environment where sweat abounds.

Because the peaks and valleys of the mat’s grooves are set fairly wide apart, it’s easy to clean after class. The mat is made from nitrile butadiene rubber, a type of synthetic rubber popular in yoga mats for its softness and cushioning (it also comes in blue, black or pink). The material is supposed to resist wear, but you might notice temporary imprints over time.

Because of its cushy thickness, the mat is not that easy to store. It’s a bit bulky to throw into the trunk of a car and, more importantly, if it’s stored rolled up, it doesn’t easily flatten out once you unroll it, which I found to be the case even after months of testing.

It’s definitely not a mat that will stand up to years of frequent use (I’ve already started noticing the rubber peeling off, and there are permanent imprints in the mat where my hands and feet land in downward dog), but at just over $20, it’s a fair option for an infrequent user or for someone who wants to see if they like yoga before committing to a more expensive mat.

---

For those who want to take their practice on the road (or in a suitcase), the Jade Yoga Voyager Mat is the best option for a yogi on the go.

This mat measures 68 by 24 inches (the average size for yoga mats), but its extra-thin 1.5mm thickness makes it easy to pack into a backpack or weekend bag. In fact, it can fold many times over like a sheet of paper, and once fully folded away, it’s about the size of a yoga block (I’ve snuck one into my carry-on many times, and it barely takes up any space).

Overall, the mat features pretty impressive grip considering how thin it is. I used it in many heated yoga classes, and by no means did I feel like I was sliding all over the place.

The mat comes in five colors, including midnight blue, olive green, jade green, purple and black, and for each mat sold, Jade plants a tree. Obviously, this doesn’t affect the mat’s abilities when the time comes to break into practice, but it might make you feel a little better about your purchase from an ethical standpoint.

The Voyager mat does have some drawbacks, although I wouldn’t consider them dealbreakers if you prioritize portability. For one, it’s not the easiest to clean, given its grippy texture—cleaning cloths tend to leave fabric fibers behind on the mat’s surface. It also takes a while for the mat to lie completely flat, which can be annoying. It does, however, dry very quickly, and at less than 2 pounds, it’s suitable for yogis who don’t need a lot of cushion and don’t want to lug a heavy mat all over town if they need to run errands before or after class.

---

Yoga Hustle’s The Mat was close to winning out as the top overall pick, and quite frankly, if I could choose two winners for that category, it would have made the cut. This mat is attractive and functional, and wears well in a variety of settings. Ultimately, the two things that gave Lululemon’s The Mat 5mm the winning edge were its slightly lower price and its unique reversibility that made it more suitable for a variety of classes.

From a visual standpoint, Yoga Hustle’s The Mat is arguably one of the most attractive of the ones I tested (besides Bala’s The Wavy Mat—more on that below): It’s a truly beautiful option with a lovely pattern and a variety of colors. At 4.5mm, it has some thickness to it, so you won’t feel contact points against the floor, even after consistent use. And considering it’s 73 inches long by 27 inches wide, it’s a touch longer and wider than the average yoga mat, making it nice for taller users or those who just want a little more real estate (essential in a packed class, in my opinion).

It’s also quite innovative compared to its competitors. For one, the texture is impressively grippy on both the top and bottom of the mat, so neither you nor the mat will slide around during use (crucial for a sweaty yoga sculpt class). And there’s an antimicrobial membrane in the core of the mat, which helps prevent any buildup of mold or bacteria and helps to keep it from smelling after those aforementioned sweaty classes.

Added bonus: It’s made with responsibly sourced, 100% recycled materials (including 80% natural rubber, 18% polyurethane and 2% antimicrobial polyester), which means that when you eventually retire it years down the line, it won’t have as much of an impact on the environment.

---

For a reliable yoga mat that’s great for all abilitie, but especially beginners learning proper postural alignment, the Liforme Classic Yoga Mat is a solid choice. For starters, it has medium heft, so those working on refining certain poses probably won’t experience joint, hip or knee pain that comes with some of the thinner mats on the market. However, it is worth noting that this is not the thickest of mats, so if that’s important to you, I would probably skip it and opt for one that’s at least 5mm thick.

Second, the unique AlignForMe posture alignment design features markers etched into the mat that help guide yogis (whether a newbie to yoga or a recurring practitioner) into proper alignment to improve form, posture and body awareness with each and every move, making this mat especially great for someone learning foundational poses.

The Liforme Classic Yoga Mat is a great choice for beginners and experts alike.

Photo: Kim Peiffer for Forbes

It’s also a touch longer and wider than most mats, giving newbies a little more space to experiment with moves. Added bonus for beginners (and for those carrying their mat around town): It comes with a handy carrying case, so you can pop your mat into a zippered compartment after class and throw it over your shoulder like a cross-body bag. It’s also very easy to clean.

Finally, it’s made from sustainably sourced natural rubber and PVC-free materials, making it a great planet-friendly choice.

---

It’s not easy to find a yoga mat that doesn’t kill your joints yet still keeps you grounded during challenging poses, but the Manduka Pro Yoga Mat is the best of both worlds. At 6mm thick, it’s one of the densest yoga mats you’ll find, but it still manages to be supportive and reliable.

I’m constantly annoyed by mats that aren’t thick enough and cause pain in my hips, knees and tailbone when doing lunges, crunches and other moves, but this mat keeps me pain-free through most poses, which is why I’m naming it the most comfortable among those I tested.

I also find the no-slip dot pattern on the bottom layer and the closed-cell construction on the top layer to be great for keeping me from sliding around on the mat, and despite its nubby pattern, it remains easy to clean. It is worth noting, however, that I don’t love this mat in heated classes; I find that it becomes slippery in humid environments, so it’s best for a non-heated class.

The Manduka PRO Yoga Mat 6mm is thick yet sturdy—perfect for those looking for a comfortable but reliable yoga mat.

Photo: Kim Peiffer for Forbes

This mat does have one particular drawback worth mentioning: its weight. At 7.5 pounds, it’s heavy and therefore a challenge to carry around, even just from my car to the front door of the yoga studio. When I’m walking to and from class in New York City, I leave this mat at home and opt for something much lighter. However, for those looking for comfort and stability, it’s a great choice and comes with a lifetime guarantee.

---

I’ve practiced with a lot of yoga mats over the years, but I’ve never had a mat that drew as much attention—or elicited as many compliments—as Bala’s The Wavy Mat. Its unique wave shape may be the only one of its kind, but the forward-thinking design doesn’t mean function is compromised. Like the brand’s popular Play Mat, The Wavy Mat is moisture-wicking and nonslip, making it a reliable choice for everything from traditional yoga to heated Pilates classes, cardio classes and more.

The heft is good (not great) at 5mm—some moves still have me feeling my joints, but most were doable. But it’s so fun and functional that the thickness doesn’t prevent me from grabbing it for sculpt classes time and time again.

One thing worth noting that I don’t love is that it shows sweat marks very easily, and it takes an excessive amount of time to dry after I wipe it down; however, I originally purchased the sand color, which is more of an issue with that specific colorway (this mat comes in four colors: charcoal, sand, sea and blush). I recently ended up purchasing the charcoal color for this specific reason, and although it still shows sweat marks, they are much less apparent. These mats also seem to stain easily: I left my mat in a car next to a black yoga mat on a hot day, and it absorbed some dye from the black mat—not ideal.

The Wavy Mat’s appearance doesn’t help its functionality, but it does look unique.

Kim Peiffer For Forbes

Overall, I find The Wavy Mat to be adorable—the perfect marriage of form and function—and if I’m being honest, I’m tempted to buy this mat in every single color they have (I’m already halfway there after all).

---

Other Yoga Mats I Tested

I tested a total of 10 different yoga mats from brands large and small. These are mats I tested that didn’t make the final cut.

Other Yoga Mats I Recommend

Alo Warrior Mat ($148): I love this mat and do recommend it; it’s very similar to the Lululemon The Mat 5mm, but I ultimately chose the Lululemon mat as the best overall because it was less expensive for similar quality and slightly lighter in weight. My fiancé loves this mat—it’s become his go-to option when I drag him to sweaty heated yoga classes with me. The grip is great as well.

Lululemon The Foldable Mat 6.5 mm ($118): Lululemon’s Foldable Mat features a unique folding design that allows you to stack the mat for enhanced joint support in kneeling poses and add extra height in supportive poses. I think this is very innovative, but the folded design just wasn’t for me. It is very easy to store, though, making it ideal for someone with limited space.

Other Yoga Mats I Don’t Recommend

Gaiam Yoga Mat ($70): The Gaiam Yoga Mat is very cushiony and has a fun design. However, when you unroll it, a curl persists at both ends, and the mat doesn’t unfurl very quickly. It’s also really bulky and not the easiest to store.

---

How I Tested The Best Yoga Mats

Process

With no shortage of yoga mats to choose from, I culled an extensive list of yoga mats based on personal experience, recommendations from experts and the best-selling products from major yoga brands. I exercised on the mats in a variety of conditions during different workouts, from traditional (and less intensive) yoga to high-intensity cardio sessions and heated yoga sculpt sessions. I also completed yoga practices on different surfaces, like my concrete driveway, the hardwood floor in my living room and dozens of different yoga studios, each with very different floor surfaces. After each session, I cleaned each mat thoroughly with a gentle wipe and rolled and stored them in my car or in my closet, noting which dried quickly and stored easily.

Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned yogi like me, you’re going to want a mat that is comfortable, portable and designed to withstand extended periods of use (after all, nobody wants to have to replace their gear every few months). With these expectations in mind, I evaluated each yoga mat according to the following criteria:

Testing Criteria

• Support: I tested whether or not the mats supported my body during various exercises, noting when my back, shoulders, knees or tailbone could feel the floor beneath the mat. I also assessed whether the mat became dented or misshapen after a workout to better understand how it would retain its shape and long-term support.
• Texture: I performed well over 200 60-minute yoga flows that incorporated exercises with varying contact points (elbows, knees, hands, feet, shoulder blades and so on) and rated how the texture felt, ranging from extremely uncomfortable to comfortable.
• Grip: I completed workouts on each mat that involved a lot of plyometrics (burpees, mountain climbers, jumping jacks and so on) and put them to the test in a heated studio to evaluate how well the mat stayed in place and whether my hands or feet slipped on its surface, especially after working up a sweat. (I prefer a heated yoga sculpt class, so the majority of my testing was done in these types of more intense classes.)
• Portability: I tested how easy it was to roll up each mat before positioning it in a travel strap. I also considered how long it took for each mat to lie flat and return to its original shape after being rolled up for 24 hours.

I rolled up and stored the mats to test for portability over time.

Photo: Kim Peiffer for Forbes

• Cleanliness: I am a self-proclaimed germaphobe and prefer to wipe down my yoga mat after every single practice, but different textures and materials can make it difficult to clean a mat effectively. After each practice, I attempted to clean each mat with a simple wipe and noted how easy (or hard) it was to wipe down and whether the wipe had any adverse effects on the materials.
• Size And Aesthetics: When selecting the winners, I also considered each mat’s size and aesthetic. When looking at the size, I considered how the mats are intended to be used and whether or not the options ran big or small. And while aesthetics typically don’t influence the functionality of a yoga mat, they can influence whether or not you use your mat in the first place (plus, it adds an element of joy to your practice—trust me).

---

How To Pick A Yoga Mat

To properly choose the best yoga mat for your needs, I tapped Fiona Devaney, longtime yoga teacher and founder of yoga activewear brand MAÄT, for her insights and expertise.

Thickness

Yoga mats come in essentially four different thicknesses, measured in millimeters: ultra-thin (1mm to 2mm), average (4mm to 5mm), thick (6mm) and extra-thick (more than 6mm). Each style comes with pros and cons, but here’s what you should know.

• Ultra-Thin: These mats are well-suited for travel, as they can be folded away. However, they don’t provide much cushioning, which can pose an issue for those with sensitive joints.
• Average: This is the most common mat style, designed to help practitioners feel grounded. But given how thin it is, some still prefer a mat that offers more cushion.
• Thick: This style is thick enough that you won’t feel the floor beneath you. These mats are great for those who need just a little extra padding, but they do tend to be on the heavier side and thus not very portable.
• Extra-Thick: Soft and cushy, this thickness is ideal for those who need additional cushioning due to joint pain. You won’t feel grounded, but you will feel comfortable.

You may want to consider your skill level when determining which thickness is right for you. “For a beginner to yoga, I would advise them to think about thickness and texture, the two key qualities,” Devaney says. “When thinking about thickness, a thinner mat will feel more stable but won’t provide cushioning for your knees and joints. A thicker, ‘cushier’ mat will feel comfortable on your knees but will be harder to balance on. Textured mats tend to have better grip, so definitely look for texture.” Generally speaking, thicker mats last longer than thinner mats. However, the quality of the material also determines a mat’s longevity.

Dimensions

Yoga mats come in a range of sizes, so consider which size will best accommodate your body and practice style. If you’re tall or like to move around a lot, you may need a larger mat. And if you’re shorter or prefer to work through simple exercises, you can probably pick up a traditional mat.

Materials

When looking for a new yoga mat, it’s important to consider what it’s made of, as that will determine everything from price and durability to weight and grip. One of the most common materials used to make yoga mats is PVC, a plastic-based material. While PVC mats are fairly rugged, they’re nonabsorbent (which can be a deal-breaker if you’re someone who sweats a lot) and not environmentally friendly.

Another option to consider is a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) mat, which is made with a blend of plastic and rubber polymers. These are usually greener than PVC mats (some can even be recycled) but need to be replaced more often.

And then there are natural rubber mats, which are becoming increasingly popular for their grippy texture and natural origin—this is Devaney’s preferred material. “Natural rubber is preferred because it is eco-friendly, wears well, is long-lasting and has excellent grip,” she says.

Grip

Grip prevents you from sliding around on the mat and keeps you grounded, especially as you progress into more challenging poses. Shopping online for a mat with good grip can be challenging, though. Devaney says she’s “found that the grippiest textures look almost like they’re woven into the mat rather than stamped or printed on top—meaning the texture seems to have depth.” But “the good news is that nearly all yoga mats get grippier with use, so if you end up with one that you realize is slippery after using it a few times, all is not lost. With continued use, it’ll become grippier.”

Price

Generally speaking, more expensive yoga mats are made with higher-quality materials and are often more eco-friendly as well.

It’s a good idea to think of a yoga mat as an investment in your health. Using one that’s comfortable will inspire you to use it more, which is better than saving a little money on a mat that’s uncomfortable. A yoga mat with plenty of support and grip will also reduce the likelihood of injury, so you’re investing in your long-term well-being when you splurge on a mat that meets your needs.

---

Why Trust Forbes

As Forbes Vetted’s features and special projects director, I’ve been rigorously testing and reviewing products for two decades, from vitamin C serums to hotels across the globe to fitness equipment. Yoga is my therapy, and I have been practicing daily for more than 10 years. I take heated yoga flow and yoga sculpt classes five to seven times a week.

In addition to my own expertise, I consulted an outside expert who has spent countless hours using yoga mats: Fiona Devaney, a longtime yoga teacher and the founder of MAÄT, a yoga activewear brand.

---