Stay Beach Body Ready: Top 10 Yoga Mats for 2022
Having a great yoga mat for your home workout matters a lot. They are versatile and an essential part of any home exercise program. If you are working out at home or choose to go to your local studio, it is vital to have top-quality yoga to enrich your exercise routine. An excellent yoga mat has the right amount of grip and support needed in doing exercises.
There are many different types of yoga mats on the market – however, not all yoga mats are the same. When choosing a mat, look at several factors before purchasing one. Factors like grip and feel, portability, padding, and thickness are important considerations.
Our Top Favorite Picks for Yoga Workouts
1. Top Overall: Alo Yoga Warrior Mat
Pros
- Versatile
- Rolls up tightly
- Available in 10 colors
- Easy care instructions
Cons
- Heavy
- Colorful versions may show dirt
Product Details
- Thickness: 5 millimeters
- Material: rubber and polyurethane leather
- Size: 74.4 x 26.4 inches
- Weight: 6.2 pounds
After participating in more than 160 sun salutations, the Alo Yoga Warrior Mat emerged as the
best yoga mat in our test. It had ample room for an intermediate vinyasa sequence because it was thick and spacious.
Doing the Downward Dog position requires enough padding support to prevent wrist fatigue. We didn’t slip once using this Alo mat, which offered a firm grip right out of the box and required no breaking-in.
Additionally, it offers adequate knee support for prolonged periods of yin yoga practice like the lizard or frog poses. Although it is not a light mat, you can easily transport it because it coils into a little package. It weighs roughly 6 pounds, so it is not a lightweight mat either. Yet it offers excellent mobility. We found dirt easy to see on this mat because we tested a light color. After your practice, you can let the mat dry. When this happens, sweat and water evaporate, leaving a slight mark.
The Alo Yoga Warrior Mat, our choice for Best Overall, was judged to have some similarities by our testers with this mat. Under our testers’ hands and feet, the mat’s size and grip, and feel were nearly equal. Besides, given that the Alo mat is 40% less expensive, overall, it represents a superior bargain.
2. Top Budget-Friendly Mat: IUGA Pro Non-Slip Yoga Mat
Pros
- Lightweight
- Includes carrying strap
- Available in 5 colors
Cons
- Takes time to lay completely flat
- Shows stains and dirt
- Lingering chemical odor
Product Details
- Thickness: 5 millimeters
- Material: Sustainably harvested rubber material
- Size: 72 x 26 inches
- Weight: 2.5 pounds
Many rubber mats are heavy, but the IUGA Pro Non-Slip Yoga Mat is sweet and light at 2.2 pounds. Compared to heavier ones, others prefer a much lighter yoga mat. The IUGA Pro will not disappoint you. It also comes with a strap to carry the yoga mat, making it scores highly on portability. Its disadvantage is that it lacks the weight to lay flat out of the box like other heavier mats we tried, which is why it only scored a two out of five rating for unboxing.
One of the mats from the test with the most traction is the 5-millimeter-thick IUGA. At times, according to our tester, it even felt sticky. The yoga mat did exceptionally well in our sweat test. So this makes a terrific option for anyone who performs hot yoga regularly. However, our tester reported a rubbery smell. It was noticeable when she did a Child’s Pose. Besides that, IUGA is an environment-friendly, PVC-free, latex-free mat.
3. Top Extra-Long Mat: Lululemon The Reversible (Big Mat 5mm)
Pros
- Wide
- Easy care instructions
- Quick drying
Cons
- The lingering smell on one side
- Heavy
Product Details
- Thickness: 5 millimeters
- Material: Natural rubber and synthetic rubber materials, polyurethane, polyester, and nylon materials
- Size: 84 x 28 inches
- Weight: 7.05 lbs
For tall folks, Lululemon’s extra-large reversible mat is a rare find. It is the ultimate mat for taller users. Its width of 28 inches makes it the broadest mat we examined; the Manduka PRO is its closest contender for length quality. The most decisive impact on our testers was unquestionably its size. As the best yoga mat for its length, a tall tester says that even when laying flat on the mat, it has enough area to move around comfortably.
The 5-millimeter yoga mat received the highest ratings for padding and thickness. On top of that, durability and strength are two outstanding characteristics of this mat. We discovered that this mat offered a soft-yet-firm cushion, supporting our movement. It also made our testers feel anchored.
Although this eco-friendly two-way mat is reversible, our testers preferred the polyurethane top layer part. It feels solid and durable. It also has a bioactive additive that prevents mold and mildew from forming on it. Besides, they found this reversible yoga mat more absorbent on dry and sweat tests. It also offered a great grip and support than the textured rubber side. The rubbery side revealed more dirt, was more prone to slipping, and had a more pungent lingering smell.
Another critical consideration for this Lululemon mat, it is easy to transport for travel. The primary benefit of this mat is its ease of transportation. It rolls up into a small bundle, which makes it easy to pack and travel.
4. Top Favorite Non-Slip: Manduka PRO Yoga Mat
Amazon’s Choice
Pros
- It comes in two-length versions
- Multiple colors to choose from
- Lifetime guarantee
- Latex-free
Cons
- Pricey
- Heavy
- High-maintenance care instructions
Product Details
- Thickness: 6 millimeters
- Material: PVC material
- Size: 71 x 26 inches and 85 x 26 inches
- Weight: 7.5 pounds & 8.8 pounds
If you are passionate about health and yoga fitness, It’s time for you to invest in a hardworking yoga mat for your regular exercise routine. The Manduka PRO Yoga Mat is a seriously perfect option for you as it is a sound investment. Manduka yoga mats are the real thing. More than hype, yogis and professional instructors rave about the durability of this mat. Manduka yoga mats are reputed to be of superior quality.
While this mat could be your favorite yoga partner, there is a break-in period to be observed before becoming essentially non-slip. After the break-in period, you will love the mat’s non-slip feature. Its great grip is what every yoga fan is dying to have. Imagine no more slip-ups and no more yoga towels to use. Its non-slip quality tops our scale. We gave it a rating of five.
There are two versions of this mat. The heavier one is longer, weighs 8.8, and is one of the heaviest we’ve tested. In comparison with other mats, this mat isn’t exactly lightweight. The mat is heavier by 2 pounds. In addition, It is more expensive than other mats and not ideal as a travel yoga mat. At its price, add-ons like a bag or a carrying strap would be a plus factor. We gave this mat an average score of three out of five for portability and storage.
5. Top Thick Mat: BalanceFrom GoYoga All-Purpose Yoga Mat
Amazon’s Choice
Pros
- Lightweight
- Versatile
- Available in 7 colors
- The package includes a carrying strap
Cons
- Mat squeaks occasionally
- Laying it completely flat would take some time
- Moderately durable
Product Details
- Thickness: 12.9 millimeters
- Material: Foam
- Size: 71 x 24 inches
- Weight: 2 pounds
When it comes to thickness, you can’t beat the quality of BalanceFrom All Yoga Mat. They’re the best yoga mats for thick padding. In addition, this combo mat measures 13 millimeters in length. While thick, the foam material sports a soft texture with supple cushioning. Many people like using this mat for its versatility. With thick padding, it has a heavy-duty function perfect for bodyweight exercises. In addition, the mat is excellent for those with sensitive joints that need extra padding or cushioning when exercising.
As much as it is recognized as a tremendous thick mat to use, you might find it less stable when
doing poses that require a lot of focusing and balance. Some people prefer doing yoga exercises on thinner mats, while others like it thicker. Thicker mats could be better for other workout routines such as Pilates. Yoga mat thickness and texture are one’s personal choice.
Balance from the yoga mat scores highly on its sturdy grip quality, which many find endearing. It gives a good grip, but it makes occasional squeaky noises. The squeaky sounds happen when moving to different poses. Some people might find it bothersome and distracting when used for meditative poses.
6. Top Favorite Hot Yoga Mat Jade Yoga Harmony Yoga Mat
Price and Other Info
Pros
- Available in 2 length versions
- Available in 10 colors
- Rolls up quickly
- Contributes through tree planting for every mat sold
Cons
Lingering rubber smell
Product Details
- Thickness: 4.7 millimeters
- Material: Natural tree rubber
- Size: 68 x 24 inches and 74 x 24 inches
- Weight: 4.8 pounds
Hot yoga has reached new sweltering heights with the Jade Yoga Harmony Yoga Mat. The mat will bring out a good sweat from your hot yoga classes. With this excellent mat, you’ll be a notch level higher when you perform different yoga poses. The mat has a thick structure with good padding and support.
Our testers gave this eco-friendly mat a spectacular rating of five for padding and thickness.
The natural rubber mat has a sufficient amount without being too bulky. Moreover, the rubbery texture absorbs moisture, allowing the mat to provide excellent traction when doing different yoga positions.
The hot yoga mat quickly lays flat when you use it, even if it weighs under 5 pounds. Any certified instructor would love it. For the portability angle, we scored it a four out of five. Even without a strap or a carrying bag, it rolls up tightly. Also, taking from home to the studio and back isn’t burdensome. It’s a walk in the park carrying this mat. Moreover, Jade Yoga cares about the environment and plants a tree for every mat sold.
7. Top Favorite Home Use Mat: Liforme Original Yoga Mat
Pros
- The alignment guide marked on the mat
- Includes carrying bag
- Available in 5 colors
- Quick drying
Cons
- Expensive
- Care instructions are difficult to find
- It shows stains and dirt
Product Details
- Thickness: 4.2 millimeters
- Material: Environmentally-sourced rubber and eco-polyurethane materials
- Size: 72.8 x 26.7 inches
- Weight: 4.6 pounds
The Liforme mat stands out from the traditional yoga mat with its AlignForMe” technology. It is the best yoga mat for home workouts. The mat’s unique technology is an integral part of the mat’s polyurethane top layer. While this may be useful during studio courses, it stands out, especially in at-home practices when a yoga instructor cannot help you correct your form.
For you to fully enjoy yoga, an alignment system will help guide and prevent you from making any injuries. Even without a certified yoga instructor, you can get more information on the manual’s alignment system. In addition, you can find the manual together with the carrying bag.
This eco-friendly mat gives you enough room for active flowing and stretching because the length and width are more extensive than typical size mats. The mat’s 4.2-millimeter thickness offered the perfect balance of support and cushion, and its surface offered great
grip possible during wet and dry testing. Although water and dirt stains were visible, the eco-polyurethane surface is PVC-free. The top layer is absorbent and quick drying, so the water and sweat had no adverse effects on her workout.
8. Top Travel Mat: Manduka eKO Superlite Yoga Mat
Pros
- Lightweight
- Can be rolled or folded
- Non-toxic
- Select colors available in additional sizes
Cons
- It may be slippery at first
- Thin
Product Details
- Thickness: 4 millimeters
- Material: Rubber
- Size: 71 x 24 inches
- Weight: 2.2 pounds
One of the best yoga mats for traveling is the Manduka eKO Superlite Travel Yoga Mat. It spells travel portability. The thinner mat is ideal if you want nearly all the advantages of a top-notch yoga mat in a more compact, portable design. Yoga teachers who frequently travel prefer this mat for its weight. The travel yoga mat received a perfect score of five from our testers as the best yoga mat for portability. Given that it measures 71 x 24 inches, it was among the lightest rubber mats wet tested, with a weight of only 2.2 pounds, which is remarkable.
We gave it a 3.5 out of 5 rating for cushioning and thickness because of its 1.5-millimeter thickness, which may not be enough to accommodate all users.
Manduka’s mats frequently need a break-in period before they develop infamously sticky
and gripping characteristics. We evaluated this eco-friendly mat’s grip and ? eKO Superlite’s grip and feel as a three out of five,
About the grip once, we’ve spent more time breaking it in, unlike the Manduka PRO,
which we found to be sticky enough right out of the box.
9. Top Beginner’s Mat: Gaiam Beginner’s Yoga Starter Kit Set
Amazon’s Choice
Pros
- Lightweight
- Thin but durable
- Not slippery at all
Cons
- Slight rubbery odor
Product Details
- Thickness: 4 millimeters
- Material: PVC
- Size: 68 x 24 inches
- Weight: 1.47 kg
Are you dreaming of becoming a yoga instructor but don’t know where to begin? But first, you can start practicing poses with Gaiam Beginner’s Yoga Starter Set.
We recommend Gaiam Beginner’s Yoga Starter Set yoga mats as the best yoga kit for newbies. And since it is a starter set, the kit comes specifically with a yoga mat, yoga strap, and video on a yoga fitness routine.
One of the best yoga mats around, this mat is ideal for beginners who are still learning yoga discipline and how to make the best yoga moves. Unlike microfiber suede tops, the mat has a stylish and vibrant design appealing to both men and women. With just the right amount of padding support, you can do a variety of poses without slipping. You won’t need a yoga towel. It has a superior grip and non-slip surface.
In addition, the lightweight yoga mat is easily transportable. After yoga sessions, you can roll the mat and carry it around at work or the office. In addition, Gaiam offers a selection of yoga accessories for men and women.
10. Top Favorite Mat for Men and Women: NewMe Fitness Yoga Mat for Women and Men
Amazon’s Choice
Pros
- Good padding support
- Anti-slippery
- Good length
- Yoga illustrations
Cons
- Illustrations might fade over time
Product Details
- Thickness: 5 millimeters
- Material: PVC
- Size: 24 inches x 68 inches
- Weight: 2.6 lbs
Yoga instructors, hobbyists, and beginners are top fans of this non-slip combo yoga mat. NewMe Fitness mats are the best yoga mats for practicing yoga. You will be amazed at its instructional design that shows 70 different poses you can follow. And since it is large-sized, rendering famous poses or difficult ones can be done in comfort. It is a fantastic mat for restorative yoga practice or a quick vinyasa flow.
Unlike standard yoga mats, the NewMe fitness mat measures 5mm thick, with sufficient padding for proper balance. It can be used indoors or outdoors, at home or in the studio. Many men and women also like to use this great mat for hot yoga classes. Quality-wise, the critical material is a BPA-free and phthalate-free PVC material. It also has moisture-wicking properties, perfect for hot yoga sessions. Moreso, the yoga mat can be used by kids.
Our Final Thoughts
If you’re looking to invest in a new yoga mat, consider these four things to look for in a yoga mat:
1. Thickness
The mat’s thickness affects stability and cushioning in different ways. Kayla Hargett, E-RYT and former co-lead of yoga teacher training, says that a thicker mat provides more comfort and wrists and knees. Besides, an overly thick mat may make it harder to stay grounded and solid during standing asanas and inversions.
2. Material
A range of synthetic and environmentally-friendly materials are the main components of making yoga mats. Most yoga mats are in the form of PVC (polyvinyl chloride), TPE (thermoplastic elastomer), and natural rubber. PVC mats are long-lasting, sturdy, and easy to clean. However, they are not eco-friendly. There is a strong preference for natural rubber mats for their traction and slip surface. However, TPE mats feel more like recyclable rubber.
3. Length
A yoga mat should be 68 x 24 inches in size. People taller than 5 feet 5 inches may choose to size up, so they have different mat areas for full-body stretching. Move into a downward-facing dog pose. Ensure your hands and feet are firmly planted on the mat to gauge the length of the mat. You have a proper-sized mat if both hands and feet fit without touching the edges.
4. Cell Type
Open-cell mats are porous and effectively absorb moisture and sweat. Open-cell mats offer additional grip and a slip-resistant surface for heated and high-sweat practices like Bikram. But they can also result in trapped smells and bacterial growth. After each use, cleaning and ventilating an open-cell mat is crucial.
Since they are hygienic and don’t absorb moisture, closed-cell mats are excellent for low-intensity activities. They are also waterproof, simple to clean, and long-lasting due to their water resistance.
With all these vital factors combined, deciding among the best yoga mats is the next course of action. Check which one from our top picks will match your needs and suit your healthy lifestyle. Whether you want a combo yoga mat, the lightest mat, or a thicker one, may you get the right yoga mat to practice poses for a healthier you!
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How should a yoga mat be cleaned?
Keep it simple when cleaning your yoga mat. Spray your yoga mat liberally with warm water and a few drops of your chosen dish soap, then scrub it firmly (but not vigorously) with a microfiber towel. Repeat on the other side. Afterward, give your yoga mat a final warm water cleaning before hanging it up to dry naturally.
2. What distinguishes a yoga mat from an exercise mat?
Compared to a typical exercise mat, a yoga mat is often thinner, has a textured surface for strong grip, and is medium firm for support, comfort, and grounding. On the other hand, an exercise mat is typically much thicker and either quite firm to support heavy gym equipment or extremely cushioned to keep you at ease during bodyweight activities.
Want stories like this delivered straight to your inbox? Stay informed. Stay ahead. Subscribe to InqMORNING
As an Amazon Associate INQUIRER.net will earn from qualifying purchases.
