Yoga mats are an essential part of any home gym — and not just for practicing yoga. They’re a great place to set up for a HIIT workout, a floor strength series and a post-workout stretch as well. More than anything, a yoga mat provides a safe space for you to complete a workout while keeping your joints more protected and comfortable than you would be on a hard floor.
When looking for a yoga mat to add to your exercise equipment stash, you need to consider what you’ll be using it for. For example, if you love doing hot yoga, you’ll want a mat that has good grip and non-slip properties. If you’re looking for extra comfort when you hit the floor for your core series, you’ll definitely want to grab a thicker mat. Whatever usage you need out of your yoga mat — from stretching, sweating, flowing, or even sleeping — we’ve done some digging to come up with the best picks for yogis and non-yogis alike.
Best Yoga Mats
- Best Yoga Mat Overall: Rogue Yoga Mat
- Best Yoga Mat for Hot Yoga: IUGA Pro Non Slip Yoga Mat
- Most Versatile Yoga Mat: Rogue Individual Mat
- Best Yoga Mat for Group Workouts: Rogue Comp Matting
- Best Yoga Mat with Position Markings: Healthyoga Eco Friendly Non Slip Yoga Mat
- Best Thick Yoga Mat: Amazon Basics 1/2-Inch Extra Thick Exercise Yoga Mat
Best Yoga Mat Overall
Our top pick for best overall yoga mat is durable, perfect for stretching or hard hitting workouts, and doesn’t budge when you’re moving.
Rogue Yoga Mat
The Rogue Yoga Mat checks in at an average 3 mm thick, but its textured, non-slip PVC foam ensures it will last throughout all your yoga and non-yoga needs. It measures 68″ long x 24″ wide and feels light and firm. The textured top keeps you from slipping and sliding anywhere even in the most complex of poses, but if you’re looking for a mat that adds some extra cushion for longer floor core sessions after your flow, there are thicker, more comfortable options out there. With the Rogue Yoga Mat, you’ll be getting a durable, sleek matte black mat that will hold up, get the job done, and store away easily afterwards.
The Rogue Yoga Mat is perfect for those on the hunt for a solid deal, dependable durability and a yoga mat that can hit the road with you when you do. It's non-slip and should hold up session after session.
Who Should Buy The Rogue Yoga Mat
- Athletes who need a lasting mat that will hold up through lots of usage.
- Anyone who needs a textured top to avoid slippage.
- Yogis who are looking for a thickness that is relatively standard.
- Customers looking for a deal — this mat goes for $16.
Who Shouldn’t Buy The Rogue Yoga Mat
- Athletes who need a comfy, thick mat for lots of core work on their backs.
Overall, you can’t go wrong with this pick — it’s long-lasting, non-slip and the standard length, providing the perfect space for any flow, workout or recovery stretch at a great price.
Best Yoga Mat for Hot Yoga
This Yoga mat is perfect for the sweatiest of sessions with it’s has a textured top to make sure you don’t go anywhere when the instructor turns up the heat.
IUGA Pro Non Slip Yoga Mat
The IUGA Pro Non Slip Yoga Mat has a non-slip surface and a polyurethane top layer that absorbs your sweat for added grip, making it a great pick for anyone who loves a Saturday morning hot yoga class. If you’ve been to hot yoga before, you know how sweaty those classes can get — it’s important to have a mat that doesn’t collect your sweat as you flow. This 5 mm-thick mat is also totally eco-friendly, lightweight, and won’t flake apart after lots of sweaty usage. It’s a little bigger than average too, coming in at 72 inches long by 26 inches wide.
With a non-slip surface that keeps you from sliding and absorbs sweat, the IUGA Pro Non-Slip Yoga Mat is a solid option for anyone attending hot yoga classes or finding their zen while they sweat.
Who Should Buy The IUGA Pro Non Slip Yoga Mat
- Athletes who are addicted to flowing in a hot room and need extra grip.
- Frequent yogis who need a mat that will hold up to lots of usage.
- Anyone who wants to know they’re helping to protect our environment with their purchase.
Who Shouldn’t Buy The IUGA Pro Non Slip Yoga Mat
- Athletes who just need something basic to stretch on after a workout.
- Anyone looking for a cheap buy — this mat goes for $50, which is more expensive than other options on the market.
If flowing in a 95-degree room is your thing, this mat from IUGA will keep you from sliding for many hot yoga classes to come.
Most Versatile Yoga Mat
Our top pick for this category can act as a yoga mat or an at-home workout mat alike.
Rogue Individual Mat
The Rogue Individual Mat is 15 mm thick, 72 inches long and 36 inches wide. For reference, an average mat is 3 mm thick, 68 inches long and 24 inches wide. With strategic cuts in the mat, even though this pick is big, it can still roll up into a pretty compact burrito. You can use it for yoga if that’s your preference, but what’s great about this mat is that it provides a thicker surface for more intense strength workouts that you can roll up and bring with you on-the-go.
The Rogue Individual Mat is perfect for those looking for an oversized mat that also rolls down into a pretty small profile. It's thick at 15 mm, making it a solid option for those planning on doing more than just yoga.
Who Should Buy The Rogue Individual Mat
- Athletes who want a surface that can serve multiple purposes when it comes to exercise.
- Yogis who need some added cushioning for their post-flow core work.
- Anyone training on-the-go who wants to take a workout mat with them.
Who Shouldn’t Buy The Rogue Individual Mat
- Customers looking for a steal — this mat goes for $70.
- Yogis looking for something small and lightweight to bring to a studio yoga class.
If you’re looking to add a mat to your home gym that can do it all and fold up to come with you when you want to take your workout elsewhere, this mat is for you.
Best Yoga Mat for Group Workouts
This matting from Rogue Fitness is great if you’re looking to cover more than just your personal space.
Rogue Comp Matting
The Rogue Comp Matting comes at 1.25 inches thick, 72 inches wide, and has a whole bunch of length customizations, as well. This makes it the perfect addition to a group training space where you need to cover the whole floor in a safe and convenient way. If you’re truly looking for something that’s ideal for individual yoga class use, you can scoot right along, but for the athletes or studio owners out there who are building a training gym or just have a basement floor that needs covering for their at-home workouts, this matting will do the trick. Plus, you can easily fold it up and store it away (if you have the room) when you’re not using it.
For those looking to mat out an entire gym or studio floor for classes, Rogue Comp Matting is an excellent option as lengths are customizable while the materials used make it quite durable.
Who Should Buy The Rogue Comp Matting
- Trainers who are looking to build out their group training space.
- Athletes who need flooring that can also fold up when they aren’t actively using it.
- Anyone looking to create a mat at a customizable length.
Who Shouldn’t Buy The Rogue Comp Matting
- Yogis who need an individual sized mat to take to a studio yoga class.
- Anyone looking for their own equipment that’s easy to transport from place to place.
This is a durable pick for athletes who want to build out their training space for group workouts—it has the added comfort and safety you need, along with the portability that most group matting doesn’t have.
Best Yoga Mat with Position Markings
This mat is great for anyone who is first learning yoga or looking to perfect their practice.
Healthyoga Eco Friendly Non Slip Yoga Mat
This mat from Healthyyoga will make sure you’re properly aligned for every position with its end to end lines, reverse points, center point and central line. You’ll never have to question whether you’re positioned correctly, and you’ll have all the space to do it since this mat runs large at 72 inches long by 26 inches wide. With the proper guidance on where to place your hands and feet, you can enjoy this mat’s 6 mm, double layer cushioning and make use of its solid grip and double-sided non-slip texture as you flow with ease.
If you're just getting into yoga or are looking to improve your form, the eco-friendly non-slip mat from Healthyoga may be the right fit for you. With it's guides and markings, this mat can keep you aligned and in-position as you develop your technique.
Who Should Buy The Healthyoga Eco Friendly Non Slip Yoga Mat
- From serious yogis to beginners — those who want to improve their form and alignment.
- Studio-goers who need good non-slip texture to keep them flowing (not falling) throughout class.
- Anyone looking for a good deal — this mat is only $35.
Who Shouldn’t Buy The Healthyoga Eco Friendly Non Slip Yoga Mat
- Casual stretchers who aren’t serious about improving their yoga technique.
- Yogis who use towels over their mats in class that would cover the alignment markers.
This mat is perfect for beginners and advanced yogis alike — it will keep you flowing with proper alignment and provide a durable, non-slip surface for any practice.
Best Thick Yoga Mat
Measuring at over 12 mm thick, this yoga mat from Amazon provides enough cushion for every workout or flow.
Amazon Basics 1/2-Inch Extra Thick Exercise Yoga Mat
For anyone who loves a good Amazon find, this should seal the deal for you. Most yoga mats only hit 7 mm in thickness and this mat almost doubles that at 12.7 mm, providing the optimum cushioning for lots of muscle-building core workouts or anyone who just wants some extra padding for their flow. Its textured foam surface will ensure stability, and it even comes with elastic straps for easy transport. This mat won’t provide the highest durability — it is only $22 — but it will provide the comfort and shock-absorption you need for any workout or yoga practice.
This 1/2-inch thick mat from Amazon is perfect for yogis who spend a lot of time on their back or their knees. With a half-inch of cushion and a textured surface, it's a solid pick for those prioritizing comfort over feel.
Who Should Buy The Amazon Basics 1/2-Inch Extra Thick Exercise Yoga Mat
- Yogis who like to add a core series to the end of their flow.
- Anyone who wants to use their mat for workouts outside of Vinyasa.
- Athletes who aren’t planning on using their mat on a daily basis.
Who Shouldn’t Buy The Amazon Basics 1/2-Inch Extra Thick Exercise Yoga Mat
- Customers looking for a good deal on a mat.
- Yogis who are more serious about their practice, feel and form, and less serious about their comfort levels or shock-absorption.
You’ll find this is a great buy for anyone looking for a cushioned surface for home workouts.
Before Buying Yoga Mats Consider
When you’re looking for the perfect yoga mat to add to your equipment collection, there are a lot of individual considerations you’ll have to make first. Here’s what you should consider before you snag a mat.
Thickness
One of the main factors you should think about when deciding which mat to buy is how thick you want your surface. Yoga mats typically range from 3mm-7mm — anything thicker than that is considered extra thick. Most of the time, you won’t find the extra thick picks outside of gyms because they are meant for more than just yoga practice. They can cushion strength training and HIIT workouts better than more typical (thinner) yoga mats can.
Yoga mats in the 3mm to 7mm range are the ones you’ll see yogis using in-studio. The cheaper mats are usually 3mm and provide minimal comfort, while the 7mm mats may run a bit more expensive, but they’ll give you a little extra padding if the instructor happens to throw in a one minute plank or core series mid-flow.
When you’re deciding which thickness to go with, think about what workouts you’ll be doing the most and choose the mat that will cater to that exercise best.
Durability
It’s important to consider how much you’ll be using your yoga mat and if your purchase will be able to withstand that amount of usage. In general, if you’re looking to get a lot of wear out of your mat, you’re going to have to put a little extra money toward the buy — the cheaper mats (even if they’re thick) tend to have a softer surface and wear easier over time.
In general, a polyurethane rubber surface typically provides a solid base, but if you’re going to be using your mat daily, steer clear of the PVC surface yoga mats, as this plastic material will wear faster.
Exercise Type
If you’re looking to take this mat to yoga and only yoga classes, you’ll want to make sure you find a mat that helps further your practice. These are typically in the 3mm to 7mm thickness range with a polyurethane surface that will hold up to lots of Vinyasa flows and allow you to really feel your movements.
However, if you’re looking for a mat for strength workouts, crossfit training or anything outside of yoga, you’ll want to consider the extra thick options and something a little larger to accommodate for more movement and shock-absorption.
How We Decide the Best
When we were making this list, we wanted to make sure athletes and casual yogis alike are getting all the bang for their buck with each pick. We compiled options for every type of athlete that would hold up to their workouts without breaking the bank.
Texture
For many of these picks, we lean toward textures that are non-slip and provide the grip necessary to hold complex yoga poses for more than just a few seconds without falling. Some of these picks are made of a PVC material, which provides a sticky feel to ensure you don’t fall. Others are rubber or eco-friendly and provide some grip but not as much as the PVC. Whichever path you choose, there are picks on this list that will satisfy the type of grip you’re looking for.
Cushion
If you really want to be able to feel each movement in your yoga practice, you’ll want a mat that doesn’t have too much cushion. However, if you’re looking to use your mat for workouts outside of yoga, you’ll want that added padding. We’ve made sure to include options for both types of athlete on this list to provide the ultimate guide.
Durability and Price
Overall, when you’re buying a piece of exercise equipment you’re going to want it to be able to hold up to your workout routine. Polyurethane tends to be more durable than PVC, but many PVC mats are also much cheaper and more comfortable than the rubber ones.
There are definitely some mats on here that won’t last as long as others, but for those options you will be paying less. Rest assured that for all of the picks on this list, you will be getting your money’s worth for your purchase — whether it be cheap or on the more expensive end of yoga mat pricing.
Final Word
You might be searching for a yoga mat for a myriad reasons. Maybe you’re starting your own training gym and need a group mat to double as flooring for your customers. Maybe you’re looking for a better mat to take to hot yoga with you that won’t have you slipping whenever you’re in downward facing dog. Or maybe you’re just starting out and need a mat with markings to help guide you in becoming a better yogi.
Whatever your situation, once you consider what you’ll be using your mat for, how much cushioning you need and the price you’re willing to pay, this list can guide you on your journey to finding the perfect fit. Just go with the flow.