Best Yoga Mats on Amazon
Picking out the right yoga mat can make a world of difference to your practice.
To focus effectively on improving your technique and relaxing into your postures, you need a mat which suits your needs.
Whether you need extra back or knee support, or a mat for excessive perspiration, you’ll be grateful you took the time to do the research before making the purchase.
👑 Our Pick for Best Overall
⭐ Our Other Top Yoga Mat Picks
- Best of the Best: Gaiam Yoga Mat
- Best on a Budget: BalanceFrom GoYoga
- Best Yoga Mat for Men: Manduka PRO Yoga Mat
Reviews: Best Yoga Mats on Amazon
Gaiam Yoga Mat (👑 Top Pick)
Our top pick is the Gaiam extra thick yoga mat on Amazon.
The first thing you’ll notice about this mat is that there are many striking styles and designs to choose from. From granite mountains to sundial layers, and purple mandala to sapphire feather, there’s a style to suit every taste. Not only does this give you more choice, but the designs themselves are very well done and can add a splash of colour and character to your yoga space.
If you were concerned as soon as you heard about the pretty patterns that this mat might contain toxins and harmful substances, put your mind at rest. This mat is both non toxic and 6P free, which makes it a great PVC mat without any of the stuff that you might be worried about. At around ¼ inches, this mat is thick too, so you can expect minimal movement as you hold your poses.
You might also be surprised at the very affordable price tag, which suggests a lower quality not apparent in the brilliantly detailed designs. You also get an extremely lightweight and durable yoga mat for your money, which has a pleasantly textured surface providing excellent grip during even the sweatiest of yoga flows.
As an extra bonus, this mat comes with a free downloadable yoga workout so you can get straight down to business as soon as it arrives.
Features:
- Made from non-toxic PVC
- 12 colourful patterns to choose from
- ¼ inches thick
- Lightweight
- Non-slip texture
- Includes free downloadable yoga workout
BalanceFrom GoYoga (💸 Best on a Budget)
The BalanceFrom GoYoga is not only the best mat on a budget, but is also considered to be one of the best yoga mats on amazon. This mat is highly portable, available in several colours, and provides plenty of grip to keep you grounded at all times.
This incredibly cheap yoga mat is a no-frills option which favours utility over style. Having said that, there are five bold colours to choose from, so you can still have some say in what style would look best in your yoga space.
The practicality of this yoga mat is what makes it excellent value for money. The first thing you’ll notice is that it rolls down to a convenient size, and is fitted with a strap that allows you to carry it over your shoulder if necessary. This makes it perfect for taking to a yoga class, the park, or wherever else you like to take your yoga mat.
As a dense ¼ inches thick mat, this one will give you plenty of protection for your back and knees during certain poses. If you are at all concerned about hurting yourself during poses like the low lung or any of those which have you laying on your back, then this is the perfect mat for you. That extra support could be the difference between you successfully holding a pose for a long period of time, versus stopping prematurely due to discomfort.
Features:
- PVC mat
- Available in 5 colours
- ¼ inches thick
- Non-slip
- Includes shoulder strap
- 100% satisfaction guarantee
Manduka PRO Yoga Mat (🧘♂️ Best Yoga Mat for Men)
The Manduka PRO yoga mat is the best yoga mat for men, with a premium design and all the features you could ever need.
The idea for this premium yoga mat was first conceived by an architect-cum-yogi Peter Sterios in 1997. Sterios loved the idea of creating a yoga mat which combined firm grip with the perfect support, and this is the result.
Available in a range of strikingly minimalist colours and patterns, an investment in this sleek yoga mat will feel like buying a designer watch or a stylish new pair of shades. It oozes class and elegance, and invites you to take your yoga practice to the next level.
The mat has a high density cushion build which provides superior support for the joints, no matter where you prefer to do your yoga. Whether you do it on a concrete floor outside or in your living room, this mat will mould to your body for an ultra comfortable experience. It also has a closed-cell surface which prevents moisture from seeping into the mat, keeping it safe from bacteria growth. It is also a great non-slip option, even for those yoga workouts where the sweat is falling freely.
Features:
- Made from Eco-certified PVC
- Available in 13 colours
- ¼ inches thick
- High density cushion
- Closed-cell surface
Frequently Asked Questions About Yoga Mats
What is the best thickness for a yoga mat?
It depends on what type of support you need for your yoga practice, but you’ll find mats in the range of 1/16 inch to ¼ inches.
The thinner the yoga mat, the better you’ll be able to hold your balance postures for a long period of time. You will feel more grounded due to the lack of material between your feet and the ground beneath you.
At the other end, the thicker mats will be best suited for supporting your back while you do your floor poses. They can also prevent knee pain from the tabletop posture, and low lunges.
In between these two extremes is the medium thickness yoga mat – around ⅛ inches – which will provide some support without compromising your ability to balance too much.
Which yoga mat is best?
The best yoga mat in our view is the extra thick mat from Gaiam.
It’s an outstanding mat available for any budget, and it’s an excellent choice for beginners.
The extra padding on the mat makes it a very comfortable option, and should give you all the support your body needs to work further into those tricky postures.
It also comes in a variety of striking colour combinations and patterns, so you can pick the one which best suits your preferences.
What is the best yoga mat for beginners?
A beginner’s yoga mat should satisfy a few key criteria.
First, it has to cater to your body. That means if you struggle with knee pain or back pain as you do core work, then you’ll want to find a more supportive mat. If you feel like this isn’t as much of an issue and you want to focus on improving your balance, find a thin mat.
Second, it should be tried and tested. When you find a mat you like the look of, check the most popular reviews – both positive and negative – and see if it sounds like a good match.
Third, invest in quality. While it might be tempting to spend as little money as possible in the beginning, you shouldn’t do so at the expense of quality. A mat which scrunches up during a downward dog, or doesn’t absorb sweat after a heavy session isn’t what you want when you’re trying to focus on the postures and technique.
One of our favourite options for anyone starting out is the Gaiam extra thick yoga mat, which also happens to be our top pick overall.
This mat comes in a variety of cool colours and patterns, but more importantly, provides plenty of support so you can focus on your technique and holding the poses for as long as possible.
How much should I spend on a yoga mat?
If you’re committed to your yoga practise, and can see yourself doing it long into the future, then you have to be prepared to spend $50 or more.
There are exceptions of course, like the excellent budget yoga mat BalanceFrom GoYoga which boasts low cost and good craftsmanship.
The more you spend, the better quality the material may be which means various things for your yoga.
If you want a luxury mat that would look great in your living room, or one which effectively absorbs sweat during heavy sessions, then that comes at a greater cost.
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A Final Word From Energetic Lifestyle
Whichever yoga mat you settle on, you’ll be glad you did the research as it can impact your practice greatly.
The best you can ask for is a mat which you don’t notice, that way you can focus all of your attention and breath on the postures.
