Best Yoga Mats

Compare Yoga Mats

13 ranked products · Two to 4 at a time · Updated 10 Sept 2026

Pick any two to four of the 13 ranked yoga mats and read them side by side. This page opens on the board's top 3, Manduka Pro Mat, JadeYoga Harmony Mat and Lululemon The Mat 5 mm.

Choose what to compare

3 of 4 chosen

S
A
B
C
D
F
Yoga Mats compared side by side. Each column is one product, each row is one measure taken from the same research that built the board.
Measure Manduka Pro Mat Manduka Manduka Pro Mat JadeYoga Harmony Mat JadeYoga JadeYoga Harmony Mat Lululemon The Mat 5 mm Lululemon Lululemon The Mat 5 mm Liforme Original Yoga Mat Liforme Liforme Original Yoga Mat Liforme Classic Liforme Liforme Classic Gaiam Premium 5 mm Gaiam Gaiam Premium 5 mm Manduka GRP Adapt Yoga Mat Manduka Manduka GRP Adapt Yoga Mat Manduka Pro Light Manduka Manduka Pro Light Gaiam Essentials Yoga Mat Gaiam Gaiam Essentials Yoga Mat Manduka eKO SuperLite Travel Mat Manduka Manduka eKO SuperLite Travel Mat Jade Travel Mat JadeYoga Jade Travel Mat Aeromat Aeromat Aeromat Gaiam Ultra-Thick Yoga Mat Gaiam Gaiam Ultra-Thick Yoga Mat
Tier S S S A B B B C D D D F F
Rank on this board 1 of 13 2 of 13 3 of 13 4 of 13 5 of 13 6 of 13 7 of 13 8 of 13 9 of 13 10 of 13 11 of 13 12 of 13 13 of 13
Ladder points 1119 LP 986 LP 873 LP 653 LP 642 LP 550 LP 537 LP 366 LP 304 LP 299 LP 222 LP 45 LP 0 LP
Our verdict The category's buy-it-for-life object: a decade-plus owner record, closed-cell build that does not compress, and consensus across expert and community sources. Nothing else matches its failure-rate history. Wirecutter's tested top pick with a long durability record in natural rubber. Needs a bit more care than closed-cell PVC, which is the entire gap to the Mandukas. The Telegraph's durability verdict plus consistently positive owner reports make it a safe multi-year buy, but topped-rubber surfaces age faster than the mats above. Class-leading grip that survives sweat and years. Owners and teachers back the longevity. Rank 4 because its surface shows wear sooner than the top three. Runner's World-endorsed and holding up well in independent hands-on reports, but the newer line has fewer years of failure-rate data than the Original. The best budget pick on merit, but its foam compresses well before the flagship mats above show their age. Buy it as a starter, not a keeper. The sweat-grip specialist at a more attainable position in Manduka's line than the original GRP, and the Telegraph's beginner endorsement makes it a legitimate pick. It stays mid-board because its absorbent-grip niche is narrower than the all-rounders above it. Same construction and warranty philosophy in a lighter format. The Strategist's current overall pick. Only a slightly thinner safety margin keeps it off the top step. Its low price comes at the cost of durability and overall quality. A frequent source of regret. Natural rubber that outlasts PVC travel mats by a wide margin, but as an ultra-thin travel surface it is a complement, not a primary mat, for most owners. Compresses quickly and loses natural rubber feel, unsuitable for long-term use. Commercially proven and described as indestructible by long-term users, yet its grip and finish are studio-functional rather than enthusiast-grade, so it lands mid-board. Runner's World's best bargain: a legitimate consensus endorsement for maximum cushioning, ranked last among picks because it serves comfort first and yoga performance second.
What reviewers rate
  • Closed-cell PVC construction that resists compression over years of daily use
  • Backed by a lifetime guarantee
  • Owners report over a decade of use with the mat holding up
  • Highly praised for durability, support, and long-lasting quality
  • Natural rubber with octopus-like grip
  • Durable and comfortable with a long track record
  • Transportable
  • Wirecutter's current top pick after testing 49 mats
  • Unrivalled grip with great cushioning, stability, and durability
  • Consistently positive owner feedback on feel and non-slip performance
  • No compromise on style
  • Unrivalled grip per The Telegraph's dedicated review
  • Class-leading grip that holds up in sweaty, hot yoga conditions
  • No smell and quick-drying surface
  • Strong multi-year base construction record
  • Marked guide surface for alignment
  • Recommended by name in Runner's World UK's tested roundup
  • Independent six-month hands-on reports the mat holding up well with grip intact
  • Top-tier grip from the same lineage as the Liforme Original
  • Suits casual yogis who still want top-tier grip
  • Recommended by teacher testers as one of the most comfortable options for beginners
  • Joint cushioning with a no-slip texture
  • Stunningly patterned design
  • Unanimous tester-panel choice as the best budget yoga mat
  • Named the best yoga mat for beginners by The Telegraph
  • Sweat-grip specialist with absorbent grip
  • More attainable position in Manduka's line than the original GRP
  • Sweat-grip performance from Manduka's GRP line
  • Bombproof closed-cell construction in a lighter, more portable package
  • Named best yoga mat overall by The Strategist
  • Shares the flagship's longevity record and warranty philosophy
  • Most of the flagship Pro's durability and feel
  • Cushioned surface
  • Affordable price point
  • Extra cushioning for comfort
  • Comfortable cushioning
  • Natural rubber construction that outlasts PVC mats by a wide margin
  • Serious grip without the bulk
  • Biodegradable construction
  • Lightweight and durable
  • Compact and foldable
  • Good grip
  • Compact size for travel
  • Portable design
  • Commercial-grade foam that survives shared studio abuse
  • Described as indestructible by long-term practitioners
  • Excellent grip on both top and bottom with supportive medium cushion
  • Good balance of cushion and stability
  • Runner's World's best bargain among yoga mats for runners
  • Maximum cushioning for joint protection
  • Ultra thick cushioning
  • Comfortable for joints
Where it falls short
  • Heavy
  • Slow to break in
  • Firm density divides testers
  • Needs a towel layered on top for sweaty sessions
  • Open-cell rubber needs more care than closed-cell PVC
  • Natural rubber has a distinct smell when new
  • Polyurethane-topped rubber construction shows cosmetic wear faster than closed-cell PVC over years of daily use
  • The marked-up guide surface is a consumable feature that shows wear sooner than the top mats
  • Costs flagship money for the last few percent of performance
  • Thinner profile than some rivals
  • Premium positioning puts it out of reach for casual beginners
  • Newer line with a shorter real-world track record than the Original
  • Soft foam compresses to a fraction of its depth within months of daily use
  • Best treated as a consumable rather than a long-term keeper
  • Some users report sliding when sweaty
  • Narrower niche appeal than the all-rounders above it
  • Fewer outlets have tested it than the top-ranked mats
  • Sacrifices a little plushness and a little of the flagship's indestructibility margin
  • Grip on sweaty hands is not in the same class as the top value picks
  • Reduced durability
  • Lacks durability
  • Tends to wear out quickly
  • Cracks after 6 months
  • Rapid loss of grip
  • As a 1.5mm travel surface it cannot be a daily driver for everyone
  • Deliberately minimal, so it cannot compete on cushion
  • Very thin profile makes it a niche tool rather than an everyday mat
  • Thin construction
  • Loss of natural rubber feel
  • Grip for sweaty vinyasa is merely good rather than class-leading
  • Less yoga-specific than the mats above it
  • Endorsements come from exercise-mat testing rather than yoga-specialist guides
  • Grip loss after a few months
  • Serves comfort first and yoga performance second
  • Bulky design
  • Hard to transport
  • Too dense
Evidence behind it 7 sources across 7 outlets 3 sources across 3 outlets 5 sources across 4 outlets 6 sources across 6 outlets 4 sources across 4 outlets 5 sources across 5 outlets 5 sources across 5 outlets 2 sources across 2 outlets 5 sources across 5 outlets 3 sources across 3 outlets 5 sources across 5 outlets 5 sources across 5 outlets 1 source across 1 outlet Thin sourcing, read it as provisional
Flagged as one to avoid Not flagged Not flagged Not flagged Not flagged 1 of 8 research runs Not flagged Not flagged Not flagged 2 of 4 research runs 2 of 10 research runs 1 of 6 research runs 6 of 10 research runs 4 of 5 research runs
Announced Not recorded Not recorded Not recorded Not recorded Not recorded Not recorded Not recorded Not recorded Not recorded Not recorded Not recorded Not recorded Not recorded
Where to buy Check it Check it Check it Check it Check it Check it Check it Check it Check it Check it Check it Check it Check it

Every column is the same research that built the board. Nothing here is a specification sheet copied from a maker. Read how we rank for what a tier and a ladder point mean.