The Best Yoga Mats of 2023, Tested by Experts

Perfect for both beginners and more advanced yogis, this mat earned high scores across the board in our testing and has alignment markers that help guide you through positions. It's supportive while still offering some cushioning. We were impressed by how well we were able to move through poses on this mat, moving from chaturanga dandasana to upward dog to downward facing dog with ease.

The rubber mat has a smooth polyurethane top layer that allows for a good grip whether you're sweaty or not. After testing, we gave this mat a perfect cleaning score, thanks to its smooth surface that was easy to wipe down. The downside is that it's heavy to carry around at over 6 pounds, though it does come with its own yoga bag.

Tester notes: Our testers gave it perfect ratings for both the grip on their hands and feet and the traction on the floor. “I like the grip, thickness and design," said one tester. "I particularly enjoyed the length of the mat and the lines on it to keep your alignment consistent throughout practice." Another said that this mat was "hands down one of the best mats to use for non-slip and ease in practice. I would love this mat!” Because of its heavy weight, testers preferred to use this mat for at-home practice.

This is your best bet if you don’t want to shell out for a pricey mat. The grippy textured surface keeps your hands stable in poses. It had more cushioning yet was a lighter weight than other mats we tested — a perk if you’re just starting out or need protection for your knees.

It's latex-free for those with allergies, though some noticed the PVC smelled at first. (The brand suggests airing it out before you first use it.) It doesn’t have as much grip or traction against smooth flooring as mats made with rubber, but testers found it excellent to use on carpets. And because your mat is an accessory — just like cute workout leggings — it comes in lots of prints with reversible designs so you get two looks for the price of one.

Tester notes: Testers appreciated its thickness with one saying, "This mat offers a good amount of cushioning and support. It felt great for my knees." It was especially popular for its super lightweight design, ideal to bring to and from classes. This has been one GH analyst's go-to mat for the past year for yoga, pilates and stretching because of its comfortable support.

You'll find this mat in plenty of yoga studios and all over the internet, with thousands of five-star ratings from reviewers who swear by it. It's a no-frills rubber mat with a textured surface that rolls up nicely. It isn’t bulky, making it convenient to carry to and from the studio.

The brand also has a give-back program where a tree is planted for every mat sold. One thing to note is that you'll likely have to replace it after a while: Users have told us that this mat starts to pill and flake after a while.

Tester notes: Testers especially loved the textured surface that gripped well and didn't move on the floor. One tester said, "I like that it's not too soft and thick but it is sturdy and easy to go through sequences on." They also said it offered a good grip, though some said the rubber gave off a “car tire” smell at first.

Set up your ultimate home yoga studio with this stylish yoga mat from Lululemon. The Mat is reversible with a smooth side and a textured side for the best of both worlds. We did notice that the mat had an odor upon unboxing, but it did mostly dissipate with time. Because of this mat's heavier weight and large size, this mat is ideal for your at-home practice. Plus, it's available in 13 color options to match your home decor.

This mat is also a favorite of Uribarri who says, "This mat is supportive without being too thick. It has a solid grip, so I don't have to worry about slipping when I get sweaty." She notes that she's had this mat for two years and it's still in great shape.

Tester notes: Receiving a near-perfect appearance score, testers said, "It's gorgeous," and, "I love the style and size." Testers were especially impressed with the grippy surface (on both sides), liking that they had the option to switch textures. One tester said she "feels grounded" when practicing on this mat, finding it suitable for yoga as well as pilates and barre. Some testers wish this mat offered more cushioning and found that it did show some scuffs after use that were tough to clean.

This is the mat that Uribarri uses at home and calls her “favorite mat ever.” And she’s not alone — it’s a popular choice for strong yogis who want a firmer surface for stability instead of a foamy mat that feels cushier.

It’s also latex-free, which is hard to find in high-end mats, which are usually made of rubber. Our main complaint is that it’s heavy compared to others, and it wasn’t easy for testers to carry. For a more lightweight option to bring to studio classes, try the EKO lite version of this mat. This mat is also available in extra-large sizes to outfit your home gym.

Tester notes: Staying perfectly put during every workout, this mat received high marks for having good traction. One tester said it "held in place on the floor well throughout multiple positions" and that it has a "non-slip" surface. Testers appreciated that it was well suited for not only yoga but strength training and other workouts. Not surprisingly, testers rated it lower for cushioning than other mats.

Hot yoga enthusiasts often use a special towel for grip as they sweat, but this unique mat has a top layer made out of a yoga-towel-like material that gets grippier as you sweat. Just keep in mind: To get the best grip, you’ll need to wet it if you won’t be sweating a lot. Our panel loved the soft microfiber surface (made from recycled water bottles!), and the rubber mat underneath stayed put on the floor when they used it.

This mat is machine washable, and it laundered well in our evaluations, though it did take a while to fully dry. It was also nicely compact when rolled up, and it comes with a carrying strap.

Tester notes: It received high marks for grip and staying put on the floor, and one tester shared, "I was able to hold poses for a longer duration than I normally have with any of the mats I currently use.” Obsessed with its "eye-catching" design, another tester loved that it was "light and easy to carry." Less sweaty testers gave it lower marks for grip, so this mat is better suited for Bikram yoga or other heated yoga classes.

If you plan to use a yoga mat for more than just yoga, this one’s extra thick and has the best cushioning for activities where you’ll be on your back, like stretching, or if you have joint sensitivity. It's made with foam, making it the lightest mat in our test. It also has over 80,000 reviews on Amazon and comes in six color options. Oh, and did we mention it’s a bargain?

Tester notes: Testers loved the plush foam cushioning, and said it was "very comfortable" and "provided great support." One tester said, "My knees in lunge poses were very happy to be kneeling on this mat." On the downside, it's bulky, and testers said it wasn’t easy to carry around, even with the included strap. Because of the thicker cushioning, some testers said they felt less grounded and found it was more "difficult to balance."

The Alo Yoga Warrior Mat has a loyal following as an excellent mat for Vinyasa yoga flow. When one GH analyst tried this mat in a Vinyasa class, she was immediately impressed with its grip as she moved through flow movements. The polyurethane upper offers traction and stability with rubber cushioning underneath that's ideal for when you're moving through yoga poses. Available in 10 stylish shades, online reviewers rave that it's "gorgeous and also sweat-wicking."

Tester notes: Receiving high marks across the board for grip, testers found that they stayed put during a variety of poses without fear of slipping. Testers did note that the edges of the mat curled up a bit, and they found it firmer than other mats.

While nearly all yoga mats are rectangular shaped, this trendy pick from Bala has a rounded top to help you stand out in your next workout class. Available in five stylish colors like light pink and sage green, this mat doesn't just look good. It also performs: We were impressed with its grippy surface that was easy to clean thanks to the polyurethane top coat. We also like pairing this trendy mat with the brand's best-selling weighted bangles to wear during your next workout to up the intensity.

Tester notes: All testers commented on the "unique shape," noting that it's not just like every other yoga mat — but some found it to be too different. It received high marks across the board for cushioning and grip with testers saying it's well suited for all types of workouts. Testers did find it a bit more difficult to roll and unroll than some of the other test mats.

If you prefer more cushioning for your wrists or knees, opt for this clever yoga mat. You can easily fold the top or bottom of the mat to create a thicker cushion, giving you excellent support.

Stakt has gone viral on social media for its genius foldable dual-sided yoga mat — one side offers more grip while the other is smoother. Neither surface has as much grip as the other mats we tested, so it's less suited for sweaty yoga and better suited for strength training and stretching.

Tester notes: Testers loved the squishy foam material. One shared, "My wrists always hurt during plank series, but with the extra cushioning, I was able to hold my poses without any joint pain." It folds instead of rolling up like a traditional yoga mat, so it's a bit awkward to tote to class, but testers loved how lightweight it is.

If you plan on doing other forms of training in addition to your yoga practice, the MBX Mat from Les Mills is a great versatile pick. Made from durable, high-density PVC, this pick is reversible. The red side is designed for yoga, offering great stability, and the other side is designed for high-impact training with an anti-slip coating for a strong grip that holds up even during sweaty exercise.

Tester notes: While some yogis preferred mats with more cushioning, testers especially liked the grid-like guidelines on the grey side. "They were in the perfect spot for me to get into postures using the grooves as a guide," one tester shared. A few testers appreciated the convenient holes to hang this mat up when not in use.

A favorite of Good Housekeeping Nutrition Lab Director (and NASM-certified personal trainer) Stefani Sassos, this yoga mat not only has excellent performance, but the brand also donates a mat to pediatric cancer patients for every mat purchased.

Sassos loves the soft microfiber surface that's available in several cute patterns (like florals and cheetahs). We also love that this pick is available in kid sizes so the whole family can work out together.

Tester notes: The soft, brushed surface was a tester favorite for having "great grip" as you sweat, making it ideal for hot yoga or sweaty workouts like barre or Pilates. Sassos has tried dozens of yoga mats, but says she continues to grab this one as it looks great while being versatile for a variety of exercises.

Maintain your practice even on vacation with a travel yoga mat from Manduka, a top-tested brand. Because it's thinner than a traditional yoga mat, you can easily fold this pick so it fits perfectly in your suitcase, taking up barely any space. The rippled surface is made from rubber to offer superior grip and stability. It's best to stick to a regular yoga mat for everyday practice, but this pick is great for on-the-go yoga. Note that on its own, this mat is thinner than the other featured mats. For more cushioning that's still lightweight, we love the Manduka EKO Lite Yoga Mat too.

Tester notes: One tester said she's had this mat for multiple years, and it's still in "great condition." She also finds it easy to bring on all types of vacations. Testers also liked layering this mat on top of another mat for extra cushioning.

Sometimes when you go to buy a product in a larger size, you notice the price jumps, but Yoga Hustle's mats are the same price for the standard and plus versions. At 35 inches wide, this is the widest featured yoga mat we tested.

In Lab evaluations, we found that the Liforme mat (our best overall pick) and the standard-size Yoga Hustle mat were extremely similar in their materials and construction, but the Liforme mat has the added benefits of alignment markers. If you want the comparable performance of the Liforme mat without the markers and in a larger size, this is a great mat to consider. Note that there is a shipping fee when ordering this mat online.

Tester notes: Especially popular among tall and plus-size testers, the extra space helped testers stretch out comfortably. One tester raved, "I LOVE how large this mat is! I'm tall and always find yoga mats to be too small, so I can't complete a workout without slipping off of the mat or placing my hands/feet on the floor. With this mat, there's plenty of space for me to fully stretch out!" It received high marks across the board for offering ample cushioning that helped testers' joints feel great post-sweat sesh.