Top 5 compared
The best yoga blocks
Something to rest a hand on when the floor feels a long way down, so every pose feels steadier.
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The top 5 at a glance
A yoga block brings the floor a little closer: a hand rests on it in a standing pose instead of straining for the mat, and one under the hips raises a cross-legged seat. B.K.S. Iyengar, the founder of Iyengar Yoga, pioneered props such as blocks and belts so that students of all ages could work in the poses. Foam blocks are light with a little give; cork is firmer and heavier.
The usual brick gives three heights, depending on which side it stands on, while a wider, flatter block is steadier to sit on. Most here come as a pair, so both hands can rest at the same height, and the foam ones wipe clean after a sweaty class.
What matters
- A textured or non-slip surface, for a sure grip.
- Bevelled or rounded edges rather than sharp corners.
- The weight of each block, if it travels to class.
#1EXERZ Yoga Blocks (2-pack)
Under £10
A pair of standard-size EVA bricks, 23 × 15 × 7.5cm each, with a textured surface for grip: one under each hand in a lunge, or one under each knee in a seated hip stretch.
What owners say: Owners find the foam has enough give to be comfortable under the hands, and use the pair for Pilates and home workouts as well as yoga.
A closer look: Each brick stands on its long side, its edge or its end for three different heights, so start on the tallest and lower it as the pose opens up. Being foam, the pair weighs little enough for a class bag, and a wipe with a damp cloth after a sweaty session is all the care they need.
- Textured surface for grip
- Three heights per brick
- High-density foam
Best for: Support under the hands in lunges
- Material
- EVA foam
- Size (each block)
- 23 × 15 × 7.5cm
- In the pack
- 2 blocks
- Cleaning
- Damp cloth
#2Base yoga Foam Yoga Blocks (2-pack)
£10–£20
Firm enough to lean a hand on and light enough to carry to class with a mat: a pair of TPE foam blocks, 22 × 15 × 7cm and about 140g each, finished in a marbled, tie-dye pattern so no two look quite alike.
What owners say: Owners find them firm yet soft to the touch and light, use them for acro as well as yoga, and say they look just as they do in the photos.
A closer look: Each block stands on its long side, its edge or its end for three heights, so start on the tallest and lower it as the pose opens up. The listing’s care advice is a wipe with a dry or damp cloth, which is all they need after a warm class.
- Marbled tie-dye pattern
- About 140g a block
- PVC-free
- Three heights per block
Best for: A pair with a bit of colour
- Material
- TPE foam
- Size (each block)
- 22 × 15 × 7cm
- In the pack
- 2 blocks
- Cleaning
- Dry or damp cloth
#3Yoga-Mad Full Yoga Block (single)
£8.99 RRP
A wider, flatter block, 30.5 × 20.5 × 5cm with chamfered edges: steadier to sit on than a brick, and low enough to slip under the hips for a cross-legged seat. Yoga-Mad is one of the Mad Group’s brands, from Evesham in Worcestershire.
What owners say: Owners like its mix of firmness and cushioning, and say it makes sitting cross-legged easier, both in Iyengar classes and at home.
Heads up: It’s sold singly, so buy two for poses that want a block under each hand.
A closer look: At 5cm high it raises the hips only a little, so it suits meditation and seated stretches more than standing poses, and it can lie flat under the head when resting on the back. The maker’s care advice: mild detergent, a rinse in clean tap water, a wipe with a cloth and then air drying.
- Angled 45° edges
- Weighs 250g
- Non-slip, scratch-resistant surface
- Lies flat under the head
Best for: Sitting and meditation
- Material
- EVA foam
- Size (each block)
- 30.5 × 20.5 × 5cm
- In the pack
- 1 block
- Cleaning
- Mild detergent, air dry
#4ALPIDEX Cork Yoga Blocks (2-pack)
£10–£20
At 735g a block, cork is firmer and far heavier than foam, so it stays put under a hand in a balance. The German maker says the cork comes from Portuguese oak bark, and an e-book of 100 exercises is sent by email.
What owners say: Owners say the slightly rough cork gives a sure grip, and find the blocks sturdy without being too heavy to carry.
A closer look: Cork doesn’t like a soaking: the maker’s advice is a wipe with a little water after use and no chemical cleaners. The weight keeps them steady for arm balances, which the maker sized them for, though a foam pair is easier to carry to a class.
- 735g per block
- Cork from Portuguese oak bark
- Rounded edges
Best for: Balances and a firm feel
- Material
- Cork
- Size (each block)
- 23 × 14 × 7.5cm
- In the pack
- 2 blocks, e-book
- Cleaning
- Damp wipe, no cleaners
#5Core Balance Yoga Block and Strap Set (2 blocks)
£12.99 RRP
Two bevelled EVA blocks and a 183cm cotton strap with a metal D-ring, so forward bends and shoulder stretches are covered as well as the poses that want a block. At 124g a block, the set is easy to carry.
What owners say: Owners like the bright colours and the light weight, and many reach for the set for a gentle morning stretch, though some find the foam a bit soft.
Heads up: The foam is on the soft side, comfortable to sit or kneel on; for a steadier base in standing poses, rest the block on its widest face.
A closer look: Loop the strap round a foot in a seated forward bend and walk the hands along it instead of reaching for the toes; the D-ring holds it at any length. The blocks are closed-cell foam, so sweat sits on the surface and wipes off after a hot class.
- 183cm cotton strap
- Metal D-ring holds any length
- 124g per block
- Bevelled edges
Best for: A starter set with a strap
- Material
- EVA foam
- Size (each block)
- 22.8 × 14.9 × 7.6cm
- In the pack
- 2 blocks and a strap
- Cleaning
- Wipe clean
How they compare
Swipe sideways or rotate device to see all 5.
| Feature | #1EXERZ pair | #2Base yoga pair | #3Yoga-Mad full block | #4ALPIDEX cork | #5Core Balance set |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best overall | Best for seated poses | Best cork | Best with a strap | ||
| Picked Rating | 9.4 | 9.3 | 9.3 | 9.3 | 9.1 |
| Price | Under £10 | £10–£20 | £8.99 RRP | £10–£20 | £12.99 RRP |
| Material | EVA foam | TPE foam | EVA foam | Cork | EVA foam |
| Size (each block) | 23 × 15 × 7.5cm | 22 × 15 × 7cm | 30.5 × 20.5 × 5cm | 23 × 14 × 7.5cm | 22.8 × 14.9 × 7.6cm |
| In the pack | 2 blocks | 2 blocks | 1 block | 2 blocks, e-book | 2 blocks and a strap |
| Cleaning | Damp cloth | Dry or damp cloth | Mild detergent, air dry | Damp wipe, no cleaners | Wipe clean |
| Best for | Support under the hands in lunges | A pair with a bit of colour | Sitting and meditation | Balances and a firm feel | A starter set with a strap |
| Buy now | Amazon | Amazon | Amazon | Amazon | Amazon |
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