The best yoga mats
Somewhere soft for the knees and steady for the feet, whether it’s Pilates in the lounge or a weekly class.
The right mat depends on what happens on it. Thick NBR foam is soft and cushioned, lovely for Pilates, stretching and floor exercises on a hard floor. TPE mats are firmer and grippier, which suits yoga poses where you need a stable base.
For balance poses, thinner and firmer usually beats thicker and softer.
What matters
- NBR foam is softest; TPE is firmer and grippier.
- 6mm suits most people; 8mm helps sore knees.
- Alignment lines help beginners with positioning.
- A carry strap matters if it’s going to a class.
Photos are illustrative. We may earn a small commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you. How we pick · How this works.
Best overall
#1 of 5
9.1/10
Core Balance TPE Yoga Mat with Alignment Lines
£ Under £15
A proper yoga mat for not much: closed-cell TPE that grips on both sides, with alignment lines that help beginners place hands and feet.
- 183 × 65cm, 6mm thick
- Closed-cell TPE foam
- Non-slip on both sides
- Alignment lines
What owners say: Good quality with a grippy surface that stays put, and not so thick that balancing gets hard. Owners say it takes the hardness out of the floor.
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A closer look: At 65cm it’s a little wider than most, handy for bigger movements, and 6mm is a good middle ground between cushioning and a steady base for balance poses. Closed-cell foam doesn’t soak up sweat, so a wipe with a damp cloth and time to air-dry is all it needs.
Best for: Yoga, especially balance poses and beginners
- Material
- TPE
- Thickness
- 6mm
- Size
- 183 × 65cm
- Weight
- 1.06kg
- Alignment lines
- Yes
- Carry strap
- –
Best for workouts
#2 of 5
9.0/10
OZE SPORTS Extra Thick NBR Exercise Mat
£ Under £15
Thick, cushy NBR foam for Pilates, stretching and floor work on hard floors, at a price that makes it an easy add-on.
- Extra-thick NBR foam
- Textured non-slip surface
- Large size
- Carry strap included
What owners say: Good quality and thick enough for hard floors, with excellent cushioning for Pilates and home workouts. Great value.
Heads up: The grip suits floor work better than sweaty, fast-flowing yoga.
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A closer look: Soft NBR foam is kind to knees and spines during Pilates, sit-ups and stretching, which is where it shines. Roll it with the top side facing out so it lies flat next time, and use the strap to carry it to a class.
Best for: Pilates, stretching and home workouts
- Material
- NBR foam
- Thickness
- Extra thick
- Size
- Large
- Weight
- –
- Alignment lines
- No
- Carry strap
- Yes
Most cushioned
#3 of 5
8.9/10
KG Physio 8mm Exercise and Yoga Mat
££ £15–£40
The most cushioned mat here at 8mm, and light enough at under half a kilo to carry to a class.
- 8mm NBR foam
- 183 × 60cm
- Only 480g
- Sweat-resistant surface
- Carry strap
What owners say: Excellent quality and thick enough to protect against hard floors. Owners find it comfortable for yoga, exercise and HIIT at home.
Heads up: The grip suits floor work better than hot, sweaty yoga.
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A closer look: Eight millimetres of foam makes a real difference for kneeling poses and core work on wooden or tiled floors. It’s hand wash only, so wipe it down after sweaty sessions and let it dry flat before rolling it up.
Best for: Sore knees, hard floors and core work
- Material
- NBR foam
- Thickness
- 8mm
- Size
- 183 × 60cm
- Weight
- 480g
- Alignment lines
- No
- Carry strap
- Yes
#4 of 5
8.8/10
Yogii 6mm TPE Yoga Mat
£24.99 RRP
A firmer TPE mat with laser-etched alignment lines and a rippled underside, for yoga that needs a steady base.
- 6mm TPE
- 183 × 59cm
- Alignment lines
- Rippled non-slip base
What owners say: Comfortable, dense and well cushioned, with a soft rubbery feel that isn’t too spongy. Owners like how it looks, too.
Heads up: Like most new TPE mats it can feel slippery at first; a wipe with a damp cloth sorts it.
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A closer look: Wipe it with a damp cloth before the first session, as new TPE mats carry a light film that makes them slippery. Keep it out of direct sun and let it air-dry before rolling, and it will keep its grip. The alignment lines help beginners set their feet the same way each time.
Best for: Yoga at home or the gym, with a firmer feel
- Material
- TPE
- Thickness
- 6mm
- Size
- 183 × 59cm
- Weight
- 880g
- Alignment lines
- Yes
- Carry strap
- –
Best budget
#5 of 5
8.7/10
KAYMAN NBR Exercise Mat
£ Under £15
A light, wipe-clean mat for stretching and home workouts, with a shoulder strap and a choice of five colours.
- NBR foam
- 180 × 60cm
- Only 350g
- Water-resistant, wipe clean
- Shoulder strap
What owners say: Suits yoga, stretching and home workouts, with enough cushioning for hard floors.
Heads up: Grip is mixed: better for floor exercises than fast-flowing yoga.
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A closer look: At 350g it’s the lightest here, easy to sling over a shoulder with the strap or keep in the car for the park. The foam doesn’t soak up sweat, so a wipe after each session keeps it fresh. A good spare mat for a guest or a teenager starting out.
Best for: Casual stretching and a spare mat on a budget
- Material
- NBR foam
- Thickness
- –
- Size
- 180 × 60cm
- Weight
- 350g
- Alignment lines
- No
- Carry strap
- Yes
How they compare
| Feature | #1Core Balance TPEBest overall | #2OZE SPORTS NBRBest for workouts | #3KG Physio 8mmMost cushioned | #4Yogii TPE | #5KAYMAN NBRBest budget |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Picked Rating | 9.1 | 9.0 | 8.9 | 8.8 | 8.7 |
| Price | £ Under £15 | £ Under £15 | ££ £15–£40 | £24.99 RRP | £ Under £15 |
| Material | TPE | NBR foam | NBR foam | TPE | NBR foam |
| Thickness | 6mm | Extra thick | 8mm | 6mm | – |
| Size | 183 × 65cm | Large | 183 × 60cm | 183 × 59cm | 180 × 60cm |
| Weight | 1.06kg | – | 480g | 880g | 350g |
| Alignment lines | Yes | No | No | Yes | No |
| Carry strap | – | Yes | Yes | – | Yes |
| Best for | Yoga, especially balance poses and beginners | Pilates, stretching and home workouts | Sore knees, hard floors and core work | Yoga at home or the gym, with a firmer feel | Casual stretching and a spare mat on a budget |
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