Top 5 compared
The best yoga mats
Something soft under the knees and steady under the feet, for yoga, Pilates and stretching on a hard floor.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. It costs you nothing extra. How this works
The top 5 at a glance
A yoga mat is a cushioned layer between you and a hard floor, unrolled for yoga, Pilates, stretching or a floor workout at home, in the gym or at a class, and rolled up again afterwards. Most are NBR foam, a soft, springy synthetic rubber that’s usually thick, or PVC or TPE, which are denser and thinner and give a firmer base underfoot.
A new foam or PVC mat often smells of the factory at first, and the smell fades after a few days unrolled in an airy room. Most mats are wiped clean rather than washed, and letting one dry fully before rolling it up keeps it fresh for next time.
What matters
- About 6 mm (1/4 in) for standing poses, thicker for sore knees.
- Length, if you’re tall and want to lie at full stretch.
- Weight and a carry strap, if it goes back and forth to class.
#1Gaiam Essentials Premium Yoga Mat (6mm) with Carrier Sling
$30–$50
A classic 6 mm (1/4 in) PVC yoga mat, firmer than a thick foam mat, so feet stay planted in standing poses, and Gaiam says its textured surface grips even in hot yoga. CAP’s 25 mm (1 in) mat below earns a higher rating, but that much foam is made for floor exercises, not yoga.
What owners say: Comfortable, well made and good value by owners’ accounts, and the colour wins fans. Grip and thickness split opinion.
A closer look: Fold a towel or blanket under the knees for kneeling poses, as 6 mm (1/4 in) of PVC feels firm on a hard floor. At 1.6 kg (3.5 lb) it’s light enough to sling over a shoulder for the walk to class.
- Made for hot yoga too
Best for: Standing poses and yoga classes
- Material
- PVC
- Thickness
- 6 mm (1/4 in)
- Size
- 183 x 61 cm (72 x 24 in)
- Weight
- 1.6 kg (3.5 lb)
- Carry strap
- Carrier sling
#2CAP 1 in Extra Thick Yoga Mat
$50–$75
A full 25 mm (1 in) of high-density NBR foam, twice the depth of a 13 mm (1/2 in) mat, for knees, elbows and backs on a hard floor. It’s latex-free and resists mould and mildew, and it suits anyone whose knees complain on a thinner mat.
What owners say: Plush and kind to weak knees, owners say, taking the pressure off during exercise. Stability and how easily it travels divide them, and some had trouble with the strap.
A closer look: This depth makes it a mat for floor work, such as sit-ups, bridges, stretching and kneeling exercises, rather than standing poses, where the foam gives too much underfoot. Rolled up it makes a bulky bundle, so give it a corner or the space under a bed between sessions.
- Latex-free foam
- Resists mould and mildew
- Cushions sit-ups, bridges and stretches
Best for: Sore knees and floor exercises
- Material
- NBR foam
- Thickness
- 25 mm (1 in)
- Size
- 188 x 61 cm (74 x 24 in)
- Weight
- 1.7 kg (3.8 lb)
- Carry strap
- Yes
#3CAP 1/2 in Exercise Yoga Mat with Knee Pad
$20–$30
A separate knee pad for kneeling poses and exercises, where the knees take most of the weight, comes in the box with this 13 mm (1/2 in), latex-free NBR foam mat. The mat suits stretching, Pilates and floor workouts and resists mould and mildew.
What owners say: Cushy and supportive, say owners, who are glad of the knee pad in the box. A few doubt it will hold up over time.
A closer look: Taller people may find their head or feet off the end when lying flat for stretches, as at 173 cm (68 in) it’s on the short side. The knee pad isn’t fixed to the mat, so it can go wherever an extra layer helps.
- Separate knee pad included
- Resists mould and mildew
Best for: Pilates with a knee pad
- Material
- NBR foam
- Thickness
- 13 mm (1/2 in)
- Size
- 173 x 61 cm (68 x 24 in)
- Weight
- 1 kg (2.2 lb)
- Carry strap
- Yes
#4Manduka PRO Yoga Mat (6mm)
$150–$200
Manduka’s long-lasting studio mat: dense 6 mm (1/4 in) PVC, made in Germany from OEKO-TEX certified material, with a closed-cell surface that keeps sweat from soaking in. At 66 cm (26 in) it’s a little wider than most.
What owners say: Its thickness and the cushioning under knees and wrists earn praise. Some find it heavy and bulky, and grip and value are where opinions differ.
Heads up: Manduka’s lifetime warranty covers it only when it’s sold and shipped by Amazon itself, so check the seller before buying.
A closer look: Expect the surface to feel slick at first: Manduka says the grip improves as the mat wears in, and recommends its own mat wash for cleaning. At 3.4 kg (7.5 lb) it’s best kept at home for practice most days rather than carried to class.
- Made in Germany
- Surface keeps sweat out
- Grip improves with use
Best for: Daily practice for years
- Material
- PVC
- Thickness
- 6 mm (1/4 in)
- Size
- 180 x 66 cm (71 x 26 in)
- Weight
- 3.4 kg (7.5 lb)
- Carry strap
- No
#5Amazon Basics Thick Exercise Yoga Mat (1/2 in)
$30–$50
Enough cushion for stretching, floor workouts and gentle yoga on a hard floor: 13 mm (1/2 in) of soft NBR foam with a textured top for grip, and an elastic carry strap that doubles as a shoulder strap.
What owners say: Owners like the thickness and say their knees and joints barely feel the floor, and many think it fair value. Durability, the strap and the size get mixed reviews.
A closer look: Roll it with the textured side out so it lies flat when it’s next unrolled, and keep the strap on when it’s put away so the roll holds its shape. On a smooth wooden floor, a rug or a thin non-slip pad underneath keeps the foam from creeping during floor work.
- Textured surface for grip
- Strap doubles as shoulder strap
Best for: A soft mat for stretching
- Material
- NBR foam
- Thickness
- 13 mm (1/2 in)
- Size
- 188 x 61 cm (74 x 24 in)
- Weight
- 1 kg (2.2 lb)
- Carry strap
- Yes
How they compare
Swipe sideways or rotate device to see all 5.
| Feature | #1Gaiam Essentials Premium 6mm | #2CAP 1 in | #3CAP 1/2 in with knee pad | #4Manduka PRO | #5Amazon Basics 1/2 in |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best overall | Thickest | Best budget | |||
| Picked Rating | 8.8 | 8.9 | 8.7 | 8.7 | 8.6 |
| Price | $30–$50 | $50–$75 | $20–$30 | $150–$200 | $30–$50 |
| Material | PVC | NBR foam | NBR foam | PVC | NBR foam |
| Thickness | 6 mm (1/4 in) | 25 mm (1 in) | 13 mm (1/2 in) | 6 mm (1/4 in) | 13 mm (1/2 in) |
| Size | 183 x 61 cm (72 x 24 in) | 188 x 61 cm (74 x 24 in) | 173 x 61 cm (68 x 24 in) | 180 x 66 cm (71 x 26 in) | 188 x 61 cm (74 x 24 in) |
| Weight | 1.6 kg (3.5 lb) | 1.7 kg (3.8 lb) | 1 kg (2.2 lb) | 3.4 kg (7.5 lb) | 1 kg (2.2 lb) |
| Carry strap | Carrier sling | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Best for | Standing poses and yoga classes | Sore knees and floor exercises | Pilates with a knee pad | Daily practice for years | A soft mat for stretching |
| Buy now | Amazon | Amazon | Amazon | Amazon | Amazon |
Photos are illustrative, some computer-generated. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. It costs you nothing extra. How we pick · How this works.