The Best Yoga Mats on Amazon, According to Hyperenthusiastic Reviewers

This yoga mat is highly recommended by athletes of all stripes and with varying needs, but the one feature that makes it stand out, according to hundreds of reviewers, is that it’s “nice and thick,” with extra padding. One reviewer bought this as an upgrade from the mats at her Pilates studio: “I take Pilates class twice a week at my gym and the mats are horrible. Too thin and worn due to a lot of use. They have to be doubled and tripled in order to do the kneeling exercises without knee pain. I researched this mat, and it is so awesome! I cannot say enough good things about this mat and has made Pilates classes a joy (anyway as much as they can be!) I even bought another one for my 38-year-old daughter who does Pilates classes with me!” Another happy purchaser writes, “This is my first yoga mat and I love it! I’m not a tiny person and yet it’s firm enough to cushion, but soft enough to be comfy. I use it ripple side up and it isn’t slippery at all … and, believe me, I’m sweatin’! Namaste with this mat!”

The BalanceFrom has the appeal of our best-rated pick, but it’s a more standard quarter-inch thick as opposed to half an inch. Reviewers say it’s comfortable, durable, and a great value for the price. One purchaser writes: “I recently decided to try practicing yoga and was looking for a yoga mat on the cheaper end of the scale, rather than going out and spending $50+ on one just in case I decided yoga wasn’t for me. After a little research I chose this due to the price point and overall quality of reviews. I am happy to say that I have been VERY pleased with this mat so far! I would highly recommend this mat to anyone who is either just dipping their toes into yoga or who is looking for a solid, but affordable, yoga mat!” One yoga teacher says, “I am in love, especially for the price,” and bought six of these to stock up for a class. “I even use them instead of some of my expensive mats quite often and the green color has awesome energy.”

Owners of the Jade Harmony yoga mat rave about its durability and ecofriendly, natural rubber construction —but the one feature that comes up again and again is how “grippy” the mat is, which reviewers say is a huge asset during hot and sweaty yoga. “Hands down this mat has the most grip of any mat I’ve used. I’ve spent 100s on other popular name brands and this one far surpasses the others, especially once you begin sweating. I rarely if ever have to use a towel on my mat during hot yoga,” writes one reviewer. One hot yoga practitioner adds, “I’ve been using Jade Yoga mats since 2012 when doing heated Vinyasa upwards of 10 hours a week. I tried every other ‘sticky’ mat out there, but when you’re in 100+ degree rooms doing a 90 minute flow and sweating like Nick Miller trying to keep a secret (I’ve been watching a lot of New Girl lately, sorry), Jade mats are the only ones that will keep you from slipping.” One experienced yogi offers an explanation for the mat’s superior grip and suitability to hot yoga: “The Jade is [made with] open cell rubber, so sweat is absorbed and the mat retains its traction and there’s no slipping during a hot class. After class I just wipe down with a yoga mat spray cleaner and it’s good for the next class. I can’t believe I used a cheap mat for so many years. The change is unbelievable; better grip, better comfort, easier transition between poses.”

“I chose Manduka over other brands because their mats are non-porous, and I am a sweaty lady,” writes one reviewer who finally upgraded from her “trusty cheapo mat” she bought in college. “I couldn’t believe the difference it made.” She didn’t slip on this mat and she does hot yoga. And actually, 10 percent of all five star reviewers use this mat for hot yoga because it doesn’t slip, even when slick with sweat. One reviewer still prefers to put a “hot yoga towel over this mat,” noting if you don’t it’ll be a bit more “slippery when wet.” But she raves about the “completely non-absorbent surface,” which makes this mat easy to clean. “Whether it’s sweat, somewhat dirty feet (which I sometimes have) or just dirt from daily use, I can make this yoga mat as good as new by cleaning it with a damp cloth and letting it air dry.”

Reviewers like that this mat is durable, has a “sticky” and strong grip, and is backed by a lifetime warranty. Additionally, many reviewers point out that since the Manduka PRO is especially firm and thick, it’s particularly suited for use on carpeted surfaces. One reviewer explains: “I do yoga in a spare bedroom with carpet. I have a Manduka Pro-lite mat, but I never felt I got good balance on the carpeted floor. The thicker nature of this mat makes it ideal for carpeted floor.” Another person adds, “This mat is excellent for those wanting to practice yoga at home on carpet. My other mats always slid around on my carpeted floor, but this one is heavy enough to stay put. If you are committed to a yoga practice, invest in this mat and you won’t regret it.” As one yogi puts it: “This provides a firm surface for asanas even on wall-to-wall carpet.”

Dozens of five star reviewers bought this mat because it’s got a lot of cushion. One customer describes it as “thick enough that doing yoga on hardwood floors isn’t a problem and it also helps insulate if the floor is cold.” Another says most yoga mats slip and slide on hardwood floor, but this one has material that is “smooth but not slippery,” so she “was able to do mountain climbers on the mat” with it moving.” One even calls the mat “squishy,” but that’s not a bad thing. She wanted “something padded to use over the hard floor while exercising and this fits the bill.”