The $30 Yoga Mat This Top Yoga Instructor Is Obsessed With

Amy Schlinger, Kristine Thomason
·10 min read
Photo credit: Christine Giordano
Photo credit: Christine Giordano

From Women's Health

Picking the right yoga mat might seem like picking the right flavor of ice cream—is there really a bad option? But then you get a dud that gives you no grip and leaves you slipping all over the place during class, you realize yoga mats are definitely not all created equal.

Choosing the best yoga mat for you isn’t a decision that even a chill yogi should take lightly. After all, besides costing you money, it can really alter your practice. But how do you make the perfect pick? There are just SO many different kinds available.

Some are thick, while others are thin; some are super grippy and others are smooth. Are you better off opting for a pretty mat or one that looks super durable? And are the more expensive ones actually worth their price tag? Help!

It's not like you can test out every single one on the market to know what feels the best during your flow—but, luckily, there's a wonderful group of people out there who have tested countless mats: yoga teachers.

These are the best yoga mats out there, according to some of the top instructors across the country.

Best Budget Mat: Gaiam Premium 2-Color Mat

You don't need to drop a ton of cash for a high-quality yoga mat. Gabrielle Cook, a yoga instructor a Prospect Heights Yoga in Brooklyn, New York is a huge fan of Gaiam's Premium 2-Color Mat. "The bumpy texture of their mats it great because my hands don’t slip, even as I get sweaty," she says. "I also love how thick they are—they provide great support for my knees." Plus, it only costs $30! That deal is made even sweeter because the mat is reversible, which means you get two beautiful color options for the price of one.

Reviewer rave: "My yoga practice is very casual so the stickiness is just right for me. Beautiful color, looks just like the photo. Comfortable." —De'Andra, gaiam.com

Best Grippy Mat: Jade Harmony Yoga Mat

Do your hands always get super hot and sweaty during class? The Jade Harmony Mat is the pick for you, says Sam Emrich of Y7 Studio. You can sweat buckets and this mat, made from open-cell, natural rubber, is staying put. “It has really great grip, which is important during an intense yoga class,” says Emrich. “It prevents me from slipping and sliding when I’m sweating.” It comes in lots of sunny colors, too.

Reviewer rave: "I've been using this mat for a year and have absolutely zero complaints. It is *actually* non-slip, I used to really struggle with my hands sliding with other mats but that problem has disappeared since starting to practice with this mat." —Kaliegh, jadeyoga.com

Best Cushioned Mat: Manduka Pro Mat

Mandy Ingber, a Los Angeles-based celebrity yoga instructor, has taught clients including Jennifer Aniston and Jennifer Lawrence. Her favorite mat, the Manduka PRO, is a tried-and-true pick that’s great for many yogis. Ingber likes that this comfortable mat is fairly light, but the best part about it is that it “doesn’t leave a rubbery smell on your hands and has a slight cush without being too slippery.” A bonus: It’s latex-free for those of you that might be allergic. (Nobody wants hives during savasana.)

Reviewer rave: "I love that it is dense and firm. I’ve typically used thinner mats as I like to feel the floor and was worried that this would feel too cushiony but not so. It is beautifully supportive and works well for my balancing poses too. All around very happy with this purchase and the colour is lovely." —Sammy, manduka.com

Best Upgrade Mat: Liforme Yoga Mat

This one is a little more expensive than your standard mat. However, if you’re really hoping to take your practice to the next level, Colleen Saidman Yee, celebrity yoga instructor and founder of the acclaimed Yoga Shanti studios, says the Liforme mat is worth the investment. “The mat has the perfect amount of stick and cushioning for my 58-year-old body. Plus, the geometric drawings on the mat are wonderful for alignment, stride, and symmetry—all of which make a world of difference to the asana practice.”

Reviewer rave: "I'm so happy my yoga teacher recommended a Liforme mat. The grip is amazing, especially for someone with sweaty palms and feet. I don't slide around anymore so I feel much safer holding poses. It's also been perfect for learning inversions. I love this mat!" —Abbi M., us.liforme.com

Most High-Tech Mat: Backslash Fit Yoga Mat

"When I taught yoga, students were always asking me, 'How can I practice yoga more regularly at home?'" says Alisa Bowman, a yoga instructor and a former columnist for Yoga Journal who consulted on the Backslash mat's creation. "This Backslash Fit yoga mat makes it so easy. It pairs with an Amazon Alexa Skill to give you simple yoga routines. Alexa will literally talk you through flows for improved digestion, strength building, calorie burning, and more. Added bonus: The mat is also super-grippy, and it puts itself away when you're done because it's self-rolling." (We are affiliated with Backslash Fit).

Reviewer rave: "This mat is exactly as advertised, there were no disappointments or surprises. It performs exactly as advertised. Wish it had color options." —Paula, amazon.com

Best Mat For Vinyasa: Gaiam Sol Yoga Mat

The last thing you want when you're zoning into your flow is sore hands and feet from a lack of cushioning. That's why Bethany Lyons, founder of Lyons Den Power Yoga, loves this one from Gaiam—it's a dense mat that'll still allow you to connect with your body. "It's super cushiony, so I can work my hands and feet on the mat," she says. And if you really want to advance your practice, this mat will go with you, Lyons says. "It's great for handstands, too!"

Reviewer rave: "This is the perfect mat that I've been searching for! I've tried a ton of other brands but this is the best I've ever used by far! Totally took my practice to the next level! This mat is great for down dog and down dog splits with no slipping and it's not too sticky where it hurts to slide your knee or elbow back or forward to adjust your pose." —NiMarie, amazon.com

Best Pattern: La Vie Boheme Botanical Yoga Mat

Sometimes, you just do yoga so you can get into a gloriously hippie-Zen mood—so you should have a mat that matches that goal. Lauren Taus, RYT, swears by La Vie Boheme for that reason exactly. “They’re the most beautiful mats. I love how it feels to lay out my mat, and practice on something that visually grounds and inspires me," she says. As a bonus, Taus adds that she feels good practicing on a non-toxic and latex-free mat from a company owned by two awesome women.

Reviewer rave: "I love this yoga mat. Great purchase, it's beautiful, when I have it out someone always comments on how cool it looks. Also it's not thin, medium thickness and not too sticky." —Katie, yogaoutlet.com

Best Travel Mat: Manduka eKO SuperLite Travel Yoga and Pilates Mat

When it comes to a mat that's truly portable, "the best mat that I have ever used is my Manduka EKo Lite," says Madison Semler, yoga instructor and founder of Salvajé Yoga. This ultra-thin mat can literally be folded up and tucked into your purse or suitcase with ease. Plus, it comes in a variety of beautiful colors.

Reviewer rave: "I love this yoga mat so much. The color is beautiful. The material is high quality and safe for your body, which is especially important to me because I’m pregnant. It is very supportive, but not heavy. I highly recommend! It is worth the money!" —Megan, manduka.com

Best Mat For Hot Yoga: YogaZeal Yoga Mat

Obsessed with hot yoga? Private yoga instructor Alexis Novak, based in L.A., gives the highest marks to YogaZeal's eponymous mat. Not only does she love the design, but she says "they're able to be machine washed and hung to dry. No need for a towel because they're a towel and mat in one." Which is basically a hot yogi's dream come true.

Reviewer rave: "I was actually searching for a small tropical printed rug for the wood floor in my bedroom when I found this yoga mat. Now that it's next to my bed, guess what I'm motivated to do first thing in the morning? It's cushier than a regular yoga mat and smooth not bumpy, so yoga positions on my knees are much more comfortable on this mat. It's of very high quality and grippy, too." —Patricia M., neimanmarcus.com

Best Dual-Purpose Mat: Kulae Elite Hybrid

Want to get the most bang for your buck? Jen Lobo, yoga instructor and co-founder of bodē nyc, recommends the Kulae Elite Hybrid mat, which features a built-in yoga mat towel, perfect for heated yoga classes. "Since it's so thin, there's more stability," she notes. "It's difficult finding your footing on a soft, squishy mat." And, despite its thin design, Lobo notes that the mat doesn't buckle or shift during class, even during the most intense flow.

Reviewer rave: "I love this mat because, unlike the rubber mat I had before, I don't slide on it. The towel keeps my feet and my hands right where they should be during poses such as downward dog. It is a little thin, however, you can always double it up with the rubber mat you no longer want on top, or use a towel or blanket for knees here and there." —Maya, amazon.com

Best Natural Rubber Mat: Lululemon Reversible (Un) Mat Lightweight Travel

“Lulu’s mat is incredibly durable and perfect for sweaty classes," says CorePower Yoga's Claire Ewing. "My hands and feet don’t slip when I'm practicing and it's super easy to clean.” Lululemon's Reversible Mat may not be as pretty as some of the other picks, but if you're looking for a great hybrid of form and function, you can't go wrong with a solid natural rubber with an antimicrobial additive that also easily hangs dry.

Reviewer rave: "Has a slight rubber smell but overall the mat is great! You don’t slip at all during your work out and you really feel the support because of the thickness of the mat. So happy with my purchase!" —Jena, shop.lululemon.com

Photo credit: Women's Health
Photo credit: Women's Health

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