The 12 Best Yoga Mats of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

From the mental health benefits of reduced stress, anxiety, and depression to the physical health benefits of improved mobility, strength, and balance, yoga has enhanced peoples' lives for thousands of years.1 Using a yoga mat isn’t required in every studio or for every style and tradition of yoga, but it can improve your practice and make you more likely to do yoga consistently.

Michael Hartman, PhD, health and nutrition science expert and vice president of research and development at Plexus Worldwide, says a yoga mat is especially helpful for beginners as it provides visual cues for foot and hand placement. Mats are also important for people with joint disorders, balance and coordination issues, or recovering from an injury. Not only does the cushioning of yoga mats support your body and feet, but using a mat can also put you in the mindset to practice, says Rajaa Azouqa, yoga and mindfulness instructor at YogaRenew Teacher Training.

To test yoga mats, we had 18 editors, including a few certified as barre, yoga, and personal training instructors, use the mats in our lab while doing a series of yoga flows. We then tested the mats in our homes, using them 3-5 times per week for four weeks. We evaluated the packaging, unboxing, and smell of the yoga mats, as well as whether the mat stayed flat when unrolled. We rated each yoga mat for thickness, grip, and cushioning, as well as how easy the mat was to clean and roll and whether it stayed rolled for portability. Then, we had a doctor on our Medical Expert Board review this article for medical and scientific accuracy.

Best Overall

Jade Yoga Harmony Yoga Mat

PHOTO: Amazon

Why We Like It

Crafted from open-cell natural rubber, the Jade Harmony Yoga Mat features both a comfortable cushion and a firm grip for your yoga practice. Open-cell rubber is naturally derived and provides a superior non-slip grip experience over synthetic rubber. We found the grip to be excellent, and it wasn't as slippery as some of the other mats we tried.

At 5-millimeter thickness, this mat provides a balance of softness and stability, so you can focus on your poses and breathwork even when practicing on hard studio floors. We liked that the mat was thick and the surface was firm, but not overly plush. For that reason, this mat is particularly helpful for people with foot health conditions that may impact their balance, such as plantar fasciitis.

At a total weight of around 5 pounds, most people will find the mat comfortable to carry. To keep this mat clean, the manufacturer recommends using their plant-based formula for a quick spray and wipe-down after each yoga session. You can also use a natural, unscented soap to spot-clean or do a full wipe-down of the mat. Let the mat fully dry before rolling and storing.

It's Worth Noting

Even natural materials can have off-gassing periods, or a period of time when the mat smells. We noticed a slight smell during the child's pose, where the forehead is on or near the mat.
This yoga mat doesn’t come with a carrying strap for easy travel and storage.

Product Details

Material: Rubber
Size: 68 x 24 inches
Thickness: 5 millimeters
Weight: 5 pounds
Cleaning method: Spot clean

Posted By - Michelle Pugle
Original Source - health