Yoga mat or exercise mat?

First things first. Do you even need a separate mat for yoga and stretching? Really, it depends on what you plan to do with it.

Exercise mats are thicker and usually more foamy. They’re designed to protect your joints from impact with the floor when doing explosive movements such as squat jumps. They also provide a helpful barrier between you and the floor when doing exercises on your front or back.

Yoga mats are thinner, giving you more traction with the floor. They usually offer some anti-slip properties, and are longer, which allows you to do full-body yoga movements.

If you’re just looking to do a few post-run stretches and some core work, an exercise mat will more than suffice. But if you’re planning on doing a yoga class or some of the full-body yoga stretches (think Downward Dog) then a yoga mat is definitely necessary. Our expert testers have tried out yoga mats far and wide to share their thoughts on the best option for you, depending on your needs:

• Most versatile yoga mat: lululemon The Mat
• Best for comfort: Onyx Yoga Mat
• Best for more dynamic yoga classes: Liforme Yoga Mat
• Best budget option: Yogamatters Sticky Mat
• Best travel yoga mat: YoGo Ultralight Folding Yoga Mat
• Best for sweaty classes: Yogi Bare Paws Extreme Grip

Still not sure about yoga vs stretching? Try our guide to sports yoga!

What to look for in a yoga mat

OK, you’re ready to start shopping for a yoga mat. What should you be looking for? Here’s everything you need to know.

Grip

Arguably the most important part of choosing a yoga mat. For a beginner or intermediate yogi, the grippier the better. This is especially true if you have sweaty hands (like me!). The last thing you want to be doing is sliding around on your mat when you’re trying to concentrate on what your teacher has to say.

If you’re more working on more advanced yoga moves, you might want to steer clear of the grippiest mats. You’ll be more used to finding good grip with your fingers, and grippy mats can get in the way when you’re working on things like jump throughs and handstands.

Design & markings

Some mats offer lines and diagrams that you can use to help you with alignment during poses. Personally, I love these as as it helps me to be consistent in things like lunges and Warrior poses. But, it can also be distracting. If you’d rather relax into your yoga class, opt for a plain mat.

Thickness

How thick should a yoga mat be? As we mentioned, you definitely don’t want it to be very thick or foam-like.

Usually yoga mats are between 4mm and 6mm thick. Which you choose is entirely up to you. If you like to be able to connect with the floor (especially useful in standing and arm balances), then a thinner mat will be for you. If you have any knee issues, or find that your joints get sore when pressed against the floor, then a thicker mat will be perfect.

You can also get very thin yoga mat toppers. These are usually too thin to use alone, but ideal to pop on top of mats supplied in the gym or studio.

Practicalities

Some yoga mats are more portable than others. If you’re often going to take yours to a class or outside, then buying one that comes with a carry strap or case will be helpful. If you’re only going to use it at home, that will be less important.

Price

There are really good yoga mats available, whatever your budget. We’ve included some different budget options in our reviews below to help you decide how much you want to spend.

If you’re not sure that yoga is for you, a cheaper yoga mat is always a good place to start. Even if you eventually upgrade, you can always use your first mat for al fresco yoga or yoga events.

How to clean your yoga mat

Right, you’ve chosen your yoga mat, you’ve started to use it. Now, how do you clean it? Some manufacturers will give specific advice for their mats, so always read the label. Generally, I like to use a cloth soaked in water and a small amount of washing up liquid. Give the mat a good wipe, making sure that no residue is left from the washing up liquid. Air it well (over a line or clothes horse). For an extra bit of relaxation and antibacterial protection, I often finish mine with a spritz with a mix of tea tree oil, lavender oil and water.

Ready to get started with yoga? Here are 3 yoga poses for runners

The best yoga mats for runners

Most versatile: lululemon The Mat

lululemon The Mat technical details

• RRP: from £88 (based on thickness)
• Thickness: 3mm-5mm
• Dimensions: 66cm x 180cm with 71cm x 213cm option available
• Materials: Latex and FSC-certified natural rubber
• Special features: Reversible

What our testers said:

3mm version: “These lovely lululemon mats come in a variety of thicknesses, which means you can find the perfect mat for you. The top layer is made of rubber which meant that it was nice and grippy – no sliding about in Downward Facing Dog – but it not so sticky that I couldn’t move around with ease. There are no specific alignment markings, but the design options range from plain black to pink marbled. As you use it more and more, you can start to see where you’ve been putting your hands and feet, which is a lovely way to stay consistent in your yoga poses.”

5mm version: “A stunning mat which has upped my yoga game. It’s the perfect size for yoga class and fits almost all of me during shavasana, is lovely and thick so I can’t feel the cold church hall floor under my bum, and it protects my ageing knees. Best of all, it’s got a non-slip rubber surface, so downward dogs, warrior poses and anything that requires balance and stability are helped enormously by a mat that doesn’t shift a millimetre, or allow me to do so.”

Best for comfort: Onyx yoga mat 8mm

Onyx yoga mat technical details

• RRP: from £69.99, depending on thickness
• Thickness: 5mm or 8mm
• Dimensions: 180cm x 65cm
• Materials: High-grade polyurethane and natural rubber

What our tester said:

“I’m obsessed with how comfortable this mat is! It comes in two thicknesses, and even the thinnest one has a few mm on other yoga mats on the market. All this comfort doesn’t compromise on performance though – it was still solid enough for plenty of support during balances and transitions. With a super-grippy top layer, it feels comparable to other (more expensive!) mats that I’ve tried, but at a lower price point which is great. I also love the curved design, which is very aesthetically pleasing and has made it a bit of a feature in my spare room. The only thing to mention is that it is a little shorter than some other mats, so if you’re on the taller side it might not be for you.”

Best for dynamic yoga classes: Liforme yoga mat

Liforme yoga mat technical details

• RRP: from £124
• Thickness: 4.2mm
• Dimensions: 185cm x 68cm
• Materials: Eco polyurethane and natural rubber

What our tester said:

“This is known as being the queen of yoga mats – and I’d agree! The quality is just exceptional. It feels sturdy, is totally non-slip, and lays completely flat when rolled out without any annoyances. I found it really comfy without being too soft. I also love the alignment lines – there are lots of them, which makes it adaptable to any size yogi which is great. Being one of the best yoga mats out there, it does have a heftier price tag, but I’d say it’s worth it.”

Best travel yoga mat: YoGo Ultralight Folding Yoga Mat

YoGo Ultralight Folding Yoga Mat technical details

• RRP: $74
• Thickness: 1.5mm
• Dimensions: 61 cm x 173cm
• Materials: Natural tree rubber and cotton
• Special features: Weighs less than a kilogram

What our tester said:

“This is my go-to holiday yoga mat. Unlike lots of mats, which roll up, this cleverly folds down into a rectangle and clips together with an in-built strap. It even has a handle! The mat itself is more grippy than other travel mats I’ve tried, thanks to a textured rubbery surface that holds firm under feet and hands. I especially loved the fabric on the underside of the mat. It’s water-resistant, which means no stains when practicing in more exotic locations and no seeping of moisture from grass or sand. It’s also incredibly lightweight, making it ideal as a topper for studio mats, and easy to get into your suitcase without stealing too much weight allowance.”

Best budget option: Yogamatters Sticky Yoga Mat

Yogamatter Sticky Yoga Mat technical details

• RRP: £32
• Thickness: 4.5mm
• Dimensions: 61cm x 183cm
• Materials: High-grade PVC
• Special features: Non-toxic: 6-P Free

What our tester said:

“You’ll almost certainly have already used this mat if you’ve been to a yoga studio before – it’s everywhere! But that really does speak to how great it is, and for such a brilliant price, too. Usually, cheaper mats don’t have the best grip, but this mat performs really well on that front. I’ve noticed that it seems to be getting grippier the more I use it, too, which bodes well. Yogamatters also give guidance on how to make it more sticky on their website, too. It’s not too thick or heavy, but is lovely and supportive for my knees. It also comes in loads of colours which is always a plus!”

Best for sweaty runners: Yogi Bare Paws Extreme Grip Yoga Mat

Yogi Bare Paws Extreme Grip Yoga Mat technical details

• RRP: £89
• Thickness: 4mm
• Dimensions: 180cm x 66cm
• Materials: Natural rubber and non-slip PU
• Special features: Tree planted for every mat sold

What our tester said:

“This mat does exactly what it says on the tin – it’s a mega grippy mat that will see the sweatiest of yogis through any kind of yoga class. What I love even more is the stuff you can’t tell by using the mat. Yogi Bare is a UK-based business, and everything they do is sustainable, from non-toxic dyes to recycled materials. Some of their mats plant a tree with every purchase, and they also offer a yoga mat recycling service. Tall yogis, listen up: this mat also comes in an extra long and wide version, giving you all the space to move through your vinyasa flow.”