Best yoga mats: 5 high-quality mats for perfecting your practice

The best yoga mats are an investment into your yoga practice, with the ability to make every move within your flow more polished. Yoga is a hugely beneficial activity for both physical and mental health and can soothe anxieties and help to build strength. Spending more money on your yoga mat is a sure-fire way to ensure that you feel more confident either in class or at home as you practice yoga, with a range of styles and features available. 

When practicing yoga, whether you're at the beginning of practicing or if it's a cemented part of your daily self-care routine, having a mat that won't let you down is critical. A mat with an exterior that gives way to slippages is detrimental to mastering more challenging moves and can disrupt your overall flow. Just like the best exercise bikes, yoga mats that also aren't adequately cushioned can cause pain or injury as you exercise, which is something that should be avoided at all costs. 

With these high-quality mats, you'll appreciate the investment that you've made into your practice, as you won't have to repurchase another mat for a long time to come. There are also an array of mats available with eco-friendly credentials and stunning designs, so all you need to do now is to select the mat that will aid your practice the most. 

5 of the best yoga mats to improve your flow 

This mat from Sweaty Betty is the elite pick of the market, with an emphasis on preventing slipping and a stylish, high-quality design. The materials that make up this mat are fully biodegradable and free from harmful substances too, which is especially good for those wanting to make more sustainable purchases. 

Suitable for yoga, pilates and barre, this is also a great pick if you regularly transition from home to studio with your mat, as it's lightweight and folds efficiently to fit into your gym bag. The real selling point of the mat is the capabilities when it comes to grip, with the fabric engineered to prevent slipping. That will make feeling uncertain as you get into your flow a thing of the past, and help with your overall progression. There's also a lovely range of colors;  slate gray, marina green and cornflower blue. 

Master your yoga class in true style with this beautiful mat from Lululemon which has such a stunning range of colors. The marble style blends together two different stunning colors throughout the collection, with a thin polyurethane layer that absorbs moisture to aid your workout, marrying a practical and a chic design together. 

It has extra cushioning built in to protect your hips and knees during floor poses, and can withstand regular use and rolling without showing any signs of strain. Banishing marks and stains from sticking, this high-quality mat is an essential for serious yogis, and a supremely stylish one too. 

Homes & Gardens tried out this mat from Yogi Bare, with high expectations from the wonderful customer reviews out there. Crafted from high-quality eco-conscious natural rubber, this vegan-friendly mat feels expensive straight out of the box and is available in an array of gorgeous colors too. 

One of the features we like the most about this mat is the alignment marks to help you with your practice, alongside the unbelievably impressive grip. Especially good for anyone who loves hot yoga, this mat will truly help you to stay in place through even the trickiest of moves. It's a very generous size and the non-slip technology means that even if you've worked up a sweat during a pilates class that this mat will not let you down.

Investing in this yoga mat from Alo will benefit you hundreds of times over, with a premium design and emphasis on ethically sourced materials that shows through in the high quality of your experience when using it. Large enough for stretching out, cushioned for joint support and slip-free, this mat is truly worth every dollar.

If you are looking to buy more sustainably, then this mat is also great due to the 100% non-toxic, PVC-free design, and the fact that once you buy it you won't need to repurchase another mat for a long time in the future. The pastel colors of these mats will cement your status as the most stylish yogi around, and it's suitable to use in hot yoga classes too. 

What could be better than a mat recommended by yoga teachers themselves? This premium mat from Manduka is suitable for a true range of activities, including yoga, pilates and general gym work, and has the stamp of approval from those who have practiced for many years.

The ultra-dense cushioning of this mat goes a long way to help to scaffold your practice and protect against joint pain, which is perfect for those looking for a little more from your crucial yoga accessory. The closed cell technology of this mat also helps to keep sweat and moisture away from you as you move through your flow, and is also super easy to maintain. 

If you find yourself constantly on the go, then you'll want the opportunity to take your mat with you, which is where this wonderful mat from the Yoga Design Lab can step in. With a very lightweight 1.6kg design, and a carry strap so that you don't have to squeeze your mat inside your bag, this mat will also be a beautiful addition to your collection, with so many amazing colorways to choose from.

Made from recycled bottles and with a microfiber top layer to absorb any moisture, this is a standout design that is absolutely perfect for travel. It's also so convenient to care for, as it's machine washable too. 

Browse more yoga mats...

• BestBuy yoga mats
• DICK'S Sporting Goods yoga mats
• Gaiam yoga mats
• Manduka yoga mats
• Walmart yoga mats

How we chose these yoga mats 

We haven't been able to try out these yoga mats for ourselves just yet. That being said, there is a range of criteria that we consult as we pick the premium mats you should use for your practice. We looked for the highest quality mats around, so that you won't have to go through the process of repurchasing a mat for a long time, as well as vetting the materials that went toward manufacturing, making sure to include options made from recyclables and biodegradable mats. We also looked for mats that had a real sense of style, so that your mat looks uniquely yours in your next studio class. 

What to look for in a yoga mat

Spending a little more money on a high-quality mat is a decision that will benefit you for many years to come if you're planning on practicing yoga in the future. That's because premium materials and well engineered designs will ensure longevity and boost your everyday practice, helping you to grip your mat better, and move through poses within your flow with improved ease. 

Those who want to shop more mindfully will also want to look for materials that have a recycled source, such as plastic bottles, to make up the bulk of their mat, as well as ethically sourced rubber. Of course, style is another huge consideration, and many of these mats are so suitable because of their stylish marble designs that blend various colors, to get just the look you would like.