13 best yoga mats for superior grip, support and cushioning, as tested by the WH editors

Is there anything lululemon can't do? We think not, and this yoga mat acts as proof. It's incredibly, incredibly hard to find fault with this – the grip is outstanding (yes, including when things get sweaty), the cushioning is perfect, even on hard floors, it rolls out flat every time despite it being stored rolled up, and the various designs all look absolutely beaut.

Yes, it's pricey, but our Health and Fitness Ecommerce Editor, who's had hers for over six years, feels it's totally justified, as her mat is still as grippy and gorgeous as when she first unrolled it.

If we had to quibble? There aren't alignment guides, so if you're after those then you're better off opting for the Liforme mat, and it might be a little heavy for some to carry to the studio if you're travelling far – but we still do as we can't bear to practice on anything else.

The mat comes in plain/block colours as well as calming marbled patterns which add an extra dose of zen to your flow.

Read our full review of lululemon The Mat 5mm.

There’s nothing more irritating than investing in a yoga mat only for it to start peeling, stretching or slipping a few months down the line. Thankfully, there’s no danger of that here. Crafted from sustainably harvested natural tree rubber and woven natural jute fibres, this mat feels reassuringly premium from the moment you unroll it – sturdy, grounded and built to last.

The grip is genuinely excellent. During testing, our yogi felt completely secure moving through flows, balances and longer holds, even on hard floors. The slightly textured surface adds to that stability without ever feeling rough or uncomfortable under hands and feet. It’s not silky smooth like some PU mats, but we actually loved the more natural feel – it made every pose feel steady and like we were connected to the ground beneath us.

Although it’s not the lightest yoga mat around, that’s fairly standard for higher-quality natural rubber designs. Thankfully, it rolls up surprisingly compact and lies relatively flat when unrolled, save for a slight curl at one end initially. Cushioning-wise, it won’t suit anyone wanting ultra-plush padding, but we found the 4mm support more than ample, even during kneeling poses on wooden floors.

And aesthetically? Gorgeous. The muted green shade felt calming and elevated (three other shades are available), while the eco credentials made us feel even better about practising on it. Honestly, we were pleasantly surprised by just how much we loved this mat – and we think you will be too.

Yogi Bare is well known for creating beautiful, grippy mats that both perform and look the part. But their latest innovation, the 'Ever Grip' mat, is easily the best mat the brand has ever released.

The latest tech delivers the grippiest mat surface we've ever tested, for amazing support and the confidence boost you need to tackle that tricky pose you've been trying to nail. The even better news? Sweat stains don't even show up on this baby.

The alignment guides aren't as detailed as some other offerings, but this all plays into the minimalist aesthetic – speaking of, it comes in four gorgeous muted hues (find wild green, desert rose and black here), the sandy colour pictured being our fave – and it truly looks gorgeous when rolled out.

Needless to say, it's a big hit with the WH team; here's what our Health and Fitness Ecommerce Editor Hattie had to say: 'I didn’t think anything could sway me from my lululemon mat but this has forced me to find space for another yoga mat in my life/home. It’s just an absolute joy to move on, the calming colour palette brings balance to my practice and the grip is phenomenal.'.

One of the thickest mats tested, this one is ideal if you're after plenty of comfy cushioning without spending a fortune. At 6mm thick, it offered impressive support during slower flows, Pilates and floor-based strength sessions, and our tester particularly appreciated the extra padding under knees and wrists during longer holds and mobility work. Lightweight with a textured, slightly sticky finish, it stayed put on wooden floors and carpet alike, while still rolling up compact enough to stash away easily after class.

Grip-wise, it performed well in gentler sessions and low-sweat workouts, although if you're a particularly sweaty yogi or regular hot yoga attendee, there are grippier natural rubber options out there. Still, for everyday practice, it more than holds its own — especially given the price point. We also loved the reversible printed designs, which genuinely make home workouts feel a little more elevated.

Cleaning it is a painless experience too; a quick wipe down was enough to keep it looking fresh. Just make sure you air it out before first use to help fade that initial chemical smell. For beginners, casual yogis or anyone wanting cushioning on a budget, this is a brilliant all-rounder.

Liforme mats are perhaps the yoga world's worst-kept secret. Grippy, gorgeous to look at (this one comes in a whopping 11 designs) and helpfully marked with asana guides, it's no wonder they're a firm favourite with yogis around the world (and in the WH office).

The alignment suggestions are the best we've tried, helping poses feel natural and comfortable, and it's not too heavy, which is rare for mats of this quality. It doesn't move around on the floor either – we tested it on hard wood, stone tiles and carpet, and it stayed put throughout.

As well as helping you absolutely nail your downward dog, warrior and lizard pose, this beauty is sweat-resistant (so you can bring the heat), pleasingly thick to protect your joints (although if you have really sensitive knees you might need something thicker) and even comes with a free (and very comfy to wear) yoga bag. Plus it comes in a bunch of different colours. Sold.

Manduka makes a wide range of understated yoga mats that perform without shouting about it. Look closely at any Yoga With Adriene video and you'll spot the tell-tale teeny frog logo on the edge of her mat, and for good reason – these mats are hard to beat when it comes to quality and simplicity.

The eKO Lite is one of the brand's more reasonably-priced models, but that's not to say its light on features. It offers an excellent balance of support and cushioning, while the raised, tree bark-esque grip pattern keeps you glued down. It's light enough to carry around and rolls out satisfyingly flat too, even if you store it rolled.

And for those looking to shop sustainably, this is an absolute winner. It's made from biodegradable, non-Amazon harvested, non-toxic and latex-free natural tree rubber, and created in an energy efficient facility with an emissions-free manufacturing process. Plus it comes with a lifetime guarantee. Win, win, win.

If you're not a fan of this shade (Acai Midnight), it's also available in other colours (find the black version here and the deep sea green here), but note that the prices can vary quite a bit.

At just 800g we challenge you to find a lighter yoga mat than this one. You can toss it up in the air and catch it with one hand with zero dramas – that’s how light it is. But, happily, light on features it is not, with a central line to aid alignment, ridged sections at the top and bottom to increase grip and 8mm cushioning to protect joints.

The grip is pretty good, particularly for this price point, but being made from polymers it can’t compete with premium rubber mats from the likes of Liforme, lululemon and Yogi Bare. It is a little narrower than most mats too, and initially left a light, tacky film on our hands, but this did dissipate after a few flows.

It’s an excellent budget option for those just starting out who want something simple they can cart to the studio, or if you need cushioning for basic flows it does the job at a great price point and is light enough to take everywhere. However, if you’re working with poses that require a lot of grip or heavy sweat flows, it may be best to invest in something a little more luxe.

Available in three designs.

Maybe your home is carpeted, perhaps you prefer the stability of a thinner mat, or possibly you need a yoga mat that's portable while still performing. This number from Sweaty Betty ticks all those boxes. Yes, it's thinner than most at 3mm, so don't opt for this one if you're someone who finds they regularly need extra joint protection or want a plusher mat for restorative practice. But, if you fall into one of those first camps, this could well be an excellent mat for you.

Thanks to a natural rubber base and PU (polyurethane) surface, this is as grippy as they come, and each side offers something different. The PU side (with the design visible) is a more traditional smooth yoga mat surface, offering excellent grip, even when sweaty; whereas the underside offers a textured style grip and might be preferable for those doing more floor work.

The mat features asana guides too; a central line and hand and feet markers. Of our testers, the shorter among us (5'4" and under) found the hand and feet placement marks a bit far apart (but could still use them as a rough guide), whereas they suited our taller testers better.

This mat also looks gorgeous – it's currently available in a dusky beige, black or melon pink – and as it rolls up compact it's easy to store and transport. We did find it rumpled a little bit if we dragged our hands or feet over it when on top of carpet, but this is a minor quibble.

If you already love lululemon's cult-favourite The Mat but wish it came with alignment guides, consider this your dream yoga mat. Made from the same FSC-certified natural rubber with that brilliantly grippy top layer we know and love, the Align Yoga Mat delivers all the performance of the original, just with a more subtle, studio-inspired design twist.

The alignment system is surprisingly useful, even for seasoned yogis. Featuring 14 vertical lines that gently curve outwards into horizontal markers at either end, it makes hand and foot placement feel far more intuitive, especially during standing poses and flows where symmetry matters. Our tester found it genuinely helped her get back to basics and correct little form habits that had quietly crept in over time. Plus she loved that unless you're paying attention, it just looks like a chic design rather than asana guides.

Grip-wise, it's exceptional. Whether practising slower restorative flows or sweatier sessions, hands and feet stayed firmly planted throughout testing. The 5mm cushioning also hits that sweet spot between comfort and stability, offering enough padding for knees and wrists without feeling overly soft underfoot.

We tested the gorgeous muted green shade (it also comes in black and pink) and instantly fell for the understated aesthetic – calming, elevated and slightly more minimal than some of lululemon's bolder marbled designs. Yes, it's a little hefty to carry around daily, but honestly, it'll be worth it when you nail every single pose.

Like Jennifer Lopez, Hailey Bieber and Victoria Beckham, we’re sold on Alo’s gorg sports bras and leggings, so it’s no surprise the brand’s popular yoga mat passed our tests with flying colours.

Coming in a range of calming colours including powder pink and jungle green, it has a non-slip surface to wick away moisture and stop you sliding around, even during the sweatiest of flows and HIIT sessions.

Our expert said the smooth, plush material felt comfortable for all positions and at 5mm thickness, it offered serious comfort and top-notch joint protection. Plus, the anti-odour finish means you don’t need to worry about this mat smelling bad, no matter how hard you work on it.

Our tester appreciated the detailed care instructions (you can find them on the Alo site) but take note, the mat is on the heavier side so it’s best suited to home workouts. If you do want to carry it around you with, the brand offers a durable carry strap.

Lighter, thinner and easier to carry than the brand’s original cult mat, this travel-friendly version is ideal for yogis constantly on the move. Whether you're squeezing in sunrise flows on holiday, heading to the studio before work or simply short on storage space at home, this mat makes transporting your practice feel seriously fuss-free. At just 1.6kg, it folds and rolls up beautifully compact, but still manages to deliver the excellent grip Liforme is known for.

Despite being only 2mm thick, it never felt flimsy during testing. The signature ‘GripForMe’ surface kept hands and feet firmly planted during downward dogs and lunges, even once things got sweaty, while the brand’s clever AlignForMe markers remained genuinely useful for refining positioning and balance. WH Fitness Director Bridie has used hers almost daily for over four years, which speaks volumes about its durability.

Of course, the thinner profile means cushioning is limited, so if you have sensitive knees or mainly practise restorative yoga, you may want something plusher. But for portability, grip and studio-to-suitcase practicality, this mat is hard to beat. Bonus points for the eco credentials too – it’s PVC-free, biodegradable and made using non-toxic materials. The bag with a shoulder pad is a particularly nice touch, making keeping fit on the go stress free.

With most yoga mats there comes a compromise: if you want cushioning, you usually sacrifice portability; if alignment guides are important to you, expect to pay a premium. But this YOGATI number manages to tick all the boxes while remaining impressively affordable. At 6mm thick, it delivered excellent cushioning during testing, particularly for kneeling poses, slower flows and Pilates workouts, while still feeling lightweight enough to carry comfortably to class.

The alignment lines are genuinely helpful too, especially for beginners still getting to grips with positioning. Combined with the central guide markings, they helped improve symmetry during warrior poses, planks and downward dogs without feeling overly cluttered visually. The textured non-slip surface performed well during most sessions, although our tester did notice a little slipping once workouts became particularly sweaty.

One thing we really appreciated was how practical this mat feels overall. It comes with a carry strap, rolls up neatly and weighs under a kilo, making it a great option for commuting to classes or travelling with. It’s also available in a wide range of colours, from calming neutrals to brighter shades if you prefer your workout kit with a bit more personality.

For the price, it’s a seriously impressive package and a brilliant beginner-friendly option.

If a yoga mat has strong eco credentials, it’s already off to a good start in our books – and this one goes a step further by being partly made from algae. Yes, really. Designed to help reduce excess algae from waterways while replacing a portion of traditional EVA foam, this mat feels like a genuinely thoughtful option for more sustainability-minded shoppers.

During testing, it proved to be one of the comfiest mats on this list. At 5mm thick, it delivered soft, supportive cushioning that felt particularly lovely during slower flows, stretching sessions and yoga nidra. Our tester described it as almost mattress-like underfoot, with a smooth surface that felt gentle on hands, knees and wrists. Despite that plush feel, it’s surprisingly lightweight too, making it easy to carry to classes or take outdoors for park workouts.

Because it's so light, it doesn't always lie flat straightaway, and grip-wise, this isn’t the stickiest mat we tried, so we’d recommend it more for gentler practices than super sweaty vinyasa flows. But for restorative yoga, Pilates or home workouts where comfort is the priority, it performs beautifully. We also loved the understated aesthetic – minimalist, calming and very chic.