23 best yoga mats to use when you want to get your zen on (or sweat it out) at home

The best yoga mats are an (almost) antidote to the social hangovers we’re all experiencing right now. All these jam-packed summer schedules and meet-ups with friends and family are lovely… but exhausting. So, injecting a little extra zen into our lives is of huge importance, and you don’t have to be an exercise fanatic to discover there’s no better way to get your blood pressure down (and wellness levels up) than with a session of yoga on a really good yoga mat.

As the ancient discipline is all about mental stillness and feeling calm (sign us up), now is as good-a time as any to try it. Forget what you thought you already knew; yoga isn’t about how bendy you can be or how long you can do a handstand for. No pressure to touch your toes without bending your knees here. Instead, it’s all about reconnecting with your body and restoring your sense of inner peace.

All you need to get involved with a touch of vinyasa? A decent yoga mat. Yep, that’s all. Whether you’re a beginner who is looking to try online yoga classes for the first time at home, or a seasoned and well-practiced yogi who attends gym classes throughout the week, investing in one of the best yoga mats will be the most valuable purchase you make. You don’t even need to buy all the new gym clothes or leggings either, though we do recommend some yoga pants and a sports bra for ease of movement.

Before you start searching and trawling through all the non-slip yoga mats, rubber yoga mats, yoga towels and exercise mats out there – including Sweaty Betty yoga mats and Nike yoga mats, obvs – we’ve answered all the relevant yoga mat questions you may have.

Best yoga mats at a glance

• Best yoga mat overall: Take Form Yoga Mat (5mm), £118, Lululemon
• Best yoga mat for sweaty hands: Puma Training Desert Yoga Mat, £35, ASOS
• Best yoga mat for grip: Super Grip Yoga Mat, £65, Sweaty Betty
• Best yoga mat for beginners: Eleanor Bowmer Leopard Yoga Mat, £29.95, John Lewis
• Best yoga mat on a budget: Opti Printed 5mm Thickness Yoga Exercise Mat, £8.99, Argos

First up, what’s the difference between an exercise mat and a yoga mat?

Yoga mats tend to be thinner, grippier and slightly longer than your bog-standard exercise mat. That said, it’s fine to buy just one of these best yoga mats and use it in all of your at-home fitness pursuits.

Exercise mats tend to be a bit thicker than yoga mats, in order to offer a higher level of support for higher-impact movements.

It’s worth considering what you’re going to be using your yoga mat for, before making an investment.

What is the best thickness for a yoga mat?

Your yoga mat should be padded to prevent injury, help build muscle strength and reduce the pressure you’re putting on your joints. Especially if you’re a beginner. Yoga mats range from super thin to super-padded quarter-inch yoga mats that weight a little more. If you’re unsure on your preference, something between 3 and 5mm in thickness is pretty standard and a good starting point.

What should I look for when buying a yoga mat?

Besides the thickness? A good yoga mat should have sufficient grip so that you don’t have to grip to the ground for dear life in downward dog. The yoga mats in our edit are the most secure of the bunch, but if time and use wears the grip down, you can use chalk to make them last longer. This Lululemon mat is one of the best yoga mats for grip. It has also been made with a little extra cushion to help your knees and hips and make floor poses easier.

Secondly, you should think about the weight and portability of your yoga mat, if you’re hoping to take it to IRL yoga classes in the hopefully not-too-distant future. Most yoga mats specify their weight when you click to shop, so if you know you’ll be using yours mainly outside of the house look for something on the lighter side. And if you’re planning on taking it places, we recommend this foldable yoga mat, which unlike most which can only roll up, both rolls and folds into a small square making it easy to transport to your next yoga retreat.

Consider treating yourself to a yoga mat bag or a yoga mat strap if your yoga mat doesn’t come with one, to make your purchase more portable.

Are Lululemon yoga mats worth it?

In our opinion? Yes. Sure, there are some great yoga mats on offer with other yoga brands, but if your heart is set on Lululemon, we’re here to assure you that you won’t be disappointed. Lululemon yoga mats come up time and time again as some of the best yoga mats, and although they aren’t cheap, the quality is exceptional. In fact, Lululemon’s Take Form yoga mat has been designed with cutting-edge technology and 3D zoned cushioning to help improve alignment and enhance sensory perception for a more focused yoga practice. Seriously – a lot of research has gone into this design. The 3D water droplet-inspired zones have been mapped out and rigorously tested to guide optimal body positioning across the poses yogis identified as the most difficult to master. Plus, the tidal flow-inspired texture and contoured edges offer grip and stability form enhanced performance and functionality.

Which brand of yoga mat is best?

Feeling ready to get your zen on? Keep scrolling for GLAMOUR’s edit of the yoga mats that are actually worth buying, including Lululemon yoga mats, Sweaty Betty yoga mats, Nike yoga mats and and the hugely popular Liforme yoga mat.

If you’re after more yoga content, we’ve rounded up the best yoga equipment to buy to compliment your new mat as well as the best yoga pants for comfortable practice and we’ve investigated whether yoga can boost your fertility. For more from our Commerce Editor Sophie Cockett, follow her on Instagram @sophiecockettx.

These are the best yoga mats to shop now and use during your yoga sessions. Namaste.