Best Yoga Mat (2025), Tested and Reviewed

WIRED asked the popular YouTube yoga teacher Sara Beth for her top tips on buying the best yoga mat:

Thicker is not better. You still want to support your balance by having a firm connection to the ground beneath you, so aim for a 3 to 5 mm thickness. You can always add more cushion for your knees in the center, but too much cushion under the front and back, where your hands and feet go, can disrupt your balance.

Look for good grip. For hot yoga or sweaty people, make sure your mat gets grippier when wet. A washable design is more hygienic. A microfiber-finished mat can be put in the washing machine (manufacturers instruction advised) or you can opt for a “yoga towel” you cover the mat with before wiping down and washing after your session.

Take a travel mat. For holidays, a thin, lightweight, 0.059-inch (1.5-mm) mat can be folded or rolled in your suitcase. They work well on hotel room carpet, but if you need more cushion you can always layer a towel where your knees go. I’ve also practiced yoga in my hotel room with just the bath towel laid out like a mat.

Make it easy to workout. If you plan to use your mat like a gym floor for Pilates, weights, yoga, and HIIT, then consider investing in a jumbo 5- by 8-feet mat (like Gorilla mat), which shouldn't move. These are typically a bit heavier and sturdier, which will help it stay in place while you move.

Keeping your yoga mat clean isn't just about basic personal hygiene—a clean mat will also last longer. Given the range of materials used to manufacture them—from polyurethane, PVC, natural rubber, and cork—it's important to heed the manufacturer’s recommendations before you reach for the bleach.

Some mats benefit from a simple wipe down with a damp microfiber cloth, while others can be dunked in the bath, put in the washing machine, and left to air dry. And then there's specialized yoga mat cleaning sprays that promise to sanitize and prolong the life of your mat, and make it smell a whole lot better. Here are our suggested cleaners:

Liforme Ultimate Everyday Yoga Mat Cleaner for $24: This plant-based cleaning foam is made from 95 percent natural ingredients and has a subtle, clean scent. I pumped the foam onto a sponge and rubbed it onto my mat. It dissolved quickly and left the surface refreshed.

Manduka Yoga Mat Wash and Refresh for $12: I love the lavender scent, which is made from 100 percent naturally derived ingredients. You can spray the surface and wipe down for a quick refresh, or spray generously and let soak for two minutes for a deeper clean before drying.

Moxe Yoga Mat Cleaner Spray (2 for $20): With rosemary and lemon essential oil, this solution smells like a sleep spray you’d put on your pillow before bed. It comes with a soft microfiber cloth as part of the price to make it easy to clean and dry. I use it on my mat before class so I can enjoy the scent during the session.