Yoga Mats: Reviews

Updated March 2011

Best yoga mat overall

$90

Estimated Price

If you want the best, most durable yoga mat money can buy, reviewers recommend the Manduka Black Mat Pro. It's expensive, but users say this durable yoga mat lasts for years with hardly any wear and tear. The Black Mat Pro is made with polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a type of plastic used in a variety of consumer products. Advocacy groups have expressed concerns about the environmental and health implications of PVC, but Manduka claims that the PVC used in their mats is manufactured without producing harmful emissions. Reviewers say this 1/4-inch-thick mat is comfortable and firm enough to help support balance. A lifetime guarantee is another plus. The biggest complaint about the Manduka Black Mat Pro is that it is heavy. At 7 pounds, it can be a pain to carry around on a regular basis, some users say. The Black Mat Pro is 26 inches wide and 71 or 85 inches long.

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Yoga Accessories Extra Thick Deluxe Yoga Mat

Budget yoga mat

$18

Estimated Price

Some of the best yoga mats can cost more than $50, but the low-priced Yoga Accessories Extra Thick Deluxe Yoga Mat stands out for the rave reviews it receives at user-review sites. Owners say this mat is an incredible bargain, providing the same level of support and cushioning as mats that cost five times as much. According to most reviewers, comfort and stability are both excellent thanks to a plush thickness of 1/4 inch. At 74 inches long, the Yoga Accessories Extra Thick Deluxe is also a good choice for tall users. Like the Manduka Black Mat Pro, the Yoga Accessories mat is made with PVC, but it weighs only 3.6 pounds, so it's easy to tote around. Some users report an unpleasant chemical odor, but most say this smell dissipates over time.

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Jade Harmony Professional Yoga Mat

Best eco-friendly yoga mat

$65

Estimated Price

The Jade Harmony Professional Yoga Mat earns the best reviews in the eco-friendly category. This mat is made from natural rubber and is PVC-free. Reviewers say the natural rubber provides excellent grip and stability, even during sweaty yoga sessions. The mat also provides enough cushioning without being too soft. However, some users say their mat wore out quickly with regular use, while others complain of a strong rubber smell that never goes away completely. The Jade Harmony Professional has open-cell construction, which means it easily absorbs water and sweat -- this creates a solid non-slip surface, but makes the mat harder to clean. It comes in lengths of 68 or 74 inches, and has a thickness of 3/16 inch.

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Yogitoes Skidless Premium Towel

Best yoga towel

$50

Estimated Price

Reviewers say the Yogitoes Skidless Premium Towel is a must-have for heavy sweaters or those who practice Bikram or hot yoga. This yoga towel is designed to be layered on top of any existing yoga mat, while silicone grips on the underside of the towel keep it from sliding or bunching up. The towel absorbs sweat and provides a relatively slip-free surface for demanding yoga poses that demand balance and concentration. Reviewers rave about the Yogitoes Skidless Premium Towel, saying it works better than using a traditional yoga mat alone, as most mats tend to get slippery when wet. However, several reviewers note that the towel isn't as slip-free when dry, so some users mist it lightly with water before class. The Yogitoes Skidless Premium Towel measures 24 inches by 68 inches and is machine washable.

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