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9 best yoga mats for perfecting your downward dog at home

From travel mats to cork-covered finds, they’re the only piece of equipment you really need

Lauren Cunningham
Tuesday 09 January 2024 10:07 GMT
<p>Our dedicated yogi tester was looking for mats suited to every budget  </p>

Our dedicated yogi tester was looking for mats suited to every budget

Our Top Picks

No matter if you’re a daily dedicated yogi or have just started to do a downward dog, one of the only pieces of equipment you may need is a good-quality yoga mat. Sadly, in our experience, these can be few and far between.

From corners that roll up to surfaces that slip, the list of potential yoga mat problems is as long as your body in a sun salutation, so let us guide you with our list of tried-and-tested mats to buy, no matter your budget.

After all, it’s hard to stay in that state of serenity when your feet are slipping, hands aren’t gripping, and there’s a sweaty sound of suction every time you move.

So, from cork-covered options to trusty travel yoga mats, we’ve found something to suit every style of practice, no matter if it’s a fast-paced flow or a more restful yin. We’ve even got some funky finds, too, to make your practice just a little more colourful.

Keep reading below to see which yoga mats impressed, including those from Dare 2 B, Gymshark, Corkspace, Amp and many more. And keep scrolling to get some great advice from Cat Meffan, yoga teacher and founder of the Soul Sanctuary, who reveals what makes an ideal yoga mat.

How we tested

Our tester is a daily dedicated yogi, so has practised on many a mat during their time. From doing downward dogs to flowing through vinyasa, they swapped out their standard mat for a whole host of options, to find the best ones to buy for every budget.

The best yoga mats for 2024 are:

  • Best overall – Yash cork mat: £55.99, Wakuda.co.uk
  • Best budget yoga mat – Decathlon essential yoga mat: £9.99, Decathlon.co.uk
  • Best cork yoga mat – Corkspace pro cork yoga mat: £79, Corkspace.co.uk
  • Best luxury yoga mat – Kati Kaia Aurelia gallery yoga mat: £95, Katikaia.com
  • Best lightweight yoga mat – Dare 2 B fitness yoga mat: £24, Dare2b.com
  • Best reversible yoga mat – Peloton reversible workout mat: £60, Onepeloton.co.uk
  • Best rubber yoga mat – Gymshark studio mat: £40, Gymshark.com
  • Best leopard-print yoga mat – Amp yoga mat: £65, Ampwellbeing.co.uk
  • Best travel yoga mat – La Pochette whenever wherever yoga mat: £60, Lapochette.co

Yash cork mat

best yoga mat uk thickness
  • Best: Overall
  • Size: 182cm x 68cm
  • Thickness: 4mm
  • Material: Natural rubber and cork
  • Non-slip: Yes
  • Easy to transport: No

Sick of your toes slipping off the end of your yoga mat? This Yash mat may be the best pick for you. Measuring 182cm by 68cm, it’s one of the largest options we could find, and it certainly fits the bill when it comes to taking up space. The non-slip cork surface wicks away sweat, while the rubber base protects joints from getting sore on any surface. But the best part comes down to the design, with small lines at both the top and bottom helping to make sure your body is in line, so a little look down every now is only going to elevate your practice.

  1. £55 from Wakuda.co.uk
Prices may vary
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Decathlon essential yoga mat

best yoga mat uk thickness
  • Best: Budget yoga mat
  • Size: 172cm x 58cm
  • Thickness: 3mm
  • Material: Foam polyethylene
  • Non-slip: Yes
  • Easy to transport: Yes, it’s lightweight and includes a band

If you’re after a low-cost yoga mat, you’ve come to the right place. Always stocking budget-friendly fitness equipment, Decathlon is a popular high-street workout shop for a reason. While this mat doesn’t have any fancy features – such as moisture-wicking cork, extra cushioning or travel straps – compared with some of the other options in this list, it’s a bargain basic for those who just want to get onto the mat. Made from foam, it is a bit slippy, but the mat does have a cross-grid pattern, enabling you to stay stable when still in a variety of positions. The best part is it’s lightweight enough to carry around, without feeling as though transporting it is a workout in itself.

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Dare 2 B fitness yoga mat

best yoga mat uk thickness
  • Best: Lightweight yoga mat
  • Size: 183cm x 63cm
  • Thickness: 4mm
  • Material: Polyvinyl chloride
  • Non-slip: No
  • Easy to transport: Yes, it’s very lightweight, just add a strap (not included)

Incredibly lightweight, this yoga mat is great for those wanting an option that’s easy to cart around. It’s also incredibly soft, leaving an imprint of any hand or foot placed onto it, showing just how much it really does absorb any shock, making it great for those with sore joints. Made from polyvinyl chloride, it can get rather slippy after an especially sweaty session, so be sure to have a towel to hand. On the website, it looks like this yoga mat comes with a strap, which it doesn’t, so be sure to buy one if you do wish to travel with it.

  1. £24 from Dare2b.com
Prices may vary
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Gymshark studio mat

best yoga mat uk thickness
  • Best: Rubber yoga mat
  • Size: 180cm x 66cm
  • Thickness: 3mm
  • Material: Natural rubber
  • Non-slip: Yes
  • Easy to transport: No

It’s safe to say Gymshark knows more than a thing or two when it comes to sweat sessions, so, of course, its yoga mat has been made to impress. If you’re after a rubber yoga mat, you won’t be disappointed. In a basic black – pink and red options are also available – the large logo mat is incredibly chic, offering a muted shade to really get you into the zone. It’s textured more like a basketball, to stop any slippage, and is weighty enough not to have any folding-up corners, no matter how tight you roll it. The only downside is it is on the heavy side, so be sure to buy an additional travel strap if you do wish to take it out and about.

  1. £40 from Gymshark.com
Prices may vary
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Amp yoga mat

best yoga mat uk thickness
  • Best: Leopard-print yoga mat
  • Size: 183cm x 68cm
  • Thickness: 4mm
  • Material: Microfibre and natural rubber
  • Non-slip: Yes
  • Easy to transport: No

This yoga mat is sure to stand out from the crowd. With a fierce, fun leopard print, it’s beautifully designed and feels just as good as it looks. Unlike your conventional yoga mats, this one is topped with vegan suede, giving it a very luxurious, soft and silky finish that we loved, and it was almost entirely slip-free – a huge bonus for hot yoga. The downside is that it is rather heavy and doesn’t come with a travel strap, so may be best for at-home practise.

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La Pochette whenever wherever yoga mat

best yoga mat uk thickness
  • Best: Travel yoga mat
  • Size: 183cm x 61cm
  • Thickness: 1.5mm
  • Material: Microfibre and rubber
  • Non-slip: Yes
  • Easy to transport: Yes

The name of this yoga mat gives the game away, as it’s the perfect one to pick if you’re always out and about with your practice. At just 1.5mm thick, the super soft suede-feel mat can fold flat into any gym bag, or roll into an incredibly lightweight and thin tube. Of course, this means it doesn’t have the most protection for those with sore joints, knees or arms, so be sure to stay away if this is you. But for the rest of us, we’re dubbing this a game-changer for outdoor exercise in particular, and you can even pop it in the washing machine at 30C. What more could we ask for?

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Peloton reversible workout mat

best yoga mat uk thickness
  • Best: Reversible yoga mat
  • Size: 180cm x 66cm
  • Thickness: 5mm
  • Material: Natural rubber
  • Non-slip: Yes
  • Easy to transport: No

Peloton needs little introduction. In fact, the online-led training classes have taken the world by storm, with both the brand’s treadmill and bike becoming must-have pieces of home-gym equipment. What you may not know is the classes include a huge range of activities, from dance to yoga, and there’s a great range of products to accompany each one. This yoga mat is one of our favourite finds, and it’s not dual-sided just for aesthetics either. The red side is heavily textured for smooth flow, while the black side is smooth yet completely slip-free. At 5mm thick, it’s one of the best picks for protecting joints, especially on hard surfaces. The one downside is it isn’t the easiest to take out and about, but if following one of Peloton’s classes at home, this won’t be an issue.

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Kati Kaia Aurelia gallery yoga mat

best yoga mat uk thickness
  • Best: Luxury yoga mat
  • Size: 183cm x 66cm
  • Thickness: 4.5mm
  • Material: Vegan suede and natural rubber
  • Non-slip: Yes
  • Easy to transport: Yes, comes with travel strap

For those serious about their practice, sometimes getting a good yoga mat can make the world of difference, and we promise this one delivers in spades. Made from vegan suede crafted from recycled plastic bottles and natural tree rubber, it’s soft, supple and at 4.5mm thickness, protects joints from any hard surface. The bold, bright colour was just a bonus, instantly uplifting us on even the darkest of days, and the handy travel strap enabled us to sling it over our shoulder and take it anywhere. Whether buying for yourself or another yogi friend, this is a little luxury anyone’s sure to love.

  1. £95 from Katikaia.com
Prices may vary
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Corkspace pro cork yoga mat

best yoga mat uk thickness
  • Best: Cork yoga mat
  • Size: 183cm x 61cm
  • Thickness: 4.5mm
  • Material: Cork and natural rubber
  • Non-slip: Yes
  • Easy to transport: Yes, comes with travel strap

The Corkspace yoga mat continues to impress us, day after day. While it is on the pricier side of things, we promise you won’t be disappointed. Made from natural grounding rubber and soft cork, it protects your body from the ground, whether you’re crouching in crow or attempting an inversion. While we’ll confess to having incredibly sweaty hands and feet, we found this mat to have the best grip out of any yoga mat we’ve tried, and there are no annoying bumps, thanks to the heaviness of the material. So, whether you’re diligent about doing your daily downward dog or are new to pilates or yoga, this piece of kit will be a great aid. The brand also stocks small accessories, such as a cork massage ball (£12, Corkspace.co.uk), to add an extra dimension to your practice, too.

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Yoga mat FAQs

What type of yoga mat do I need to buy?

Different mat materials have different lifespans and varying levels of grip, says Cat Meffan, yoga teacher and founder of the Soul Sanctuary. Here are a couple of options:

Rubber mats

“Smooth, recycled rubber mats are amazingly grippy at the start but, on average, they will last for around 300-400 practices. If you’re someone that does yoga everyday, this might feel a little excessive to be buying a new mat each year.”

Cork mats

“Some materials such as cork are great, but more so for hot yoga classes, or very dynamic flows when you know you’ll get sweaty. When buying a ‘yoga towel’ or hot yoga mat, be aware that these are often only 1-2mm thick, so you’ll want to have another mat to pad underneath.”

What thickness of yoga mat do I need?

“Thickness definitely matters”, says Meffen, “especially if you like extra padding under the knees and spine. But bear in mind that the thicker the mat, the heavier it will be.” While thicker mats are good for using at home, they may be too much for carrying to the gym.

Why is it important to use a yoga mat?

“I honestly don’t believe it is that important.” says Meffen. “Yoga mats were created to enhance the practice of yoga and they do a great job of it. If someone had the choice of doing yoga without a mat or not doing yoga at all, I would always urge them to just start.”

She added: “There are many asanas that don’t require a high-grip yoga mat, and let’s not forget that meditation and pranayama are a huge part of yoga, for which we can sit on a cushion or a chair.”

What type of yoga mat is best for beginners?

Before buying your first yoga mat, there are a few things you need to consider. Firstly, think about what type of floor it will be used on – if the mat doesn’t have enough grip, on hardwood or tile floors it may be difficult to balance in various poses.

Additionally, a non-slip mat will be helpful when working up a sweat or when practising hot yoga in a heated room. If you plan to transport your mat between your home and classes, look for one that’s lightweight and rolls up easily.

What thickness mat is best for yoga?

Thicker yoga mats are a great option to provide extra support for anyone who suffers from knee pain, sensitive wrists or is looking to practise hatha or restorative yoga.

Most standard yoga mats usually measure 3mm thick, while a thick yoga mat starts at approximately 5mm. However, the most important thing to consider when picking one is your own personal comfort.

How to clean a yoga mat

Depending on how often you practise and the intensity of your sessions, you can usually go a week or so before your mat needs a thorough clean. But, if you tend to sweat a lot or find that your mat retains an odour, it is best to clean it more often.

For a quick spot clean, you can buy ready-made antibacterial sprays that are designed to be used on both sides of the yoga mat, to kill any germs and eliminate odours. Alternatively, you can mix a few drops of mild dishwashing liquid and two cups of warm water into a spray bottle.

It is also important to check your mat’s specific cleaning recommendations. While some can be spot cleaned only, others are hand-washable and some can even be put in the washing machine on a gentle cycle.

Is there a difference between a fitness mat and a yoga mat?

While it is fine to use just one mat for all forms of exercise, there is a difference between fitness and yoga mats. Those designed solely for yoga are often thinner, longer and have more grip, while standard exercise mats can be a bit thicker to offer extra support for higher-impact workouts.

What materials should I look for in an eco-friendly yoga mat?

A lot of yoga mats contain PVC – a plastic known as polyvinyl chloride – which is what gives them a slight chemical smell when rolled out. If you’re looking for a mat that’s kinder to the planet, you should, first of all, avoid this material. More eco-friendly options include yoga mats made from natural rubber, cork, cotton or jute.

The verdict: Yoga mats

Yoga mats come in all shapes and sizes, so be sure to select one that works best for you and your practice. But if you’re still sitting on the fence about which one to buy, let us point you even further in the right direction.

No matter if you’re a beginner or best in class, the Yash cork mat is sure to impress. For those after a bargain buy, the Decathlon essential yoga mat will do the job of softening any surface just fine. While those looking for a more luxury buy are sure to be blown away by the beautiful Kati Kaia Aurelia gallery yoga mat.

If you regularly take your practice out and about, the La Pochette whenever wherever yoga mat couldn’t be easier to carry around. And the Amp yoga mat’s loud leopard print will inject some personality into even the most serene of practices. Just be sure to thank us when you’re slipping into shavasana, all nice and snug after a good sweaty session.

Make your practice even more comfortable with our pick of the best yoga pants and leggings

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