by Kristine Thomason, Amy Schlinger

<p>Choosing the best yoga mat for you isnt a decision that even a chill yogi should take lightly. After all, besides costing you money, it can really alter your practice. But how do you make the perfect pick? There are just SO many different kinds available. </p>

<p>Some are thick, while others are thin; some are super grippy and others are smooth. Are you better off opting for a pretty mat or one that looks super durable? And are the more expensive ones actually worth their price tag? HAAALP!</p>

<p>It's not like you can test out every single one on the market to know what feels the best during your flow-but, luckily, there's a wonderful group of people out there who have tested countless mats: yogis. </p>

<p>These are the best yoga mats out there, according to some of the top teachers across the country.</p>

<h1> Best Cushioned Mat: Manduka Pro Mat </h1>

<p><a href="http://mandyingber.com/" id="862980da-5273-3960-ac61-3bd211c6c94b">  Mandy Ingber </a> , an L.A.-based celebrity yoga instructor, has taught clients including Jennifer Aniston and Jennifer Lawrence. Her favorite mat, the Manduka PRO, is a tried and true pick thats great for many yogis. Ingber likes that this comfortable mat is fairly light, but the best part about it is that it doesnt leave a rubbery smell on your hands and has a slight cush without being too slippery. A bonus: Its latex-free for those of you that might be allergic. (Nobody wants hives during savasana.)</p>

<h1> Best Grippy Mat: Jade Harmony Yoga Mat </h1>

<p>Do your hands always get super hot and sweaty during class? The Jade Harmony Mat, the favorite of <a href="http://www.y7-studio.com/sam-e/" id="758f028b-f53b-334b-a665-0a1446dcb308">  Sam Emrich of New York City-based Y7 Studio </a> , is the pick for you. You can sweat buckets in zillion degree heat, and this mat, made from open-cell, natural rubber, is staying put. This mat has really great grip, which is important during an intense yoga class, says Emrich. It prevents me from slipping and sliding when Im sweating. It comes in lots of sunny colors, too.</p>

<h1> Best Travel Mat: Manduka eKO SuperLite Travel Yoga and Pilates Mat </h1>

<p>When it comes to a mat that's truly portable, "The best mat that I have ever used is my Manduka EKo Lite," says Madison Semler, yoga instructor and founder of <a href="https://www.salvajemalibu.com/" id="10058f51-3003-3406-a436-9f5dfd239e13">  Salvaj Yoga </a> in Malibu, California. This ultra-thin mat can literally be folded up and tucked into your purse or suitcase with ease. Plus, it comes in a variety of beautiful colors-and for only $35.</p>

<h1> Best Upgrade Mat: Liforme Yoga Mat </h1>

<p>This one is a little more expensive than your standard mat. However, if youre really hoping to take your practice to the next level, <a href="https://www.colleensaidmanyee.com/" id="54d6ad63-6b3e-3230-ad17-bb89112aab89">  Colleen Saidman Yee </a> , celebrity yoga instructor and founder of acclaimed <a href="https://yogashanti.com/" id="fa112989-90ae-332f-ab33-dd40c0546901">  Yoga Shanti </a> studios in The Hamptons and New York City, says the Liforme mat is worth the investment. The mat has the perfect amount of stick and cushioning for my 58-year-old body. Plus, the geometric drawings on the mat are wonderful for alignment, stride, and symmetry-all which make a world of difference to the asana practice. She also adds that the colors-purple, pink, green, blue, and black-are particularly pleasing shades.</p>

<h1> Best Mat For Hot Yoga: YogaZeal Yoga Mat </h1>

<p>Obsessed with <a href="https://www.womenshealthmag.com/fitness/a19951393/hot-yoga/" id="9aeb67e6-1932-3256-ad43-4da8a38308af">  hot yoga </a> ? Private yoga instructor <a href="https://www.instagram.com/alexisgirlnovak/" id="9abe633a-dcf0-3fc7-a6af-77e997641b4a">  Alexis Novak </a> , based in L.A., gives the highest marks to YogaZeal's eponymous mat. Not only does she love the design, but "they're able to be machine washed and hung to dry. No need for a towel because they're a towel and mat in one." Which is basically a yogi-on-the-go's dream come true.</p>

<h1> Most High-Tech Mat: Backslash\Fit Yoga Mat </h1>

<p>"When I taught yoga, students were always asking me, 'How can I practice yoga more regularly at home?'" says Alisa Bowman, a yoga instructor and a former columnist for Yoga Journal who consulted on the Backslash mat's creation. "This <a href="https://order.hearstproducts.com/subscribe/hstproducts/244882" id="92c880d1-6a7e-3af2-a84f-3ea62a46c87d">  Backslash\Fit yoga mat </a> makes it so easy. It pairs with an Amazon Alexa Skill to give you simple yoga routines. Alexa will literally talk you through flows for improved digestion, strength building, calorie burning, and more. Added bonus: The mat is also super-grippy, and it puts itself away when you're done because it's self-rolling." (We are affiliated with Backslash Fit).</p>

<h1> Best Mat For Vinyasa: Gaiam Sol Yoga Mat </h1>

<p>The last thing you want when you're zoning into your flow is sore hands and feet from a lack of cushioning. That's why Bethany Lyons, founder of <a href="http://lyonsdenpoweryoga.com/" id="114687b4-fc31-386f-a9c0-9c07b18bf3b0">  Lyons Den Power Yoga </a> in New York City, loves Gaiam's Sol, a dense mat that'll still allow you to connect with your body. "It's super cushiony, so I can work my hands and feet on the mat," she says. And if you really want to go this distance, this mat will go with you, Lyons says. "It's great for handstands, too!"</p>

<h1> Best For Studio Style: La Vie Boheme Dream Catcher Yoga Mat </h1>

<p>Sometimes, you just do yoga so you can get into a gloriously hippie-zen mood-so you should have mat that matches that goal. <a href="http://www.laurentaus.com/" id="fb2c7542-9091-3f55-aa46-758f44ae03bd">  Lauren Taus </a> , instructor at Sweat Yoga and Equinox in Santa Monica, loves this gorgeous mat for that reason exactly. Theyre the most beautiful mats. I love how it feels to lay out my mat, and practice on something that visually grounds and inspires me," she says. As a bonus, Taus adds that she feels good practicing on a non-toxic and latex-free mat, owned by two awesome women.</p>

<h1> Best On-The-Go Mat: LululemonReversible (Un) Mat Lightweight Travel </h1>

<p>Bring on the sweat: Lulus mat is incredibly durable and perfect for heated classes," says <a href="https://www.corepoweryoga.com/" id="0ea71962-ead2-3606-a22f-0e1421112dfb">  CorePower Yoga </a> 's Claire Ewing. "My hands and feet dont slip when I'm practicing and it's super easy to clean. Lululemon's Reversible Mat may not be as pretty as some of the other picks, but if you're toting your mat all over the city and are looking for a great hybrid of form and function, you can't go wrong with a solid natural rubber with an antimicrobial additive that also easily hangs dry.</p>

<h1> Best Dual-Purpose Mat: Kulae Elite Hybrid </h1>

<p>Want to get the most bang for your buck? Jen Lobo, yoga instructor and co-founder of <a href="https://bodenyc.com/" id="beb8dabb-6d4a-34f9-af7b-141d810451cd">  bod nyc </a> , recommends the Kulae Elite Hybrid mat, which features a built-in yoga mat towel, perfect for heated yoga classes. "Since its so thin, there's more stability," she notes. "It's difficult finding the footing on a soft, squishy mat." And, despite it's thin design, Lobo notes that the mat doesn't buckle or shift during class, even during the most intense flow.</p>

<h1> Most Beautiful Mat: Aimerday Premium Printed Mat </h1>

<p>Yes, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Aimerday-Eco-friendly-Anti-Tear-Exercise-Carrying/dp/B01N7QPWRO/" id="ccbebc25-c0dd-3e61-a0aa-50275445ddc6">  this mat </a> is, quite possibly, the prettiest mat in the history of mats. But its not just a pretty face. <a href="http://kristinmcgee.com/" id="4e76896d-02bb-30d4-a729-6f8e254e66a4">  Kristin McGee </a> , a celebrity yoga instructor in New York City whos helped celebs including Tina Fey and LeAnn Rimes Cibrian get fit, says she looks for mats that have good grip, that are thick, and that are "soft and cushy, too." And this beauty checks off all three requirements.</p>

<h1> Best Durable Mat: Lululemon The Reversible Mat </h1>

<p>For a super reliable mat that's well suited for any yoga practice, Eve Lynn Kessner, yoga instructor with <a href="https://www.obefitness.com/" id="7a166023-50bc-36bf-a3d7-6a33e9c034b4">  Ob Fitness </a> , recommends the Lululemon Reversible 5mm Mat. "It has equal amounts bounce and stability," she says. "It sort of mimics a hard floor with a soft center if that makes sense." And while Lululemon offers reversible, grippy mats in different thicknesses, Kessner is all about the 5mm option. "I love the heaviest thickness the most."</p>

<h1> Best Budget Mat: Gaiam Premium 2-Color Mat </h1>

<p>You don't need to drop a ton of cash for a high-quality yoga mat. Gabrielle Cook, a yoga instructor a Prospect Heights Yoga in Brooklyn, New York is a huge fan of Gaiam's Premium 2-Color Mat. "The bumpy texture of their mats it great because my hands dont slip, even as I get sweaty," she says. "I also love how thick they are-they provide great support for my knees." Plus, it only costs $30! That deal is made even sweeter because the mat is reversible, which means you get two beautiful color options for the price of one. </p>

The Best Yoga Mats Instructors Actually Buy

Picking the right yoga mat might seem like picking the right flavor of ice cream-is there really a bad option? But then you get a dud that gives you no grip and leaves you slipping all over the place during class, you realize yoga mats are definitely not all created equal.

The Best Yoga Mats, According To Top Yoga Instructors

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by Kristine Thomason, Amy Schlinger

Articles written by the author

The Best Yoga Mats, According To Top Yoga Instructors