A quick look at the best workout mats
- Best overall: Yoga Design Lab Infinity Mat
- Best affordable: Fitness Gear 5mm Fitness Mat
- Best for yoga: Manduka PRO Yoga Mat
- Best affordable yoga mat: Gaiam Premium Yoga Mat
- Best cork mat: Gurus Roots Cork Yoga Mat
- Best for travel: Manduka eKO Superlite Yoga Travel Mat
- Best outdoor mat: BalanceFrom GoYoga All-Purpose Yoga Mat
- Best interlocking workout mat: We Sell Mats Interlocking Tiles Floor Mat
- Best for large areas: Gxmmat Extra Large Exercise Mat
- Best for exercise equipment: BalanceFrom GoFit High Density Equipment Mat
Whether you practice yoga or work up a sweat with circuit training, it’s essential to have a good workout mat.
In addition to protecting your floor, workout mats help provide cushioning for your joints and prevent slips and falls.
Plus, many are compact and portable, making it easy to exercise in a small space or on the go.
When choosing the best workout mats, we considered the following criteria:
- Materials. We looked for materials that are durable and ideal for the mat’s intended use.
- Thickness. Do you prefer a thinner, more compact mat or a thicker one with extra padding? We included options for both.
- Customer Reviews. All of the products on our list have high customer reviews.
- Price. We know that budgets can vary, so we included workout mats at a variety of price points.
Here are the 10 best workout mats.
A note on price
General price ranges with dollar signs ($ to $$$) are indicated below. One dollar sign means the product is rather affordable, whereas three dollar signs indicate a higher cost.
Generally, prices range from $16.99–$289, though this may vary depending on where you shop.
Pricing guide
- $ = under $25
- $$ = $25–$75
- $$$ = above $75
Healthline’s picks of the best workout mats
Best overall
Yoga Design Lab Infinity Mat
- Materials: natural tree rubber and polyethylene
- Size: 71 inches × 24 inches × 0.2 inches (180 cm × 61 cm × 5 mm)
- Weight: 6.2 pounds (2.81 kg)
Price: $$$
The Infinity Mat from Yoga Design Lab is our top pick, as its size and durability make it a great option for a variety of activities.
Made from ethically sourced natural tree rubber, the mat features extra cushion and a nonslip grip to keep you safe and comfortable during your workout.
It’s also quick-drying, easy to clean, and comes with a convenient carrying strap.
For those interested in style, the Infinity Mat is available in five colors, each featuring a mandala print, which customers note is useful for aligning yoga poses.
As a bonus, $1 from every purchase goes to support youth yoga programs.
Best affordable
Fitness Gear 5mm Fitness Mat
- Materials: polyvinyl chloride materials
- Size: 71 inches × 26 inches × 0.2 inches (180 cm × 66 cm × 5 mm)
- Weight: 2.8 pounds (1.3 kg)
Price: $
While not the most stylish mat on our list, the Fitness Gear 5mm Fitness Mat is an affordable option that rolls up easily for traveling.
It’s also easy to clean, features an anti-slip surface, and provides plenty of cushion to protect your knees and back.
However, customers note that the mat doesn’t hold up well when regularly used for more vigorous workouts. As a result, it’s best used for low intensity activities, such as stretching, crunches, or yoga.
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Best for yoga
Manduka PRO Yoga Mat
- Materials: polyvinyl chloride materials
- Size: 71 inches × 26 inches × 0.25 inches (180 cm × 66 cm × 6 mm) for the standard size; 85 inches × 26 inches × 0.25 inches (215 cm x 66 cm x 6 mm) for the extra-long option
- Weight: 7.5 pounds (3.4 kg) for the standard size; 9.5 pounds (4.3 kg) for the extra-long option
Price: $$$
The Manduka PRO Yoga Mat is the best option for serious yoga practitioners, as it’s grippy, easy to clean, and features a closed-cell surface to prevent sweat from seeping in.
Taller individuals will appreciate that it also comes in an extra-long size, so you don’t have to worry about coming off of the mat during your flow.
It’s worth noting that some customers have found the mat to be a bit slippery during the first few uses, which is important to consider given the hefty price tag.
Best affordable yoga mat
Gaiam Premium Yoga Mat
- Materials: polyvinyl chloride materials
- Size: 68 inches × 24 inches × 0.25 inches (173 cm × 61 cm × 6 mm)
- Weight: 3 pounds (1.4 kg)
Price: $$
Available in a variety of colors and patterns, the Gaiam Premium Yoga Mat is both stylish and affordable.
The mat features a textured, nonslip surface to keep you safe and stable during your yoga practice. It’s also easy to clean, lightweight, and rolls up easily.
What’s more, the mat is extra thick, making it a good option for both indoor and outdoor yoga sessions.
Best cork fitness mat
Gurus Roots Cork Yoga Mat
- Materials: cork and rubber
- Size: 72 inches × 25 inches × 0.20 inches (183 cm × 64 cm × 5 mm)
- Weight: 6 pounds (2.7 kg)
Price: $$$
Cork mats are great for exercising, as they provide a sturdy base and contain antimicrobial properties to keep away odor-causing germs and bacteria.
While some can be slick, Gurus Roots’s Cork Yoga Mat features a nonslip, waterproof cork top and natural rubber bottom to prevent slipping and sliding.
It also gets good reviews for being durable and easy to clean.
However, in addition to a higher price tag, this mat is heavier than other options and can take a few uses to fully flatten out.
Best for travel
Manduka eKO Superlite Yoga Travel Mat
- Materials: natural tree rubber
- Size: 68 inches × 24 inches × 0.06 inches (173 cm × 61 cm × 1.5 mm)
- Weight: 2.2 pounds (1 kg)
Price: $$
If you’re frequently on the go, you’ll want to consider the Manduka eKO Superlite Yoga Travel Mat.
It’s not only thin and compact but also weighs just 2.2 pounds (1 kg), so you won’t get tired carrying it around all day.
What’s more, it’s designed to resist tearing and gets good reviews for being absorbent, grippy, and easy to clean.
However, as it doesn’t offer much padding, this mat isn’t the best option for outdoor workouts.
Best outdoor fitness mat
BalanceFrom GoYoga All-Purpose Yoga Mat
- Materials: high density foam
- Size: 71 inches × 24 inches × 0.5 inches (180 cm × 61 cm × 10 mm)
- Weight: 1.8 pounds (0.8 kg)
Price: $
Made with extra-thick, tear-resistant foam, BalanceFrom GoYoga’s All-Purpose Yoga Mat is ideal for outdoor workouts.
In addition to a convenient carrying strap, the mat weighs just 1.8 pounds (0.8 kg), making it easy to tote around.
It also features double-sided, nonslip surfaces and is one of the more affordable options on the market.
Best interlocking workout mat
We Sell Mats Interlocking Tiles Floor Mat
- Materials: high density foam
- Size: available in sizes ranging from 16 square feet (5 square meters) to 100 square feet (30.5 square meters)
- Weight: each tile weighs approximately 0.15 pounds (0.7 kg)
Price: $–$$
Perfect for a home gym or playroom, this interlocking floor mat features individual tiles that fit together like puzzle pieces.
The tiles are easy to clean and made from thick foam to lessen the impact on your joints. Plus, you can easily adjust the size by adding or removing tiles.
However, customers note that the tiles aren’t as grippy as other mats and may separate during intense workouts.
Best for large areas
Gxmmat Extra Large Exercise Mat
- Materials: high density microfoam
- Size (L x W x H): 8 feet × 6 feet × 0.28 inches (2.4 meters × 1.8 meters × 7 mm)
- Weight: 24.3 pounds (11 kg)
Price: $$$
Made with durable microfoam and a slip-resistant surface, the Gxmmat Extra Large Exercise Mat is one of the best options for large spaces.
In addition to providing plenty of cushion, customers appreciate how the mat stays in place even during high intensity workouts.
As a bonus, the mat can also be used to protect your floors from heavy exercise equipment.
Just keep in mind that it’s quite heavy and doesn’t roll up well, so it’s not a great option if you need to move it frequently.
Best for exercise equipment
BalanceFrom GoFit High Density Equipment Mat
- Materials: polyvinyl chloride materials
- Size: available in 5 feet × 2.5 feet (152 cm × 76 cm) and 6.5 feet × 3 feet (198 cm × 91.4 cm)
- Weight: not provided by the seller
Price: $$
If your home gym includes an exercise bike, elliptical, or treadmill, you’ll want to consider this high density mat from BalanceFrom GoFit.
This mat is made to protect your floors and keep your equipment from moving. It also helps absorb vibrations and reduce noise.
In addition to being one of the more affordable options, it’s easy to keep clean with just soap and water.
How to choose the best workout mat
When buying a workout mat, there are several factors to consider, including:
- Intended use. Do you need something to protect your floor from heavy gym equipment? Or are you looking for a portable mat with good grip? How you plan on using your mat will determine the features you’ll want to look for.
- Materials. Some are more durable, while others offer better traction. You may also want to consider materials that are odor-resistant or easier to clean.
- Thickness. While thicker mats provide added cushion and support, thinner ones tend to be lighter and easier to travel with.
- Style. Many mats come in a variety of colors and patterns, so you can find one that fits your personal style.
- Customer reviews. Customer reviews are usually upfront about whether the product offers a good value for the price.
The bottom line
Workout mats are essential for a variety of activities, as they provide safety, stability, and comfort.
As they’re available in a range of sizes, materials, and styles, it’s important to consider how you plan on using your mat.
Use this list as a starting point to find the workout mat that’s best for you.
