The best exercise mat for 2024, tested and approved by a personal trainer

Dimensions: 26 in. x 71 in. | Materials: Recycled polyvinyl butyral | Thickness: 0.24 in. | Weight: 4.4 lbs. | Special features: Grippy backside

This exercise mat was overwhelmingly rated as the best despite being the most straightforward option among the nine we tested. It's a prime example of how simplicity can be superior. 

Although it's available only in black and comes at a higher price point, Lululemon has crafted a mat with excellent grip, low maintenance and just the right thickness — thick enough to provide protection on any surface, yet not too bulky. It's functional for high-intensity plyometric exercises like burpees, but also feels comfortable for floor-based exercises like planks or sit-ups. I even tested it on asphalt and didn’t have to worry about the heat seeping through the mat. It's also easy to roll up and store in my closet.

Katie Leonard, CPT, a group fitness instructor at Life Time Lakeshore-Irvine, praises this brand as her favorite because it strikes the perfect balance — not too squishy, with just the right amount of cushioning. She specifically looks for mats that provide good tailbone support. "Too much cushioning can hinder your balance and stability, making it harder to perform exercises effectively," she explains. 

You may be hesitant to lay out $100 for an exercise mat, but my assessment is that it's on par with the quality you'd find at a gym, and its durability is hard to beat. 

Dimensions: 71 in. x 26 in. standard, 85 in. x 26 in. long | Materials: OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 polyvinyl chloride | Thickness: 0.24 in. | Weight: 7.5-9.5 lbs., depending on length | Special features: Limited-edition mats are hand processed, and each pattern is unique.

The standout features of the Manduka PRO exercise mat include an extra-grippy top for secure yoga movements, a proprietary dot-patterned bottom that prevents the mat from moving around during your flow and a generous level of cushioning for added comfort.

Sandra Gail Frayna, PT and founder of Hudson Premier Physical Therapy & Sports in New Jersey, says this is her favorite brand. "This mat is a good option as it has deep cushioning, which makes it gentle on your joints. This durable mat is made to last, [and it's] safe with its slip-free material."

However, we did notice that the mat can become slightly slippery when wet, making it less ideal for hot-yoga enthusiasts or anyone performing outdoor or sweaty HIIT routines. Also, it's on the heavier side, so if you need something more portable, a lighter option, like the Lululemon Workout Mat, might better suit your needs.

That said, this mat's cushioning and comfort are excellent and earned high marks overall. Its grippy texture kept our hands and feet securely in place during lower-intensity workouts and stretching routines, making it a top choice for those seeking support, stability and comfort. 

Dimensions: 71 in. x 24 in. | Materials: High-density foam | Thickness: 0.5 in. | Weight: 2.55 lbs. | Special features: Includes sling for portability

Crafted with high-density foam, this thick exercise mat from ProsourceFit proved versatile during our yoga and Pilates tests. Its extra thickness provides superior cushioning, which can be a significant advantage, especially for those with back injuries or wrist or shoulder pain, as it offers excellent protection from hard flooring. However, this level of cushioning might not be ideal for everyone, and is harder to use when performing higher-intensity exercises like burpees.

Despite the mat's thickness, we had no trouble transitioning between lower-intensity yoga poses or Pilates moves, and we appreciated the durable, high-quality material that promises long-lasting use. Plus, it comes with a free yoga mat sling, making it easy to transport to your next class.

Erica Walters, a fitness and Pilates expert and owner of Pilates Fit Studio, praises the mat for supporting her back and hips, "making it perfect for yoga and Pilates." She also likes how easily the mat rolls up for convenient storage.

That said, the mat's grip isn't the best, likely due to its thickness, and it was more inclined to move around on the floor. It sometimes felt more like a pool floaty than a steady exercise mat.

Dimensions: 80 in. x 24 in. | Materials: Not provided | Thickness: 2 in. | Weight: 65 lbs. | Special features: Wooden dowel handles and optional foot boxes

The Gratz Folding Mat is undeniably an investment with a price tag that reflects its premium quality. However, this well-crafted mat stands out as an alternative to more expensive Pilates equipment (which can run thousands of dollars) and is customizable with 85 different upholstery color options, making it a stylish addition to the home. 

With its superior finishes and exceptional durability, you can expect it to last a lifetime. I found it remarkably sturdy, even after dragging it across the floor. I had no concerns about the fabric or handles tearing or coming loose.

While it takes up more space than a traditional mat, the Folding Mat offers more convenient storage, making it suitable even for those with limited room.

Walters is a fan, saying it's the "holy grail" of exercise mats for Pilates lovers — the included dowel handles and fabric loops make it easy to perform Pilates-specific movements with focus. "This mat has it all. It combines comfort and support. [It] ensures improved flexibility, increased muscle tone and focused exercise," she says.

A bonus is the option to purchase foot boxes, allowing you to get even more out of your Pilates workouts. 

The primary downside is its high price — it's certainly an investment piece — and because each product is made to order, the lead time for delivery can take months. 

It's also important to note that aside from other stretching or yoga workouts, the Folding Mat isn't intended for other routines. This isn't one you want to use if your primary form of exercise is strength training or HIIT. 

Dimensions: 72 in. x 24 in. | Materials: Polyethylene foam | Thickness: 1.5 in. | Weight: 4.65 lbs. | Special features: Folding

Unlike other exercise mats that roll up, this ProsourceFit mat folds in half for easy storage and features a side handle for portability. I found it convenient to slip into my car and take it to the park for outdoor workouts. And to that end, its extra thickness made it more comfortable to use on uneven surfaces like grass and gravel (you don't have to worry about a stray pebble poking you in the back like you might with a thinner mat).

At 1.5-in. thick, it offers ample cushioning, making it ideal for exercises that require jumping and landing, like jump squats. And for those who practice handstands in yoga, the mat's sturdiness and cushioning provide an extra level of support, although some people may not like the feel of the added padding.

Jason Kozma, CPT and former Mr. America bodybuilder, says this is his favorite stretching mat for hard floors. "It's just large enough for most stretch positions," he says. And it's high quality. "It's the same kind of portable mat we have at my gym."

While this mat doesn't have as much grippiness as some of the other mats on this list, at 4.65 lbs., it does a good job of staying put through most movements.

Dimensions: 68 in. x 24 in. | Materials: Polyvinyl chloride | Thickness: 0.16 in. | Weight: 840 g. | Special features: Folds up like a towel

You may hesitate to pack your exercise mat the next time you take a flight if you think you have to make space for a more traditional mat. But the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns that travel often involves extended periods of sitting, which can increase your risk of developing deep vein thrombosis. A quick stretching session between flights or after you land can help get your blood flowing and potentially prevent serious health issues.

That said, packing a large rolling mat or a heavier option may not be feasible. With this mat, there's little need to worry about its size or weight — it folds up like a towel and weighs less than 2 lbs. You can easily tuck it among your shirts and pants without taking up much space.

Of course, this level of portability often comes at the expense of functionality. That said, I was impressed by how well the mat maintained its grip and shape even after being folded for hours. I took it on a trip to the Paris 2024 Olympics, and after over 17 hours in my luggage, it held up beautifully. I even rinsed it off under the faucet in my hotel room without any issues.

I also appreciate the range of pretty colors it comes in, making matching the mat to my luggage easy.

On the downside, the mat is relatively thin and doesn't provide much cushioning, so I wouldn't recommend it as your go-to yoga mat for everyday use. However, keeping it tucked away in your luggage can be a great way to stay active while on vacation. Plus, if you leave it in your suitcase between trips, you'll never forget to pack it!

Dimensions: 69 x 24 in. flat, 24 x 3 x 12 in. folded | Materials: Not provided | Thickness: 12 mm. | Weight: 3 lbs. | Special features: Unique folding design allows it to fold in sections

Sometimes you need an exercise mat that offers more cushion for your hands, elbows or knees. Sometimes you need an exercise mat that's less cushioned and more dense for active movements or those that require greater stability. It can be a balance to find a mat that does a little bit of everything (which could explain why a corner of my house is filled with five different mats, all of which I use for different activities). 

The Stakt mat offers a high level of versatility due to its unique folding design. When unfolded, it functions much like a traditional yoga mat, but with a more cushiony, 12-mm base (most yoga mats range from 5-8 mm thick). 

When you're craving a little more cushioning, the mat's design enables you to fold individual sections, "stacking" them on top of each other. This gives you the freedom to create more padding where you need it. For instance, if you want more cushion under your knees when performing a kneeling hip flexor stretch or under your hands when performing push-ups, you can fold one or two segments to enjoy additional support. You can also fold it all the way up for easy storage or to use it as a low platform for performing additional exercises, like triceps dips. 

I really like the design, comfort and feel, and the mat is lightweight, making it easy to transport and store. That said, it's not as grippy as some mats, and its lighter weight means it's more likely to move around when doing more active exercises, like lateral slides.