Best Hot Yoga Mats: Tested and Chosen by Our Staff Members (2025)

For a yoga mat that’s durable, comfortable, and built to last, look no further than the Manduka GRP Adapt Yoga Mat. Offering both exceptional quality and performance at a reasonable price, this is our pick for the best overall hot yoga mat. 

Manduka is known for high-quality yoga mats, like the Manduka Eko, Manduka Prolite, and Manduka Pro Yoga Mat, which we named the best overall yoga mat for standard yoga. The GRP is Manduka’s mat designed for hot yoga, with added grip and moisture absorption. 

Our tester, Emily Watts, took this to a hot yoga class and gave it a 5-out-of-5 rating for the materials. 

“When I used this for a hot yoga class, I felt like my grip was secure the entire time, even after I started sweating a lot,” says Emily. “The material is thin and secure, and it didn’t have a lot of give, which helped me to stay balanced in different positions.”

Emily was also very impressed with the mat’s ability to handle sweat and moisture throughout the class, which is critical in hot yoga. She said, “One huge positive was how well it absorbed my sweat throughout the class. It was very impressive.”Since hot yoga will turn most people into heavy sweaters, we love that this mat is built to handle moisture. 

The Manduka mat also earns 4 out of 5 stars for extra features. It boasts a Versa-Grip bottom layer for added floor security, a responsive inner layer for added cushioning, and a moisture flow system that allows moisture to pass through the surface to the interior foam layer. 

Despite these layers, it’s only 5 millimeters in height, and earns 5 out of 5 stars for thickness. Emily noted that she felt very stable thanks to the slim profile, but it was still cushioned enough to keep her joints comfortable. 

We think this is the best overall hot yoga mat and well worth the cost, but if you’re looking for something a little more affordable, the Aeromat Elite Yoga Mat is our pick for the best budget mat.

If you’re a hot yoga beginner looking to buy your first mat, the 42 Birds Cork Lightweight Yoga Mat is a great choice. It’s durable, easy to transport, and low-maintenance, making it the perfect choice for those who are just starting out on their yoga journey.

Ally Majestic, our tester, rated the mat 5-out-of-5-stars for the materials. She says, “The material is cork, has good non-slip properties, and is naturally antimicrobial, which helps keep it clean.”

We also love the sustainability focus here, as the mat uses a natural cork and recycled foam bottom.

The cork can be a benefit to beginner yogis, as the material is naturally antimicrobial and doesn’t need to be cleaned as frequently as other textiles. We still recommend cleaning it, of course, but if you happen to forget, this mat has some natural odor resistance.

The thickness score also receives a 5 out of 5, as it has the 5-millimeter thickness we think works best for hot yoga. Ally adds, “Usually, I prefer a little more cushion, but it didn’t feel too stiff or uncomfortable, and it was very stable during the class.”

This eco-friendly cork yoga mat also comes with a carrying handle for convenience, making it a great choice for beginners just getting started with a yoga class routine. Some may already have a gym bag that can easily store your yoga mat, but if you don’t, it can be mildly annoying to transport a yoga mat without straps or handles. 

Our only real callout is the price. At $78, it’s somewhat expensive but we think this is still a great deal, especially given the quality of the materials. We give the mat 4 out of 5 for value. 

If you’re still deciding whether hot yoga is right for you and aren’t ready to spend this much on a mat yet, we recommend the Aeromat Elite Yoga Mat instead, which is a good yoga mat for those shopping on a budget.

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Yoga can quickly become an expensive hobby, once you factor in studio fees, clothing, yoga blocks, and of course, yoga mats. We think a yoga mat is a great investment, especially as it’s the literal foundation of your practice, but you don’t need to spend a small fortune to get a good mat. 

If you’re shopping on a budget, we highly recommend trying the Aeromat Elite Yoga Mat, our choice for the best budget hot yoga mat. 

Kayla Godfrey tested this mat for us and was very impressed by the quality offered at such a low price. She was especially impressed with the workout performance and gave the mat 5 out of 5 stars for this category. 

“I really loved this yoga mat,” Kayla said. “It was lightweight, easy to roll up, the design is clean and beautiful, and it feels like it will stay clean very easily.”

Even though it’s budget-friendly, it doesn’t cut any corners when it comes to the appearance, which earns 5 out of 5 stars. 

“This mat has a simplistic design that I really enjoy,” explains Kayla. “It comes with 10+ color options and has a sticky/nonslip surface. The mesh-like texture gives the mat a nice appearance.”

The mesh-like texture Kayla references is meant to provide additional support, and the website says it helps prevent the mat from stretching. Kayla pulled as hard as she could, and the mat didn’t rip or tear in any way. However, we know the mesh texture is unique, and Kayla said she’s never used a yoga mat that feels like this. We give the materials 3 out of 5 stars, as some may not enjoy the sensation. 

This is a good budget-friendly option, but if you’re willing to spend a little more on something that scored even higher in our testing, we suggest the Manduka GRP Adapt Yoga Mat. 

While the warm temperatures in a hot yoga studio can improve blood flow and flexibility during the class, it can also leave your mat a sweaty and slippery mess. Having a non-slip mat can help make keeping your hands and feet in the right position much easier, and the Alo Warrior Mat is the best non-slip mat we tested. It’s expensive, but well worth the cost, in our opinion. 

Our tester, Carter Coughlin, was very impressed with the materials, which earned 5 out of 5 stars. 

“The Alo Warrior mat is the best-feeling yoga mat I have ever used,” says Carter. “The material is also non-toxic, anti-odor, moisture-wicking, and has a generally luxurious feel. It’s also heavy, which could be a downside for some users, but the weight makes me feel extra grounded and stable during my practice.”

The workout performance also earned a 5-out-of-5-star rating, as the mat felt both stable and supportive throughout the class. 

“The non-slip upper is surprisingly buttery-soft, and the bottom of the mat has sufficient cushion for joints,” Carter explains. “The texture of the top of the mat is soft and pliable, with an effective non-slip surface. The surface maintains its friction even when sweaty. When shifting between positions quickly, the mat did not shift on a hardwood or carpet floor, either.”

The only real drawback of the Alo Warrior Mat is the price. At $148, this is one of the most expensive yoga mats we’ve tested, but if you’re looking for fantastic traction and support, it’s worth the cost. Still, this is quite expensive, so we docked half a point, giving this Alo mat 4.5 out of 5 for the value. 

This is one of the best hot yoga mats available, but it’s not cheap. For something that’s also exceptionally high-quality from a popular yoga brand yet significantly more affordable, you might want to consider Lululemon The Mat.

While there are many specialty brands offering yoga apparel and equipment, we know that many people prefer to order from Amazon for the simplicity and convenience. There are countless yoga mats to choose from on Amazon, so if you’re feeling overwhelmed, we recommend the Gaiam Dry-Grip Yoga Mat for your hot yoga needs. 

Our product tester, Kate Gorman, gave this mat 4 out of 5 stars for its workout performance. 

“I would say I feel very stable during my workouts,” Kate said. “There was sweat on the mat due to the PVC materials, but I didn’t start slipping or sliding. It wasn’t super dry, but my sweat on the mat didn’t hinder my workout.”

Speaking of materials, that’s one potential weakness of this mat. It’s not bad, but nothing too special, and Kate gave the materials 3 out of 5 stars. She said, “It’s made with PVC, and there’s not much sweat absorption. It doesn’t slide around, so the bottom has a good grip on the floor.”

If you’re a particularly heavy sweater, you may want to consider a mat that’s specifically designed to absorb moisture. Still, Kate didn’t have any issues or feel unsafe during her workout, so we’d still recommend this mat for most users. 

We also love the value here, which earns 4 out of 5 stars. Kate said, “I think that for $65, this is a great beginner’s hot yoga mat. It doesn’t absorb sweat super quickly, but it’s stable and has anti-slip surfaces that make it so it won’t move during your workout.”

While this gets the job done nicely at a great price, it’s not specifically designed for hot yoga. If you’re a heavy sweater who wants a mat specifically designed to absorb sweat and provide better traction, we recommend the Manduka GRP Adapt Yoga Mat.

Lululemon is one of the biggest names in yoga and fitness apparel, so we absolutely had to try its yoga mat. While not cheap, we loved the mat and think it’s one of the most comfortable options for hot yoga.

Rebecca Liebow tested this mat and gave it a 5-out-of-5-star rating for the materials. 

According to lululemon, the mat has an FSC-certified natural rubber base with a grippy top layer that absorbs moisture, along with an antimicrobial additive that helps prevent mold and mildew on the mat.

Rebecca adds, “The material is great for a hot yoga class, and keeps you grounded and comfortable, despite the moisture. It absorbs moisture quickly!”

She also gave this mat 5 out of 5 stars for the workout performance. 

“The mat was great when using it barefoot during a hot yoga class, and I imagine it would hold up well with grippy socks, too,” says Rebecca. “It absorbed any sweat drops quickly to ensure the surface didn’t get slippery. I felt very stable the entire time using it in comparison to the older and cheaper mat I previously used.”

Lululemon’s yoga mat also earns 4 out of 5 for its appearance. It’s currently available in five different styles, with a variety of colors and patterns, and Rebecca notes that she thinks lululemon has offered seasonal colors before, and may again in the future. 

This mat is slightly pricey, but it is very comfortable and stable, even when sweating in a hot yoga class. If you’re still on the fence and want another premium option to consider, we also love and recommend the Alo Warrior Mat.

Whether you’re taking your yoga mat on a vacation, road trip, or simply driving it to and from your local studio, a travel yoga mat designed for portability can make your life so much easier. As someone who’s dropped a yoga mat in a parking lot and had it unroll on me, which gave the mat a nice coating of dust and gravel, I can tell you that straps make all the difference. 

Thankfully, the Liforme Classic Yoga Mat is designed for yogis on the go, and our tester, Courtney Myers, found it to be quite impressive. 

The materials earn 4.5 out of 5 stars. Courtney said, “The materials include a natural rubber base and Liforme’s unique eco-polyurethane top surface. It has a great grip and absorbs moisture quickly.”

The main draw of this mat is the extra features, which earn 5 out of 5 stars. Liforme includes a carrying case with a strap, and the mat also has a unique AlignForMe system of practical alignment markers to help you find the proper positioning.

It’s not all show, however, and the workout performance also earns 5 out of 5 stars from Courtney. She notes, “The mat is excellent and doesn’t feel slippery or unstable, even as you’re deep into a hot yoga class.”

There are nine color options, and the mat is relatively thin at 4.2 millimeters, making it very stable and supportive. 

At $165, this mat isn’t cheap, but it’s well-constructed, and the included carrying case and straps are an excellent feature. That said, if you don’t want to spend quite this much and still value portability, the 42 Birds Cork Lightweight Yoga Mat also has a handle for easy portability.