Best Yoga Matsfor Beginners
Updated
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Short answer
This page is for people buying their first real yoga mat, or replacing a cheap one that slides. I compared 3 mats at 3 price points. My pick is the JadeYoga Harmony: natural rubber, about 5 lb, 2.5 lb lighter than the Manduka PRO and a bit cheaper.
The three
JadeYoga
Harmony Yoga Mat 3/16" (68")
- Natural rubber with no PVC or EVA, per JadeYoga
- About 5 lb, easy to carry to class
- Two lengths: 68 in and 74 in
- JadeYoga says it may contain trace latex proteins, so skip it with a latex allergy
- Size
- 68 x 24 in (74 in also sold)
- Thickness
- 3/16 in (about 4.8 mm)
- Weight
- About 5 lb
- Price
- $$$
Manduka
PRO Yoga Mat 6mm (71")
- Lifetime guarantee on manufacturing defects
- 71 x 26 in, the widest here
- Latex-free PVC, OEKO-TEX certified, made in Germany
- 7.5 lb, heaviest here (OutdoorGearLab measured the same)
- Size
- 71 x 26 in
- Thickness
- 6 mm
- Weight
- 7.5 lb
- Price
- $$$
Gaiam
Premium 6mm Print Yoga Mat
- By far the cheapest of the 3, a fraction of the price of the other two
- 3.3 lb measured by OutdoorGearLab
- 6 mm cushion, latex-free PVC
- OutdoorGearLab scored grip 5.0/10 and found it slick when sweaty
- Size
- 68 x 24 in
- Thickness
- 6 mm
- Weight
- 3.3 lb (measured)
- Price
- $$$
Ratings from the source shown, checked October 26, 2026. Price tiers compare the three; Amazon shows today's price.
Side by side
Swipe to compare →
| Best overallHarmony Yoga Mat 3/16" (68") | Best long-termPRO Yoga Mat 6mm (71") | Best valuePremium 6mm Print Yoga Mat | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Beginners who want a grippy mat they won't outgrow | Beginners who plan to practice for years and stay home | Trying yoga before you commit |
| Size | 68 x 24 in (74 in also sold) | 71 x 26 in | 68 x 24 in |
| Thickness | 3/16 in (about 4.8 mm) | 6 mm | 6 mm |
| Weight | About 5 lb | 7.5 lb | 3.3 lb (measured) |
| Material | Natural rubber | PVC, latex-free | PVC, latex-free |
| Warranty | Not listed | Lifetime guarantee | Lifetime guarantee |
| Watch out for | Trace latex; keep out of sun | Slippery until broken in | Slick when sweaty |
| Price | $$$ | $$$ | $$$ |
The fine print
Watch out for
The most common catch with each, from reviews and specs.
- Harmony Yoga Mat 3/16" (68")JadeYoga says it may contain trace latex proteins, so skip it with a latex allergy
- PRO Yoga Mat 6mm (71")7.5 lb, heaviest here (OutdoorGearLab measured the same)
- Premium 6mm Print Yoga MatOutdoorGearLab scored grip 5.0/10 and found it slick when sweaty
Skip it if
Who each one is wrong for
Saves you a return.
- Harmony Yoga Mat 3/16" (68")You have a latex allergy or practice outdoors.
- PRO Yoga Mat 6mm (71")You carry your mat to class on foot.
- Premium 6mm Print Yoga MatYou plan on hot yoga or fast flows.
The details
-
What separates them
Material is the main split. The Jade is natural rubber. The Manduka and Gaiam are PVC, which matters if you have a latex allergy, since both are listed as latex-free.
Weight is the other split. If you walk to class, 7.5 lb for the Manduka adds up. The Jade is about 5 lb and the Gaiam is 3.3 lb.
-
What buyers and testers complain about
The Manduka PRO needs a break-in period. OutdoorGearLab testers found it slippery at first, then grippier with daily practice.
The Gaiam is soft and light, but OutdoorGearLab scored it 5.0/10 for grip and noted the cushion compresses over time. For the Jade, the brand's own warnings are the main limits: trace latex and no sun exposure.
-
Cost per year
If you practice 3 times a week, the Manduka's lifetime guarantee can make it the cheapest per use over several years, even though it costs the most up front. If you're not sure yoga will stick, start with the Gaiam.
So which is yours?
Harmony Yoga Mat 3/16" (68")
Pick it if you want: beginners who want a grippy mat they won't outgrow.
Skip it if you have a latex allergy or practice outdoors.
PRO Yoga Mat 6mm (71")
Pick it if you want: beginners who plan to practice for years and stay home.
Skip it if you carry your mat to class on foot.
Premium 6mm Print Yoga Mat
Pick it if you want: trying yoga before you commit.
Skip it if you plan on hot yoga or fast flows.
My pick
Harmony Yoga Mat 3/16" (68")
A natural rubber mat at a mid price, lighter than the Manduka and firmer-built than the Gaiam.
Also considered
Good options that didn't make the top three.
How I compared
- Checked size, thickness, weight, material and warranty on JadeYoga, Manduka and Gaiam product pages on 2026-10-26.
- Used OutdoorGearLab's grip scores and measured weights for the Manduka PRO and Gaiam Premium.
- Read Walmart's Gaiam listing and reviews for unboxing notes.
- No ratings shown: the retailer ratings I found had small counts or were for discontinued listings.
Sources: Jade Harmony Yoga Mat (JadeYoga) · PRO Yoga Mat 6mm (Manduka) · Manduka PRO review (OutdoorGearLab) · Premium Violet Vision Yoga Mat 6mm (Gaiam) · Gaiam Premium 6mm review (OutdoorGearLab) · Gaiam Premium 6mm Print Yoga Mat (Walmart)
Questions
How thick should a beginner's yoga mat be?
All 3 here are between about 4.8 and 6 mm. OutdoorGearLab found the soft 6 mm Gaiam wobbly in balance poses, so thicker isn't always better.
Which mat is best if I'm tall?
The Manduka PRO at 71 in, or its 85 in Long version. The Jade also comes in a 74 in length.
I have a latex allergy. Which one?
The Manduka PRO or the Gaiam, which are both listed as latex-free. JadeYoga warns its rubber may contain trace latex proteins.
Is a yoga mat a good gift?
Yes, if you know they practice. The Jade is a step up without the Manduka's weight or price.