If you’re a regular hot yoga practitioner or considering your first class, you probably understand the importance of having a good mat for your practice. While a yoga studio may have a loaner mat you can use for your first session, having your own allows you to practice anywhere, and you can choose one that fits your preferences.
We’ve already covered the best yoga mats for general use, but we weren’t specifically testing mats with hot yoga in mind. Hot yoga is performed in a heated room to promote circulation and flexibility, but this often results in a sweaty, humid environment that requires a special type of yoga mat.
For this guide, our testers specifically tested these mats in hot yoga classes to assess their performance throughout a typical flow. This helped us rate each mat not only on appearance and materials, but on the comfort, stability, and workout performance when high temperatures are involved.
Whether you’re looking to upgrade your mat or simply looking for one of the best gifts for yoga lovers, you’re sure to find a great option in our guide to the best hot yoga mats.
The Best Hot Yoga Mats of 2025
- Best Overall Hot Yoga Mat: Manduka GRP Adapt Yoga Mat
- Best Hot Yoga Mat for Beginners: 42 Birds Cork Lightweight Yoga Mat
- Best Budget Hot Yoga Mat: Aeromat Elite Yoga Mat
- Best Non-Slip Hot Yoga Mat: Alo Warrior Mat
- Best Hot Yoga Mat on Amazon: Gaiam Dry-Grip Yoga Mat
- Most Comfortable Hot Yoga Mat: Lululemon The Mat
- Best Hot Yoga Mat for Travel: Liforme Classic Yoga Mat
Best Overall Hot Yoga Mat: Manduka GRP Adapt Yoga Mat
Good for: Those looking for a durable, comfortable hot yoga mat
Best Hot Yoga Mat for Beginners: 42 Birds Cork Lightweight Yoga Mat
Good for: Beginners looking for a high-quality mat with easy maintenance
Best Budget Hot Yoga Mat: Aeromat Elite Yoga Mat
Good for: Those looking for a hot yoga mat that won’t break the bank
Best Non-Slip Hot Yoga Mat: Alo Warrior Mat
Good for: Anyone looking for a grippy, stable hot yoga mat
Best Hot Yoga Mat on Amazon: Gaiam Dry-Grip Yoga Mat
Good for: Individuals who prefer to do their shopping on Amazon
Most Comfortable Hot Yoga Mat: Lululemon The Mat
Good for: Those looking for a cushioned, comfortable, and stable hot yoga mat
Best Hot Yoga Mat for Travel: Liforme Classic Yoga Mat
Good for: Yogis on the go who need a portable mat for hot yoga classes
Other Hot Yoga Mats We Researched
While we’ve tested plenty of yoga mats over the years, not all of them deserve a spot in the top seven. Here are a few more we considered adding to our list.
- JadeYoga Harmony Yoga Mat: This mat is comfortable and has excellent grip, even during hot yoga sessions. However, our tester reported a strong initial rubber smell that took a few days to dissipate, which is why it wasn’t one of our top picks.
- BalanceFrom All-Purpose Yoga Mat: This budget-friendly mat is very cushioned, portable, and affordable. However, with a 12.7-millimeter height, this mat is a little thicker than we’d want to see in a hot yoga mat, as too much cushioning can create instability.
How We Picked and Tested the Best Hot Yoga Mats
To help find the best hot yoga mat, eight of our staff members received a mat for thorough testing. In addition to assessing the mat for comfort, materials, durability, and more, each tester also took the mat to at least one hot yoga class, putting it to the test in a warm, sweaty environment.
After spending time with each mat, our equipment testing methodology was used to calculate a final score for each product. Our hot yoga mat testing methodology assigns a rating from 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest) for a variety of essential categories, including:
- Appearance Options: Is this a standard black yoga mat, or can users choose from a variety of colors and patterns? The highest scores were given to yoga mats available in three or more colors and patterns.
- Materials and Durability: In addition to durability, we also needed to test each mat for slip resistance, as hot yoga typically produces quite a bit of sweat. We looked for mats that were more durable than the cheap foam mats commonly found at commercial gyms, and also had a grippy, non-slip surface that performed well in our testing.
- Thickness: A thicker mat provides more padding and may be more comfortable, but this excess cushion can create instability for some athletes. An average mat is typically 6 millimeters to 7 millimeters thick, so we gave higher scores to those that were even thinner, offering better stability during hot yoga practices.
- Workout Performance: To assess the performance of each mat, our testers went through a variety of yoga poses in bare feet, socks, and with liquid on the mat, either water or sweat. We wanted to see how the mat performed after using it with sweaty hands and feet, rather than doing a quick dry test.
- Extra Features: While any yoga mat can technically work for hot yoga, we awarded higher scores to those with upgraded features. This includes luxuries such as a carrying case, an anti-bacterial surface, a non-slip surface, or any other features not commonly found on general yoga mats.
Benefits of Hot Yoga Mats
Hot yoga continues to grow in popularity and has many proven benefits1, including improved mobility, reduced inflammation, lower levels of stress, and an improved mood.

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While you may be able to show up and borrow a mat if you’re interested in trying a class, owning your own mat can be well worth the investment for anyone developing a long-term yoga practice.
Here are a few reasons you may want to consider investing in a high-quality hot yoga mat.
Durability
If you’ve ever used the cheap yoga mats found in many commercial gyms, you’ve likely seen the missing pieces, stains, scratches, and uncomfortable mats. While yoga mats aren’t exactly cheap, choosing one that’s built to last can save you money in the long run, as a high-quality mat can last for years (with proper care and maintenance).

A mat that’s falling apart can be a potential safety hazard, too, and the durability provided by a hot yoga mat can help keep your body safe and comfortable for years to come.
Traction
Whether you’re a seasoned yogi or new to the practice, you should understand the importance of stability and grip. When performing poses that require balance and concentration, the last thing you want is to have your hands and feet slipping around as you begin to sweat.
In a hot yoga class, you’re probably going to sweat profusely, which can leave your mat slippery and unstable. Sure, you can try to mop up the sweat with an absorbent yoga towel between poses, but this can interrupt your practice.

Choosing a mat with plenty of stability is critical to help keep you safe as you break a sweat, and grippy mats suitable for hot yoga are meant to keep you stable throughout the entire class.
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Cleanliness
Whenever you have people all sweating and moving in a shared room, your mat is going to get dirty. While you should always clean your mat after a sweaty class, many of the best yoga mats include antimicrobial surfaces to better resist bacterial growth and funky smells between classes.
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Buying Guide: What to Look for in Hot Yoga Mats
While there are countless yoga mats on the market, choosing one specifically for hot yoga classes requires a little more research. Here are some of the most important things to consider before making a purchase.
Non-Slip Features
Unlike traditional yoga, which already requires balance and coordination, hot yoga adds an element of high heat and humidity. Having a mat that includes non-slip features, such as a grippy surface or rubber bottom, can provide an extra layer of safety. The rubber bottom can be especially useful on hardwood floors, which are commonly found in yoga studios.
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Thickness
While many yoga mats are thick and padded, some as thick as half an inch, we recommend choosing a thinner mat for hot yoga needs, preferably in the 4-millimeter to 5-millimeter range. Too much cushioning can create a wobbly, unstable surface, like squatting in a cushioned running shoe. A thinner mat can still provide adequate cushioning on hard surfaces without compromising your ability to properly stabilize your hands and feet on the floor.
Portability
Not all yoga mats are easily portable, so if you regularly travel to and from class, you may want to consider a mat that has travel features. Any yoga mat can be rolled up, but some include handles, straps, or even carrying cases, allowing you to easily transport your mat without worrying about it unrolling along the way.
Experts Who Contributed To This Article
FAQs About the Best Hot Yoga Mats
What type of mat is best for hot yoga?
For hot yoga sessions, you’ll want to choose a mat that’s specifically designed to absorb moisture and provide traction during your practice. Standard yoga mats don’t always have these features, and can become quite slippery as you begin to sweat.
Thankfully, hot yoga mats are also quite versatile, and can easily be used for other types of yoga, including Bikram, Vinyasa, Pilates, or even simple poses at home.
What is the best yoga mat for sweating a lot?
If you’re a heavy sweater, we recommend choosing a mat that includes moisture absorption for your hot yoga sessions. Many brands offer mats specifically designed for hot yoga, including Manduka, 42 Birds, Alo, lululemon, and more.
Is there a difference between a yoga mat and a hot yoga mat?
While the mats look similar, hot yoga mats are often thinner than standard yoga mats, which can offer additional stability. A good hot yoga mat will also provide moisture absorption and anti-slip benefits, which help keep you safe and stable as you sweat during a hot yoga class.
References
- Lambert, B. S., Miller, K. E., Delgado, D. A., Chaliki, K., Lee, J., Bauza, G., Taraballi, F., Dong, D., Tasciotti, E., Harris, J. D., & McCulloch, P. C. (2020). Acute Physiologic Effects of Performing Yoga in The Heat on Energy Expenditure, Range of Motion, and Inflammatory Biomarkers. International journal of exercise science, 13(3), 802–817. https://doi.org/10.70252/AKMZ9424








