A round yoga mat is ideal if you want more space to move than a conventional rectangular style. It’s more fun when you’re not confined to a box. With round yoga mats, you have extra space from all directions and help you cultivate a unique style in your home yoga practice.
In this article, we’ll review five products and elaborate on the round yoga mat pros and cons.
Quick Answer:
1. Drakmind Round Meditation Or Yoga Mat
The Drakmind yoga mat looks very luxurious with its mandala design. I like the microfiber surface because it feels very soft, while the natural rubber base keeps the mat from slipping. My favorite is the bag because it’s handy for storage purposes.
2. Schriner Pro Meditation Mat
The Schriner Pro Meditation Mat is the thickest you can find at 8mm. Its thick cushion and soft density make it ideal for yoga, pilates and stretching. I like the fact that this mat always remains flat and returns into shape.
3. SISYAMA Circle Round TAI-CHI-YIN-YANG Yoga Mat
This SISYAMA round yoga mat seems to be very resilient with its TPE construction. I’m impressed that this mat doesn’t crease even when folded for a long time. The surface has a superior grip that keeps me from slipping during practice.
Editor's Pick: The Best Round Yoga Mat
What Are The Advantages Of A Round Yoga Mat?
A round yoga mat is an excellent alternative to rectangular mats that want more space to move in all directions. The problem with using rectangle mats is that you can come into contact with the cold, hard floor. However, that won’t be the case with a round mat because it offers a cushion on all sides.
There might be some poses where your feet may touch the floor on a round mat. Such poses include press-up and planks. But overall, you’ll find yourself inside the round mat at most times. Also, you don’t need to rotate the round mat in mid-class when you’re asked to turn in a different direction.
Round mats are simply versatile because you can use the mat for meditation and a comfortable space for a child to play on. Also, the round shape gives a positive psychological effect to improve performance and increase focus.
What To Look For On A Good Round Yoga Mat
Diameter
The size of the round mat depends on how much space you need. If you like plenty of space, look for a larger diameter. Among the round mats I reviewed, the SISYAMA Round Mat has the largest diameter.
Portability
If you plan to carry the mat anywhere, look for the most portable mats. The best ones include a bag or a strap for convenient storage. Other models are even foldable to make them more compact for travel.
Thickness
The mat’s thickness depends on your personal preference and condition. If you have sensitive joints, look for thicker mats above 6mm. Consider looking for thinner mats if you want to increase stability and balance.
Material
The material can determine the durability of the round yoga mat. PVC is extremely durable and easy to clean. However, it’s not environment-friendly and may get slippery when you start to sweat.
TPE is more eco-friendly than PVC, but it’s less durable. The good news is that This material still offers good traction. On the one hand, natural rubber provides excellent body traction and sustainability but may affect people with latex allergies.
5 Best Round Yoga Mat Reviews
1. Drakmind Round Meditation Or Yoga Mat
The Drakmind round yoga mat boasts a beautiful mandala design which helps me relax and focus on my yoga practice. I love the microfiber top surface because it feels soft and seems to absorb my sweat really well. At the bottom, the natural rubber material grips to the floor to keep the mat steady during practice.
I appreciate that the mat comes with a bag because it makes the mat easy to carry and store away. The bag has a zippered closure, so it can protect the mat while traveling. An extra benefit is that the mat feels neither warm nor cold- it’s neutral, which is pleasant to feel.
However, the mat is a bit thin for pressure points because it’s only 4mm thick. There’s also a slight rubber odor when I received it, but it dissipates over time.
PROS:
- It has a pretty mandala design that can help you relax
- Microfiber surface feels soft and absorbs sweat
- Excellent grip on the floor, thanks to its rubber base
- It includes a zippered bag for storage
- It feels neither cold nor warm- just neutral
CONS:
- A bit thin to cushion pressure points
- May emit a slight rubber odor straight from the package
Best For:
The Drakmind Round Yoga Mat is the best for design and portability. This mat looks wonderful with its mandala design and portable to carry with its zippered bag.
2. Schriner Pro Meditation Mat
If you want a thicker mat, the Schriner Pro Meditation Mat might please you. This round mat is 8mm thick, making it comfortable for your weak knees and joints. I feel confident of its quality because the manufacturer offers a lifetime guarantee.
This round mat is designed with a non-slip grip technology to keep you from slipping. Thankfully, the mat always remains flat and returns to its original shape. Best of all, it includes a sturdy strap to roll the mat up easily and take it anywhere you go.
However, the mat is a bit small for yoga. I’m 5’5” and I have a hard time fitting my whole body during complex moves, like downward dog. I’m also quite iffy with the PVC foam material because it might emit toxic fumes when exposed to fire.
PROS:
- Comfortable for frail joints and knees
- It provides a lifetime guarantee
- It seems to last long with its durable construction
- Non-slip surfaces keep the mat stable
- It includes a sturdy strap for traveling
CONS:
- May discharge some toxic fumes when subject to heat
- A little small for yoga complex moves
Best For:
The SCHRINER Pro Meditation Mat is perfect for sitting and standing positions because of its small size. The soft cushion is also good for those with minor injuries.
3. SISYAMA Circle Round TAI-CHI-YIN-YANG Yoga Mat
The SISYAMA round yoga mat is uniquely designed with a TAI-CHI symbol to balance your mind and body. The surface is truly non-slip because I haven’t slipped from my practice with this mat. I like that the mat stays flat and doesn’t crease to maintain its shape.
This mat is made of TPE, which I believe to be eco-friendly. It’s huge, measuring around 152 in circumference, to give plenty of space to move and stretch around. I like that the mat feels soft when barefoot.
However, the mat could have been perfect if it offers more cushion. This isn’t the mat you want to travel to because it’s bulky and doesn’t come with a strap.
PROS:
- It has a soothing TAI-CHI symbol
- It has a non-slippery surface for safety
- It doesn’t crease to maintain its shape
- Made of eco-friendly TPE material
- Comfortable and spacious to practice on
CONS:
- It lacks cushion for sensitive joints
- A bit bulky to travel around
Best For:
The SISYAMA Round Yoga Mat is best if you want a spacious mat to work on. This mat is also an eco-friendly option with its TPE material.
4. Soozier Round Pole Dance Crash Mat
This round mat is quite versatile because it’s not only good for pole dance but also for yoga and other fitness exercises. This mat is made of premium cross-linked EPE foam and heavy-duty PVC, so it looks nice. The thickness is around 50mm, providing the best cushion for inverted poses.
If you practice pole yoga, you’ll love this Soozier mat because it’s designed with a hole in the middle to fit standard pole bases. The best part is that this mat can be folded up into a more compact size. Additionally, the size is around 76.2, which is plenty of space to move around.
However, the PVC covering seems to puncture and tear easily. Since the covering isn’t breathable, it makes me feel even warmer when I’m sweating.
PROS:
- Versatile to use for any fitness exercise
- Made of very thick EPE foam for extra comfort
- Spacious and looks pretty with the PVC covering
- It has a hole in the center to fit standard-sized poles
- Foldable for maximum portability
CONS:
- PVC covering rips easily
- It makes you feel even warmer
Best For:
The Soozier Round Pole Dance Crash Mat is perfect for pole yoga as you can put a pole in the middle. Also, it’s ideal for travel as it folds into a quarter.
5. ZenStands by ZENLife Meditation And Yoga Mat
ZenStands by ZENLife yoga mat measures around 24 x 36 inches, making it a perfect size for kids. This mat I made of TPE, which is eco-friendly and non-toxic. I like that it’s compact and rolls up easily for extra portability.
The 6mm thickness is enough cushion to support sensitive joints and bone. The mat comes in a beautiful color and embossed print, making it pleasant to use. It feels soft and, fortunately, easy to clean with a soft, damp cloth.
However, the size is a little small to work around for intense yoga movements. The mat is also less durable than I expected because it punctures from sharp objects easily.
PROS:
- The compact size makes it portable to bring anywhere
- Made of eco-friendly, non-toxic TPE material
- Easy to clean and rolls up easily for convenience
- Adequately cushioned to support weak joints
- It has a nice color and embossed design
CONS:
- A little too small for yoga practice
- Easily Punctures with any sharp object
Best For:
The ZenStands by ZENLife Meditation And Yoga Mat is ideal for kids with its small size.
FAQs:
Q: What are round yoga mats good for?
Round yoga mats are suitable for meditation and other simple floor poses. It’s perfect if you want to move around in all directions without going outside the mat.
Q: How to clean a round yoga mat?
For daily marks or dirt, spot clean with a bit amount of mild detergent and cold water. Scrub the stains and dirt with a damp cloth. Once done, air out to dry completely.
Q: How to store round yoga mats?
The best method to store your round mat is to lay it out flat to prevent creases. If this is impossible, roll the round mat up like a standard mat. It’s ideal for switching between top and bottom surfaces when rolling up.
Before you roll your mat up, make sure that it’s fully dry.
Conclusion
A round yoga mat truly offers more space to move in all directions. However, it can only be good for a few floor poses, but not for Vinyasa or any intense yoga practice. If I have to pick the best round yoga mat, my choice will be the Drakmind Round Yoga Mat because it looks luxurious and includes a convenient zippered storage bag.
If you want a thicker mat, the Schriner Pro Meditation Mat is a good alternative. This Schriner Pro mat is 8mm thick, but it’s smaller than the Drakmind one.
Allen Wei is someone who believes in living his best life, focusing on balance, happiness, and relaxation. He fosters a positive lifestyle in terms of his body, mind, and environment, and he is a huge proponent of learning to be balanced via relaxation techniques integrated into our busy lives.
