When we talk about reliable yoga mats, Manduka is always a strong contender. Manduka offers a variety of yoga mats from travel mats to rubber and eco-certified PVC mats. All of these mats seem to last for many years as testified by its Lifetime Guarantee.
Let’s discover the best Manduka yoga mats that you can try in this Manduka yoga mat review below.
Quick Answer:
If you want unrivaled density and maximum comfort, the Manduka PRO might suit you best. This thick yoga mat is highly cushioned to protect your joints and bones. I love the dot-pattern base because it helps keep the mat from slipping.
If you want something more lightweight but with incredible density, the PROLite yoga mat is perfect. This mat is comfortable, as well as stable for yoga and other general fitness. The surface is a bit slippery at first, but it disappears after breaking it in.
3. Manduka eKO SuperLite Yoga Travel Mat
For travel, the eKO SuperLite comes very handy with its great portability. This super lightweight travel mat has an excellent natural rubber grip that’s perfect for hot yoga. It’s foldable, so you can store this mat inside your backpack or bag.
Editor’s Pick: Best Manduka Yoga Mats
Manduka Yoga Mats Buying Guide
Manduka offers eight types of yoga mats: PRO, PROLite, eKO Lite, eKO Superlite, eQua eKO Lite, Manduka X, GRP, and PRO Travel. The materials vary from eco-certified PVC to natural rubber. All of these mats promise to be safe for your health and the environment as they contain no harsh chemicals.
One thing that sets Manduka apart is its durability. The construction is durable as shown by its Lifetime Guarantee. The mats feel solid and dense to provide excellent support.
However, you need to be aware that the smell of rubber mats might put you off. Some mats might feel slippery right from the box, but you can break it in with a salt treatment.
How Does Manduka Compare With Other Brands
Manduka Vs Jade Yoga Mat
Manduka is a better option than Jade when it comes to latex sensitivity because the former is 99% latex-free. Manduka also seems to be larger than Jade mats, making it better if you want more space to practice.
Jade is a better choice if you want more cushion as some of its mats are 8-mm thick. Most Jade yoga mats are also lighter, plus it offers a yoga mat bag for easy travel. But it can’t beat the lifetime warranty of Manduka.
Manduka Vs Liforme Yoga Mat
Manduka is a more earth-friendly choice than Liforme. It also impresses with a higher-quality construction. However, Liforme beats Manduka in terms of better alignment lines for beginners.
Manduka Vs Gaiam Yoga Mat
I used a pretty Gaiam yoga mat before but I was annoyed that it slides around on my hardwood floor. The Manduka yoga mat, on the other hand, doesn’t slide around and it feels comfortable to use.
Manduka Vs Lululemon Yoga Mat
Manduka seems to be more durable and easier to clean than the Lululemon yoga mats. The Manduka PRO offers more joint support than the Lululemon Reversible mat because it’s thicker. However, it’s not as sweat-absorbent than Lululemon
5 Best Manduka Yoga Mats
1. Manduka PRO Yoga Mat
The Manduka PRO is a high-density yoga mat with a thickness of 6.35mm. This type of thickness is comfortable for weak bones and joints. Even if you kneel or lay on your hips and back, you’re well supported with the PRO.
The distinct feature of the PRO is its dot-pattern underside which grips strongly on any floor, may it be carpet or hardwood. The PRO feels durable and may last for a long time. It’s also more massive than standard mats, measuring 71 inches long and 26 inches wide.
This mat is safe to use for your health and environment. It contains no chemicals and latex that might cause allergies. The PRO mat is made of eco-friendly PVC and polyester.
However, you need to break in this mat so it loses its slippery film. You can scrub the mat with salt or leave it under the sun. Also, this mat weighs around 7.5lbs, which might be a little heavy to carry on your shoulders.
PROS:
- Heavily cushioned for support
- Has a strong grip on the floor, thanks to the dot-pattern design
- Longer and wider for extra space
- Durable and heavy-duty
- Made of eco-friendly materials that’s free of chemicals
CONS:
- A bit slippery for the first few uses
- A bit heavy to carry
Best For:
The Manduka Pro Yoga Mat is perfect to support your weak hips, back, and joints during yoga practice.
2. Manduka PROLite Yoga Mat
The Manduka PROLite is lighter than the Manduka PRO, but a little thinner. The 4.7mm thickness is still comfortable for your hips and back. Besides, you get more stability on all your balance poses.
This mat is extra-long at 71 inches but quite standard with its width at 24 inches. It feels solid, so I can see this mat lasting for many years. Like the Manduka PRO, the PROLite is made of eco-certified PVC which is devoid of all chemicals.
Out of the box, the PROLite is slick. You need to break in to remove the slippery film with a grease cutter solution. This mat might not be as heavy as Manduka PRO, but it does feel a bit sizeable hanging from your shoulders at 4 lbs.
PROS:
- Has adequate cushion for weak bones
- Gives excellent stability during balancing poses
- Extra long to give more space for practice
- Feels solid and durable
- Free of all chemicals and latex
CONS:
- A bit slick out of the box
- Feels slightly substantial on the shoulders
Best For:
The Manduka PROLite is ideal for yogis who want a good balance of stability and comfort.
3. Manduka eKO SuperLite Yoga Travel Mat
Weighing only 2lbs, the eKO SuperLite is the lightest Manduka yoga mat you can get. This mat is made from natural tree rubber, which is eco-friendly and super grippy. The orange-peel like surface provides superior traction, even when you begin to sweat.
The best thing about the eKO SuperLite is its ability to be folded into a more compact mat. The mat folds to fit inside your backpack or travel bag. Surprisingly, the surface won’t attract any pet hair, making it easier to clean.
While its thinness is suitable for travel, it’s a bit burdensome for yogis with weak joints. The thin mat can’t provide enough cushion for your back and knees. Also, it smells a bit awful as expected from a rubber mat.
PROS:
- The mat folds to store in your bag
- Lightweight to carry around anywhere
- Can absorb sweat for safe hot yoga
- Made of sustainable material
- Won’t magnet pet hair
CONS:
- Smells slightly horrible
- Too thin for cushion and support
Best For:
The Manduka eKO SuperLite is perfect for travel because it’s lightweight, portable, and foldable to fit in your bag. The orange-peel texture is also suitable for hot yoga.
4. Manduka eKOLite Yoga Mat
If you want a thicker Manduka rubber mat, the eKOLite is a perfect choice. It’s 4mm thick, which gives enough cushion for your bony knees. This mat is also firm to give more stability to your balancing poses.
The eKOLites’ natural tree rubber material is safe for you and the environment as it contains no toxic foaming agents. Even when you sweat, the mat still provides a solid grip. It’s also considerably lightweight to carry with its 4.5-lb weight.
This 71 x 24-inch mat also has a unique aesthetic. The streaks are reminiscent of a natural wood panel. The mat sits comfortably on your floor without slipping, even on carpets.
Like all rubber mats, the eKOLite has a lingering rubbery smell that can stick to your body. I don’t really mind the odor because it disappears after a shower. Although it’s 99%-free of latex, there’s still a little probability of catching a latex allergy.
PROS:
- Provides both comfort and stability
- Can give ample support for weak joints
- Has a unique aesthetic
- The mat stays still on the floor
- Still grips well even when you sweat
CONS:
- May still trigger latex allergies
- Has a strong rubber smell
Best For:
The Manduka eKOLite Yoga Mat is excellent for yogis who want a thicker mat for hot yoga.
5. Manduka Begin Yoga Mat
If you to be confident about your first yoga practice, the Manduka Begin is a great starter. This mat is 5mm thick to give enough support for your joints and bones. I love the reversible design because it offers an alignment stripe to guide for all yoga poses.
The Begin yoga mat measures 68 inches long and 24 inches wide, which is pretty standard. It weighs around 2.5lbs, which is tolerable to carry around. Thanks to its grippy texture, you can perform any yoga pose without the fear of slipping around.
However, this natural rubber mat might cause a challenge to perming Rock The Baby Asana position due to its irregular surface. I also have a hard time rolling this mat up.
PROS:
- Has enough cushion for support
- Features an alignment stripe for proper body position
- Lightweight to carry on your shoulder
- Has a superior grip even when you sweat
CONS:
- Has an irregular surface
- A bit difficult to roll it up for storage
Best For:
The Manduka Begin Yoga Mat is perfect for beginners, thanks to its alignment stripe.
FAQs:
Q: How to clean my Manduka yoga mat?
After every yoga practice, scrub the mat with a soft cloth, sponge, or brush using an all-purpose mat wash. Stay away from vinegar-based cleaning solutions as they’ll only dull any multicolored and metallic properties. Once done, wipe it clean with water then air dry before storage.
Q: How to break in my new Manduka yoga mat?
Most new Manduka yoga mats have a slick film that feels slippery out from the box. This slick film can be removed with a simple salt treatment. To do, simply spread a bit salt on the problem areas and scrub them with a cleaning brush.
Leave the salted mat in a secure place for 24 hours. Rinse and wipe the salt away from the mat. You can use a little of all-purpose cleaner to remove the remaining grease. After a thorough rinse, hang the mat out in the sun for several hours.
Q: Is Manduka a good yoga mat?
Absolutely! Manduka is a perfect choice if you want a high-quality, reliable yoga mat. The PRO and PROLite yoga mats are the best models as they provide a lifetime guarantee and dense support. These mats are also bigger than normal mats out there.
Conclusion
In this Manduka yoga mat review, my top recommendation is the Manduka PRO because it offers the best cushion for yoga practice. The PRO might be a little heavy, but you’ll premium quality with its durable construction. After breaking in the mat, you’ll surely enjoy a wonderful yoga practice.
If you want something lighter than the Manduka PRO, the PROLite is a good alternative. PROLite is 1.65mm thinner than Manduka PRO, bringing more stability. Although PROLite is lighter than Manduka PRO, it still feels a little heavy to carry.
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.
