The last thing you want when you’re practicing yoga is a chemical bath right?
Unfortunately with the boom in yoga there has also been a boom in cheaply made yoga mats that contain some of the worst toxins out there. This is especially problematic in hot yoga because the material heats up and releases more chemicals into your skin.
Luckily there are a few extremely high-quality, non-toxic yoga mats out there and we’ve reviewed them for you here. Whether you prefer cork, jute, natural rubber or a combination, we have reviewed the best non-toxic yoga mats so there’s a mat on this list that’s a perfect fit for you and your healthy body.
Let’s check them out…
Why non-toxic yoga mats?
With the explosion of yoga in the United States, there has simultaneously been an explosion in the production of yoga mats. Unfortunately many of the current yoga mats that you can find are cheaply made using PVC and other harmful products. The chemicals within these mats are often both bad for the environment as well as your body.
Chinese manufacturers create these mats with dyes that contain metals, make the mats from materials that are known to be harmful to your body, and they sell them for dirt cheap. Unfortunately, your body ends up paying the price, which is exactly what you don’t want since you’re doing yoga to better yourself.
The most common material used in cheaply made yoga mats is PVC (polyvinyl chloride). This material has been described as the most toxic plastic. In other words, you don’t want to roll around in it. Here are a few more reasons to avoid PVC according to EcoWatch:
- Hazardous production
- Toxic additives
- Unsafe disposal
- Problematic recycling
PVC is a major source of phthalates which are known to be endocrine disruptors and can lead to serious health issues.
With that said, we have put together a list of the best non toxic yoga mats that also happen to be some of our favorite yoga mats across-the-board. Whether you’re just starting out in yoga or you’re an advanced yoga practitioner who attends hot yoga daily, within this list is a perfect non-toxic mat for your practice and style.
Let’s get started…
Reviews of the 7 best non-toxic yoga mats
Below we break down our top non-toxic yoga mat choices and give you an overview of what we like and dislike about each one.
1. Manduka eKO lite mat
The Manduka eKO lite yoga mat is a staple in the yoga community for a number of reasons. It’s made from sustainably harvested natural tree rubber, offers excellent grip, excellent durability, and comes in a variety of stylish colors.
One of the reasons we love this mat is because it comes in both 3 and 4 mm thickness as well as 68 and 71 inch lengths. These sizes can accommodate most individuals up to about 5 ft 10 or 5 ft 11 while providing plenty of room for your asanas.
One great thing about the Manduka eKO lite is that it’s 26” wide which is 2” wider than most standard yoga mats.
This provides excellent room on the sides and ensures that your knees don’t slip off during pigeon pose in other floor poses. It also has a closed cell surface so it doesn’t harbor bacteria and is much easier to simply wipe clean after class.
Considerations with this yoga mat are that it is made from a natural rubber which can have a rubbery smell it first. However Manduka recommends cleaning your mat to rinse off any powdery coating that may have been left in manufacturing.
This initial cleaning process also helps to reduce any rubber smell. Ultimately, we have not had any issues with the rubber smell. It does smell like rubber, because it is rubber, but it’s not overwhelming. That being said if you are extremely intolerant to rubber you may want to consider another yoga mat on the list.
Pros
- Extra wide on the sides
- Comes in several lengths & thicknesses
- Lot’s of patterns/color choices
- Easy to clean
- Closed cell surface doesn’t harbor bacteria
- Excellent grip
- Great cushioning and firmness
- Free from all toxins
Cons
- A few people complained about the rubber smell
- Several people complained that their mat had been used before
2. Jade Harmony
The Jade Harmony is another highly-regarded yoga mat within the yoga community. It’s made purely from a natural and sustainably harvested rubber with an open celled surface. It’s offered in three different sizes, 68, 71, and 74 inches which makes it long enough to accommodate even the taller yogis.
It only comes in one with though which is 24 in. If you’re a larger person, this may or may not be wide enough for you.
Most standard yoga mats are around 24 inches wide so if you have one laying around the house, practice your asanas on it to see if it’s wide enough. If it is, then this yoga mat will be plenty wide for you as well.
Being that it is made from a natural rubber, it’s highly dense with just the right amount of springiness. It’s also 4.7 mm thick which does give you some floor feel for those who want to feel more grounded but also provides exceptional cushioning for a 4.7 mm yoga mat.
It should be noted that it does have an open cell surface which can be a double-edged sword. On one hand, the open cell surface improves grip and stickiness. On the other hand, it can harbor bacteria and therefore be harder to clean.
We can tell you from experience that the mat does have exceptional grip. As long as you clean it on a regular basis, you shouldn’t have any problems with yoga mat smelling. Another consideration is that it’s completely made from natural rubber so it does have the light natural rubber smell similar to all other rubber yoga mats.
Pros
- Excellent grip
- Easy to clean
- Lots of great color options
- Natural rubber
- Made in the U.S.
- Free from all toxins
- Great cushioning at 4.7 mm thick
Cons
- Only comes in 24″ width
- Has a slightly rubbery smell
3. Jade Fusion
The Jade Fusion yoga mat is another extremely high-quality natural rubber yoga mat used by professional yogis around the world. It’s free from any kind of toxic materials including PVC, PER, TPA, EVA, and synthetic rubbers. It has an open cell, highly grippy construction and measures in at close to 8 mm in thickness.
This extra-thick mat is ideal for anybody who suffers from joint pain or doesn’t like as much of a floor feel while they’re practicing yoga. Being natural rubber, it’s also an incredibly dense material with the perfect amount of springiness.
The Fusion is offered in two lengths, 68” and 74”, and is 24” wide. At the 74” length it can accommodate even those over 6’ tall.
Again, this is a natural rubber mat so it will have a natural rubber smell. If this is a big issue for you or you have a latex allergy, it’s best to stay away from rubber yoga mats. However you should wash it when you purchase it because this will remove any dust left over from manufacturing as well as remove the majority of the rubber smell.
When drying the yoga mat or any natural yoga mat, you want to avoid direct sunlight as they are meant to break down and be recyclable. When left in direct sunlight, it can expedite the breakdown process. So instead of drying the mat outside, hang it in your shower or laundry room to let it dry.
Pros
- Ideal yoga mat for sensitive joints
- Several color options
- Made from natural rubber
- Made in the U.S.
- Comes in 68″ & 74″ lengths
- Excellent Grip
- Free from all toxins
Cons
- A little heavier that most mats because its made from rubber and extra thick
- Does have a rubber smell
4. Basically perfect cork yoga mat
We have recommended the basically perfect cork yoga mat before because it’s an excellent choice for a cork yoga mat. For starters, cork is naturally antimicrobial material so it kills bacteria that can live within other yoga mats. It’s also very easy to clean with a simple wipe down after your class. We also like that the top of the yoga mat is completely unbranded which looks pretty awesome.
The top of the mat is made from sustainably harvested cork while the bottom of the mat is made from sustainably harvested natural tree rubber. It’s thermally bonded meaning that a rubber layer in between the bottom and top is heated so it turns into a sort of glue.
This prevents any chipping of the cork surface which can happen with many other cork yoga mats. It’s also notable that the grip increases with heat while the natural sponginess of the cork and rubber have a very nice grip even in non heated yoga classes.
The yoga mat is free from PVC, TPE, foam, adhesives, and any other chemicals which would be toxic. It comes in one size which is 74×24” and a 5 mm thickness. We found that the cushioning for this mat is excellent and because the materials are dense, it has a nice springiness that minimizes the floor feel. And of course, it’s recyclable since it’s made from all natural materials.
Pros
- Cork is naturally antimicrobial
- 74″ x 24″ in length and width
- 5 mm thickness provides great cushioning
- Natural rubber bottom stays in place when you put the mat down
- Excellent density and springiness
- The cork top doesn’t chip or flake
- Free from all toxins
Cons
- Only offered in one size
- Does have a rubbery smell but it’s minimal
5. Yoga design lab combination mat
We have also recommended the Yoga Design Labs combination yoga mat before as one of our top picks for a hot yoga mat. The Combination mat comes in one size which is 70 x 24” and 3.5 mm thickness. It would not be thick enough for someone with sensitive joints but does provide decent cushioning for somebody who appreciates feeling the floor underneath them.
The construction of the mat is exceptional with the bottom being a natural rubber and the top being a microfiber towel made from recycled bottles. There are no harmful dyes or adhesives used in the mat either.
Because these are natural dyes, they can fade after washing but as long as you understand that it shouldn’t be an issue. The fading is also minimal and its natural in any yoga mat that uses non-toxic, natural dyes.
Cleaning your mat is a breeze because it’s machine washable. You can simply toss it in the washer after class, and then hang it in your shower to dry and be ready for your next yoga sesh. The grip on the top of the mat holds up very well in hot yoga and the more you sweat the more grip you tend to get. Overall, this is an excellent yoga mat.
Pros
- Excellent sweat absorption
- Many great styles and colors
- Easy to clean – machine washable
- Made with natural dyes
- Great grip
- Doesn’t bunch up during yoga
- Free from all toxins
Cons
- Only offered in one length/width and thickness
- Can fade after washing
6. Plyopic all in one yoga mat
The Plyopic yoga mat is a new one to us and we really enjoy it so far. Similar to the combination mat above, the Plyopic yoga mat is formed from a natural rubber bottom with a microsuede top that has a soft grip coating. All of the materials are SGS certified and since the mat is thermally bonded, there are no harsh glues used in the construction.
It comes in many very unique designs which we love because sometimes yoga mat designs can get boring.
It comes in 71×25.5 inches and 3.5 mm thick giving you plenty of room on the top and sides. Being that this is 3.5 mm thick, it wouldn’t be an ideal choice for somebody with overly sensitive joints but instead would be a great choice for somebody who appreciates the floor feel or practices on a softer surface such as carpet underneath your yoga mat.
While this is a combination mat that’s designed to absorb sweat, it works equally well in both hot and cold yoga. The natural rubber bottom sticks to the floor very well and the top is highly sweat absorbent but also maintains a nice grip even in non-heated forms of yoga.
Pros
- SGS certified materials
- 71 x 25.5″ – Extra wide for taller people
- Lots of very cool patterns and colors
- Works for both hot and non-heated yoga
- Highly sweat absorbent
- Great grip
- Money back guarantee
- Free from all toxins
Cons
- A few people reported slipping
- May be too thin for anyone just starting or with sensitive joints
7. AIMERDAY natural jute yoga mat
The AIMERDAY natural jute yoga mat is a completely different look and feel from all the other yoga mats on this list. It’s composed of a combination of jute and natural tree rubber interwoven throughout the entire mat. This makes it completely reversible, although your pattern is only on one side, with the grip being equal on both sides.
If you’ve never used a jute yoga mat before, it can feel rougher than the typical yoga mat. Jute is a thick fiber just like burlap so you can imagine it does feel a little more rough than cork, microfiber, or natural rubber. However, you adjust to this feeling pretty quickly after a few sessions and some people end up preferring the texture.
The AIMERDAY you yoga mat comes in one size which is 72 x 24” and 5 mm thick. It’s a great thickness for people with more sensitive joints and minimizes the feeling of the floor beneath it. It does include a carrying strap and of course if you don’t like it, it comes with a 100% money back guarantee. They also offer several very unique designs so you’re bound to find something that fits your style.
As far as its overall performance, we found the grip to be decent but not exceptional. The jute fiber absorbs sweat very well, the rough texture maintains enough grip for most people, but some people have had issues with slipping on the yoga mat.
Pros
- Made from natural jute and rubber
- Reversible
- Easy to clean
- 72″ x 24″ which works for most yogis
- 5 mm thick which provides very good cushioning
- Several great styles offered
- 100% money back guarantee
- Free from all toxins
Cons
- Jute can feel a little scratchy
- Decent grip but not exceptional
Choosing a yoga mat
There are several things you may want to consider before making your final purchasing decision. Namely, you want to consider the style of yoga that you practice, the thickness of the mat, the grip, material, durability, style, and how often you do yoga.
Here’s why…
Your Yoga Style
First and foremost, you want to consider the style of yoga that you do. This can heavily dictate the type of mat you get and whether or not you will enjoy using it. For example, if you’re performing hot yoga, you’re going to want a combination mat that can absorb the sweat and prevent slipping. At the very least, you would want a high-quality yoga towel to go over your mat.
However, if you’re doing Hatha yoga as a recovery or beginner style of yoga, you may prefer something that is a little thicker such as the Jade Fusion.
Here are a few of our favorite yoga styles:
- Hatha
- Hot Yoga / Bikrim
- Kundalini Yoga
- Vinyasa
- Iyengar
Thickness of the mat
Speaking of doing yoga for recovery, the thickness of the mat can also influence your enjoyment of the experience. If you’re a person who has sensitive joints, suffers from arthritis, or in general prefers more cushioning, you’ll want to consider a mat that is at least 5-6 mm thick and made from a high-density material such as natural rubber.
However, if you’re a more advanced practitioner and want something thinner because you enjoy the floor feel, you would probably stay away from thicker yoga mats.
Grip & material
Ultimately you won’t know how a group is going to work for you until you test the mat. However, the yoga mats on this list are all highly rated for their grip. Along those same lines, the material is also an important consideration. For example, if you have a latex allergy, you’re going to want to stay away from natural rubber mats since they contain latex and they can irritate your allergies.
Style & Budget
The selection of yoga mats above come in a variety of sizes, colors, patterns, and materials so there’s something to match everyone.
When it comes to your budget, there’s not much we need to say here. Your budget can determine the quality level of the yoga mat that you can purchase. fortunately, we’ve included yoga mats on this list that are both high-quality, budget friendly, and non-toxic so there are options for every budget.
How often you practice
If you practice yoga on a regular basis and plan on continuing, then you’re going to want a mat that is extra durable. Cheaper yoga mats have a tendency of stretching, tearing, or peeling after a few months of regular use. However, all of the mats above have been tested and they have not had any of those issues so far. The main thing to consider here is that if you practice yoga on a regular basis, go with the highest quality mat you can afford.
Our top picks from the list
All of the mats on this list are very high quality so you can’t go wrong with any of them. That being said, there are several mats on this list that we feel are exceptional.
Why these?
We picked the Fusion as our top choice because the quality is unbeatable. It provides the ideal cushioning for people with sensitive joints, it’s extremely versatile, and the grip is excellent. We chose the Yoga Design Labs combination yoga mat second because of its great performance in all categories. It absorbs sweat very well, has excellent grip, and comes in lots of great styles. No matter which you choose (or if you choose another), we know you’ll enjoy your new non-toxic yoga mat and get many successful sessions from it. Namaste.
