Yoga mat shopping comes down to two real, physical tradeoffs — thickness and material — that affect comfort and stability in opposite directions.
Thickness is a genuine tradeoff, not just comfort
A thicker mat (around 6mm or more) cushions joints better, which matters for practices involving a lot of kneeling or lying positions, or for anyone with sensitive knees or a hard floor. A thinner mat (around 3-4mm or less) provides a more stable, grounded connection to the floor, which matters more for balance-focused poses and standing sequences where feeling the floor directly aids stability. Very thick mats can make balance poses genuinely harder since the surface itself compresses unevenly underfoot. Neither thickness is objectively better — it depends on which matters more for your specific practice style.
Material affects grip more than most people expect
PVC mats are durable, affordable, and offer decent grip, but aren't biodegradable and can have a noticeable smell when new. TPE mats are a more eco-friendly synthetic alternative with similar grip and durability to PVC, generally at a moderate price point. Natural rubber mats offer excellent grip, especially when it matters most — sweaty hands and feet during a vigorous practice — and are biodegradable, but are typically heavier, pricier, and can be an issue for anyone with a latex sensitivity, since natural rubber mats often contain latex.
Grip performance specifically during sweaty, intense practice varies more between these materials than most buyers expect before trying one — a mat that feels fine during a gentle stretch can become genuinely slippery during a sweatier session if the material doesn't grip well when wet.
Closed-cell vs. open-cell surface texture
Closed-cell mats have a smoother, non-porous surface that resists moisture absorption and is easier to wipe clean, but can feel slicker when wet with sweat. Open-cell mats have a more textured, absorbent surface that grips better when wet but soaks up sweat and moisture into the material itself, requiring more careful and frequent cleaning to prevent odor buildup over time.
The one thing people forget
Check the mat's actual length against your own height, not just the standard size — many yoga mats are made to a fairly standard length that can leave a taller person's hands or feet extending off the mat during full-length poses. Extra-long mats exist specifically for this and are worth seeking out if standard-length mats have felt too short.