When attending a Pilates class at a dedicated studio, you’ll often find specialized equipment like reformers or exercise balls. However, if you’re looking to practice at home or in a gym, having at least a basic mat is essential for your workout. Pilates is very fluid, so the mats are thicker and more slippery than yoga mats, allowing you to transition between exercises and repetitions easily, says certified Pilates instructor Julie Erickson, CPI, CPT.
To find the best Pilates mats, we spoke with certified Pilates instructors to learn more about what key features to look for when shopping for a high-quality option. Then, we spent over 4,200 minutes testing top options at home, performing standing, lying, and kneeling Pilates moves and stretches. We rated each option for grip, comfort, portability, durability, and value. We also had a yoga and Pilates instructor from our Review Board review this article for accuracy.
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Key Specs
Dimensions: 75 inches x 23 inches x 8 millimeters | Material: Closed-cell foam | Weight: 3.1 pounds | Our Overall Rating: 4.8/5
Who It’s For
Best for those looking to enhance their Pilates practice with a high-quality, well-cushioned Pilates mat.
Why We Love It
With Goldilocks-perfect cushioning and a non-slip grip on multiple surfaces, Airex’s Pilates 190 Mat was a shoo-in for our best overall spot. Thanks to its solid cushioning and support, we can easily move through our entire practice without taking a break due to joint discomfort, which is common for us. We also love that this mat is large enough for full-body exercises without us having to reposition ourselves.
During testing, we loved its steady grip as we flowed through Pilates exercises, including cardio-driven sequences and static and dynamic movements. We never felt this mat move on the carpet, hardwood, or tile flooring, and we felt comfortable performing both slower- and faster-paced exercises. With a light, comfy ribbed texture, it provides excellent grip for our feet and hands, even when they get sweaty. Plus, it’s grippy enough to support different sock textures without us sliding around. We also love that it’s a breeze to wipe clean with soapy water.
Potential Flaws
- Because this mat is so long, it feels somewhat bulky and difficult to carry around. It’s lightweight and can be transported if needed, but we prefer to use it in our home workout space.
Most Valuable Insight
“This mat has enhanced my Pilates practice by providing a comfortable and supportive layer and protection from hard floor surfaces. I can move freely, doing full-body exercises without needing to reposition or pause to allow my joints to rest. I am completely focused on exercise movements versus the equipment I’m exercising with.” —Jessica Christopher, Verywell Fit product tester
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Key Specs
Dimensions: 72 inches x 23 inches x 10 millimeters | Material: Closed-cell foam | Weight: Not listed | Our Overall Rating: 5/5
Who It’s For
Best for those who want a supportive, grippy mat and/or have sensitive skin and need an option made without latex and polyvinyl chloride (PVC).
Why We Love It
Made from naturally sourced materials, Balanced Body’s EcoWise Mat is our top pick for those who prioritize support when searching for the right Pilates mat. With thick cushioning and a raised pattern that offers superior grip, this mat strikes the perfect balance of stability and support. When we use this mat on our hardwood floors and carpet, it stays completely in place. Plus, it grips our socks and bare feet well, preventing us from slipping and sliding, even when we get sweaty during more intense moves.
We love that this mat is hypoallergenic, which makes us feel comfortable touching it to our bare skin without worrying about any irritation. It’s super easy to clean, and unlike some other mats we’ve used in the past, it doesn’t give off or hold onto any odor. We wipe ours down with a disinfecting wipe after use and love that it dries incredibly fast. We also love that it’s lightweight and easy to transport and store.
Potential Flaws
- This Pilates mat did not completely flatten after unboxing, and a crease remains even after lots of use. However, this didn’t impact our Pilates practice; the crease just doesn’t look the best aesthetically.
Most Valuable Insight
“This mat enhances my Pilates practice because of its increased grip. I find it more stable and easier to use than a thicker mat. I also love that it’s long because I can move around more than I could with a smaller mat. I would recommend this mat to others, especially if they’re looking for a natural option that won’t irritate their skin.” —Danielle Auger, Verywell Fit product tester
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Key Specs
Dimensions: 71 inches x 26 inches x 5 or 8 millimeters | Material: Natural rubber | Weight: 1.2 pounds | Our Overall Rating: 4.7/5
Who It’s For
Best for those who want to invest in a long-lasting, well-cushioned Pilates mat for a home gym.
Why We Love It
If you’re ready to invest in your home gym and know you want to practice Pilates long-term, Bala’s The Play Mat should be at the top of your list. This mat is thin but offers incredible cushioning. It grips perfectly on our hardwood floor and jute rug, and provides comfy support, especially to our hips when lying on our side and knees when we’re on all fours. Plus, we feel stable and secure, never losing our grip, even during sweatier workouts.
Durability is where this Pilates mat shines—we have used it for over a year and have not seen any signs of wear and tear. It truly looks the same as the day we received it. It doesn’t hold onto any odor, and sweat marks are easy to clean with soap and water. We also love its aesthetically pleasing sleek design that curves at the top. Plus, it’s available in two thickness options, so you can select the right amount of cushioning for your needs.
Potential Flaws
- This mat is pricier than other mats on our list. However, we think its quality exceeds its value.
- While this mat isn’t necessarily heavy, it’s a bit bulky to carry. To remedy this, we purchased a mat strap to make transport easier.
Most Valuable Insight
“This mat is worth its cost, especially because of its durability. If you’re willing to splurge up-front, knowing you won’t have to replace it, then I would certainly recommend it. It’s comfortable, sleek-looking, well-designed, and long-lasting.” —Abby Moore, Verywell Fit product tester
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Excellent support, especially for the back and elbows
Easy to carry with attached straps
Budget-friendly
Key Specs
Dimensions: 70 inches x 22 inches x 10 millimeters | Material: Closed-cell foam | Weight: 1.8 pounds | Our Overall Rating: 4.8/5
Who It’s For
Best for those who are interested in trying Pilates for the first time or who are thinking about making it a regular part of their fitness routine.
Why We Love It
The extra thickness and support offered by Stott’s Pilates Express Pilates Mat make it our top pick if you’re easing your way into a regular Pilates practice. Its excellent cushioning provided us with great support, which we particularly noticed when performing moves while lying on our back and when holding elbow plank poses.
We love that it offers top-notch grip, letting us flow through our practice without worrying about slipping or any mat movement, regardless if we use it on hardwood floors, tiles, or outdoors on concrete. We found this mat easy to roll up and transport, thanks to its attached straps.
Potential Flaws
- When we used this mat outdoors, we found that it heated up quickly in direct sunlight. If you plan on using this mat outdoors, you may want to stick to a shady area.
Most Valuable Insight
“Comfort is where this mat shines. My knees, elbows, and back feel great! My back, in particular, feels better with this mat than any other mat I have ever used before. Its thick cushioning lets my back sink in, and I feel so supported and comfortable. Its thick, soft texture helps support my joints and bones, allowing for longevity in poses that require pressure, like elbow planks.” —Samantha Aronson, production assistant and Verywell Fit product tester
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Memory foam-like cushioning that holds its shape
Solid grip on various surfaces, including hardwood and carpet
Provides excellent joint support
Key Specs
Dimensions: 70 inches x 23 inches x 25 millimeters | Material: High-density foam, rubber | Weight: 3.2 pounds | Our Overall Rating: 4.8/5
Who It’s For
Best for those who want a high level of cushioning and comfort during their Pilates practice.
Why We Love It
If you want to feel like you’re practicing Pilates on a cloud, you’ll love HemingWeigh’s 1” Thick Yoga Mat. Its thick, memory foam-like cushioning holds its shape well and helps us feel supported and comfortable throughout every move of our practice. And, as exercisers who tend to get sore hand and wrist joints, this mat helped us perform moves we previously felt discomfort doing when using our thinner, less supportive mats.
Unlike some other mats we’ve used, this one has excellent grip on all surfaces, including carpet and hardwood flooring. We felt safe and secure, never slipping or sliding, even during intense, sweaty workouts. Its smooth texture makes it easy to clean, and it doesn’t hold onto any odors. Plus, it’s lightweight and easy to carry, thanks to its included strap.
Potential Flaws
- Although lightweight, due to its cushioning, it’s quite thick when rolled up, which may make it more challenging to store.
Most Valuable Insight
“This mat is very comfortable. The fact that it’s one inch thick is very noticeable. It has a memory foam feel, which feels great on my fragile joints. I like that I’m able to put more pressure on my joints because of this mat.” —Jacob Fox, Verywell Fit product tester
Pilates Mats We Also Tested
We spent over 4,200 minutes testing top Pilates mats, but only five impressed us enough to make our final list of recommendations. Although we liked some of this mat’s features, it ultimately didn’t meet our rigorous requirements to be chosen as a top pick.
- Gaiam’s Essentials Fitness Mat offers a budget-friendly price and a great grip on hard flooring. However, it felt rigid and uncomfortable to use, and our hands and feet slipped as we became sweaty. Our nails scratched this mat’s surface easily, and it held indentations long after our practice ended.
What We’ve Updated
- Since publishing our initial research-based roundup of the best Pilates mats, we’ve re-evaluated our previous picks and spent over 4,200 minutes hands-on testing top options. This is now a fully tested article, solely providing our hands-on experience with each recommended Pilates mat.
- We consulted an additional expert, a certified personal trainer and Pilates instructor, to ensure that our advice on choosing Pilates mats is accurate and up to date.
What to Look for When Shopping for Pilates Mats
- Thickness: One of the main indicators of Pilates mats versus other exercise mats you might find in the gym or at a yoga studio is thickness. This additional thickness provides joint support for the spine, knees, wrists, and more. If you tend to experience joint pain, consider a thicker option for additional support.
- Cushion: Some mats offer more cushioning than others—some are softer and more pliable, while others are thick and firm. The type of Pilates mat you choose can increase the challenge or provide more support during certain exercises, says Erickson. Pilates instructor Laura Quinn, CPT, says that firmer mats provide a stable, supportive surface ideal for maintaining your balance during various Pilates exercises.
- Density and Material: Density is often mistaken for thickness, but these are two separate factors to consider. A denser mat typically means it’s more durable and will hold up to positions held for longer periods without leaving indentations in the mat. Mats made of closed-cell or high-density foam are denser, better quality, and withstand longer use.
- Surface Texture: The surface of Pilates mats tends to be smooth or lightly textured. This helps you glide and perform moves more fluidly. If you tend to get sweaty, you may want to opt for a lightly textured option for additional grip.
- Portability: If you plan to take your mat on the go, you’ll want one that rolls up well, is lightweight, and comes with a strap for easy travel. Choose a smaller, lighter mat if you plan on taking it with you often. A heavier, larger mat may work best if you plan on using it in your home workout space.
How We Tested the Pilates Mats
To find the best Pilates mats, we spent over 4,200 minutes testing top options at home while performing various exercises and stretches. When testing Pilates mats, we evaluate each option based on the following key criteria.
- Grip: To evaluate for grip, we consider whether the mat provides enough grip to move through our practice comfortably. We try the mats on various surfaces, including hardwood, tile, and carpet, and notice whether their grip changes once we start to work up a sweat.
- Comfort: When considering comfort, we think about whether the mat provides adequate cushioning and support during moves that require sitting, lying down, standing, and kneeling. We also note if we feel any pressure points or discomfort when using the mat.
- Portability: When assessing portability, we consider how light the mat is, how easily it rolls up, and whether it comes with a strap for easy travel. We also note how easy it is to store.
- Durability: When looking at durability, we ask ourselves if the mat shows any signs of wear and tear over time. Is it easy to clean and maintain? Does it hold onto any odors?
- Value: We check each mat’s price after we evaluate all other key criteria to assess whether it’s worth it. Do we think it’s priced fairly? Would we only buy it on sale? We prioritize Pilates mats whose quality exceeds their value and that we’d recommend to friends and family.
Our Experts
We consulted experts at each stage of our research, testing, and reporting process. The following experts advised us on what key features to look for when shopping for a high-quality Pilates mat. Although we choose products independently, expert input helps inform our decisions.
- Julie Erickson, CPI, CPT, certified Pilates instructor and certified personal trainer at Pilates for Life
- Anne Bertram, MFA, CMA, CHHC, certified movement analyst, certified Pilates instructor, and director of Structural Elements LAB
- Laura Quinn, CPT, certified personal trainer and head Pilates Instructor at Alo Moves
Frequently Asked Questions
How thick should a Pilates mat be?
Most Pilates mats are at least a half-inch thick (12.5 millimeters) to support your spine and tailbone during the class. However, some more portable ones are as thin as 6 millimeters (about 0.2 inches).
Can I use a yoga mat for Pilates?
Pilates mats tend to be smooth instead of textured, and their thickness is designed to support your spine during certain exercises. You may find that using a thin, grippy yoga mat makes some Pilates exercises more difficult or even uncomfortable.
What size mat is best for Pilates?
Pilates mats tend to be around 24 inches by 72 inches. However, there are larger options available that may work better for taller individuals and those who prefer not to reposition their mats for full-body exercises.
Why Trust Verywell Fit
Amanda Berkey, M.Ed., is a Pennsylvania-based fitness instructor and fitness writer for Verywell Fit. She’s passionate about finding balance, whether performing hundreds or trying to nail the king pigeon pose. She believes there’s not much more motivating for an on-the-ground workout than a gorgeous, functional Pilates mat.
Additional reporting by Sarah Anzlovar
Sarah Anzlovar, MS, RD is a private practice dietitian and writer for Verywell Fit. She enjoys Pilates classes and knows how important the perfect mat is for maintaining proper form and getting through the most grueling workouts.
Both authors looked over our testing insights from our lab to choose our top picks.
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