Whether you prefer a room-temperature vinyasa or a hot yoga class, having a solid yoga towel is just as essential as having your own mat. With their lightweight and pliable nature, the best yoga towels can add cushion to your yoga mat, serve as a makeshift prop like a strap, and help absorb moisture and add grip during extra sweaty classes.
To find the top towels on the market for hot yoga and more, we consulted certified Corepower yoga instructor Kenza Lo, RYT, and certified yoga teacher and trainer Devon Young, E-RYT 500. These yoga experts provided input on how to effectively test yoga towels and what key features to look for in a quality option. We then tested 16 expert-approved yoga towels from top brands by using them during various yoga sequences, including standard balancing poses and more fluid flows, like sun salutation A. We made sure to test each yoga mat in both sweaty and room-temperature environments. Our top picks impressed us, particularly when it came to absorbency, grip, durability, design, and comfort.
What’s the Difference Between Yoga Towels and Regular Towels?
Unlike a regular towel, yoga towels are made of polyester, microfiber, or nylon and are designed to absorb moisture and provide grip while remaining lightweight. They’re especially beneficial for hot yoga, and they’re designed to fit the size of your mat with features that enhance grip so they don’t move around during use.
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Key Specs
Size: 72 x 24 inches | Material: Microfiber fused with eco-silicone | Care: Machine-washable | Our Overall Rating: 5/5
Who It’s For
Best for those looking for a quality yoga towel that won’t break the bank.
Why We Love It
Shandali’s Sticky Fiber Towel has the lowest price point of any of the towels we tested and received a perfect score across all six categories, making it our top choice for a grippy yoga towel. The microfiber texture feels comfortable under our hands and feet and does a great job of absorbing moisture.
The bottom of this yoga towel is made with Shandali’s patented eco-silicone “web grip,” which makes for a fantastic grip. We feel extremely confident while practicing yoga on this towel and never feel like we’re slipping or sliding during our yoga flows.
Potential Flaws
- This yoga towel is about 2 inches narrower than other standard yoga towels, so it may not fit wider mats. However, it still covers the majority of our standard mat.
Most Valuable Insight
“This yoga towel is comfy! I love the waffle texture that feels comfy under the skin, and it looks super cute, too.” —Michelle P., CYT, Verywell Fit product tester
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Great absorbency
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Non-slip material
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Breathable
Key Specs
Size: 72 x 24 inches | Material: Recycled PET microfiber | Care: Machine-washable | Our Overall Rating: 4.9/5
Who It’s For
Best for those planning to sweat and looking for a non-slip yoga towel with a strong grip.
Why We Love It
This yoga mat towel by Yoga Design Lab has all the features you need to feel confident and stable in 80+-degree studio temperatures. The towel quickly absorbs water and sweat (even better than other towels we tested), and no sweat or water is ever visible at the end of a practice.
The microfiber material prevents any slippage or movement during testing and allows us to maintain a strong grip throughout the session. The yoga towel also feels lightweight and breathable, making it the perfect prop for a hot yoga class.
Potential Flaws
- While this mat is priced at the higher end compared to others, we feel that its performance and durability will pay out in the long run.
- This towel has a narrow width and fits only certain mats well. We recommend using a narrow or standard mat if you want your towel to match evenly.
Most Valuable Insight
“The towel felt very comfortable and breathable. The texture was not rough but provided enough grip and texture to hold firmly to the mat. I was satisfied with the feel of it and confident it could withstand challenging yoga poses.” —Michelle C., Verywell Fit product tester
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Key Specs
Size: 71 x 26 inches | Material: Recycled polyester, polyester, nylon | Care: Machine-washable | Our Overall Rating: 5/5
Who It’s For
Best for those looking for a high-quality yoga towel that stays in place, even during the most challenging and sweaty poses.
Why We Love It
With additions like corner pockets and an elastic strap, lululemon’s Yoga Mat Towel With Grip is our best stay-put pick thanks to its anti-slip security. These added features help to keep the mat in place and prevent any mid-pose slipping, even during hot yoga classes.
The yoga towel’s blend of polyester and nylon material creates a durable surface that makes us feel stable during our practice. Because of its durable material, the machine-washable mat can withstand a plethora of washes over time.
Potential Flaws
- While this yoga towel is more expensive than others on our list, its added grip-enhancing features and quality make it worth it for frequent yogis.
Most Valuable Insight
“The design is really thoughtful! The material is grippy and absorbent, and there’s also a handy strap that loops around the yoga mat for even more security. The size is great and will fit most standard yoga mats. It was easy to unfold and fold. I love this towel!” —Michelle P., CYT, Verywell Fit product tester
What the Experts Say
“Depending on the grip your mat provides, a yoga towel can help keep you stable so you feel more confident.” —Kenza Lo, RYT, Corepower Yoga Instructor based in New York City
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Poor grip when dry
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Deeper colors may bleed
Key Specs
Size: 72 x 26.5 inches (standard); 79 x 26.5 inches (long) | Material: Polyester, nylon | Care: Machine-washable | Our Overall Rating: 4.5/5
Who It’s For
Best for heavy sweaters who want a yoga towel that increases grip the more you sweat.
Why We Love It
If you want a yoga towel that combines fashion with function, we recommend Manduka’s eQua Yoga Mat Towel. With 15 colors to choose from, including a handful of tie-dye options, this towel brings color and calmness to our practice.
The microfiber pattern covering the top of the mat offers a grip that enhances the more you sweat. Even after weeks of washes and uses, the yoga towel hasn’t pilled and doesn’t have fraying seams. The polyester-nylon combo is thicker than other towels we tested, but still feels lightweight under our feet and when we carry it around.
Potential Flaws
- Since the grip of this towel is enhanced when it gets wet, we found it to be a bit slippery when dry. If you’re not a heavy sweater and don’t plan to use it for hot yoga classes, we recommend spraying or pouring a little bit of water on the area under your hands to enhance the grip.
- The darker colors of this towel may bleed on light-colored clothing or light mats during the first few uses.
Most Valuable Insight
“I like the design—the contrasting edges are pretty. It’s the perfect size, with just a little overhang for slightly larger mats. It’s easy to fold and unfold.” —Sarah F., Verywell Fit product tester
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Key Specs
Size: 71 x 24 inches (standard); 79 x 24 inches (long) | Material: Recycled polyester, polyester, nylon | Care: Machine-washable | Our Overall Rating: 4.5/5
Who It’s For
Best for those looking for a versatile, lightweight yoga mat for all types of yoga classes.
Why We Love It
Manduka’s Yogitoes Yoga Towel makes our list for the best lightweight yoga towel. The recycled polyester plus nylon material combination gives this towel function while keeping it breathable and lightweight. The mat also features patented skid-less technology that uses grippy, 100% silicone nubs to keep it solidly in place while you work out.
Plus, environmentally conscious consumers will appreciate that the absorbent material is made from eight or more plastic water bottles. The towel is available in a variety of colors and patterns giving you plenty of options to choose from.
Potential Flaws
- Although this yoga towel didn’t absorb moisture as well as the others we tested, we still recommend it because of its impressive grip.
- Although this pick is more expensive than others we tested, we feel that it’s very durable and will maintain its structure over time.
Most Valuable Insight
“The towel had little dots/balls on one side, which provided significant grip between the towel and the mat. It allowed me to feel stable on my mat without slipping, and the towel didn’t move or bunch up as I performed my yoga sequence.” —Michelle C., Verywell Fit product tester
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Strap for hanging
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Grip-enhancing
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Eco-friendly
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Small amount of pilling
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Thin
Key Specs
Size: 72.5 x 30 inches | Material: Recycled plastic polyester, nylon | Care: Machine-washable | Our Overall Rating: 4.8/5
Who It’s For
Best for those looking for a multi-purpose towel that can be used beyond the yoga mat.
Why We Love It
We selected Nomadix’s Original Towel as the best outdoor towel because of its thoughtful design. This towel is the widest on our list, making it useful not only on your mat but also for a beach day or even a camping trip. The unique design options match those of a beach towel more so than the other yoga towels. The towel even comes with a strap to make hang-drying easier.
When we tested this towel through many rounds of sun salutations, we found the grip to be excellent, even in damp and sweaty conditions. It also remained on the yoga mat throughout our entire practice without slipping or shifting. If you’re looking for an eco-friendly towel, you’re in luck—each towel is made from 30 plastic bottles.
Potential Flaws
- We noticed a small amount of pilling under our feet when practicing yoga on this towel. However, we felt the grip was still strong and the towel otherwise stayed on the mat without shifting.
- Because of the towel’s solid grip and thin material, it took a bit longer to lay out flat on our mat.
Most Valuable Insight
“I found the grip to be excellent on the towel. At no point did I feel like I was going to slip or lose balance regardless of what movements I was doing; and I found that the grip stayed consistent regardless of how damp the towel got.” —Peter Weckend, Verywell Fit product tester
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Soft texture
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Great absorbency
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Budget-friendly
Key Specs
Size: 72 x 24 inches | Material: Polyester, microfiber | Care: Machine-washable | Our Overall Rating: 4.9/5
Who It’s For
Best for those who prioritize texture and want a softer yoga towel to practice on.
Why We Love It
Jade Yoga Lightweight Great Grip Yoga Towels are known for their soft texture. We especially appreciate their cozy feeling under our hands. We also love that the polyester microfiber texture provides excellent absorbency. In fact, it feels like the towel soaks up all the sweat through its multiple layers, helping our mat stay dry.
This yoga towel is priced lower than others we tested, making it a great value for its performance. And if that wasn’t enough to convince you, for every yoga towel purchased, Jade gives one day of clean drinking water to someone in need in a developing nation through its partnership with The Water Project.
Potential Flaws
- During testing, we found that this towel shed more than others. We recommend washing it before use and wearing dark clothing during your first yoga practice with it.
Most Valuable Insight
“It did not move at all during my session. I felt very stable, and I liked that the towel provided some friction but wasn’t so grippy that I couldn’t move through the flow smoothly. I was very confident while doing all kinds of poses.” —Sarah F., Verywell Fit product tester
We Also Tested
Out of the 19 yoga towels we tested, only nine made the cut for our final list of recommendations. While there were some positive features that we liked about these yoga towels, they ultimately didn’t meet our expectations:
- Alo’s Grounded No-Slip Towel has a good grip when wet but not so much when dry, especially the logo area at the top of the mat. We also noticed that the material and texture are not as comfortable as those of other towels we tested.
- b, halfmoon’s gripster towel felt durable and comfortable, but it didn’t provide a strong grip and felt slippery during yoga class. We were also disappointed by the lack of water absorption it provided, especially because it falls on the higher end price-wise compared to other yoga towels.
- IUGA’s Non Slip Yoga Towel absorbed moisture quickly, but this made it feel cold and damp. The yoga towel also bunched up easily causing discomfort and distraction.
What to Look for in a Yoga Towel
- Moisture-Wicking and Quick-Drying Material: Yoga towels are most often used for hot yoga or yoga classes that are more physically challenging and cause you to sweat. Because sweat and moisture can lead to slipperiness, yoga towels are used for mopping up sweat and preventing potential slips and tweaks that can lead to injury. Look for a towel that is absorbent and quick-drying and made from fabrics such as polyester, nylon, polyamide, or microfiber.
- Non-Slip Surface: A non-slip surface is essential if you practice yoga on your towel. Young recommends looking for a yoga towel with grip on the bottom to prevent slips and a soft texture on the top to avoid skin irritation.
- Size: The size you need depends on your yoga class type and space allowance. A larger towel is beneficial for classes that include movements that take up a lot of floor space and that have a lot of room available to you. However, a more compact towel might be necessary if the class space is tight. You also want to consider the size when thinking about transporting it. A lightweight or shorter towel, like a travel towel, may be easier to pack and carry.
- Easy Care and Maintenance: Before washing your yoga towel, make sure to air-dry it to decrease the sweat smell, says Young. Follow the instructions on your particular yoga towel’s label. Or, play it safe by handwashing your towel, especially if it’s a mat-towel hybrid that might degrade in the washing machine. Use a mild detergent and avoid bleach, heat drying, or ironing.
How We Tested the Yoga Towels
To find the best yoga towels, we tested 19 top options in our Lab and in the real world. We tested each option during multiple yoga flows at different intensities. When testing yoga towels, we evaluate each option based on the following key criteria:
- Absorbency: To determine a yoga towel’s absorbency, we pay attention to how well the towel absorbs sweat during a yoga session. We also note any pooling of moisture on the towel’s surface—when moisture is present, we look for an even distribution across the towel. We favor towels that don’t hold on to sweat during heated yoga sessions and compare any differences in absorbency among the towels we test.
- Grip: While practicing multiple sun salutation A series, we note whether the yoga towel causes us to slip or if it bunches and moves under our feet. We also consider whether the towel adds confidence to our practice by maintaining stability and grip. We note whether it improves our grip during intense and dynamic yoga poses.
- Design: When evaluating the towel’s design, we consider its size, coverage, and ease of use. We note whether the towel covers our entire yoga mat and whether it’s versatile enough to accommodate various yoga mat sizes and shapes.
- Durability: Durability is an important feature of a yoga towel. When assessing durability, we look at the quality of the yoga towel and note whether or not we think it’ll last through multiple uses and washes. We also look for any signs of wear and tear and note if the yoga towel maintains its structure after being washed. We want to see if there is any discoloration or stretching, or if the towel holds onto any odor even after being washed.
- Comfort: Overall comfort can determine whether or not you want to reuse a yoga towel. From the first down dog to the last, we want our skin to feel comfortable and not irritated. We consider the overall texture of the material and how it feels against our skin. We also note whether the material feels breathable, allowing for comfortable airflow during the practice.
- Value: We don’t check each yoga towel’s price until the end of the testing period to assign a value score. From there, we consider whether it’s priced fairly based on its performance and whether we would purchase it at its current price point.
Our Experts
We consulted two yoga instructors to help us determine what key features to look for in a good-quality yoga towel. Kenza Lo provided input on the testing methodology and helped us understand the primary purpose and benefits of using a yoga towel. Devon Young, on the other hand, helped us understand what specific features to look for and consider in a yoga towel based on different types of yoga styles and personal needs. Although we select our products on our own, these experts provided invaluable insight:
- Kenza Lo, RYT, Corepower yoga instructor based in New York City
- Devon Young, E-RYT 500, yoga teacher and trainer at Black Swan Yoga in Dallas
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you use a yoga towel?
A smaller, hand-sized yoga towel can be used to wipe away sweat and moisture from your body, feet, and hands. A larger yoga towel (like most of our top picks) can be placed over your mat to absorb moisture and prevent slipping. Some yoga towels are mat hybrids that offer a grippy bottom. In this case, you can use the mat towel as you would a regular yoga mat. However you use it, it’s an essential yoga accessory every yogi should have.
What’s the difference between a yoga mat and a yoga towel?
A yoga mat is a cushioned, grippy surface on which to practice yoga. It provides a clean and safe space for your hands, feet, and body to touch. A yoga towel’s fabric is similar to that of a regular towel, but it’s grippier and made of a different material meant to absorb sweat and add additional cushioning when placed on top of a yoga mat. Yoga towels absorb moisture to prevent you from slipping and getting injured.
Why Trust Verywell Fit
Verywell Fit writer Stephanie Mendez, RDN, RYT, CPT, is a registered dietitian, RYT-500 yoga instructor, and NASM-certified personal trainer. With 15+ years of experience as a yoga practitioner, Stephanie has spent hundreds of hours on her yoga mat, taking various types of yoga classes and training. From powerful vinyasa flows to long holds in hot yoga classes, Stephanie knows how to find the right yoga towel to help support various needs.
Additional reporting contributed by Rachel Morris
Rachel Morris is a Verywell Fit health and wellness writer with a specialty in wellness. She has been bringing engaging and well-researched content to readers of Verywell since 2017.
Both authors also relied on testing insights from our lab to curate this list.
