Head-to-head · Best Extra-Thick Yoga Mats

Amazon Basics 1/2-inch Extra Thick Mat vs Gaiam Premium 6mm Print Yoga Mat

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

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The short answer

Amazon Basics 1/2-inch Extra Thick Mat comes out ahead by a clear margin (4.5 vs 3.6). Amazon Basics 1/2-inch Extra Thick Mat is best for: First-time buyers and casual practitioners who want a long, genuinely extra-thick mat at the lowest price for gentle home yoga and floor work. Read the strengths below before deciding.

Higher ratedRanked #2 in Best Extra-Thick Yoga Mats

Amazon Basics 1/2-inch Extra Thick Mat

4.5

1 source$18as of Oct 14

The Amazon Basics 1/2" Extra Thick is the dependable budget entry point to extra-thick mats: 12.7mm of NBR foam that CNN Underscored praised for holding its shape over time the way many thick mats do not. Best Exercise Gear called it 'the reliable workhorse of entry-level yoga gear — simple, effective, and ready to perform.' At around $22, with the longest footprint in this guide, it is the value-and-length pick; basic construction and grip are the trade-off.

Strengths

— Textured surface and elastic carrying strap for grip and easy transport
— Long 74-inch length — the longest mat in this guide, good for taller users
— Backed by Amazon's huge owner-review base and easy returns

Watch-outs

— Can get slippery during sweaty or high-intensity workouts
— Basic, no-frills construction without the grip texture of premium mats

$18 · Buy at alignsportandspine.com Full review →

Ranked #3 in Best Extra-Thick Yoga Mats

Gaiam Premium 6mm Print Yoga Mat

3.6

1 source$24as of Oct 17

The Gaiam Premium 6mm Print is a 68 x 24-inch PVC yoga mat with 6mm of cushioning and printed designs. woman&home named it the best thick yoga mat overall after about two years of use, Women's Health UK chose it as its best thick yoga mat, and OutdoorGearLab scored it 62/100 and named it its best first yoga mat, all praising the joint-friendly padding. OutdoorGearLab also found the surface slippery once wet and saw the cushion compress over time, and both UK publications noted a chemical or plastic smell when new. It suits beginners and casual home practice; anyone doing hot yoga or vigorous daily flows should look at a grippier rubber mat.

Strengths

— 6mm of padding cushions knees and wrists during longer floor holds
— Stays put on both wooden floors and carpet
— Light and easy to carry, at 3.3 lb as measured by OutdoorGearLab

Watch-outs

— Surface turns slippery when wet, so it is a poor fit for hot or sweaty sessions
— Cushion compresses and scuffs with regular use
— Strong plastic smell when new that takes weeks to fade

$24 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

How they stack up

Amazon Basics 1/2-inch Extra Thick Mat

The Amazon Basics 1/2" is the longest mat in this guide at 74 inches and the cheapest, sitting in the firm half-inch tier alongside the ProsourceFit Extra Thick and slightly thicker than the 10mm Gaiam Essentials. It is half the thickness of the 25mm BalanceFrom GoCloud, so it is more stable for standing poses but less cushioning for sensitive joints.

Gaiam Premium 6mm Print Yoga Mat

At 6mm, the Gaiam Premium Print is noticeably thinner than the Gaiam Essentials Fitness Mat & Sling (10mm), the Amazon Basics 1/2-inch Extra Thick Mat and the BalanceFrom GoCloud All-Purpose 1-inch Mat. woman&home found that thickness gave enough cushion without feeling unbalanced when standing, and it is a PVC yoga mat sold in printed designs rather than a foam exercise pad.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	Amazon Basics 1/2-inch Extra Thick Mat	Gaiam Premium 6mm Print Yoga Mat
Thickness	1/2 inch (12.7mm)	6mm
Material	100% NBR foam	PVC (polyvinyl chloride)
Dimensions	74 x 24 in	68 x 24 in
Weight	~2 lb	3.1 lb
Surface	Textured non-slip	—
Includes	Elastic carrying strap	—
Care	Wipe clean	Dry flat

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