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The 5 Best Yoga Towels to Keep You Stable and Comfortable During Your Practice

Our top picks offer anti-slip security and soft, absorbent materials

Best Yoga Towels

VeryWell Fit / Jaclyn Mastropasqua

Almost as essential as packing a yoga mat in your gym bag is keeping a yoga towel on hand as you move through poses and stretches. You can use a yoga towel in various ways in the studio and at home. It's helpful as a substitute for a strap or mat and also serves as cushioning to protect your joints in deep stretch poses or simply as a towel to wipe away sweat. 

When choosing a yoga towel, you'll want to look for absorbent material that is lightweight and easy to pack. You'll also want a non-slip surface if you practice yoga on your towel.

To find the best yoga towels on the market, we reviewed dozens of them from top brands for their moisture-wicking and quick-drying abilities and their non-slip surface, size, and affordability. We also tested our best no-slip recommendation at home for three years, using it a minimum of once per week. A certified yoga instructor from our Review Board also reviewed the contents of this article for accuracy and how to evaluate yoga towels.

Best Overall

Manduka Yogitoes Yoga Towel

Yogitoes Manduka Yoga Towel

Yogitoes Manduka

The Manduka Yogitoes Yoga Mat has a cult following—that’s how good it is. We selected it as our best overall because it’s a favorite for all types of classes, from hot yoga to Vinyasa. The mat features patented skid-less technology that uses grippy, 100% silicone nubs to keep it solidly in place while you work out. And how cool is this—the absorbent material is made from eight or more plastic water bottles. The towel is available in a variety of colors and patterns.

People say using the Manduka Yogitoes Yoga Mat has been a game-changer for their practice and is worth the cost. They agree that the silicon dots work exceptionally well to keep the mat in place and that the absorbent material soaks up sweat yet dries quickly.

Best Budget

Yoga Mate Yoga Mat Size Towel

Yoga Mate Non-Slip Bikram Yoga Mat Size Towel

Amazon

A sweaty Bikram yoga session is no match for the Yoga Mat towel. The microfiber towel is made from a soft, absorbent material that soaks up moisture, helping you to stay steady as you flow through poses.

With 72" x 26" measurements, it’s the perfect size for most yoga mats. When class is over, toss the towel in with the rest of your laundry—no special washing requirements here. The towel is available in nine colors, including some tie-dye patterns sure to brighten up your next yoga class.

People who use the Yoga Mate towel say it absorbs sweat well and ensures they don’t lose their grip mid-pose. People are also impressed by the affordability of the towel, considering how well it stands up during class.

Best No-Slip

Alo Grounded No-Slip Towel

Alo Grounded No-Slip Towel

Alo Yoga

We love Alo's Grounded No-Slip Towel for its grip and smooth support. After using the towel for three years, an average of one time per week, we can fully attest to its no-slip capabilities. We love that the back of the towel has a silicone grip, so it doesn't move at all, while the front is thick and absorbent, feeling smooth and stable without being overly fluffy.

We particularly like using this on top of Alo's Yoga Warrior Mat, especially during hot yoga classes. After using it weekly for three years and washing it after each use, we can attest to its durability—it looks and feels as good as new after each wash. Although this yoga towel is pricier compared to some of our other top recommendations, we think it's worth it for the quality. We recommend it for frequent yogis or someone who wants to transform a thinner or cheaper yoga mat into a quality, no-slip piece of equipment.

Best for Travel

Alfamo Cooling Towel

Alfamo Cooling Towel

 Amazon

Staying fit on vacation just got easier with the Alfamo Cooling Towel. The multisports towel comes packaged in a small waterproof plastic case, making it easy to toss into your suitcase or weekend bag. Not only can you use it for yoga, but it also doubles as a cooling towel. Simply wet the towel, wring it out, and snap it. Place it on the skin for up to three hours of cooling (it claims to reduce body temperature by up to 30 degrees).

Yogis say it’s perfect for hot yoga classes. And people who have tried to use it as a chilling towel can’t stop raving about how well it helps to keep them cool when exercising on warm, humid days. 

Best Non-Bunching

IUGA Non Slip Yoga Towel

IUGA Non Slip Yoga Towel

Amazon

This design is genius. The Iuga Yoga Towel features corner pockets. Simply slide the corners of your mat into the pockets, and voila—your towel will stay taut, firmly in place, and won’t bunch. The machine-washable microfiber towel is lightweight but 30% thicker than the average yoga towel, providing the perfect combination of grip and softness. Available in five different colors (we love the pretty turquoise), this mat will become a yoga class must-have.

People who use the Iuga Yoga Towel say the pockets are brilliant and help the towel stay perfectly in place. They also love the mini hand towel that comes packaged with the larger yoga towel and say it’s great for wiping away sweat post-class.

How We Selected and Tested the Best Yoga Towels

To find the best yoga towels on the market, we researched and reviewed dozens of options from the top, trusted brands. When choosing our top product recommendations, we looked for moisture-wicking yoga towels that offer a no-slip, comfortable surface and come at a competitive price for their value. We chose stylish mats that are lightweight enough for on-the-go use. We also tested our best no-slip recommendation at home for three years, following our home testing guidelines.

We continue to test yoga towels at home and will update our recommendations based on new testing insights as we gather them.

What to Look for in a Yoga Towel

Moisture-Wicking

Yoga towels are most often used for hot yoga or in yoga classes that are more physically challenging and cause you to sweat. Since sweat and moisture can lead to slipperiness, a yoga towel is a wise tool for mopping it up, preventing potential slips and tweaks that can lead to injury.

Look for a towel that is absorbent and quick-drying, 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 yoga towel. The top of the towel should be non-slip at a minimum. Some yoga towels also have a grippy bottom to prevent slips on the floor without needing to use an additional yoga mat.

Size

What 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 your class is more packed in.

Size is an important consideration as well for ease of transport. A lightweight, less thick and wide, or shorter towel may be easier to pack into your carry bag.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How do you wash a yoga towel?

    Follow the instructions on your particular yoga towel's label for best results. You can play it safe by handwashing your yoga towel, especially if it is a mat-towel hybrid that might degrade in the washing machine. Use a mild detergent and avoid bleach, heat drying, or ironing.

  • 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 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.

  • What is the difference between a yoga mat and a yoga towel?

    A yoga mat is a cushioned, grippy surface to practice yoga on. It provides a clean and safe space for your hands, feet, and body to touch. A yoga towel is much the same as it is used for hot yoga or yoga practices that cause you to sweat. However, the fabric is similar to a towel and is meant to be used on top of your mat. Yoga towels absorb moisture to prevent you from slipping and getting injured.

Why Trust Verywell Fit

Rachel Morris is a freelance health and wellness writer and content consultant. She is also a former editor of Dr. Oz The Good Life magazine, Woman's Day, and Weight Watchers. She has six years of experience in the health and wellness journalism world.