A guide to the best-rated yoga mats for beginners

Design is everything when it comes to yoga mats, and this colourful number definitely speaks for itself. Pros: The mat is made from the softest material, which will ensure you're comfortable in any position. Plus, it's ultra-grippy which will hold you in place too. Cons: The price is of this might see some looking in a different direction, but this quality mat should last for years. Review: "LOVE THIS MAT! ❤ufe0f The softest suede like material. Took ages looking at other mats and so pleased I picked this one in the end. Very light spray of water on hands or the mat and the grip is perfect. It's also not too bulky and the rubber underside is grippy too. Honestly the best mat I have ever used."

Work everyday to improve your balance with this incredible patterned yoga mat. We love the fact that it is easy to clean and has a versatile design that everyone will love.Pros: It's soft, but firm which will give you great support especially when you're doing any floor work. Cons: The back of the mat is quite smooth and would be better if it had extra support for grip. Review: "I love this mat - it's nice, thick and comfortable, not like some of the thinner mats. However after hours of searching, I settled on this one and I'm really glad that I did. I would recommend this for comfort, quality, and the added bonus was it has an elasticated carrier. I didn't realise it came with one."

Practice and perfect your cobra move on a Lixada Yoga Mat. Feel at one with yourself and the floor, as its non-slip texture will stay in place on the ground. Pros: At 6mm, this mat is fantastic for giving you extra support on your knees and those trickier poses. Cons: The smell from the mat is quite powerful when you first buy it. Airing it out should stop this from being a problem. **Review: "**The colours are lovely on both sides and the grip is great when practising yoga. The quality feels great."

We could insert some joke about this being a corker, but instead, we're going to tell you about all the benefits a cork yoga mat has... Pros: Not only is this made from eco-friendly material, but it's also slip-resistant, great with heat, naturally antimicrobial and odour-free with self-sanitising properties. Cons: It's not very good if you need to carry it around and it also requires a lot of upkeep. Review: "This is a great mat, I've not tried it in very sweaty conditions yet, nice surface to practice on ud83dudc4dud83cudffcud83dudc4cud83cudffc".

Yoga is all about balance, right? And, we think that this mat has everything you need to steady your yoga practice. Pros: Aesthetically, you can get this mat exactly how you want it. Forget spending hours searching the web trying to find the right design for you, when you can design it yourself. Cons: Your partner might not appreciate your face all over their exercise mat. Review: "I googled photo yoga mat and found this. Received a fantastic service especially since some of my photos weren't in the right format. They helped me fix it and also get the logo right. Girlfriend was delighted with the Christmas present."

As a beginner, you may opt for gentle yoga as your style of choice (hatha, restorative, prenatal, nidra). A thicker mat will provide you with the ideal level of comfort to support your joints.Pros: At 8mm thick, this yoga mat is plush and comfortable. Plus, the print is gorgeous!Cons: If dynamic yoga is more your thing (Ashtanga, vinyasa, Iyengar, hot yoga, Bikram), this may not be suited to you as it provides less grip.Review: "This a really nice mat with anti slip surface. Perfect thickness for Yoga. I have been using this mat for the last two sessions and even my yoga instructor is impressed with this mat".

Treat yourself to this gorgeous best seller from John Lewis & Partners. Practice day in and day out for the next few weeks and you'll be able to touch your toes in no time. Pros: Are you looking for a thick mat that will help you remain grounded? This non-slip grip mat is exactly what you've been looking for. Cons: It was hard to find any cons for this lovely yoga essential, the only thing we could find is that it is narrower than other mats. Review: "I love the linen look and particularly the feel of this Mat. It's thick, and provides great cushioning and grip for poses."

This double-sided yoga mat is fantastic for any yoga newbie. Not only is it super thick for extra padding when you do floor work, but it also comes with a knee pad. We'd recommend using this during thunderbolt and child's pose.Pros: The mat is fantastic if you need extra support for your lower back, especially if you have any experience any day-to-day back pain.Cons: OK, so this is more a starter mat, but for anything more intricate, the material will probably be too thick. Review: "Bought this mat for home workout use. Perfect size, great comfort, fun colour (blue). And comes with a knee pad! This mat arrived in a timely fashion. And the price was very attractive as well. Very happy with the purchase."