15 Best Yoga Blankets To Buy In 2022
Perhaps you went to a relaxing yoga class and the instructor had you use a blanket for a few poses…
Now, you want one for your home yoga sessions because it was so helpful.
When props like these are used, it allows you to relax deeper and enjoy doing yoga even more. They can take away some of the strain you might be experiencing and allow muscles that were once supporting you to relax and let go.
If you’re in the market for the best yoga blanket, I’ve compiled a comprehensive list to help you decide.
Here’s the top choice…
In all reality - this is probably what you’re looking for.
It won’t shrink in the wash, and as matter of fact - the materially only gets softer as you wash it. These blankets are the traditional hand-made Mexican blanket style you’ve seen at your local studio.
Most all the blankets on this list are made from acrylic. That’s good because it won’t shrink and it holds up well over time. Some of the blankets will be blends and some will be mostly cotton.
As you go about researching your perfect yoga blanket, take note of the material. If you want the blankets used at yoga studios, then this is it. If you want something made from wool or cotton then look further down on this list for more options.
Quick Navigation:
- El Paso Designs Blanket
- YogaAccessories Traditional Blanket
- Mexitems Large Yoga Blankets
- Canyon Creek Authentic Falsa Blanket
- KAYSO Mexican Blanket
- Threads West Genuine
- YogaDirect Deluxe Mexican Yoga Blanket
- Lotuscrafts Yoga Blanket Cotton
- Manduka Recycled Wool Blanket
- Benevolence LA Premium Blanket
- Open Road Goods Thunderbird Blanket
- Open Road Goods Solid Color
- Eccbox Large Serape Blanket
- Bersuse Anatolia Beach Blanket
- King & Fifth Large Blanket
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What Is The Best Yoga Blanket?
Finding a yoga blanket that suits your needs will really come down to materials. If you want the exact same thing you used at the yoga studio, it was probably 100% acrylic. The dimensions are usually right around 70” x 50”.
If you need something cotton then there are certainly options out there. Just be sure to check the tag to make sure you know what you are buying.
Here are some other top choices as well...
YogaAccessories Traditional Blanket
This blanket is almost the same thing as our top pick, but with one minor difference.
The materials of this blanket are 50% acrylic, 40% polyester, and 10% cotton. Everyone has different allergies and sensitivities to materials so be sure you know what you’re getting.
The dimensions for this blanket are pretty standard - 74” x 52”. This is good because when you fold it in half, it will be 26 inches wide, the perfect distance to cover your mat.
Mexitems Large Yoga Blankets
Want something bigger?
Mexitems brings you a large blanket that’s 84” x 60”. Just so we are clear, it’s safe to assume all yoga blankets on this list are made from 100% acrylic. If not I’ll certainly let you know.
This is a perfect blanket for a few types of people.
First, you may need this blanket for larger mats. Those who have purchased an extra large yoga mat because they are 6 foot or taller will enjoy having an appropriate sized blanket to use.
Second, this works well for those who want more padding in general. You may enjoy this as a bolster while doing yoga or even as a meditation cushion.
Third, it’s good to have for family stuff.. This may be a blanket to use at the park, a couch cover, a bed for your dogs, or even a small moving blanket.
Bigger isn’t always better...
It sounds awesome to have a big blanket you can use for a lot of different things. The reality is, if you are just strictly using this for yoga then you may find it simply, “too much.”
Don’t allow yourself to be in a situation of lugging a massive prop around back and forth to yoga just because you one day, “Might need it for something else.” If you are 6 foot tall or under, just grab a standard size blanket.
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How Do I Choose A Yoga Blanket?
If you are taller than 6’ 3” and have mobility issues then you might want to consider a large blanket. Most people will find the standard blanket size of 70” x 50” to be a perfect fit.
Keep in mind the materials of the blanket as well. If you have allergies or sensitivities to materials then a cotton blanket might be the best option for you. The majority of basic blankets are usually a blend of synthetic materials - mainly acrylic.
Canyon Creek Authentic Falsa Blanket
Here’s one that’s just a tiny bit more heavy-duty than others…
The Canyon Creek blanket is 3.5lbs and is made from 60% acrylic and 40% cotton. It’s a bit longer than your average blanket at 76” x 53”.
Something to take note of is the smell of certain blankets. Oftentimes, the more synthetic it is, the more it can have an odd smell to it. It seems to vary from item to item. Even two exact blankets made right after the other can have vastly different smells.
There’s an easy solution for this. Just wash it. These blankets were designed to be used often and washed frequently. Don’t worry. It’s not going to unravel or come apart in the wash.
KAYSO Mexican Blanket
If you are concerned about width then check this one out…
The 68” x 56” size means when you fold it up nicely to use as a bolster it will cover a 28” width. This is because you fold it in half to give yourself a good corresponding size that will run the width of your mat.
Here’s a cool trick...
When you need more height out of your blanket, just fold it into thirds! This will give you a bolster that’s roughly 18” wide, but now almost 5” tall!
It may sound silly to get excited about changing the height of your prop, but in the moment we often will just toss it aside out of frustration if it’s not working right. Try folding your blanket in different ways to suit your needs.
Threads West Genuine
If you are a shorter person, this blanket is probably perfect.
It’s a bit smaller than your traditional size - 68” x 52”. This is a good thing if you just need the minimal amount of help.
To be perfectly straightforward with you, we are only talking about a few inches of difference here. Really any of the blankets on this list will get the job done, but if you are a minimalist then this would be a good option to consider.
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What Is A Yoga Blanket Used For?
Having a prop like this is perfect for making yoga postures much more accessible. For example, sitting on a blanket makes Forward Folds easier. Using one under your bottom can help lessen the strain in Pigeon Pose.
Overall, using a blanket invites a sense of calm and relaxation into your yoga practice. Some people even enjoy covering themselves with one in shavasana. Not so much for warmth, but for a soothing and safe feeling.
YogaDirect Deluxe Mexican Yoga Blanket
This is an awesome blanket with one minor flaw…
The size is a tiny bit larger and thicker than your standard blanket. This is good because it allows you to have a bit more height when you use it as a bolster.
The blend is 50% acrylic, 40% polyester, and 10% cotton. This means it will only get softer with each wash and it doesn’t end up srhinking too much.
So what’s the problem?
It sheds…
If you love to wear your black leggings then this might not be a good option for you. The amount of shedding does go down as you wash the blanket more, but I’m not sure you’d want to wash it 5 times just before using it once.
As a matter of fact, all blankets shed. I’m just mentioning this fact on this one because it happens more than you may like.
Lotuscrafts Yoga Blanket Cotton
Need an organic cotton yoga blanket?
The Lotuscrafts brand has made a solid product with those in mind who care about our environment. Their organic cotton blanket feels wonderful, and works just as well as other traditional mexican blankets.
This blanket is an impressive 80” x 60”. This is good because cotton will naturally shrink when it's washed. Thankfully, this blanket comes pre-washed so you won’t have to worry about it shrinking too much.
The only downside is that it doesn’t have quite as much of a textured feel that other traditional blankets do. Furthermore, this is something special. This means you may not want to use it as a backseat blanket or camping. It’s really nice for yoga if that’s going to be your main useage.
Manduka Recycled Wool Blanket
For those who like wool, you’ll really enjoy this blanket.
It’s made from 75% wool, and 25% synthetic fibers. That’s most likely acrylic, but Manduka doesn’t actually disclose the specific materials.
Wool works well as a blanket for yoga because it molds and “shapes” well when folding it. While other blankets have a tendency to lose shape or flop over in the wrong place, this one will keep its shape much better.
This blanket is actually surprisingly lightweight - only about 1.5lbs. That’s much less than normal blankets that weigh in at 3 or more pounds.
The downside is obvious…
Wool is difficult to clean. You can’t just throw it in the wash like you can other blankets. You’ll need to hand wash and line dry this one… Or just drop it off at the dry cleaners…
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Can I Use A Blanket As A Yoga Mat?
While this may sound like a good idea initially, it doesn’t work out well. Having a blanket as a mat will often lead to it bunching up at your feet, slipping, or worse yet, tearing the blanket.
It’s best to use a cotton yoga rug for a yoga mat if you want something similar. These are designed to be used for practicing yoga and are stitched in such a way to take the abuse it needs to.
Benevolence LA Premium Blanket
This may be the more expensive ones on the list, but it’s definitely worth it.
These are handmade in Mexico on a wooden loom. Each blanket sold also helps to fund philanthropic causes such as clean water, education, and more!
The materials are all recycled, synthetic yet hypoallergenic so you can rest easy knowing it’s made well. This blanket is pretty big too - 74” x 64”. This means you could easily use it for yoga, camping, a family blanket, and anything else you like.
The quality is unmatched, but the only downside is the width. If you want to use this for yoga then it may be bigger than you need.
Typically, you’ll fold the blanket in half which brings the width down to 32”. If you don’t mind the extra width than that’s totally okay.
For those who enjoy having a lot of cushion you may love this one! Fold in in thirds and you’re still able to have a big thick prop that’s 21” wide and almost 5” to 6” tall. It all depends on your needs.
Open Road Goods Thunderbird Blanket
Here's a great blanket with a simple design.
This blanket is a solid color with a few thunderbirds hand woven throughout. This traditional blanket is 78” x 54” so it’s a perfect size for your mat.
The materials are 50% acrylic, 40% polyester and 10% cotton. It won’t shrink in the wash and holds up quite well.
Small inconsistencies…
If you want exact colors then you may want to look at something else. Each thunderbird will be a different color so no one blanket is exactly the same. Some will find this to be part of the beauty of these handmade blankets, but others may not.
If you desire something one-of-a-kind then these are my top choice. If you want something mass-produced that looks identical every time then this is not the one for you.
Open Road Goods Solid Color
Need a few color options?
These large 80” x 50” yoga blankets are ideal for people who like to mix and match colors. There are over 12 different ones to choose from.
Even though they might look mass-produced in a factory, they are still handmade in Mexcio. You can count on each blanket to be the exact color you order.
Perfect around the home…
These make for really good accent blankets. If you have a brown couch and want a yellow throw then this would be perfect.
If you fold it into thirds, it’s nice to have one as an accent centered table cloth for the dining room.
Regardless of how you use it, having a solid color blanket can be a versatile addition to your decor.
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What Is A Mexican Blanket?
These are traditionally known as a “sarape." These colorful blankets are typically worn around the shoulders to help keep warm and/or protect you from the elements. This is not to be confused with a poncho which has a hole in it.
They are often used in yoga because of their versatility and simplicity. They can shaped into whatever form you need and used as bolsters, blocks, or as a traditional blanket.
Eccbox Large Serape Blanket
These are very traditional…
This is the most vibrant of any on the list so far. These multi colored blankets are also quite big. The 84” x 59” size means you’ll most likely use this for the home more than you might for yoga.
This can still work as a yoga blanket, but don’t be alarmed at how big it is when you fold it up for the first time.
This actually makes for a very good roll or bolster. Place it under your neck to help encourage the natural curve or even place it under you knees as you are lying down to help ease the tension in your lower back.
If you want lots of color in one blanket and enjoy the “South West” style of interior design - you’ll love this sarape blanket.
Bersuse Anatolia Beach Blanket
As we stray further away from the top pick on this list, you may just find something new and unique that fits your needs perfectly.
This is a Turkish towel, also known as a Peshtemal. It’s made from a special blend of Turkish cotton that has longer fibers than other cotton. This means it only becomes more and more fluffy and absorbent with progressive washes.
Because it’s 100% cotton it makes for a good beach or picnic blanket. If it gets dirty, just throw it in the wash and it’s better than new!
These are also popular blankets for babies to play on. They are soft, yet offer good padding at the same time.
What about yoga?
These may be technically towels, but don’t let the terminology fool you. Turkish towels still make for quality yoga blankets. The size is still the same of a normal Mexican blanket and will work just as well.
It really comes down to materials. If you want cotton, then these are a fantastic choice. If you prefer the more textured feel of acrylic then you may want to go with that.
King & Fifth Large Blanket
Need a blanket that doubles as a tapestry?
Out of all the choices on this list, this is the only one I would consider hanging on the wall. Or using as a divider for a room. The beautiful design is what will attract most people to this blanket.
It’s another large blanket, over 80” long. This means you could easily use it for extra warmth at night or even as a cuddle-blanket with you and your sweetheart while watching movies.
As with most large blankets you may not enjoy using this for yoga. Some blankets are just too big to be enjoyed on your yoga mat.
That being said, it works just fine for yoga. This wouldn’t be my top choice for taking it to a Yin or Restorative class everyday, but using it for your at-home practice once a week week would be just fine.
Summary
Choosing the best yoga blanket will naturally depend on your needs. For those who want something basic like what you used in the studio, you’ll want to consider the original El Paso Designs blanket.
With close to 2000 positive reviews, you’ll really enjoy using this blanket for yoga. It’s easy to wash and lasts for a long time.
If you want high quality organic cotton then look here. The Lotuscrafts style will be a good option for those who want the highest level of purity in the materials they touch.
I’m NOT saying other blankets on this list are filled with chemicals. Each of the above blankets are safe and fine for everyday usage.
Do I miss something? Do you have a yoga blanket you enjoy using? Let me know in the comments below!