One of the most important pieces of kit when it comes to practicing Brazilian jiu-jitsu is probably something you’ve not thought a lot about. The exercise mat you use will be crucial for keeping you and your BJJ partner safe during practices.
It might not seem all that important at a glance, but after taking a few tumbles, you’ll be keen to get your hands on one of these so you can practice BJJ safely.
However, there are many different mats available on the market, and it can often be hard choosing between them. So how can you be sure that you’ve found the best BJJ mats for you to invest in? Not to worry - we’ve done all the hard work so that you don’t have to!
We took a look at factors such as thickness, materials used, size, and many more to whittle the sheer number of mats available down to the best 5 products.
So you can rest assured that these exercise mats will have your best interests at heart when it comes to practicing BJJ!
We’ve put all of our key criteria together in a helpful buyer’s guide to give you all the information you need before hitting purchase.
There are even a few frequently asked questions down below, too!
In a hurry? Check out our top pick below!
OUR TOP PICK
The BalanceFrom puzzle exercise mat easily earns the spot as our top pick. That’s because these interlocking mats can be laid out to suit the area you need to be covered.
Each package comes with 24 mats that interlock with one another to create a large area. This will allow you to create an exercise area perfect for practicing Brazilian jiu-jitsu.
These mats are made from double-sided high-density EVA foam and create a non-slip surface. They are ¾” thick and will give you the protection you need to practice BJJ safely.
Each individual mat measures 24” x 24”, and gives you enough mats to cover 96 square feet.
The BalanceFrom mats are lightweight and easy to carry around. Their interlocking feature makes them easy to assemble and disassemble as needed. This will be ideal if you’re looking for a set of mats that will give you less hassle.
These mats are ideal for BJJ. That’s because they offer you exceptional resilience, meaning you can effortlessly keep your balance during any style of exercise.
All mats from BalanceFrom are also covered by a 100% satisfaction guarantee, giving you peace of mind when you need it most.
BalanceFrom interlocking mats all feature moisture resistant technology. This means they’re easy to clean as and when needed with soap and water.
You won’t need to worry about spending ages scrubbing away at the mats to keep them clean!
Pros
- 24 interlocking mats perfect for Brazilian jiu-jitsu.
- ¾” thick double-sided, high-density EVA foam with non-slip surface.
- Easy to assemble and disassemble with the interlocking feature.
- Comes with a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
- Easy to clean with soap and water.
Cons
- Depending on the area you need to cover, there may be too many mats.
EDITORS CHOICE
The ProsourceFit tri-fold folding thick exercise mat offers you a comfortable workout surface for you to practice your Brazilian jiu-jitsu on.
These mats work to provide you with a cushioned surface for all of your practices. This will be ideal when you’re practicing more hands-on moves.
What’s great about this particular exercise mat is that it uses a resilient foam interior to maintain its shape. This will be ideal for long-term usability!
The foam interior also works to give you joint support when you need it most, and aims to protect all parts of your body when they come in contact with the mat.
This particular exercise mat has been designed to be as resilient as possible. Not only does it use a resilient foam interior, but it also uses a durable vinyl surface, that can resist stretching and tearing which might occur with cheaper, inferior mats.
This vinyl also makes the mat easier to wipe clean.
You can easily carry this mat as and when you need it. The tri-folding design makes it easy to pack away when not in use, and it even comes with two handy carry handles. Perfect for storing it away when you’ve finished practicing BJJ!
These exercise mats from ProsourceFit come in a variety of colors for you to choose from. Choose between blue, black, grey, pink, and purple.
Pros
- Comfortable workout surface perfect for Brazilian jiu-jitsu.
- Uses a resilient foam interior for added comfort and durability.
- Uses a durable, long-lasting vinyl surface that’s easy to wipe clean.
- Tri-folding design makes the mat easy to pack away and transport.
- Available in a variety of colors.
Cons
- Depending on the BJJ exercises you want to carry out, you may want a larger surface area.
BEST VALUE
The BalanceFrom 2 inch thick tri-fold folding exercise mat will be the perfect fit for your Brazilian jiu-jitsu studio.
This mat will give you the thickness you need in order to safely practice your favorite martial art. It uses thick, high-density EPE foam to give you peace of mind when you need it most.
The surface of the mat is made from a non-toxic, lead-free, highly durable vinyl. What’s great about this particular material is that it’s also non-absorbent, and very easy to clean after use.
The moisture-resistant mat can be washed with soap and water to avoid the build-up of any unwanted fungi.
This BalanceFrom folding exercise mat will be ideal for any BJJ moves you want to practice, either alone or with a partner.
The resilience of this exercise mat will allow you to keep your balance during your BJJ workouts.
The mat itself is lightweight, and easy to carry around. It even comes with carrying handles attached to the mat itself, making it even easier to transport around the studio, or into and out of storage.
This will be ideal if you share a practice space with others and need to pack away the BJJ mats after each session.
This particular mat features a foldable 3 panel design. There are handles on each mat for easy transportation. The mat measures 6’ x 2’ x 2” when expanded, and 24” x 24” x 6” when folded.
BalanceFrom mats are also covered by a 100% satisfaction guarantee, as well as a 2 year warranty. Just the thing to look for if you want more peace of mind after purchase!
Pros
- 2 inch thick tri-folding mat featuring high-density EPE foam.
- Features non-toxic, easy to clean vinyl.
- Durable mat designed for resilience when practicing BJJ.
- Lightweight and easy to move around.
- Foldable for easy transportation and storage.
Cons
- If you want to do BJJ over a wider area, you may need to buy more than one mat.
RUNNER UP
The We Sell Mats 4’ x 8’ gymnastics mat is ideal for your Brazilian jiu-jitsu practice. This particular mat is available with a thickness of 1.5”, but is also available in 2” if you want more security during your practices.
This cushioned surface helps to protect any part of your body which comes into contact with the mat.
This exercise mat has been designed to be easy for you to carry around and store as necessary. It features a foldable design to make it more compact for storage. The lightweight foam makes the mat easy to move as needed.
A unique feature of this mat is that it comes with hook and loop fasteners so that you can easily attach additional mats to it if you need to.
This will be perfect if you want to buy several different mats to suit a wider area! It will also allow you to perfectly customize your practice space for your BJJ needs.
This particular exercise mat is designed to be easy to clean as needed. The vinyl surface is resistant to tearing, and is easy to wipe clean with a simple soap and water solution.
Perfect if you’re looking for a mat that will be easy to maintain to get many years’ worth of use out of it!
What’s great about this particular mat is that it is available in a range of colors, sizes, and thicknesses, so you can pick the ideal exercise mat for your needs.
This will be ideal if you’re looking for a certain type of mat to use with your BJJ practice!
Pros
- 4’ x 8’ exercise mats available in either 1.5” or 2” thickness.
- Features a foldable design for easier storage.
- Comes with hook and loop fasteners to attach to additional mats if needed.
- Easy to wipe clean with a soap and water solution.
- Available in a range of sizes and colors.
Cons
- Some customers found the brand new mats came with a chemical smell, but this should dissipate over time.
RUNNER UP
The IncStores roll out wrestling and tumbling mats will be ideal for any Brazilian jiu-jitsu practice you have in mind.
These mats feature the roll out style, allowing for easy storage when not in use. Simply roll the mats up after BJJ practice, and set them aside until your next session!
This also makes the mat easier to transport should you need to do so.
You can easily match the roll out mat with additional mats, thanks to the mat tape which you can purchase as an optional extra. This will be perfect if you want to cover a larger area for you and your BJJ partner to practice with.
This particular mat features durable vinyl over a foam cushion to give you comfort and safety when you need it most.
These mats are designed to be as durable as possible, so you won’t have to worry about being gentle with them while you’re practicing BJJ.
The mats themselves are 1.5” thick, and can easily absorb the impact of your practice.
The vinyl covering of the roll out mat makes them easy to clean after use. This will be a lifesaver if you want a mat that is easy to sanitize after use, and won’t harbor any unwanted fungi.
The IncStores roll out mat is easy to transport as needed. The mat is 5’ x 10’ and only weighs 23 pounds when picked up.
This lightweight aspect will be crucial if you need to pack them away once your BJJ practice has finished.
Pros
- Durable to cope with any Brazilian jiu-jitsu practice.
- Easy to store away when not in use thanks to the roll out feature.
- Can attach to additional mats using mat tape.
- 1.5” thick foam cushion offers you comfort and safety.
- Easy to clean with soap and water.
Cons
- More expensive than other mats we found.
Best BJJ Mats Buying Guide
To get the most out of your Brazilian jiu-jitsu practice, you’ll want to find the best BJJ mat to suit your needs. But with so many different types of mats available on the market, it can be difficult to choose the right one for you.
While it may be tempting to just buy the first BJJ mat you can find, there are a few factors you need to consider first.
Luckily for you, we’ve compiled them all in this handy buyer’s guide! As long as your chosen BJJ mat has these features covered, you’ll know that you’re investing in a quality product that will last you for many years to come.
Take a look at the points below, or skip ahead to the frequently asked questions!
Type of Mat
There are three different types of mats that you can buy for your BJJ practice. These main types are foldable, puzzle, and roll out.
Foldable mats are often several mats attached together, which can be folded up when not in use. These are easy to store away when not in use, and just as easy to assemble for your BJJ practice when you need them.
Puzzle mats are easy to assemble, too. All you need to do is make use of their interlocking design to cover the floor space you need. The interlocking design will ensure that the mats stay together during your BJJ practice, and give you the support you need.
They are also easy to disassemble after you’ve used them, but may take a little longer to put away than the other types of mats.
Roll out mats are just as the name suggests. You can roll them up when you’re finished with them so that they’re easy to store. You can also attach them to other mats should you need to, however, you will likely have to buy these additional mats.
Thickness
How thick is your chosen mat? This will be crucial for giving you a safe, comfortable mat to practice BJJ on. You won’t want a mat that’s too thin, otherwise you could potentially damage yourself or others when they come in contact with the mat.
Most mats offer a thickness of either 1.5” or 2”. Whichever one you choose is entirely up to you, and the thickness you’d prefer. If in doubt, it may be better to go for a thicker mat to ensure that you’ll have the support you need when you need it most.
You should opt for a mat that is thicker than a karate mat, but not as thick as mats used in judo. Anything thicker than 2” may not necessarily be better.
Size for Your Floor Space
One of the most important factors to consider is the floor space that you need to cover for your BJJ practice. There’s little point in opting for the cheapest mat you can find, only to discover it won’t be anywhere near as big enough for the floor you need to cover.
Calculate how much space you need to cover, and then you’ll have a better idea of the size mat you will need. It might be worth considering how easy it is to attach more mats to the mat you choose.
That’s because this will give you the option of buying more similar mats which can easily fit together should you need to cover more floor space.
Easy to Store
Another factor to consider is how easy your chosen mat will be to store after use. Each type of mat comes with its own benefits and drawbacks.
The foldable mats can be folded up and easily carried thanks to the built-in handles. Take a look at how many times the mat is able to fold up, and what the size of the mat is when it’s been packed away. The smaller that the mat is able to fold up, the better. This will mean it won’t need as much space to store it!
The puzzle style mats will simply need to be disassembled and stacked together ready for when you use them next. The roll out style mats only need to be rolled up again once you’ve finished with your BJJ practice.
How much space do these two types of mats take up once they’re ready to be put away? How much space do you have to play with in terms of storage?
Easy to Clean
One thing you might not think about straight away is how easy your chosen mat is to clean. You won’t want to spend ages scrubbing away at hard to clean surfaces. Look for a surface that is easy for you to wash clean afterward should you need to.
Most exercise mats will be able to be wiped down with a simple soap and water solution. These will be the easiest mats to opt for, as it will mean less hassle for you in the long run.
Stability
One of the crucial things to consider is how stable your chosen exercise mat will be for when you’re practicing BJJ. You’ll want a mat that won’t slip and slide around on the floor.
Look at the stability your chosen mat is able to offer you while you’re practicing BJJ. You should aim to avoid any slippery or rough surfaces.
Durable
Take a look at the materials that have been used to construct your chosen mat. What type of foam has been used inside the mat? Will it be strong enough to put up whatever your BJJ practice has to throw at it? How durable is it?
You’ll want to opt for a mat that uses a hard-wearing foam, as this will hopefully last you for many years to come.
It might be worth noting what material is used for the outside of the mat, too, if you’ve opted for the foldable or roll out style mats. Most of them will feature a vinyl covering so as to be easily wiped clean.
But how does this vinyl face up to your BJJ practice? Is it tear-resistant? The more resistant the materials that have been used, the longer your chosen mat will last you.
Frequently Asked Questions
How thick should BJJ mats be?
The ideal thickness for a BJJ mat is 1.5”. They should be thicker than a karate mat, but not as thick as a judo mat.
Any BJJ mat that is 1.5” thick should give you all the support you need in order to practice BJJ comfortably and safely.
Are puzzle mats good for BJJ?
Puzzle mats are ideal for BJJ.
That’s because they’re able to offer a comfortable surface for throws and rolling, which are a crucial part of the sport.
What are BJJ mats made of?
Some of the materials differ depending on the manufacturer, but most mats are made using EVA foam. EVA stands for Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate. This is basically a closed-cell foam, that has elastic properties.
It means that the mats have a rubbery softness and flexibility, giving you support when you need it most.
