Yoga blocks can be surprisingly divisive among yoga lovers.
Some yogis are against the use of props, feeling like yoga blocks and other props detract from the purity of the pose, while many other yogis embrace the yoga block and use it to enhance their practice.
There are even entire types of yoga that rely heavily on yoga blocks, such as Iyengar, and most yoga instructors strongly encourage beginners and advanced students alike to use yoga blocks when they need to.
In this guide, we’ll run you through the benefits of incorporating yoga blocks into your practice, and then run you through our best yoga blocks of 2022.
The benefits of yoga blocks
There are several benefits of using yoga blocks.
For example, yoga blocks are used to bring the floor closer to you and support your limbs when you lack the flexibility you need to hold the pose without straining your body or altering your alignment.
Yoga blocks can also be used to modify poses and ease muscle tension so you can relax into the pose. For example, placing a yoga block under your pelvis can help you settle into Hero Pose.
Yoga blocks also help you get deeper in poses and can reduce the risk of injury, which is why you should make sure you have a couple of yoga blocks in your bag to take along with you wherever and whenever you practice yoga.
To help you decide which yoga blocks to buy, we’ve reviewed and tested the best yoga blocks and shared our favorite yoga blocks below.
The 9 Best Yoga Blocks of 2022
#1: Best Yoga Block Set: Gaiam Essentials Yoga Block
Our pick for the best yoga block set for everyday practice is the Gaiam Essentials Yoga Blocks. This pack of two premium EVA foam yoga blocks are 50% denser than standard EVA foam blocks, improving the durability for years of use.
They can be spot cleaned with mild detergent on a damp towel and left to air dry, but you’ll be surprised at how well they repel odor.These yoga blocks measure 9 x 6 x 4 inches and are perfect for helping you maintain proper alignment no matter what pose you are working on.
For example, if you have tight hips but want to do Pigeon Pose, you can place one of the yoga blocks under your hip to reduce the excessive pressure on your front knee, which could otherwise increase your risk of injury.
#2: Best Yoga Block for Beginners: Gaiam Basic Yoga Block
One of the best yoga blocks for beginners is the Gaiam Yoga Block. It’s affordable, soft, non-slip, and comes in 28 cool and fun patterns and colors, from jewel tones and neutral tones to floral patterns and tie-dye.
Essentially, it’s a basic yoga block but it does the trick and looks great.
The Gaiam Yoga Block has beveled edges for easy gripping and is super lightweight, made from EVA foam. It measures 9 x 6 x 4 inches and can be spot cleaned with a damp cloth.
#3: Best Cork Yoga Block: SNAKUGA Cork Yoga Block 2 Pack
Cork yoga blocks are eco-friendly and easy to grip, so you won’t slip when using them. They are more affordable than wooden or bamboo yoga blocks and a little bit lighter.
On the downside, some cork yoga blocks are cheaply made and they crumble over time. However, the SNAKUGA Cork Yoga Block 2 Pack are premium cork yoga blocks built to last.
Measuring 9 x 6 x 4 inches and weighing 2.3 pounds each, these durable, sturdy yoga blocks are made for 100% natural, high-density cork.
These yoga blocks have enough give that you won’t feel achy pressing into them, but you’ll be fully supported in your pose. They retain their shape and repel odor, ensuring you can use them for years.
#4: Best Eco-Friendly Yoga Block: Manduka Recycled Yoga Block
The Manduka Yoga Block is our choice for the best eco-friendly yoga block.
These recycled yoga blocks contain between 50% – 75% recycled post-industrial and post-consumer EVA foam, making them a great sustainable yoga block with minimal environmental impact.
Featuring slip-resistant contoured edges for comfort, reliable stability, and balance, these high-density foam yoga blocks are a great option for beginner to advanced yogis alike.
These sustainable yoga blocks measure 9 x 6 x 4 inches and weigh just 0.9 pounds each, so they’re nice and lightweight when you want to tote them along in your yoga bag.
#5: Best Bamboo Yoga Block: Wooden-Life Bamboo Yoga Block
Bamboo yoga blocks are more durable than EVA foam blocks, so you’ll get a long-lasting yoga block for years of use. They are certainly heavier, but they also look beautiful and hold up to rugged wear and tear, and can be reliable support during headstands and other weight-bearing poses.
Our pick for the best bamboo yoga block is the Wooden-Life Bamboo Yoga Block, which comes in a two-pack of gorgeous, sturdy yoga blocks.
Each bamboo yoga block measures 9 x 6 x 3 inches, and has a lacquer coating for easy wiping. This is a great yoga block for hot yoga because bamboo won’t absorb sweat the way an EVA foam yoga block would, reducing bacterial growth and odor.
To clean the yoga block, simply wipe it clean with a damp cloth. Note that bamboo yoga blocks are harder than foam or cork yoga blocks, so these are less forgiving on wrists and bony prominences.
#6: Best Yoga Block for Wrist Pain: Wrist Buddy Yoga Blocks
One of the top complaints from avid yogis is wrist pain. From Downward-Facing Dog Pose to Cobra Pose, many yoga poses put a lot of pressure on the wrists.
The Wrist Buddy Yoga Blocks are the answer to our quest to remedy wrist pain from yoga. The design of the yoga block incorporates contours to match the anatomical shape of your fingers and hands in common yoga poses.
The design alleviates pressure on the wrist and distributes the weight through your entire palm, helping you feel maximally stable and secure with no discomfort. There’s a coarse surface where your hands go to improve grip.
The set includes two yoga blocks for wrist pain, each measuring 9 x 6 x 4 inches. They are made from latex-free, odor-free EVA foam, and are said to reduce wrist pressure by 60%.
#7: Best Wedge Yoga Block: StrongTek Yoga Foam Wedge Blocks
Wedge yoga blocks can be super helpful for certain yoga poses. For example, you can slip the wedge yoga blocks under your heels when you do Chair Pose or Downward-Facing Dog Pose if you have tight calves or Achilles tendons.
The wedge will “bring the floor up to you,” and increase stability and safety, allowing you to settle into the pose more comfortably without straining your muscles.
Our choice for the best wedge yoga block is the StrongTek Yoga Foam Wedge Blocks, a set of two high-quality EVA foam yoga blocks. Each wedge block measures 12 x 6 x 3 inches and has a 24-degree incline angle.
There’s a nice give to the block, yet it provides the support you need even when weight-bearing through the yoga block. The wedge shape also makes these yoga blocks easier on the wrists during some poses and can help you maintain ideal alignment.
#8: Best Large Yoga Block: Hugger Mugger 5 in. Big Foam Yoga Block
When you’re looking for an oversized yoga block if you are tall or particularly inflexible or don’t feel safe stacking two yoga blocks together, use the Hugger Mugger 5 in. Big Foam Yoga Block.
This is the best yoga block for tall yogis because it is about 1.5 times larger than a typical yoga block, meaning you’ll get the same degree of “raising the floor up” as a shorter yogi using a standard yoga block.
It’s also a great yoga block for beginners because it’s a little more stable and the greater height can be helpful if you are less flexible.
For example, if you do Forward Fold and have tight hamstrings, a large yoga block can ensure you can get your palms down flat when you can’t reach all the way down to the mat.
This large yoga block is 5 x 12 x 6.75 inches and is made from dense, environmentally-friendly EVA foam. Plus, it’s latex-free.
#9: Best Mini Yoga Block for Travel: Manduka Welcome Mini Travel Block
When you’re traveling or just need a little yoga block, the Manduka Welcome Mini Travel Block is your perfect go-to yoga prop.
Made from recycled, high-density EVA foam, it’s as functional as it is cute. It’s super lightweight and measures just 5.5 x 4.5 x 4 inches, making it about 30% smaller than standard yoga blocks.
If you are hopping on a plane or otherwise want the best travel yoga block, the Manduka Welcome Mini Travel Block can be your compact yoga block.
Even though it’s noticeably smaller than most yoga blocks, you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how functional it is, though it might take a few uses to get accustomed to the smaller surface area.
Next up, how to use your yoga props . . .
Do you use yoga blocks or other yoga props, such as yoga straps, wheels, pillows, or bolsters? Learn more about yoga bolsters, another valuable yoga prop, here.
