Most meditation programs call for people to sit down—often with their legs crossed on the floor. This position can be uncomfortable to hold for extended periods of time, which is why meditation cushions can add an entirely new layer of comfort to your meditation practice. Take your pick of a Zafu or Zabuton style cushion, to elevate the hips or cushion the knees, respectively. While the height and shape of Zabuton cushions are relatively universal, Zafu pillows offer a wider variety of options. Also, consider if portability features and washability matter to you. Based on our reviews, here are the best meditation cushions on the market. Dimensions are a major consideration when shopping for meditation cushions since you need a pillow that’s big enough to support you comfortably. This one boasts a 16-inch diameter and a 5-inch height, making it a relatively wide and tall pillow. This means it’s large enough to accommodate a range of people of all shapes and sizes, making it a particularly versatile pick. Price at time of publication: $55 The cushion also comes wrapped in a soft cotton cover, which you can easily unzip to access the pillow’s interior. Once you open it, you can adjust the amount of filling inside until the cushion is the exact height you want it to be. The meditation cushion comes in three sizes—12 x 12 x 4.5 inches, 13 x 13 x 4.5 inches, and 16 x 16 x 4.5 inches—so you can pick the size that best meets your needs. It also comes with a built-in handle in case you want to make your meditation practice mobile. Price at time of publication: $27 The bolster measures 25.6 inches long, 10.2 inches wide, and 5.9 inches tall, making it a formidable meditation cushion. The pillow is large enough to comfortably sit or kneel on while you meditate. And if you practice yoga, you can use the bolster to supplement classic postures. Use it as a cozy substitute for a yoga block during supine twists, or lie on top of it during shavasana. Price at time of publication: $70 Though this meditation cushion is fully inflatable, it boasts three different chambers, each of which needs to be inflated individually. Tedious? Maybe. But this gives you full control over your cushion. You get to decide how inflated each chamber is, which allows you to customize the tallness and firmness of the cushion. Price at time of publication: $50 This large, rectangular pillow from Intelligent Design is easy to fold, providing you with the customized support you need for a truly comfortable meditation practice. A stack of shorter folds can mimic a bolster while a lack of folds leaves you with a plush mat that’s perfect for meditation, deep stretching, and lounging. In its unfolded form, the 100 percent chenille cushion measures 74 inches long, 27 inches wide, and 3 inches tall. This is large enough to comfortably accommodate many people. But if you decide you want a taller bolster and you don’t mind a smaller mat, you can simply fold the cushion until it better suits your needs. This flexibility makes it a particularly versatile pick. Price at time of publication: $90 The cushion’s U-shaped seat alleviates pressure on your tailbone, giving it a place to “float” while the rest of your body sinks into the pillow. Meanwhile, durable memory foam contours to the rest of your body each time you sit on it. It comes inside a breathable mesh cover, which you can easily remove and toss in the washing machine any time you need to clean it. The cover is just as durable as the rest of the cushion, and it comes equipped with a non-slip bottom, so you don’t have to worry about sliding out of place while you meditate. Backed by a money-back guarantee, you can return it within two years to receive a full refund—no questions asked. Price at time of publication: $40 If 9 inches sounds intimidating or uncomfortable, no need to worry. The cushion zips open and closed, giving you easy access to its buckwheat hull filling. Simply open it and remove some of the hulls to adjust the cushion’s dimensions to your liking. Price at time of publication: $65 The Zafu cushion is filled with buckwheat hulls, making it both comfortable and supportive. Since buckwheat is a durable material, the cushion holds its shape over time. The Zabuton mat is filled with an equally soft and resilient material called kapok, which is a natural fiber similar to cotton. The Zafu cushion also comes with a built-in handle, allowing you to tote it around easily no matter where your meditation practice takes you. The Zabuton mat comes inside a removable cover, which you can conveniently machine wash any time you need to clean it. Price at time of publication: $130 The cushion’s lotus-lined side is surely its selling point, but even without the acupressure feature, it’s a solid meditation cushion. The pillow is filled with buckwheat hulls, making it comfortable, supportive, and durable. It sits inside a resilient, soft, and easy-to-wash cover. The cushion’s height is also completely adjustable. When fully filled, it’s a considerable 6 inches tall, but if you decide you prefer a shorter pillow, simply unzip the cover and remove the buckwheat filling until you’re satisfied with the cushion’s dimensions. Price at time of publication: $50 The cushion doesn’t seem to be adjustable, though, so you can’t remove scoops of buckwheat filling to alter its dimensions. The pillow is also spot-clean-only, making it slightly inconvenient to clean. But these downsides are minor ones, considering its stylishness and functionality. Price at time of publication: $64 The Zafu and Zabuton Meditation Cushion Set is another excellent choice for those who want to level up in their meditation practice. Being a two-piece set, it offers all kinds of comfort, alleviating pain in the knees, hips, and back all at once.
Height
Zafu meditation cushions come in an array of different heights, with many hovering around the 5-inch mark. Consider your height and preferences when choosing the height of your Zafu pillow. If you’re on the taller side, you may prefer a pillow that’s taller as well.
Shape
Zabuton cushions are almost always large rectangular mats. But Zafu cushions may be round, rectangular, or U-shaped. Round Zafu cushions are the classic style, and rectangular Zafu bolsters can be used during yoga, as well as meditation. U-shaped and V-shaped iterations are typically designed to elevate the hips, making them apt choices for preventing hip, knee, and back pain.
Portability
Many meditation cushions come with a built-in handle, making it easy for you to bring them with you on the go. Some cushions are also inflatable or foldable, making them even more convenient to carry around and to store between uses.
Washability
Meditation cushions can be crafted from an array of soft fabrics, some of which are easier to wash than others. If you care about convenience and plan to clean your cushion regularly, look for options that are machine-washable.
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As a seasoned health and fitness writer, Lindsey Lanquist understands how vital quality product recommendations can be. She is careful to recommend products that are reliable, comfortable, and genuinely well-reviewed by those who’ve tried them. Next, wiggle from side to side a bit on the cushion to help your hips settle into a natural position. As you do so, tilt your pelvis forward slightly to straighten your spine. Lastly, complete a quick body scan to ensure that your hips, shoulders, and head are aligned properly. Remain in that tall-yet-relaxed position throughout the duration of your mediation practice. A meditation cushion also makes it easier to sit in proper alignment for longer periods of time without discomfort, which is a common distraction during a meditation practice.
