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Today, I’ll explore six different seat cushions to help you choose the best option for you.
Lower back pain is one of the most common medical conditions, and we’re still figuring out how to treat it for each person’s unique experience and needs.
I currently own five cushions from five different companies. One lives in my office chair, one in my car, one in the backyard loveseat, and two rotate around as needed.
My chronic lower back and tailbone pain is exacerbated by long days sitting at the computer. For years, I have been on a quest for the perfect seat cushion to relieve this pain.
So, I am something of a self-appointed expert when it comes to pain-relieving seat cushions. Here’s how I rounded up the products on this list:
I recently bought this product, and it quickly became my go-to seat cushion. In fact, I am sitting on it as I type this!
It uses a special hyperfoam, a soft rebounding memory foam that conforms around the legs and hips, which makes this cushion standout compared with similar designs. I also really like how the back curves up to cradle and support the tailbone.
Even after sitting on this for hours, I’m left with significantly less tailbone and lower back pain than I get when sitting without the extra cushion.
The hyperfoam is infused with odor-reducing charcoal, and the cover is machine washable and available in 11 colors.
It’s pricier than similar products, and the site is often sold out of popular colors.
Unlike most gel- or memory foam-based cushions, the BackJoy SitSmart Posture Plus is made out of ethylene-vinyl acetate, or EVA, a rubber-like material. This firmer substance and the shape of this cushion tilt your hips upright, which can relieve pressure and strain from your lower back.
EVA is also waterproof and easily washable, making this a solid choice for camping or other outdoor activities.
The elevated back is designed to lift your pelvis slightly above the seat, which aims to protect your tailbone and promote proper posture. With over 1,300 Amazon reviews, the Posture Plus has an average rating of 4 stars. The reviewers particularly like that it’s lightweight, durable, and provides back pain relief.
The Posture Plus seat cushion is available in four colors. BackJoy also makes a slightly more molded model that they call the SitSmart Posture Core, which costs $10 more than the Posture Plus.
This is the firmest option on the list, so I don’t recommend it for recent tailbone or hip injuries. Even if you’re not recently injured, the Posture Plus is simply too firm for some people.
Made to work with both indoor and outdoor bikes, this gel seat cover is wide and designed to relieve pressure on your tailbone and spine. The anti-slip bottom surface, along with adjustable straps and drawstrings, should keep the cushion securely on your seat.
It also comes with a heat-resistant carrying case and has a 4.3-star Amazon rating based on nearly 10,000 reviews. Several reviewers note this is a good option for Peloton bikes.
The recurring theme in the 5% of reviews that are 1 star is that it’s not that comfortable and doesn’t provide pressure or pain relief. Over 80% of reviewers rate it at least 4 stars, so your experience may vary.
Purple, the company known for its mattresses, also makes seat cushions. Like their mattresses, the cushions are made with their Purple Grid material, a hyper-elastic polymer that is designed to be breathable, pressure-relieving, and durable.
Designed for 8-plus hours of sitting, the Ultimate Seat Cushion is Purple’s deepest, widest option. It’s popular among truckers, delivery drivers, gamers, and people in larger bodies that may need extra support. The contoured groove is meant to promote good posture and proper spinal alignment.
The company says you can try it risk-free for 30 days, offers free shipping and returns, and has a 1-year warranty.
At 7.3 pounds, this cushion is not the most portable. It’s also the priciest option on this list. If you’re not a career driver or a hardcore gamer, there are many other more affordable cushion options.
This is another cushion that I have in my arsenal. It’s a worthwhile option for budget-friendly, suitcase-friendly pressure relief on the go. When not inflated, it’s small enough to fit easily in a purse or carry-on bag. I mostly use this on planes and when sitting on hard benches at restaurants, bars, or parks.
It inflates easily with a few breaths and weighs less than 8 ounces. It has a 4.5-star rating with over 1,250 Amazon reviews, based on its portability, affordability, and convenience.
It’s a simple cushion that is best for traveling, but it’s not a good option for the office or car. If you want a cushion for everyday use, this is not the choice for you.
Donut-shaped pillows have been a standard recommendation for tailbone injuries for decades. In the past, they were often inflatable, and those options are still around.
The AnboCare cushion is sturdy, as it’s made of memory foam with a gel layer on top. This donut can be used in office chairs, cars, wheelchairs, planes, sofas, and more. With nearly 2,000 Amazon reviewers, it has an average rating of 4.4 stars. Reviewers rave about its ability to relieve pain from spinal injuries, postpartum soreness, and tailbone, or coccyx, injuries.
The removable cover is machine washable and features a carrying handle.
Since it’s designed for injuries, it’s necessarily firm. This probably isn’t the pillow for you if you don’t have a tailbone injury, hemorrhoids, or another medical need.
If you deal with chronic hip pain, the Milliard Memory Foam Seat Cushion may help relieve this everyday pain. Designed to provide therapeutic comfort while sitting, the cushion aims to work well for long periods of time and also help your posture stay correct.
The cushion is made of memory foam that conforms to your body for extra support and comfort. The cushion is also ventilated to promote airflow and regulate temperature. The mesh cover can be unzipped, removed, and cleaned in your washing machine.
Reviewers say they have trouble getting the cushion to stay on their seat without sliding around.
Adults aren’t the only ones who could benefit from extra support — your kids can, too.
The Baibu Kids’ Chair Pad works for most size seats and is designed to keep your kiddo comfortable. The cushion is made of mesh fabric and sponge to provide ample support.
This Baibu product is meant to be breathable and quickly absorb sweat. It should also be easy to clean using a damp cloth, your vacuum, or your washing machine.
The cushion has Velcro straps that go around the back of the chair to keep the pad in place. However, reviewers say the straps don’t work well, and that the cushion itself was smaller than expected.
Looking for a seat cushion that takes things to the next level? This wobble disk may be worth checking out.
The Gaiam cushion is a little different than a traditional seat cushion — it acts as a stability ball, forcing your muscles to contract to keep you upright. As a result, it’s possible you may improve your core strength, posture, and balance.
While the cushion is made for office desk chairs, it should work with any type of chair. It’s also a good fit for active children, who can expend their excess energy while sitting still.
The inflatable cushion arrives partially inflated. It does not come with a pump, but it does come with an inflation needle so you can adjust to your preferred level of fullness.
If you have any questions on chair cushion for hip pain. We will give the professional answers to your questions.