The world that we live in today is fast-paced and often stressful. Between work obligations, personal relationships, social responsibilities, and mundane tasks like commuting and cleaning, it can easily seem outright impossible to wind down. If you have difficulty in managing stress and finding time to slow down, meditation may be a powerful strategy to implement into your daily routine.
Meditation is an invaluable practice of focus, mindfulness, and mental clarity. There are several different techniques for meditation, but many of them involve remaining still in a seated position for an extended length of time. Some people quickly become uncomfortable in this position, as staying still in a non-cushioned seat can put pressure on the back and joints.
Enter meditation pillows. Meditation pillows are carefully constructed cushions designed to be placed on the floor underneath your tailbone as you meditate. The support and padding provided by meditation pillows can help you meditate comfortably, safely, and for longer periods of time. Here, we’ll cover what to look for while shopping for meditation pillows, then show you our top ten list for meditation pillows available online today.
What Are The Benefits of a Meditation Pillow?
It Relieves Pressure From The Body During Meditation.
One of the primary functions of meditation cushions is to relieve pressure from the spine and joints. Meditation positions are typically seat and can cause pressure and discomfort on the hips, knees, ankles, and back after long periods of time.
When you sit on a meditation cushion, your hips are slightly raised above your knees and ankles, releasing tension in the joints. The cushion also provides padding between the floor and your sitz bones, preventing pain from pressure on the bones.
It Promotes Proper Posture.
Maintaining good posture throughout your meditation session is essential. Meditation cushions can help you with this by supporting your body to make it easier to sit up straight. With a cushion underneath your tailbone, you’ll be less likely to slump into your lower back. Meditation cushions also put your spine into proper alignment so that it’s not arched, which could cause injury to the spine over time. Considering that meditation sessions can last from 20 minutes to an hour or longer, it’s important to protect your body while reaping the benefits that meditation has to offer.
It’s a Visual Reminder to Meditate.
Meditation is a valuable practice, but it can be difficult to fit into your busy schedule. When you see your meditation cushion sitting in the corner of the room, you’ll be instantly reminded to meditate. Sometimes, a simple reminder is all it takes to help you incorporate meditation into your daily routine.
What Should I Look For in a Meditation Pillow?
Durable Materials
To ensure that you can use your meditation cushion for years to come, it’s important to invest in one that’s made of high-quality materials. Otherwise, you’re risking having to repurchase another cushion in just a few months.
Look for a durable outer cover made from a thick but soft material. Organic cotton is a popular choice, but you may also find that canvas or velvet works well for you. If the cover has a zippered closure, make sure that the zipper is sturdy and won’t just get stuck on the fabric within a few uses.
The filling material of your meditation cushion needs to be long-lasting, too. Most meditation cushions available today use buckwheat hulls as the filling. This is a good choice because buckwheat hulls won’t flatten or deflate over time, meaning that your cushion will stay comfortable and supportive. However, buckwheat has been known to attract bugs when used in cushions. Look for a manufacturer that heat-treats their hulls to prevent bug infestations.
Washable Cover
One significant benefit to look for in meditation pillows is a washable cover. Especially if you meditate frequently, your cushion will get a lot of use. By being able to simply remove the outer cushion cover and run it through the washing machine, you can ensure that the cushion is clean and ready to use when you need it. If you plan to travel with your meditation pillow or bring it along with you to yoga classes, a washable cover is a must.
When considering meditation pillows with washable covers, consider how easily the cover can be removed from the cushion. Some options can be zipped off, while others have buttons or ties.
Carrying Handle
Similarly to the washable cover, a carrying handle is an important feature to look for in your meditation pillow if you plan to travel with it. When you’re bringing your cushion along to yoga class, a meditation retreat, or simply to practice meditation somewhere outside your home, a sturdy carrying handle will enable you to have one hand free while carrying the cushion. This leaves your other hand free to carry your bag, a water bottle, your phone, or whatever else you may need.
Top Ten Meditation Pillows in 2019
Below, you’ll find our ten favorite meditation pillows available now. We’ve selected these pillows for their quality, durability, and user-friendly designs. They’re built with support, comfort, and convenience in mind so that you can focus on having a beneficial meditation session.
Brentwood Home Crystal Cove Meditation Pillow
The Brentwood Home meditation pillow is extremely popular and serves as a great all-around cushion, whether you’re a beginner or expert meditator. It has a modern round style with an attractive scalloped design on the outer cover, featuring embroidery for added embellishment. The outer cover is made from a soft, stretch-knit material and may even be removed so that you can wash it easily. There are absolutely no flame retardants, formaldehyde, phthalates, or formaldehyde involved in the
This meditation pillow from Brentwood Home features an organic cotton inner liner that’s comfortable and breathable. It holds the buckwheat pillow filling, which is easily removable. By removing the pillow filling in accordance with your preferences, you can customize the firmness, making it harder or softer as needed. Changing the filling amount also alters the height of the pillow, enabling you to find a size that’s the most conducive to your preferred meditation position. The buckwheat hull filling is held in an inner liner, making it easy to add or remove hulls as needed.
This meditation pillow has a durable carrying handle, making it a portable pillow option. You can carry it from home to your yoga class or even a meditation retreat with ease. This pillow measures 18 inches long, 13 inches wide, and 6 inches high. It weighs just four pounds, which you can alter by removing some of the filling.
Pros:
- The adjustability of the inner buckwheat filling means that you can make the pillow as hard or as soft as you need for comfort during meditation.
- The outer cover is exceptionally soft and stretchy (similar to sweatshirt material) and it has a unique embroidered design so that it looks attractive in your home.
- This meditation pillow has a secure carrying handle so that you can easily bring it along with you to yoga class, meditation retreats, and anywhere else you may need support for meditation.
Cons:
- This price of this meditation pillow is relatively high when you consider other available options.
- This meditation cushion is somewhat small considering its price point.
- Unlike some other meditation cushions, this option doesn’t double as a yoga support block.
Seat of Your Soul 2019 Meditation Pillow
This meditation from Seat of Your Soul has a crescent design that was based on detailed research, extensive testing, and user input. Built to accommodate any shape, size, weight, and gender, this meditation pillow is a reliable option for people from all walks of life. With the support that this pillow provides, you may be able to meditate for longer, with less fatigue.
The outer cover of this meditation cushion is easily removable and machine washable – all you have to do is unzip it. This cover is constructed of sturdy, soft, GOTS-certified cotton with heavy stitching. So, this pillow can stand up to intensive use. Just be sure to wash the cover in cold water.
This meditation cushion is filled with 100% natural buckwheat hulls. This high-quality filling is comfortable, supportive, and durable for users of all shapes. The buckwheat filling is also easily removable so that you can adjust the firmness of the cushion. To make the cushion softer, simple remove some hulls. To make it firmer, add some hulls. The buckwheat hulls are stored in a second inner pouch, making it simple and clean to add or remove them as needed.
The Seat of Your Soul 2019 Meditation Cushion comes in a range of sizes so that you can find the perfect fit for you. Achieving the right fit in a meditation cushion is crucial to achieving complete comfort and support during meditation. The different available sizes are: the Crescent, which measures 5 inches high and 17 inches wide; the Zafu, which measures 5.5 inches high and 15 inches wide, and the Zabuton cushion, which measures 4 inches high and 25 square inches.
Pros:
- The Seat of Your Soul Cushion can be adjusted to achieve the ideal firmness level for you; just add or remove buckwheat hulls in the easily accessible second inner pouch.
- The outer cover of this cushion is durable and features an easy carrying loop, so you can bring it along with you to yoga class, on vacation, etc.
- This cushion comes in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors, enabling you to find the ideal combination for your needs and preferences.
- The cotton used to construct this cushion is sustainable and ethically sources, using only GOTS-certified cotton.
Cons:
- The smaller sizes of this cushion may not provide enough lift for the hips to prevent joint pain for some users.
- The outer cover may be slightly larger than the inner section of this cushion, leaving some fabric loose.
- While you can remove some of the buckwheat hulls from this cushion to reduce its firmness, it’s quite firm when compared to its competitors and may not be soft enough for some users.
Florensi Meditation Pillow
The Florensi Meditation Cushion is an affordable option for people seeking an extra-large meditation cushion. With a diameter of 16 inches and a height of 5 inches, this pillow provides plenty of space for people of all sizes to meditate comfortably. It has a circular shape with a design that was inspired by the mandala lotus flower. This evokes a feeling of growth, peace, compassion, and unity to enhance your meditation experience.
This meditation pillow features a super soft velvet outer cover. This cozy outer fabric can help calm your body and mind for an effective meditation session. The outer cover is also easily removable and machine washable. A carrying handle is built into this cushion so that it can be easily transported to and from yoga class and other excursions involving meditation.
High-quality buckwheat hulls make up the inner filling of this meditation cushion. The buckwheat has been high heat-treated to prevent bug infestation, which has been a problem with other buckwheat-filled meditation pillows. The buckwheat is stored in an inner pouch that’s easily accessible so that you can add or remove hulls as needed. By adding or removing the inner filling, you can make the pillow softer or firmer as needed. Plus, the buckwheat hulls won’t flatten over time, increasing the longevity of this cushion.
A special feature of this meditation cushion is its added 1 inch of supportive foam. This extra support provides comfort throughout extended meditation sessions. It prevents joint pain and numbness that may be experienced with meditation cushions that are too firm.
Pros:
- The velvet outer cover of this meditation is not only extremely soft and comfortable, but also removable and machine-washable for convenience.
- The buckwheat filling has been heat treated to prevent bug infestation and can be easily removed to adjust the cushion’s firmness.
- This meditation pillow features an easy carrying handle so that you can have support during meditation wherever you go.
- The added inch of foam in this cushion provides extra support during long meditation sessions to prevent joint pain and numbness.
Cons:
- Due to the large size of this meditation cushion, it may not be the most practical option if you plan to travel with it often.
- The velvet fabric may pick up dirt and debris more easily than other fabrics used for meditation cushions.
Here & Now Supply Co. Buckwheat Hull Filled Meditation Pillow
This meditation cushion from Here & Now Supply Co. is a sturdy and practical option for frequent meditators. Measuring 13 inches in diameter and 5 inches in height, this circular cushion is designed to add comfort and support to your meditation practice. Plus, it features a carrying handle for portability between home and yoga classes, meditation retreats, and other excursions. It also comes with a yoga carrying bag for further protection and convenience on-the-go. You can also use the included bag to keep your meditation cushion clean when it’s not in use.
This meditation cushion features buckwheat hull filling. The filling helps in an inner buckwheat bag, enabling you to easily add or remove hulls as needed. By adjusting the volume of hulls in the pillow, you can create the perfect level of firmness for you. This cushion even comes with extra buckwheat for extra firmness.
The outer cover of this cushion is made from comfortable and durable cotton. It features a modern lotus design for visual interest. This cover is easily removable and machine washable for your convenience. Plus, it’s available in three different color options: Sacred Reg, Sky Blue, and Zen Black.
A unique feature of this meditation cushion is that it comes with a mindfulness meditation ebook to get you started or enhance your meditation practice. It’s a 20-page ebook, sent via email, and includes mindfulness exercises that you can practice at home. These exercises are designed to reduce stress and increase focus.
Pros:
- The included carrying bag makes it simple to keep this cushion clean, even when you’re traveling.
- This cushion comes with an extra bag of buckwheat hulls, enabling you to further increase the firmness of this pillow as needed.
- A mindfulness meditation ebook is included when you purchase this meditation cushion. The ebook provides helpful exercises to bolster your meditation practice.
Cons:
- The dimensions of this circular cushion may be slightly too small for some users.
Yoga Meditation Buckwheat Bolster Pillow
This meditation cushion is designed to improve your meditation and yoga practice with reliable support. It features an adjustable filling of buckwheat hulls so that you can achieve the ideal firmness level for your body. The buckwheat hulls are sealed in a pouch that you can access easily using the zipper for adjustment.
The outer cover of this cushion is made of cotton and entirely machine washable in cold water. You can also spot clean the cover to get rid of small spots of dirt and debris. This cushion also has a soft grab-and-go handle that makes traveling with this cushion easy.
This meditation cushion is available in seven different colors: black, blue, burgundy, gray, green, purple, and turquoise. It’s also available in two different sizes: 13 inches by 13 inches and 16 inches by 16 inches. It’s circular in shape and provides enough height to reduce strain on the hips, back, and knees while meditating in a seated position.
Pros:
- With two different sizes available, you can select the ideal dimensions for your body type.
- This cushion is durable and has a machine washable cover to increase its lifespan.
- The buckwheat inner filling can easily be adjusted for your ideal firmness level.
- This meditation cushion is an affordable option when you consider its competitors.
Cons:
- This meditation cushion sits relatively high off the ground, which may be uncomfortable for some users.
- The cotton cover may begin to pill after multiple washes.
FelizMax Zafu Buckwheat Meditation Pillow
This round meditation cushion from FelizMax is affordable and has an ergonomic design for optimal comfort. It comes in two different sizes: 13 inches in diameter and 5 inches tall, or 16 inches in diameter and 5 inches tall. It also comes in six different color options: black, blue, dark green, dark grey, green, and light grey.
This meditation cushion is filled with buckwheat hulls to prevent flattening over time. The buckwheat hulls are dehydrated, treated with high-temperature washing, and treated with ultraviolet fumigation. These processes ensure that the hulls are clean, flour-free, low in water content, and resistant to insects. The cushion has a 10-ounce encrypted canvas cover for durability. The cover is resistant to fading or shrinking.
This cushion has an organic cotton cover, as well as a convenient carrying handle. The cover can easily be removed and machine washed in cold water.
Pros:
- This cushion comes in two different sizes so that you can find the right option for your body type.
- The canvas cover is durable and will withstand intensive use.
- The buckwheat hull filling of this meditation cushion has been treated carefully to ensure longevity and prevent insect infestation.
Cons:
- The different colors that this cushion is available in may look different in reality than they appear online.
- This cushion may be too small for some user’s preferences.
REEHUT Zafu Yoga Meditation Pillow
This meditation cushion is popular and affordable. It’s round cushion that comes in four different colors: black, green, grey, and purple. Plus, it comes in three different sizes so that you can find the right fit for your height and weight: 12 inches in diameter and 4.5 inches tall; 13 inches in diameter and 4.5 inches tall; or 16 inches in diameter and 4.5 inches tall. This cushion has a durable carrying handle for convenience on the go.
The inner filling of this meditation cushion consists of organic buckwheat hulls. The buckwheat is contained in an easily accessible pouch so that you can add or remove hulls as needed. The outer cover for this cushion is made of cotton hemp fabric. It’s fully removable with a zippered closure and machine washable.
Pros:
- The cotton hemp fabric cover is soft, durable, and machine-washable for your convenience.
- The zippered closure of this meditation cushion is a YKK zipper that’s both secure and easy to use.
- You can adjust the firmness of this cushion by adding or removing buckwheat hulls, which you can access easily with the inner zippered pouch.
Cons:
- The smaller size of this cushion may not provide enough support for some users.
- The buckwheat hulls have a firm texture that may not be soft enough for some users.
Incline Fit Zafu Yoga Meditation Pillow
This meditation cushion from Incline Fit has a slight crescent shape to provide support for the joints and spine in a seated position. It measures 17 inches long, 10.5 inches wide, and 5 inches high to provide ample room to sit, no matter your size.
This meditation cushion has a zippered outer cotton cover. It can be easily removed and machine washed to get rid of dirt and germs. The cover comes in five different colors including gray, forest green, midnight blue, onyx, and plum. Plus, this cushion features a convenient carrying handle for meditation away from home.
An inner case in this meditation cushion is filled with buckwheat hulls. To access the hulls to adjust the firmness of the cushion, all you need to do is unzip the case and add or remove hulls as needed.
Pros:
- The dimensions of this cushion are designed for optimal spine and joint support.
- The zippered outer cover is machine washable so that it stays clean for repeated use.
- The crescent shape of this cushion adds comfort and support for people with all different body types.
Cons:
- The zipper used to remove the outer cover isn’t of the highest quality and may be difficult to use.
- This cushion is relatively firm and may not be soft enough for some users.
Unique Wellness Large Buckwheat and Lavender Meditation Pillow
This buckwheat and lavender meditation cushion from Unique Wellness has an extra-large size for complete support during meditation. It measures 17 inches long, 13 inches wide, and 6 inches high to accommodate people of all different body types.
The outer cover of this meditation cushion has a gray, scalloped design. It’s ultra-soft and made from a stretchy material for comfort. The cover can be removed easily and is machine washable.
The inner cover of this meditation cushion contains buckwheat hulls and lavender. The buckwheat hulls provide adjustable support and won’t flatten over time. The lavender provides a soothing, therapeutic scent to enhance your meditation.
While this cushion includes a grab-and-go handle for portability, it also comes with a tote bag. This matching bag fits the cushion perfectly and can easily keep it clean wherever you go. The bag features the same scalloped pattern and sweatshirt-like material as the cushion’s outer cover.
Pros:
- In addition to buckwheat hulls that can be added or removed, this meditation cushion contains lavender for a relaxing scent as you meditate.
- The soft outer cover of this cushion feels like a sweatshirt and can conveniently be machine washed.
- Each meditation cushion from Unique Wellness has been triple checked to prevent bug infestation.
- This meditation cushion comes with a convenient carrying bag to make transporting it easy.
Cons:
- This cushion is expensive when compared to many of its competitors.
- The material of the outer cover may pill with repeated use.
Existentials Buckwheat Meditation Pillow Plus Eye Mask, Mala Necklace, and E-Book
This portable meditation cushion is made for complete stress relief by supporting your posture in meditation positions and yoga poses. It features high-quality, natural buckwheat filling that can conform to your unique body shape. You can also adjust the amount of buckwheat filling by unzipping the inner pouch, making it easy to change the firmness of the cushion. With buckwheat hulls as the inner pilling, this cushion won’t deflate or flatten over time.
This cushion has a washable outer cover that you can easily remove. It comes in four different styles: tan, purple, off-white, and hemp, which is a white cover with printed hemp leaves. The dimensions of this cushion are 16 inches by 5 inches.
A convenient carrying handle is built into this meditation cushion for easy transport. The cushion also comes with an eye mask, mala necklace, and meditation ebook to improve your meditation experience.
Pros:
- An eye mask, mala necklace, and meditation ebook are all included with this cushion for a more complete meditation experience. You can also use these additions during your yoga practice.
- This meditation cushion has buckwheat filling to prevent it from flattening over time, and you can adjust the amount of filling to change the cushion’s firmness.
- Existentials, the manufacturer for this cushion, provides a 110% lifetime Money Back Guarantee with your purchase of their products.
Cons:
- The light-colored style options for this cushion may appear dirty quickly and need frequent washing.
Conclusion
Now that we’ve reviewed the top meditation pillows available today, it’s time to pick a winner. While all of the pillows featured above are great options, the FelixMax Zafu Buckwheat Meditation Cushion is the most well-rounded choice. With multiple size and color options, shoppers can select the right version of this cushion to fit their needs. Top-quality materials are used to make this round meditation pillow, including treated buckwheat hulls to prevent bug infestation. This meditation cushion is ideal for shoppers who are budget-conscious but aren’t willing to sacrifice quality. With its durable construction, this pillow is likely to stay in top condition for years to come.
