Tailbone pain is worst when you sit. The NHS says the pain is felt at the base of the spine, near the top of your bottom, and it is often worse while you sit, when you stand up from sitting, and when you bend forward.[2] Cleveland Clinic lists sitting on a donut pillow or a wedge-shaped gel cushion among the home remedies, and says about 90 percent of people with tailbone pain find relief with home remedies.[1]
This guide explains what a donut pillow does, what research says about donut and wedge cushions, how to choose one, and four donut cushions that are in stock on the web US.
Donut pillow basics for tailbone pain
- Cleveland Clinic lists a donut pillow or a wedge-shaped gel cushion as a way to take pressure off your tailbone, alongside anti-inflammatory medicine, heat or cold packs, and stool softeners if bowel movements hurt.[1]
- The NHS advises a specially designed coccyx cushion when sitting, good posture with your lower back supported, lying on your side, and not sitting for a long time.[2]
- A review of 55 patients who had tried both cushion types found that 35 percent preferred a wedge and 7 percent preferred a donut. Another 42 percent preferred neither.[3]
- Get medical help if the pain has not improved after a few weeks, affects your daily activities, or comes with a high temperature or pain in another area.[2]
- If a donut does not help you, try a wedge-shaped coccyx cushion with a cutout at the back.
Key Specs
| No. | Product | Type | Fill / material | Cover | Sizes | Care |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ergonomic Innovations Firm Support | Donut cushion | Firm memory foam | Removable | 17.5 x 14 x 2.75 in | Machine washable cover |
| 2 | Anzhixiu Concave U | Donut cushion | Slow-rebound memory foam | Soft zippered cover | 18 x 18 x 4 in | – |
| 3 | DailyCuddles Cooling Donut | Donut cushion | High-density memory foam with cooling gel | Breathable, zippered | 17.4 x 13.4 x 2.6 in | Machine washable cover |
| 5 | AnboCare Cooling Gel | Donut cushion | Memory foam with cooling gel layer | Breathable mesh | 16.3 x 13.2 in | Machine washable cover |
– = not stated by the maker. Specs as stated by the maker, not tested by us.
Uses for the Donut Pillow
A donut pillow is a ring-shaped cushion with a hole in the center. The hole keeps your tailbone from touching the seat, which takes pressure off it while you sit.
- Tailbone Pain – This is the main use. Cleveland Clinic lists a donut pillow or wedge cushion among home remedies, and the NHS lists a specially designed coccyx cushion for sitting.[1][2]
- Prolonged Sitting – The NHS lists long sitting while driving or cycling, and repeated strain on the coccyx, among the causes. It advises not sitting for a long time at a stretch.[2]
- After Surgery or Childbirth – Pregnancy and childbirth are common causes of tailbone pain.[2] If you have had surgery near the tailbone, ask your surgeon whether a donut cushion is right for you.
Donut Versus Wedge Cushions
Donut and wedge cushions both leave a gap behind your tailbone. A study of 171 patients with coccydynia at a university pain practice found that 55 had tried both types. Of those 55, 19 patients (35 percent) preferred the wedge cushion, 4 (7 percent) preferred the donut and 4 liked both equally. The other 23 (42 percent) preferred neither.[3] The authors conclude that patients with a preference were almost 5 times more likely to prefer a wedge.[3]
The study was a chart review at a single practice, so it does not settle the question for everyone. It is a good reason to try a wedge cushion if a donut does not help.
Choosing a Donut Pillow
- Foam – Firm memory foam holds its shape under your weight. Check the weight rating. The cushions below are rated from 240 to 300 pounds.
- Cutout – A center hole or a U-shaped cutout leaves a gap behind the tailbone, and a concave surface does the same job. Position the gap under the tailbone.
- Cover – A zippered, machine-washable cover keeps the cushion fresh. A mesh or breathable cover helps airflow.
- Base – A non-slip base keeps it from sliding on chairs and car seats.
- Gel Layer – A cooling gel layer is an optional extra for hot weather.
- Size and Portability – The cushions are about 17 inches long and weigh about a pound, so you can carry one between a desk chair and a car seat.
How We Chose These Pillows
These picks come from research. We compared the makers’ specifications, the The web product pages and buyer feedback, and we checked that every pick is in stock on the web US. We did not test the pillows ourselves.
We looked at these factors:
- Foam and Support – Memory foam density, the weight rating and how the cushion holds its shape.
- Pressure Relief Shape – Whether the cutout, hole or concave surface leaves a gap behind the tailbone.
- Cover and Base – Whether the cover is washable and the base is non-slip.
- Stock – Whether the cushion is in stock on the web US at the time we checked.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Donut Pillows for Your Tailbone
- Is a donut pillow good for tailbone pain?
Cleveland Clinic lists a donut pillow or wedge-shaped gel cushion among the home remedies for tailbone pain, and about 90 percent of people with tailbone pain find relief with home remedies.[1] In one chart review, patients who tried both cushion types were more likely to prefer a wedge.[3] - Should I choose a donut or a wedge cushion?
Among 55 patients who tried both, 35 percent preferred a wedge, 7 percent preferred a donut and 42 percent preferred neither.[3] If a donut does not help, try a wedge. - How should I sit with tailbone pain?
The NHS advises good posture with your lower back supported, a specially designed coccyx cushion, and not sitting for a long time. Lying on your side also reduces pressure on the coccyx.[2]
Our Picks: Donut Pillows for Your Tailbone
Here are four donut cushions that are in stock on the web US. We hope you find the right one for sitting comfortably.
We may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. This does not change your price.
1
Ergonomic Innovations® Firm Support Memory Foam Donut Seat Cushion
The Ergonomic Innovations Firm Support is a donut seat cushion of firm memory foam with U-shaped cutouts around the tailbone.
- It measures 17.5 x 14 x 2.75 inches, and the foam keeps its shape for users up to 240 pounds.
- The cover is removable and machine washable, and a non-slip base keeps the cushion from sliding.
- It fits office chairs, car seats and wheelchairs.
2
Anzhixiu® Concave U Memory Foam Tailbone Cushion
The Anzhixiu Concave U is an 18 x 18 inch memory foam cushion whose U-shaped surface leaves a gap for the tailbone.
- The rising U-shaped tail follows the line of the buttocks.
- Silicone dots on the bottom keep it in place, and the cover has a durable zipper.
- It is made to go on an office chair, car seat, train seat or airplane seat.
3
DailyCuddles® Cooling Donut Gel Memory Foam Seat Cushion
The DailyCuddles Cooling Donut is a large cushion of high-density memory foam infused with cooling gel, with a center hole and U-shaped cutouts.
- The breathable cover unzips and goes in the washing machine.
- A non-slip base keeps it in place on dining chairs, office chairs, car seats and wheelchairs.
- It measures 17.4 x 13.4 x 2.6 inches.
5
AnboCare® Cooling Gel Large Memory Foam Donut Cushion
The AnboCare Cooling Gel is a large memory foam donut cushion with a cooling gel layer on top.
- It is firm and supports up to 300 pounds, so choose another cushion if you prefer a soft feel.
- The mesh cover unzips for machine washing, and a non-slip base stops it shifting.
- It comes with a 30-day replacement guarantee.
Index Table: Donut Pillows for Your Tailbone
| No. | Product | Image | Features | Brand |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ergonomic Innovations Firm Support - Memory Foam Donut Seat Cushion |  |
| Ergonomic Innovations |
| 2 | Anzhixiu Concave U - Memory Foam Tailbone Cushion |  |
| Anzhixiu |
| 3 | DailyCuddles Cooling Donut - Gel Memory Foam Seat Cushion |  |
| DailyCuddles |
| 5 | AnboCare Cooling Gel - Large Memory Foam Donut Cushion |  |
| AnboCare |
Sources
- Cleveland Clinic. Tailbone Pain (Coccydynia). Accessed October 27, 2026.
- National Health Service (NHS). Tailbone (coccyx) pain. Accessed October 27, 2026.
- Foye PM, Sanderson SO, Smith JA. American Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Coccyx cushions for tailbone pain: donut cushions versus wedge cushions. Accessed October 27, 2026.
Update History
- Oct 2026: Rewrote the article around Cleveland Clinic, NHS and a published donut versus wedge cushion study, removed the unsourced hemorrhoid, post-surgery and ‘ideal tailbone’ claims and the FTC textile-label source, rewrote all four product notes, dropped the out-of-stock H. Store Cooling pillow and added a disclaimer, a takeaways box, How We Chose and an FAQ
- Oct 2026: Replaced the Sources with three reviewed pages
- Oct 2026: Replaced unavailable products: Relievve High density Pillow with Anzhixiu Concave U Pillow; Wantell Cool Gel Pillow with DailyCuddles Donut Pillow
- Oct 2026: Removed 5 Stars United Medium Pillow (unavailable)
- Oct 2026: Added a Key Specs comparison table and a Sources section, removed first-person testing claims
- Dec 2022: Published
