Meditation is a practice in which you focus your mind to reach mental and emotional calm. The NCCIH describes it as a variety of practices that focus on mind and body integration and are used to calm the mind and enhance overall well-being.[1]
Most meditation is done sitting, so a comfortable seat matters. This guide covers why a cushion helps, the types, how to choose one, and seven picks to compare.
General information, not medical advice; talk to a doctor before meditation if you have a health condition, especially a mental health condition.
Meditation cushion basics
- The NCCIH says much of the research on meditation for anxiety, stress, pain and sleep has been preliminary or not scientifically rigorous.[1]
- For floor sitting, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde advises a cushion or bench to raise the buttocks, with the knees close to the ground and not higher than the buttocks.[2]
- A chair with the feet flat on the floor is also an option.[2]
- Meditation is usually considered to have few risks, but the NCCIH says few studies have looked at harm, and one review found that about 8 percent of participants had a negative effect.[1]
- Pick a cushion by height, fill and cover care. A bolster or a cover alone is not a seat.
Key Specs
| No. | Product | Type | Fill / material | Cover | Sizes | Care |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mindful Modern | Zafu cushion | Buckwheat hulls | Velvet | 16 x 16 x 4.5 in | Removable, washable cover |
| 2 | Bean Products | Zafu set | Buckwheat hulls and cotton batting | Organic cotton | – | Machine washable |
| 3 | Third Eye Export | Cushion cover | – | – | – | – |
| 4 | Gaiam | Zafu cushion | Buckwheat hulls | Removable, washable | 13 in diameter | – |
| 5 | Gaiam | Bolster | Polyester-cotton blend | Removable, machine washable | – | Removable cover, machine washable |
| 6 | Gaiam | Bolster | Natural cotton batting | Polyester | – | Removable, machine washable |
| 7 | Zafuko | Zafu cushion | Organic kapok | – | 14 x 7 x 5 in | – |
– = not stated by the maker. Specs as stated by the maker, not tested by us.
Why You Need a Pillow or Cushion to Meditate
Most forms of meditation are done sitting. A cushion is one way to make a seated posture comfortable enough to hold.
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde advises that a comfortable posture helps the mind settle, and that it is easier to stay in for longer. It says you can sit in an upright chair with your feet flat on the floor, or on the floor with a meditation cushion or bench to raise the buttocks. The knees should be close to the ground and not higher than the buttocks, with the thighs sloping down, which supports the back and keeps the small hollow in the lower back.[2]
The NCCIH says meditation and mindfulness may have health benefits, and that researchers have studied anxiety, stress, depression, pain and sleep. It also says much of that research has been preliminary or not scientifically rigorous. A cushion does not change that, it only makes sitting more comfortable.[1]
Meditation Cushion and Pillow Types
Meditation cushions come in many shapes, sizes and fills, and buckwheat hulls are one of the most popular fills.
Round
A small or large round and flat cushion, often called a zafu, creates a comfortable seat. It is the most common shape for sitting cross-legged.
Square
A small or large square cushion works as a meditation seat too.
Cushion With Mat
A cushion with a mat under it, often called a zafu and zabuton set, gives you a padded floor surface for the knees and ankles as well as a raised seat. It also suits yoga and other floor positions.
Crescent and Heart Shape
Crescent and heart shapes are made to leave room for the legs under the seat. Try one if a flat round cushion does not suit you.
Filling
Buckwheat hulls are the most popular fill, and you can usually add or remove hulls to change the height and firmness. Other fills include kapok, latex, memory foam and microbeads. Kapok is light and soft, and memory foam is firm and holds its shape.
Fabric
Meditation cushions have long come in colorful, textured covers, and you can now find one in any color or fabric. Mandala prints and deep colors are common. Choose a cover that comes off for washing.
Picking the Best Meditation Cushion or Pillow
Here are a few things to consider when you pick a meditation cushion.
- Posture – Think about how you sit most: cross-legged, kneeling or on a chair. Choose a size and shape for that position.
- Height – The aim is a seat that lets your knees sit close to the ground and not higher than your buttocks.[2] An adjustable fill lets you tune the height.
- Fill – Buckwheat hulls, kapok and memory foam all work, and they feel different. Buckwheat and kapok mold to your shape, and foam stays firm.
- Density – The cushion should hold its shape, so it does not sink and change your posture during a session.
- Cover – Look for a sturdy cover that comes off and can be washed.
- Type – A zafu is made for sitting. A bolster is a long support for lying or leaning, and a cover alone has no padding.
How We Chose These Cushions
These picks come from desk research. We compared product details such as materials, size, care and certifications. We did not test the cushions ourselves.
We looked at these factors:
- Shape – Round, square, crescent or with a mat.
- Fill – Buckwheat hulls, kapok, cotton or foam.
- Height – Adjustable fill or fixed height.
- Cover – Fabric and whether it is removable and washable.
- Use – A seat, a bolster or a cover only.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Meditation Cushions and Pillows
- Do I need a cushion to meditate?
No. You can sit in an upright chair with your feet flat on the floor. A cushion or bench is useful on the floor, to raise the buttocks and keep the knees low. - How high should a meditation cushion be?
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde advises that the knees are close to the ground and not higher than the buttocks, with the thighs sloping down.[2] - Does meditation improve health?
The NCCIH says meditation may have health benefits, but much of the research on anxiety, stress, pain and sleep has been preliminary or not scientifically rigorous.[1] - Is meditation safe?
The NCCIH says it is usually considered to have few risks, but few studies have examined harm. A 2020 review found that about 8 percent of participants had a negative effect, most often anxiety or depression.[1] - Can I use a yoga bolster to sit?
A bolster is a long support for restorative yoga. It can raise the hips if you stack it or use it sideways, but it is less suited to long sitting than a zafu. - Do I need a different pillow for sleep?
Yes. A meditation cushion is a floor seat, and a sleep pillow is shaped for the head and neck.
Our Picks: Meditation Cushions and Pillows
Here are seven picks to compare by shape, fill, size and cover. We hope you love the products we recommend!
We may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. This does not change your price.
1
Mindful Modern® Round Zafu Meditation Cushion, Buckwheat Hulls
The Mindful & Modern Velvet is a large round zafu cushion filled with organic buckwheat hulls, with a velvet cover.
- You can add or remove hulls to change the height and firmness.
- It has a carry handle and a removable washable cover.
2
Bean Products® Round Zafu and Mat Set, Buckwheat Hulls
The Bean Products Round Zafu is a set with a buckwheat hull zafu and an organic cotton cover, filled with buckwheat and cotton batting.
- The cover is removable and machine washable.
- The fill is adjustable.
3
Third Eye Export® Indian Mandala Round Floor Pillow Cover
The Third Eye Export Boho is a round mandala cushion cover with a bohemian print. It is a cover only, so you need to buy the cushion and filling separately.
- It changes the look of a floor cushion.
- It does not give any support on its own.
4
Gaiam® Zafu Meditation Cushion, Buckwheat Hull
The Gaiam Zafu is a round buckwheat hull cushion with an adjustable fill, a removable washable cover and a sturdy handle.
- You can add or remove hulls to change how firm it is.
- It is 13 inches across, with a carry handle.
5
Gaiam® Yoga Bolster Pillow, Black
The Gaiam Yoga Classic is a rectangular bolster for restorative yoga, with a dense polyester-cotton fill, a carry handle and a removable cover.
- It is a support for lying or leaning, more than a seat.
- The cover is machine washable.
6
Gaiam® Yoga Bolster Pillow, Cotton Batting Fill
The Gaiam Yoga Bolster is a rectangular bolster filled with natural cotton batting, with a polyester cover, a handle strap and a removable machine washable cover.
- It supports the body in yoga, meditation or relaxation.
- It is a lie-down prop, so it works as a seat only with a lot of height.
7
Zafuko® Yoga and Meditation Cushion, Organic Kapok
The Zafuko is a lightweight cushion filled with organic, water-resistant kapok, made for yoga and seated meditation.
- The fill is plant based and lighter than buckwheat.
- It is a firm seat for hip support.
Index Table: Meditations Cushions and Pillows
| No. | Product | Image | Features | Brand |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mindful Modern - Round Zafu Meditation Cushion, Buckwheat Hulls |  |
| Mindful Modern |
| 2 | Bean Products - Round Zafu and Mat Set, Buckwheat Hulls |  |
| Bean Products |
| 3 | Third Eye Export - Indian Mandala Round Floor Pillow Cover |  |
| Third Eye Export |
| 4 | Gaiam - Zafu Meditation Cushion, Buckwheat Hull |  |
| Gaiam |
| 5 | Gaiam - Yoga Bolster Pillow, Black |  |
| Gaiam |
| 6 | Gaiam - Yoga Bolster Pillow, Cotton Batting Fill |  |
| Gaiam |
| 7 | Zafuko - Yoga and Meditation Cushion, Organic Kapok |  |
| Zafuko |
Sources
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH). Meditation and Mindfulness: Effectiveness and Safety. Accessed October 27, 2026.
- NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde. Sitting Meditation: Posture. Accessed October 27, 2026.
Update History
- Oct 2026: Rewrote the article around the NCCIH meditation page and an NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde sitting posture guide, removed the unsupported pain, strain and health benefit claims, the off-topic sleep and FTC textile cites and the heavy pillow link, rewrote all seven product notes, and added a disclaimer line, a takeaways box, How We Chose and an FAQ
- Oct 2026: Replaced unavailable products: Peace Yoga Zafu Pillow with Mindful Modern Velvet Meditation Pillow; Third Eye Indian Mandala Cover with Third Eye Export Boho Room Cover; Gaiam Zabuton Pillow with Gaiam Zafu Meditation Pillow; YogaAccessories Bolster with Gaiam Yoga Classic Bolster; Kapok Meditation Pillow with Zafuko Yoga Meditation Pillow
- Oct 2026: Removed Brentwood Home Crustal Cove Pillow and Hubert & Quinn Meditation Set (unavailable)
- Oct 2026: Added a Key Specs comparison table and a Sources section
- Feb 2022: Added Peace Yoga Zafu Pillow and Kapok Meditation Pillow
- Jul 2020: Added Hubert & Quinn Meditation Set
- Mar 2020: Added Bean Products Round Zafu Set, Gaiam Yoga Classic Bolster Pillow, Brentwood Home Crustal Cove Pillow, Third Eye Indian Mandala Cover, Gaiam Zabuton Pillow and YogaAccessories Bolster
- Feb 2019: Published
