5 Best Seat Cushions
Upgrade your office chair and relieve some of that back pain with an ergonomic buffer.
Tested by Grace WuTextiles, Paper & Apparel Lab Product Analyst
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If you have an office job, you're spending a whole lot of time sitting in a chair. This can lead to a myriad of issues like pain running down your legs, tight hips, and a sore tailbone if it's not combatted with physical activity, periods of movement throughout the day, stretching, and a comfortable, ergonomic chair. You can also experience pain from lack of support for your lower back or from tilting the pelvis at an uncomfortable angle, says Christynne Helfrich, D.P.T., a physical therapist at Hinge Health. Luckily, there's an easier way to improve your chair than buying an entirely new one: adding a seat cushion.
“If you’re sitting on a chair with a hard surface or a chair that’s meant to be lower like a dining room chair, it will put pressure on the tailbone (also called the coccyx) and on the ischial tuberosity, which are the two bones in your butt cheeks,” says John Gallucci, Jr. D.P.T., founder of JAG Physical Therapy. He adds that over time, that can cause a pressure contusion and inflammation.
To find the best seat cushions, the experts in the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab researched, reviewed, and tested tons of seat cushions. Plus, we spoke to physical therapists and medical professionals to find expert-approved seat cushions and learn more about improving back pain with ergonomic chairs or cushions.
Cushion Lab Pressure Relief Seat Cushion
Pros
- Memory foam is pressure- and pain-relieving
- Comes in both standard and large sizes
- Designed to conform to your leg shape
- Available in 28 colors
Cons
- Pricey
WHO IT'S BEST FOR: Those with hip pain and lower back pain looking for a pressure-relieving cushion may want to splurge on this option.
WHY WE LOVE IT: Made of extra-dense memory foam, this cushion is designed to relieve hip pressure and conform to your leg shape. GH testers loved that this seat was very supportive while still feeling squishy and comfortable. “I appreciate that it helps keeps my hips in proper position to help improve my posture,” said one tester, who added, “It helps prevent me from leaning side to side.”
"Compared to the hard chairs I have at home, the office chair combined with the cushion is a huge improvement and I can sense that there is some pain relief when I sit down at work vs. in my apartment," said Elizabeth Berry, a GH Institute editor. Although, Berry noted that the grippy side could be improved as her cushion slid around on the chair a bit throughout the day.
Another tester loved how this pillow helped her mom with her back problems, and she appreciated that you can use it with a lumbar pillow and a foot cushion for extra ergonomic support. On Cushion Lab's website, you can choose from 28 colors and two sizes, standard (shown) and large.
RELATED: Best Office Chairs on Amazon
| Dimensions | 18" x 15" x 4" |
| Material | Memory foam |
| Shape | U-shaped |
Everlasting Comfort Seat Cushion
Pros
- Best for tailbone pain
- Breathable fabric
- Modestly priced
Cons
- Can slip around the chair
WHO IT'S BEST FOR: This is a great pick if you're on a budget, but want a high-quality, memory-foam seat cushion.
WHY WE LOVE IT: Similar in style to the Cushion Lab choice, this less expensive memory foam option comes in five colors and has a U-shaped cutout that allows it to "lift the tailbone over hard seating surfaces," according to the brand. It can be used on a desk chair in the office, on a chair at your kitchen table, or even in the car if you want a more comfortable driving experience.
The material is designed to be “heat responsive,” which allows the cushion to mold to the shape of your body. One tester noted that the cushion "helped maintain a natural curve in my lower back for proper posture.” Her one complaint was that it slid around a bit.
And while memory foam can trap heat, the cushion is designed with a ventilation system to help improve breathability (because no one wants a sweaty bum!).
| Dimensions | 17" x 14" x 2" |
| Material | Memory foam |
| Shape | U-shaped |
Pros
- Best for pressure relief
- Double layer can accommodate larger body frames
- Great for large chairs
Cons
- No cutouts for tailbone pain
- On the pricier side
WHO IT'S BEST FOR: Those who run warm or work in a hot office may prefer the breathability that Purple's gel design offers.
WHY WE LOVE IT: This squishy seat cushion made from Purple's GelFlex material is a little bit more of an investment, but testers loved the feel and the fact that it makes your entire chair cushy. “I liked how I wasn’t sinking into the cushion, but it still conformed to my body,” one tester said.
It comes with a washable seat cover, and the grid design is designed to let air flow through to keep your bottom cool. The double layer offers double the amount of cushioning as the brand's Royal Seat Cushion (albeit the extra layer gives it a higher price tag). The double layer can feel comfier and is more ideal if you have a bigger body shape.
The square shape works on most chairs and also allows for more coverage on larger chairs. However, the flat shape that's free of any cutouts may not be the best at offloading specific pain like tailbone or hip flexor pain.
RELATED: Purple Mattress Review
| Dimensions | 18" x 16" x 2" |
| Material | Gel |
| Shape | Square |
Pros
- Provides airflow
- Comfortable contoured seat
- Holds its shape
Cons
- No lumbar support or U-cutout
WHO IT'S BEST FOR: This hybrid seat cushion is ideal for those who want a breathable yet conforming cushion.
WHY WE LOVE IT: You'll find a hybrid mix of gel and memory foam here. This contoured cushion has a squishier center area and a denser gel at the front and back to provide both support and softness. Thanks to the gel, this seat cushion offers more breathability than a fully foam model.
Plus, gel allows for even pressure distribution, while memory foam conforms to your body's shape and weight. This is especially helpful if you tend to lean more to one side than another while sitting because the gel can help distribute your weight more evenly, allowing for better spinal alignment.
“I've been using it daily for about two years now, and it hasn't squished out of shape,” said one tester. “It still supports me perfectly!” And while it doesn't provide lumbar support or a U-cutout, it has a mesh panel for airflow and breathability. Another highlight from Amazon reviewers is its portability, with many saying that they transport it from an office chair to the car easily.
| Dimensions | 14” x 12.5” x 1.5” |
| Material | Gel and memory foam |
| Shape | Rectangular |
ComfiWorld Memory Foam Seat Back Cushion
Pros
- Great for lower back support
- Combines back support and seat cushion in one product
Cons
- May be bulky to move around
WHO IT'S BEST FOR: Someone who wants both lower back support and tailbone cushioning on a chair.
WHY WE LOVE IT: This ergonomic two-in-one seat cushion provides support and cushioning for the lower back and the hips, butt, and thighs, recommends Klee Bethel, M.D., director of interventional pain management at the Neil Riordan Center for Regenerative Medicine in Tempe, AZ. “It has lumbar support for the sacral area and conforms to your bottom and upper thighs,” he says.
Although somewhat bulky, the gel-infused memory foam design is also a good option for those with a long commute or who otherwise spend many uncomfortable hours in a car.
RELATED: Best Lumbar Support Pillows
| Dimensions | 16.10" x 17.36" x 9.44" |
| Material | Memory foam with gel pad |
| Shape | L-shape |
How we test the best seat cushions
The experts in the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab evaluate back pillows, mattresses, pillows, and seat cushions with advanced equipment and with the help of our consumer testers' feedback.
To find the best seat cushions, our analysts researched tons of top brands and narrowed down a select few to test in the Lab. After putting the cushions through the ringer, our consumer testers used these seat cushions on their office desk chairs or seats at home. On top of that, our editors also spoke with physical therapists and medical professionals to hear their recommendations and insight on what features make a great seat cushion, especially for those with back pain.
Here are a few things we evaluated and considered while testing seat cushions:
✔️ Softness and comfort: The softness and comfort of a seat cushion can correlate with the material. Memory foam seat cushions have slower release time (meaning the cushion conforms to your body and takes a bit of time to return to its original shape). Gel allows for more breathability, and while it doesn't conform to your specific body shape, it allows for more even distribution of your body weight across the seat cushion.
✔️ Shape: Our consumer testers gave feedback on their thoughts about the shape of different seat cushions and whether that helped alleviate or worsen any discomfort while sitting in a seat.
✔️ Ease of use: We also asked consumer testers whether the cushion was easy to set up on their chairs. Some cushions like the Purple Double Seat Cushion (pictured) include a cover that encases the cushion, which also allows for easy cleaning.
✔️ Ability to stay in place: Lastly, we evaluated whether cushions stayed in place on a chair over the course of days, weeks and even months. Some seat cushions feature special gripping material or straps to buckle a cushion in to ensure the cushion stays in place on a chair as you sit, stand up, and potentially fidget throughout the day.
What to look for when shopping for the best seat cushions
Before you choose a seat cushion, it is important to identify where your pain is originating from, says Dr. Bethel. “Your axial pain could be from coccydynia, degenerative disc disease, or sacroiliitis,” he says. (Some of these ailments may require donut-shaped pillows).
You'll want to look for the right material, shape, and support for what's ailing you.
✔️ For back pain, you will need a seat with some cushioning and plenty of lumbar support, says Helfrich.
✔️ For tailbone pain, also known as coccydynia, look for a U-shaped cushion or one with a cutout for the tailbone to remove pressure. “Seat cushions are made to offload pressure at your pain point,” says Gallucci.
✔️ For tailbone or hemorrhoid problems, you’ll want a circular or U-shaped cushion. A cutout can also help with relieving pressure on the affected area.
✔️ For a larger person, “a firmer pillow is better, otherwise it may collapse in and end up with pressure on your pain points,” says Dr. Bethel. Otherwise, it is often about personal choice. “It’s always best to find that Goldilocks area – not too hard and not too soft,” says Helfrich. “The most important aspect is that it is comfortable for you.”
✔️ For a high hamstring injury, you want to offload the pressure off the ischial tuberosity (the bones in your butt cheeks) with a very thick cushion.
✔️ For bilateral low back pain, "use a pad that's neutral, and offloads the ischial tuberosity," says Dr. Gallucci. This is referring to a bony part of your pelvis that supports body weight while sitting, making contact with the chair. A neutral pad can be one that is flat and square, like the cushion from Purple.
✔️ For sciatica, Helfrich points out that a cushion with memory foam and lumbar support can be helpful for relieving the pressure around the sciatic nerve.
What's the difference between gel and memory foam?
Both are good materials for a supportive seat cushion. Gel is more resilient and has a bouncy feel, whereas memory foam conforms to your body for pressure relief. “Gel is a dense liquid, similar to what you would find in gel shoe inserts, while memory foam is a solid foam that displaces its cells as opposed to moving the fluid around,” explains Dr. Bethel.
Gel has its benefits, says Gallucci, “If you're going to be sitting for a long period of time, the movement of the gel helps with circulatory issues, and may help decrease inflammation, whereas foam becomes denser over time.” Plus, gel is a bit more cool and breathable while memory foam tens to trap heat.
Why trust Good Houskeeping?
Marisa Cohen, deputy editor of Hearst's health newsroom, has two decades of experience writing about every aspect of mental and physical health. For this article, she interviewed three medical experts who work with patients who suffer from back, leg, or tailbone pain, Good Housekeeping staffers also tested out the seat cushions for comfort and support.
Isabella Cavallo is the assistant commerce editor at the GH Institute. She has experience covering health, fitness, and wellness topics, including reviews of health-related products, lumbar support pillows, mattresses, and more. Cavallo most recently contributed to this article with updated testing info, new picks and more.
To write this story, Cohen tapped the following physical therapists and health professionals to gain their insight on what types of seat cushions are more ergonomic, can help correct posture, and have the potential to alleviate back pain:
✔️Klee Bethel, M.D. is the director of interventional pain management at the Neil Riordan Center for Regenerative Medicine in Tempe, AZ.
✔️ John Gallucci, Jr. D.P.T. is the founder of JAG Physical Therapy.
✔️Christynne Helfrich, D.P.T. is a physical therapist at Hinge Health.
Marisa Cohen is an editor in the Hearst Lifestyle Group’s Health Newsroom, who has covered health, nutrition, parenting and culture for dozens of magazines and websites over the past two decades.
Isabella (she/her) covers commerce and product-related content in the home, lifestyle, fitness, technology and beauty. She graduated from Binghamton University in 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in English: Literature & Rhetoric. Before joining GH, she was an editorial assistant at Prevention, where she covered health topics and celebrity news.
Grace Wu (she/her) is a product reviews analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute's Textiles, Paper and Apparel Lab, where she evaluates fabric-based products using specialized equipment and consumer tester data. Prior to starting at Good Housekeeping in 2022, she earned a master of engineering in materials science and engineering and a bachelor of science in fiber science from Cornell University. While earning her degrees, Grace worked in research laboratories for smart textiles and nanotechnology and held internships at Open Style Lab and Rent the Runway.
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