Swapping out your workspace equipment for more ergonomic options is one of the quickest ways to eliminate a lot of discomfort throughout a workday. From ergonomic keyboards and ergonomic laptop stands to ergonomic office chairs, there’s a lot you can change to make a workspace a lot more comfortable. Of course, office chairs with effective ergonomics don’t really come cheap, which is why many people look for alternative ways to get comfortable before completely taking the plunge. Ergonomic seat cushions are one of these affordable ways to bring more comfort to your workspace.
The best ergonomic seat cushions cost only a fraction of the price of a new office chair, making for a simple and economical way to instantly upgrade your workspace setup. Even better, you can use it with most any chair you use to get your daily work done, whether it’s a cheap office chair you picked up at clearance, the metal set up around the dining table where you do all your work-from-home endeavors, or the wooden chairs they have at the local coffee shop.
Will the best ergonomic seat cushions work for everyone? There’s no guarantee, but people do use these cushions for good reason, with many people instantly appreciating the boost in spinal support and improved posture it encourages. Additionally, using a seat cushion usually makes people more aware of their posture throughout the workday, making them more likely to recognize issues and make the corresponding corrections.
The best ergonomic seat cushions will depend on your particular needs. If you’re looking to alleviate back pain, for instance, you need one that can deliver firm and generous cushioning to really guide you into proper sitting postures, while those with tailbone pain might do better to find a U-shaped cushion that can help take out pressure from that area. Bigger individuals, on the other hand, will need firmer cushioning to support the excess weight, while those who work in warmer environments might want to opt for gel cushions, since they do a better job of dissipating heat.
These are the best ergonomic cushions for greater comfort during your workday.
Sutera Proper Posture Seat Cushion
Pros
- Thick memory foam
- Stays firm
- Integrated grips keep cushion from moving around
Cons
- May be too stiff for some
- Retains fair amount of heat
Size: 17.7 x 16 x 4.3 inches (width x height x thickness)
Cushion material: High-density memory foam
Despite coming in at half the price of most other entries in the list, this seat cushion offers plenty of comfort and support with its 4.3-inch thick memory foam, which brings a firmer feel that instantly elevates the hips to bring it higher than your knees, a crucial component of good sitting posture. This is a perfect seat cushion for more heavyset users, as it’s got the thick material to really support any extra heft, although some users might find it to stiff, especially the first time they use it. Over time, though, the stiff foam does give way a bit, conforming a lot better to the shape of your thighs for better overall comfort, all while retaining the firmness that makes it exceptionally supportive. Like other memory foam cushions, though, it retains a fair amount of heat, maybe even more so because it’s very thick, so keep that in mind if you find yourself working in warmer environments.
ComfiLife Gel Enhanced Seat Cushion
Pros
- Combines memory foam with a layer of gel
- Cooler than traditional memory foam
- Firm support
Cons
- No straps for securing to chair
Size: 17.5 x 13.7 x 2.8 inches (width x height x thickness)
Cushion material: High-density memory foam with gel layer
This seat cushion combines memory foam with a layer of gel at the top, allowing it to combine the support of memory foam with the cooling properties of the gel to alleviate the heat-retention concerns some people have with memory foam. While we were skeptical about its efficacy, the design actually works, with the whole cushion feeling substantially cooler compared to traditional memory foam designs. The cushion is much thinner than the Sutera one above at just 2.8 inches, although it’s also on the firmer side, so you get plenty of support that encourages good, upright posture. It takes on a U-shape to eliminate any pressure on the tailbone, too, so it’s a great choice if you have issues on that part of the body. Other nice details include a grippy underside that keeps it in place on the chair, a zippered velour cover, and a handle on the side that makes it easy to carry if you want to move it to another chair.
Aylio Seat Cushion
Pros
- Perfect amount of firmness for comfort
- Slim enough for travel
- Very supportive
Cons
- Might not last as long as firmer options
Size: 18 x 14 x 2.5 inches (width x height x thickness)
Cushion material: High-density memory foam
There’s good reason this ergonomic seat cushion is so popular – it strikes a great balance of price and performance. It takes on that cutout U-shape that’s so popular in the category, while coming with a high-density memory foam build that’s firm but feels more forgiving than others. If you’re not a fan of the very stiff feel of many memory foam cushions, you’ll appreciate the more medium firmness of this one, which makes it feel very comfortable from the first time you use it. It feels just as supportive as stiffer and thicker cushions we’ve tried, helping prop up the pelvis, tailbone, and lower back for a straighter posture. Basically, you get the same support for a lot more comfort at a really good price, too.
Cushion Lab Pressure Relief Seat Cushion
Pros
- Perfect amount of firmness for comfort
- Ideal thickness for most
- Comfortable shape
Cons
- Not as supportive as stiffer options
Size: 16 x 16 x 3 inches (width x height x thickness)
Cushion material: High-density charcoal-infused memory foam
Another U-shaped ergonomic seat cushion with a medium firmness, this one feels just as supportive and comfortable as the Aylio one above. This one, though, delivers more thickness at 3.0 inches, so you get a little more height, which we actually prefer. The firm yet forgiving memory foam feels like it immediately conforms to your body’s contours as soon as you sit, compared to stiffer cushions that seem to simply force your body into an upright position. While most of these cutout-style seat cushions take on similar shapes, this one feels a little different, with a slightly more dramatic cradle that we find to be very pleasant as far as support. Suffice to say, we like it and feel like it’s worth the extra $20 over the Aylio above just for that.
Tempur-Pedic Seat Cushion
Pros
- Very dense and firm
- Slim yet incredibly supportive
- Built-in grooves guide your body in the right position
Cons
- Might be too firm for some
- Lacks height
Size: 17.7 x 16 x 4.3 inches (width x height x thickness)
Cushion material: High-density memory foam
At just 2.0 inches thick, this ergonomic seat cushion is one of the thinnest we’ve ever tried. Despite that, it’s very dense, offering a satisfyingly firm feel that delivers incredible support. The firmness is very comparable to the thick Sutera cushion above, which is over twice as thick as this one, making this a great choice if you want to maintain a reasonable seat height while getting a really dense and supportive cushion. We love how its seemingly unyielding build and the built-in grooves guide you towards the right posture from the moment you plop down, requiring very little adjustment throughout the day. Some people might not find it as comfortable as medium-firm options, though, so getting this one will depend on your personal preferences. We love its stretchy nylon-spandex cover that follows the pillow around as it bends or curves in parts, by the way, which you can easily remove for cleaning.
Purple Ultimate Seat Cushion
Pros
- Unique grid design has built-in air channels
- Grippy material keeps it from moving
- Firm yet flexible support
Cons
- Might be too big for some chairs
Size: 21.75 x 18 x 2.5 inches (width x height x thickness)
Cushion material: Hyper-elastic polymer
The only ergonomic seat cushion in the list to retail for over $100, this one has a boxier shape than your usual option. It’s also long and wide, making up a total area that’s going to completely cover the seat on most chairs. Do note, they have smaller versions of this, but we specifically wanted this one due to its unusually large size.
What makes it particularly special, in our opinion, is the design. Instead of a solid block, it’s constructed as a grid with actual holes, allowing air to pass through the pillow freely to keep it cool all-day long. Construction is an elastic polymer material that’s sufficiently firm, while getting the flexible consistency of elastic gel. The result is a seat that evenly supports the body, while relaxing when pressed under pressure. It has a contoured groove around the back that encourages users to take on the right posture, too, ensuring excellent ergonomics throughout its use. This is easily our favorite seat cushion to use with harder chairs and benches, as it delivers an incredibly comfortable and supportive feel on them.
