If you’re experiencing pain while you’re sitting at your kitchen table, on the sofa while watching TV or anywhere else that you might be, the best seat cushions are a fantastic solution for alleviating some of that pain. When it comes to relieving pressure during prolonged periods of sitting, you might find you need some extra support from a support cushion on the back of your chair or under your bum to ensure you’re as comfy as possible. Aching joints, sore muscles and discomfort in your back and hips are things you’d expect to feel if you’re not getting the right support while sitting down but poor posture can also cause headaches, poor sleep and a lack of motivation too.
The most common reason for needing some more cushioning while sitting is an injury or medical condition. Those with sciatic or herniate discs could benefit significantly from more ergonomic support. If you’re recovering from surgery, such as a hip replacement, a seat cushion may help with relief and support. The right cushions can also aid those with certain chronic conditions, such as arthritis, as they’re designed to alleviate pressure on affected joints and bones.
Best seat cushions at a glance:
• Best seat cushion overall: Feagar Seat Cushion – view on Amazon UK
• Best seat cushion for lumbar support: Supportiback Lumbar Support Pillow – view on Amazon UK
• Best back and coccyx seat cushion: FORTEM Chair Cushion –view on Amazon UK
Of course, the need for the best seat cushions goes beyond support for medical conditions. They’re also great for adding extra comfort to chairs where sitting for a long time can become a little uncomfortable. You can get some great seat cushions and back supports for office chairs if you’re working from home or even if you’re heading to the office. As many are designed to be lightweight and portable, you can take them with you so you can sit comfortably wherever you go.
Whether you’re seeking relief from chronic pain, need aid in recovery from injury or surgery or simply want more comfort when sitting around the home, at work or in the car, the right cushion can make a big difference to your overall well-being and quality of life. Take a look at our pick of the best seat cushions below that will make sure you’re sitting comfortably every single day.
Best seat cushions
Best seat cushion overall
Feagar/AmazonWe're starting strong with the Feargar Seat Cushion. This memory foam cushion is built to support you. Not only does it give reinforcement in all the right places, but it also helps increase blood flow, which is great if you sit for long periods. Want to know the secret to the incredible back support? This seat cushion is ergonomically contoured, which helps distribute your body weight across the whole chair, reducing pressure on your lower back and tailbone.
Pros
- Takes pressure off their tailbone
- Strong yet comfortable support
Cons
- Some reviewers felt it was too soft for their needs
Best seat cushion for lumbar support
Supportiback/AmazonWhether you're using an office or dining room chair, this Supportiback Lumbar Support Pillow, with extendable straps, is here to help. The viscoelastic memory foam moulds to your back, which helps provide the foundation you need for comfort when sitting in front of a laptop, computer or tablet. Plus, it's beneficial for everyone as it isn't too firm or soft.
Pros
- Adapts to your body shape to provide support
- Ergonomically designed
Cons
- Some reviewers felt the cushion was a bit on the thick side
Best back and coccyx seat cushion
FORTEM/AmazonThanks to the high density memory foam inside, the FORTEM Chair Cushion is adjustable to the contours of your body. It has two cushions to ensure your back and your tailbone area are supported and comfortable at all times. The back pad has a stretchy elasticated strap so it can fit most chairs while the seat pad has a non-slip rubber grip bottom to stop it from sliding about while you're sitting on it.
Pros
- Made using 100 per cent pure memory foam
- Alleviates pressure on the sciatic nerve to reduce back, leg, and bottom pain
Cons
- Some reviewers expected the cushion to be thicker
Best orthopaedic seat cushion
FORTEM/AmazonFind yourself slouching over your keyboard while answering emails? The FORTEM Seat Cushion not only helps you maintain good posture whilst avoiding pain on your coccyx, but it'll also give you that little lift. This option is super lightweight and portable, plus it's easy to clean and has a waterproof cover.
Pros
- Alleviates pressure on the sciatica nerve
- Promotes healthy body posture
Cons
- Some reviewers felt the filling flattened out after sitting on it for a while
Best doughnut seat cushion
ERGONOMIC INNOVATIONS/AmazonWidely recommended by doctors and physiotherapists, it's clear that doughnut cushions have many benefits. This ERGONOMIC INNOVATIONS Donut Cushion offers a medium level of firmness to alleviate painful conditions while remaining durable and supportive. If you struggle with back pain, you'll find the carefully considered coccyx cut out particularly useful.
Pros
- Ideal for tailbone and coccyx pain
- Portable and lightweight
Cons
- Some customers thought the cushion was smaller than they expected
Best seat cushion for posture
Tumaz/AmazonSeat cushions for posture don't have to be boring and basic - this option from Tumaz proves just that. With nine different colours to choose from, this balance cushion is easy on the eye. Not only will this reduce any aches and pains you might have, but it also boasts incredible benefits for posture and core strength.
Pros
- Helps with strengthening core muscles
- Reduce pressure on the lower back
Cons
- As it's an inflatable cushion, it may not be suitable for everyone
FAQs
Our verdict: what is the best seat cushion?
Fed up with suffering from pain while simply sitting watching telly or while driving? Or, just looking for a seat cushion to help improve how you sit while working from home? Here is our verdict on the best cushion for posture:
Taking the number one spot is the incredible Feagar Seat Cushion. Features like the non-slip bottom, slow rebound viscoelastic foam and ergonomically contoured design have made the decision a no-brainer.
Is gel or memory foam better for a seat cushion?
Whether you're after a cushion for your office chair, sofa, dining room or car, both gel and memory foam have their benefits. Memory foam will mould more to your body shape so it'll offer that more personalised, tailored approach to your support and pressure relief needs.
Gel cushions on the other hand offer cooling effects so they may be better for you if you're someone who tends to overheat or gets hot easily. Gel cushions are often the firmer out of the two and provide a more consistent support while memory foam cushions are often softer and more contouring.
Ultimately, it comes down to your specific needs and personal preference as to whether gel or memory foam is the best seat cushion for you.
Rosie Floyd is a Pets, Homes and Garden Product Writer for Yours, specialising in home appliances, décor and furnishings, as well as all things dogs. After completing her Journalism & Media degree from Coventry University back in 2015, she started her career writing about must-visit holiday destinations, moving on to creating content around outdoor living and garden buildings, before joining the team at Bauer.