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The 9 Best Office Chair Cushions To Upgrade Your WFH Setup On The Cheap

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by Scarlett James
Updated: 
Originally Published: 
Bustle/Amazon

While a great desk chair will go a long way towards making your workday more comfortable, many ergonomic models come with pretty steep price tags. If you're dealing with an average chair, one of the best office chair cushions can go a long way in making it infinitely more body-friendly.

That said, all office chair cushions aren’t created equal. Consider the following to find the right one for you and your desk setup.

The Best Style For Most

Most people will be best served by a pillow that's flat and rectangular in shape, and made in squishy yet supportive materials, according to experts interviewed by The Wirecutter. This will provide just enough lift and padding, without forcing your body into hyper-ergonomic positions. The Purple Seat Cushion fits those specs nicely — and has earned something of a cult following for offering comfort to office workers and road travelers alike — but it’s pricey and can be hard to nab because it sells out on Amazon so often. Fortunately, there are plenty of other excellent alternatives, like my picks below, that offer luxurious comfort at more reasonable prices.

Orthopedic Considerations

Anyone who deals with chronic aches might want a cushion that offers more targeted support. A molded orthopedic seat cushion with memory foam helps redistribute pressure when you’re sitting for long periods of time. Although memory foam is notorious for overheating, some options come with a layer of cooling gel or ventilation holes. Most orthopedic options include coccyx (that’s the tailbone in layman's terms) cutouts, which spares you from the notice-me agony of sitting on a glorified donut. If lower back pain is your concern, a lumbar pillow can help support your spine in a neutral position and relieve discomfort from slouching. Lumbar support pillows for office chairs are usually made out of memory foam, too, and really good ones might also have cool gel or breathable mesh — plus a strap to keep it at juuust the right spot.

Cushion Care & Maintenance

Almost every option here includes a removable, machine-washable cover that will go a long way towards keeping your cushion looking and feeling fresh and clean. No matter where you park yourself to GSD, these cushions can help make your desk chair feel like your throne.

1The Best Bang For Your Buck

This classic memory foam office chair cushion is a great pick for anyone looking for a soft, stable place to land, but who doesn't need any orthopedic bells and whistles. The three-inch-deep slab of memory foam rivals some mattress toppers and all but eliminates pressure. The removable, machine-washable mesh cover encourages air flow and has a rubberized dot coating on one side to keep it from moving around on you. Despite its size and thickness, this is one of the most budget-friendly memory foam chair cushions on the market.

According to one reviewer: “This seat cushion is very comfortable! I’m about to buy my third one right now! My husband and I work from home and this helps us be more comfortable in our chairs as we work all day long. [...]”

2The Best Purple Seat Cushion Alternative

If you prefer gel chair cushions, this one is a spot-on alternative for the popular Purple Seat Cushion — for notably less money. The 1.25-inch deep cushion features a lattice design that disperses your weight evenly to reduce pressure, without compromising the structure of the medical-grade cooling gel. Plus, the breathable design allows for increased airflow so you don’t overheat. The zip-off washable cover has an anti-slip bottom and a carrying handle, which is convenient for people who might prefer to move their cushion from car to desk.

According to one reviewer: “My office desk chair is a $1000 Humanscale but after 15 years the seat padding was flattened. This thickness, density and size fit perfectly and after 2 weeks is giving me the same comfort as my origin chair padding.”

3The Best Orthopedic Office Chair Cushion

This bestselling orthopedic office chair cushion has it all, with one reviewer dubbing it "the MERCEDES of all memory foam." It has an ergonomic U-shaped design that’s 2-inches deep to help relieve pressure that can contribute to hip, leg, or back pain, and a coccyx cutout for added comfort. The 100% memory foam is treated to be heat-responsive so it uses body heat to mold to the contours of your body and retains that shape for a custom fit. The machine-washable cover has a non-slip rubber bottom to prevent shifting, and comes in five different colors that can either blend in seamlessly to your workspace or add a cheery pop of color. Shoppers with everything from sciatica to scoliosis to pregnancy reported relief from this little wonder.

According to one reviewer: “[...]This stuff is magical, like seating on the back of a unicorn while coming down a rainbow. I sat down on it and all the pressure points were not giving me any issues, was able to drive out of state the next day NO PROBLEM. Outstanding quality, doesn’t just squish down when you sit on it. The one issue is, you’ll be pretty high up if you plan on using it in the car, but not a deal breaker compared to my coccyx not killing me and having shooting pain up my lag and back. BUY IT! The cover is also removable and washable.”

4The Best For Lumbar Support

A lumbar chair cushion straps onto the back of your chair, rather than the seat, to provide targeted support for your lower back. This one is made from high-grade memory foam that’s gently contoured to encourage your back into the correct position. A ventilated mesh cover offers even more comfort, and the adjustable Velcro strap ensures a secure fit. Despite being 4.5-inches thick, it manages to be incredibly lightweight — clocking in at just eight ounces — so you can easily transport it from your home to your office, or even bring it along with you when you travel.

According to one reviewer: “I've ended up getting another of these pillows to go along with the first one I purchased because it is so good and effective. I had a lot of stiffness and pain after sitting for hours at a time. This pillow provides great and very comfortable support throughout the day and has eliminated my issues. I had some other devices or braces to help with this and they worked, but were not NEARLY as comfortable. So I highly recommend this pillow.”

5The Most Breathable Orthopedic Pillow

Similar to the orthopedic pick above, this breathable office chair cushion has a classic ergonomic molded seat that helps relieve lower back pain, while a coccyx cutout takes care of tailbone pressure. But, it also features a 3-inch memory foam core that is infused with eco-friendly bamboo charcoal that helps absorb moisture and random smells, plus it comes with built-in ventilation channels, offering ultimate breathability. It comes with a soft machine-washable cover with a handle, too.

According to one reviewer: “I have tried quite a few Orthopedic Seat Cushions over time and this is the only one that is truly made of high quality materials and actually provides firm support. I like my first one so well that I ordered a second one to keep strictly in the car. [...]”

6The Best For Improving Your Posture

This gym-inspired posture cushion for office chairs gives you the same zero-slouch benefits of a full-sized stability ball, without the side-eye from dubious coworkers. The destabilized design forces you to use your core to remain upright, helping to strengthen those muscles to improve posture over time and mitigate the effects of sitting for long periods. Although it might not be the most comfortable for long periods of time, you can control how soft or firm it is by adjusting the level of inflation (an inflation needle is included, though the pump is not).

According to one reviewer: “My tailbone and lower back were killing me fromworkingfromhome in a cheap computer chair with little support. Instead of buying an expensive new chair, my coworker recommended I try this chair pad. It's incredibly comfortable and encourages me to sit up correctly. My abs were actually a little sore the first week I started using it, but I guess my core muscles are now used to it. My only complaint (and this is super nitpicky) is that if I'm wearing shorts or a dress, the plastic material sticks to my butt and legs. It would be a little embarrassing if I was working in the office, but as I said, I'm workingfromhome so I just peel it off and carry on - no shame.”

7The Best Massage Chair

For those who are looking for lumbar support but want an option that can also provide heated massage, consider this upgraded office chair cushion. Much like the massage chairs you enjoy at the salon, this leather chair features four deep-kneading massage nodes that can travel to your upper, mid, and lower back, or spot massage in one area, with adjustable intensity. The seat cushion is also equipped with three levels of vibration for a targeted hip and seat massage. It’s all capped off with a heating option that feels like being embraced in a soothing hug — and offers relief from freezing-cold offices.

According to one reviewer: “I didn't know what to expect upon receiving my shiatsu back massager, but what an experience for a first timer. I don't let people touch me but knew I needed something to relax my back muscles and stress. I place it in my home office chair, plug it in and oh what a feeling. This works wonders for my achy back. I use it 3 times a week and the added heat is a benefit. [...] I recommend this as a must buy purchase. Worth the money spent.”

8The Best Set: A Seat Cushion & A Lumbar Support Pillow

If your needs vary depending on the day, a memory foam seat cushion and lumbar set lets you customize your support. The plush, 3-inch-thick seat cushion features a molded ergonomic design with a coccyx cut-out and is topped by a velvety-soft, machine-washable cover. The lumbar pillow also comes with two adjustable straps to securely fit over the back of your seat.

According to one reviewer: “This seat cushion is probably one of my best investments yet. I was disappointed with the support my deskchair was giving me as my back was constantly strained from sitting on it for long hours [...] I didn't want to buy a whole new chair, so I was decided to hunt for a chair cushion and came across this one based on it's wonderful reviews. [...] I was concerned it wasn't going to work out because of my chair back rest was small, however I was able to adjust it with the straps and it fit perfectly and secured. Once I sat on the chair, It felt very comfortable as my back was supported and my spine was aligned giving me great posture and the cushion on the bottom made feel as if I was sitting on a cloud as it was very comfortable.[...]”

9Editor’s Pick: The Best Full-Length Lumbar Cushion

A full-length lumbar cushion targets the lower, mid, and upper back, as well as the cervical spine (also known as the neck), so it’s a great option for those seeking full-back support, or even those hoping to prevent back pain from cropping up in the future. This lumbar support pillow in particular comes highly recommended by Amazon reviewers and one of our very own editors. Expect all the trappings of an effective, great-quality support cushion here, including a high-density memory foam construction; a breathable, machine-washable cover; and two adjustable straps to securely fit any office chair or car seat. Plus, the design is reversible (or, technically, upside-downable) so you can decide which orientation feels best on your back.

Editor Praise: “This lumbar pillow has made my basic office chair so much more comfortable. I’m now able to get hours of work done without getting fidgety and moving to the couch because my back hurts.” - Cristina Sanza, BDG Associate Editor

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