Health & Wellness
The Best Meditation Cushions: 4 Compared (and One to Skip)
We compared four buckwheat meditation cushions on size and loft, fill amount and adjustability, cover fabric, washability, construction and claims.
The short version
The DharmaCrafts Eco Organic Buckwheat Hull Zafu is the pick: a 15 inch zafu with a 5.5 inch loft, about 4.5 lb of organic buckwheat hulls in a certified organic inner shell that makes the fill easy to adjust, a certified organic 9 oz cotton duck cover, machine-washable cover and shell, and handmade in the USA. The Hugger Mugger Zafu is the second buy, 15 x 15 x 5 inches and 6.75 lb with a cotton cover, a zipper for adjusting the fill and handmade in the USA. The Brentwood Home Crystal Cove Oval suits people who want more room and height, at 18 x 13 x 6 inches. Skip the Florensi Adjustable Round Zafu: the listing claims it relieves lower back pain and numbness, and it describes the fill as 100% buckwheat in one line and buckwheat over a layer of foam in another. Best for: anyone starting or deepening a seated meditation practice.
Our picks at a glance
- DharmaCrafts Eco Organic Buckwheat Hull Zafu - Buy. A classic 15 inch zafu in certified organic cotton, with a washable cover and shell and adjustable buckwheat fill.
- Hugger Mugger Zafu Meditation Cushion - Buy. A firm, 6.75 lb buckwheat zafu with adjustable fill, handmade in the USA.
- Brentwood Home Crystal Cove Oval Meditation Yoga Cushion - It depends. A larger, taller oval cushion that gives more room and height, with a stretch-blend cover.
- Florensi Adjustable Round Zafu Meditation Cushion - Skip. An inexpensive zafu sold with pain-relief claims and a fill described two different ways.
The verdict in 30 seconds
What mattered most
- Shape and size
- Loft
- Fill
- Adjustable fill
- Cover
- Washing
A meditation cushion has one job: lift your hips enough that your knees drop below them and your spine can settle upright without effort. The details that decide whether it does that are the height, or loft, the fill and whether you can adjust it, the diameter, and how the cover and fill are washed. Buckwheat hulls are the default fill because they shape to your body and hold it. We compared four buckwheat cushions, three round zafus and one oval.
A classic 15 inch zafu in certified organic cotton, with a washable cover and shell and adjustable buckwheat fill.
Best for: Regular meditators who want natural materials and an easy way to wash the cushion.
- Measures 15 in across with a 5.5 in loft, filled with about 4.5 lb of organic buckwheat hulls.
- A certified organic 9 oz cotton duck cover with low-impact dyes, over a certified organic inner shell that makes adding or removing hulls easy.
- The outer cover and inner shell are both machine washable, cold and gentle, once the hulls are poured out, and it is handmade in the USA.
- Neither the cover nor the shell can go in the dryer, and DharmaCrafts warns cotton will shrink.
- The buckwheat hulls must not get wet, so they have to be emptied before washing.
- A matching zabuton mat is sold separately.
- Custom orders are non-returnable.
A firm, 6.75 lb buckwheat zafu with adjustable fill, handmade in the USA.
Best for: People who want a firm, stable zafu with plenty of fill.
- 15 x 15 x 5 in and 6.75 lb, filled with organic buckwheat hulls that conform to your body.
- A zipper lets you add or remove fill, and a handle makes it easy to carry to class.
- A 100% cotton cover, handmade in the USA, from a brand that says its zafus have been trusted by teachers for more than 30 years.
- The cover is hand wash only, and the cushion itself is spot clean.
- At 5 in, the loft is a little lower than the DharmaCrafts zafu.
- The cotton cover is not described as organic.
- At 6.75 lb it is the heaviest cushion here to carry.
A larger, taller oval cushion that gives more room and height, with a stretch-blend cover.
Best for: Taller people, those with tight hips and anyone who wants more surface to sit on.
- 18 x 13 x 6 in, the largest and tallest cushion here, at 6.5 lb.
- Buckwheat fill in a GOTS certified organic, OEKO-TEX certified cotton liner that is easy to remove and refill.
- A removable, machine-washable cover and a carry handle, handmade in the USA.
- The outer cover is a cotton, polyester and spandex blend rather than natural cotton.
- An oval shape takes up more floor space and feels different from a round zafu.
- Brentwood lists many warranty terms by product type, and the page does not tie one clearly to this cushion.
- At 6 in it may be too tall for people with flexible hips.
An inexpensive zafu sold with pain-relief claims and a fill described two different ways.
Best for: Budget buyers who want a washable cushion and can ignore the health claims.
- 16 x 5 in, slightly wider than the other round zafus here.
- A zipper gives access to an inner pouch for adding or removing buckwheat.
- The removable cover is machine washable.
- The listing says the cushion helps relieve lower back pain and reduce numbness in the hands and feet, claims no cushion can promise.
- The fill is described as 100% buckwheat in one line and as buckwheat hulls over a layer of foam padding in another.
- No weight, fill amount or country of manufacture is given.
- The cover fabric is not named in the description.
| Criteria | Eco Organic Buckwheat Hull Zafu Top pick | Zafu Meditation Cushion | Crystal Cove Oval Meditation Yoga Cushion | Adjustable Round Zafu Meditation Cushion |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Verdict | Buy it | Buy it | It depends | Skip it |
| Best for | Regular meditators who want natural materials and an easy way to wash the cushion. | People who want a firm, stable zafu with plenty of fill. | Taller people, those with tight hips and anyone who wants more surface to sit on. | Budget buyers who want a washable cushion and can ignore the health claims. |
| Price tier | $$ · mid-range | $$ · mid-range | $$ · mid-range | $ · budget |
| Shape and size | Round, 15 in diameter | Round, 15 x 15 in | Oval, 18 x 13 in | Round, 16 in |
| Loft | 5.5 in | 5 in | 6 in | 5 in |
| Fill | About 4.5 lb organic buckwheat hulls | Organic buckwheat hulls, 6.75 lb total | Buckwheat hulls, 6.5 lb total | Buckwheat over foam padding |
| Adjustable fill | Yes, organic inner shell | Yes, zipper | Yes, removable liner | Yes, zipper |
| Cover | Certified organic 9 oz cotton duck | 100% cotton | Cotton, polyester and spandex blend | Not named |
| Washing | Cover and shell machine wash cold, hang dry | Hand wash cover, spot clean | Cover machine wash cold, hang dry | Machine-washable cover |
| Made in | Handmade in the USA | Handmade in the USA | Handmade in the USA | Not stated |
| Health claims | None | Posture and alignment support | None | Back pain, joint stress and numbness relief |
Which one is right for you?
- Regular meditators who want natural materials and an easy way to wash the cushion. Buy it DharmaCrafts Eco Organic Buckwheat Hull Zafu
- People who want a firm, stable zafu with plenty of fill. Buy it Hugger Mugger Zafu Meditation Cushion
- Taller people, those with tight hips and anyone who wants more surface to sit on. It depends Brentwood Home Crystal Cove Oval Meditation Yoga Cushion
- Budget buyers who want a washable cushion and can ignore the health claims. Skip it Florensi Adjustable Round Zafu Meditation Cushion
How we judged the field
Five things decide whether a meditation cushion supports a comfortable sit. The first is loft, the height that lifts your hips above your knees. The second is fill and adjustability, because buckwheat can be added or removed to tune height and firmness. The third is size and shape: round zafus suit most people, while oval cushions give more room. The fourth is the cover and how it is washed, since cushions collect sweat and dust. The fifth is how the maker describes the product, including any health claims.
The field splits between traditional handmade zafus, larger contemporary cushions and inexpensive imported cushions with health-focused marketing. We compared four buckwheat cushions and judged them on the details each maker publishes.
The DharmaCrafts Eco Organic Buckwheat Hull Zafu is the pick for its materials and practicality. It measures 15 inches across with a 5.5 inch loft and holds about 4.5 lb of organic buckwheat hulls inside a certified organic inner shell, which makes adding or removing hulls easy when you want to adjust height. The cover is certified organic 9 oz cotton duck coloured with low-impact dyes, with a carrying handle, and it is handmade in the USA. The practical advantage is cleaning: DharmaCrafts says both the outer cover and the inner shell are machine washable, cold and gentle, once you pour out the hulls, and should be hung to dry because cotton shrinks in the dryer. The hulls themselves must never get wet. A matching zabuton is sold separately, and custom orders cannot be returned. For a traditional zafu in natural materials, it is the one to buy.
The Hugger Mugger Zafu is a heavier, firmer alternative from a brand that says its zafus have been trusted by teachers for more than 30 years. It is 15 x 15 x 5 inches and 6.75 lb, filled with organic buckwheat hulls that conform to your body, with a 100% cotton cover, a handle for carrying and a zipper for adding or removing fill. It is handmade in the USA and comes in ten colours. Care is more hands-on than DharmaCrafts: spot clean with a damp cloth, and for a deep clean empty the hulls, hand wash the cover and hang it to dry. The loft is a little lower at 5 inches, the cover is not described as organic, and at 6.75 lb it is the heaviest here to carry to class. For people who like a firm, stable base with plenty of fill, it is excellent.
The Brentwood Home Crystal Cove Oval is the roomier option. At 18 x 13 x 6 inches it is the largest and tallest cushion in this comparison, which suits taller people, those with tight hips and anyone who likes more surface under them. The buckwheat fill sits in a GOTS certified organic, OEKO-TEX certified cotton liner that can be removed and refilled, the cover is removable and machine washable cold on a delicate cycle, and there is a carry handle. It weighs 6.5 lb and is handmade in the USA, and Brentwood says it was designed in part by Los Angeles yoga instructor Angela Kukhahn. The trade-offs: the outer cover is a cotton, polyester and spandex blend rather than natural cotton, the oval shape takes more floor space, and the page lists many warranty terms by product type without clearly assigning one to the cushion. At 6 inches, flexible sitters may find it too tall.
The Florensi Adjustable Round Zafu is inexpensive and has sensible features, a 16 x 5 inch size, a zipper for adjusting the buckwheat, and a removable, machine-washable cover. The problems are in how it is described. The listing says the cushion helps reduce joint stress, relieve lower back pain and reduce numbness in the hands and feet during meditation. A cushion can make sitting more comfortable, but those are health outcomes no cushion can promise, and they should not be the reason to buy one. The fill is also described inconsistently: one line says 100% buckwheat filling, while the description says buckwheat hulls over a layer of foam padding. The page gives no weight, no fill amount, no country of manufacture and does not name the cover fabric. It may sit perfectly well, but the other cushions here describe themselves clearly and honestly.
DharmaCrafts Eco Organic Buckwheat Hull Zafu vs Hugger Mugger Zafu Meditation Cushion: which should you buy?
DharmaCrafts and Hugger Mugger are both traditional, handmade buckwheat zafus, and the choice comes down to materials, care and height. DharmaCrafts uses certified organic cotton inside and out, has a slightly taller 5.5 inch loft and lets you machine wash both the cover and the inner shell. It suits people who want natural materials and easy cleaning.
Hugger Mugger’s zafu is heavier with more fill, a little lower at 5 inches and firmer underneath, with a hand-wash cotton cover. It suits people who like a very stable base. If easy washing and organic materials matter, buy DharmaCrafts. If you want maximum stability, buy Hugger Mugger.
What to look for
- Check the loft: your knees should rest below your hips.
- Prefer adjustable buckwheat fill: it lets you fine-tune height and firmness.
- Match the shape to your body: round zafus suit most people, oval cushions give more room.
- Read the washing instructions: covers need washing, hulls must stay dry.
- Be wary of health claims: a cushion supports posture; it does not treat pain.
- Consider a zabuton: a flat mat underneath protects knees and ankles on hard floors.
Our final take
The best meditation cushion is the one that lets you sit upright without effort, and buckwheat zafus do that well. DharmaCrafts is the pick for its organic materials, 5.5 inch loft and machine-washable cover and shell. Hugger Mugger is the firm, heavy alternative with adjustable fill. Brentwood Home’s oval suits people who want more room and height. Florensi’s cushion is inexpensive, but a listing that promises relief from back pain and numbness while describing its fill two different ways is harder to trust.
Questions, answered
Why use a meditation cushion?
Sitting on a cushion raises your hips above your knees, which tilts the pelvis forward and lets the spine rest upright with less effort. That makes longer sits more comfortable. Cross-legged sitting on a flat floor tends to round the lower back and make legs go numb sooner.
What is a zafu, and what is a zabuton?
A zafu is the round cushion you sit on, traditionally filled with kapok or buckwheat. A zabuton is the flat, padded mat underneath that cushions the knees and ankles. Many people start with a zafu alone and add a zabuton later.
Buckwheat or kapok fill?
Buckwheat hulls shift and settle to your shape and hold it, and they are easy to adjust by adding or removing hulls. Kapok is softer and springier and does not adjust as easily. DharmaCrafts describes buckwheat as feeling like sitting on sand, while kapok zafus feel firmer and bouncier.
How high should a meditation cushion be?
High enough that your knees can rest below your hips. People with tight hips or longer legs usually want more height, while flexible people may prefer less. The cushions here range from 5 to 6 inches, and adjustable buckwheat fill lets you fine-tune the height.
How do I clean a buckwheat cushion?
Never wash the hulls: remove them first. DharmaCrafts says its outer cover and inner shell can be machine washed cold on a gentle cycle and hung to dry, while Hugger Mugger recommends hand washing its cover. Let everything dry completely before refilling, and air the hulls in the sun occasionally.
Deciding between the top two? See our head-to-head: DharmaCrafts Eco Organic Buckwheat Hull Zafu vs Hugger Mugger Zafu Meditation Cushion.
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