One holds you up while you sit. The other holds you up while you lie down.
Verdict
A meditation cushion is a seat: it raises the hips for upright sitting. A bolster is a support for reclined and restorative positions, and it can also be sat on lengthways if a cushion is too low. Buy the cushion if you sit to practise; buy the bolster if your practice includes lying down, or if you want one object that does both at a pinch.
Under $50
Check Gaiam Yoga Bolster Pillow PriceUnder $50
Check Retrospec Sedona Meditation Cushion Price| Gaiam Yoga Bolster Pillow | Retrospec Sedona Meditation Cushion | |
|---|---|---|
| Seated meditation | Workable | Designed for it |
| Reclined support | Designed for it | No |
| Under the knees when lying | Yes | No |
| Height adjustable | No | Yes, buckwheat fill |
| Storage | Bulky | Compact |
| Firmness | Firm and long | Firm and round |
Your practice includes restorative postures, breathing lying down, or supported reclining. A bolster under the knees or along the spine changes how easily the body settles, and nothing else substitutes well.
Check Gaiam Yoga Bolster Pillow on Amazon
You sit. A cushion is sized and shaped for exactly that, the buckwheat fill lets you tune the height, and it stores in a corner rather than taking up half a cupboard.
Check Retrospec Sedona Meditation Cushion on Amazon
Yes, and it is a legitimate posture, particularly for breathing practice or for anyone for whom sitting is painful. The usual caution is that it is easier to fall asleep, which some traditions treat as a problem and others do not.
Support is generally more useful than endurance, so raising the hips, supporting the knees or sitting in a chair are all reasonable adaptations. Persistent pain is worth discussing with a medical professional rather than sitting through.
It conforms and holds shape without compressing over time, and it can be added to or removed to change height, which foam cannot. It is also heavier, which matters if you carry it anywhere.
Comparison based on published manufacturer specifications and the general consensus of owner reports. We have not tested these units side by side. Confirm current prices and specifications before buying. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.
We also have full reviews of each: Gaiam yoga bolster review and Retrospec Sedona cushion review.