If you are in a hurry and just want to find out what the best zabuton is, then we recommend the Seat Of Your Soul Zabuton as the best one.
Zabu-what now?
Yes, we know it sounds like a character from the Lion King, but a zabuton is actually a special type of floor cushion for your yoga and meditation practice!
The best zabuton for you depends on your anatomy, history of certain injuries, and the type of yoga or meditation that you practice.
Here are the best zabuton we’ll be reviewing:
- Gaiam Meditation Cushion Zabuton
- Bean Products Zabuton Meditation Cushion
- Seat Of Your Soul Zabuton Meditation Cushion
- YogaAccessories Cotton Zabuton
- Awaken Meditation Zabuton Yoga Mat
What is a Zabuton?
A zabuton is a traditional Japanese cushion for sitting on the floor.
Historically it’s been used by zen meditators and even sumo wrestlers for comfort and support during meditation!
A zabuton cushion comes in one or two pieces.
The main piece is a square-shaped mat which is placed directly onto the floor. This is known as the “zabuton.”
The second piece is a smaller cushion which is placed on top of the square mat. This is sometimes called a “zafu.”
Together they cushion your rear end, knees, ankles, and feet when sitting in a cross-legged position on the floor.
The best zabuton will be covered in washable fabric and stuffed like a firm pillow.
It should be packed firmly enough to retain its shape and support your body but loosely enough to provide softness and cushioning to comfort your joints.
Why Every Yogi Needs a Zabuton
It’s important to have the proper support and cushioning when meditating or practicing yoga.
You’ve probably heard a yoga instructor or meditation guide tell you to get into a, “comfortable seated position.”
Did you know that the cross-legged position for meditation and yoga is called Sukhasana or “Easy Pose?” Easy pose ain’t so easy when your ankles are digging into the floor and your hips and knees are howling.
Sitting in an uncomfortable position is just like trying to meditate and having a pesky thought that won’t leave your mind.
Sitting in a traditional meditation posture on a hard surface can even be painful on the small bones in the ankles and put stress on the knees, hips, and glutes.
The pain or discomfort can really distract your yoga practice, especially if you do yoga as a way to make time for self-care.
The reason a zabuton and zafu are important for yoga and meditation is that they help you achieve that comfortable seated position and good posture.
As a result, you’ll be able to give all your focus and attention to your practice.
How a Zabuton Supports Your Body
Finding the best zabuton for you will allow you to sit comfortably on any type of flooring by cushioning your sit bones and ankles and helping you get your spine into proper alignment.
When you add in the zafu it raises your hips above your knees.
This angles your body to take the pressure off the knees and can bring your hips and spine into a more natural alignment to help you sit up straight.
This ergonomic adjustment helps you maintain good posture while you meditate.
Anyone with irritable knees from a past injury or simply from aging knows what a relief a few degrees of extension can provide!
Getting your hips into the proper position can also support your entire spine.
That will help prevent aches in places like your low back and neck from prolonged sitting.
Zabuton vs. Yoga Mat
You might be asking, “but couldn’t I just sit on my yoga mat?”
Well, you could, but you’d be missing out.
A yoga mat doesn’t provide enough cushion to protect your ankles in a cross-legged position on hard floors.
A yoga mat alone can’t provide the cushion and hip elevation to get you into that prime position for meditation even if you fold it over on itself.
How to Use Your Zabuton
Place the zabuton on the floor where you want to sit.
If using a zabuton only, then sit directly on the cushion, cross your legs, and start your practice.
If you use a zafu (the smaller second cushion), then place it on top of the zabuton toward one side.
Sit with your glutes on the zafu and cross your legs so your ankles are crossed and resting on the lower zabuton.
Take a seat on your zabuton for seated meditation, yogic breathing exercises, or just for a comfortable place to plop down!
Since zabutons are used for still seated positions you can place them directly on slick hard surfaces like wood or tile floors without a problem.
Zabutons are mainly used for seated positions, but you can also use it as a support for your neck in yoga poses like Shavasana (Corpse Pose) or Salamba Sarvangasana (Supported Shoulderstand).
The small cushion can also be used as a support under your hips or back during yoga.
Zabutons can be used indoors or outdoors.
If you plan to use your zabuton outdoors you may want to either add weatherproofing material to the removable cover or place a mat below the cushion so it doesn’t absorb moisture or dirt from the ground.
Who Shouldn’t Use a Zabuton?
If you cannot safely sit in seated cross-legged positions, then you should not use a zabuton.
Although it makes it more comfortable to sit even the best zabuton is not a magic bullet for hip, knee, or ankle issues that prevent you from sitting cross-legged.
The Best Zabutons Reviewed
Gaiam Meditation Cushion Zabuton
The Gaiam Meditation Cushion Zabuton is a rectangular floor cushion without a zafu bolster.
The dimensions are 2 feet by 3 feet and the cushion is about 4 inches thick.
The simple design is a good option for those who don’t have issues with hip and knee flexibility and just need a soft cushion for meditation and yoga.
The Gaiam zabuton is covered in a super-soft microfiber fabric.
It comes in three colors: black, blue, and teal.
This cushion has a removable, machine washable cover which is nice because you can toss it in the laundry and freshen it up if it gets dirty.
This is a basic zabuton in both structure and appearance.
If you’re just looking for something simple that won’t compete with the decor in the rest of your home, then this could be just right.
The cushion does have a 4-button design which pinches and gathers the fabric in certain places.
This may bother some users and make the cushion feel slightly uneven or lumpy.
Pros
- Machine washable cover
- Soft fabric
- Affordable price
- A reliable brand known for yoga gear
- 3 versatile color choices
- Simple design
Cons
- Cushioning may feel slightly lumpy
- Doesn’t come with a zafu (small cushion)
Bean Products Zabuton Meditation Cushion
The Bean Products Zabuton Meditation Cushion comes in multiple sizes and loads of colors. The larger 32-inch by 26-inch size is perfect for a meditation nook in your home.
The smaller 24-inch by 24-inch size is a nice option if you need something portable or if you have a more compact living space.
The cover of the Bean Products zabuton cushion is hand made from organic cotton or environmentally friendly hemp. The cover can be removed and machine washed.
Not only is this cushion hand made, but it is also manufactured stateside in Chicago.
Pros:
- Made in the USA
- Organic fabric
- Handcrafted product
- Removable, machine washable cover
- Multiple sizes and colors to choose from
Cons:
- On the pricier side
- Thinner than some other zabutons
Seat Of Your Soul Zabuton Meditation Cushion
The nice thing about the Seat Of Your Soul Zabuton Meditation Cushion is the many ways you can customize it.
The basic zabuton cushion is a square 24 inches in size and 4 inches in height.
For the second cushion, you have options between a crescent shape or a traditional zafu circle shape. You can mix and match as you see fit.
All come in multiple jewel-tone colors, black, gray and a natural hemp color.
The fabric on each piece is made of organic cotton and the covers are removable and washable.
The filling is a combination of cotton and buckwheat which makes this cushion more durable than cotton only versions.
The buckwheat reinforces the cotton so your zabuton will keep its shape and softness longer.
The other great thing about these cushions is that they have a handle sewed on.
Whether you’re keeping your zabuton and zafu stowed away until it’s time to meditate or you plan to take them with you to a studio or outdoors, the handle is a nice convenience that makes it easy to carry.
Pros:
- Cotton buckwheat blend for filling
- Made of organic materials
- Multiple zafu shapes to choose from
- Rich colors
- Can purchase individual pieces separately
- Affordably priced
- Carry handle
Cons:
- Only solid colors
- Smaller zabuton dimensions than other options
YogaAccessories Cotton Zabuton
At 36 inches by 28 inches, the YogaAccessories Cotton Zabuton is the largest zabuton on the list.
If your cross-legged seated position is less compact because of flexibility issues or just long legs, then a larger cushion can help.
This design gives you a little more surface area to work with.
It’s also large enough (and, at 3 inches tall, thin enough) to fold in half if you wanted to.
The stuffing of the YogaAccessories zabuton is 100% cotton and the cover is a cotton twill material.
The cover is removable and washable. It comes in multiple solid colors and print material.
Compared to other zabutons the design of this cover is not as closely fitted to the internal cushion.
This results in a loose look that some may find less attractive.
Pros:
- Large dimensions
- Can be folded in half
- Removable machine-washable cover
- Multiple colors and print design to choose from
Cons:
- The thinner cushion may wear out over time
- 100% cotton filling may get lumpy over time
- Design is not as neat as other zabutons
- More expensive
Awaken Meditation Zabuton Yoga Mat
The Awaken Meditation Zabuton Yoga Mat is your classic zabuton design. It’s a square 33 inches and 4 inches thick.
The batting is made of 100% cotton and the removable cover is machine washable.
The design is simple but modern and comes in three neutral colors plus a vibrant purple and orange.
Some other zabuton cushions have a button design which pinches the fabric in places and may irritate some users.
This zabuton is evenly filled so you have nothing but smooth cushion beneath you.
The Awaken Meditation zabuton also has a carry strap so it’s easy to tote around.
The price point is higher than some other zabutons.
With that said, the quality of the fabric and thickness of the cushion are both durable and should last a good long time.
Pros
- Carry strap
- Thick design for more durable cushion
- Modern colors
- Removable, machine-washable cover
- Made of 100% cotton
- Even surface (no button pleats)
Cons
- More expensive for zabuton only
- Only comes in one size
- 100% cotton cover may shrink (line dry only!)
And the winner is…
The Seat Of Your Soul Zabuton Meditation Cushion!
We love this zabuton because it gives you many options (zabuton, circular zafu, and crescent cushion) to customize.
You can get one, two or all three pieces based on your unique needs. It also has an attractive design and comes in a wide variety of modern colors.
On top of all that, what makes this the best zabuton on the list is the combination of cotton and buckwheat filling.
This combo helps the Seat Of Your Soul Zabuton Meditation Cushion and zafu cushions keep their shape.
Batting made of 100% cotton may get lumpy or less supportive over time depending on how densely it’s packed.
Buckwheat, on the other hand, reinforces the cotton to help keep its shape.
Don’t like the buckwheat? Just remove it!
Yet another helpful feature of the Seat Of Your Soul zabuton and zafu cushions.
Finally, the Seat Of Your Soul zabuton and zafus have machine-washable removable covers that also have handles.
With this or any zabuton, remember to wash in cold water and dry on the delicate cycle or air dry to prevent the material from shrinking.
