The best meditation bench enhances your meditation practice by freeing the mind from physical discomfort and supporting the best alignment in your spine for easy, open breathing. With the help of a bench, many people can meditate without discomfort in their knees, feet, or ankles, and therefore extend their sessions and meditate more deeply.
However, there are many different designs of meditation benches, and each have their advantage. Today we will evaluate meditation benches, explain their features, and evaluate the best meditation benches available.
While meditation benches are often discussed in terms of height, and which bench might best fit a person over 6 feet tall, or shorter than 5’6”, the truth is that comfort in a meditation bench has much more to do with flexibility in the knees than overall height or the length of the legs.
Quick Answer
Based on our buying guide and what to look for when buying a meditation bench, the Acacia Wood Meditation Bench meets all these criteria. It’s a suitable meditation bench for tall and petite people. When looking for a meditation bench, you want to find one that can offer you support and alignment. The Meditation Designs bench meets these criteria by giving you the support you need.
Editor’s Pick Best Meditation Benches
These are all excellent meditation benches, but a few really stand out for their exceptional design and features:
Meditation Designs Meditation Bench Acacia Wood
It has a lot of features that make it easier to use for small people who can slip out of angled meditation benches. It offers many advantages:
- Handmade from acacia wood. Also has a cushioned seat for added comfort
- Angled and rounded pedestal legs that are firmly fastened.
- Best for individuals up to 5′ 11″ in height.
- The bench is not foldable which makes it very stable
The Joy is Within You Fixed Legs Meditation Bench – Best Meditation Bench for Those with Reduced Flexibility
It’s a great fit for those with joint conditions or injuries, big and tall people, and those new to meditation. It is packed with great features:
- Available in multiple sizes for the right fit
- Padded with two inches of multi-density cushion for firm, lasting support and comfort
- Rounded legs allow you to choose the seating angle that is best for your body
- Excellent craftsmanship in the sturdy, non-skid legs reduces movement and distraction
- Made in the USA from sustainable materials, backed by great service and a 30 day guarantee
simplysitting Handcrafted Meditation Bench – Best Portable Meditation Bench
This is a handcrafted meditation bench with so many features to love.
- Ergonomic seat shape maintains comfort and improves stability in the seat.
- Pedestal design allows foot and ankle placement that are most comfortable for extended meditation sessions
- Single rounded pedestal allows minute adjustments for perfect spine alignment
- Pedestal snaps flat and stows neatly for travel, when this whole meditation bench is smaller than a notebook and weighs just over a pound
- Handcrafted and beautiful design make it a striking object to own
Detailed Buying Guide
If you find your meditation practice impaired by physical discomfort in your back, legs, or feet, a meditation bench can be a great way to reduce the physical pressure of sitting and freeing your mind to focus. Meditation benches often allow people to meditate for longer due to improved physical posture and comfort.
If you’ve never used a meditation bench before, the process of buying one can be a bit intimidating. Here are the most important things to be aware of before you buy.
Most Important Things to Look for in a Meditation Bench
1. If you are big, tall, or have limited flexibility in your legs and knees
Look for a bench-style meditation bench with the legs at the outside, ample length and width, and a higher overall height in the legs. You may want a meditation bench with fixed-angle legs (rather than rounded legs).
2. If you travel frequently or meditate on the go
Look for a lightweight and compact meditation bench that will fold or collapse to fit your lifestyle.
3. If you are small and lightweight
Look for a meditation bench with rounded legs, so you can find the seat angle that best fits your body without tipping you forward out of the seat. It’s also helpful to find a seat that is rounded to hold your body, has a non-slip surface, or will easily accommodate a cushion.
Quality Materials and Craftsmanship
You need to be able to relax deeply, without questioning whether the bench can adequately support your weight, with no uncomfortable shifting or wobbling, or slipping out of the seat. This attention to materials, craftsmanship, and design are one of the reasons that meditation benches may cost more than you expected, but it’s an investment in your practice.
Find the Height You Need
Particularly if you have stiff or inflexible knees and hips, it’s important to find a bench at the right height for you. The best way to find out is to stack books or something similar to “mock up” a bench in your own meditation space and find out what height is ideal for you.
Remember Your Surface
A thick rug or zabuton, or a soft surface if you meditate outside, will lower the relative height of the seat, deepening the stretch in your legs and knees. When you plan for your meditation bench height, remember the surface you will be using beneath the bench and plan accordingly.
Many meditation benches are designed to be reversible, so that sitting on the high side allows different body positions than sitting on the low side. In addition, such benches can also be tipped sideways, so that you can lean back against them in other seated positions, such as cross-legged. Feel free to experiment and find what works best for you.
Advantages of Using A Meditation Bench
Besides the fact that using a meditation bench is comfortable and relaxes the body, there are several benefits when it comes to using a meditation bench.
- No Interference. While engaging in a session, there should always be complete harmony between the body and mind and any discomfort may disrupt your session. Using a meditation bench solves this issue by keeping your body relaxed.
- Alignment and Support. These benches are specially designed to support and align your body to get the most out of your session. Regular chairs can’t provide the type of comfort and support you need.
- Improved Meditation. Since these benches offer maximum support and comfort, you will achieve an improved sense of concentration and meditation. They are effective for both beginners and more experienced people.
Using a meditation bench also offers other benefits like:
- Provides cushioning
- Supports your weight
- Keeps pressure off your joints
- Aligns your spine
- Instead of focusing on your posture, it makes it easier to focus on your meditation
- Prevents your limbs from falling asleep while meditating
- Motivates you to meditate
Questions to Ask Yourself Before Buying A Meditation Bench
Meditation is a personal experience and choosing the best meditation bench is a different experience for everyone. However, there are some standard questions you need to ask yourself first:
- Do I want my bench to be organic and eco-friendly?
- What kind of material do I want to sit on?
- Do I want back support?
- Do I want to be able to choose a certain color?
- How much space do I have for my meditation bench?
- Do I need to carry the floor bench around?
9 Best Meditation Benches Reviews
1. Acacia Wood Meditation Bench
The acacia wood meditation bench from Meditation Designs is a solid piece of furniture, made with the same professional carpentry and upholstery techniques of furniture makers, designed to last for years. Made by hand from sustainable acacia wood, it comes in four cushion colors, so you can choose the style that suits you best.
Overall, it is 18 inches long and 8 inches wide. The tall side is ~8.5 inches tall (with the cushion), and the low side is ~7.5 inches tall (with the cushion). It is designed to fit people up to 6’1” in height, and the curved and angled legs help those of various heights find the perfect alignment for their bodies.
PROS:
- Durable construction
- Available in a choice of handsome colors
- Hand made from sustainable materials
- Can be used kneeling or cross-legged
CONS:
- On some surfaces, the rounded legs can slowly slide backward
Best For:
This is a solid, durable meditation bench, best for those between 5'6” and 6'0” feet tall, with good flexibility in the knees and feet.
2. Joy is Within You Fixed Legs Meditation Bench Soft Top
The Joy is Within You Meditation Bench not only comes in a choice of 10 attractive colors, but also comes in a choice of three sizes to fit many body types. It has excellent construction, handmade in the US from wood that is certified sustainably grown and harvested. It has a full 2 inches of engineered multi-density cushioning for enduring comfort, the legs are set into grooves and well-secured to prevent shifting or collapse, and the legs are finished by hand with a non-slip texture for lasting stability and support.
Each Joy is Within You meditation bench is 18 inches long by 9 inches wide, with leg heights ranging from 7-7.75 inches on the low side, depending on size. On the high side, the legs will be about a ½ inch taller.
Joy is Within You does their own order fulfillment, so these meditation benches are not eligible for Amazon Prime. However, doing their own fulfillment allows them to deliver more personalized service, communicating directly with the artisans who make the meditation bench, and addressing any problems or issues on an individual basis. They will even accept custom orders, and every bench is backed by a 30-day guarantee.
PROS:
- Comes in a wide range of attractive colors with premium fabrics
- Made with woods that are certified sustainably grown and harvested
- Multi-density cushioning gives lasting comfort
- Multiple sizes suit different needs and body types
CONS:
- Not eligible for Amazon Prime
Best For:
The Joy is Within You Fixed Leg Meditation Bench is an excellent design, made from durable, sustainable materials, by people who care about taking care of their customer. While Amazon Prime is always an attractive shipping option, it's well worth the minor inconvenience in order to have the exceptional customer service. While you do have to pay for shipping and shipping on returns, if you exchange your meditation bench for another size, the replacement will ship for free.
3. simplysitting Handcrafted Meditation Bench
simplysitting has designed a meditation bench that is truly a work of art. The minimalist, ergonomic handcrafted meditation bench is curved to properly cradle the spine and balance the body, while being visually appealing. The curved leg allows you to shift your weight to the perfect spot for the best support, balance, and breathing. The simplysitting meditation bench is hand crafted in the Pennsylvania wilds out of solid, sustainable American cherry heartwood, and has a lifetime guarantee. The revolutionary design is so perfectly balanced that it will stand on its own.
When you need to travel, the simplysitting meditation bench weighs just over a pound, and the leg snaps off with one magnetic motion, breaking down to a size smaller than a notebook. At just 14 inches wide by 7 inches deep; it is 6.5 inches on the low front and 7.5 inches on the high rear.
PROS:
- Aesthetically pleasing
- Light weight and portable
- Promotes perfect, supported balance and posture
- Great kneeling meditation bench
CONS:
- May be too small for some larger or less flexible people
- Pedestal can sink into thick rugs, soft surfaces, and zabutons, lowering the seat and deepening the leg stretch, and may strain more fragile knees.
- Good for kneeling only
Best For:
While some meditation benches may be more versatile, and the simplysitting bench is designed exclusively for the kneeling position, it still has many advantages. This beautiful meditation bench is perfect for travel, as the single pedestal leg snaps off easily and is neatly stowed, and the whole seat weighs just over 1 pound. The light weight and stability of the design also make it fast and simple to place and adjust with just a shift of your balance, rather than some benches that can take more effort to position perfectly. And the simplysitting bench is also simply a lovely object to have in your space, with a graceful design that makes your meditation practice more natural and harmonious.
4. Green EOS Bamboo Ergonomic Meditation Bench – Portable Design
The bamboo meditation bench from Green EOS is a versatile design, with flexible features for a variety of uses. It can support you in kneeling or the cross-legged position. It is sized to fit a variety of bodies with differing degrees of flexibility in the legs and thighs. And the stainless steel hinges allow the legs to fold flat for easy storage and transport. It is also made of bamboo, which is an eco-friendly and sustainable material. It is 17.5 inches long and 7.5 inches wide. The legs are 6.125 inches tall in the front and 7.5 inches tall in the back.
The Green EOS bamboo meditation bench has flat angled legs instead of rounded ones, unlike many meditation bench designs. Depending on your body and balance, this could be an advantage for those who need more stable support, or a disadvantage for those who rely on small adjustments while on rounded legs to perfectly align their spine. It’s an important consideration, but whether it’s a good choice for you depends entirely on your preference and practice.
PROS:
- Folds securely flat for portability
- Lightweight and comfortable
- Made of sustainable bamboo
- Good for kneeling or cross-legged positions
CONS:
- Height is quite low
Best For:
The lightweight bamboo and securely folding legs on this meditation bench make it a good choice for portability, and it is stable and wide to fit a variety of people. The good size, rounded shape, and flat legs make it very stable, which could help those who need extra support during meditation. However, it does restrict fine adjustments for those who are accustomed to small adjustments when controlling their balance.
5. Still Sitting Nomad Meditation Bench
The unique Norwegian design of the Still Sitting Nomad meditation bench is not only portable, but highly adjustable. It folds flat and weighs under 2 lbs., making it easy to take anywhere you go. Instead of sitting on a hard wood surface, the Nomad meditation bench suspends you on a hammock, preventing unusual pressure on the spine and allowing you to further extend your practice.
Even better, the hammock can be adjusted on the Still Sitting Nomad bench frame, to sit higher or lower as needed. It also allows this meditation bench to be easily shared between people, who can adjust it for their specific needs, while markings on the underside allow you to remember and restore it to your preferred setting.
This meditation bench is handmade in Seattle Washington, designed by Norwegian architect Åsmund Skard, based on his own meditation practice.
PROS:
- Extremely light and portable
- Adjustable height
- Hammock seating avoids unnecessary pressure during long meditation sessions
CONS:
- Awkward meditation bencg to use for very tall people
Best For:
The Still Sitting Nomad meditation bench is an excellent choice for classes and retreats. Not only does the hammock provide balance and support without pressure or hardness for long meditation settings, it can be adjusted as your flexibility further develops. It can also be easily adjusted for different users, should you need to share or demonstrate it. The light weight and easy collapsible shape are excellent for travel.
6. Bluecony IKUKO Original Travel Version Wooden Kneeling Ergonomic Meditation Bench
The beautiful curves of the Bluecony IKUKO travel meditation bench are attractive and ergonomic. The slightly flared legs support open knees and ankles and a relaxed, open, balanced posture. The feet are removable, making it easy to store the bench in the included cotton bag, and it comes in your choice of dark or natural wood finishes. It is 16.5 inches wide and 7.8 inches deep, with a front edge that is 5.75 inches high and a back edge that is 7.75 inches high.
Designed and handmade in Quebec, Canada from local wild cherry wood, the bag is also made of organic cotton. It has a 30-day satisfaction guarantee and a 1 year manufacture guarantee.
The Bluecony IKUKO meditation bench has flat-angled legs instead of rounded ones, unlike many other designs. Depending on your body and balance, this could be an advantage for those who need more stable support, or a disadvantage for those who rely on small adjustments on rounded legs to perfectly align their spine. It’s an important consideration, but the right choice depends on your preference and practice.
It also has legs that flare out slightly toward the front, controlling the angle of the legs. This angle is designed to straighten the back and promote balance over the pelvis. While some people may find this comfortable, others may find that the leg angle prevents the legs and knees from supporting more of the body weight, shifting the weight further back into the seat itself. This may be why some heavier people find that the bench will not adequately support their weight.
PROS:
- Aesthetically pleasing
- Designed to be portable for travel
CONS:
- Only rated to 165 pounds
- Front edge may be uncomfortable for some
- Small people may find themselves sliding forward in the seat over time
Best For:
The Bluecony IKUKO traveling meditation bench is a lovely, natural ergonomic design. For the right body type and meditation posture, it may be the exact right fit for enduring comfort and excellent balanced support. However, it has specific design features that may make it uncomfortable or difficult to use for some body types and postural needs. The easy portability and included traveling bag are excellent features.
7. Hugger Mugger Meditation Bench
The Hugger Mugger meditation bench has folding legs for portability, and the 1-inch foam cushion has a removable cover for easy washing. It is 18.5 inches long, by 7.5 inches wide, by 8 inches high. It is handmade in the US, out of finished birch plywood, and comes with a duffel-style carrying bag. It has a lifetime warranty.
As with a few other meditation benches, it has fixed-angle legs, which may provide extra stability for those who need it but prevents fine balance adjustments for those who prefer curved legs. Hugger Mugger doesn’t give the dimensions for the difference between the front height and the back height, but this meditation bench has a gentler seat angle than many others. It has non-skid feet, which are a nice feature and may increase the overall height of the bench.
PROS:
- Washable cushion cover is a nice feature
- Non-skid feet prevent slipping and promote stability
- Portable and has an included bag for travel
CONS:
- The folding legs do not always feel stable during meditation
- The hinges may squeak with minute balance adjustments
Best For:
The gentler slope and angled legs of the Hugger Mugger meditation bench may be helpful for those who are less flexible and need more support from a meditation bench. However, the potential of wobbly legs is a serious drawback that may distract during meditation.
8. Pi to Go Folding Meditation Bench
This is the portable version of the famous Pi meditation bench, named because the distinctive shape resembles the pi sign. Placing the supportive legs in the center of the bench allows greater range of motion for the feet and ankles. The curved legs allow the meditation bench to support your body at any angle.
The Pi to Go folding meditation bench is 18 inches wide by 7 inches deep and 7.25 inches high and made of select hardwoods. This bench also securely folds flat for easy portability and weighs about 4 pounds.
PROS:
- Excellent range of possible kneeling meditation positions and postures
- Folds compact and portable
CONS:
- Leg height is a bit lower and should be higher
Best For:
The Pi to Go is an excellent, thoughtful design. The curved legs allow you to sit at exactly the correct angle for your body and posture, while the open sides give more options for leg and foot position. The two legged-design gives good stability and support, and, it also folds flat for easy transport.
9. Zen Posture Ronin Portable Meditation Bench
The beautiful Zen Posture Ronin portable meditation bench is made of high-grade sustainable walnut that has been hand finished with a lavender and beeswax finish. The rope wrap provides stable cushioning that will not slip, and also offers a distinctive look. The central pillar design allows room and freedom for optimal leg and foot positioning, with plenty of support and stability.
It folds into a compact shape and fastens securely with hidden magnets. Measuring just 14 inches wide by 4 inches deep and 6.75 inches high, and weighing just 3 pounds, it’s exceptionally small and lightweight.
The shape of the Zen meditation bench has a lot of corners, such as on the edge of the seat, at the base of the pedestal, and in the rear corners. It is also much smaller and narrower than other meditation benches. While it is designed to support excellent posture, these angles and the very small size may make it less comfortable to use for those with reduced flexibility or posture challenges.
PROS:
- Attractive design
- Extremely compact and portable
- Rope wraps offer more durable, handsome protection from slipping than cushions
CONS:
- Pedestal hinges can shift and wobble slightly during practice
Best For:
The Zen Posture Ronin meditation bench is an excellent choice for those who already have excellent posture and balance, and just need firm support during their practice. It's not only incredibly easy to travel with but is a handsome object to have in your home, with an attractive look and finish that will last for years to come.
FAQs:
1. Are meditation benches foldable?
Most meditation benches are foldable which makes them more accessible and they take up less space.
2. Does a meditation bench help you maintain proper alignment?
A good meditation bench that is designed correctly will support your alignment while doing various kneeling and sitting positions during meditation. An ergonomic meditation bench will include a seat that offers you support and keep your spine aligned.
3. Should you angle your meditation bench a certain way?
If your meditation bench is flat, this will cause you to slump and cause alignment issues. When buying a meditation bench, you should see that it has a slight forward angle. What you can also do is stack books under your legs or a wooden block which is 1’’ (2.5 cm) high to give you a slight angle.
Conclusion
Best overall meditation bench: My favorite best meditation bench has to be the Acacia Wood Meditation Bench. It has so many thoughtful design elements that simply make it stand out above the rest.
The legs are made of solid Acacia wood, making them sturdy. However, the legs aren’t foldable, so the bench isn’t really portable.
While it’s slightly bigger and heavier than other portable meditation benches, it remains sturdy and durable.
Unlike some meditation benches with foldable legs, the Meditation Designs bench has excellent stability in the legs, so there is no distracting wobbling or shifting while you use the bench.
It provides excellent comfort, with exceptional craftsmanship and a design that provides just the right amount of support without distraction or restriction.
Allen Wei is someone who believes in living his best life, focusing on balance, happiness, and relaxation. He fosters a positive lifestyle in terms of his body, mind, and environment, and he is a huge proponent of learning to be balanced via relaxation techniques integrated into our busy lives.
I have recently purchased a “vé bench”, a french meditation bench. They are very good, and took away my back pain. They are also extremely well made. I would recommend this one over all others, you can switch positions more easily and it makes you less stiff. I’m glad I came upon it. More information about the ve bench is at vebench.com, and the store is at coquilledesoi.com.
I hope you decide to try one.
Carter
Curious about Vé, would you be willing to share dimensions?
Do you use with or without cushion?
That’s crazy! I tried one too and it was by far the best I’ve ever tried (mobile and sturdy at the same time). I’ve purchased most of these benches, and ve bench was the best. So comfortable, unstressful, and lets me take my mind off of the otherwise-uncomfortable position.