You might think that sitting meditation is easy but let me tell you it’s not, especially, if you’re not comfortable. You need the right support to your back and enough cushion to make you sit comfortably against the hard floor. This is where the best zafu and zabuton meditation cushion set becomes helpful.
Zafu and zabuton cushions are specially made to help you sit comfortably with legs crossed on the floor while meditating. Here, we’ll review four of the most popular brands on the market today. We’ll also share some important details about these cushions to help you make a smart choice.
Quick Answer:
1. Seat Of your Soul Buckwheat Meditation Cushion
For your meditation needs, Seat Of Your Soul offers three cushion sizes: crescent, Zafu, and Zabuton. We love these cushion sets because they’re comfortable and seem to be well made. The buckwheat hull fillings were clean and so far have no reports about bug infestation.
2. GABUR Leewadee Meditation Set
GABUR impresses with its Thailand-inspired zafu and zabuton cushion set. They’re firm enough to provide ample support. We love the ribbed shape of the zabuton because it feels good on the feet.
3. Bean Products Zafu and Zabuton Meditation Cushion Set
Bean Products offer the most variety of colors on the market. There are 26 colors available for zafu and zabuton meditation cushion sets including natural, aqua and black. They’re earth-friendly because they’re made of organic materials, like buckwheat hulls, cotton, and hemp.
Editor’s Pick: Best Zafu And Zabuton Meditation Cushion Set
Zafu And Zabuton Meditation Cushion Set Buying Guide
What Is Zafu?
A zafu is a round-shaped cushion essential for seating meditation. The gathered sides and curved edges allow your legs to touch the floor lower than your hips. This position takes out the strain from your back and helps you align your spine properly.
Zafus are made with a slight lift to help you sit easier. They’re stuffed with Buckwheat hull fillings, which you can add or remove to suit your comfort needs. They can also serve as a good bolster substitute for yoga.
What Is Zabuton?
Zabuton is a Japanese cushion traditionally used as a floor mat, though it can also be utilized as a cushion on a chair. It’s one of the most essential props for seating meditation because it’s very versatile. You can use it on its own to sit cross-legged for meditation or pair with the zafu to make a more comfortable meditation position.
One purpose of the zabuton is to protect your legs from sitting too long on the floor. The rectangular design is pretty basic so your choice may depend on the color, patterns, or material.
What To Look For On A Good Zafu and Zabuton Cushion Set
Fabric
The outer cover of the meditation cushion should be durable, yet soft. The best brands are made of cotton, which is a natural product known for its durability. This type of fabric control moisture and helps offer great comfort.
Fillings Or Stuffings
The meditation cushions are either stuffed with buckwheat hulls or kapok. Buckwheat hulls work like a sand pile because they conform to the shape of your body. They make a very grounded feeling and gives more stability than kapok.
Kapok, also, creates a dense and firm filling to your cushion. They’re more lightweight than buckwheat hulls, but they have enough give to follow the shape of your body without collapsing like cotton.
Color
The color may not be that significant to the function of the cushion but it gives a little effect to your mood and mental state. For instance, red can help uplift your energy while yellow helps clear the mind. Choose blue to help you relax and green for balance.
How To Sit On A Zafu Meditation Cushion
Step1. Sit on it correctly. Sit on the front taking 2/3d of the cushion space.
Step2. There are ways to sit on the floor.
- Legs crossed with ankles parallel or crossed.
- Legs crossed in a lotus position.
- Knees bent with a cushion between your legs.
Step3. Sit more upright with your back straight. This will help align your spine and reduce the strain from sitting for too long.
4 Best Zafu And Zabuton Meditation Cushion Sets Review
1. Seat Of your Soul Buckwheat Meditation Cushion
The Seat Of Your Soul Meditation Cushion offers great comfort when you’re in a meditation position. The zafu, zabuton, and crescent shapes are machine washable and GOTS certified organic. Except for zabuton, the other two cushions have a handle for easy carrying.
The cushions are filled with 100% natural buckwheat hulls that stay in shape for a very long time. Remove or add some buckwheat hulls if you want to adjust the height and firmness of the cushion. The outer cover is crafted from soft cotton, which is sourced from sustainable sources.
We love the cushions because they’re really well made. The cotton fabric is durable and heavy-stitched to securely put together. The buckwheat hulls seem to be intact and show no evidence of bug infestation.
PROS:
- Made from organic materials
- Machine washable outer cover
- Maintains its shape for a long time
- Available in different sizes and colors
- Adjustable buckwheat filler
CONS:
- Seems to be made of a poor quality zipper
- Smaller than expected
Best For:
The Seat Of Your Soul Meditation Cushion is great for yoga practice. It’s firm enough to work as a yoga block substitute. Its supportive design also makes it good for sitting at a low table.
2. GABUR Leewadee Meditation Set
Comfortable, unique, and breathable, these are qualities that make GABUR one of our favorite meditation set. The zafu and zabuton cushions are stuffed with untreated kapok, a plant fiber derived from tropical trees. The kapok filling creates a comfortable firm, yet comfortable padding that both relaxes and supports your body.
The outer cover of the meditation cushions are made of sturdy cotton twill fabric. The design is very unique because it’s inspired by Thailand elephants. We appreciate the effort of double-stitching the seams because it brings more durability to the cushions.
PROS:
- Crafted from natural materials
- Unique, stylish design
- The zabuton’s ridges feel good on the feet
- Durable and well-made
- Has a firm, yet comfortable padding
CONS:
- A bit heavy and difficult to move around
Best For:
The GABUR Lewadee Meditation Set is best for tall people because the zafu is built a bit higher than the rest on this list. You’ll also love the Lewadee meditation set if you love stylish designs.
3. Bean Products Zafu and Zabuton Meditation Cushion Set
Available in 26 colors, there is a perfect zafu and zabuton cushion set of your favorite color with Bean Products. It’s 3-inch thick to give you the perfect height of insulating from the floor, enabling a more comfortable sitting position when meditating.
The outer covers are either made of organic cotton or 100% hemp fabric. The Zafus are stuffed with organic buckwheat hulls while the Zabutons are filled with 100% cotton batting. You can remove the buckwheat hull filling when cleaning the outer cover of the zafu.
We love the hand-tufted design of the zabuton cushion because it makes the cushion very durable. It’s designed with a carry handle to make it easy to bring anywhere.
PROS:
- Hand tufted for great durability
- Available in 26 attractive colors
- Made of organic materials
- Soft and comfortable
- The outer cover is easy to wash
CONS:
- Poor return policy because you need to pay for shipping
Best For:
The Bean Products Zafu and Zabuton Meditation Cushion Set are great for those who want a slight lift from the floor. Its padding is thin, yet comfortable enough to make yourself comfortable against the hard floor when meditating.
4. DharmaCrafts Zafu and Zabuton Set
The DharmaCrafts meditation cushion set comprises of the round buckwheat cushion (zafu) and he rectangular cushion (zabuton). This two-piece set is designed with cotton twill or brushed cotton removable covers.
A concealed zipper is made for easy washing. Simply remove the cover when it’s get soiled. You may order a new cover if it gets worn out over time.
The zafu cushion is 5.5-inch high, which is enough to keep you elevated from the floor. It’s made with 100% cotton muslin cover and stuffed with buckwheat hulls. The zabuton pillow, on the other hand, is made of a cotton muslin cover and stuffed with recycled cotton batting. There are six available colors to choose from.
PROS:
- Easy to wash
- Durable and comfortable
- Has an elegant design
- Made of natural materials
- Has the right size to get you comfortable
CONS:
- Limited color options
Best For:
The DharmaCrafts Zafu and Zabuton Set is great for those who want an elegantly-designed cushion set for meditation. The three-tone color set this cushion set apart from its competitors on the market.
FAQs:
Q: Why do I need a meditation cushion?
A zafu and zabuton meditation cushion set will help establish a consistent meditation practice. It will help you make you feel comfortable while sitting for too long. It aligns your spine for proper posture and helps you focus more on meditation.
Q: Why are most cushions filled with buckwheat?
Buckwheat is popularly used as a filling for zafu cushions because they’re comfortable and stable. They help keep you feel grounded with the sand-like effect.
Q: How to sit comfortably while meditating?
Sit upright with your back as straight as possible. Imagine sitting as tall as you can. Relax your shoulders down and broaden your chest.
Q: How long should a beginner meditate for?
For beginners, meditate anywhere from 5-10 minutes daily. You can also do even less, like 1 minute or so. As you progress, increase your time until you can feel comfortable meditating for hours.
Conclusion
All things considered, the best zafu and zabuton cushion meditation set are from Seat of Your Soul. The cushions are made of organic cotton cover and Buckwheat hull fillings. They’re sturdy, adjustable, and machine-washable.
If you want a more stylish design, the Leewadee meditation set from GABUR might be a good alternative. The zafu and zabuton cushions are made with traditional Thailand designs. They’re double-stitched from the seams to make it more durable for long-term use.
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.
