Meditation has been proven to be one of the best ways of improving your physical and mental health.
The problem however, is that a lot of people find it difficult to do their meditation practices on the floor.
If you’re one of those people, you might want to consider using a meditation chair.
A meditation chair is a specially designed seat which allows you to sit quietly in a comfortable position for extended periods of time without exerting unnecessary pressure on your body.
In this article i’m going to review some of the best meditation chairs with back support available right now!
I’ll also show you everything you need to know to use the chair in a way that will offer you maximum benefit.
So let’s dive in!
Contents
Quick Overview
If you don’t feel like reading the whole post, you can take a look at the best floor meditation seating with back support right here:
What Are The Benefits Of A Meditation Chair?
If you’re struggling with meditation due to the stress that is exerted on the body while sitting in the same position for extended periods of time, you will find that having a meditation bench with back support at home is a great help.
It can be especially helpful if you have a hard time getting into a consistent meditation routine on the floor.
You might find that by using a zen meditation chair, it’ll take less effort on your part to get into a meditative state.
This is because:
- There are less physical distractions which means you can more thoroughly focus on your breathing and how your body is positioning itself. Therefore you might be able to get into a better meditative state much faster and easier than if you were to sit on the floor.
- It keeps your spine comfortably erect and allows your body to adjust to the changes that occur during deep relaxation. This will prevent you from slouching which will enable you to better concentrate, get deeper levels of relaxation and therefore meditate better.
- You’re able to create a dedicated atmosphere for the purpose of meditation. Once you have that dedicated space for meditation, it will help you build the habit of sitting down and doing your practices every day.
- It makes meditation more accessible even when you’re struggling with an injury or other physical incapabilities.
Most of the meditation seats are also very easy to transport which gives you the choice to meditate in a meditation room/ meditation space indoors or to take your meditation sessions outdoor.
I think most meditation practitioners would agree that meditating in nature can be beautiful, so an outdoor meditation chair can definitely be something that can aid you in your meditation session!
What Is The Correct Meditation Posture?
You probably don’t need me to tell you how to meditate, but just in case you’re interested in meditation postures:
Meditation postures are basically the body positions (or asanas) used to facilitate meditation among practitioners.
While some meditators sit on a cushion or chair for greater ease and comfort, others prefer to do their meditation practice without any accessories.
The important thing is that you use the meditation poses according to your own level of concentration and physical comfort.
But to help you implement a proper posture we’ve outlined some asanas below so you can try to find your ideal meditation position.
Full And Half-Lotus
Best known among the Buddhist and Hindu communities are the full and half-lotus and various variations of the accomplished pose; other alternatives include a kneeling position or even simply sitting in a chair or meditation seat.
The full lotus is probably the most widely-known and popular sitting posture in Zen and Mahayana Buddhist traditions, sitting cross-legged, with the top of each foot resting on the opposite thigh.
However, beginner to intermediate meditation practitioners usually go with the half-lotus position, where one heel is pulled up to the crotch, and the other foot rests on the opposite thigh (this meditation pose is a bit easier for beginners).
It owes its name to the lotus flower, which is typically symbolized as the flower of wisdom or the symbol for meditation.
Some benefits of using the full and half lotus asanas when meditating include the ability to better remain seated while focusing on one point. These positions also allow better circulation of energy within the body.
For those who are experiencing nervousness or having problems concentrating at work or at school, these sittings positions may help relieve these symptoms. It may also help reduce or eliminate feelings of fatigue.
Accomplished pose (ardha siddhasana)
With the accomplished pose, you press the heel of your foot on the perineum with the sole of the foot flat against the inner thigh.
You have to (almost) sit on top of your heel. You can then make adjustments until the body is comfortable and the pressure is firmly applied.
Then the opposite ankle is either placed over the first one ( Siddhasana) or in front of the first one (ardha siddhasana)
Beginner positions
If you’re just starting with meditation, you might want to start off by simply sitting in a chair with an upright position with both feet planted on the ground and your hands holding gyan mudra* loosely placed on your thighs (Or you can choose to to sit cross-legged, without taking any effort to bend your knees).
These sitting postures are very easy and can be a very pleasant introduction to meditation. Especially when you’re having an injury or any other physical incapability, these sitting postures might be the better option.
As you get more competent in your practices, you can move on to a more advanced sitting meditation posture which might help you to reach an even deeper state of meditation.
How To Choose The Best Zen Meditation Chair
The first things to consider when looking for a meditation seat (surprise, surprise) are your personal wants and needs. There are chairs available that are designed specifically for meditation and others that have a more general purpose.
Considering you’re reading this article, i’ll assume that you want a chair that’s specifically designed for meditation.
In that case, you want to find something that you can comfortably use while you are focusing on reaching deep states of meditation.
If you purchase a very cheap chair, you run the risk of getting a low-quality product which will probably lead to your meditation sessions being less than enjoyable.
You can imagine that if you constantly have to adjust the chair’s position, you won’t be able to reach a very deep state of meditation. Therefore, price-quality is a very important factor.
The angle of the back of the chair is also important. There are two main positions that are suitable for meditation.
You can sit in a reclined position, where your head is at level with the back of the chair and your legs are extended in front of you. Some models offer a slouched seat, where you sit with your feet on the floor. These chairs are often made of very soft cushioned foam.
There are other chairs that are designed to offer you a more neutral position. They will have a more forward position, where you are resting your back on the cushion and your head is at a level with the back of the chair (or higher than the back of the chair). These models can be more comfortable if you are taller than your peers, but they can be a bit awkward if you’re shorter.
Just make sure that the back of the meditation seat supports your back when sitting on the floor so that it is always comfortably erect.
The last thing that you should consider when looking for the perfect chair is the height. When you sit in a chair for an extended period of time, it can be uncomfortable to your lower back. If the chair doesn’t have a proper height, then you may find it more difficult to concentrate and relax.
So before you purchase a new meditation sitting chair, make sure that you check out all of the features!
What’s The Best Meditation Chair With Back Support in 2021?
#1 Best Overall
Our #1 choice is the BonVIVO padded floor chair. It might look like a basic DIY meditation chair, however, users were very impressed with the comfort and workmanship of this floor chair, especially considering its relatively low price.
It’s great for both meditation and yoga and can be easily transported.
The portable meditation chair is covered with soft suede fabric which makes it feel like a high-quality product.
One downside of this fabric is that it can have a bit of a chemical smell when you first open the packaging. However, it automatically fades after a few days.
The padded floor chair is very sturdy and can be set in 4 different positions.
Some people preferred a bit more padding on the seat, but at this price point a lot of people were more than content.
Quality
Price
Our Rating
Pro's
- Good lumbar support
- Super soft (with a suede fabric and memory foam)
- Easy to transport and store
- Very sturdy
- 4 different positions
- Reasonably priced
Cons
- Can have a chemical/factory smell when you first open it
- There isn't enough padding on the seat for some users
Specs
- Color: Blue & Beige
- Material: Polyurethane
- Item Dimensions: 7.4 x 16.9 x 21.3 in (LXWXH)
- Item Weight: 5 Pounds
- Adjustable backrest (4 positions)
- Type: Folding meditation chair
- Tag: Meditation chairs amazon
#2 (Best design)
The WAYTRIM adjustable floor meditation chair is another great option for mediation and yoga practioners.
Users liked the design and versatility. Also, it provides great back support for sitting on the floor and it’s very comfortable and sturdy.
However, similair to the BonVIVO, some people preferred a bit more padding in the seat, as most users use this chair for multiple hours.
Some users also commented on the overall difficulty of cleaning the chair as the cover isn’t removable (and some places are a bit hard to reach)
But the comfortability and versatility of the back of the chair and its durability make up for this, which makes this portable meditation chair a great option at this price point.
Quality
Price
Our Rating
Pro's
- Great design and very versitile
- Very comfortable back support
- Memory foam
- Easy to transport and store
- Very durable
- 5 different positions
- Reasonably priced
Cons
- Cleaning can be a hassle
- The padding on the seat isn't soft enough for some users
Specs
- Color: Grey
- Material: Cotton
- Item Dimensions: 22.5 x 22.87 x 26.75 in (LXWXH)
- Item Weight: 7 Pounds
- Backrest: Adjustable (5 positions)
- Type: Folding meditation chair
- Tag: Meditation chairs amazon
#3 (Best for comfort)
Users were very impressed with the the friends of meditation – meditation chair. Some even said it is the pinnacle of meditation chairs.
Due to its softness, comfort, and great back support, it’s perfect for long meditation periods. The seat height of this ergonomic design allows for a very good posture.
Users also said it’s very sturdy and easy to clean (as it has a removable cover)
The only reason why this chair isn’t on the first spot is because of it’s price (it’s way pricier than the other models) and the fact that it only has 1 position.
Users were also a bit disappointed with the quality of the carrying case.
But if you want a chair with the sole purpose of meditation, this is definitely one of the best options.
Especially if you struggle with discomfort in the lower back, this is a great option. Due to its focus on comfort, it’s the best meditation bench for back pain.
Quality
Price
Our Rating
Pro's
- Perfect for longer meditations
- Super soft and comfortable
- Memory foam
- Memory foam
- Great back support
- Very sturdy
- Easy cleaning (cover removable)
- Great design
Cons
- Pricy
- Only 1 position (no recline)
- Carrying case feels a bit cheap at this price point
Specs
- Color: Maroon
- Material: Cotton
- Item Dimensions: 29.13 inches x 23.62 inches x 9.84 in (LXWXH)
- Item Weight: 11.46 Pounds
- Backrest: Not adjustable
- Type: Ergonomic meditation chair
- Tag: Meditation chairs amazon
#4
The Malu padded ground chair with back support is another great option for meditators.
Users were very impressed with the lumbar support, its sturdiness and the fact that it is very easy to clean (cover also removable).
It’s also very easy to transport and store and it’s very versatile with 5 different positions.
The downside of this mediation chair is that it has less padding than the other chairs mentioned on the list. Users were a bit annoyed by this as the overall sitting comfortability decreased pretty quickly due to this.
Which means this chair might not be the best option for super-long meditations.
But at this price point, it’s still a really solid choice.
Quality
Price
Our Rating
Pro's
- Good lumbar support
- Easy cleaning (cover removable)
- Easy to transport and store
- Very sturdy
- Memory foam
- 5 different positions
- Reasonably priced
Cons
- Not enough padding for some users
- Decrease in comfort after sitting a long time
Specs
- Color: Grey
- Material: Microfiber
- Item Dimensions: 18.5 x 6.1 x 21.46 in (LXWXH)
- Item Weight: 5 Pounds
- Backrest: Adjustable (5 positions)
- Type: Folding meditation chair
- Tag: Meditation chairs amazon
#5
Last but not least, the Backjack floor chair. Users were happy with the sturdiness and padding on the seat.
It also provides enough back support to comfortably do your practices (although some believed it could do with a bit more padding).
As with almost all the meditation ground chairs with back rest on this list, it’s also quite easy to transport and store.
The downside is that it only has 1 position. On top of that, some users found the assembly instructions a bit vague and cleaning is not always a walk in the park.
But at this price point, many users were still happy to use this as their meditation chair.
Quality
Price
Our Rating
Pro's
- Good padding on the seat
- Plenty of back support
- Easy to transport and store
- Sturdy
- Reasonably priced
Cons
- Only 1 position (no recline)
- Cleaning can be a hassle
- Assembly instructions aren't super clear
- The back could use more padding according to some users
Specs
- Color: Navy Blue
- Material: Cotton Duck
- Item Dimensions: 21.8 x 16.5 x 2.25 in (LXWXH)
- Item Weight: 4 Pounds
- Backrest: Not adjustable
- Type: Folding meditation chair
- Tag: Meditation chairs amazon
Other interesting meditation chairs
#1
The Gaiam Rattan meditation chair is a great solution for practitioners who want to have maximum comfortability while sitting, but prefer to do their meditations without any contact with their backs.
Considering this bench doesn’t really have a backrest it’s clear why this wicker meditation chair hasn’t made the list, but it’s still worth an honorable mention. Altough this lotus meditation chair is quite pricy, you’ll be able to enjoy some deep meditations with this chair.
The Gaiam meditation cushion is definitely a great option if you want high comfort and you don’t really care about the price.
Especially if you’re looking for a lotus meditation chair, this model is the perfect choice.
Quality
Price
Our Rating
Pro's
- Good padding on the seat
- Comfortable shape
- Sturdy
Cons
- Quite pricy
- Cleaning can be a hassle
- No backrest
Specs
- Color: Dark Grey
- Material: Natural cotton cushion filled with sustainable kapok
- Item Dimensions: 25.5 x 34 x 19.5(LXWXH)
- Item Weight: 28 Pounds
- Backrest: No backrest
- Type: Meditation seat
- Tag: Meditation chairs amazon
#2
The same as with the Gaiam meditation cushion, the Alexia meditation chair is a great solution for practitioners who want to have maximum comfort while sitting, but prefer to do their meditations without any contact with their backs.
What’s cool about this is that it allows the to sit in a with maximum ease.
The alexia meditation chair also doesn’t have a backrest and that’s why it hasn’t made the list. It’s a lot more expensive than the other meditation chairs on the list, but you’ll get maximum relaxation in return. This is a great option if you want maximum comfort and you’re willing to pay for it
Quality
Price
Our Rating
Pro's
- Good padding on the seat
- Very comfortable shape
- Sturdy
Cons
- Quite pricy
- No backrest
Specs
- Color: Sand
- Material: Fabric
- Item Dimensions: 12.8 x 27.6 x 33.4 in (LXWXH)
- Item Weight: 1 Pounds
- Backrest: No backrest
- Type: Meditation seat
- Tag: Meditation chairs amazon
Conclusion
So if you want the best overall meditation chair with back support, you should go for the bonVIVO Padded Floor Chair. If design is more important for you though, then you should go for the WAYTRIM Adjustable Floor Chair. If you care more about comfort and you’re willing to pay for it, then we advise you to go for the Friends of meditation – meditation chair.
Which meditation seating do you prefer? Let us know in the comments below!
