Meditation Stools

Emily Hilton Interior Design Expert

Emily is a young, talented designer, whose professional interests gravitate towards kitchen and dining spaces. She prides herself on her attention to detail, obsession with functionality, and appreciation for craftsmanship.

Updated 03/01/2023

Common in Buddhist culture, a meditation stool is a way to find enlightenment without your legs falling asleep. They are always made of high-quality materials so they will last an incredibly long time, usually the lifetime of the person using it. Seeking enlightenment doesn't necessarily require a stool but it certainly doesn't hurt. Take a look at our collection of meditation stools and find your center.

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Our Picks

Zen Meditation Stool

What We Like: Stackable and foldable

What We Don’t Like: Not water-resistant

Not So Good For: Outdoor use

Perfect For: Taking on the go

This meditation stool helps keep the spine upright and relaxed to encourage proper posture while praying, meditating, or relaxing. The bench helps tilt the pelvis forward for an easy seating position, and the foam seat is upholstered with 100% organic cotton to ensure comfort.

The folding chair can be flattened to fit in a bag or backpack, so it’s easy to take on the go. The durable birch wood is finished in natural beeswax for a soft sheen. The high-quality sustainable benches are hand-crafted in a family-run shop to ensure careful detailing. The benches are stackable so that even with a set of meditation stools, you can store them without taking up too much space.

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Meditation Stool with Cushion

What We Like: Ergonomic design, anti-slip legs

What We Don’t Like: Not stackable

Not So Good For: Using as a set

Perfect For: Various seating positions

This eco-friendly, sustainable bamboo bench has a removable cushion that accommodates multiple positions, including lotus and cross-legged. You can use the removable cushion on the bench or beneath your legs as support.

By locking the magnetic hinges, the anti-slip legs prevent your bench from shifting while you are seated. You can avoid interruptions from discomfort or shifting benches while praying or meditating. The angled legs tilt the bench forward slightly to provide support and improve posture. The bench encourages better circulation and deep breathing that can enhance your focus. Use the included zippered carry bag to transport the bench to classes, retreats, offices, and studios.

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Folding Wooden Meditation Stool

What We Like: Water-resistant

What We Don’t Like: No cushion included

Not So Good For: Maximum comfort

Perfect For: Using as a seat or table

This solid teak wood folding meditation stool is durable and waterproof to prevent water damage from water and sweat. The lightweight design is easy to transport between multiple locations so that you can practice your posture in any setting. The 10” stool is ideal for meditation, praying, and sitting by encouraging proper spine alignment.

It folds for convenient storage and can be used as a small table for a post-meditation cup of tea or snack. Use the stool to help correct your posture through ergonomic angles, or use it as a guide for yoga seating positions and comfortable meditation.

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Round Meditation Stool

What We Like: Tufted cushion

What We Don’t Like: Frame and cushion sold separately

Not So Good For: All-in-one stool set

Perfect For: Use as a footstool or meditation stool

This cushion footstool set features a twill fabric cushion that uses a polyester core that provides stability. The cushion fits the premium stool frame that can be purchased separately. The cushion is reversible so that it can alternate between sides during long meditation sessions.

The stool cushion uses a stylish design that fits most modern home aesthetics and can be used as a footstool. Style with a soft, handwoven rug and muted colors to blend into a Zen living space. Its multifunctional design is perfect for use as furniture or decor piece and as a meditation stool.

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Japanese Meditation Stool

What We Like: Recycled wood, curved saddle seat

What We Don’t Like: Limited seating positions

Not So Good For: Lotus or cross-legged seating positions

Perfect For: Accent piece

This Japanese-style stool is a versatile piece that uses recycled wood with natural wood grain color variation, making each piece unique. With a curved saddle seat and unique wide base, it is a visually dynamic piece that can serve multiple functions.

The ergonomic design encourages proper spinal alignment and can be an excellent seat for work desks. Pair the stool with other dark wood pieces to create a rustic feel in a home office or living space. To create a peaceful Zen space, play with natural light, add hanging plants and use the stool on a comfortable plush rug.

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Meditation Stools

Buying Guide

Meditation is an ancient practice that has been rediscovered by the modern world. It's a big help for relaxation and relieving stress. Since meditation practice requires you to sit for a good amount of time, comfort and support are paramount. After all, it would require extra effort if you are not in a comfortable position.

For many, a meditation stool is a perfect companion. Keep in mind that meditation stools come in many varieties. If you are not sure what to look for, you'll likely end up confused. To help you with that, this article is going to be a buying guide for meditation stools.

What types of meditation stools are there?

There are three basic categories for meditation stools including the standard, folding, and toadstool.

The standard comes with a platform and two supporting legs. It's the basic type, and it's straightforward to use.
The folding meditation stool is similar to the standard except the legs can collapse. This allows the meditation stool to have a thinner profile when folded, making it easier to store and more portable. It's an excellent choice if you are fond of going to a different place to meditate.
The toadstool has a different look as it comes with a platform and only one supporting leg. It's an excellent choice if your preferred meditation position is kneeling.

What are meditation stool cushions filled with?

When choosing a cushion for your meditation stool, the most significant factor to consider is the filling. Below are some of the popular meditation stool cushion fillings:

Buckwheat Hulls - For many experienced practitioners, this type of filling is perhaps the most popular. As the name suggests, the filling comes from the hull of a buckwheat grain. The reason why it's prevalent is it features a distinct feel. It's as if you are sitting on sand. The filling also allows the cushion to conform to the shape of your body. However, it may be a bit firm compared to other types of fillings for meditation stools.
Kapok Fiber - This type of filling is a bit firmer than buckwheat hulls. Nevertheless, it's a natural fiber, it’s mildew resistant, mold resistant, and hypoallergenic. On the downside, Kapok fiber tends to compress over time.
Wool - This type of filling does not compress, and it's also lightweight. It's durable while being comfortable. Since it's softer, it may allow for blood to flow even as you sit and meditate. However, some practitioners find wool as too soft.
Cotton - A filling that is perhaps the most economical choice. It's also soft and comfortable. On the downside, it's not a very environmentally friendly material. It also clumps and flattens after a while.
Inflatable - This type of cushion requires air. You can either blow the air in or use a pump. This type of cushion has the advantage of being very portable.