What is the best foam for car seat cushions?

A high-density foam will prevent the cushion from collapsing under pressure. And since memory foam offers excellent pressure-relief qualities, it's frequently the top pick as a foam for car seat cushions. However, it may retain heat so look for a memory foam cushion with gel to prevent trapped heat.

How do you clean car seat cushions?

Regularly remove your car seat cushion. Shake it outside of your vehicle to dislodge any loose debris. Set aside. Clean the car seat where the cushion typically rests. Then, vacuum the car seat cushion itself. For cushions with removable and washable covers, periodically wash and dry the cushion cover according to the manufacturer's instructions.

How do you install car seat cushions?

This depends on the specific design of the cushion you choose. Installing most car seat cushions is as simple as placing the cushion on the seat of your vehicle. Many simple car seat cushions have a pebbled, grippy underside to prevent the cushion from sliding during use. Lumbar or full car seat cushions will often have one or more straps that wrap around the car seat to secure the cushion and prevent it from shifting out of place.

The 10 Best Car Seat Cushions of 2022

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Let's face it: sitting in a car can be uncomfortable. Whether you're the driver or a passenger, the seats just aren't made to accommodate people of all heights, shapes, and sizes. If you spend a substantial amount of time on the road, it might be worth getting a car seat cushion.

Folks with long commutes and those who drive for a living, as well as anyone planning a road trip, may especially benefit from one. Having said that, there's no one-size-fits-all option. You've got plush memory foam, gel, and hyper-elastic polymer pads, boosters, rings, and wedges ranging in thickness. Then there are contoured and ergonomic options, plus massaging, heated, and cooling cushions.

Not sure which style, material, or features suit you best? We rounded up the top options in every category.

Here, the best car seat cushions.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Purple Royal Cushion at Amazon

Experience the unbeatable plushness and long-lasting comfort of Purple's hyper-elastic polymer grid.

Read Review

Best Budget:

Aduken Gel Seat Cushion at Amazon

The honeycomb mesh structure encourages airflow while the soft gel cushions you from underneath.

Read Review

Best Memory Foam:

Everlasting Comfort Coccyx Seat Cushion at Amazon

The memory foam contouring and U-shaped cutout offer crave-worthy support in the car.

Read Review

Best Gel:

Drive Medical Gel "E" Seat Cushion at Amazon

Measuring 3 inches thick and available in three different sizes, it provides cushy support to keep you comfy on the road.

Read Review

Best Massaging:

Wagan Infra-Heat Massage Cushion at Amazon

It uses infrared heat and 12 points of magnetic massage therapy that can help you relax during long drives.

Read Review

Best Heated:

Wagon HealthMate Heated Seat Cushion at Amazon

It heats quickly to two temperature settings, fits in virtually all cars and trucks, and folds flat for easy storage.

Read Review

Best Cooling:

FH Group Cooling Car Seat Cushion at Wayfair

This plush yet dense cushion delivers a cooling sensation and has a washable mesh cover.

Read Review

Best Wedge:

TravelMate Wellness Seat Cushion at Amazon

This wedge-shaped cushion is made of high-density foam with a small cutout aimed to relieve tailbone pressure.

Read Review

Best for Long Drives:

Cushion Lab Pressure Relief Seat Cushion at Amazon

You'll want this contoured cushion on hand to support your backside on long car rides.

Read Review

Best Booster:

Qyilay Heightening Car Seat Cushion at Amazon

Made of leather and mesh, the cover makes this cushion both luxurious and breathable.

Read Review

In This Article

Our Picks
What to Look For
Why Trust The Spruce

View On Amazon View On Purple

What We Like

Exceptionally plush
Breathable
Machine-washable cover
Built-in handles

What We Don't Like

Relatively pricey

Having taken the world by storm with its innovative open-structure mattresses, Purple now offers a range of plush products with the same grid-style technology. The Royal Seat Cushion is pleasantly thick but also buoyant, offering the perfect level of comfy support for your backside.

Made of the brand's signature hyper-elastic polymer, this car seat cushion claims to offer several hours of comfort and support. What's more, the open grid structure allows for ample airflow to keep you cool and prevent sweat from gathering.

Measuring 17.5 x 16 x 2 inches, it'll fit in virtually all cars, along with office chairs and other seats you find yourself sitting in. We also like that the machine-washable cover has handy carrying handles.

Dimensions: 17.5 x 16 x 2 inches | Fill Material: Hyper-elastic polymer | Weight: 6 pounds

View On Amazon

What We Like

Budget-friendly
Cellular structure
Machine-washable cover

What We Don't Like

Relatively thin

If you like bouncy, grid-like structures but want something more wallet-friendly, go with the Aduken Gel Seat Cushion. It's made of ultra-flex polymer gel and boasts a cellular design for maximum comfort, temperature control, and airflow. This non-slip cushion is also lightweight and portable, so you can take it with you or store it when not in use.

While it's not as thick as others on this list, we appreciate that the breathable cover is machine washable.

Dimensions: 16 x 14 x 1.4 inches | Fill Material: Ultra-flex polymer | Weight: 2.6 pounds

View On Amazon View On Everlastingcomfort.net

What We Like

Contoured design
Machine-washable cover
Lifetime guarantee

What We Don't Like

Flattens over time

If you're all about the memory foam, you'll love the Everlasting Comfort Seat Cushion. Measuring nearly 3 inches thick with a contoured design and a U-shaped cutout, it adapts to your curves and movements to provide continuous support—wherever you may need it. Plus, the breathable cover is machine-washable and won't trap heat. The seat cushion is also backed by a lifetime guarantee.

Dimensions: 17.5 x 13.5 x 2.8 inches | Fill Material: Memory foam | Weight: 1.5 pounds

View On Amazon View On Bed Bath & Beyond View On Home Depot

What We Like

Three inches thick
Multiple sizes available
Non-slip bottom

What We Don't Like

No contouring

For those who prefer gel, we recommend the Gel "E" Cushion from Drive Medical. Expertly designed to minimize pressure on your underside, it's 3 inches thick with a viscous gel core. It comes in three sizes, has a non-slip base, and a removable, waterproof cover that can be replaced if needed.

Dimensions: Varies | Fill Material: Viscous gel, foam | Weight: 5.7 pounds

View On Amazon View On Wayfair View On Walmart

What We Like

Three massaging speeds
Infrared heat therapy
Includes DC socket and AC adapter

What We Don't Like

May slide on leather seats

Wagon makes some really choice seat cushions, and this massaging number is no exception. It plugs into a DC socket and offers 12 points of relaxing pressure at three speeds.

Plus, portable polyester foam cushion delivers heat therapy to your lower back, thanks to the built-in infrared technology.

Dimensions: 17.80 x 15.50 x 0.50 inches | Fill Material: Foam | Weight: 3 pounds

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HealthMate 12V Heated Seat Cushion with Lumbar Support

View On Amazon View On Walmart

What We Like

Heats quickly
Universal fit
Automatic shutoff
Folds flat for storage

What We Don't Like

Not very plush

You might also consider the Wagon HealthMate, a heated seat pad with foam cushioning and lumbar support. The universal design fits in virtually all seats, securing in place with the attached clips and straps and folding up flat for storage. It heats quickly up to 114 degrees and automatically shuts down when your car turns off.

Dimensions: 21 x 18 x 1.5 inches | Fill Material: Foam | Weight: 1.5 pounds

The 8 Best Car Seat Covers of 2022

View On Wayfair View On Walmart

What We Like

Ergonomic design
Anti-slip backing
Machine-washable cover

What We Don't Like

Nothing

Prefer a cooling option? Your best bet is the FH Group Car Seat Cushion. With a memory foam core, ergonomic contouring, and a U-shaped design, it is designed to offer support and relief in all the right places. It's got a textured silicone top layer and a washable mesh cover to deliver a pleasant cooling sensation to your backside, making it particularly great for warmer weather.

Dimensions: 13.5 x 18 x 2 inches | Fill Material: Memory foam, silicone | Weight: 2.2 pounds

View On Amazon View On Walmart

What We Like

Non-slip bottom
Machine-washable cover
Tailbone cutout

What We Don't Like

Flattens over time

The TravelMate Wellness Cushion combines memory and high-density foams to provide the perfect level of comfort and continuous support. Measuring 3 inches thick, this wedge-shaped seat pad also has a small cutout on the back that may relieve pressure on your tailbone. For added convenience, the zippered, machine-washable cover has a non-slip backing and a convenient carrying handle.

Dimensions: 17 x 13 x 3 inches | Fill Material: Memory foam, high-density foam | Weight: 1 pound

Patented Pressure Relief Car Seat Cushion

View On Amazon View On Thecushionlab.com

What We Like

Ergonomic design
Tailbone cutout
Long-lasting support

What We Don't Like

Relatively pricey

For longer drives, reach for the Cushion Lab Pressure Relief Cushion. Combining dense foam with charcoal memory foam, it keeps its shape over time in order to provide support and continual comfort for hours on end. Featuring an ergonomic design with patented contouring and a U-shaped cutout, it is specifically designed to cradle your thighs and may take pressure off your tailbone. It also features a washable outer cover and a non-slip grip that's designed to keep the cushion locked in place.

Dimensions: 20 x 18 x 2.5 inches | Fill Material: Dense foam, memory foam | Weight: 2 pounds

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Leather Memory Foam Heightening Car Seat Cushion

View On Amazon View On Walmart

What We Like

Leather cover
Ergonomic design
Non-slip bottom

What We Don't Like

Not very plush

If you need a little extra height while you're driving, this elevating cushion from Qyilay has your name on it. Almost 3 inches thick with a memory foam core and a subtle wedge-shaped design, it offers continual support while giving you a boost. We also like that the leather cover is designed to encourage airflow, plus it has a slip-resistant base and a carrying handle.

Dimensions: 18 x 17.2 x 2.8 inches | Fill Material: Memory foam | Weight: 2.9 pounds

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Final Verdict

Our top pick is the Purple Royal (view at Amazon), an unbeatably plush, breathable, and continuously comfortable seat cushion featuring the brand's signature hyper-elastic polymer grid. For something a bit more affordable, go with the Aduken Honeycomb Cushion (view at Amazon), which features a similar grid-like structure for ultimate comfort, buoyancy, and breathability.

Type

Identify the type of car seat cushion that meets your needs. Wedge-style cushions are triangular in shape and tilt the pelvis back to assist in maintaining proper posture. Lumbar cushions provide targeted support to the lower back. Full seat cushions provide extra comfort for your shoulders, lower back, and seat. Standard seat cushions with no automotive-specific features can be a great option if you're looking for a car seat cushion that can also be used to add comfort to your office chair.

Material

Cover material and cushion filling play a large role in determining how effective and durable a car seat cushion will be. You should look for a car seat cushion with a breathable cover for enhanced temperature regulation, especially if you plan to use the cushion for long drives or in hot weather.

Inside the car seat cushion will be a filler material to provide comfort and support. Foam is the most frequent choice for a car seat cushion but it's likely to compress over time. If you want to keep a springy seat for many miles, you may be better off looking for a high-density memory foam car seat cushion. Foam cushions sometimes hold heat. If this is concern for you, shop for a car seat cushion with a breathable cover and gel foam to assist in dissipating heat.

Features

The benefits of a car seat cushion can extend beyond support and comfort. Other features such as a massaging, cooling, or heated car seat cushion can enhance your drive. If you're interested in these options, keep in mind that you'll also need a power source to plug your car seat cushion into. If you don't mind a cord extending from your seat cushion to a power supply, then you can enjoy a warmer, cooler, or more relaxing drive.

FAQ

What is the best foam for car seat cushions?

A high-density foam will prevent the cushion from collapsing under pressure. And since memory foam offers excellent pressure-relief qualities, it's frequently the top pick as a foam for car seat cushions. However, it may retain heat so look for a memory foam cushion with gel to prevent trapped heat.
How do you clean car seat cushions?

Regularly remove your car seat cushion. Shake it outside of your vehicle to dislodge any loose debris. Set aside. Clean the car seat where the cushion typically rests. Then, vacuum the car seat cushion itself. For cushions with removable and washable covers, periodically wash and dry the cushion cover according to the manufacturer's instructions.
How do you install car seat cushions?

This depends on the specific design of the cushion you choose. Installing most car seat cushions is as simple as placing the cushion on the seat of your vehicle. Many simple car seat cushions have a pebbled, grippy underside to prevent the cushion from sliding during use. Lumbar or full car seat cushions will often have one or more straps that wrap around the car seat to secure the cushion and prevent it from shifting out of place.

Theresa Holland is a commerce copywriter specializing in lifestyle and wellness. For this article, she researched the various types, shapes, and materials of seat cushions, then combed through reviews and product specs. Her final selections bear multiple critical qualities, including plushness, support, ergonomics, a washable cover, a non-slip design, versatility, and affordability. She owns a Purple seat cushion and stands behind its quality and comfort. Theresa has been covering recreation, consumer tech, and furniture at The Spruce since 2019.