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The Spruce / Zackary Angeline
If you spend a lot of time on the road, a car seat cushion is a wise investment.
We spent hours researching and testing the most popular car seat cushions, evaluating comfort, support, and value. Our top pick, the Purple Royal Seat Cushion, has thick gel cushioning and is machine-washable.
Here are the best car seat cushions.
Best Overall
Purple Royal Seat Cushion
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Amazon
Exceptionally plush
Breathable
Machine-washable cover
Built-in handles
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.
Price at time of publish: $99
Dimensions: 17.5 x 16 x 2 inches | Fill Material: Hyper-elastic polymer | Weight: 6 pounds
Best Budget
Aduken Breathable Honeycomb Gel Seat Cushion
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Amazon
Budget-friendly
Cellular structure
Machine-washable cover
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.
Price at time of publish: $25
Dimensions: 16 x 14 x 1.4 inches | Fill Material: Ultra-flex polymer | Weight: 2.6 pounds
Best Memory Foam
Everlasting Comfort Coccyx Memory Foam Seat Cushion
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Amazon
Contoured design
Machine-washable cover
Lifetime guarantee
Flattens over time
If you love memory foam pillows and mattresses, 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.
Price at time of publish: $81
Dimensions: 17.5 x 13.5 x 2.8 inches | Fill Material: Memory foam | Weight: 1.5 pounds
Best Gel
Drive Medical Gel "E" Skin Protection Seat Cushion
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Amazon
Three inches thick
Multiple sizes available
Non-slip bottom
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.
Price at time of publish: $27
Dimensions: Varies | Fill Material: Viscous gel, foam | Weight: 5.7 pounds
Best Massaging
Wagan 12-Volt Infra-Heat Massage Cushion
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Three massaging speeds
Infrared heat therapy
Includes DC socket and AC adapter
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.
Price at time of publish: $67
Dimensions: 17.80 x 15.50 x 0.50 inches | Fill Material: Foam | Weight: 3 pounds
Best Heated
Wagon HealthMate 12V Heated Seat Cushion with Lumbar Support
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Heats quickly
Universal fit
Automatic shutoff
Folds flat for storage
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.
Price at time of publish: $31
Dimensions: 21 x 18 x 1.5 inches | Fill Material: Foam | Weight: 1.5 pounds
Best Cooling
FH Group Ergonomic Cooling Gel Car Seat Cushion
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Ergonomic design
Anti-slip backing
Machine-washable cover
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.
Price at time of publish: $50
Dimensions: 13.5 x 18 x 2 inches | Fill Material: Memory foam, silicone | Weight: 2.2 pounds
Best Wedge
TravelMate Large Medium-Firm Wellness Seat Cushion
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Non-slip bottom
Machine-washable cover
Tailbone cutout
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.
Price at time of publish: $40
Dimensions: 17 x 13 x 3 inches | Fill Material: Memory foam, high-density foam | Weight: 1 pound
Best for Long Drives
Cushion Lab Patented Pressure Relief Car Seat Cushion
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Ergonomic design
Tailbone cutout
Long-lasting support
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.
Price at time of publish: $79
Dimensions: 20 x 18 x 2.5 inches | Fill Material: Dense foam, memory foam | Weight: 2 pounds
Best Booster
Qyilay Leather Memory Foam Heightening Car Seat Cushion
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Leather cover
Ergonomic design
Non-slip bottom
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.
Price at time of publish: $60
Dimensions: 18 x 17.2 x 2.8 inches | Fill Material: Memory foam | Weight: 2.9 pounds
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.
What to Look for in a Car Seat Cushion
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
Why Trust The Spruce?
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. Holland has been covering recreation, consumer tech, and furniture at The Spruce since 2019.
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