If you work an office job all day, you know sitting is serious business. Have you been leaving work stiff, in pain and in a worse mood than usual? Maybe it’s time for a new job. Or, maybe you just need a new office chair cushion! Most office chairs are not made to be comfortable for hours at a time. So, if you’re riding a desk all day, it might be time for an upgrade. Here’s the scoop on pros and cons of four of the top office chair cushions.
The Vive Cushion
Materials: Gel and foam, with a waterproof cover
Washable: Cover only
Made in: China
Weight: 5.8 pounds
Warranty: 60 day
Pros: The Vive cushion is aimed at wheelchair users, but it will work in an office environment as well. Vive uses foam with a liquid gel core. In theory, at least, the combination of foam and gel redistributes pressure away from problem areas like your hips and your tailbone.
Cons: There’s no way to customize the amount of support this cushion provides. Either you like it, or you don’t. Reviews on Amazon note that the liquid gel core can get pushed away, and the foam is not always supportive enough to create a comfortable seat. One reviewer felt like he was “stuck in a hole.”
Also, the gel can get hot. There’s nothing in this cushion’s design that creates extra airflow, which means you may end up uncomfortably warm and sticky at the end of the day.
Purple Royal Seat Cushion
Materials: Hyperelastic polymer
Washable: Yes
Made in: USA
Weight: 6.8 pounds
Warranty: 1 year
Pros: Purple’s Royal seat cushion is made of the same hyperelastic polymer used in Purple mattresses. The material is arranged in a grid, which creates air channels to keep you cool.
Cons: Don’t leave this cushion in your car in the summer. At temperatures over 105 degrees, it melts. Oh, what a world! It’s also on the heavy side, making it difficult to tote to and from the office. Additionally, some reviewers find that it compresses or gets flat over time, and some reviewers found the ridges uncomfortable.
Tektrum Thick Orthopedic Cool Gel Seat Cushion
Materials: Gel and foam with a neoprene cover.
Washable: No, but the cover is water-resistant and can be cleaned with a damp cloth.
Made in: China
Weight: 2.9 pounds
Warranty:
Pros: Tektrum’s seat cushion layers soft gel over high-density foam to help distribute pressure. Air vents carved into the surface of the seat reduce heat build up.
Cons: As is standard with gel and foam, some reviews have found that this cushion goes flat over time. Others complained of a strong chemical odor.
Airhawk® Office Chair Cushion
Materials: Polyurethane air cells with a Spandex cover
Washable: The cover is washable, and the cushion itself is wipeable
Made in: USA
Weight:
Warranty: 2 years
Pros: Show me the science, you say? Airhawk® is happy to oblige! This is the only office chair cushion out there that uses Air Cell technology, which was initially developed to prevent pressure injuries in wheelchair users. At this point, there are over 30 years worth of scientific, peer-reviewed studies to demonstrate how Air Cell technology works to eliminate hot spots and pressure points and improve circulation.
This cushion is made of inflatable air cells. Air cells offer several unique advantages over foams and gels:
- They don’t compress or lose their shape over time
- You can adjust the amount of air in the cushion to your comfort
- They eliminate heat, so you stay cool and dry
- Because it’s filled with air, the Airhawk® cushion is light and easy to transport
Cons: The Airhawk® is pricey compared to the other cushions on this list. However, with a 60 Day Money Back Guarantee, it’s a low-risk investment in your health and well-being.
There’s no need to put up with pain, stiffness, and soreness after a long day at work. Invest in yourself with an office chair cushion, and you’ll be able to enjoy life more, whether you’re on the clock or not.
