The seiza position in meditation—kneeling with your legs tucked under you—offers a stable and well-aligned posture that avoids uncomfortable cross-legged positions, but it requires the right support. Whether you’re into long sessions or just starting out, a solid meditation bench can make all the difference.
Journey with us through these five popular meditation benches (one of which is actually a kneeling chair). We’ll dive into the pros and cons of each, helping you choose the one that best suits your needs.
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Mindful Modern Folding Meditation Bench
The Mindful Modern Folding Meditation Bench has everything you need in a seiza meditation bench. It has a sturdy design, foldable legs, a 1.5″-thick padded cushion, and a nice carrying case. This bench checks all the boxes.
Pros:
- Portability: This bench is lightweight and folds flat with nice magnetic hinges and a carrying case, so you can take it anywhere or easily store it.
- Comfort: The seat is slightly taller in the back than in the front like most meditation benches, which helps tilt your pelvis forward and align your spine.
- Sustainability: Made of sturdy bamboo, this bench uses sustainable materials that are better for the environment. The bamboo looks nice too.
Cons:
- Height: The bench is 7.5″ in the back and 6″ in the front, which is fairly typical but might be a bit low for taller individuals. Unlike some of the other options, multiple sizes are not available.
The Mindful Modern Folding Meditation Bench is great if you need something portable and comfortable that checks all the boxes. Just keep in mind that it might not be the best option for taller meditators.
Sensa Meditation Bench
The Sensa Meditation Bench is designed with simplicity and ergonomics in mind. This bench offers a minimalist design, focusing on providing solid support for your seiza practice.
Pros:
- Ergonomic Design: The slight incline of the seat and the curved shape help keep your spine aligned and create a more comfortable seat. It’s built to encourage proper posture.
- High-Quality Wood: Made from quality walnut wood, this bench is both durable and attractive.
- Multiple Sizes: This bench comes with a height of 6″, 7″, or 8″ to accommodate shorter or taller meditators.
Cons:
- Removable Legs: The legs are easily removable but not foldable, meaning you have to assemble it when you want to use it. Some users also reported that the legs came off a little too easily.
- Price: This option is on the pricier side for meditation benches and costs more than other comparable options.
The Sensa Meditation Bench excels in stability and ergonomic support. It’s ideal if you’re looking for a sturdy bench to use at home. However, the quality of the legs and high price impact the overall value compared to some other options.
Adhitthana Foldable Meditation Bench
The Adhitthana Foldable Meditation Bench stands out for a couple good reasons, including its non-skid legs and knee straps to offer some padding for your knees.
Like many other options on the list, the Adhitthana bench also has sturdy foldable legs, a nice carrying case, a seat cushion, 5 degree tilt for better spinal alignment, and is made from sustainable bamboo.
Pros:
- Non-Skid Legs: The non-skid material on the feet of the bench are nice, preventing the bench from sliding under you while you’re meditating.
- Knee Straps: A unique feature that makes this seiza meditation bench even easier to use on the go, it comes with two knee straps that can be wrapped around your knees for padding if you don’t have a zabuton or a soft meditation surface.
- Sturdy Construction: Made from quality bamboo with sturdy hinges, this bench is built for stability.
Cons:
- Height: The height of this seiza bench is only 6″, which means it may be better for smaller users.
- Hinges: I’m nitpicking a bit because the hinges seems to be sturdy and well made, but they aren’t magnetic like some other options out there.
The Adhitthana Foldable Meditation Bench is a solid choice if you want the stability of non-skid legs and sturdy construction. It’s a bit on the small side though, so may not be ideal for taller people.
Predawn Ergonomic Kneeling Chair
While not a traditional seiza bench, the Predawn Ergonomic Kneeling Chair deserves a spot on this list for its unique dual-purpose design and comfort. It’s a cross between a meditation bench and a kneeling chair, offering an alternative way to meditate in the seiza position.
Pros:
- Ergonomics: This chair is designed to allow for a straight spine while relieving pressure on the lower back and knees. The angled seat and padded knee bar help you maintain a comfortable posture for longer periods.
- Versatility: You can use this chair not just for meditation, but also as a desk chair or for other seated activities. It’s a good option if you want a multi-functional piece of furniture. It also rocks and has non-skid material to prevent the chair from slipping.
- Support: The thick 3.5″ padding on the seat and knee pads provides excellent support, reducing discomfort during long sessions.
Cons:
- Size: This chair is bulkier than a traditional meditation bench, so it requires more space. It’s not ideal if you need something compact or easily portable.
- Price: The Predawn Kneeling Chair is more expensive than most meditation benches, which could be a downside if you’re on a tight budget, but it does come with a two-year warranty and is less expensive than most office chairs.
The Predawn Ergonomic Kneeling Chair is a great choice if you’re looking for a comfortable, versatile seating option that you can use beyond meditation. However, its bulk and higher price might be drawbacks for some.
Florensi Meditation Bench
Another well-rounded, no frills seiza bench, the Florensi Meditation Bench offers a blend of traditional design and modern luxury. This bench checks all the boxes for a good meditation bench but also comes with a luxurious velvet cushion.
Pros:
- Cushioned Seat: The Florensi bench features a cushioned seat covered in soft velvet, providing extra comfort.
- Sturdy Build: Made from bamboo with magnetic hinges, this bench is both strong and lightweight. It’s designed to last.
- Aesthetic Design: The Florensi bench has a minimalist look that can blend into any space. It’s also available in several colors.
Cons:
- Slippery Seat: Some users report that the seat was slippery, whether the cushion was on or off, requiring the user to adjust their position during meditation.
- Height: Like many other standard meditation benches, at 6″ of height, this one might be too low for taller individuals, and there are no other size options.
The Florensi Meditation Bench is ideal if you want a comfortable, cushioned option that you can take with you. It’s stylish and sturdy, and it has foldable hinges and a carrying case.
Conclusion
Choosing the right meditation bench can greatly enhance your practice, especially if you prefer the seiza position. Each bench reviewed here has its strengths and weaknesses, so your choice will depend on what matters most to you—whether it’s portability, comfort, stability, or aesthetics.
Take the time to consider what you need from a meditation bench, and you’ll find the perfect match to support your practice.
If you’re looking for a comfortable zabuton, or meditation mat, to use with your new meditation bench and keep your knees comfortable, check out our article, Top 5 Zabutons for Ultimate Meditation Comfort: A Detailed Review.