Whether you spend time in your office chair as you work from home or game, there is a good chance you experience the same problems as me: a numb butt and a sore tailbone. This discomfort comes from sitting in chairs with thin seat pads. The problem is that ergonomists recommend this style, which means we are seeing it incorporated into some of the most expensive chairs. Even if you invest $1,500 to $2,000 in an office chair, you may still experience discomfort.
Fortunately, there is a potential fix. Adding a seat pad that simply sits on top of your current seat and provides a cutout for your tailbone could totally transform your comfort level. These pads vary in price and we are going to start by looking at the $40 WAOAW (was $33) seat cushion.
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Cheap vs. Expensive Seat Cushion Links
1. WAOAW Seat Cushion
2025 Price: $25.99 Where to buy: Amazon.com
For the price, it offers decent memory foam although it does run on the thinner end of seat cushions. Construction-wise, it is on the noticeably cheaper side. It is also relatively small. I am 6” tall and there is quite a gap between the edge of the cushion and the back of my knee. This means that if you are any taller than me the cushion size could be a problem.
I also found that it doesn’t take long before I end up feeling like I am bottoming out. If you look at the Amazon reviews, a lot of other customers felt the same way.
Some added features include a grip on the bottom so that it doesn’t move around and a removable cover that can be washed. These features make the cushion pretty versatile so you can take it with you and use it in the car, at stadiums, or wherever else you might want some extra cushion. So, for a cushion in the $20 range, that is what you can expect.
2. Cushion Lab Seat Cushion
2025 Price: $72.99 Where to buy: Amazon.com
This seat pad retails for around $70. Visually, you will notice right away that it has a lot more contour than the WAOAW. Depending on your preferences, this may or may not be a good thing, but it certainly makes it a unique product. The side curves provide plenty of space and really hug the user. The one complaint that I have and many other reviews echoed was that the back curve can be a little uncomfortable. Despite this, it is my favorite pad out of the three we will be discussing.
Another feature to take note of is the foam. It is actually a charcoal-infused memory foam, which is supposed to prevent the pad from absorbing odors. The better quality foam also adds support and prevents you from bottoming out.
3. Purple Double Seat Cushion
2025 Price: $95.20 Where to buy: Amazon.com
You may be familiar with this company and its mattresses. They use a gel material to provide padding and the cushion actually has two different sides with squares that are different depths and sizes. This creates one side that is firmer so that you can choose between the two comfort levels according to your personal preferences.
At $95, this pad is a bit more expensive. From a size perspective, it offers plenty of room and on the first sit, it is by far the most comfortable option. However, over time, the gel begins to warm up and condense down. Personally, I felt like I was hitting the top of the seat chair after about an hour of sitting.
The other thing I noticed is that the lack of structure in the gel makes it feel awkward when you recline. Your lower body tends to slide out and the pad just feels mushy.
Based on everything we found, my favorite was the Cushion Lab pad, but you may have totally different sitting habits and preferences. If you don’t want to spend a lot, the WAOAW may get the job done. Just remember that the foam won’t last as long as higher-quality alternatives. Either way, hopefully, you can find a pad that helps you avoid the classic numb-butt syndrome.
More Ergonomic Resources
Kelvin
All of the cushions are too thick, which will totally ruin your office chair’s ergonomic design.