Meditation Cushion vs Folded Blanket: Do You Need Both
Written and reviewed by The Kriya Yogi · Updated 4 October 2026
The short answer
A dedicated round cushion gives a more consistent, properly shaped lift every time you sit, which is worth it if you meditate regularly. A folded blanket is a reasonable free starting point for occasional sitting, but it compresses unevenly and needs frequent refolding to keep doing its job.
What matters for this
- Consistency of height
- A: Fixed, fully filled · B: Varies with how tightly it's folded
- Durability of shape
- A: Plumps back after sitting · B: Flattens and needs refolding
- Cost
- A: One-time purchase · B: Often already owned
- Comfort under hips
- A: Designed, rounded seat · B: Flat, can feel uneven
- Portability
- A: Purpose-made, easy to place · B: Bulky, not shaped for sitting
- Best for
- A: Regular or daily sitting practice · B: Occasional or trial sitting
What a dedicated cushion gives you that a blanket can't
A purpose-built cushion like ours is fully filled specifically to hold a consistent height, which means it lifts your hips the same way every single time you sit down. A folded blanket depends entirely on how tightly and evenly you fold it, and that fold compresses and shifts during a sit, especially a longer one, which can quietly change your posture partway through without you noticing.
Where a folded blanket genuinely works
If you are new to seated meditation and not yet sure how much height you need, or you only sit occasionally, a folded blanket is a sensible, free way to start. It lets you experiment with different heights by adding or removing folds before committing to a fixed cushion height, which is a reasonable way to find out what your body actually needs first.
The case for upgrading once you sit regularly
Once seated meditation becomes a daily or near-daily habit, the inconsistency of a blanket becomes more of a drawback. A dedicated cushion holds its shape sit after sit, needs only occasional plumping rather than refolding, and is shaped specifically for the seat rather than being a flat rectangle pressed into service. For regular practice, that consistency is the main practical reason to invest in one.
Using them together, not just one or the other
These two aren't strictly either-or. Even with a dedicated cushion, a folded blanket still has a role: placing one under the cushion, rather than under the knees, if your knees sit higher than your hips. So a cushion solves the main height problem, and a blanket remains a useful add-on for fine-tuning rather than something you necessarily retire once you own a cushion.
Choose something else if…
- Those who sit only rarely and are still experimenting with height — a folded blanket may suffice for now.
- Anyone expecting a cushion alone to fully resolve knee discomfort — a blanket under the cushion may still be needed.