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Meditation is an incredible way to improve your thoughts and quality of life, and has far-reaching benefits and effects.
However, sitting quietly in once place during meditation can often be hard on the body. For some people, holding a lotus or kneeling position for a long time can put strain on the knees, hips, or spine.
A meditation bench is designed to comfortably support the body in a natural pose, eliminating discomfort and pressure points, and a folding meditation bench is easy to store when not in use, or transport for meditation breaks at work, during travel, or on-the-go.
Before we proceed, if you don't have the time to read the entire review, here's a quick look at our top choices for the best folding meditation benches:
How to Use a Meditation Bench
If you are just getting started with a meditation practice, here are some great tips to help you to start to meditate.
There are a huge variety of meditation benches, because different bodies require different levels of support and comfort. As a general rule, here is how to use a meditation bench:
Correct Posture
Most meditation benches are designed to support the body in a kneeling position. This means that the seat is angled slightly forward, with your knees touching the floor and your ankles tucked beneath the seat.
The bench supports the weight of the body, so that your body weight isn't resting on your ankles and feet, and it also means that the knees don't have to bend as sharply.
This support can be much more comfortable for people with sensitive joints, reduced flexibility, or less strength in the lower body, all of which can help older people with comfort during meditation.
Finally, the angled seat supports the spine in a neutral posture, eliminating excess curves and transferring your weight correctly, unlike traditional chairs.
Adding Cushioning
In many cases, a well-made meditation bench will provide the perfect amount of comfort and support to free your mind, so you can meditate without distraction. In some cases, however, you may also need to use a cushion.
Cushions can be used on the seat, to provide more padding for your spine and tailbone, or beneath your legs, to cushion the knees and shins against the floor.
In any case, the cushion should provide comfort and ease, without being so thick or soft that it reduces the stability and support of your posture.
Meditation Bench Size
As with almost everything else, meditation benches are typically designed for the average body size and weight. This can mean that it is more difficult for some people to find a comfortable meditation bench, and it's particularly true for tall people with long legs.
Very tall people often have trouble folding their legs beneath themselves into the small area beneath the bench and may need a larger meditation bench.
Likewise, for very small and petite people, some meditation benches are too big, and the seat angle makes them slide forward and off the seat.
Meditation Bench Options
As you'll see, there are many different types of meditation bench. Some have a single leg, which supports your body weight in a wide range of leg positions, but require a bit more balance to use. Some have legs that are better positioned to keep the knees together, angle them apart, or even support the lotus position.
Best Meditation Benches
We love folding and collapsible meditation benches, because they are easy to set aside when not in use, or to put in a bag and travel with. Here are our top picks:
1. Best Folding Meditation Bench for Travel: Mindful and Modern Folding Meditation Bench
This beautiful folding meditation bench from Mindful Modern is perfect for travel – it folds up neatly, is lightweight, and comes with a carrying bag that lets you take it anywhere. This meditation bench has an attractive lotus design embossed on the bench and matching travel bag.
It is made of bamboo, which is more eco-friendly than wood, while being just as strong. It has robust, durable hinges for reliable support. The included carrying bag is machine washable and has rugged handles.
The Mindful and Modern Folding Meditation Bench measures 17 x 7.5 inches, and is 7.5 inches high at the back of the seat, and 6 inches high in the front. It weighs just over 4 pounds, and is backed by a money-back guarantee.
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2. Best Eco-Friendly Folding Meditation Bench: STOOLYOGA Portable Meditation Bench
The STOOLYOGA Portable Meditation Bench isn't just made of eco-friendly bamboo – it's made from organic, sustainably sourced bamboo, and manufactured responsibly in the United States.
This handcrafted yoga bench has powerful, silent, stainless steel hinges for incredible strength, and embedded magnets that hold the legs in the closed position, so it's easy to move and carry conveniently. Recessed finger sits make it easy to open and close securely and without pinching fingers.
The STOOLYOGA Portable Meditation Bench is 16 x 5.5 x 7 inches when opened, and comes with a free organic tote bag for carrying.
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3. Best Folding Meditation Bench for Petite People: BLUECONY IKUKO Original Meditation Bench
The BLUECONY IKUKO Original Meditation Bench doesn't fold – instead, the legs easily slip off for easy travel and storage, and then can be re-attached when needed without any loss of stability or comfort.
This is a beautiful meditation bench with a lot of great features, but we especially love that it comes in three different sizes, with a small/petite option.
Most meditation benches are not sized for petite people, which can lead to instability and the body sliding forward on the seat, so the size options on the BLUECONY IKUKO Original Meditation Bench are perfect. This meditation bench is designed for sitting in the seiza position, with your knees angled slightly outward.
It is handmade of cherrywood harvested locally in Quebec, and the natural qualities of the wild wood make every bench unique. The seat is curved for great comfort and support, keeping you centered and stable. The legs slide off easily for travel and storage.
The BLUECONY IKUKO Original Meditation Bench comes in your choice of three sizes and two finishes. It also comes with an organic carrying bag.
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4. Best Folding Meditation Bench for Tall People: Ananda Woodworking Folding Meditation Bench
No matter how flexible a tall person is, it can be a challenge folding long legs comfortably beneath a standard-sized meditation bench.
This Ananda Woodworking Folding Meditation Bench is sized specifically for taller people, and has a lot of other great features as well.
It is made of alder hardwood, for lasting, sturdy support. It is covered with a long-lasting padding, covered with durable 10 ounce organic cotton for comfort and style.
The heavy duty hinges allow the legs to fold flat when not in use, for easy transport or storage. This meditation bench is hand made in Northern California by artisans who meditate themselves, so they know what a meditation bench should be.
The meditation bench measures 18 x 8 inches, and is 9 inches tall at the back, and 7 inches tall at the front. The steeper seating angle than many meditation benches is designed for the comfort of taller people.
The Ananda Woodworking Folding Meditation Bench comes in standard and tall sizes, and in your choice of five different upholstery options.
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5. Best Folding Meditation Bench for Beginners: Meditation bench, Seiza Bench
If you are just beginning your meditation journey, there may be a lot of unexpected questions and challenges. Here are some great books to help you get started, and you may simply not know if you need a meditation bench, or what size works best for you.
After all, every body is different, and just because someone your size is comfortable on a bench, doesn't mean that you will be.
That's why we love this portable meditation bench from Meditation Bench. It's portable, affordable, and adjustable. The curved base allows you to find the right angle for your comfort and rest peacefully.
The height-adjustable seat lets you choose how high the bench is. It's super lightweight, and the stand comes off, for easy transportation and use anywhere. It's also a great way to try out various heights and angles before investing in a more expensive bench, so you get the right meditation bench for your body.
This adjustable meditation bench has a curved base with non-slip material for stability, adjusts from 6-8 inches in height, has a 6×9 inch seat, and weighs only 11 ounces. It is made in the USA.
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6. Best Folding Meditation Bench for Use Outdoors: Still Sitting Nomad Meditation Bench
In addition to considering what time of day you want to meditate, it's a good idea to consider where you want to meditate.
One of the best reasons to get a folding meditation bench is so that you can take it outside, meditating in nature and allowing it to calm you.
This Still Sitting Nomad Meditation Bench is perfect for meditating outdoors, not just because it's super light and portable, but because it's also compact and easy to clean. The hammock-style seat is comfortable and adjustable, so you can dial in the right height for your body.
At just 19x7x1.5 inches folded, it has a seating height from 6-11 inches high, and weighs 1 pound 9 ounces. It folds completely flat and tucks away small, perfect for backpacks and outdoor adventures. It could even be used for lightweight camping furniture when you aren't meditating.
The collapsible fabric seat provides soft support without needing a seat cushion. This folding meditation bench is hand made in the USA, designed by Norwegian architect Åsmund Skard.
The Still Sitting Nomad Meditation Bench comes in two sizes and is available with two different fabric colors.
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7. Best Folding Meditation Bench for People who Love the Pi Meditation Bench: Pi to Go Folding Meditation Bench
Pi Meditation Benches were one of the first designs, and for many people they remain the gold standard.
These benches are named for the unique “pi” shape of the bench, and this one has legs that fold flat for easy transport and storage, with a slightly more compact size. The Pi to Go Folding Meditation Bench, like all Pi benches, is made by hand in Wisconsin by a life-long meditator and yoga practitioner.
This meditation bench has rounded legs, so you can adjust your seating angle for comfort. Placing the legs in the center gives you a lot of room for variation in seating posture, so you can sit in the way that suits your body best.
It is made of select hardwoods, with a durable poly coat finish. Pi to Go measures 18 x 7 x 7.25, and comes fully assembled.
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8. Best Ergonomic Folding Meditation Bench: SPOKO Meditation Bench
The gentle curves of the SPOKO Meditation Bench have excellent comfort and ergonomic shape, even if you choose not to use a cushion.
The softer angles of this bench provide great support and follow the natural curves of the body. These benches are handmade of natural birch wood, so no two are exactly the same.
The legs come off of this meditation bench, so it's easy to travel with or store out of the way when not in use. The fact that the legs come off, rather than fold with a hinge, may provide more stability for people who worry about hinged legs collapsing.
The SPOKO Meditation Bench measures 16.14 x 7.87, with a seat that is 7.09 inches high in the back, and 5.9 inches high in the front. It weighs 3.97 pounds, and has a 30 day money-back guarantee.
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9. Best Folding Meditation Bench for People with Knee or Hip Pain: Lotuscrafts Meditation Bench Dharma Foldable
A meditation cushion can help people with knee or joint pain fully relax and meditate without distractions.
Meditation cushions can be used on the seat, or beneath the knees and legs for reduced pressure and more comfort. However, the Lotuscrafts Meditation Bench has a built-in cushion to provide comfort, while preserving foldability. It also comes in two sizes.
The generous width, comfortable padding, and optional sizing of this meditation bench make it a great choice for people who have more delicate joints or reduced flexibility, and have trouble being comfortable on a smaller meditation bench.
The Lotuscrafts Meditation Bench is made of natural wood, with a solvent-free varnish that highlights the natural colors and variations in the wood. This meditation bench folds completely flat, so it's not only portable, it's also storable and stackable.
With seat heights from 5.3 in the front and 6.5 inches in the back for regular sized, and 5.5 inches in the front and 7 inches in the back for the large size, it's easy to choose the right fit for your body and comfort. This meditation bench is made in Europe and weighs about 2 pounds.
The Lotuscrafts Meditation Bench comes in two sizes and your choice of four different attractive upholstery colors.
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Final Thoughts on Folding Meditation Benches
Our top pick for a folding meditation bench is the STOOLYOGA Portable Meditation Bench.
It has everything we are looking for – it's compact, lightweight, comfortable, ergonomic, and thoughtfully designed.
We love the magnets that hold the legs closed when not in use. It has all that, and it's eco-friendly and sustainable. It's made of organic, renewable bamboo, and responsibly manufactured in the USA.
It even comes with a tote bag. We love the idea that we can meditate in comfort and peace, and also know that we are making the right choice for the planet and the environment.
If you are looking for a folding meditation bench specifically for use outdoors and on the road, our second pick is the Still Sitting Nomad Meditation bench. It's incredibly compact and lightweight, easily adjustable and easy to clean.
We love that it's a meditation bench that can easily double for a small outdoor chair to use while camping, hiking, or fishing, without weighing down a tote or backpack. The unique design is incredibly clever and convenient.
And if you want to learn more about meditation, check out these blog posts:
- Meditation vs. Mindfulness: What Is the Difference?
- When Is the Best Time of Day to Meditate?
- The 4 Things You Need to Know About Meditation
