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Wheelchairs

5 Best FOAM SEAT Cushions for Wheelchairs (Pro Review)

Written by Dayna C
Last Updated :

If you are having an uncomfortable time in your wheelchair, then you must have already thought about a seat cushion.

Seat foam cushions or high-density foam cushions will provide extra comfort and make time spent in a wheelchair more enjoyable.

You need a wheelchair cushion, especially if you are spending your whole day in a wheelchair (for example, on your job).

Even though many wheelchair manufacturers supply you with a cushion, you might need an additional one to make things just right.

There is nothing wrong with using more than one cushion, but it would be best to find the one that gives you all you need – the comfort and pleasure of using your wheelchair.

What Are the Benefits of Using a Wheelchair seat cushion?

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When we talk about wheelchair cushions and the comfort and benefits they provide, seat cushion foam is a perfect material for anyone to sit on – from children to the elderly.

It doesn’t matter if you need it for short or long-term use, a cushion will give you what you have been missing—a light touch and comfort while using a wheelchair.

Skin conditions

If you are using your wheelchair for more than an hour or two a day, you must listen to your body if you are experiencing any pain or discomfort.

People using a wheelchair may experience sweat rash, pressure ulcers or blisters.

These medical skin conditions make sitting extremely painful and uncomfortable and take a long time to heal, so prevention is better than cure!

A seat cushion foam can help prevent any of these unpleasant conditions that are both painful and limiting, as the right cushion will minimize the chances of skin irritation.

Body posture

When feeling uncomfortable, some people try different seating positions, hoping they will find the right one. This can lead to incorrect body posture and cause discomfort.

If you are immobilized and sit in your chair frequently, your posture might worsen if you don’t have the right type of back support.

Seat cushion foam or high-density foam cushion will help improve your posture and minimize a painful back, neck, or hip.

Adjusting your wheelchair to your needs

Sitting at an improper height can cause issues for you particularly if you are unable to reach things you need because you are sitting in a low position. Using seat cushion foam to raise your sitting position solves this problem.

Once the high-density foam cushion raises you to the desired height and provides you with a comfortable surface to sit on, this will be beneficial for both your body posture and skin integrity,

Which Material Are Cushions Made Of?

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A nice cushion can really make a difference to how comfortable you feel sitting in a wheelchair. It’s like the contrast between sitting on a hard wooden chair versus a soft padded one.

As time goes by the seat of a wheelchair may get flattened, losing its comfort and thickness. While foldable wheelchairs have their benefits adding a cushion can help bring and even enhance the comfort and fullness of the original seat.

Wheelchair cushions are usually made from foam, gel or air filled materials. Foam cushions are quite popular because they offer comfort without losing their thickness over time ensuring that the cushion stays fluffy. They are also lightweight and easy to adjust to fit your wheelchairs seat size.

If you tend to feel pressure while seated a gel cushion might be more suitable for you. Gel cushions mold to your body shape providing a seating experience similar to sitting on clouds; however they tend to be pricier.

Alternatively, inflatable cushions can be flat packed and easy to transport but are also prone to punctures,

Each type of cushion—foam, gel or inflatable—has its pros and cons. All aim to offer crucial support, comfort and protection, against potential health issues linked with long periods of sitting.

What Features Should You Look For In a Seat Cushion Foam ?

Some features you should consider when buying a cushion.

  • Use a seat cushion that is not too soft. It might compress easily, which means it has a short lifespan. Go for a medium to extra-thick cushion.
  • Check the cushion’s height, so it corrects your own height when sitting in a wheelchair to an optimal level.
  • Ensure you take into account your body shape and wheelchair’s seat measurements when confirming the size of the cushion.
  • If you want to be completely safe while sitting in your wheelchair, it would be best to look for a seat cushion made of foam with grips on the bottom so the cushion doesn’t move around. The grips are on the bottom of each cushion.
  • As you will want to wash the cushion, you need one with a removable cover. You will sweat less if you get yourself seat cushion foam, but it still needs washing.

Reviews of the Best Seat Cushion Foam

1. Orthopedic Memory Foam Cushion by Kieba

Orthopedic Memory Foam Wheelchair Cushion by Kieba

Kieba designed a premium memory foam pillow with soothing gel for people who have issues with sciatic areas, spine, hips, lower back, or tailbone. As it provides firm density, you can count on extra support when sitting on it.

This cushion, made of therapeutic-grade memory foam combined with gel, will undoubtedly make you feel comfortable and safe.

Thanks to this combination, the cushion will be durable no matter how long you sit in your wheelchair.

The cushion’s non-slip bottom ensures that it will not slide or make you move constantly while you are enjoying your time.

The cooling gel within the cushion reduces sweating, stabilizes your body’s temperature, and relieves pressure points.

This high-quality memory foam cushion provides prolonged comfort and support for people.

Benefits

  • Ergonomic design
  • Improves your body’s posture
  • Stabilizes body temperature
  • Machine washable
  • Non-slippery bottom

Cons

  • Some people find it too thick
  • Isn’t suitable for people over 150 lbs
  • Low-quality zipper

2. Fleece Covered Wheelchair Cushion by Essential Medical Supply

Fleece Covered Wheelchair Cushion by Essential Medical Supply

Essential Medical has a wheelchair cushion that increases comfort while relieving you from any back, spinal, or neck pain.

This is a high-density foam cushion, which means it is exceptionally supportive and fluffy at the same time.

Fleece makes the cushion’s cover breathable, so your body’s temperature will remain at an optimum level.

The fleece ensures the cushion doesn’t slip or moves left and right.

This cushion is reversible, so you can use a polyester canvas type or the fluffy fleece white top on the other side.

The cover is machine washable, which takes minimum effort and time to clean.

Benefits

  • Versatile
  • Breathable cover
  • Fleece prevents slipping and body overheating
  • Supportive and fluffy
  • Easy to wash

Cons

  • Needs better stitching
  • Be careful about the size of your wheelchair and the cushion’s size
  • Needs frequent laundering

3. 4 Inch Thick Convoluted Wheelchair Cushion by Hermell Products

4 Inch Thick Convoluted Wheelchair Cushion by Hermell Products

If you need an expertly designed cushion for your wheelchair that releases pressure from sensitive areas and pain at the same time, then a convoluted cushion by Hermell might be the right one for you.

It is made of materials that increase air circulation (egg crate foam), so a person sitting on it won’t warm up or sweat – the thing that you care about most when spending a long time in your wheelchair.

This cushion provides comfort, support, and pain relief at the same time.

What else are you looking for?

Hermell’s polyurethane cushion has a high degree of durability.

That is why the cushion is made of polyurethane – a durable and quality material.

This beautiful navy-blue polycotton cushion is removable and machine washable, so you can keep it clean and sanitary.

Benefits

  • Relieves pressure and pain
  • Fits any chair perfectly
  • Egg crate foam provides good air circulation
  • Durable
  • Machine-washable cover

Cons

  • The cushion doesn’t have straps or ties that would secure it
  • Doesn’t have a non-slip bottom
  • Some customers find the cushion too thin

4. Anti Slip Bottom Large Seat Cushion with Carry Handle by Xtreme Comforts

Anti Slip Bottom Large Seat Wheelchair Cushion with Carry Handle by Xtreme Comforts

Xtreme Comforts knows that some people enjoy sitting on large cushions, as this gives them more comfort.

If you want to experience the ultimate pleasantness while sitting in your wheelchair, this is the right cushion for you.

Not only does it provide comfort thanks to the padded surface, but it also improves your posture and spine alignment, releases pressure on your lower back, spine, and tailbone, and improves blood circulation.

The cushion measures 19×17.5×3.5 and is the optimal size for almost any wheelchair’s seating surface.

With the carry handle, you can easily take the cushion with you wherever you want to go. This is an ideal solution for trips, as it is portable.

The Extreme Comforts cushion’s black mesh cover is easy to remove when you want to wash it in the machine.

Benefits

  • Great size
  • Extra padded surface
  • Improves body posture and aligns your spine
  • Portable
  • Lightweight

Cons

  • A bit pricey
  • Doesn’t fit all wheelchairs
  • Might compress after a while

5. Waterproof 4-layer Foam Support Wheelchair Cushion by Vive

Waterproof 4-layer Foam Support Wheelchair Cushion by Vive

People who are using wheelchairs due to back pain, tailbone issues, sciatica, or any other orthopedic reason will surely find the Vive cushion extremely helpful with this type of pain.

Once a person sits on this cushion, the pressure is distributed evenly, so you can feel completely supported and comfortable.

Vive cushion can bear higher weights, so you don’t need to worry that it will flatten.

One of the best features, and what makes this cushion stand out, is its waterproof nature with two layers of waterproof materials, to ensure there is no water might damage to your cushion.

You can still remove the soft and luxurious cover of this cushion and wash it in a machine.

Vive gives you 60 days of unconditional guarantee to this product, which assures you of the support and professionalism this seller is providing to the customers.

Benefits

  • Gel core with 4 foam layers provides maximum comfort
  • Waterproof product
  • Distributes the pressure evenly
  • Fits all wheelchairs
  • 60-day guarantee

Cons

  • Non-slip bottom missing
  • Some of the users think that it is heavy
  • Too firm

Final Words

Never compromise on comfort.

If you spend a lot of time in a wheelchair, it can become less comfortable every day.

That is why you need a cushion that covers all bases including comfort, durability, longevity, is easily washable and looks good!.

Once you find one that is – right sized, supportive, relieves you from pain, and makes you feel great while sitting in your chair – it will make a huge difference to your daily activities.

Our Choice

Now that we have reviewed some of the best cushions, we can summarize our impressions that might help you too.

The important features of seat cushion foam is comfortable, correct-sized, quality-made, and non-slip.

According to these requirements, the best seat cushion foam Winner is a Waterproof 4-layer Foam Support Wheelchair Cushion by Vive .

First of all, it gives you a 60-day guarantee, which makes the company stand out instantly.

However, they designed a well-made, quality seat cushion foam mixed with gel, which is the best combination.

It provides you durability, comfort, and support.

 

 

 

About Author

Dayna C
Dayna has an incredible passion for helping others and a background as an in-home caregiver for the elderly. She left the field temporarily three years ago to stay at home with her twins, but found that she really missed working with senior citizens. She launched LoAids as a way to help not just her own loved ones and former clients, but ALL seniors live life to the fullest in their golden years.  Follow her on LINKEDIN and TWITTER. Read her LATEST POSTS. Learn more about her HERE.

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