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Yoga practice requires just you and your mat, but sometimes you need a bit of extra support, especially in positions that put a lot of pressure on your lower back or neck. The best yoga bolster is the ultimate support for your yoga practice and helps you find comfort even when you're struggling.
Yoga bolsters help add height to your yoga asanas, improve overall comfort, and enhance your backbends. They can also be used as a comfortable cushion during meditation and restorative poses, as well as act as padding for your hips, tailbone, and knees.
When choosing a yoga bolster, you'll encounter a variety of shapes and sizes. While some are best for restorative practice and meditation, others enhance your stretches and add length and height to your yoga asanas, helping you improve your technique and achieve progress over time.
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The Best Yoga Bolster - Our Top Picks
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- Best Overall Yoga Bolster: Gaiam Premium Round Bolster
- Best Budget Yoga Bolster: Gaiam Rectangular Bolster
- Best Yoga Bolster for Beginners: Hugger Mugger Bolster
- Best Rectangular Yoga Bolster: Halfmoon Rectangular Bolster
- Best Round Yoga Bolster: Halfmoon Cylindrical Bolster
- Best Sustainable Yoga Bolster: Hemp Yoga Bolster
- Best Lightweight Yoga Bolster: Enlight Round Bolster
- Best High-Quality Yoga Bolster: Adriene Wool Rectangular Bolster
Best Overall - Gaiam Premium Round Bolster
SPECS
- Type: Round Bolster
- Size: 25.5"L x 9"D
- Weight: 4 lbs.
- Material: Microfiber cotton cover
- Filling: Cotton batting
Gaiam is a well-known brand in the yoga world with a plethora of high-quality products and materials. Their premium round yoga bolster is made from microfiber cotton and cotton batting which provides superior support and comfort, making it extremely versatile in your yoga practice.
It's firm enough to support your lower back during tough yoga asanas while at the same time comfortable enough to help you relax in restorative poses. The microfiber cover is easy to wash and care for, and the overall thoughtful design makes it great for beginners as well as advanced yogis.
Since yoga bolsters aren't the most convenient to carry around, Gaiam features a sturdy handle that makes transport easy.
What We Like
- Lightweight
- Sturdy handle for easy transport
- Easy to remove and clean
- Good for both beginner and advanced
What We Don't Like
- Only 2 colors
- Often sold out
BUY: Gaiam Premium Round Bolster
Best Budget Yoga Bolster - Gaiam Rectangular Bolster
SPECS
- Type: Rectangular Yoga Bolster
- Size: 25"L x 12"W x 5" thick
- Weight: 4 lbs., 4 oz.
- Material: Microfiber cover
- Filling: Cotton batting
This Gaiam yoga bolster easily slides under your lower back, knees, and even neck for support during any yoga asana, meditation, or breathing sessions. It's extremely versatile and provides a medium level of firmness while staying soft and comfortable.
The microfiber cotton cover and cotton batting filling make it easy to wash and care for, and the sturdy carry handle makes transport a breeze. The rectangular shape is ideal for supporting your entire back, from your neck to your tailbone, making it easy to get extra height when you need it the most.
What We Like
- Rectangular shape is ideal for your entire back
- Easy to wash and care for
- Low price point
What We Don't Like
- Not the easiest to carry due to its shape, but it does come with a handle
- Some people report misshaping can occur during shipping transport
BUY: Gaiam Rectangular Bolster
Best Yoga Bolster for Beginners - Hugger Mugger Standard Bolster
SPECS
- Type: Rectangular Yoga Bolster
- Size: 12" x 25" x 6"
- Weight: 5 lbs.
- Material: Cotton
- Filling: Foam
Hugger Mugger is another popular yoga brand that's known for its large variety of products specifically designed for improving and supporting your yoga practice. Their standard yoga bolster is a rectangular-shaped yoga tool that's great for supporting your yoga asanas in a variety of ways.
Loved by beginners for its big and flat shape, this yoga bolster helps you stretch deeper in pigeon pose, but also acts as a great mat heightener for a relaxing meditation. The exceptional firmness ensures its structural integrity no matter how hard you press on it, and the cotton cover provides a softness that won't irritate your skin. The downside is that it can't be washed in a washing machine.
What We Like
- Strong firmness for versatile use
- Comes with a handle for easy transport
- 60-day return policy
What We Don't Like
- Expensive
- Not machine washable
BUY: Hugger Mugger Standard Bolster
Best Rectangular Yoga Bolster - Gaiam Halfmoon Rectangular Bolster
SPECS
- Type: Rectangular Yoga Bolster
- Size: 5" x 10" x 24"
- Weight: 5 lbs.
- Material: Cotton cover
- Filling: Cotton batting
This rectangular bolster from Gaiam helps any yoga poses that require opening your chest and back bending. The moderate lift it provides gives extra support in seated meditations and legs-up-the-wall poses, and the large size enhances the relaxation of your entire back.
Made with a cotton cover and cotton batting filling, this rectangular yoga bolster is easy to wash and care for (tip for removing lint: wipe it with a latex-gloved hand). It comes with a sturdy carry handle to help you bring it to your favorite yoga studio and a variety of limited-edition prints that really differentiate it from all the other brands on the market.
What We Like
- Large size to support your entire back
- Easy to wash
- Limited edition prints and colors
What We Don't Like
- Often sold out
- Manufactured by a third party and thus exempt from all discounts and promotions
BUY: Gaiam Halfmoon Rectangular Bolster
Best Round Yoga Bolster - Mukha Yoga Halfmoon Cylindrical Bolster
SPECS
- Type: Round Yoga Bolster
- Size: 24" x 8"
- Weight: 5 lbs.
- Material: 100% cotton cover
- Filling: Cotton batting
This round yoga bolster from Mukha Yoga has a slightly smaller diameter which makes it suitable for everyone, even those with smaller body frames. It's durable, soft, and firm, providing great support for your back, knees, neck, and hips. Whether you choose to use it under your shoulder blades to open your chest, place it under your lower back and support your backbends, or drape your upper body over it to support your forward bends, this round yoga bolster is a great choice.
Made from cotton all around, it's easy to clean and maintain and comes with a handle so you can easily carry it wherever you need to.
What We Like
- 100% cotton
- East to wash and care for
- Comes with a handle for easy transport
What We Don't Like
- Expensive
- Not many color options
BUY: Mukha Yoga Halfmoon Cylindrical Bolster
Best Sustainable Yoga Bolster - Bean Products Hemp Yoga Bolster
SPECS
- Type: Round, rectangular, and pranayama yoga bolsters
- Size: Rectangular - 25"L x 6"H x 12"W; round - 27"L x 9"D; pranayama - 28"L x 7"H x 6"W
- Weight: 4-5 lbs.
- Material: 100% Hemp
- Filling: Durable foam core, tight cotton batting wrap, cotton muslin inner case
Bean Products makes three different types of yoga bolsters: round, rectangular, and pranayama, making it easy to choose the one that fits your yoga practice and preference. The sustainable hemp material makes this yoga bolster free from toxins, chemical fertilizers, or pesticides often used for cotton.
This yoga bolster is durable, firm, and soft to the touch so it provides great support for your back, neck, knees, and hips during your entire yoga practice. It comes with a one-year warranty so you can stay confident even in case of mishaps. The cover is easy to remove and clean, you'll have no issues even if you carry it from studio to studio.
What We Like
- Sustainable fabrics
- 3 different yoga bolster types
- 1-year warranty
What We Don't Like
- Expensive
- Available mostly online
BUY: Bean Products Hemp Yoga Bolster
Best Lightweight Yoga Bolster - Manduka Yoga Enlight Round Bolster
SPECS
- Type: Round Yoga Bolster
- Size: 27" x 9" x 9"
- Weight: 2.32 lbs.
- Material: eQua micro-fiber fabric cover
- Filling: 30% recycled polyester fiber core
Manduka Yoga is another premium yoga brand that's known for high-quality yoga mats, blocks, and bolsters. This Enlight round bolster is incredibly lightweight and made with soft, plush eQua microfiber fabric that's comfortable for your skin and helps keep you dry in even the sweatiest yoga classes.
The 30 percent recycled polyester fiber core makes it sustainable and convenient to clean, and the sturdy handle ensures easy transport. This light yoga bolster is a great yoga prop to bring to all of your yoga classes as well as on your travels. The firm core helps support your yoga practice as well as restorative poses and meditation.
What We Like
- Super lightweight
- Comes with a handle for easy transport
- Easy to wash and care for
What We Don't Like
- Expensive
- Often out of stock
BUY: Manduka Yoga Enlight Round Bolster
Best High-Quality Yoga Bolster - Manduka Yoga Adriene Wool Rectangular Bolster
SPECS
- Type: Rectangular Yoga Bolster
- Size: 28" x 11.75" x 5"
- Weight: 2.5 lbs.
- Material: 100% New Zealand Merino wool cover
- Filling: 30% recycled polyester fiber core
This unique yoga bolster from Manduka Yoga is crafted in Italy from 100 percent New Zealand Merino wool and 30 percent recycled fiber filling for premium support and extra cushioning. The wool adds warmth and plush comfort to your at-home practice, which was inspired by Adriene, the most popular YouTube yoga instructor who made at-home yoga practice more accessible to everyone.
This yoga bolster is lightweight and comes with a sturdy handle for easy transport, but the Merino wool isn't the most convenient to wash, so you'll need to take it to the dry cleaners. The softness and medium firmness offer support during your yoga practice, but it's probably best used in restorative poses and meditation.
What We Like
- Super lightweight
- Premium, high-quality wool cover
- Comes with a handle for easy transport
What We Don't Like
- Expensive
- Hard to clean and care for
BUY: Manduka Yoga Adriene Wool Rectangular Bolster
How to Choose a Yoga Bolster
When choosing the best yoga bolster for you and your yoga practice, there are a few different factors to consider.
Types of Yoga Bolsters
Yoga bolsters come in all shapes and sizes. The most common types include round bolsters and rectangular bolsters. The first are better for improving your backbends and opening your chest, while the rectangular types provide flat support for your spine and help you get deeper into restorative poses.
Additionally, you might encounter meditation bolster pillows and pranayama bolsters which are just versions of the abovementioned round and rectangular, just usually a bit larger to provide an even bigger surface size.
Cover Material
Most yoga bolsters are made of cotton or synthetic covers, but some include more sustainable materials such as hemp or wool.
Filling (Firmness)
The filling regulates the firmness of the yoga bolster and it can make it soft and cushiony or firm and high-support. Usually fillings are made from foam, cotton batting, or synthetic fibers, but there are more and more sustainable brands that use materials such as recyclable fibers and buckwheat fill that's eco-friendly and non-toxic.
FAQs About Yoga Bolsters
Is a yoga bolster worth it?
Yoga bolsters provide support in a variety of different ways, but it's mostly beneficial for restorative poses and meditation. If you're someone who doesn't feel like your mat provides enough support, you'll benefit from a yoga bolster.
How heavy should a yoga bolster be?
If you're looking to carry your yoga bolster with you to your yoga studio, the lighter the better. If you mostly practice at home and don't need to move it often, then you can use one that's a bit heavier. Most yoga bolsters weigh between 2 and 5 pounds.
What is the best type of bolster for yoga?
There are different types of yoga bolsters and which one you choose will depend on your preference and yoga style. They all offer support and cushioning, but depending on what you need, you might choose different types for different yoga practice sessions.
Is a round or rectangle yoga bolster better?
Which style of yoga bolster is better depends on what you are using it for. The rectangular yoga bolsters are better for providing flat support for your spine, while round yoga bolsters improve your backbends and chest opening.
What is Yoga | Pilates vs. Yoga | Yoga Poses and Stretches for a Tight IT Band | Best Yoga Pants | Best Yoga Mats | Best Yoga Blocks | Best Yoga Bolster | Best Yoga Wheel | Best Yoga Blankets | Best Lululemon Yoga Mat