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Best Donut Pillow for Tailbone Pain

Danielle Mcleod

If you’ve ever bruised your tailbone, or have other issues that make sitting down uncomfortable, you know how exhausting trying to relax can be. A donut pillow is a perfect solution for your pain, and can help you relax and sit naturally as you heal. They also can work to provide extra cushioning when you have to sit for long periods of time on hard surfaces.

Take a closer look at the donut pillow options we’ve found that work for a wide variety of body shapes, sizes, and weights to get you back on your feet (and bum) in no time. Our suggestions are offered below!

1. Primica Donut Pillow Tailbone Hemorrhoid Seat Cushion – Editor's Choice

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  • Material: Memory Foam
  • Size: 16.5 x 13.5 x 3 inches
  • Features: Contouring memory foam, removable cover, cutouts for comfort

2. DMI Donut Pillow and Seat Cushion for Pain Relief

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  • Material: High density poly foam
  • Size: 16 x 13 x 3 inches
  • Features: Dense foam, fully encompassing case, easy to keep clean

3. HOKEKI Donut Pillow

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  • Material: Memory foam
  • Size: 15.6 x 8.8 x 6.7 inches
  • Features: U-shaped, cutouts for ergonomic comfort, contouring memory foam, removable velour cover

4. Dr. Frederick’s Original Donut Pillow

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  • Material: Vinyl
  • Size: 15 inches or 18 inches
  • Features: Inflatable pump, durable vinyl, adjustable, 2 sizes

5. Healthy Spirit Gel Donut Pillow

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  • Material: Medical grade foam
  • Size: 16 x 13 x 2.7 inches
  • Features: ergonomic medical grade foam, cooling gel layer, removable mesh cover, non-slip grip

6. Anti-Decubitus Pad

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  • Material: EPE Foam
  • Size: 14 x 14 x 2.3 inches
  • Features: Square shaped, dense foam, easy to wipe clean, versatile use

What is a Donut Pillow?

A donut pillow, sometimes called a donut cushion, ring pillow, ring cushion, hemorrhoid pillow, or coccyx cushion, is exactly what it sounds like – a round, tubular-like pillow with a central hole that resembles a large donut. Often prescribed by doctors for hemorrhoid issues, pain control, and injury recovery, they come in a great selection of sizes and materials so you can find exactly what works best for your needs.

Benefits of Using a Donut Pillow

First off, to ensure you get the best use out of your pillow, you need to make sure it is being used correctly. Use them on a flat surface, and sit on it with your hips even with the edge of the cushion while it is pushed lightly against the backrest of the chair or bench you are sitting on. Also, if you lean forward slightly, this helps take pressure off your back and pelvis. When used properly, you may experience these benefits:

  • Alleviation of hemorrhoids and tail bone pain
  • Reduces pressure on your lower back and hips
  • Can be used anywhere
  • Various materials and styles for body types and easy transportation
  • Adaptation to your body for the best support
  • Can be used all day, every day
  • Provides ventilation
  • Can help strengthen your core due to changing your sitting position
  • Improves posture

Types of Donut Pillows

There are quite a few donut pillow designs you can take advantage of to help alleviate discomfort and pain. Everything from a conforming foam to a blow up design is available and so you want to take into consideration a few details before committing to your top picks.

Inflatables

Rubber and vinyl materials are preferable for inflatable cushions as they are durable and easy to both inflate and deflate. These are fully adjustable since you can make them more firm with added air, or more conforming by removing air. These are inexpensive, short term solutions that also happen to be very portable.

Poly Foams

Although not as durable as other foams, a polyurethane foam is affordable and provides a springy feeling for support and cushioning. Over time it will begin to compress and not offer as much support, but for shorter term needs it is a good solution.

Memory Foams

Memory foam is one of the best materials to use for longer term use. It also will compress over time, but is a more durable, long-lasting choice that provides excellent surface conformation. It contours and moves well with your body to offer support where needed.

Size Considerations

Most cushions are around 15 to 20 inches, but you need to choose the size that works best for your body type and frame. Also think about where you will use the pillow, and on what kind of chair to determine the fit. If your pain or discomfort is worse with a donut pillow use, chances are your pillow is too small, or providing a poor fit.

Support Densities

Unless you get an adjustable choice, you need to think about how dense your pillow is. Soft and squishy, firm and plush, or stiff and contouring- no matter which you choose, you want to be comfortable. Stiffer options often will last longer- so keep that in mind as well.

Ergonomics

Some pillows have cut out areas to help create a more customized fit to your body. Coccyx cutouts, as well as upper leg cut outs can help relieve pressure and support healthy blood flow.

Removable Covers

Like any well-used product, you definitely want to consider the cleanliness of it- and how easy it is to clean. Those pillows with removable covers are often the easiest to keep clean. Other choices may be hand washable, or have a water resistant surface so you can easily wipe it clean.

Other Features

Gel infused foams, integrated air chambers, and various covers can help influence a cooling feeling. Others may have a non-slip surface or design that may make their use more conducive and easy to apply to your needs.

Top Donut Pillows for Tailbone Pain to Consider

Our top best donut pillow picks have excellent reviews from a wide array of customers to provide you popular choices based on both quality and comfort. These various designs are made from differing materials and offer the basic shape needed to help alleviate the worst of your tailbone and lower extremity pain and discomfort.

1. Primica Donut Pillow Tailbone Hemorrhoid Seat Cushion – Editor's Choice

Highlights

  • Material: Memory Foam
  • Size: 16.5 x 13.5 x 3 inches
  • Features: COntouring memory foam, removable cover, cutouts for comfort

Memory Foam Donut Pillow

Sized for just about anyone in need, the 16.5 x 13.5 elongated donut shape has a deep 3 inch memory foam cushion to properly support your legs and buttocks. Designed to help stabilize and align your spine, it takes the stress away from the back and lower body and keeps pressure away from your areas of discomfort.

The washable and removable case makes it easy to keep clean, and the cutouts built into each side provide added stability for your own support needs. The pillow can also be used between your legs to help provide joint cushioning or provide hip and back stabilization. Overall, this is a great choice that is easy to take along with you wherever you go.

2. DMI Donut Pillow and Seat Cushion for Pain Relief – Runner Up

Highlights

  • Material: High density poly foam
  • Size: 16 x 13 x 3 inches
  • Features: Dense foam, fully encompassing case, easy to keep clean

Basic High Density Poly Foam Donut Pillow

This incredibly basic, 16 x 13 poly foam pillow is exactly what is needed for temporary comfort. Made from a dense and firm foam, it is designed to help support your back and legs while helping you take pressure off the areas you are struggling with. Nicely conforming, it works to allow proper blood flow through your legs as well.

The polyester and cotton blend cover helps repel dirt and is easy to remove to clean as well. The cover also encompasses the entire pillow to help create a more supportive, firm option. This is a unique design and is what helps to keep its shape and stay durable for long use.

3. HOKEKI Donut Pillow for Tailbone Pain – Best Memory Foam

Highlights

  • Material: Memory foam
  • Size: 15.6 x 8.8 x 6.7 inches
  • Features: U-shaped, cutouts for ergonomic comfort, contouring memory foam, removable velour cover

U-Shaped Ergonomic Donut Pillow

Made from memory foam, this donut pillow encompasses two highly comfortable designs: a u-shape and cutouts for awesome body contouring and comfort. Created to help improve bad posture and alleviate back pain, it takes the pressure from your tailbone area and also promotes healthy blood flow.

The machine washable valor cover is easy to remove and soft and cooling. Plus the built in handle makes it easy to take along with you wherever you need it- such as to the office or on car trips. Great to provide relief to tailbone pain, sciatica issues, herniated desks, and even hemorrhoids- this is a unique pillow for all around comfort.

4. Dr. Frederick’s Original Donut Pillow – Best Inflatable Pump

Highlights

  • Material: Vinyl
  • Size: 15 inches or 18 inches
  • Features: Inflatable pump, durable vinyl, adjustable, 2 sizes

Original Inflatable Donut Pillow

Dr. Frederick’s original donut pillow design is a durable vinyl that can support up to 300 pounds and is easy to adjust due to the included air pump. The infallibility of the option provides a great way to help keep your tailbone area lifted and cushioned to help promote healing and reduce pain.

Available in 2 sizes: 15 and 18 inches- this is a great choice for people of all shapes and sizes. Easy to wipe clean, it deflates in seconds and is incredibly easy to take anywhere with you when travelling or from one work area to the next.

5. Healthy Spirit Gel Donut Pillow – Best Cooling

Highlights

  • Material: Medical grade foam
  • Size: 16 x 13 x 2.7 inches
  • Features: ergonomic medical grade foam, cooling gel layer, removable mesh cover, non-slip grip

Gel Infused, Cooling Donut Pillow

Traditional in design, and boasting both cutouts and a cooling gel layer, this is a pillow you will love to relax upon. Made from a premium grade medical foam, it offers excellent tailbone pain relief and supports back pain, sciatica, as well as pregnancy and surgery issues. Created for comfort, it is ventilated with a mesh cover so you can take full advantage of the cooling gel layer built into the surface.

Portable and only 16 x 13 x 2.7 inches, it is lightweight and easy to take with you. The cover is also easy to remove so you can wash without an issue. A non-slip grip helps keep in in place and keeps you from having to constantly readjust its location, and the ergonomic design is great for supporting shifts in weight and blood flow through your legs.

6. Anti-Decubitus Pad: Breathable Comfort Seat Cushion – Easy to Clean

Highlights

  • Material: EPE Foam
  • Size: 14 x 14 x 2.3 inches
  • Features: Square shaped, dense foam, easy to wipe clean, versatile use

Square Shaped, Donut Pillow

Unique and multifunctional, this 14 x 14 inch square pillow is designed after the traditional donut shaped pillow to create more buttock support without sacrificing the cushioning and ‘floating’ feel you desire to alleviate tailbone pain. Made from a proprietary EPE foam, it is highly responsive and offers excellent pressure reduction.

Covered in a soft velour, it is easy to wipe clean and provides a thick 2.3 inch profile that can be stacked with another pillow for more support. It also is highly versatile and can be used for leg pressure, neck and head support, as well as arm support- and is especially useful for injury recovery.

Conclusion

The various donut pillow designs we’ve highlighted above are all excellent choices for you to consider. They offer comfort, contouring support, and durability that is perfect for a wide variety of body shapes, sizes, and needs. 

Designed to alleviate pain and take stress and pressure off your coccyx area, they also work to improve posture and help create spinal alignment. Take a closer look at each to help narrow down your top choices based on your specific needs.