A seat cushion this comfy? Testing the Casativo
8.5.2026
Translation: Veronica Bielawski
Pictures: Anna Sandner
I put Casativo’s gel ring cushion to the test. My expectations? More comfortable sitting, less heat buildup and better ergonomics at my desk. Here’s how it fared.
I sit a lot, and most of the time not very comfortably. An air-filled seat cushion can help, as it’s designed to encourage active sitting and reduce discomfort over long periods. That’s perfect to combat my recurring lower back pain. Unfortunately, my current seat cushion isn’t super comfy, and the PVC material has my butt sweating quickly. That’s why I’ve set out to find a better alternative, testing the Casativo gel seat cushion in everyday use.
Seat cushions in a nutshell
There are several types of seat cushions, so it’s worth looking into which one is right for your needs. Ring cushions relieve pressure from the centre of your body and tailbone thanks to their donut-like cutout. Gel cushions are soft and distribute your weight evenly across the surface of the seat. Wedge pillows tilt your pelvis forward, actively influencing the position of the spine. Air cushions create slight instability, encouraging small balancing movements and active sitting.
Each of these cushions affects ergonomics differently; one that works wonders for tailbone pain may prove counterproductive for other complaints. So, if you’re planning to buy an ergonomic pillow, you should first ask yourself exactly what problem you’re hoping to solve.
One week, eight hours per day
The Casativo cushion measures 35 × 45 cm, has a cut-out in the middle for the tailbone and combines memory foam (article in German) with an integrated gel pad. It’s designed for use with office chairs, dining chairs, in cars, and even with wheelchairs. The cushion has a height of about 7 cm, which significantly changes your sitting position. For that reason, you should adjust your chair and armrests accordingly for ergonomic sitting.
In terms of comfort, it was love at first sit; the cushion is very soft and evenly distributes your weight, with no pressure point in sight. I feel like I’m sitting on a cloud. The gel has a cooling effect. There’s less heat buildup, which keeps me from sweating even after a full working day. If you’ve ever sat on a cushion made entirely of foam, you’ll know that’s not something to be taken for granted. This is a clear advantage over my old plastic air cushion.
The memory foam gives way slightly under my body weight, but not enough to make me feel like I’m squashing it into inexistence. After standing up, it returns to its original shape within a few seconds. The cover is easy to remove, wash and put back on, feels high-quality and doesn’t look like something from a medical supply shop. Another plus is that the cushion has non-slip nubs on the underside to prevent it from sliding around.
What’s the catch?
The higher sitting position is easy to compensate for by adjusting your chair. On the other hand, I found it hard to sit cross-legged as I usually do. The raised, slightly slanted surface makes this position so uncomfortable that I instinctively stopped even trying. At first, this really bothered me. But from an ergonomics point of view, crossing your legs isn’t good for your pelvis in the long run. This cushion could help me kick the habit.
The Casativo cushion changes your sitting position, possibly affecting the position of your pelvis. For certain posture problems, this can be beneficial. But if you have a tendency to arch your lower back excessively, using this cushion over several weeks could make the very thing you’re trying to relieve worse. Unfortunately, that means the Casativo pillow isn’t suitable for me. As comfortable as it may be, it doesn’t suit my needs.
But for tailbone pain or similar pressure-related issues, a cushion like this might make sense if it’s tailored to your symptoms. And so, it’s with a heavy heart that I have to part ways with this comfy cushion.
In a nutshell
Comfortable and easy to care for
The Casativo gel seat cushion is a well-made product; it’s easy to care for, retains its shape, is thermoregulating and very comfortable. If you suffer from acute tailbone pain, work sitting down a lot or are simply looking for a soft, pressure-relieving surface to sit on that prevents heat build-up, this could be the perfect cushion for you.
Pro
- Removable, washable cover with office-appropriate look
- Gives way just enough and returns to its original shape quickly
- No heat buildup, feels comfortably cool all day
- Very pleasant, even weight distribution with no pressure points
Contra
- Not suitable for people prone to lordosis
Anna Sandner
Senior Editor
Anna.Sandner@galaxus.deScience editor and biologist. I love animals and am fascinated by plants, their abilities and everything you can do with them. That's why my favourite place is always the outdoors - somewhere in nature, preferably in my wild garden.
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