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Relaxing in bed with a good manga can help you unwind after a busy day. However, most pillows aren’t ideal for supporting healthy posture when sitting upright in bed. That’s where reading pillows come in. Not only do they prevent slouching, they can transform your bed, sofa or even floor into a comfortable reading nook.
They are generally firm, ergonomic and designed to fill the space in the lower back for optimum support. In this guide, we’ll introduce you to some of the best reading cushions on the market.
While they differ in style, construction and price, they’re all designed to support manga fans as they snuggle up to their favorite works. To make this list even more useful, we’re going to break down our choices into several categories so you can navigate to the ones that best suit your needs.
How we chose the best pillows for reading manga
In our search for the best cushions, we considered several criteria: firmness, size, shape and ease of cleaning. Thinking about each category helps to assess a product’s quality and determine for whom it’s best suited.
Firmness
The reading pillows on our list are all filled with foam, offering firm comfort without being rigid. Unlike sleep pillows, which can be quite soft, a reading cushion needs to be both cozy and sturdy.
Size
We looked for products that could comfortably support adults, while offering smaller options for children or for those who don’t need full back support. Most of the items we reviewed are available in different sizes, with larger options at higher prices.
Shape
We’ve included both the popular reading cushion shape that combines back support with armrests, as well as a longer model with a more traditional shape. A reading cushion with armrests is a comfortable choice, ideal for both bed and sofa, while the longer model is better suited to couples.
Cleaning
Used in bed, reading cushions probably don’t need frequent cleaning. However, it is advisable to wash them routinely, especially as incidents can always happen. What’s more, if they’re used by children or in more frequented areas (such as on the living room sofa or on the floor in a children’s reading corner), easy cleaning becomes an important criterion. That’s why we prefer products with removable, machine-washable covers.
Price
Many of the products in our selection fall within a similar price range, especially when we consider the various size options that influence the price up or down. For more expensive products, we took into account size and other special features (such as pockets, upholstery access, washable covers) that may justify a higher price. Overall, we were looking for items offering good value for money.
Without further ado, here’s our selection:
1. Best value: Milliard Reading Cushion XL
There’s a reason why this brand is considered one of the best reading pillows: customization and comfort are integral to its design. The first feature that makes it unique is its adjustable height, which allows the shredded memory foam to be adjusted using a zipper on the inner shell.
If you prefer a softer feel, you can remove the foam to reduce the loft (i.e. thickness). If you prefer a firmer feel, you can add foam to increase loft (essential for those who need better back and neck support).
But beyond the feel, it’s also packed with features, including a removable neck roll for extra support and two handy pockets for storing remotes, books, snacks and more. What’s more, its smooth microfiber cover, available in several colors including faux fur, is removable and machine washable.
It’s also worth mentioning that this type measures 31 inches high, which is patented for standing higher than most competing pillows: “I’m 1.75 m tall, and when I sit on the top of the pillow, it touches me at shoulder level… the neck pillow rests at the perfect position on the top of my neck, where my skull begins.
When I feel really comfortable and slump a bit, the back of my head touches the pillow. In short, that’s what makes it so comfortable,” says a user on Amazon. He also added: “It’s been three years since I bought it, and even after washing the cover several times, the seams are still intact and the filling is almost as good as new.
It’s amazing how easy it is to clean the covers – just unzip them and throw them in the washing machine. I use it several hours a day, every day, and it has stood the test of time.
Data sheet:
- Materials: shredded memory foam, microplush cover
- Size: 33-39″ W x 15″ D x 31″ H
- Care instructions: Wash cover in cold water on delicate cycle. Do not use fabric softener or bleach. Tumble dry at low temperature, making sure pillowcase is completely dry before use. (Inner pillow lining: pin the zipper before washing in cold water on a delicate cycle).
2. Best reading pillow for couples: WOWMAX Large Bolster Triangular
This large-format reading cushion from WOWMAX is the ideal accessory for couples who like to read side by side. It’s available in several sizes, the largest of which reaches an impressive 193 cm wide, allowing two people to sit comfortably on it. Very supportive and firm, it comes in a range of fun colors like coffee, lavender and lime green.
The removable corduroy cover, combined with an upholstered design, adds an elegant texture, and its classic shape blends in perfectly with bedroom decor. It’s a reading pillow that doesn’t look like a reading pillow!
In terms of comfort, it’s made with high-quality polyester fiber filling and tufted fabric buttons, so it retains its shape without sagging or warping. What’s more, its ergonomic triangular shape sets it apart from ordinary square pillows (which don’t adapt to the shape of your back).
It helps reduce orthopedic pain by gently supporting your shoulders, back and waist for optimal torso straightening. It won’t leave you sore after sitting upright for long periods.
Double pockets on each side are another plus, as is the fact that it comes with a removable linen cover (available in eight colors so pretty they can serve as decoration when paired with a freshly made bed).
This versatile model can be turned upside down for easy reading on the stomach, or even used as an inclined support for sleeping. Available in sizes suitable for full, queen or king beds, it is also perfectly suited to the length of a single bed placed against a wall. Note, however, that it has no armrests for lateral support.
Technical data
- Materials: Polyester fiber filling and upholstered linen fabric
- Dimensions: 20″ H x 39-76″ L (51 cm H x 99-193 cm W)
- Care instructions: Remove the cover by unzipping the two-way zipper and unbuttoning each button (attached to the cushion) from the buttonholes (pre-designed on the cover). Machine wash in cold water on gentle cycle, without bleach. Air dry.
3. Best for neck pain: Kalicou Reading Cushion
The Kalicou reading pillow is a versatile solution for reading, relaxing and resting while taking care of your comfort and posture. With its 3 adjustable inclinations, this wedge-shaped pillow can be used as a backrest, knee or leg support, adapting perfectly to the needs of each user.
Its triangular shape, designed in an S-shape to follow the natural curve of the spine, and its memory foam ensure even pressure distribution, providing excellent support. This pillow effectively relieves pressure points and moulds perfectly to the curves of the body, enabling total relaxation.
Theadjustable headrest is a major asset for those looking for adaptable support. Thanks to the regelettes at the back, it’s easy to adjust it to your preferred height, for personalized comfort.
The Kalicou is also well thought-out for practical use. With its non-slip base, it remains stable in all circumstances, avoiding constant adjustments. What’s more, its carry handle makes it easy to move around the house, whether reading in bed, on the sofa or even on the floor.
Kalicou, a French brand, guarantees a high-quality product, with OEKO-TEX-certified foam and textiles. Compliant with health and safety standards, this pillow is designed to offer lasting comfort and maximum safety. What’s more, it’s vacuum-packed for convenient, compact transport.
Data sheet:
- Brand: Kalicou
- Dimensions: 60x50x30 cm
- Materials: Memory foam
- Color: White
- Weight: 2 kg.
- Care: Do not use bleach or aggressive cleaning products, as they can damage fabric and foam.
4. Best for the bed: Casper Sleep Backrest Cushion
If you’re the kind of person who piles four or five pillows in bed to read, this cushion is designed to solve that problem. Thanks to its ergonomic teardrop shape, it offers targeted lumbar support for better posture and optimal alignment.
What makes it truly unique is its design with Casper’s signature foam inner layer and a soft, plush outer fiber, creating the perfect balance between firmness and comfort. Add to this a generous 60 cm width, which provides shoulder support and prevents you from slouching.
Let yourself be convinced by one Casper user’s opinion: “I’ve always tried an awkward combination of pillows to sit on in bed, but ended up frustrated, with pain due to lack of support. Then came this Casper pillow. I can now sit comfortably for my activities without pain or discomfort.”
In fact, this pillow is so comfortable that another user even uses it to sleep: “I bought this pillow after a back injury, realizing that I’d have to work from bed while recovering. It’s the perfect hybrid of sturdiness and softness. It gives me all the support I need for my lower back, while making me feel like I’m on cloud nine.”
Data sheet:
- Materials: Spandex and viscoelastic polyurethane foam, polyester fiber, knitted mesh lining
- Dimensions: 60 cm (W) x 13 cm (D) x 60 cm (H)
- Care: Avoid the washing machine. Prefer hand-washing or vacuuming, treating stains. For hand washing, immerse the pillow in a solution of water and detergent, allowing the liquid to penetrate completely.
5. Best wedge: Forias Cushion Wedge
After discovering that this pillow had garnered over 2,400 glowing five-star reviews on Amazon, we had to understand the craze. What makes it unique is its two-layer design: a top layer of premium memory foam that adapts to the contours of your body to keep your head, neck and back properly aligned, and a base of high-density medical-grade foam that offers just the right balance of firmness and support.
This makes it ideal not only for reading and sitting comfortably, but also for improving circulation and reducing swelling as a sleep pillow.
An Amazon user shares his experience: “Sleeping flat or on my side caused so much pain in my hips, shoulders and knees…. I went to bed with two of these pillows, one to elevate my body and the other to support my knees. I slept for 10 hours, and my husband even checked my pulse because my sleep seemed so peaceful!”
The pillow features a non-slip bottom to keep it securely in place on the bed or sofa, two practical side pockets for remote controls or other small items, and a handle for easy transport from room to room.
As described by another user: “This pillow helps me to comfortably elevate my upper body, and I no longer have the neck and back pain I used to feel with a stack of conventional pillows.
It’s firm without being too hard, and I like being able to straighten it to use it as a backrest for reading or watching TV. The side pockets are also very practical for storing the remote control without disturbing my sleep.”
Data sheet:
- Materials: Memory foam, high-density foam, soft knitted polyester cover
- Dimensions: 63 cm (L) x 60 cm (W) x 30 cm (H)
- Care: Remove cover and machine wash cold. Machine dry on gentle cycle.
