Bolster pillows are round, cylinder-shaped pillows that sit against the arm of a sofa, the end of a chaise or the back of a daybed. Outdoors they need the same things as any pillow: fabric that handles sun and damp, and fill that dries. Many are sold as covers or inserts only, so check what the listing includes.
We compared outdoor bolsters on size, fabric, fill, cover design and care, and noted where a listing sells covers or inserts only. For flat rectangular pillows, see Best Outdoor Lumbar Pillows, or browse the Outdoor Cushions category.
Our Top Picks
| Pick | Product |
|---|---|
| Best Overall | Cushion Source Sunbrella Bolster Pillow |
| Best for Filled Pair | Resort Spa Home Decor Neck Roll Pillows Set of 2 |
| Best for Washable Covers | Austin Horn Classics Sunbrella Bolster Covers |
| Best for Corded Edge | Sherry Kline Sunrise Neck Bolster Pillows |
| Best Value | Prolinemax Outdoor Bolster Pillow Insert |
| Best for Insert Pair | Hofdeco Bolster Pillow Inserts Set of 2 |
Pros
- Sunbrella fabric
- Made in the USA
- Many colors
Cons
- Fill type not stated
- Sold singly
- Spot clean only
Cushion Source makes this 20 by 6 inch bolster in Sunbrella fabric, which the maker describes as fade, stain and water resistant. Cushion Source says it has made pillows in the USA since 2004 and offers a wide range of Sunbrella colors and patterns. Care is spot cleaning with mild soap and water. The listing does not name the fill.
Amazon rating: not available in our product data.
Pros
- Pair of filled pillows
- Made in the USA
- Several patterns
Cons
- Sewn closed, no removable cover
- Polyester fades sooner than acrylic
- Store in harsh weather, per maker
Resort Spa Home Decor (RSH Decor) sells a set of two 20 by 6 inch neck rolls in 100% spun polyester that the maker describes as water, UV and fade resistant. They are filled with hypoallergenic polyester fiberfill and sewn closed. RSH Decor makes them in South Carolina and advises spot cleaning and storing or covering them in long spells of harsh weather.
Amazon rating: not available in our product data.
Pros
- Sunbrella acrylic
- Machine washable
- Zippered
Cons
- Covers only
- Shorter 18 inch length
- Inserts cost extra
Austin Horn Classics sells this set as two zippered 18 by 6 inch covers in Sunbrella jacquard solution-dyed acrylic, which the maker says is PFAS-free and bleach cleanable. The covers can be machine washed cold on a delicate cycle and hung to dry. Inserts are sold separately.
Amazon rating: not available in our product data.
A pair of filled neck bolsters in woven polyester jacquard with a corded edge. Sherry Kline lists them as water resistant and recommends spot cleaning.
Amazon rating: not available in our product data.
An insert only, made slightly oversized at 26 by 8 inches after expanding so it fills a 24 by 6 inch cover. Allow up to 48 hours to expand.
Amazon rating: not available in our product data.
Two inserts sized to fill 6 by 20 inch covers, with a water-resistant polyester shell and synthetic down alternative fill.
Amazon rating: not available in our product data.
All Products Compared
| Product | Best For | Size | Fabric | Fill | Included |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cushion Source Sunbrella Bolster Pillow | Best Overall | 20 x 6 in | Sunbrella | Not stated | 1 pillow |
| Resort Spa Home Decor Neck Roll Pillows Set of 2 | Best Filled Pair | 20 x 6 in | Spun polyester | Polyester fiberfill | 2 filled pillows |
| Austin Horn Classics Sunbrella Bolster Covers | Best Washable Covers | 18 x 6 in | Sunbrella jacquard acrylic | Covers only | 2 covers |
| Sherry Kline Sunrise Neck Bolster Pillows | Best Corded Edge | Not stated | Spun polyester jacquard | Polyester fiber | 2 filled pillows |
| Prolinemax Outdoor Bolster Pillow Insert | Best Long Insert | 24 x 6 in cover fit | Polyester shell | Polyester fiberfill | 1 insert |
| Hofdeco Bolster Pillow Inserts Set of 2 | Best Insert Pair | 7 x 22 in (fits 6 x 20 covers) | Water-resistant polyester | Synthetic down alternative | 2 inserts |
Top 3 Outdoor Bolster Pillows Reviewed
#1 Cushion Source Sunbrella Bolster Pillow: Best Overall
Why We Picked It
Cushion Source makes this 20 by 6 inch bolster in Sunbrella fabric, which the maker describes as fade, stain and water resistant. Cushion Source says it has made pillows in the USA since 2004 and offers a wide range of Sunbrella colors and patterns. Care is spot cleaning with mild soap and water. The listing does not name the fill.
Key Specifications
- Amazon rating: not available in our product data
- Size: 20 x 6 inches
- Fabric: Sunbrella
- Care: spot clean with mild soap and water (maker)
- Made in: USA (maker)
- Fill: not stated in listing
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Sunbrella fabric | Fill type not stated |
| Made in the USA | Sold singly |
| Many colors | Spot clean only |
Best For
Sunny patios where fading is the main concern.
Who Should Skip It
Shoppers who want a machine-washable cover.
Verdict
A US-made Sunbrella bolster in the most common size.
Cushion Source Sunbrella Bolster Pillow
#2 Resort Spa Home Decor Neck Roll Pillows Set of 2: Best Filled Pair
Why We Picked It
Resort Spa Home Decor (RSH Decor) sells a set of two 20 by 6 inch neck rolls in 100% spun polyester that the maker describes as water, UV and fade resistant. They are filled with hypoallergenic polyester fiberfill and sewn closed. RSH Decor makes them in South Carolina and advises spot cleaning and storing or covering them in long spells of harsh weather.
Key Specifications
- Amazon rating: not available in our product data
- Size: 20 x 6 inches each
- Pack: 2
- Fabric: 100% spun polyester
- Fill: polyester fiberfill, sewn closed
- Made in: USA (maker)
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Pair of filled pillows | Sewn closed, no removable cover |
| Made in the USA | Polyester fades sooner than acrylic |
| Several patterns | Store in harsh weather, per maker |
Best For
Matching both ends of a sofa or daybed.
Who Should Skip It
Owners who want to wash covers in a machine.
Verdict
A ready-to-use, US-made pair in polyester.
Resort Spa Home Decor Neck Roll Pillows Set of 2
#3 Austin Horn Classics Sunbrella Bolster Covers: Best Washable Covers
Why We Picked It
Austin Horn Classics sells this set as two zippered 18 by 6 inch covers in Sunbrella jacquard solution-dyed acrylic, which the maker says is PFAS-free and bleach cleanable. The covers can be machine washed cold on a delicate cycle and hung to dry. Inserts are sold separately.
Key Specifications
- Amazon rating: not available in our product data
- Size: 18 x 6 inches
- Pack: 2 covers
- Fabric: Sunbrella jacquard, solution-dyed acrylic, PFAS-free (maker)
- Care: machine wash cold, delicate, hang dry (maker)
- Inserts: sold separately
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Sunbrella acrylic | Covers only |
| Machine washable | Shorter 18 inch length |
| Zippered | Inserts cost extra |
Best For
Refreshing existing bolster inserts with new Sunbrella covers.
Who Should Skip It
Anyone who wants filled pillows out of the box.
Verdict
The easiest bolsters here to keep clean.
Austin Horn Classics Sunbrella Bolster Covers
Also on Our List
- Sherry Kline Sunrise Neck Bolster Pillows (Best Corded Edge): A pair of filled neck bolsters in woven polyester jacquard with a corded edge. Sherry Kline lists them as water resistant and recommends spot cleaning.
- Prolinemax Outdoor Bolster Pillow Insert (Best Long Insert): An insert only, made slightly oversized at 26 by 8 inches after expanding so it fills a 24 by 6 inch cover. Allow up to 48 hours to expand.
- Hofdeco Bolster Pillow Inserts Set of 2 (Best Insert Pair): Two inserts sized to fill 6 by 20 inch covers, with a water-resistant polyester shell and synthetic down alternative fill.
How to Choose an Outdoor Bolster Pillow
Filled Pillow, Cover or Insert
Filled pillows are ready to use. Covers let you change colors or wash the fabric, and you add your own insert. When buying an insert, choose one sized to the cover the maker names, since inserts are often cut slightly larger to fill the ends.
Fabric
Solution-dyed acrylic such as Sunbrella holds color longest in sun. Spun polyester costs less but fades sooner. Check whether the cover zips off if you want to wash it.
Size
Bolster lengths and diameters vary between listings. Measure the seat or arm where it will sit, then compare that with each listing's stated size.
How We Evaluate Outdoor Bolster Pillows
For this guide we compared outdoor bolster pillows, covers and inserts on size, fabric, fill, cover design and care. We read each maker's specifications and left out bolsters sold only for indoor bedding. Most listings had no rating data in our product feed, so ratings did not decide the order. We did not handle these pillows ourselves, every figure comes from the maker's listing, and we never repeat a waterproof or fade claim as our own.
Variants of one listing count as a single product, and we would rather list a few strong picks than pad the list. Our full process is on the How We Review page.
FAQ
What is the difference between a bolster and a lumbar pillow?
A bolster is round and tube-shaped. A lumbar pillow is flat and rectangular. Both support the lower back or neck.
Can outdoor bolster pillows stay outside?
Most makers advise bringing pillows in or covering them in heavy rain and long periods of harsh weather.
What size insert do I need?
Use the size the cover maker recommends. Inserts are usually slightly larger than the cover so the ends look full.
Final Verdict
Cushion Source's Sunbrella bolster is our top pick for its fabric and US manufacture. RSH Decor offers a filled, US-made pair in polyester, and Austin Horn Classics sells machine-washable Sunbrella covers.
Sherry Kline adds a corded edge, while Prolinemax and Hofdeco sell inserts for covers you already own.
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