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Nearly 65 million Americans suffer from back pain, and for about 16 million of those who do, it’s chronic. Sitting for more than eight hours a day at work is likely the culprit. But even if your job requires you to sit at a desk all day, there are ways to reduce the stress on your back.
Overview: Best Office Chairs for Back Pain
One way is to get a standing desk (which we highly recommend), but these desks can be cumbersome and expensive. Is there an easier way to prevent back pain? Invest in an ergonomic office chair. In recent years, we’ve seen brands make great strides with some of the best office chairs for back pain. If you’ve been sitting in the same chair for years, you may be surprised at how much these newer chairs can help ease your back pain.
We've rounded up some office chairs for back pain below — including budget chairs and high-end picks — plus some tips for choosing the best office chair for your workspace.
Our Favorite Office Chairs for Back Pain
In any conversation about the best office chairs for back pain, two brands almost always come up: Herman Miller and Steelcase. Both brands are great, but there are also excellent ergonomic chairs with plenty of 4+ star reviews and much more affordable prices that we’ve also included in this guide.
Here are some of the best office chairs for back pain that you can buy online right now:
Editor's Choice
Herman Miller Iron
Herman Miller is the reigning king of office chairs, and rightfully so. The brand’s best-sellers, like this Aeron chair, feature unparalleled ergonomic support thanks to designs developed by doctors that take into account everything from biomechanics to vision. For example, the Aeron features independent, flexible cushions to support your lower spine, comprehensive adjustability, and top-notch pressure distribution. It’s a pricey chair, sure, but it’s worth the price if you work at a desk all week.
Budget friendly
Gabrielli Comfortable Mesh Office Chair
Fancy chairs are worth the price, but you don’t need to spend over $1,000 to get a great office chair for back pain. This chair from Gabrylly is a great budget pick (currently $200 on Amazon), and features four comfortable support points at the head, back, hips, and arms, plus lumbar support to help reduce and prevent back pain during your shift. The mesh seat and backrest also help keep air circulating for added comfort and less sweating.
wide range of motion
Steelcase Gesture Office Chair
This Steelcase Gesture is another premium office chair that’s worth the price. The chair gets its name, “Gesture,” from a feature that allows the seat and back to move in sync as you change positions. Not only does this encourage more movement throughout your workday, it also keeps your back supported in a wider range of positions. Like many of Steelcase’s chairs, we also think the Gesture is one of the best-looking office chairs out there.
best look
Herman Miller Seal Chair
This sleek and smart take on the classic Herman Miller chair comes with some great ergonomic features that will have your back saying “thank you” after a full day’s work. The gorgeous ventilated backrest looks as good as it feels, and serves as this chair’s unique way of providing that sweet spot between support and comfort (not to mention great air circulation). The strings flex easily to provide a free range of motion, and the harmonious tilt supports natural movement when reclining.
Customizable
Comfortable branch chair
The Branch Ergonomic Office Chair is another great option if you’re shopping on a budget. Despite its relatively affordable price, the Branch offers excellent support to keep back pain at bay. The chair’s contoured backrest delivers on its promise of promoting “active posture,” and the lumbar support is firm enough to keep your lower back in proper alignment. Plus, the brand offers great customization options when you order its chair, including frame and seat color.
kneeling chair
Farrier Kneeling Chair
If your lower back is still suffering after using a good ergonomic office chair, we suggest you try the Varier Kneeling Chair. It repositions your pelvis to improve spinal alignment, engages your core, and takes some of the pressure off your lower back. It also features curved tracks that allow you to sway slightly, helping us stay on the move throughout the day. Plus, because it’s more streamlined, the Varier is less expensive than most high-end ergonomic office chairs.
Select minimum
Steelcase Karman Office Chair
Industry leader Steelcase refused to make a mesh office chair for decades—until this Karman chair came along. Instead of regular mesh, the brand created a high-performance fabric called Intermix that provides more support, then paired the Intermix with a flexible frame. And we’re very impressed with the results. The Karman chair is sleek and compact (great for our tiny bedroom desk), but it provides smooth, responsive support whether we’re sitting at attention or leaning on our phones. You also get a great range of colors that go far beyond the average office chair’s palette.
Office Chair Buying Guide
Finding the best office chair for back pain is no easy task. Here are some criteria we used when choosing office chairs for this guide that you may also want to consider while shopping. Tip: If you’re serious about getting a great office chair to reduce back pain, order a few and test each chair for as long as possible within the return period.
Work environmentThe key to a great office chair is ergonomics; how well it encourages your body to maintain a healthy, upright posture. Look for spinal support at the top, enough lumbar support to keep your lower back straight, and a seat that’s positioned to keep your hips open. Also, choose chairs that take movement into account and adapt to different positions throughout the day (like the Steelcase Gesture).
ModificationAdjustability of an office chair is key to ergonomics, as everyone's body and ideal sitting position are slightly different. The more adjustability the better, so in addition to height and tilt, look for armrests, headrests, and adjustable seats.
MaterialsHigh-quality padding, covers, and frame materials are another key differentiator between good and bad office chairs. You’ll typically see mesh, fabric, or faux leather on the seats and backs of office chairs. Mesh is the most common because it’s cooler, but leather and fabric offer a softer feel (and a better look, too).
How We Chose the Best Office Chairs for Back Pain
In our search for the best office chairs for back pain, we tested a range of chairs, read what experts have to say about proper sitting posture, and looked for chairs that left long-term users’ backs feeling good. We also took budget into account, as office chairs can be expensive, and chose options from both the expensive and affordable office chair categories. We also considered the reputation of the brands; how long they’ve been around, how widely they’re rated, and their overall reputation among experts.
