Feeling Back Pain? Try One of These Top-Rated Ergonomic Office Chairs
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Nearly 65 million Americans experience back pain, and some 16 million of those suffer from chronic back pain. A likely culprit? Sitting for eight-plus hours a day at work. But, even if your job demands that you be at a desk all day, there are ways to lessen the stress on your back.
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One way is to get a standing desk (which we highly recommend), but these can be cumbersome and expensive. An easier method of back pain prevention? Investing in an ergonomic office chair.
In recent years, we’ve seen brands making big advances with some of the best office chairs for back pain. If you’ve been sitting on the same chair for years, you might be surprised how well these newer chairs can relieve back pain.
We’ve rounded up some of the best office chairs for back pain below — including budget-friendly chairs and high-end picks — as well as some tips for choosing the best office chair for your workspace.
In This Article
The Best Office Chairs for Back Pain
Office Chair Buying Guide
How We Chose the Best Office Chairs for Back Pain
The Best Office Chairs for Back Pain
In any conversation around the best office chairs for back pain, two brands almost always come up: Herman Miller and Steelcase. Both of these are great, but there are also excellent ergonomic chairs with much more approachable price tags.
Here are the best office chairs for back pain that you can buy online right now:
Best Overall: Herman Miller Aeron
Best Budget Pick: Gabrylly Ergonomic Mesh Office Chair
Best Movement: Steelcase Gesture Office Chair
Customizable: Branch Ergonomic Chair
Best for Lower Back Pain: Varier Variable Balans Kneeling Chair
1. Herman Miller Aeron
Herman Miller is the longstanding king of office chairs, and its rule is justified. The brand’s best-sellers, like this Aeron chair, boast unmatched ergonomic support thanks to physician-developed designs that account for everything from biomechanics to vision. For example, the Aeron features independent flex pads to support your lower spine, comprehensive adjustability, and top-tier pressure distribution. It’s an expensive chair, for sure, but well worth the price if you work at a desk all week.
Herman Miller Aeron Ergonomic Chair
2. Gabrylly Ergonomic Mesh Office Chair
The fancy chairs are worth their price tag, 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 $270 on Amazon), equipped with four ergonomic support points at the head, back, hips, and hands, along with added lumbar support to help reduce and prevent back pain during your work shift. Its mesh seat and backrest also help keep air circulating for more comfort and less sweat.
Buy: Gabrylly Ergonomic Mesh Office Chair $269.50
3. Steelcase Gesture Office Chair
This Steelcase Gesture is another premium office chair that’s worth its price tag. The chair gets its name, “Gesture,” from a feature that allows the seat and back to move in synch as you change positions. This not only encourages more movement throughout your work day, but also keeps your back supported in a wider range of positions. Like many of Steelcase’s chairs, we also think the Gesture is also one of the better-looking office chairs out there.
Buy: Steelcase Gesture Office Chair $1,524.00
4. Branch Ergonomic Chair
Branch’s ergonomic office chair is another great option if you’re shopping on a budget. Despite its relatively affordable price tag, the Branch chair offers excellent support for keeping back pain at bay. The chair’s contoured backrest delivers on its promise of promoting an “active posture,” and lumbar support is firm enough to keep your lower back properly situated. Plus, the brand offers a ton of customization options when you order their chair, including frame and seat color.
Branch Ergonomic Chair
5. Varier Variable Balans Kneeling Chair
If your lower back is still suffering after using a good ergonomic office chair, we suggest trying this Varier kneeling chair. It repositions your pelvis for better spine alignment, engages the core, and takes some pressure off your lower back. It also features curved runners that let you rock slightly, helping us stay in motion throughout the day. Plus, because it’s more minimal, the Varier is less expensive than most fancy ergonomic office chairs.
Varier Original Kneeling Chair
Office Chair Buying Guide
Finding the best office chair for back pain is no easy task. Below are some of the criteria we used when finding the best office chairs for back pain that you’ll want to keep in mind while shopping. Tip: If you’re serious about getting a great office chair to reduce back pain, order a few and test each out for as long as you can within the return window.
Ergonomics: The key to a great office chair is its ergonomics; how well it encourages your body to stay in a healthy, upright position. Look for spinal support at the top, ample lumbar support to keep your lower back straight, and a seat that’s positioned to keep your hips open. Also, go for chairs that take movement into consideration and adapt to different positions throughout the day (like the Steelcase Gesture).
Adjustability: An office chair’s adjustability is key to its ergonomics, as everyone’s body and ideal seating position are slightly different. The more adjustability the better, so in addition to height and recline, look for adjustable armrests, headrests, and seats.
Materials: High-quality padding, covers, and frame materials are another key difference between good and bad office chairs. You’ll typically see mesh, fabric, or faux leather on office chair seats and backs. Mesh is the most popular because it’s cooler, but leather and fabric offer a softer feel (and look better 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 seating positions, and researched what chairs have left long-term users’ backs feeling healthy. We also considered budget, as office chairs can get expensive, and chose options from both the expensive and affordable classes of office chairs.
1. Gabrylly Ergonomic Mesh Office Chair
Equipped with four ergonomic support points at the head, back, hips and hands, along with added lumbar support, this office chair can help reduce and prevent back pain during your work shift. Its mesh seat and backrest help keep air circulating for added comfort. In short, it should feel comfortable enough to sit in for a full eight-hour work day without sweating your, um, back off.
Gabrylly Ergonomic Mesh Office Chair
2. Ticova Ergonomic Office Chair
From its reclining back to its adjustable headrest, this ergonomic office chair makes it easier to find a comfortable sitting position in your office. It also comes with lumbar support and is built with a three-inch seat cushion for a bit of extra comfort if you're glued to your desk most of the day. The cushion also has a W-shaped, waterfall-edge design, which helps provide a larger surface area of support that takes the pressure off of your hips and thighs.
Ticova Ergonomic Office Chair
3. FelixKing Ergonomic Desk Chair
If you're tight on space in your office, a full-back office chair may not be the most practical choice. Luckily, this mid-back desk chair is both ergonomic and compact enough to fit in most office spaces. The chair's adjustable back protects your waist while also providing lumbar support that helps you maintain a relaxed sitting position. We like that you can easily adjust the height of the seat, as well as flip up the armrests when you're not using the chair. Plus, we also love this chair for its thick, sponge-like seat cushion.
FelixKing Ergonomic Desk Chair
4. Komene Ergonomic Home Office Chair
It's no secret that office furniture can be expensive. If you are operating on a budget, consider the Komene mid-back ergonomic home office chair. This chair is wallet-friendly and doesn't sacrifice ergonomic features because of the lower price point. The seat is designed to reflect and support your back's natural curve and also offers lumbar support to alleviate stress from your lower back. You'll also appreciate how easy this chair is to assemble.
Komene Ergonomic Home Office Chair
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