Our Favorite Lumbar Pillows for Back Support

"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."

If you're an office worker, you probably already know that sitting all day, everyday is bad for your general health. Unfortunately, between long hours grinding for a deadline, commuting to work, and relaxing in front of a TV or laptop every evening, it’s easy to fall into a sedentary pattern.

That said, there’s hope for the 80 million Americans who report having an episode of lower back pain every year. Using a lumbar pillow, which attaches to your office chair (or any chair) to support the natural curvature of your back, can help you maintain proper posture and keep you from slouching into back pain during the work day. These pillows are also a great solution if you don't have a standing desk at your disposal.

According to a 2013 study from Chiropractic and Manual Therapies, lumbar support pillows improve objective measures of comfort in healthy individuals with lower back pain. Simply put, it’s one of the cheapest and easiest ways to improve your sitting posture and relieves the painful pressure that can mount after hours of sitting.

With all that said, different lumbar pillows are made for different types of chairs and different types of people. We’ll help you figure out which one will work for you, so you can sit comfortably all day.

More Pillows to Improve Your Life: Best Wedge Pillows • Best Pillows for Side Sleepers • Best Pillows for Neck Pain • Best Backrest Pillows • Best Pillows for All Sleeping Positions

Best Lumbar Pillows

What to Consider When Choosing a Lumbar Pillow

Size and Shape

It can be difficult to tell the difference between lumbar pillows while shopping online. The pillows on Amazon and other retailers can seem extremely similar at first glance. According to ergonomist Olivier Girard, you can check if a lumbar pillow is worth buying at a glance simply by checking its shape.

The best lumbar pillows have “double curvature,” Girard says, which creates a specific shape to help align and support your back. A double-curved pillow curves outward in the middle to properly align your spine, but also curves inward on the edges to fit against the edge of your back for maximum support.

You also consider the size and shape of your back. If you're a larger-framed person, you should probably invest in a firmer pillow with less back curvature, as a soft pillow may not retain its shape and support your body effectively, and a more curved pillow will push against the sides of your torso in an uncomfortable way.

Smaller folks should look for a softer pillow with more of a curve for ideal alignment. Either way, it's important that the convex curve of the pillow against your spine is firm enough for you to feel the pressure; otherwise the pillow isn't doing much at all.

Finally, you should avoid pillows that are unnecessarily large and take up your whole back. A larger pillow won’t necessarily provide extra support, so focus on getting a pillow that’s shaped right to support you, rather than one that provides the most cushioning.

Material

The materials used to make a lumbar pillow can have a surprisingly large effect on how it supports you. Most lumbar pillows are filled with some sort of foam, with memory foam being the most popular option. The thickness, firmness, and durability of the foam differs according to each pillow, and many feature mesh covers to improve breathability and air flow.

As a whole, firmness and comfort are the most difficult aspects of a lumbar pillow to determine without an in-person test. The firmness of each individual pillow varies based on the specific foam used by the manufacturer. That means that you can’t really know how a pillow feels until you try it out for yourself. The good news is that most of these pillows are not very expensive, especially compared to ergonomic chairs.

If you reside in a warm place, you should also look for a pillow with a cover made from lighter, more breathable materials, such as mesh. However, keep in mind that a pillow that is made of mesh will likely be less durable than its foam counterparts.

Our experts particularly warned against pillows that have a high percentage of polyester fill in warm climates, as that material tends to retain heat. Memory foam is a great option for comfort, but may not be suitable for long car trips, as it tends to soften under continuous pressure.

Use case

Though it's tempting to look for a single lumbar pillow to suit every situation, you probably should plan to buy different pillows for every place where you plan to use one regularly, such as your office chair, your car, or one to carry around for commuting.

The posture that you take during an activity will determine what kind of pillow you need. You will likely need a firmer pillow to sit up straight, like in an office chair, but a softer pillow might be more suited if you lean back in your car seat, or on your couch. There are also specialty lumbar pillows made for cars, which tend to feature two straps for maximum safety and stability. That might be annoying to fiddle with in an office environment.

How We Selected The Best Lumbar Pillows

We selected the best lumbar pillows based on the criteria established by the experts we consulted, such as size, shape, durability, and recommended brand names. To identify the individual picks, we looked through dozens of products, reading reviews from users and experts, interviews on ergonomics conducted by fellow journalists, and our own testing in several cases. In creating this guide, we've selected several categories that represent different use cases for lumbar pillows, so regardless of your situation, you should be able to find something that helps you out.

Memory Foam Back Cushion

Everlasting Comfort’s lumbar pillow features a memory foam cushion that provides excellent support, while striking a balance between softness and stiffness. Its double-curved shape fits the model recommended by our experts, and its two-strap configuration holds it firmly in place.

The cushion easily clips on to any chair up to 32-inches wide, and it's also easy to adjust to the perfect spot for your back. When the time comes to wash it, the cover is easy to remove and can be tossed into a cold-water gentle cycle and machine-dried on low heat.

Comfort Lumbar Support Pillow

Saireider’s lumbar pillow has all the key components we look for to provide great back support: It has a double-curved shape, two straps for maximum adjustability, and just the right mix of softness and firmness for the average person. What's more, since it retails for under $20, it offers a ton of value for not a lot of money.

The low price comes with a caveat—some user reviews noted the pillow starts to get very warm quickly, so it may make you sweaty on a hot day. Still, it's a great deal if you're looking for an affordable pillow.

Lumbar Support Pillow

As of this writing, the Samsonite Lumbar Support Pillow is among the top pillows in its category on Amazon, and for good reason. It has the double-curved shape that our experts recommend for general lumbar pillows and it's made of durable memory foam that's particularly firm and suitable for long periods of use, with a mesh cover that allows air to flow through it.

This pillow is large and thick, so it might not be suitable for larger people who want to use it in a vehicle, or smaller people in general. It also has only one strap, which means it may not be fully stable in a car. Still, if you want truly firm support, this is a great option.

Inflatable Lumbar Travel Pillow

Let's be honest: Stiff, heavy lumbar pillows are probably best for your home and work life, but they’re a little cumbersome to bring to the airport. That's where the SmartTravel Inflatable lumbar pillow comes in. One of the highest-rated inflatable lumbar pillows out there, SmartTravel’s lumbar pillow is extremely portable, which makes it great for frequent fliers.

Since you inflate it yourself, you can adjust its size and firmness to whatever feels right. All you have to do is squeeze to inflate it. It's designed for portability first, so it doesn’t have the same precise, contoured shape as our larger, more stationary picks. If you travel a lot, though, it’ll make those long flights a bit more comfortable.

Extra Dense Lumbar Pillow

The Cushion Lab Extra Dense pillow is an especially good choice for anyone with serious pain all along the spine, rather than simply near the lumbar region of the lower back. Our experts suggested that the unique pseudo-horseshoe shape of Cushion Lab pillows works well for people who prefer a firmer pillow that prioritizes total back alignment over cushioning.

It’s worth noting that the pillow is quite large, and may not work well for smaller folks. It’s expensive, but well worth the investment if traditional lumbar pillows don’t provide enough support.

Breathable Lumbar Support

If you live somewhere warm and you're concerned about a hot pillow making you sweat, it may make sense to use a mesh lumbar support, rather than a pillow. Kingphenix's lumbar support frame is one of the best-reviewed on sites like Amazon.

Though it doesn’t have a cushion, it adds our experts’ recommended double-curve-shaped support to any seat, and uses breathable mesh to keep air flowing across your back.

That said, the lack of dense, shape-preserving memory foam means the frame isn’t quite as supportive as our other top picks. Our experts warned that you should look to a proper lumbar pillow for the best, most stable support.

The Original McKenzie Lumbar Roll

Though our experts recommend a double-curved lumbar pillow to support your back while seated, some people may prefer a cylindrical lumbar roll. The McKenzie is easy to set up and adjust, and provides solid support. It’s also far more portable than our double-curved picks, so it’s a solid choice if you want a single pillow that you carry to and from work.

That said, be prepared for it to slide behind you a little throughout the day. Even if you’re compromising a bit on support, though, it will still be a large improvement over a standard seat without any lumbar support.

One last thing: It’s worth noting that the standard pillow is very soft, but OPTP makes an extra-firm version that may be a better fit if you need additional support.

Lumbar Support Pillow

Qutool’s lumbar pillow is perfect if you want extra cushioning for your full chair, not just the lower back. It covers more of your chair than the mid-back lumbar pillows do but doesn’t feel as bulky or obtrusive because it distances your entire back from the chair.

It does not feature a double-curve shape, and the support level is on the softer end, so this pillow is more geared towards comfort than sturdy support, but it does feature a lower back cushion to help you get through the day.

Q+A With Our Experts

RW: Are lumbar pillows a good solution for back pain?

STW: Though lumbar pillows are great for treating short and long-term back pain, they are not a total panacea. Our experts suggest that those who suffer from back pain invest in ergonomic chairs, especially in an office setting. Lumbar pillows are a great option when a fully ergonomic chair is not accessible or feasible, but a chair designed with lumbar support in mind will help more.

Dr. Davis says that lumbar pillows are a wonderful tool for treating back pain, but they shouldn’t be your only solution. If you suffer from back pain, he recommends standing up and walking around every 30 minutes to an hour. He also says that proper stretching can help mitigate the pain, especially before and after a long workday.

RW: How do I clean my lumbar pillow?

STW: Many of the pillows on our list have removable covers that can be washed and cleaned. Most inner pillows, especially those made from memory foam, cannot be washed. Check the washing and care instructions on your pillow to learn how to clean it.

RW: How do I know if my lumbar pillow is right for me?

STW: A lumbar pillow should naturally support the arch of your back while gripping the sides of your back in a steady, stable manner. It's normal to feel a bit of pressure for the first day or two using your pillow, especially if it's on the firmer side. However, if it causes you pain, or seems to slide out of place easily, you may need to invest in a different pillow.

You Might Also Like

• What’s the Deal With Intermittent Fasting for Weight Loss?

• The Best Trail Running Gear

• Is Running on an Empty Stomach Best or Should You Eat Breakfast First?