Whether you're still at home or back at the office, these chairs will help make your work day more comfortable
By Natalli Amato
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June 14, 2022
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With nearly 65 million American adults dealing with back pain, it’s only logical that designers are making furniture more in tune with our bodies, especially office furniture. Those with desk jobs often spend the majority of a given workday in a sedentary, sitting position, which can exacerbate existing back pain. Making a choice as simple as deciding to swap out our existing office chair for an ergonomic model can help make you significantly more comfortable throughout the day.
What Are the Best Office Chairs for Back Pain?
The best office chairs for back pain are ergonomic chairs with built-in lumbar support. The lumbar region, also known as your lower back, needs support between the chair and the natural inward curve of your spine. Having this support helps you maintain a good and healthy posture. Without lumbar support, the natural tendency is to either slouch or lean forward, and the muscles in your back have to work even harder to support your spine’s correct alignment, which tires them out.
When you’re shopping for the best office chairs to help relieve back pain, lumbar support is important because it takes this responsibility and pressure off of your lower back muscles.
Some desk chairs for back pain also have ergonomic support built-in for your head, neck and arms. These chairs are taller and have full back support. Depending on the size and nature of your office, such chairs can be the perfect fit. However, if you are tight on space or prefer a sleeker aesthetic, there are also mid-back height office chairs for back pain that offer top-quality support in a more compact design.
The ability to recline is also a useful feature on some desk chairs for back pain. Reclining at a slight angle can sometimes be more comfortable and make the chair feel more natural to sit in. Still, you want the reclining chair to support the natural curve of your back — not leave you hunched over or in a sleeping position.
We’ve rounded up four of the best office chairs for back pain that are sure to meet the individual needs of your back — and your office.
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.
Buy Gabrylly Ergonomic Mesh Office Chair $229.07
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.
Buy Ticova Ergonomic Office Chair $299.99
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.
Buy FelixKing Ergonomic Desk Chair $149.99
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.