Suffering from back pain? Want to improve your posture? Or feeling restless when working? The best back supports for office chairs are on hand to help.
Did you know that a study from the Office for National Statistics found that as many as 46.6% of people in employment in the UK did some work at home in April 2020? Fast forward more than a year on and homeworking patterns have changed forever.
It's no wonder that you're looking to find ways to make your home office space more comfortable, and a good back support for your office chair ought to do it.
You've already invested in the best home office desk, but as you've got into the swing of working from your house, you might have also experienced back pain. This isn't surprising, considering we're moving around less.
However, it's not all doom and gloom as there are incredible products available that will give your body the support it needs, like back supports for office chairs.
Do I need back support on an office chair?
According to Spine Health, "The lower portion of the spine, just above the buttocks, naturally curves inward toward the belly (the lordotic curve). Lumbar back support helps promote good posture by simply filling in the gap between the lumbar spine and the seat, supporting the natural inward curve of the lower back."
It goes on to add, "Without lumbar back support, it's more difficult to maintain the correct posture - and the lumbar spine and large muscles in the lower back have to work harder to support the proper curvature and alignment."
If you want to ensure that the muscles around your spine continue to remain strong and healthy overtime, then this is a brilliant investment.
This leads us nicely on to our next question...
How to choose the best back support for office chairs?
OK, so you're committed to improving your posture and you want to ensure that your muscles don't become weak. Now what? Well, you choose the best back support for you.
That said, there are loads of different options. Here is a break down of some of the types available:
Memory foam cushion: This is the most common type of back support out there. A memory foam cushion is fantastic because it moulds to your body using heat and pressure. Once you move from this cushion, it will return to its original design. Amazing!
Mesh lumbar support: Searching for a firmer option? Mesh lumber supports are usually more budget-friendly than other options, and they're easy to install.
Seat cushion: Usually combined with lumbar support, a seat cushion is beneficial because it helps to relieve pressure from your hips, tailbone or coccyx.
All of the back supports in this guide have been hand-selected by What's The Best shopping experts. Our team has spent hours investigating and researching back supports for office chairs, so you can choose the best one. We'd never recommend a product we don't believe in. Find out why you should trust us here.
All that's left to do is decide which back support for an office chair is best for you.
Best back support for office chair
1 of 8Everlasting Comfort Lumbar Support Pillow
Everlasting Comfort by name, everlasting comfort by nature. If you're looking for a memory foam lumbar cushion for your home office get-up, then you've found it. We love that this can also be used in the car for any road trips. Dimensions: 34 x 32 x 10.4cm Material: Memory foamWeight: 726gVerdict: This chair support has almost 17,000 reviews on Amazon for a reason. From the moment you secure it on to the back of the chair, you'll feel the results. One reviewer claimed, "The Pure memory foam along with the cushion which I had purchased already have made a huge difference, to the point where my body has now been able to heal the inflammation and pain that I had in my pelvic and hip areas." Truly phenomenal.
£29.99
- Rrp: £32.99
2 of 8Mesh Back Support
From one incredible product to another, this mesh back support is guaranteed to tick all your boxes when it comes to comfort. It boasts remarkable features like the ergonomic design, which is built to contour your body. It's also been created with breathable materials that will keep the air flowing.Dimensions: 40 x 30.5 x 13.5cmMaterial: Breathable fabricWeight: 270g**Verdict:**You heard it here first - we adore it! The frame is strong and firm, as a result, it provides a massage effect on your back. What's not to like?
3 of 8Supportiback® Posture Therapy Lumbar Support Cushion
Did you know that every movement you make while tapping away at your keyboard can affect your back health? Whether you knew that or not doesn't matter, what does matter is that Supportiback® used this knowledge to create a product that moves with you.Dimensions: 33 x 9 x 31cmMaterial: Memory foamWeight: N/A**Verdict:**There are so many incredible features to this posture support that we could spend all day listing them. All you need to know is that if you're suffering from back problems, this is a great purchase.
£19.97
4 of 8Lumbar Car Back Support Cushion
Back support covers more than just your home desk, right? If you're looking for a lumbar support cushion that will accompany you on the journey of life, you're looking at it. Dimensions: 37 x 29 x 10cmMaterial: Luxury leather-look materialWeight: N/A**Verdict:**Although this is plugged as a car seat cushion, this can also be used in conjunction with your office chair. If you suffer from neck and shoulder pain, this might not be the option for you.
5 of 8Feagar Lumbar Pillow
Available with either memory foam or gel with memory foam, this lumbar pillow is recommended for support on your upper, middle, or lower back. Dimensions: 44 x 34 x 13cmMaterial: Memory foamWeight: 539.8g approx. Verdict: Again, this is another pillow that can easily be transferred between any seat (and not just for your office chair). This isn't the firmest option on this list, but it makes up for it in comfort.
£34.97
6 of 8Coccyx Seat Cushion & Lumbar Support Pillow
Take care of your body with the seat and lumbar support cushion. If you suffer from any tailbone injuries, aches or pains, this duo will help to alleviate any pressure on your body.Dimensions: Seat - 47 x 37 x 9cmLumbar support - 81 x 86 x 30cmMaterial: Memory foamWeight: 1500gVerdict: The U-shaped ergonomic design is what is going to help improve bad posture and pain here. However, this isn't the most comfortable option on this list, and it might be better for use in shorter durations.
7 of 8HOMEDICS Shiatsu SBM-179H-3GB Back and Shoulder Massage Seat
Holding a lot of tension while you work? Put on some calming music and take a break with this HOMEDICS Shiatsu SBM-179H-3GB Back and Shoulder Massage Seat. Again, not your conventional back support, but it assists with stiff neck problems, relieves pain from sore muscles and more. Dimensions: 64.7 x 42 x 12cmMaterial: N/AWeight: 3540gVerdict: Who wouldn't want to help reduce their stress levels with a nice relaxing Shiatsu massage? Yes, it's not a purchase that you'll use every second of your working week, but it will help to ease any lower back pain nevertheless.
8 of 8Ludlow Back Support Cushion with Filling
OK, so this isn't exactly an office cushion per se, but if you're working from your couch or an armchair right now, then you need support, too. Dimensions: 59.69cm H x 68.58cm W x 10.16cm DMaterial: Filling - 100% polyester.Weight: N/AVerdict: This is a lovely back support pillow for an armchair, but not the best option for an office chair. If this works for you, great - there are six colours to choose from.
FAQs:
Are office chairs good for your back?
Office chairs are good for your back as long as you buy the right one. When choosing an office chair, take into consideration that you'll be sitting on it for hours at a time, so comfort and design are key. Plus, you need to ensure that the chair provides sufficient lumbar support.
What is lumbar support?
That leads us nicely on to what is lumbar support - in a nutshell, this is just another way to phrase supporting the lower back. If you experience discomfort in your lower back, this type of structure can do wonders. Try it out for yourself and see.
Where should lumbar support go on office chair?
According to Manutan, industrial supplies and office equipment specialist, "The lumbar support in an office chair should fit flush against the lower portion of the back (where the lumbar is); so it will be located just towards the bottom of the back support on the chair."
You've got all the information you need now to continue to work from home without the burden of aches and pains - marvellous!
What to read next:
Lily Anderson is a writer at Bauer Media, where she reviews products for titles such as Heat, Closer, What's The Best and Mother&Baby.
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