5 of the Best Office Chairs for Lower Back Pain in 2024

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By

Evan Shephard Avatar

Reviewed By

Evan Shephard
Updated Apr 26, 2024 1:30 PM
best office chair back pain guide that shows the top best office chair model

A whopping 75% of electronic and appliance reviews are untrustworthy. That’s why every reviewer gets a Trust Rating so our True Score System filters out the fake reviews. See how we do it.

When searching for the best office chair to alleviate back pain, you need one that offers excellent lumbar support and high adjustability. Features like adjustable seat height, armrests, and back tilt help tailor the chair to your specific needs, promoting better posture and reducing strain on your lower back. Chairs with high-density foam and breathable materials provide lasting comfort during long work hours​​​​.

In our guide, five office chairs made the cut from over 30 models analyzed. While we would have preferred to include extensive testing data, there were simply not enough reviewers who actually tested the office chairs. Despite this, our selection process for the best office chairs remains rigorous as we analysed 69,269 reviews and found that 91% of experts failed to provide trustworthy insights. Our approach relies on the True Score and Trust Rating systems, ensuring only the most reliable and effective products are featured. Each winning chair offers outstanding support and adjustability.

How Did We Rank the Best Office Chairs of Lower Back Pain?

To craft the ultimate buying guide for office chairs that alleviate back pain, we faced a challenge: a lack of sufficient reviewers who actually tested the office chairs. To address this, we scrutinized over 200 websites, analyzed varied testing methods, dissected customer reviews, and consulted expert opinions. Our True Score and Trust Rating systems allowed us to focus on the most critical factors. We identified one must-have feature. This thorough vetting process ensures our recommendations provide the best support and comfort, even in the absence of comprehensive hands-on testing. When you shop through our links, you’re backing our mission. Dive deeper to see how.

?️ Minimum Specifications

  • Lumbar support must be adjustable or self-adjusting

Latest Updates

  • 04/26/2024: Republished the list to include the best office chairs for lower back pain based on our True Score system.

Top Office Chairs for Lower Back Pain For 2024

Prices accurate at the time of publishing

See how we test the testers

To qualify for our selection, an office chair must have lumbar support that is either adjustable or self-adjusting. If a chair fails to meet these criteria, it won’t be featured in our guide.

  • Runner Up

    Best Value

    Best Budget

    gr recommended award

    Best Mid-Range

    Herman Miller Mirra 2

    The Herman Miller Mirra 2 is a fantastic premium chair for average-height, heavy professionals and students with lower back pain. It offers adjustable ergonomic support and durable build quality for work or educational settings.

    Herman Miller Mirra 2 Review →

    True Score

    92
    94
    4

    Experts

    85
    185

    Customers

    SAVE $427
    $1,026.00
    $599.00
  • Runner Up

    Best Value

    Best Budget

    gr recommended award

    Best Mid-Range

    The Branch Verve

    The Branch Verve is a mid-range option of excellent value for average-sized people with lower back pain, providing ergonomic features and adjustability for good posture and comfort for long hours.

    The Branch Verve Review →

    True Score

    91
    93
    3

    Experts

    86
    55

    Customers

    $589.00
  • Runner Up

    Best Value

    Best Budget

    gr recommended award

    Best Mid-Range

    MCQ Ergonomic

    The MCQ Ergonomic Chair is an affordable, fixed chair for tall users with lower back pain in home offices and educational environments. Its adjustable lumbar support and recline feature enhance comfort.

    MCQ Ergonomic Review →

    True Score

    82
    81
    0

    Experts

    83
    85

    Customers

    $149.99
  • Runner Up

    Best Value

    Best Budget

    gr recommended award

    Best Mid-Range

    Herman Miller Embody

    For short to average-height individuals with lower back pain, the Herman Miller Embody is a superb premium chair that blends ergonomic features and durability, making it ideal for demanding work environments.

    Herman Miller Embody Review →

    True Score

    79
    78
    4

    Experts

    85
    459

    Customers

    $1,199.00
  • Runner Up

    Best Value

    Best Budget

    gr recommended award

    Best Mid-Range

    Hon Ignition 2.0

    The Hon Ignition 2.0 suits tall, heavy people with lower back pain who work long hours by providing extensive adjustability and lumbar support at a mid-range price.

    Hon Ignition 2.0 Review →

    True Score

    72
    69
    5

    Experts

    83
    2k

    Customers

    SAVE $212
    $637.00
    $425.23

Our Trusted Data Sources

We looked at 95+ office chairs reviewers and while 9 are trustworthy (60%+ Trust Rating), we only use data from the testers that are “very trusted” which means a Trust Rating above 70%. The three we have listed below are our most trusted for office chairs.

  1. Jenny McGraths – Business Insider, MuckRack, Twitter
  2. Benjamin Hickok – TechGearLab
  3. Ciprian Adrian Rusen – Digital Citizen, LinkedIn

Interested in a comprehensive analysis of our data sources? We’ve got you covered. Below, you’ll find a detailed list of every office chair review website we’ve identified, organized by their respective Trust Ratings from highest to lowest. But we didn’t stop there. We’ve meticulously reviewed each publication and verified the data by checking whether the authors have bio links to MuckRack or LinkedIn. We’re committed to not only checking the facts but ensuring their veracity.

Office Chair Spec Data

Identifying the best office chairs for back pain often relies on comprehensive testing data to guide your purchase decisions. However, there are times when such data is limited or nonexistent. This was the case with our search for the best office chairs for back pain. To overcome this challenge, we relied on our True Score system, which evaluates products based on critical criteria, to identify the top options. Alongside this, we included useful spec data to help inform your decisions. By focusing on these factors, we ensure you receive the best possible recommendations for alleviating back pain, even in the absence of extensive testing data.

1. Weight Limit Spec Data

Manufacturers commonly provide a weight limit specification that lets you know the weight the chair will support before parts start breaking or it becomes unsafe to sit in the chair.

Higher weight limits usually reflect a more expensive chair, as more material (or stronger material) is used to improve the weight limit of the chair. For example, different pistons, or chair legs that are made of metal instead of plastic.

Weight Limit (in pounds; higher is better)

2. Seat Width Spec Data

Seat width is a manufacturer-provided measurement that indicates how wide the actual seat of the chair is.

Width is largely preferential, with the best seat width being the one that best suits your body. Buying a chair with an extremely wide seat might be uncomfortable or odd if you have a narrow frame, while extremely narrow seats are uncomfortable or impossible to sit in if you’re wide.

Seat Width (in inches)

3. Backrest Height Spec Data

Backrest height is a manufacturer-supplied specification, and, as the name implies, indicates how tall the backrest on a chair is.

Much like seat width, the backrest height on a chair should match your body, meaning there’s no “ideal” size. If you have a long torso, a taller back is better, but if you’re on the short side, a shorter back is better.

Max Seat Height (in inches)

Best Office Chairs for Lower Back Pain: Mistakes To Avoid

  1. Neglecting Ergonomic Design: Choosing a chair without considering its ergonomic features can exacerbate lower back pain. Look for chairs with adjustable lumbar support, seat depth, and backrest angle to ensure proper alignment and support for your lower back. Additionally, select a model that offers adjustable seat height and tilt to aid in office chair leg circulation to maintain blood flow and prevent discomfort during long periods of sitting.

  2. Ignoring Adjustability: Chairs with limited adjustability may not accommodate your specific needs and preferences. Ensure the chair offers multiple adjustment options for seat height, armrests, and lumbar support to customize your sitting experience. Additionally, knowing how to sit correctly in an office chair is crucial, as proper positioning ensures ergonomic alignment and comfort throughout the day.

  3. Sacrificing Quality for Price: Opting for a cheap chair without considering its build quality and materials may result in insufficient support and discomfort. Invest in a high-quality chair made from durable materials that can provide long-term relief for your lower back pain. For those looking for a mid-range option, the best office chair under $500 proves that you do not need to compromise on quality, offering ergonomic features and sturdy construction that can greatly enhance your comfort and productivity without breaking the bank.

  4. Disregarding Comfort: Prioritizing style over comfort may lead to dissatisfaction and increased pain. Look for chairs with ample padding and breathable upholstery to ensure comfort during extended periods of sitting. Additionally, enhancing your seating arrangement with the best office chair cushions can provide extra support and improve posture, further alleviating discomfort during long hours at your desk.

The Best Office Chairs for Lower Back Pain Tests & Specs Compared

Product
True Score
Maximum Recline (Degrees)
Minimum Seat Height (inches)
Maximum Seat Height (inches)
Backrest Height
Seat Depth
Seat Width
Lumbar Suppot
Adjustable Armrests
92
  • 0

  • 0

  • No Data”

  • 22.91″

  • 21.5″

  • 16.5 – 18.5″

  • Adjustable

  • Yes

$599.00
$1,026
$427

The Branch Verve

  • Best for Short People

91
  • 0

  • 0

  • No Data”

  • n/a

  • 16.5″

  • 16.75-19″

  • Yes

  • Yes

$589.00
82
  • 24.4″

  • 19.68″

  • 23.81″

  • Adjustable

  • Fixed

$149.99

Herman Miller Embody

  • Best for Streamers

79
  • 0

  • 0

  • No Data”

  • 24″

  • 21.5″

  • 15 – 18″

  • Adjustable

  • Yes

$1,199.00

Hon Ignition 2.0

  • Best for Under $500

72
  • 0

  • 0

  • No Data”

  • 24.25″

  • 20″

  • 16.75-19″

  • Yes

  • Yes

$425.23
$637
$212

Office Chair for Lower Back Pain Questions (FAQ)

Can office chairs help alleviate lower back pain?

Yes, ergonomic office chairs designed specifically for lower back pain can provide support and relief by promoting proper posture and reducing strain on the lower back muscles.

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