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The Best Office Chair for Back Pain: Our Top Picks

Written By Vladana Donevski

Updated: February 6, 2024

Did you know that having a good chair is one of the best ways to prevent back pain? A chair that supports your spine and keeps your body in alignment can help you stay healthy and pain-free.

But not all chairs are created equal. In fact, many people choose chairs that contribute to their back pain. If you’re looking for a new chair, or if you’re trying to figure out which one is the best office chair for back pain, here are our picks to help you find the right fit.

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Admiral by Realm of Thrones

Admiral by Realm of Thrones

Our Rating
  • Maximum weight recommendation: 300 pounds
  • Supreme 5D rotary armrests
  • Super adjustable
Herman Miller Aeron Ergonomic Chair

Herman Miller Aeron Ergonomic Chair

Our Rating
  • Made of recycled materials
  • Multiple sizes available
  • Extremely adjustable
X Chair X4 Leather Executive Chair

X Chair X4 Leather Executive Chair

Our Rating
  • Dynamic lumbar support
  • Adjustable seat and headrest height
  • Leather material
FelixKing Ergonomic Desk Chair

FelixKing Ergonomic Desk Chair

Our Rating
  • Ergonomic back shape
  • Comfortable seat cushion
  • Adjustable waist support
Homall Gaming Chair

Homall Gaming Chair

Our Rating
  • Full length of back support
  • Headrest pillow and lumbar cushion
  • Sturdy base
Sayl Work Chair

Sayl Work Chair

Our Rating
  • Up to 90% recyclable
  • 12-year warranty
  • No assembly required

It’s Not All About the Chair – It’s Also About How You Sit in It

 It’s Not All About the Chair – It’s Also About How You Sit in It

Are there other ways to alleviate back pain if you cannot avoid sitting all day? First, sitting in a lumbar support office chair properly is one of the best ways to prevent back pain. Here are a few tips:

  1. Make sure chair height is adjusted so that your feet are flat on the ground and your thighs are parallel to the ground. This will help keep your spine in a neutral position.
  2. If the chair is too high, use a footrest to keep your feet flat on the ground.
  3. If the chair is too low, try using a pillow or towel to prop up your hips and thighs so they are parallel to the ground.
  4. Adjusting lumbar support on your chair can also help maintain a neutral spine position and prevent pain.
  5. If your chair does not have lumbar support, try placing a small pillow or towel behind your lower back for added support.

Finally, be sure to take breaks often to walk around and stretch your body. This will help to keep your muscles from getting too tense and will also increase blood flow to your spine.

Following these tips can prevent back pain while sitting in an office chair. If you have already splurged on what you consider the best office desk chair for lower back pain, but still experience back pain, be sure to consult a doctor or physical therapist to find out what other treatments may be helpful.

How We Looked for the Best Chair for Back Pain

If you’re looking for an office chair to help ease back pain, you should keep a few things in mind.

First, adjustability is key: You’ll want to be able to adjust the height of the chair, as well as the lumbar support. Second, the fabric of the chair is important for comfort: Look for a breathable fabric that will allow you to stay comfortable even if you’re sitting for long periods of time. Finally, the cost is a consideration; however, you shouldn’t sacrifice comfort for a lower price tag.

We made sure all these parameters were in place when we selected chairs with good back support for this review and will now discuss them in more detail.

Adjustability

When looking for an office chair that will help with back pain, it is important to consider how adjustable the chair is. After all, the chair should be comfortable for your body type and shape, so you should make sure that the one you pick can adjust to fit you and support you properly throughout your workday.

What defines good back support in an office chair is the ability to adjust seat height and depth and backrest angle. This can all help find a position that alleviates pressure on the spine. Depending on the position you prefer to work in, you might also want to test the recline and tilt.

Chairs with lumbar support can help take some of the strain off the lower back. Ergonomic chairs designed for people with back pain often have built-in lumbar support and adjustable armrests. However, if you prefer to rest your arms on the desk, you might want to look at armless office chairs instead.

Fabric

Upholstery fabric is also important for those looking for an office chair for back pain. A breathable fabric will allow air to circulate and reduce sweat build-up, while a softer material may provide more cushioning.

Mesh fabric is a popular choice for office chairs as it is both breathable and supportive, but many may agree that it is not as aesthetically pleasing as leather. Therefore, many rely on leather upholstery, providing the user with both comfort and style.

Pricing

Of course, the price of the chair is also an important consideration. For many people, a more expensive chair may be worth the investment if it prevents back pain.

However, there are plenty of high-quality chairs that are good for the back and available at a lower cost. While a more expensive chair may have features that are beneficial for those with back pain, it is not always necessary to spend a lot of money to find relief.

Still, an office chair can prove to be a significant investment, so do your research before making a purchase. Taking into account the factors we discussed in this review can help you find an office chair for a comfortable and productive workday.

Top 5 Office Chairs for Back Pain

  1. Admiral by Realm of Thrones
  2. Herman Miller Aeron Ergonomic Chair
  3. X Chair X4 Leather Executive Chair
  4. FelixKing Ergonomic Desk Chair
  5. Homall Gaming Chair
Top 5 Office Chairs for Back Pain

1.Admiral by Realm of Thrones Review

Our Rating
  • Price: $699.99
  • Fabric: Mesh material
  • Dimensions: 26.77" D x 28.35" W x 53.15" H

The Admiral is not just an office chair good for back pain. As its maker’s name suggests, it is closer to a custom-made throne than your regular chair. While a bit on the pricey side, the chair is fully adjustable in every aspect, making for a great and comfy experience well worth the price.

General Details

The Admiral chair is a perfect solution regardless of your size and shape. With 22 inches of seat cushion and a sturdy steel base supporting weights of up to 300 pounds, it is bound to fit you and provide enough support. It also has an extra large headrest, so you don’t have to chase it around with the back of your head when your neck needs a break.

Adjustability

Its unprecedented adjustability makes the Admiral the best chair for lower back pain. Every aspect can be tweaked to fit and support you as you handle your daily grind.

You can tilt it up to a 136-degree angle and adjust the tilt level using four resistance levels. The seat height can be adjusted by up to 9.5 cm and seat depth by up to 5.5 cm. The backrest is also adjustable, by up to 6 cm.

The chair’s state-of-the-art armrests are probably its most adjustable components. They are 270° rotating and are height and width adjustable to help you maintain a good seating position throughout the day.

Fabric

Unlike some other desk chairs for back pain on our list, the Admiral features a full mesh structure produced by a leading textile maker from Germany. The fabric is extremely durable and breathable for ultimate comfort during those long office hours.

Price

As mentioned before, this chair is a bit on the pricey side when compared to some other chairs on our list. It retails at $699.99 in black, while it is available for $599.99 in other colors.

Key Features

Support:

excellent

Adjustability:

excellent

Comfort:

good

Durability:

good

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2.Herman Miller Aeron Ergonomic Chair Review

Our Rating
  • Price: $1,440+
  • Fabric: Recycled material
  • Dimensions: 18.5" D x 28.2" W x 43" H

Herman Miller is another reputable ergonomic chair manufacturer whose products are among the chairs with the best lumbar support. For 20 years now, the company has been delivering on its promise to support your back while you work.

The Aeron Ergonomic Chair, the most expensive on our list, comes with impressive customization options.

General Details

The Aeron chairs come in three heights ranging from 38.5 inches to 43 inches. Everything else about these chairs is fully customizable, and each of the customization options comes with a price tag. What you get, though, is the perfect chair for you, with only the features you need.

Adjustments

The basic desk chair with back support, without any customizations, offers more than enough support. Its ergonomic design with eight zones of varying tensions will support your back perfectly, and adjustable pads will provide additional lumbar support while you sit.

On top of its integrated features, this chair can be customized with add-ons, including a tilt limiter, set angles, and fully adjustable arms.

Fabric

The chair features “recycled fabric,” which is very durable. You can further customize the material, for example, by adding a leather finish to the armrests.

Price

The most expensive chair on our list of ergonomic chairs for back pain starts at $1,440 for all sizes. You can find detailed pricing for all the add-ons for ultimate comfort throughout your day.

Key Features

Support:

excellent

Adjustability:

fair

Comfort:

excellent

Durability:

excellent

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3.X Chair X4 Leather Executive Chair Review

Our Rating
  • Price: $1,200
  • Fabric: Mesh or leather
  • Dimensions: 32’’ x 26.5’’ x 40’’

The X Chair series currently includes six chair models, each renowned as an excellent solution for sitting long hours and the back pain that comes with it. However, the jury is still out on whether this office chair has good back support. The reviews are mixed: Some are exceptionally thrilled, while others find the chair did not meet their high expectations.

General Details

All X Chairs are similar in size, with an adjustable headrest and height-adjustable backrest. Alterations can be made to the fabric and base material. The weight the chair can support depends on whether it is made of aluminum on nylon.

Adjustments

Each of these work chairs for back pain can help you maintain a good posture, but you can also count on additional features that come with different models. Except for the basic model, all come with four-dimensional arms that move with you and seat depth adjustment. Reclining options include Rock and Lock, 42 degrees, and Sci-Float Infinite Locking.

Fabric

When selecting the model, you can decide if you’d like your new chair to be in leather, flex mesh and fabric combo, or K-Sport performance material. Each of these has its pros and cons, so the selection depends on your preference.

Price

Our list of best computer chairs for back pain shows that proper support for your back comes at a price. The X Chair X4 costs $1,200, but if you don’t need the leather and aluminum, you can pay about $500 less for the X1 version.

Key Features

Support:

good

Adjustability:

good

Comfort:

excellent

Durability:

excellent

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4.FelixKing Ergonomic Desk Chair Review

Our Rating
  • Price: $149.99
  • Fabric: Double-layer mesh
  • Dimensions: 25.2’’ x 25.2’’ x 37.4’’

The FelixKing Ergonomic Desk Chair could solve all your back problems caused by long hours of sitting. Its ergonomic design is crafted to support your spine, and its thick cushion will provide the support you need for extended periods.

General Details

The FelixKing Ergonomic chair is one of the good office chairs for back support that can help ease your back pain without breaking the bank. The S-shaped back encourages the proper body position, and you can count on the armrests to give your arms and hands the much-needed support.

The chair is known for its durability, so it might be an affordable long-term solution for your back pain.

Adjustments

If you are looking for a chair that will allow you to tweak each part to reach the perfect comfort level, the FelixKing might not be the right choice. This ergonomic chair for back pain will allow you only to adjust the overall height and lumbar support by modifying the backrest by up to 1.6 inches. Luckily enough, the curve of its design is often sufficient for most people.

​​Fabric

The FelixKing has two layers of extremely durable and breathable mesh fabric. While not necessarily eye-pleasing, this powerful material will last you a long time and provide the needed comfort regardless of the ambient temperature.

Price

While not the fanciest chair on our list, the FelixKing is certainly the best inexpensive office chair for back pain as it comes with a very reasonable price tag. You can purchase your FelixKing ergonomic desk chair for $149.99, and for an additional $5, you can buy it in black.

Key Features

Support:

excellent

Adjustability:

fair

Comfort:

good

Durability:

excellent

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5.Homall Gaming Chair Review

Our Rating
  • Price: $99.99
  • Fabric: Leather
  • Dimensions: 33.5" D x 20.6" W x 44.8" H

Even though it is originally a gaming chair, the Homall can still serve as an office chair for back pain. Designed for prolonged sitting with comfort, this chair, with its soft cushions and leather seat, could be just the thing you were looking for in a chair.

General Details

The chair’s gaming design provides more than enough comfort. With all the adjustable pillows you can move to create the perfect shape and its stable and robust structure, this is likely the chair that will make sitting in front of a computer as pleasurable as possible.

Adjustments

This chair doesn’t offer as many adjustments as some other chairs on our list created to help you find the best ergonomic office chair for lower back pain. You can adjust the seat height by 3.2 inches and reposition the back angle of the seat from 90 degrees to 160 degrees. You can also move the additional pillows around to build a comfy throne for yourself.

Fabric

Like many gaming chairs, this one is entirely made of leather. While very durable, it is probably not the best choice for warm days. Still, combined with high-density sponge in the seat, it makes for a very comfortable sitting session.

Price

As far as gaming chairs go, the Homall gaming chairs are affordable. It’s the best budget office chair for back pain, as its price starts at $99.99, giving it an excellent price-to-value ratio.

Key Features

Support:

excellent

Adjustability:

fair

Comfort:

good

Durability:

excellent

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6.Sayl Work Chair Review

Our Rating
  • Price: $590.75
  • Fabric: 100% recycled polyester
  • Dimensions: 40.75"H x 24.5"W x 26"D

Another chair from Herman Miller made this list, and for a good reason: These are possibly the best ergonomic chairs you can bring home to help you with your back pain. The Sayl work chair features a recognizable curved design and excellent adaptability, making it a splendid solution for back pain problems.

General Details

Modern design and the 3D technology to help the chair adjust to your movements are just some features this ergonomic office chair for back pain boasts. Another important aspect is that this chair has a low environmental footprint, as up to 90% of it is recyclable. The company also offers a 12-year warranty, which speaks volumes about its durability.

Adjustments

The chair’s adjustments are impeccable. Its 3D technology, promoted as Harmonic Tilt technology, follows your movements and adapts the chair accordingly. You can also adjust the seat height and depth, armrests, and tilt.

Fabric 

The Sayl work chair is made of glass-reinforced nylon and die-cast aluminum, which ensures sturdiness without compromising breathability or comfort. Another thing that makes it the best office chair for your back is the foam seat. It will provide more than enough hours of comfortable sitting, while the 100% recycled polyester seat fabric guarantees excellent durability.

Price

Pricier than some of the other chairs on our list, the Sayl work chair costs $590.75. However, its long guarantee period and durability make it an excellent investment.

Key Features

Support:

excellent

Adjustability:

excellent

Comfort:

excellent

Durability:

excellent

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FAQ

Does lumbar support help?

Lumbar support is a feature that is often found in office chairs. It helps maintain a neutral spine position and prevent pain. Incorrect posture can lead to back pain even if lumbar support is available, so follow tips from this review on how to properly sit in your office chair.

What type of chair is best for sitting for long hours?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the best type of chair for sitting long hours will vary depending on the individual. However, a good office chair with lumbar support should be adjustable to meet your body shape and help maintain a neutral spine position as you work through the day.

Can office chairs help back pain?

Yes, good office chairs can help alleviate back pain. A chair that is adjustable and has lumbar support can help you find a comfortable position. When choosing the best office chair for back pain, make sure to check whether it has enough adjustability options and additional features to help you maintain a proper body position and ease the pressure on your spine.

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