Finding the a new office chair to eliminate back pain is a quest for many of us office workers. While most office seating companies claim to have lumbar support, they almost always lack in this area.
While you may find other lists on the internet, almost all of them will be built to push you into Amazon products. It’s important to note that most, if not all of these websites, have never tried the chairs they promote. And there lists are full of chairs that will cause more harm than good.
As someone who has sat in hundreds of chairs, I know there is no way you could ever know what chair is excellent or bad without sitting in each first hand. Chairs that offer better lower back support do exist, and today we will take a closer look at the ones we have found to provide the best upper, middle and lower support.
Full Disclaimer: We are an office furniture dealer and sell some of the ergonomic task chairs we review. To learn more about the products we sell, our review process and why you can trust us, please visit: Why we’re different. Who is BTOD.com and The Learning Center?
QUICK LOOK: Top Rated Office Chairs For Lower Back Pain
Ergohuman GEN2 $911.99 (BTOD). The Ergohuman GEN2 chair is our top pick for lower back pain, with impressive adjustable lumbar support. It stays with you even when leaning forward and provides specific targeted support at all times. If you do not like a lot of support it might not be a good option. Full Ergohuman Review…
Eurotech Vera $469.99 (BTOD). The Vera chair, our second-ranked option, offers excellent back support without a separate lumbar system. Its upright backrest positions your body well, providing medium to medium-strong lower support. When leaned slightly forward, it offers excellent lower back support. Full Vera Review…
Humanscale Diffrient $1,545.99 (Amazon). The Humanscale Diffrient Smart chair, ranked third for lower back support, scored 80/100. It offers medium support when seated upright and shines when leaned back, with the backrest pivoting and providing increasing support as you recline from 25 to 100 percent. Full Diffrient Review…
Steelcase Leap $1,298.00 (Steelcase) or $619.00 (BTOD). The Steelcase Leap, tied with the Humanscale Diffrient Smart with a score of 80/100 for lower support. The Leap offers customizable lumbar support with adjustable height and tension settings. It provides medium to medium-strong support and maintains some level of support even in full recline. Full Leap Review…
Humanscale Freedom $1,317.99 (Amazon). Humanscale Freedom, scored 79/100 for lower support. It offers adjustable height and pivoting backrest for consistent medium to medium-strong support. Pairing it with the headrest enhances the reclined working experience. Full Freedom Review…
Herman Miller Aeron $1,805.00 (Herman Miller). Herman Miller Aeron, scored 79/100 for lower support. It offers medium support in the upright position and features a unique forward tilt option. The fluid tilt function maintains consistent support throughout reclining positions. Full Aeron Review…
Herman Miller Cosm $1,995.00 (Herman Miller). If you’re looking for a simple office chair that has amazing back support, the Cosm is likely it. With limited adjustments, this chair was built to provide excellent neck and back pain support. As a bonus, the hammock like floating experience will help you find your flow state. Full Cosm Review…
Eurotech iOO $868.99 (Amazon). The Eurotech iOO chair ranks eighth with a score of 78/100. It provides medium to medium-strong lower support, similar to the Ergohuman series. The height-adjustable lumbar support and consistent support during reclining make it a reliable option. Full iOO Review…
Humanscale Liberty $1,455.99 (Amazon). The Humanscale Liberty chair, scoring 77/100, offers medium to medium-strong lower support when upright. It provides increased support with slight reclining, but lacks significant support beyond 50% recline. Other Humanscale chairs on the list offer better reclined support. Full Liberty Review…
1. Ergohuman GEN2
Starting Price: $911.99 + Free Shipping Where to buy: btod.com
Specifications:
- Overall: 26.18″W x 26.57″D x 44.69-51.18″H
- Seat Size: 20.67″W x 19.69″D
- Seat Height: 17.83″ – 21.38″
- Back: 20.67″W x 27.17-29.92″H
- Weight: 66 lbs.
- Warranty: 300 lbs capacity, components lifetime, upholstery 5 years
- Return Policy: Free returns + no restocking fees
| Pros:
Lifetime warranty on components |
Cons:
Might be too tall for short users |
The highest-ranked chair in our list for lower back pain, the Ergohuman ME7ERG GEN2. Just looking at the design of the lower lumbar region on the ME7ERG GEN2 is impressive. Naturally protruding beyond the upper backrest, the lumbar support system is the first part of the backrest to make contact with your back.
The backrest on the ME7ERG GEN2 is height adjustable, allowing you to move the lumbar support on your back. The design of it also allows for tension adjustment to increase or decrease how strong the lower lumbar is. Additionally, there is some flexibility with how it moves with you as you twist and move around in the chair.
If you tend to lean forward while tasking, the lower support of the ME7ERG GEN2 stays with you even if you cheat forward. This feature is perfect if you prefer not to lean back in the chair unless you’re on a call or browsing the internet.
Because of the design of the lumbar and upholstery, the support is spread out across the lower lumbar region on the ME7ERG GEN2. This is important because the ME7ERG GEN2 Ergohuman does a great job flexing and spreading the support through the lower back.
When you lean back in the ME7ERG GEN2, the motion of the chair helps keep the lumbar support in place on your back. The update from GEN1 to GEN2 has been significant and allows the lumbar to remain in place through the entire recline.
2. Eurotech Vera
Starting Price: $469.99 + Free Shipping Where to buy: btod.com
Specifications:
- Overall: 28”W x 28″D x 38.9″-43.4″H
- Seat Size: 18.9″W x 15.75″ – 17.72″D
- Seat Height: 18.89″ – 23.62″
- Back:17.1″W x 27.17-29.92″H
- Weight: 66 lbs.
- Warranty: 275 lbs capacity, components lifetime, upholstery 5 years
- Return Policy: Free returns + no restocking fees
| Pros:
Lifetime warranty on components |
Cons:
Might be too tall for short users |
The second-ranked chair, the Eurotech Vera, was featured in our best overall back support post. Featuring the most comfortable backrest in a chair we’ve tested, Vera is also very good with lower support. The Vera performs well without a separate lumbar support system.
One of the things you first notice about the Vera is how perfectly upright the backrest positions your body. This allows you to comfortably scoot back into the chair and lets the natural curve of the backrest push against your lower back. Because of the mesh design, the support is spread out across the lower half of your back.
When upright, the Vera has medium to medium-strong lower support. As you recline in the chair, the lower support will start to diminish, with full recline offering minimal lower support.
Because of the upright nature of the backrest, the Vera does provide excellent lower back support when leaned slightly forward for tasking. Because the natural curve of the backrest only pushes so far forward, you need to make sure to scoot your butt back into the chair for excellent lower support.
3. Humanscale Diffrient Smart
Starting Price: $1,545.99 + Free Shipping Where to buy: btod.com
Specifications:
- Overall: 26.5”W x 40″ – 44.8″H
- Seat Size: 19.25″W x 16″ – 19″D
- Seat Height: 16.5″ – 20.75″
- Back: 19″W x 22.5″H
- Weight: 37 lbs.
- Warranty: 400 lbs capacity, fabric/cushions, arm pads, casters 5 years, everything else 15 years
- Return Policy: Return shipping + 25% restocking fees
| Pros:
Pivoting backrest offers excellent support |
Cons:
Short warranty for premium product |
The Humanscale Diffrient Smart chair is our third ranked chair in the lower back support list. Like the Vera, the Diffrient doesn’t have an adjustable lumbar support system, but it does have a unique pivoting backrest design. We found through testing that the Smart chair has medium support when seated upright.
The design of the Diffrient Smart allows you to sit nice and upright in the chair for tasking. This provides good lower support for these tasks as well. Like the Vera, you will need to push yourself back into the chair to experience the best lower support.
Where the Diffrient Smart shines is when you begin to lean back into the chair. As you do this, the backrest naturally pivots, with the lower portion of the back pushing harder into your back. From 25 to 100 perfect of recline in Diffrient, the lower support moves from medium to medium-strong to strong.
4. Steelcase Leap v2
Starting Price: $1,298.00 + Free Shipping Where to buy: Steelcase.com | btod.com (65% OFF)
Specifications:
- Overall: 28”W x 28″D x 38.9″-43.4″H
- Seat Size: 18.9″W x 15.75″ – 17.72″D
- Seat Height: 18.89″ – 23.62″
- Back: 17.1″W x 27.17-29.92″H
- Weight: 66 lbs.
- Warranty: 400 lbs capacity, components and upholstery 12 years
- Return Policy: Free returns + no restocking fees
| Pros:
Best backrest in the industry |
Cons:
Might be too big for those under 5′ tall |
Our fourth-ranked chair, the Steelcase Leap, technically tied the Humanscale Diffrient Smart. While these two chairs scored the same for lower support, they couldn’t be more different. With a more traditional padded upholstered backrest, the Leap was still able to offer medium to medium-strong support, depending on how you configured the lumbar system.
With Leaps intuitive lumbar support system, you can make precise adjustments to how much and where you want your support. The height-adjustable lumbar support allows you to move the pressure up and down your back. There is also a lumbar tension system, which will increase or decrease the curve in the backrest. Depending on how you adjust this it will change how pronounced the lumbar support feels.
If you like to recline in your office chair, the Leap is a good option with up to about a 50 percent recline. Beyond this point, you begin to lose some of the medium to medium-strong support in the lower region of the backrest. Unlike the Vera, at 100 perfect, the Leap does still provide light to potentially medium support in the lower lumbar region.
5. Humanscale Freedom
Starting Price: $1,317.99 + Free Shipping Where to buy: btod.com
Specifications:
- Overall: 26.75”W x 26″D x 48.2″-53″H
- Seat Size: 21″W x 17.4 – 19.85″D
- Seat Height: 16.625″ – 20.875″H
- Back: 18″W – 20.9″H + headrest
- Weight: 38 lbs.
- Warranty: 400 lbs capacity, fabric/cushions, arm pads, casters 5 years, everything else 15 years
- Return Policy: Return shipping + 25% restocking fees
| Pros:
Backrest stays with you in all positions |
Cons:
Headrest can put neck in awkward position |
Our fifth-ranked chair, Humanscale Freedom, is the second chair from Humanscale to make it onto this list. After testing four different models from Humanscale, it is clear they have paid attention to providing excellent back support with their seating.
The Freedom Chair offers medium to medium-strong support when seated upright. The backrest is also height adjustable, which allows you to fine-tune where you like the most support. In addition to the height adjustment, there is a pivoting function as well.
As you move in the chair, the lumbar stays with you, creating consistent lower support. I found that I enjoyed the Freedom most when at the mid recline position. The lower support was medium to medium-strong throughout the entire recline. For those that enjoy working in a reclined position, the Freedom is best when paired with the headrest.
6. Herman Miller Aeron
Starting Price: $1,675.00 + Free Shipping Where to buy: hermanmiller.com
Size B Specifications:
- Overall: 27”W x 28″D x 41″- 45.5″H
- Seat Size: 20.25″W x 17″D
- Seat Height: 16″ – 20.5″
- Back: 21.5″W x 24.5″H
- Weight: 41 lbs.
- Warranty: 350 lbs capacity, 12 years on everything
- Return Policy: $49 shipping + no restocking fees
| Pros:
Consistent support through recline |
Cons:
Mesh is polarizing for some |
Likely the most recognizable chair in our list, the Herman Miller Aeron came in at number 6. The model we tested included the PostureFit SL, which is the best lumbar support add-on available for the Aeron. This is very important if you’re interested in purchasing an Aeron and want excellent lower support.
The Aeron offers medium lower support when in the upright tasking position. One added feature that isn’t common with most chairs is the ability to the chair in a forward tilt position. This is a useful feature for those who really like to sit forward and task. It isn’t for everyone since it gives the feeling of falling from the chair and requires you to engage your legs more than a traditional seated position.
Arguably one of the best features of the Aeron is the fluid tilt function that keeps your feet planted to the floor, and the backrest in perfect unison with your back. As you recline in the Aeron, the support felt when seated upright remains the same. Users that enjoyed the lower support when seated upright will get the same experience, no matter what reclined position they choose to work in.
7. Herman Miller Cosm
Starting Price: $1,990.00 + Free Shipping Where to buy: hermanmiller.com
Specifications:
- Overall: 29”W x 26.75″D x 45″ – 51.25″H
- Seat Size: 20″W x 15.5″”D
- Seat Height: 14.875″ – 21″
- Back: 30.25″H
- Weight: 35 lbs.
- Warranty: 350 lbs capacity, 12 years on everything
- Return Policy: $49 shipping + no restocking fees
| Pros:
12 year warranty on everything |
Cons:
Seat depth is too short for taller users |
Right behind the Aeron, is the newest Herman Miller product we’ve reviewed, the Cosm chair. While I’m a bit hesitant to suggest this chair for tasking, if you add the task arms it can be solid option.
The Cosm offers a unique feel when you sit in it, with an almost floating hammock feel. The mesh on our new chair is supportive enough to provide good lower support when you are pushed back into the seat and backrest. The design of the backrest, without an adjustable lumbar system, spreads nicely throughout your lower back.
The Cosm is also one of the chairs that we tasked that gets better as you recline back into it. We found the best support, which rated at medium-strong, was felt from about 50 to 100 percent recline. With the tall backrest design, it is a good option for those who like to work in a reclined position.
8. Eurotech iOO
Starting Price: $868.99 + Free Shipping Where to buy: btod.com
Specifications:
- Overall: 26”W x 26″D x 40.8″ – 46″H
- Seat Size: 19.7″W x 15.5″ – 17″D
- Seat Height: 20″ – 23.6″
- Back: 20.3″W x 21.7-23.2″H
- Weight: 69 lbs.
- Warranty: 300 lbs capacity, components lifetime, upholstery 5 years
- Return Policy: Return shipping + 25% restocking fees
| Pros:
Pronounced lumbar support |
Cons:
Backrest leans back slightly |
Eighth on our list is the Eurotech iOO chair, which is easily mistaken for the Ergohuman series, with similar features throughout. With a pronounced lower lumbar region, the iOO offers a similar feel as the mesh series from Eurotech’s Ergohuman series.
When seated in an upright position, the iOO has a medium to medium-strong lower support. Like the Ergohuman series, the lumbar system protrudes beyond the upper portion of the backrest, hitting your lower back even when sitting slightly forward in the chair. The mesh upholstery does a better job of spreading throughout the lower back than the LE9ERG, featured at number one on our list. If you are looking for a wider range of lower support, this could be a better option.
The lumbar support is also height adjustable, which allows you to fine-tune where it provides the most support. As you recline in the chair, the support remains fairly consistent, with medium support even when in a fully reclined position. The motion of the recline allows for the lumbar support to move minimally, offering more consistent support for the lumbar region than that of the Ergohuman series.
9. Humanscale Liberty
Starting Price: $1,295.99 + Free Shipping Where to buy: btod.com
Specifications:
- Overall: 26.5”W x 28″D x 38.5″-43.3″H
- Seat Size: 18.9″W x 16.5″ – 18.75″D
- Seat Height: 17.7″ – 22.5″
- Back: 19″W x 23″H
- Weight: 34 lbs.
- Warranty: 400 lbs capacity, fabric/cushions, arm pads, casters 5 years, everything else 15 years
- Return Policy: Return shipping + 25% restocking fees
| Pros:
Excellent support for upright tasking |
Cons:
Armrests have limited adjustments |
The final product on our list, the Humanscale Liberty chair, is the third Humanscale product to be featured on our list. The Liberty features a similar back design and function as the Diffrient Smart chair.
When seated in the upright position, the Liberty chair offers medium to medium-strong lower support. Like the Diffrient Smart, the initial pivot, when arching your back and slightly reclining, increased the lower support.
The biggest difference between the Liberty and Diffrient Smart was that once you reclined beyond 50 perfect, the Liberty only had light lower support. If you’re looking for a mesh back chair with a lot of lower support while reclined, I would suggest looking at the other Humanscale chairs on the list.
What To Consider When Buying an Ergonomic Chair For Back Pain
Chair Fit
Chair fit is crucial, regardless of the type of chair you’re considering purchasing. However, when addressing specific issues like back pain, the fit becomes even more critical. Ill-fitting chairs can compound existing problems, turning the search for the right product into a nightmare.
Questions such as the height of the backrest, the length of the seat, and the width between the arms are essential considerations in finding the right fit.
While many brands provide overall dimensions of the chair’s exterior, focusing solely on fitting the chair into your space overlooks the most important aspect: ensuring the chair fits your body.
Look for detailed breakdowns of dimensions, particularly seat depth and width. Does the chair offer a seat slider to customize seat depth according to your body? Simply knowing the dimensions is not enough; compare them with your body and your current chair to determine your comfort requirements.
Support for Lower, Mid, and Upper Back Pain
Are you in need of additional support in a specific area of your back? Chairs with pronounced lower lumbar support may lack adequate support for the upper back. This is particularly noticeable in mesh chairs with divided backrests, which prioritize lumbar support but can cause discomfort in the mid and upper back by pushing you too far forward.
Consider your preferred sitting posture as well. Some chairs may lack upper back support unless you’re willing to recline slightly. If you prefer sitting upright, closer to a 90-degree angle from your legs, seek chairs that promote upright sitting posture.
Consistent Support from Upright Tasking to Fully Reclined Position
Having personally tested hundreds of office chairs, I’ve found that many provide varying degrees of support for your back depending on whether you’re sitting upright, partially reclined, or fully reclined. Consistent support in all positions is crucial for preventing or alleviating back pain, especially for individuals who frequently shift between different reclined positions while working.
The list I’ve compiled evaluates the strength of support offered by each chair throughout a complete range of reclined positions. Armed with this information, you can make a more informed decision when selecting the best chair to address your back pain needs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s) on Seating For Back Pain
Before you make a decision on your next office chair to relieve your lower back pain, it’s important you consider these top five things first.
1. How you sit in your chair while you task
Not all users task the same way. While some work in perfect posture with their back up against the chair, others tend to slouch. Maybe you like to lean to the side when you type. It’s essential to understand how you like to sit when finding the perfect office chair.
One of the most significant issues we’ve seen is that customers try to adapt to an office chair. This is the quickest way to failure, as most habits can be hard to break. Some sitting habits aren’t bad, and the expectation that you sit perfectly for long hours throughout the day is unrealistic. Finding a chair that provides proper support for the way you sit, is likely to improve your support while seated.
2. Is the lumbar support height and depth adjustable?
While not always true, having a lumbar support system that is height and depth adjustable can be important. If the lumbar support system doesn’t provide a good fit for your body, you will need the ability to move it up and down your back. Having depth adjustment will allow you to add and reduce the amount of pressure applied to your back. Depending on the amount of support needed, this can be a nice feature to have.
3. Does the backrest and/or lumbar move with you in the chair?
Depending on the type of tasks you perform in your chair, you may want to consider how the backrest and lumbar moves with you. If you are doing a lot of twisting and reaching, having a backrest that moves with you and provides continuous support is good if you really need a lot of lower support.
We have seen a lot of different types of backrests that will provide this function. From the entire backrest bending and flexing, to only the lumbar support automatically adjusting in depth. If this is important to you, you’ll want to pay close attention to the back of the desk.
4. What material is the lumbar system made from?
The last thing to consider is what type of material the lumbar and backrest are made from. Certain types of materials will flex more, spreading out the support through your back. We have seen upholstered lumbar systems with padded backing that can feel more stiff and will focus more on a certain area. Depending on your needs, this type of focused support can be good or bad. This is especially true if you’re able to fine tune where you can place the support.
Bottom Line
Depending on the amount of support you require and where you need it most, finding a chair with excellent lower back support is always a good idea. Each chair in our list offers, at a minimum, excellent lower back support for long hours of tasking. If you’re interested in reclining, the list shrinks somewhat. Finding how much support you need, where you need it most, and what type of material to have the chair upholstered in will ensure a good sitting experience. I hope this list has helped you narrow down the best choice for your lower back needs.
sid
maybe you think about developing an actual computer chair for people with spinel issues and not some crap designed by china
JJ
I forgot about this site..not sure how. This is the most focused site for office chairs offering myriad videos, articles, and top “x” lists. Great stuff! …forgot why I started this lol. Oh yes, the Embody! So how does the Embody score in this list? I am curious because I have one, but I’m shopping for a chair with more pronounced lumbar support. Funny thing is, the two choices that seem be what I need, are the other two chairs I was considering for my new office chair. The Aeron (B-fully loaded) and the Leap (v2) were so close. I went with the Embody due to looks for the final reason. Great chair! Amazing chair, actually. However, I had to get all black thanks to the VA refusing to do five minutes of work and purchase from another site. Anyways, I had a fully loaded B size classic Aeron when I was in the Army. I loved that thing. I let others’ opinions sway me from choosing it again. However, I really love how you can make the lumbar support more pronounced on the Leap.
That’s why I am curious as to what you guys ranked the Embody at in this list. Rather, what you scored them at.
Thanks and sorry for the ramble. Dang gummies kicked in out of no where lol.
Stay Safe
JJ