Which chair is best for long sitting and back pain?

We all have different shapes and sizes, but one thing binds us together: spending long hours at our desks and dealing with back pain at some point. Among the culprits, prolonged sitting takes a major share. Luckily, getting the right office chair can make a big difference in preventing and easing back pain. Meet five of our favorite lumbar support champions that will treat your back with TLC and provide outstanding support.

💡 Did you know?

Back pain is one of the most common reasons people seek medical help or miss work. It is a leading cause of disability worldwide.
(Source: Mayo Clinic)

Galene, Executive Home Office Chair

The Galene Executive Home Office Chair features a plush, S-curved high back that aligns with the natural contours of the human spine. The U-shaped seat cushion minimizes tailbone pain associated with extended periods of sitting. The chair also offers adjustable seat height for personalized comfort.

BACK PAIN RELIEF AT A GLANCE:

• High S-curved backrest

• U-shaped seat cushion to prevent compression

• Adjustable seat height

 

ROYAL - SLIM, Executive Leather Office Chair

The ROYAL - SLIM Executive Leather Office Chair has a curved backrest design crafted for optimal lumbar health. The lumbar support, featuring a forward curve, not only enhances comfort but also effectively reduces fatigue in the lower back. The chair's high-resilience seat cushion ensures sustained comfort, while preventing overheating. Additionally, the Royal Slim chair offers vertical adjustment of up to 3.13", catering to various body sizes and heights.

BACK PAIN RELIEF AT A GLANCE:

• Curved backrest design

• High-resilience

   seat cushion

• Vertical height-adjustment

 

😍 This Chair Is Amazing!

"I've had back pain sitting at my desk for a long time. I never thought my old chair was contributing so much to that pain. It was! This new chair is nothing short of amazing. I am now able to work at my desk WITHOUT PAIN. Yesterday I sat in it for 5 hours straight and had no pain. I'm amazed. This chair is not cheap but it is worth every dollar. I'm so glad I bought it. Believe me, you won't regret the purchase." 
- Customer Review by Alfred

SERENE, Executive Napa Leather Office Chair

The SERENE, Executive Napa Leather Office Chair’s S-shaped backrest design perfectly conforms to the natural curve of the spine, effectively minimizing fatigue in the lower back. The bionic three-dimensional saddle-shaped cushion takes seating comfort to a new level. Crafted from high-density, one-piece molded cotton, it guarantees a soft and comfy seating experience and actively reduces fatigue in the lower back.

BACK PAIN RELIEF AT A GLANCE:

• S-shaped backrest design
• Bionic three-dimensional seat cushion

 

Typhon, Hybrid Ergonomic Gaming Chair

The Typhon, Hybrid Ergonomic Gaming Chair introduces a revolutionary six-axis BioMass Exoskeleton designed to support the spine's natural curvature. This dynamic system adapts to your back, effectively reducing pressure on the spine and facilitating multiple points of release, including head & neck, spinal, hip, back, and leg support. The innovative C-shaped lumbar support design automatically adjusts to your dynamic sitting posture, enhancing comfort and promoting ergonomic well-being.

BACK PAIN RELIEF AT A GLANCE:

• Six-axis BioMass Exoskeleton supports the spine
• C-shaped lumbar support

 

😍 I LOVE this chair, I cannot say it enough!

I have a bad back from military service and mild rotary scoliosis in my spine. I've had this chair long enough now to feel the difference from my old chair (which was a SecretLab) and never realized how much of my pain was literally caused by my own chair not being supportive where I needed it. As a content creator, I spend most of my day at my computer. This chair has removed all back pain and discomfort while sitting at my desk. It supports my back in all the right places while also being adjustable to fit a variety of bodies. The discomfort I feel at the end of the day due to my chronic pain has been reduced tremendously to a more tolerable baseline. I'm extremely happy with this purchase, absolutely worth every dollar. I will absolutely be recommending it to everyone I encounter who complains of gamer chair back pain." 
- Customer Review by Spvwvky

Preston, Executive Home Office Chair

The Preston, Executive Home Office Chair conforms to your back's curves, ensuring a personalized sitting experience. Its three-stage backrest provides comprehensive support from the lower back to the neck, alleviating fatigue during extended periods of sitting. Its innovative zoned seat cushion elevates seating comfort to sofa-grade levels. Departing from conventional single-cushion designs, this innovation focuses on zoning the seat cushion with the coccyx as the central point. It offers 3.93" height adjustment, catering to different body types.

BACK PAIN RELIEF AT A GLANCE:

• Three-stage backrest
• Zoned seat cushion
• Height-adjustment

 

The Bottom Line

Say goodbye to back pain woes with our top picks for the 5 Best Office Chairs designed to provide unparalleled relief and support. In a world where millions of people grapple with low back pain, our curated selection offers a range of styles and functionalities to cater to diverse needs. Whether it's the Galene with its S-curved high back, the SERENE's Bionic Lumbar Pillow, the ROYAL - SLIM's optimal lumbar health design, the Preston's innovative zone seat cushions, or the Typhon's hybrid ergonomic marvel — these chairs are not just about sitting; they're about sitting comfortably and supporting your spine in style. Click through the links to explore your ticket to a more comfortable and pain-free work experience.

If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Rolling Stone may receive an affiliate commission.

Nearly 65 million Americans experience back pain, and for some 16 million of those suffers, that pain is chronic. A likely culprit? Sitting for eight-plus hours a day at work. But, even if your job demands that you be at a desk all day, there are ways to lessen the stress on your back.

One way is to get a standing desk (which we highly recommend), but these can be cumbersome and expensive. An easier method of back pain prevention? Investing in an ergonomic office chair. In recent years, we’ve seen brands making big advances with some of the best office chairs for back pain. If you’ve been sitting on the same chair for years, you might be surprised how well these newer chairs can relieve back pain.

We’ve rounded up some office chairs for back pain below — including budget-friendly chairs and high-end picks — as well as some tips for choosing the best office chair for your workspace.

In This Article

Our Favorite Office Chairs for Back Pain

Office Chair Buying Guide

How We Picked the Best Office Chairs for Back Pain

Our Favorite Office Chairs for Back Pain

In any conversation around the best office chairs for back pain, two brands almost always come up: Herman Miller and Steelcase. Both of these are great, but there are also excellent ergonomic chairs with plenty of 4.0+ star reviews and much more approachable price tags that we’ve also included in this guide.

Here are some of the best office chairs for back pain that you can buy online right now:

BEST OVERALL: Herman Miller Aeron

BEST BUDGET-FRIENDLY: Gabrylly Ergonomic Mesh Office Chair

BEST RANGE OF MOVEMENT: Steelcase Gesture Office Chair

BEST DESIGN: Herman Miller Sayl Chair

BEST CUSTOMIZABLE: Branch Ergonomic Chair

BEST FOR LOWER BACK PAIN: Varier Variable Balans Kneeling Chair

BEST MINIMALIST: Steelcase Karman Office Chair

BEST OVERALL

Amazon

Herman Miller is the longstanding king of office chairs, and its rule is justified. The brand’s best-sellers, like this Aeron chair, boast unmatched ergonomic support thanks to physician-developed designs that account for everything from biomechanics to vision. For example, the Aeron features independent flex pads to support your lower spine, comprehensive adjustability, and top-tier pressure distribution. It’s an expensive chair, for sure, but well worth the price if you work at a desk all week.

$1,448.96

$1,697.00

15% off

Buy On Amazon

Promising Customer Feedback: “Having sat in a variety of “cheap” chairs during for a home office, the biggest issue I faced was lower back pain. Both my work and my hobbies are at home on the same desk so overall sitting time could be upwards of 16 hours on extreme cases for example. Lo and behold, I did a round of both work and gaming, and was able to sit on it comfortably after waking up with surprisingly NO back pain at all. The mesh seating relieves a lot of pressure from your tailbone. Combine that with the lumbar support, which makes sure your lower back isn’t being overused as well, absolutely saves your back.” —Jiren

BEST BUDGET-FRIENDLY

Amazon

The fancy chairs are worth their price tag, but you don’t need to spend over $1,000 to get a great office chair for back pain. This chair from Gabrylly is a great budget pick (currently $269.50 on Amazon), equipped with four ergonomic support points at the head, back, hips, and hands, along with added lumbar support to help reduce and prevent back pain during your work shift. Its mesh seat and backrest also help keep air circulating for more comfort and less sweat.

$269.50

$329.50

18% off

Buy On Amazon

Promising Customer Feedback: “I took a big gamble on this chair as I desperately needed a new office chair early last year and had never heard of this brand. I’m a big guy, 260lbs, 6’3”, and this chair is quite comfortable and has held up very well. To my surprise, this chair seems to punch up above its price range quite a bit. There’s a lot of value here when thinking of durability and comfort. I’m a guitar player and the fold back arms are SO convenient! The wheels still work like new, gas piston still goes up and down, and the recline adjuster works fine.” —Shelby

BEST RANGE OF MOVEMENT

Amazon

This Steelcase Gesture is another premium office chair that’s worth its price tag. The chair gets its name, “Gesture,” from a feature that allows the seat and back to move in synch as you change positions. This not only encourages more movement throughout your work day, but also keeps your back supported in a wider range of positions. Like many of Steelcase’s chairs, we also think the Gesture is also one of the better-looking office chairs out there.

Promising Customer Review: “The moment my butt touched the Gesture I was in love. If you sit in a chair for as long as I do, it’s an investment in yourself and health. Don’t put a price tag on that. If your back is hurting or you’re uncomfortable for 70% of the day don’t hesitate because of sticker shock, just buy it. If you hate it, send it back. But this is hand-down one of the absolute best chairs I’ve ever sat on.” —DTension

BEST DESIGN

Herman Miller

This sleek, smartly-designed take on the classic Herman Miller chairs comes with some fantastic ergonomic features that will have your back saying “thank you” after a full workday. The striking ventilated backrest looks as good as it feels, and functions as a unique way for this chair to provide that sweet spot between support and comfort (not to mention great air circulation). The strands flex easily for free range of movement, and a Harmonic Tilt supports natural movement when you recline.

Promising Customer Feedback: “We have these at the office and I liked it so much I got one for my home. I love how stylish it is, and it’s also comfortable in a way that is good for my back (which is prone to spasms). It’s easy to operate and built like a tank. I love it!” —David P.

BEST CUSTOMIZABLE

Branch

Branch’s ergonomic office chair is another great option if you’re shopping on a budget. Despite its relatively affordable price tag, the Branch chair offers excellent support for keeping back pain at bay. The chair’s contoured backrest delivers on its promise of promoting an “active posture,” and lumbar support is firm enough to keep your lower back properly situated. Plus, the brand offers a ton of customization options when you order their chair, including frame and seat color.

Promising Customer Feedback: “I bought one for my home office, then two more for my company’s office. If you’re sitting all day, this is worth the investment. Many different adjustments to tailor to your comfort specifications. Best chair I’ve ever had. Super cute and stylish as well.” —Christie

BEST FOR LOWER BACK PAIN

Amazon

If your lower back is still suffering after using a good ergonomic office chair, we suggest trying this Varier kneeling chair. It repositions your pelvis for better spine alignment, engages the core, and takes some pressure off your lower back. It also features curved runners that let you rock slightly, helping us stay in motion throughout the day. Plus, because it’s more minimal, the Varier is less expensive than most fancy ergonomic office chairs.

$299

$349.00

14% off

Buy on Amazon

Promising Customer Feedback: “I love this stool and it’s a great investment for reducing/preventing muscle tension in the back from sitting for long hours. I have a desk job and get back pain from sitting long hours at my desk. Once I sat in this kneeling stool, there was no going back to regular chairs. It was incredibly comfortable and supportive and helped me to sit up straight and balanced, and it has effectively relieved my back pain since day one of using it. I simply love this chair!” —Pomai

BEST MINIMALIST

Steelcase

Industry leader Steelcase refused to make a mesh office chair for decades — until the recent debut of this Karman chair. Instead of normal mesh, the brand created a performance textile called Intermix that lends more support, and then paired the Intermix with a flexible frame. And we’re big fans of the results. The Karman is sleek and compact (great for our small bedroom desk), but delivers fluid, responsive support whether we’re sitting at attention or slouching back on our phone. You also get a great selection of colors that’s much more than your average office chair palette.

Promising Customer Feedback: “I have been working from home since 2020 and was using a hand-me-down office chair a much taller former colleague gave me. Somewhere along the way, I learned of the Steelcase Karmen. Despite the fact that I’m probably on the short side for the chair (5’2″), it fits me comfortably. I can actually sit back in this one and have my feet on the ground, so no more perching on the edge for me. It’s really light and easy to move. The aesthetic is fairly neutral, so it goes with just about everything and the quality is top-notch. I’m looking forward to having this chair for a long time and I would recommend it to others.” —Courtney B.

Office Chair Buying Guide

Finding the best office chair for back pain is no easy task. Below are some of the criteria we used when choosing office chairs for this guide that you’ll also want to keep in mind while shopping. Tip: If you’re serious about getting a great office chair to reduce back pain, order a few and test each out for as long as you can within the return window.

Ergonomics: The key to a great office chair is its ergonomics; how well it encourages your body to stay in a healthy, upright position. Look for spinal support at the top, ample lumbar support to keep your lower back straight, and a seat that’s positioned to keep your hips open. Also, go for chairs that take movement into consideration and adapt to different positions throughout the day (like the Steelcase Gesture).

Adjustability: An office chair’s adjustability is key to its ergonomics, as everyone’s body and ideal seating position are slightly different. The more adjustability the better, so in addition to height and recline, look for adjustable armrests, headrests, and seats.

Materials: High-quality padding, covers, and frame materials are another key difference between good and bad office chairs. You’ll typically see mesh, fabric, or faux leather on office chair seats and backs. Mesh is the most popular because it’s cooler, but leather and fabric offer a softer feel (and look better too).

How We Picked the Best Office Chairs for Back Pain

In our search for the best office chairs for back pain, we tested a range of chairs, read what experts have to say about proper seating positions, and researched what chairs have left long-term users’ backs feeling healthy. We also considered budget, as office chairs can get expensive, and chose options from both the expensive and affordable classes of office chairs. We also considered brands’ reputations; how long they’ve been around, how their reviews are catalog-wide, and their overall reputation among experts. Customer reviews have been edited for length and clarity.