10 Best Office Chairs for Back Pain for 2023

Top Pick

Steelcase

Series 1

Best Value

XUER

Ergonomic Mesh Office Chair

Premium Pick

Herman Miller

Aeron

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Back pain is a nemesis of almost everyone who spends hours sitting at a desk. However, whether you’re working from home or at the office, it doesn’t mean you need to suffer. A high-quality, ergonomic office chair with proper lumbar support can help you prevent back pain and fatigue.

And while it seems like buying an office chair for back pain can be a piece of cake, in reality, it might take you a long time until you can narrow down all the options available out there. If you do want to make sure your spine is well-protected during long workdays, you need to choose an office chair that not only mentions the word “lumbar support” but actually features an ergonomically designed lumbar support that would help you maintain good posture and prevent back pain.

We have reviewed quite a few office chairs models and hand-picked the ten best office chairs for back pain in different price ranges to help you find a chair that would fit your sitting requirements and your budget. Scroll down to discover which ones made it to our list!

The Best Office Chairs for Back Pain

  1. Steelcase Series 1 Work Office Chair – Top Pick
  2. XUER Ergonomics Mesh Computer Desk Chair – Best Value Office Chair for Back Pain
  3. Eurotech Seating Ergohuman High-Back Swivel Chair – Best Leather Office Chair for Back Pain
  4. Herman Miller Classic Aeron Chair – Premium Pick
  5. Gabrylly Ergonomic Mesh Office Chair – Best Adjustable Office Chair for Back Pain
  6. NOUHAUS Ergo3D Ergonomic Office Chair – Best Modern Office Chair for Back Pain
  7. SIDIZ T50 Home Office Desk Chair – Most Stylish Pick
  8. HON Ignition 2.0 Mid-Back Adjustable Lumbar Computer Chair – Best Office Chair for Back Pain With Synchro-Tilt
  9. SIHOO Ergonomic High Back Desk Chair with Lumbar Support – Best Mesh Back Office Chair for Back Pain
  10. Ergohuman High Back Swivel Chair With Headrest – Best High-End Office Chair for Back Pain

If you’re looking for a premier office chair for back pain, the Steelcase Series 1 won’t disappoint you nor your lumbar.

Offering intuitive adjustments and integrated LiveBack technology, the Steelcase chair bends and flexes with you to support your spine throughout the workday. Its seat cushion has built-in air pockets that conform to your body and help reduce pressure from long hours of sitting.

This office chair model includes an adjustable seat depth, fully adjustable arms, adjustable lumbar, pneumatic seat height adjustment, recline tension adjustment, flexing back with mesh upholstery, flexible seat edge, and wheels for carpet flooring. It also features a light and slim design to seamlessly blend into your interior design. And did we mention that the manufacturer offers a 12-year warranty?

The only drawback you might notice is that the armrests might not hold their position well.

KEY FEATURES:

  • Supports up to 300 pounds
  • Weight-activated recline tension adjustment
  • LiveBack™ flexor backrest system
  • Multi-adjustable 4D armrests
  • Flexible seat edge

SPECIFICATIONS:

  • Dimensions: 23.75 x 27 x 41.25 inches
  • Weight: 29 pounds
  • Manufacturer: Steelcase

PROS:

  • Soft, curved arm caps
  • Lightweight and slim
  • 12-year manufacturer warranty

CONS:

  • The armrests might not hold their position well

If you’re searching for an office chair for back pain and would like it to be within a lower budget, the XUER ergonomic chair is an excellent model to consider.

Featuring a multi-dimensional free rotating headrest, adjustable armrests, a tilt function with position lock, and a 126 ° back adjustment, this home office chair will ensure your spine is well-protected and you feel rested even after a long day at the computer desk.

And thanks to the W-shaped seat design, you can always sit in the middle of the chair and get the necessary support from the backrest. Plus, the waterfall front edge can help reduce the pressure on the thighs and prevent them from going numb. It has also passed a 2504 lbs static pressure test, so you can be sure it’ll serve you for a while.

The one drawback you might notice is that the headrest might wobble because of the base it sits on.

KEY FEATURES:

  • Supports up to 330 pounds
  • 126 ° back adjustment
  • W-shaped seat cushion
  • Adjustable armrests and lumbar
  • Free rotating headrest

SPECIFICATIONS:

  • Dimensions: 28.35 x 26.97 x 51.18 inches
  • Weight: 45.7 pounds
  • Manufacturer: XUER

PROS:

  • Easy assembly process
  • Stable chair base
  • 1-year warranty

CONS:

  • The headrest might wobble because of the base it sits on

If you’re into modern office furniture with a classy kick, the Eurotech home office chair for back pain is exactly what your inner aesthetic soul desires.

Upholstered in genuine leather, this chair isn’t a budget option, yet, it might be worth it if you want to make sure your lumbar is in good, ergonomic hands. The Eurotech’s high-end backrest and wide, sturdy seat cushion will make your days at the office much more pleasant. Synchro-tilt, infinite tilt lock, tilt tension control, sliding seat, you name it.

In addition, this office chair model will let you customize it to your most specific requirements and unique body composition. So if you do spend most of your days sitting in the chair and want to take good care of your posture, you won’t regret splurging on the Eurotech home office chair.

The only thing you should consider is that the seat might be too hard at the beginning.

KEY FEATURES:

  • Synchro-tilt
  • Tilt tension control
  • Tilt lock
  • Adjustable lumbar support
  • Top grain leather upholstery

SPECIFICATIONS:

  • Dimensions: ‎29 x 20 x 50 inches
  • Weight: 66 pounds
  • Manufacturer: Eurotech

PROS:

  • Executive style design
  • Strong base
  • Smooth gas lift cylinder for height adjustment

CONS:

  • The seat might be a little firm

If you’re looking for an upscale addition to your home office, the Herman Miller ergonomic chair for back pain will definitely satisfy your needs.

Featuring a PostureFit mechanism, this office chair will provide superior support for your body by keeping your spine in the proper position and fully aligned.

In addition, a patented kinematic tilt lets the chair move with you, mimicking your body’s natural pivot points. This chair can also adapt to various body types by distributing weight evenly, eliminating pressure points, and preventing heat buildup.

Whether you work in a creative or technical field, the Herman Miller office chair is most likely to fit both your tastes and your home office interior design.

Just keep in mind that this chair doesn’t have a headrest, in case it’s a deal-breaker for you.

KEY FEATURES:

  • Supports up to 300 pounds
  • PostureFit feature
  • Patented Kinemat tilt
  • Distributes weight evenly
  • Rear and forward tilt

SPECIFICATIONS:

  • Dimensions: ‎26 x 28 x 24 inches
  • Weight: 48 pounds
  • Manufacturer: Herman Miller

PROS:

  • High-quality mesh back and seat
  • Class 3 gas lift cylinder for height adjustment
  • Tension control

CONS:

  • No headrest

If you’re looking for a high-quality office chair for back pain that wouldn’t exceed the $350 threshold, the Gabrylly ergonomic mesh chair will accommodate both your lumbar and your pocket.

Featuring four supporting points, including head, back, hips, and hands, and proper lumbar support, this office chair lets you adjust it the way you want it and help your body feel comfortable for hours. The Gabrylly chair offers a much larger seat than most of the office chairs in this price range and is a great option for people of about 5’5″ to 6’2″.

Apart from maintaining your spine in a proper shape, a breathable mesh back also provides enough air circulation, preventing you from sweating too much. And thanks to multi-adjustable flip-up armrests, you can easily roll this executive office chair under the desk and create more space if needed.

The only inconvenience you might experience with this chair is ​​that you can lock it into a position but only on certain parts of tilt.

KEY FEATURES:

  • Holds up to 280 pounds
  • 4 supporting points
  • Suitable for people of about 5’5″ to 6’2″
  • Fold-up armrests
  • Adjustable height and tilt

SPECIFICATIONS:

  • Dimensions: ‎22 x 25.2 x 45.3 inches
  • Weight: 41 pounds
  • Manufacturer: Gabrylly

PROS:

  • Breathable mesh back and mesh seat
  • Stable chair base
  • Easy installation

CONS:

  • You can lock the chair into position but only on certain parts of tilt

If futuristic and modern style is right up your alley, the NOUHAUS Ergo3D office chair will perfectly fit both your taste and your interior. 

Featuring dynamic lumbar support, this ergonomic office chair for back pain has the ability to respond to the amount of pressure you put on it. As a result, it pivots you, making you feel comfortable throughout the day. Moreover, a 135-degree tilt allows you to lounge around whenever you need a break or simply want to close your eyes for a few minutes.

And, of course, adjustable armrests and a headrest help you customize your sitting position to perfection.

While the chair has a super breathable mesh back and seat, the absence of padding between the edges of the frame and the mesh might be a bit uncomfortable at times.

KEY FEATURES:

  • Supports up to 275 pounds
  • 4D adjustable armrests
  • 3D lumbar support
  • Up to 135° super-lounge tilt
  • Adjustable headrest

SPECIFICATIONS:

  • Dimensions: ‎26.4 x 26.4 x 53.7 inches
  • Weight: 46.3 pounds
  • Manufacturer: NOUHAUS

PROS:

  • Available in 4 fashion colors
  • Breathable mesh material
  • Comes with 2 sets of wheels

CONS:

  • No padding between the edges of the frame and the mesh

If you’re looking for a cost-efficient yet stylish office chair for back pain, the SIDIZ T50 might be your perfect match. 

This ergonomic chair model will adequately support your spine and maintain the S-Curve during the long hours at the office. Thanks to a multi-limited tilting mechanism, adjustable seat slide and slope, 3D adjustable armrests, and headrest, you can personalize the SIDIZ chair to your sitting preferences and forget about the back pain.

You can also set the chair to five different tilting angles and lean to the degree you wish. Plus, a modern breathable mesh back will keep your back ventilated.

Just keep in mind that the wheels don’t have the locking function and might be gliding too easily.

KEY FEATURES:

  • Ergonomic S-Curve design
  • Multi-limited 5-level tilting
  • Adjustable seat slide and slope
  • 3D adjustable armrests
  • Tilting strength adjustment

SPECIFICATIONS:

  • Dimensions: 27 x 27 x 42 inches
  • Weight: 49 pounds
  • Manufacturer: SIDIZ

PROS:

  • High-quality polyester-striped mesh backrest
  • Award-winning design
  • 3-year warranty

CONS:

  • The wheels don’t have the locking function and might be gliding too easily

If you’re in search of an executive mesh office chair with excellent lumbar support, the HON Ignition chair model will help you take care of business without worrying about back pain after a long day at work.

Thanks to a synchro-tilt mechanism, the backrest reclines at a 2-to-1 ratio to seat angle, offering you ultimate comfort when sitting. You’ll also find that the contoured double-layered seat cushion travels forward and back, and can be locked into a specific position.

Plus, the backrest features breathable four-way stretch mesh upholstery that will cradle your spine and help you maintain good posture to avoid back pain at the end of the day. And, as a cherry on top, HON offers a limited lifetime warranty in case something goes wrong.

Just be careful with the assembly. A few people mentioned they received instructions for another model by mistake, and the process turned out to be quite confusing.

KEY FEATURES:

  • Supports up to 300 pounds
  • Sandwich mesh 2-layered cushion
  • Customizable back recline and seat positioning
  • Optional adjustable lumbar
  • Adjustable armrests

SPECIFICATIONS:

  • Dimensions: 28.5 x 27 x 44.5 inches
  • Weight: 49 pounds
  • Manufacturer: HON

PROS:

  • Stylish design
  • 4-way stretch mesh seatback 
  • Full lifetime warranty

CONS:

  • Might arrive with the wrong assembly instructions

If you’d like to add one more modern chair for back pain to the lineup, the SIHOO ergonomic office chair is an excellent option to consider. 

SIHOO home office chair features adaptive elastic waist support that can automatically provide support strength based on your body weight and contact angle. In addition, this chair offers three gears and a 2.4-inch backrest height adjustment to protect your back from the pain and fatigue of working long hours.

And thanks to an adjustable headrest, 3D armrests, and 90°-123° back tilt, and anti-collapse seat cushion, you’ll be able to get adequate support according to your height and preferred sitting posture. Plus, a three-year warranty can make this chair your best friend for a while.

However, since the headrest offers quite a few adjustment options, you might find it to be a bit flimsy.

KEY FEATURES:

  • Supports up to 330 pounds
  • 45°adjustable headrest
  • 125°maximum tilt angle
  • 3-gear height adjustment backrest
  • 3D adjustable armrests

SPECIFICATIONS:

  • Dimensions: 25.98 x 25.79 x 46.26 inches
  • Weight: 45 pounds
  • Manufacturer: SIHOO

PROS:

  • Anti-collapse sponge cushion
  • Breathable mesh backrest
  • 3-year warranty

CONS:

  • The headrest might be a bit flimsy

While keeping your back safe and sound during the workday might cost you a couple of hundred bucks, the Ergohuman ergonomic chair is definitely worth it.

Featuring a synchro-tilt mechanism and seat depth adjustment, this high-back office chair will ensure you sit correctly and get the support you need, whether sitting upright or reclining. You can easily adjust the backrest, cushion, and headrest to fit your body type and needs. Plus, thanks to the three tilt-lock positions, you can lock the chair back and be sure it won’t move from your preferred seating position.

Overall, the Ergohuman swivel chair offers eight ergonomic adjustments to help you prevent back pain from working long hours. 

However, if you’re a fan of taking naps in your office chair, this one might not recline far enough for that particular purpose.

KEY FEATURES:

  • Supports up to 250 pounds
  • Synchro-tilt mechanism
  • Seat depth adjustment 
  • Three-position tilt-lock adjustments
  • Eight ergonomic adjustments

SPECIFICATIONS:

  • Dimensions: ‎26 x 29 x 52 inches
  • Weight: ‎64 pounds
  • Manufacturer: Ergohuman

PROS:

  • Pneumatic cylinder
  • Breathable mesh seat and back 
  • Made of 97% recyclable components

CONS:

  • Doesn’t recline far enough for a nap

Top 7 Things to Consider When Buying an Office Chair for Back Pain

Before you click that lovely “Add to Cart” button, here are a few things you need to consider when choosing an ergonomic office chair for lower back pain.

Does the chair have a headrest?

Everyone has different preferences, and if you know that a headrest is important for your comfort throughout the day, choose a chair that features one. A headrest can help keep your neck and spine in a correct position and thus prevent back pain. However, if you never use a headrest, then don’t overpay for something you don’t need. A proper, ergonomic chair will provide you with good support without a headrest.

Does it provide enough support when reclined?

While paying attention to the reclining range is essential, it’s also crucial to ensure that the chair you choose provides the same amount of lumbar support when it’s reclined and when it’s in a neutral position. This will let you know that your lower back is protected even when you’re lounging or taking a quick power nap in your office chair.

Does the chair have adjustable seat depth?

If you want to fully adjust your office chair according to your body structure and sitting preferences, a seat depth might be something you’d want to take into consideration. This would let you assure you’re sitting in the best position possible and taking good care of your lower back, spine, and neck.

Does it have adjustable armrests?

If you like using armrests, you should go for a chair that offers either 3D or 4D adjustable armrests that you can customize according to your preferences and flip them up whenever you need to make more space in your home office. Most office chairs for back pain come with adjustable armrests, so you’d only need to check what adjustable features they offer. 

Can the lumbar support be adjusted?

If you opt for a more high-end office chair, you’ll see that most of them feature adjustable lumbar support to make sure you can customize it to your unique body stature and have adequate support whenever your back requires it.  If it’s not possible to adjust the lumbar support, check the backrest specifications to ensure the chair fits your height. 

What is it upholstered in?

Before buying any office chair, decide whether you’re team “mesh,” team “PU leather,” team “genuine leather,” or team “textile,” and start from there. Different upholstery materials usually mean different types of lumbar support and, of course, different prices. However, whatever your preference is, you should still be able to find a high-quality chair that would satisfy your requirements. 

How much weight does the chair support?

This specification is important if you require a chair that would support a specific weight and if you simply want to ensure it’s sturdy and won’t break within a few months. Most high-quality chairs go through extensive weight tests, but if you do need a big and tall office chair for back pain, it’s better to check all the specifications before ordering one.

Benefits of an Ergonomic Office Chair for Back Pain

If you’re not sure whether you should buy an office chair specifically for back pain, here are a few advantages you should know about:

  • It can help you find the best sitting position
  • It can lower pressure on your lower back, spine, neck, and legs
  • It can improve your sitting experience
  • It can help reduce fatigue after a long workday
  • You can choose from a variety of models
  • You can fully adjust it according to your body composition and sitting preferences
  • It can help you maintain good posture

Should I Buy an Office Chair for My Lower Back Pain?

If you spend a significant amount of time working at the desk, it’s worth assuring you have the best sitting experience and protect your back at all times. 

Most ergonomic office chairs for back pain are hyper adjustable and can help you set your chair up according to your sitting preferences and body stature. And as long as you make sure to check all the manufacturing specifications, you will be surprised to see how much you can alleviate back pain and improve your wellbeing after working long hours.

We hope you managed to find what you were looking for. And if you have any questions or have an idea of what we should review next, please let us know.

How We Review: Our Office Chair Ratings Methodology

At Overheard on Conference Calls, we take pride in how we review office chairs. Our team of office chair experts spend hours researching and reviewing dozens of products before they even start writing their review or article. Our goal is to bring you honest and unbiased information to help you make an informed choice that will be the best for you. Our recommendations are not for sale and they are not influenced by any of the manufacturers we review. 

When reviewing an office chair, there are numerous factors we analyze to determine our recommendations. Here are our four most important:

  • Comfort: Comfort is key to a good office chair. It’s likely you’ll be sitting in it for hours so you’ll want something that won’t cause you aches and pains after hours of use. We gauge comfort by testing for 4+ hours as well as looking at the thickness of the seat cushion and its material.
  • Durability: Not all office chairs are built the same. Our durability factor looks at the quality of the materials and how sturdy the chair is after assembly. Because we have a limited tested period, we also conduct customer research of longtime users.
  • Lumbar Support: While this is an ergonomic feature, we made this its own separate rating factor because of how important it is to your overall posture, health, and comfort. We analyze each chair for its lumbar support or lack thereof. 
  • Ergonomic Features: In addition to lumbar support, we also look at other ergonomic features such as the armrests, height adjustment, reclining, seat ergonomics, and more. The better it is for your ergonomics and the more features/adjustability, the better. 

Why isn’t price included on that list? Fair question! We do consider price in the order of our recommendations but because everyone has their own budget in mind, we won’t rule a chair in or out just because it has premium or budget price. 

Our team has researched and reviewed hundreds of chairs and we’re confident in our recommendations. We strive to only recommend the best products and we periodically refresh our reviews and rankings.

Olia Batyr

Olia is a senior writer and researcher for Overheard on Conference Calls. She leverages her skills and training to create quality content that grabs an audience. When she’s not busy writing copy, you’ll find her traveling around the world gathering inspiration. Olia is an ultimate adventure seeker and meme lover.