The 10 Best Office Chairs for Back Pain Relief in 2022

If sitting is the new smoking, back pain is the cancerous pandemic. Studies show that 65 million Americans suffer from debilitating back pain, with that number expected to rise as more of us spend our days hunched over a desk. The good news? There’s still time to reverse this troubling trend and lessen hardship for those affected.

When it comes to back pain from extended sitting, a supportive office chair makes all the difference. Equipped with proper ergonomics, your chair can bring instant pain relief, followed by long-term health benefits with continued use. This list goes over the best office chairs for lower back pain — options that help soothe the ache and prevent pain from occurring in the first place. 

How We Evaluated These Office Chairs for Back Pain

There are hundreds of office chairs out there, and most of them claim to offer some form of back support. To sort through these claims, I physically tested dozens of chairs, sought the advice of ergonomic professionals, and read hundreds of real user reviews. 

Then, I measured the results against the following criteria: 

  1. Lumbar Support – Although lower back pain isn’t the only type of back injury, it’s by far the most common. For that reason, the lumbar region is the first area I looked at when choosing which chairs to include.
  2. Ergonomics – Every body and office environment is different, and your chair must adapt to the needs of its physical surroundings. That means offering height, recline, tilt, and other on-the-fly adjustment mechanisms.  
  3. Comfort – While long-term health improvements are the priority, I also included office chairs that provide some sense of immediate pain relief.  
  4. Durability – An office chair is only as good as its weakest link. To ensure maximum support over years of use, I carefully inspected the overall durability and craftsmanship of each chair’s components.  
  5. Price – It’s best to think of office chairs for back pain as an investment in your health. That said, I included chairs starting at $100 to ensure a supportive option for every budget.

Although many excellent options didn’t make this list, the following lineup provides a supportive office chair for every prominent situation.

Our 10 Best Office Chairs for Back Pain of 2022

Best Office Chair for Back Pain Overall: all33 Backstrong C1

At A Glance
  • Price: $799
  • Height: 44 Inches
  • Weight: 48.86 lbs
  • Best for: Back pain, posture, ergonomics
  • Available Colors: Black, Red, Tan
Highlights
  • Sit In Motion® continually adjusts your pelvis and back, providing all the benefits of regular movement
  • Pivoting seat ensures correct posture, stacking all 33 vertebrae in perfect alignment
  • Features adjustable height, 360° swivel, and smooth-rolling casters

Check out the BackStrong C1 from all33 on the manufacturer’s site to see more features.

When I first experienced back pain several years ago, my doctor told me I simply needed to move more. But after several months of daily walks, my back was hurting more than ever. Turns out, it didn’t matter how much I moved when not working — I was still sitting for over eight hours a day, and the human body simply wasn’t made for such a sedentary lifestyle.

If you want to fix your back problems once and for all, you need to move while sitting. As contradictory as it sounds, the new all33 Backstrong C1 is designed around this very principle. You see, the C1 features a unique technology called Sit In Motion®, easier understood as a pivoting seat that continually adjusts to your micromovements. This technology provides all the benefits of continuous movement, including increased blood flow, muscle oxygenation, and flexibility. While the C1 Backstrong doesn’t offer instant pain relief, its proprietary technology strengthens your muscles over time, eliminating back pain at its root.

  • all33’s Backstrong C1 builds long-term strength and flexibility
  • Comfortable PU-clad arms fold away for use in various work environments
  • Constructed with 100% recyclable materials
  • Focuses more on long-term health than short-term relief
  • Features shallow cushions, only a few inches thick

Best Ergonomic Office Chair for Back Pain: Herman Miller Embody

At A Glance
  • Price: $1,595
  • Height: 45 inches
  • Weight: 51 lbs
  • Best for: Ergonomics, adjustability
  • Available Colors: Graphite, Titanium, White
Highlights
  • 4x reinforced polyester upholstery promotes airflow and provides a stable foundation
  • Pixelated backrest encourages motion, flexing at every level to increase blood circulation while supporting your body’s movement
  • Made from 42% recycled materials in a 100% renewable energy facility

Check out the Embody from Herman Miller on the manufacturer’s site to see more features.

Sitting is primarily a passive activity, but working is not. To reconcile these differences, the Herman Miller Embody provides the best of both worlds — a comfortable, supportive seat with performance-enhancing ergonomics.

The key to this feat lies in the Embody’s Pixelated Support, a seamless network of tiny squares built into the backrest. Each of these tiny squares moves independently, working with the Embody’s spine-shaped frame to support your back’s curvature through continual micro-adjustments. All the while, Herman Miller’s elastic suspension fabric eliminates pressure points near your sacrum, providing a solid foundation from which to work. The only real lack of adjustability is found in the Embody’s 2-directional armrests, a shameful oversight considering the $1,500 price tag.

  • Comes fully assembled for a pain-free setup
  • Smooth tilt mechanism glides from 90º to 135º
  • Features a robust die-cast aluminum frame
  • 2D armrests have no forward-backward or rotational movement
  • One of the most expensive office chairs in the world

Best Computer Chair for Back Pain: Steelcase Leap

At A Glance
  • Price: $979
  • Height: 43.5 inches
  • Weight: 46.7 lbs
  • Best for: Performance, back support
  • Available Colors: Black, Graphite, Blue Jay
Highlights
  • LiveBack® technology adapts to the motion of your spine while working
  • Natural Glide™ lets you move forward and recline in one fluid motion
  • Pliable foam cushions relieve pressure points and support overall comfort
  • Warranty: Lifetime
  • Return Period: 14 Days
  • Shipping: Free

Check out the Leap from Steelcase on the manufacturer’s site to see more features.

The Leap provides a one-of-a-kind sitting experience, with a weightless sensation that virtually eliminates lower back pain from the moment you touch down. The chair’s exceptional comfort comes courtesy of Steelcase’s LiveBack® technology, which flexes alongside your spine to encourage regular circulation. It’s also the work of personalization features like Steelcase’s specialized lumbar tension system that you can adjust to meet the specific needs of your lower back.

Overall, the Steelcase Leap is one of my favorite chairs for computer work. The Leap’s iconic design aligns perfectly with the typical keyboard and monitor height, and its 4D armrests work well in every office environment. Although quite pricey, users consistently praise Leap’s ergonomic features for boosting office productivity and relieving pain.

  • Research indicates that the Leap improves productivity and performance
  • 4D armrests provide upper body support when working at the computer
  • Sustainable build quality, with over 90% recyclable materials
  • Fabric seat and back lack the breathability of mesh models
  • Optional headrest adds several hundred to final purchase price

Best Budget Office Chair for Back Pain: Alera Elusion

At A Glance
  • Price: $157.72
  • Height: 48.8 inches
  • Weight: 56.2 lbs
  • Best for: Smaller Budgets
  • Available Colors: Black
Highlights
  • Height-adjustable mesh back offers reliable lumbar support
  • Thick, padded seat with waterfall edge relieves pressure points
  • Comes with a reclinable seat and backrest, adjusted individually or as a pair
  • Warranty: 5 Years
  • Return Period: 30 Days
  • Shipping: Free

Check out the Elusion from Alera on the manufacturer’s site to see more features.

The market is flooded with “ergonomic” office chairs in the $100 to $150 range, many of them claiming reliable back support throughout your entire workday. While many of these chairs are more liable to hurt than help, the Alera Elusion is a notable exception.

Despite its simple mesh backrest, the Elusion is quite supportive. It comes with a curving backrest that mimics the arc of your spine and adjusts in several essential areas, including height, recline, and tilt. No matter your own height, the Elusion’s positionable lumbar cushion also lets you apply pressure directly on your pain points (a luxury typically afforded chairs two times the price). While I can’t promise that the chair will come completely free of minor quality control quirks, I can guarantee that it’s the best office chair for back pain under $200.

  • Features soft 2D armrests with PU pads
  • Sturdy nylon base with 360° swivel supports up to 250 pounds
  • Tons of adjustability for a ~$150 price point
  • Backrest slips down unless securely fastened
  • QC issues, with some users receiving damaged units from the factory

Best Office Chair for Lower Back Pain: X1 Flex Mesh

At A Glance
  • Price: $699.99
  • Height: 54 inches
  • Weight: 51 lbs
  • Best for: Lower back pain
  • Available Colors: Black, Grey
Highlights
  • Flex Mesh weave suspend your body in the chair, relieving pressure points while providing excellent airflow
  • X-Chair’s DVL (Dynamic Variable Lumbar) continually adjusts the lower back support
  • Optional cooling, heat, and massage functionality provide enhanced back pain relief
  • Warranty: 5 Years
  • Return Period: 30 Days
  • Shipping: Free

Check out the Flex Mesh from X1 on the manufacturer’s site to see more features.

Lower back pain is one of the most common health issues globally — not surprising when you consider how the lumbar region supports your entire upper body, day in and day out. 

One of the keys to relieving lower back pain is giving your body a break, and the X1 is uniquely designed to reduce pressure on your lumbar while increasing overall comfort. The primary feature responsible for this is the DVL or Dynamic Variable Lumbar, an innovative lower backrest that flexes on a hinge. Combined with the upper backrest, it ensures an optimal level of back support no matter which way you’re seated. If that’s not enough, the X1 also comes with an optional Elemax add-on, providing cooling, heat, and massage functionality for extra pain relief. The one thing to note is that many users dislike the X1’s mesh seat, finding it too stiff on their tailbone. Personally, I find it just firm enough.

  • Comes with 4D armrests that play well with every workstation
  • Adjustable back and headrest provide extra upper-back support
  • Optional Elemax model adds therapeutic cooling, heating, and massage functionality to the lumbar support
  • Mesh seat is too stiff for some users
  • Adjustment mechanisms lack a locking feature, making it easy to slip components out of place accidentally

Best Office Chair for Upper Back Pain: Humanscale Freedom

At A Glance
  • Price: $1,169
  • Height: 53 inches
  • Weight: 38 lbs
  • Best for: Full back support
  • Available Colors: Ash, Azure, Black, Boysenberry, Charcoal, Dark Brown, Driftwood, Glacier, Medium Gray, Peacock, Winterberry
Highlights
  • Proprietary recline mechanism automatically detects weight for posture-perfect positioning and support
  • Technogel cushions provide ample padding, distributing weight for reduced pressure
  • Curvaceous design supports the natural structure of your spine
  • Warranty: 15 Years
  • Return Period: 30 Days
  • Shipping: Free

Check out the Freedom from Humanscale on the manufacturer’s site to see more features.

Upper back pain is brutal, and not only for obvious reasons. While the pain can range from mild discomfort to pure agony, upper back injuries make it extremely difficult to work upright.

Having experienced this pain myself, I know from experience that executive chairs are a great way to relieve some of this discomfort while providing extra upper-body support as you heal. The Humanscale Freedom is particularly beneficial thanks to its contoured backrest that cradles your upper body with cushioning and articulating headrest. Aside from this support, Freedom also offers hands-free operation. No bending down to adjust recline or tilt — the Freedom moves with your body exactly the way you need (as long as you’re over 150 pounds). I highly recommend it for folks suffering from upper body ailments.

  • Synchronous elements — including the head and armrests — move alongside the backrest for consistent support
  • Living Product Certification ensures an eco-friendly design that boasts a net positive impact on the planet
  • Adjustable height mechanism accommodates users from 5’0″ to 6’4″ and up to 300 pounds
  • Self-adjusting system doesn’t work as well for users under 150 pounds
  • Thin layer of cushioning doesn’t feel as supportive as the previous generation’s model

Best Foam Office Chair for Back Pain: Serta AIR

At A Glance
  • Price: $271.99
  • Height: 42.75 inches
  • Weight: 38.9 lbs
  • Best for: Comfort, lumbar support
  • Available Colors: Black, Cream, Light Gray
Highlights
  • Layers of plush Serta® foam cover the seat, backrest, headrest, and arms
  • Pivoting lumbar cushions continually adjusts to your movements
  • Tension knob offers intuitive, pressure-sensitive reclining from 100° to 122°
  • Warranty: 1 Year
  • Return Period: 30 Days
  • Shipping: Free

Check out the AIR from Serta on the manufacturer’s site to see more features.

Serta is best known for its mattresses. But the company also dabbles in the office chair market, infusing its comfort know-how into supporting your body at night and during the day.

The Serta AIR is one of the brand’s more popular models, featuring a premium bonded leather exterior that hints at the content underneath. Indeed, every contact point on the chair incorporates several layers of Serta® foam for a cloud-like sitting experience you have to feel to believe. While the Serta AIR doesn’t include the kind of ergonomics you find in other premium options (adjustable armrests, for instance), it does do a near-perfect job at comforting your lumbar and upper back while you work and play.

  • Bonded leather proffers a classy aesthetic
  • Comfy executive backrest envelops your entire body for full back support
  • Features a simple assembly with quality instructions
  • Lacks adjustable armrests
  • Bonded leather finish cracks over time

Best Customizable Office Chair for Back Pain: Eurotech Seating Ergohuman

At A Glance
  • Price:: $1410
  • Height:: 43.3 inches
  • Weight:: 68.6 lbs
  • Best for:: Customized support, suspension seating
  • Available Colors:: Black
Highlights
  • 10-point ergonomic profile provides thousands of customizable configurations
  • Mesh upholstery offers buoyancy and consistent airflow
  • Metal base features a 360° swivel and smooth nylon casters
  • Warranty: 5 Years
  • Return Period: 30 Days
  • Shipping: Free

Check out the Ergohuman from Eurotech Seating on the manufacturer’s site to see more features.

Most office chairs feature between three and six ergonomic adjustment mechanisms. In my opinion, three to six is plenty, even if it leaves a few areas where my body lacks a little support. That said, some prefer more pinpoint control over their support. If that’s you, the Ergohuman may be the ideal solution.

The Ergohuman incorporates a whopping 10-point ergonomic profile that touches every part of its modular design, including height, depth, recline, tilt, and more. It’s almost like a game of jigsaw as you slide the breathable mesh seat and backrest around until they’re laid out in the perfect arrangement. Once you lock things in, you can expect unrivaled support across your entire upper and lower back, making the Ergohuman well worth it for users willing to spend the time and energy.

  • Standalone lumbar support exerts optimal pressure on your lower back
  • Seat and back height adjustments offer posture-perfect sitting
  • Waterfall seat cushion reduces stress on the lower body
  • All the customization options make it challenging to find the ideal setup
  • Lacks forward tilt, which can be an issue during some work tasks

Best Gaming Chair for Back Pain: Secretlab TITAN Evo

At A Glance
  • Price: $449
  • Height: 54 inches
  • Weight: 76.1 lbs
  • Best for: Comfort, style
  • Available Colors: Ash, Black, Classic
Highlights
  • Comes in three sizes — small, regular, and XL — to fit gamers from 4’11” to 6’9″
  • The L-ADAPT™ Lumbar Support System conforms with your spine to encourage healthy posture
  • Proprietary pebble seat offers an ergonomic foundation complete with upward-arching edges for extra sitting room
  • Warranty: 5 Years
  • Return Period: 49 Days
  • Shipping: $29

Check out the TITAN Evo from Secretlab on the manufacturer’s site to see more features.

I’ve spent countless hours on the Secretlab TITAN — not for gaming, but for writing. And I know from experience just how supportive this chair can be. For instance, the tall backrest towers over you like a real Greek Titan, providing excellent full-back and neck support. At the same time, the 4-way L-ADAPT™ Lumbar Support snakes its way throughout the chair, flexing with your spine from sacrum to mid-back and helping ensure proper posture.

Unfortunately, the Secretlab TITAN weighs over 75 pounds, making it incredibly difficult to move and install when experiencing back pain. I encourage bringing a friend and offering a seat in the TITAN as remuneration. You’ll both be well-rested and ready for action after experiencing the luxurious cold-cure foam and pebble seat for yourselves.

  • Comes in a SoftWeave™ fabric, NEO™ leatherette, and NAPA leather finishes 
  • 165° recline and multi-tilt mechanism support your back in every position, from relaxed to upright
  • 360° aluminum base and Class IV hydraulics provide a robust foundation
  • Quite cumbersome, with a 76.1-pound weight profile
  • Snap-on magnetic head pillow and CloudSwap™ armrests seem gimmicky, without upgrading support

Best Office Chair for Back Comfort: La-Z-Boy Hyland

At A Glance
  • Price:: $439
  • Height: : 44 inches
  • Weight: : 51.4 lbs
  • Best for: : Light office work, relaxing
  • Available Colors:: Black, Brown
Highlights
  • Features ComfortCore® Plus memory foam cushions
  • AIR lumbar technology pivots as you move, providing pain relief while encouraging proper posture
  • Bonded leather craftsmanship offers a classy, timeless aesthetic
  • Warranty: 1 Year
  • Return Period: 30 Days
  • Shipping: Free

Check out the Hyland from La-Z Boy Hyland on the manufacturer’s site to see more features.

La-Z-Boy is practically synonymous with comfort. Since its inception in 1927, the company has helped millions find rest and relaxation with its lineup of cozy recliners. The recent launch of La-Z-Boy’s Hyland office chair shows how the company continues to innovate with supportive chairs that look and feel great.

The Hyland comes in black and brown finishes, which feature wooden frames and bonded leather upholstery. While it would be nice if La-Z-Boy incorporated genuine leather (bonded leather is a blend of leather scraps and polyurethane), this is more of an aesthetic choice and doesn’t affect comfort. What does affect comfort is the Hyland’s ComfortCore® Plus memory foam interior, which remains the pinnacle of supportive cushioning. As for lower back support, the Hyland’s AIR lumbar system pivots as you move, guaranteeing proper positioning as you work and play in La-Z-Boy’s heaven-like embrace.

  • Head and neck cushions cradle your upper body for extra support
  • Waterfall edge seat promotes circulation within your lower body
  • Excellent for light office work and relaxing in premium comfort
  • Doesn’t incorporate genuine leather
  • Licensed to a third-party manufacturer; not made by La-Z-Boy itself