You know the feeling: It's 6 p.m. and you've shut your laptop for the day, only to get up from your desk with lower back pain so intense, you don't know if you're going to make it to that Happy Hour after all. You've gone too long without one of the best lumbar support pillows, and your back is feeling the burn.

In This Article 01 how to choose a lumbar support pillow 02 best lumbar support pillows

Unforgiving office chairs, backless kitchen stools, and worn-out couches can all wreak havoc on our spine health. Layer on bad posture (aka, hunching over our laptops to better see our screens) and back pain can become brutal over time. Luckily, accessories like lumbar support pillows can help take a load off tired spines, alleviating pressure and reducing stress as you sit.

"Oftentimes, we sit at the edge of our chairs without any back support and end up slouched," says Jessica McManus, PT, FAAOMPT, physical therapist, functional medicine health coach, and owner of Full Circle Wellness PT. "When we use a lumbar support pillow or chair, it encourages us to scoot our bottoms all the way back into the chair and let our backs be supported by the back of the chair. This gives our back muscles a nice rest and encourages a better upright posture for our entire spine, while supporting our natural spinal curve in the lower back."

Wanna give your back a break? Keep reading to find the best lumbar support pillows picked by McManus and W+G editors, plus what to look for in your new go-to office accessory.

What do the best lumbar suport pillows have in common? For starters, the pillow should hug your natural spine curve. "These cushions are often more square or rectangle shape, with a gentle curve to them, and not so much like the thicker, log-shaped cushions," says McManus. These will improve your posture while resolving mild soreness throughout the day.

McManus also says firmness is important. "You want a cushion that is firm enough to hold its shape when you lean against it, and not something that will squish under the pressure of your back," she advises. This also means paying attention to the curve of your cushion, and making sure it nests into the natural contours of your body. "If it's too small, you may be encouraged to flex your spine more, and if it's too large, you may begin to arch your back more than feels natural," she says. "Having some way to secure it onto your chair is also very helpful, like velcro straps to keep it in place."

Best inflatable: BodyRyzm LifeSciences, Back Vitalizer — $60.00 McManus is a big fan of this pillow which has brought her patients “a lot of success.” It’s completely adjustable and portable, perfect for providing quick relief in desk chairs, car seats, and on uncomfortable plane rides. “I like that it can be inflated or deflated for more or less support,” she says. Materials: Fabric, air-inflatable Firmness level: Medium Pros: Portable Lightweight Can adjust support level by inflation or deflation Cons: Not as firm or contouring as some pillows   Shop Now Best memory foam: Everlasting, Comfort Lumbar Support Pillow — $33.00 Love that memory foam feel? Mcmanus (and 29,000+ happy Amazon customers) also suggests this pillow, which swaps the inflatable design for a dreamy, spine-loving foam. It’s only $30 and has everything you want in a good lumbar support pillow: It contours to your back, is travel-friendly, and is breathable, so no worrying about breaking a sweat while you try and perfect your posture. If you do get a little sweaty, fear not—the removable cover is machine washable and easy to zip on and off. Materials: Fabric, Memory foam Firmness level: Medium/firm Pros: Contours to your back Anti-sweat absorbent fabric Dual adjustable straps Machine-washable cover Cons: Thick in size Shop Now Best seat pillow: Tush Cush, Tush Cush Orthopedic Seat — $55.00 If you’re struggling with back pain from sitting in an office chair all day, Mcmanus recommends the Tush Cush. “This is generally something that you place on your seat, and sit on,” she says. “It slightly shifts the pressure of your body weight forward so that you have less pressure directly on your lower spine, and more on the back of your thighs.” The original also features a washable fabric cover that makes it easy to clean. If you’re feeling fancy, though, it also comes in a cloud-like sheepskin option that’ll change the way you sit forever. Materials: Velour, foam Firmness level: Medium Pros: Tilts pelvis to restore natural curve of spine Reduces pressure on lower back Machine-washable cover Cons: No cushion directly on your back   Shop Now Best for lower back: Sunday Citizen, Snug Lumbar Support Pillow — $85.00 If your lower back is really feeling the burn, tuck this narrow pillow behind your lower back for instant relief. It’s made from a plush memory foam that absorbs shock and relieves pressure where you need it most. Its narrow design also doubles as a body pillow that fits in between legs and under hips perfectly. Doesn’t hurt that it comes in a rainbow of colors that double as hygge home decor. Materials: Microfiber, memory foam Firmness level: Medium Pros: Versatile — can be used for back, neck, or as a body pillow Attractive Machine-washable cover Cons: Long, so may not fit as well on an office chair Shop Now Best ergonomic: Cushion Lab, Back Relief Lumbar Pillow — $65.00 Desk chairs, sofa, passenger seats, your favorite La-Z-Boy—if you can lean up against it, Cushion Lab’s lumbar support pillow can make it more comfortable. Designed by the brand’s team of in-house ergonomists, it hugs the spine to match the natural contours of the back and balance the spine. Know that it is made from an extra-firm memory foam, so if you prefer a more forgiving fabric, this might not be your thing. Otherwise, strap it on to any surface, sit back, and relax. Materials: Fabric, memory foam Firmness level: Firm Pros: Contours naturally against the back Adjustable strap Machine-washable cover Cons: Extra dense firm may not be for everyone Shop Now Best breathable: Lovehome, Lumbar Support Pillow — $25.00 Another budget-friendly option is this lumbar support pillow from Lovehome, which has garnered a devoted following on Amazon. The memory foam body is ideal for long days at your desk or in your car, giving you better spinal alignment as you sit. It’s breathable, travel-friendly, and ultra-supportive, plus it’s backed with a lifetime warranty in case you ever need a replacement. Materials: Mesh cover, memory foam Firmness level: Medium Pros: Supports back’s natural curve Adjustable straps Breathable and machine-washable cover Cons: Thick in size Shop Now Best cooling: Purple, Back Cushion — $39.00 If you’re looking for instant comfort, you can never go wrong with a Purple product. This back pillow uses the brand’s signature Grid that absorbs shock, alleviates pain, and provides relief in all the right places. Use the adjustable strap to secure it to your favorite desk chair, then sit back and relish in the Grid’s too-good-to-be-true cushiness. Paired with the brand’s double seat cushion, and you’ll never want to leave your office chair again. Materials: Proprietary Purple Grid (GelFlex polymer) Firmness level: Medium Pros: Air channels allow for maximum air flow Flexible, but bounce-back material Adjustable strap Machine-washable cover, rinse off grid with soap and water Cons: Hard to keep the pillow in place Shop Now Best roll pillow: OPTP, The Original McKenzie Lumbar Roll — $24.00 Want a pillow you can truly take anywhere? The McKenzie roll is about as portable as it gets, thanks to its compact design and lightweight packaging that fits easily into duffels, backpacks, suitcases, and more. Don’t let its size fool you, though—this small-but-mighty pillow is ideal for localized relief and has won the hearts of pain specialists, physical therapists, and chiropractors for years. For $24, adding one to your home office (or office office) is a no-brainer. Materials: Fabric, foam Firmness level: Medium or firm options Pros: Portable Adjustable strap Has two density options to choose from Cons: Moves around because of cylindrical shape Shop Now Best heated: Homedics, Lumbar Pillow — $65.00 We know McManus advised agaist logs, but editors love this heated option from Homedics. It doubles as a heating pad, warming sore muscles and loosening things up while you support. Like the others, it fits seamlessly onto chairs and sofas, only this one comes with three different heat settings to soothe while you sit. Seriously, this plush pillow is so comfy, you’ll never sit in another stiff desk chair without one again. Materials: Fabric, foam Firmness level: Medium/firm Pros: Can be used on neck, back, and shoulders, and while lying down Three heat settings Adjustable strap Cons: Corded, so have to be near a power outlet Shop Now

McManus is a big fan of this pillow which has brought her patients “a lot of success.” It’s completely adjustable and portable, perfect for providing quick relief in desk chairs, car seats, and on uncomfortable plane rides. “I like that it can be inflated or deflated for more or less support,” she says.

Love that memory foam feel? Mcmanus (and 29,000+ happy Amazon customers) also suggests this pillow, which swaps the inflatable design for a dreamy, spine-loving foam. It’s only $30 and has everything you want in a good lumbar support pillow: It contours to your back, is travel-friendly, and is breathable, so no worrying about breaking a sweat while you try and perfect your posture. If you do get a little sweaty, fear not—the removable cover is machine washable and easy to zip on and off.

If you’re struggling with back pain from sitting in an office chair all day, Mcmanus recommends the Tush Cush. “This is generally something that you place on your seat, and sit on,” she says. “It slightly shifts the pressure of your body weight forward so that you have less pressure directly on your lower spine, and more on the back of your thighs.”

The original also features a washable fabric cover that makes it easy to clean. If you’re feeling fancy, though, it also comes in a cloud-like sheepskin option that’ll change the way you sit forever.

If your lower back is really feeling the burn, tuck this narrow pillow behind your lower back for instant relief. It’s made from a plush memory foam that absorbs shock and relieves pressure where you need it most. Its narrow design also doubles as a body pillow that fits in between legs and under hips perfectly. Doesn’t hurt that it comes in a rainbow of colors that double as hygge home decor.

Desk chairs, sofa, passenger seats, your favorite La-Z-Boy—if you can lean up against it, Cushion Lab’s lumbar support pillow can make it more comfortable. Designed by the brand’s team of in-house ergonomists, it hugs the spine to match the natural contours of the back and balance the spine. Know that it is made from an extra-firm memory foam, so if you prefer a more forgiving fabric, this might not be your thing. Otherwise, strap it on to any surface, sit back, and relax.

Another budget-friendly option is this lumbar support pillow from Lovehome, which has garnered a devoted following on Amazon. The memory foam body is ideal for long days at your desk or in your car, giving you better spinal alignment as you sit. It’s breathable, travel-friendly, and ultra-supportive, plus it’s backed with a lifetime warranty in case you ever need a replacement.

Materials: Mesh cover, memory foam

If you’re looking for instant comfort, you can never go wrong with a Purple product. This back pillow uses the brand’s signature Grid that absorbs shock, alleviates pain, and provides relief in all the right places. Use the adjustable strap to secure it to your favorite desk chair, then sit back and relish in the Grid’s too-good-to-be-true cushiness. Paired with the brand’s double seat cushion, and you’ll never want to leave your office chair again.

Materials: Proprietary Purple Grid (GelFlex polymer)

Want a pillow you can truly take anywhere? The McKenzie roll is about as portable as it gets, thanks to its compact design and lightweight packaging that fits easily into duffels, backpacks, suitcases, and more. Don’t let its size fool you, though—this small-but-mighty pillow is ideal for localized relief and has won the hearts of pain specialists, physical therapists, and chiropractors for years. For $24, adding one to your home office (or office office) is a no-brainer.

Firmness level: Medium or firm options

We know McManus advised agaist logs, but editors love this heated option from Homedics. It doubles as a heating pad, warming sore muscles and loosening things up while you support. Like the others, it fits seamlessly onto chairs and sofas, only this one comes with three different heat settings to soothe while you sit. Seriously, this plush pillow is so comfy, you’ll never sit in another stiff desk chair without one again.

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