Are you stuck in a bad office chair?
Do you know how to choose the best lumbar support?
Does sitting through one more episode of your favorite TV show cause your back to rage with pain?
Are you still driving around in that old sedan with a saggy, effectively negative lumbar support?
Alas, it’s probably terrible for your back.
But take heart! You are not alone. Millions of others are in the same battle as you, fighting daily battles against terrible chairs that are completely unavoidable or irreplaceable.
Fortunately, there is a mighty weapon that you can use in this fight….
It’s called a lumbar support pillow.
What’s so great about a lumbar support?
It goes something like this:
- Sitting with poor posture or in a bad chair increases the pressure put on your lower, lumbar spine
- Your back muscles get achy, sore, and tight
- Your back muscles ultimately fail and you start to slouch
- Slouching puts pressure on your spinal discs
- Your spinal discs begin to bulge
- Ultimately, you cause irreparable damage to your discs as well as throw your back out of alignment, over-recruit the wrong muscles to get away from the bulging discs, your SI joint gets irritated due to the compensation….and worst of all, you could rupture a spinal disc.
A strong lumbar support works to support the lumbar spine, moving it back to an optimal position (i.e. normal lumbar lordosis) and preventing all of the above from happening.
Of course, if you want more information about how and why you should pick a lumbar support, check out our full explanation here.
But the bottom line is that lumbar supports can be critical for your health.
So, with this in mind, we:
- spent 15+ hours researching over 30 lumbar support pillows in detail,
- consulted expert physical therapists,
- looked at hundreds of lumbar supports across Amazon and all the lists that weren’t on the dark pages of a Google search, and
- selected these winners just for you.
Our criteria for the selections were:
- No memory foam. As noted above, memory foam just doesn’t cut it.
- Solid reviews & durability. As always, we looked closely at reviews and yet also took them with a grain of salt. Not everyone likes adjusting to healthy habits and it can take time to adjust to using a lumbar support well. But, it was important for us to read what people had to say.
- Firm or very firm supports only. The thickness you need changes depending on the chair. But, you always need firmness.
- Easy to clean. If the lumbar support is disgusting, you won’t use it.
- Straps. Lumbar supports without straps will almost certainly move from their proper position throughout the day.
- A winner in its category. Chairs and people vary greatly. So we needed a few categories of winners. But, lumbar supports are inexpensive enough that there was no need to make multiple selections for the same kind of support.
- Reasonably price. We’ve mentioned many times on this site that it’s worth spending money on your back. Ultimately, medical bills related to bulge discs typically are far worse than any expensive mattress or chair. But, when it comes to lumbar support pillows, you just shouldn’t spend lots of money because it’s just a pillow.
Without further ado…
Here are our selections for the best lumbar supports for your back.
Best Max Support:
The Original McKenzie Lumbar Roll #702 – Firm
Use if…
You need a lumbar pillow for a couch, a support soft chair, or a chair that rounds out the back (i.e. the chair has zero or negative built-in support). Or if you are very heavy in weight.
Don’t use if…
Anything else. The support is so strong that most people can’t tolerate it on top of the typical support that you would find in a desk chair or seat of a car.
Why it’s the winner…
This is the #1 best-selling Lumbar Pillow on Amazon.com that isn’t memory foam.
But, since people can be fickle, let’s also note that this was the “go-to” recommendation when we consulted a physical therapist. If you compare this lumbar support to all the other top sellers in the Lumbar Pillow category on Amazon, you will notice that this is the only lumbar support amongst the top 10 that says anything about being recommended by physical therapists. There is a reason for that.
You need firm support for a healthy back. This lumbar support pillow is firm. And it’s affordable, made with good materials, and produced by a trusted manufacturer.
That last point is a kicker: this product wasn’t developed and produced by a plastics manufacturer in China. This product has been designed and improved by The Mckenzie Institute (which is an educational non-profit with doctors and physical therapists on-staff) for the last 25 years. And it’s made in the USA.
So, what’s not to like?
Some users mentioned that the straps could be more secure. However, it’s pretty easy to position. And, given its shape, it will roll with your back as you move in your seat. After all, even full-back pillows require placement at the right height to be effective.
Also – it’s worth noting that since this lumbar support provides so much support, you really shouldn’t use this with any chair that has any support built-in. You just won’t be comfortable or be able to tolerate all the support from his pillow on top of whatever was already in the chair.
But, if your chair has no support or negative support for your lumbar spine, this pillow is for you.
As McKenzie states, this lumbar support pillow is “ideal for people who require more substantial support” and “constructed from firm foam with less give.”
We say in response: “Awesome. There are many people in need.”
What’s Awesome and Matters…
+ Not made from memory foam
+ Designed and highly recommended by physical therapists and doctors
+ Easy to clean (100% polyester removable/washable cover)
+ Firm density support
+ Durable and high-quality materials
+ Thick dimensions (11” x 4.75”)
+ Versatile b/c most chairs require lots of support
+ 85% of Amazon users rated 4 or 5 stars
+ Reasonably priced at around $30 or less
Things that Matter and Could Be Better…
– Strapping mechanism could perhaps be a bit more secure
Doesn’t Really Matter But We Loved It…
+ Made in the USA
Doesn’t Really Matter but Could Be Improved…
– You might have to remove a plastic bag that is over the foam roll when it ships
– More color/fabric options
Reviews Summary:
Very strong: 1,960+ Amazon ratings for an average of 4.4 stars. Reminder: people are finicky about stuff like this and lumbar pillows can sometimes make some of your muscles sore for a few days as your body adjusts to good posture (true story). It’s very rare to find any lumbar support pillow with a rating of 4.5 or higher. So, the fact that so many people like this lumbar pillow really speaks volumes.
Here’s a pretty typical review from one customer: “I just had an L5-S1 fusion. I’m currently in physical therapy working on my posture and conditioning my spine for when I go back to work. My PT recommended this product. It works WONDERS for my pain. I still have pain, but if I reposition this when I’m sitting or driving it helps tremendously…”
We think the grateful tone speaks for itself.
—
Best Strong Support:
The Original McKenzie D-Section Lumbar Roll #700
Use if…
You need strong – but not max support – for softer chairs or desk chairs with poor built-in lumbar support. Or if you are on the heavier side for weight.
Don’t use if…
You are going to use with a couch or an extremely soft chair. In that case, you would want max support.
You should also not use this lumbar support if you are simply looking to supplement a decent and already-built-in support.
In other words, if you are looking to supplement the built-in support of your chair at your office or in your car, then you should probably purchase the one we selected as Best Supplement Support. This D-section might be too thick.
Why it’s the winner…
Just like the #1 best-selling Lumbar Pillow on Amazon.com that isn’t memory foam, this lumbar support pillow is from a fantastic U.S.-based company that makes its products with good materials and medical oversight. We really are a fan of the McKenzie rolls.
But, in regards to this specific category, we selected this D-section lumbar support pillow as the Best Strong Support winner because of its extraordinary and firm + thick support.
What’s Awesome and Matters…
+ Strong support for flat/low support chairs
+ No memory foam
+ Designed and highly recommended by physical therapists and doctors
+ Easy to clean (100% polyester removable/washable cover)
+ Durable and high-quality materials
+ Thick dimensions (11” x 4.75”)
+ Versatile b/c most chairs require lots of support
+ 86% of Amazon users rated 4 or 5 stars
+ Reasonably priced at around $30 or less
Things that Matter and Could Be Better…
– Strapping mechanism could perhaps be a bit more secure
Doesn’t Really Matter But We Loved It…
+ Made in the USA
Doesn’t Really Matter but Could Be Improved…
– You might have to remove a plastic bag that is over the foam roll when it ships
– More color/fabric options
Reviews Summary:
There are roughly 650+ Amazon ratings for an average of 4.0 stars. This is strong but it does appear that this D-section is a more recent development from McKenzie and thus the number of ratings are a bit lower.
It’s worth noting that most of the truly negative reviews are from people who should have purchased a supplemental support instead of this strong support… in other words, they didn’t need this much support and it made them uncomfortable. It wasn’t because of the product.
One reviewer who gave this product 5 stars took note of this: “I see alot of 1-3 review stars because of how firm this item is. As a bigger person this is actually my favourit part. It’ squishes against your back just enough to put pressure on the part you need to promote good back posture, but doesn’t squish so much that isn’t not actually helping you.”
Agreed. If you need strong but not max support, then this McKenzie D-section lumbar support pillow is right for you.
—
Best Supplemental Lumbar Support Pillow:
The Original McKenzie Super Roll #708
So, what’s the difference between this Original McKenzie Super Roll and the other roll listed above?
Basically two things:
a. thickness: this Super Roll #708 is only 2 inches thick compared to the 4.75-inch diameter of the Lumbar Roll #702, and
b. shape: this Super Roll is more of a wedge-shape.
(Side note: yes, we agree that they should have better names for their models.)
Anyways, why should you buy this one instead of the normal, thicker Lumbar Roll #702?
It’s simple: you should buy this Super Roll if you just need supplemental support.
Since this support is thinner, it really works better when the chair already has some lumbar support. Practically, this means that this makes it a great option for supplementing decently supportive desk chairs. Most other chairs will require something thicker – like the Lumbar Roll #702 listed above.
Of course, please don’t forget that the definition of what’s enough support is somewhat determined by your unique spinal curvature. So, it’s not all about the chair.
In conclusion, all that amazing stuff we said about the Lumbar Roll #702? Yes, it applies to this winner as well. It’s just that this Super Roll #708 is thinner.
What’s Awesome and Matters…
+ Not made from memory foam
+ Designed and highly recommended by physical therapists and doctors
+ Easy to clean (100% polyester removable/washable cover)
+ Firm density support
+ Durable and high-quality materials
+ Pre-compressed foam for firm comfort
+ Thickness is perfect for supplementing built-in lumbar supports
+ Solid price: about $30 or less
+ Strong reviews – 85% rated 4 or 5 stars
Things that Matter and Could Be Better…
– Strapping mechanism could perhaps be a bit more secure
Doesn’t Really Matter But We Loved It…
+ Made in the USA
+ Sleek and aesthetically appealing for a lumbar pillow
+ We kind of like the beveled edges (again, looks good for a pillow)
+ Great dimensions at 16″ L x 2″ D x 6″ H
Doesn’t Really Matter but Could Be Improved…
– One reviewer noted that you might have to remove a plastic bag that is over the foam roll when it ships; apparently this isn’t intuitive
– More color/fabric options
Reviews Summary:
Like the previous winner from McKenzie, this lumbar support pillow also has earned 4.4 stars across hundreds of reviews on Amazon (700+ ratings).
One notable review specifically mentioned what we said above: that this makes a great supplemental support for your office chair. He writes, “I use this in the office. I have a “lumbar support” chair from our ergonomic team. The chair is 10 times better than the normal chair, but I still was looking for more.”
Also – apparently one guy loves it so much that he’s strapping it around his waist like a belt and walks around with it. As he put it, “I finally figured out that the end of black elastic strap can be secured under your belt to keep from walking out without it. IF you have L3-4-5 issues (Lower Back) use this cushion ALL the time and it may help big time.”
We definitely recommend this product.
But, you can decide if you want to wear it fanny-pack-style like that guy.
—
Best Car Lumbar Support Pillow:
KULIK SYSTEM
Why it’s the best…
If you need great lumbar support for your car, this product is for you.
This lumbar support pillow is unique and in a class all by itself. How so? It isn’t made out of memory foam and it has two straps to properly secure it in the perfect position that you need. As Kulik notes, optimal positioning of the lumbar support pillow is generally 5-6 inches from the sitting surface.
The patented design of this lumbar support pillow includes support up along the spine — which is perfect because vehicle seats often encourage a lot of slouching all the way up the spine.
Like the McKenzie lumbar pillows, this product was also developed by a team with more than 25 years of experience in back support products. In other words, this lumbar support pillow wasn’t developed quickly by a random manufacturing plant. It’s been designed, patented, and improved by Kulik’s team for years.
Besides its shape and support, the lumbar support is made from what the company calls “eco-leather.” We are a fan of being environmentally friendly…but, Kulik could be more straightforward: this isn’t real leather. That said, it’s also not your cheap pleather. Kulik describes it like this: “Eco-leather is a product of high technologies of the future, which has a flexile structure, softness, and elasticity. Passing and ventilating the air, the eco-leather, however, does not let water vapor pass.”
All in all, this is a fantastic option for your vehicle due to its full-back design and dual straps.
This lumbar support pillow will stay in place and keep all of your back in the right place as well.
What’s Awesome and Matters…
+ No memory foam
+ Firm and dense support
+ Durable and high-quality materials
+ Upper spine support
+ Dual straps keep it from moving
+ Definitely the best vehicle-focused lumbar support pillow
+ Great reviews – 79% are either 4 or 5 stars
+ Solid size: 17” tall x 9” wide x 3” deep
Things that Matter and Could Be Better…
– Price is a bit high at around $60 to $80
– Eco-leather should be easy to wipe but it doesn’t appear to have a removable cover for washing
Doesn’t Really Matter But We Loved It…
+ Multiple fabric options
+ Sleek look due to its Italian designers
Doesn’t Really Matter but Could Be Improved…
– Real leather option
– Different sizes/depth options
Reviews Summary:
One reviewer noted that, if you have a wide torso, then the side wings could be a little tight on you. But this sentiment wasn’t echoed in any other reviews we saw. Instead, one other reviewer commented that the wings help to “stay aligned and correctly supported.”
Overall, reviewers frequently stated that they have tried many lumbar supports for their vehicle but this one was the best.
As one customer wrote, “I’ve purchased many back supports for use in my car, and this one is the best. Great quality construction and look, and in addition to lumbar support, it also encourages opening of the upper torso. Highly recommended.”
—
Best Travel Lumbar Support Pillow:
Therm-a-Rest Lumbar Travel Pillow
We gotta be honest: we weren’t planning to select a “Best On-the-Go Lumbar Support Pillow.”
But then we stumbled across this product, read the best reviews yet, and then realized that people with back pain need a product just like this.
Why? What makes this one different?
In summary, it is:
a. the only inflatable lumbar pillow with raving reviews,
b. self-inflating and easily adjustable with one hand,
c. the best-rated lumbar travel pillow we saw period, and
d. the best small, portable lumbar travel pillow to-go
It’s basically small enough to fit in a purse and yet it gets the job done on planes, in restaurants, in Uber rides, on public transportation, etc….it’s truly a one-of-a-kind lumbar support pillow that many people carry with them everywhere they go.
Ultimately, it’s versatility is unparalleled. As the manufacturer states, “It’s self-inflating to allow a personalized level of support and can be adjusted with one hand to add critical comfort to bad seats anywhere.”
If you need a versatile lumbar support pillow to take with you when you travel or when you are on-the-go, look no further.
What’s Awesome and Matters…
+ No memory foam
+ Firm and adjustable support
+ Self-inflating
+ easily-adjustable with one hand
+ Durable (especially given it’s inflatable)
+ Great reviews – 90% 4 or 5-star reviews!
+ Portable but sufficient size at 8” x 7” x 2”
+ Very affordable
+ The best travel or on-the-go lumbar support pillow we could find
Things that Matter and Could Be Better…
– No securing straps (but, since it’s for use on-the-go, this doesn’t matter as much)
Doesn’t Really Matter But We Loved It…
+ Maroon and blue color options
+ Can be deflated and rolled up for easy travel storage
Doesn’t Really Matter but Could Be Improved…
– No securing straps (doesn’t matter much since this is meant to be used in transit)
Reviews Summary:
This lumbar support pillow both has Amazon’s Choice status and has also garnered 1200+ ratings for a 4.6 star average.
Biggest complaint from users is just that they frequently lose it. But, they all reiterate that they have kept purchasing more whenever they have lost it. The price is low enough to make this possible. (Tip: one review recommends purchasing a bright color and putting your name & phone number on it)
Here’s a solid quote: “Indispensable back support travels with me everywhere: in the car, on plane trips, to the movies, and at home when working on the computer or watching tv. If you have a spine or lower back problem or sciatica your physical therapist advises you to sit tall and straight with no slump. This little puppy provides the support to keep that correct spine position.”
Sounds like a winner.
Conclusion
We think this list is the best starting place for finding a lumbar support that’s right for you. But, of course, you might have to try a few lumbar supports to ultimately find one that works best for your chair and your back.
So, we encourage you to get started in finding the perfect fit.
Your back will thank you.
FAQs
Does a lumbar support help reduce lower back pain?
The short answer is this: yes, lumbar supports often help people tremendously with their back pain.
What’s the longer answer? It depends on your situation, of course.
That said, here are some great questions to ask yourself:
- Why does my back hurt? Barring degenerative diseases, congenital deformities, or aging… poor posture and life habits are the typical culprit for most people’s back pain. If you want to dive in a little deeper, you might want to read this.
- What chairs do I use frequently and how are their lumbar supports? If one or more of the chairs you often use doesn’t have a good lumbar support, then remediating that problem could go a long way in helping your back pain. You should think about what (if any) lumbar supports exist in the chairs in your car, at your desk, at your kitchen table, etc.
- What’s my posture like? Do I know how to sit properly?
- If I have a lumbar support, is it a good one? A bad lumbar support pillow won’t help you.
You can read more about why and how you should select a good lumbar support here.
Where should lumbar support be on your back?
Fantastic and super important question.
There’s a lot of videos out there. But, here’s a solid video that we’ve found for you. The video describes how to best place a lumbar support and the instructor is a licensed physical therapist.
Where should lumbar support be placed in a car?
Also a great question.
However, a seat in a vehicle is ultimately just a chair. So, the strategy for proper placement isn’t really that different.
Of course, in regards to which lumbar support pillow you use in your vehicle, you might want to consider getting the KULIK SYSTEM. This lumbar support pillow is specifically made for use in your car.
Questions? Comments? Feedback?
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