The 6 Best Office Chairs for Back Pain & Sciatica

If you suffer from back pain or sciatica, you are probably familiar with the consequences of sitting on the wrong work chair.

(Let’s face it, your current office chair is basically a medieval torture device disguised as a place to “work”)

With many of us now working at home, an ergonomic office chair is one of the best ways to prevent back pain and sciatica caused by sitting too long in an awkward position.

In this post, you’ll find the highest-rated office chairs for back pain sufferers, why ergonomic task chairs are better, and how to choose the best ones to keep your spine aligned and your back muscles supported when you work.

In a Hurry?

See our short comparison table, followed by our detailed ergonomic mesh office chair reviews:

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How to Choose an Office Chair for Back Pain 

The right office chair for people who suffer from back pain/sciatica is an adjustable, high-back chair with lumbar support, a headrest (to support the neck), and a reclining option (preferably up to 135 degrees).

Here’s why:

According to Mayo Clinic, to sit properly you’ll need to adjust the height of the chair so that your feet rest flat on the floor or footrest and your thighs are parallel to the floor.

You’ll also need to adjust the armrests so that your shoulders are relaxed when you rest your hands on them.

Finally, A reclining option and a headrest will allow you to get a few minutes of rest from work, and help your back muscles to fully relax.

This is especially vital for people with sciatica and lower back pain.

Using MRI scans, Canadian researchers concluded that the ideal biomechanical sitting position to reduce spinal pressure and disc wear is in a chair with the backrest reclined 135 degrees, with your two feet planted on the floor.

The 6 Best Office Chairs for Back Pain & Sciatica

Ergonomic office chairs are best when it comes to proper back support and preventing sciatica pain.

They are highly adjustable high-back chairs, and the curve in the back keeps you in optimal posture – without pressure on your shoulders, hips, and neck.

A mesh backrest is breathable, dynamic, doesn’t trap heat, and sort of bends and moves with you throughout your workday as you change positions.

See how to sit and sleep with ankylosing spondylitis

1. Herman Miller Aeron Chair Best for Back Pain/Sciatica

Pros – Iconic, breathable, fully customizable chair with optimal back support, 3 sizes for all body types

Cons – Expensive, may feel too rigid for some people

✅ $999-$1600 on Amazon

The best way to find a neutral posture and full support for your back (to prevent sciatica pain) is by sitting on a fully adjustable task chair, such as the award-winning Herman Miller Aeron Chair.

Sitting on the Aeron chair (Made in Michigan at a 100% green-energy facility), you can fully adjust the lumbar support, the seat, and the armrests.

The durable mesh backrest is breathable, and comfortable, and helps support your back muscles and spine.

If that’s not enough, the Aeron chair (which comes in 3 sizes for all body types) has an adjustable tilt and reclines up to 135 degrees (the optimal reclining angle for low back pain/sciatica).

This chair is amazingly comfortable, with a top-quality finish and fit, and makes you feel you get what you paid for.

While it’s more expensive than average, the Herman Miller Aeron chair’s benefits (optimal back support, high-quality materials, and 12-year warranty) add up and make it the best (and most copied) ergonomic office chair of 2024.

It’s the best choice for back pain, sciatica, ankylosing spondylitis, coccyx pain, and any back pain.

Cons

Do not order before you take some measurements to decide the right size for you. You don’t want a chair that’s too big or small for you.

This means this may not fit other people in your home.

Also, if you are looking for extra padding on the backrest – this chair is not for you.

✅ Available on Amazon ($999-$1605)

Pro Tip

Use a donut pillow or a coccyx pillow if you suffer from tailbone pain – see the best donut pillows for tailbone pain!

2. Duramont Ergonomic Office Chair Best Herman Miller Alternative

Pros – A comfortable and stylish chair with essential adjustability options, adjustable headrest, unique lumbar adjustment knob

Cons – No seat-depth control, uncomfortable for the big and tall

✅ $250 on Amazon (with code under the price)

The Duramont is also a highly adjustable mesh chair, but this one comes with an adjustable headrest, which is helpful for those moments of relaxation and for supporting your neck when you are reclining (up to 120 degrees).

It also features rollerblade wheels that glide easily over the floor (but not so easily on carpets).

You can adjust the headrest height and angle, the lumbar support height and depth, the armrest height and distance from the seat, the seat height, the backrest tilt, and the tilt tension.

However, shorter people may struggle to reach the floor due to the seat depth.

The mesh backrest allows for cool air to circulate, keeping your back sweat-free, and we liked that the reclining tension knob is very easy to reach and gives you a wide range of adjustments.

For the price, the Duramont chair just can’t be beat.

With the 90-day money-back guarantee and 5-year warranty, this is a risk-free purchase for working at home or anywhere.

Plus, many users love the fact that you get extra hardware and everything you need to assemble the chair with ease.

Cons

The lowest setting of the armrests may be too high for shorter people and this may cause shoulder muscle tension.

✅ Available on Amazon ($250)

3. NOUHAUS Ergo3D Office Chair Best for Short-Average Users

Pros – Proper neck support, excellent lumbar support system

Cons – Not the prettiest chair to look at

✅ $370 on Amazon

The Nouhaus Ergo3D office chair is fairly customizable (except for the headrest), almost like its top luxury competitor – the Aeron chair – yet costs less than half its price.

Why?

Because it is not the prettiest office chair around, the brand is unknown, and it won’t fit bigger and taller people.

However:

The self-adjustable backrest automatically adjusts its tension based on the pressure you apply and cradles your back and neck whether you lean back or forward.

The headrest takes care of your neck at any angle, the adjustable tilt allows for up to 135 degrees reclining, the 3D armrests move in 4 directions, and with the waterfall seat, this is one of the most versatile office chairs in this price range and recommended even for 8+ hours of work.

The lever on the right side of the chair allows you to lock the chair in the upright position, semi-recline, and full recline.

Bottom line, this mesh office chair is a great fit for small-average users and is made with high-quality materials that will last for years.

Cons

No padding between the edges of the frame and the mesh may cause leg pain if you lean into the chair for long periods.

✅ Available at Walmart ($370), and on Amazon ($370)

4. Modway Articulate Mesh Office Chair Best Under $200

Pros – One-touch height adjustment and a lock system, comfortable and adjustable, generous padding, affordable

Cons – No neck support, questionable durability

✅ $130-$145 on Amazon

For a far less expensive option, the Modway ergonomic mesh office chair offers a surprising level of comfort and adjustability – for an affordable price.

The back height, seat depth, and armrests are easily adjustable, and the chair also includes tilt tension and lock functions to recline comfortably.

The seat is generously padded (6” thick mesh seat cushion) and it comes in many fun colors like blue, orange, and purple –  great for high school or college students.

For under $200, we would recommend this as a good new mesh chair that won’t empty your pockets, but it’s not our #1 or #2 choice for sitting 8+ hours of work on it and doesn’t feel as durable as the other computer chairs on this list.

As for the warranty, we had to contact the company and found there is only a 1-year warranty, and only for the chair frame.

✅ Available on Amazon ($130-$145)

5. RESPAWN-205 Gaming Chair Best Gaming Chair for Back Pain

Pros – Detachable headrest, lumbar support cushion, 130-degree recline, swivel rotation

Cons – Mid-level assembly difficulty

✅ $256 at Walmart

The Respawn 205 features a half-mesh, half-cushion back, so you get the benefits of the cushion’s comfort and the mesh’s breathability while you play.

The headrest is detachable and so is the lumbar support cushion, and you can also adjust the height of the seat and armrests.

The respawn chair reclines up to the optimal 130-degree angle and locks in position (3-position tilt lock), and the Full 360 degrees of swivel rotation enable dynamic movement.

This great-looking racecar-style gaming chair provides luxury and comfort, whether it’s used for intense gaming sessions or long workdays, backed with a lifetime warranty by Respawn.

While it’s not as adjustable as some other mesh chairs on this list, the price is relatively low (less than $200!), making it a great-value work-at-home/gaming chair for back pain prevention.

✅ Available at Walmart ($256)

6. Gabrylly Ergonomic Mesh Office Chair Best for the Money

Pros – Flip-up armrests, 120-degree tilt, adjustable headrest, 360-degree swivel

Cons – The bar under the seat can cause problems, and the headrest only fits people up to 5’8

✅ $186-$269 on Amazon

The Gabrylly ergonomic mesh office chair’s best features are the 4 supporting points, including lumbar support, and a headrest.

The first support point is in the backrest, which has just enough curve and some lumbar support.

The second point is the curve and shape of the seat to relieve pressure on the hips, and there’s the adjustable headrest.

Another great thing about this chair is the deep 120-degree tilt and the flip-up armrests that come with removable padding (if you do not want to use it).

The high-quality mesh keeps this chair cool and is easy to clean, and the 360-degree swivel is great (the chair moves smoothly and quietly).

And here’s something important for people who don’t like complicated assembly: users have reported that this chair takes no more than 5 minutes to assemble, instructions are straightforward, and you may not even need them!

Amazon buyers love this chair and give it high reviews consistently.

Cons

The headrest is clearly stated to only fit people up to 5’8 or shorter, so many people may not be able to use it.

✅ Available on Amazon ($186-$269)

How to Sit On an Ergonomic Office Chair

How do you adjust an ergonomic office chair for lower back pain?

Many people who already have an ergonomic office chair just don’t sit on it properly.

To prevent back pain, you’ll need to change your seat height so that your feet are flat on the floor (or use a footrest), adjust the seat depth so there’s at least one inch between the back of your knees and the seat edge, and move your back so that the lumbar area fits into your lower back.

Continue with adjusting the armrests so your shoulders are relaxed, and adjust the headrest to the back of your head so it’s not pushed forward or downward.

Here’s a short video demonstrating how to sit on an ergonomic chair:

What is the Best Office Chair for Low Back Pain? 

In this post, you’ve found the top 5 ergonomic office chairs for back pain and sciatica, at quite a large price range and adjustability options.

Our top pick for 2024 is the Herman Miller Aeron chair.

Our recommendation for the best Herman Miller alternative is the Duramont Mesh office chair.

The best choice for under $200 is either the Modway Articulate or the Gabrylly mesh gaming chair.

The best office chair for shorter people is the NOUHAUS Ergo3D Office Chair.

We hope we’ve saved you some time and money with this research, feel free to ask us anything in the comment section below.

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