7 Best Lumbar Support Pillows, Tested By Back Pain Experts And An Editor
Dr. Kevin Lees, director of chiropractic operations for The Joint Chiropractic, recently contributed to an article on Women’s Health about the best lumbar support pillows. In the feature, Dr. Lees explains how lumbar support pillows can help maintain the spine’s natural curve while sitting, potentially reducing strain on the lower back during long periods of sitting at a desk, in a car, or at home.
Original article published by Women's Health on January 21, 2025, titled 7 Best Lumbar Support Pillows, Tested By Back Pain Experts And An Editor.
They can make your office chair or car seat much more comfortable.
If your coworkers—or significant others, kids, and pets for you WFH-ers—are sick of hearing you stretch, fidget, and complain about your uncomfortable office chair all day everyday, it’s time to finally make a change. Sure, you could invest in another one, but a new chair will cost you at least a few hundred dollars.
The next best thing: a great lumbar support pillow. The lumbar generally refers to your lower spine, or the lower back area, which is typically the part of the body that’s under the most stress when sitting too long. Lumbar support pillows relieve pressure on the lower back and encourage proper posture, says Kevin Lees, DC, director of chiropractic operations at The Joint Chiropractic. “Poor posture while sitting can lead to increased joint stress and muscle tension, and damage to joints that may contribute to long-term degeneration [loss in function] or osteoarthritis,” he says.
Best Lumbar Support Pillows
| Pillow | Accolade |
|---|---|
| Tempur-Pedic Lumbar Cushion | Best Overall |
| Everlasting Comfort The Original Lumbar Support Pillow | Best Budget |
| Purple Back Cushion | Best Cooling |
Lumbar support pillows help maintain the natural C-curve of the lower back, ensuring proper weight distribution on the bones you use to sit down, says Tori Hatline , DC, owner of Sunlife Chiropractic. The hope is that you’ll experience less fatigue or body aches with the additional support. (Pro tip: You can also try some posture-improving exercises to further strengthen your back muscles and minimize pain.)
Lumbar support pillows are usually attached to the bottom back section of any seat, whether that’s an office chair or your favorite recliner, so they’re pretty easy to set up. But before you buy a lumbar support pillow, here’s what to keep in mind.
What To Consider
Firmness
Unlike mattresses where you should choose firmness based on your sleeping position, the firmness of your lumbar support pillow is really up to your preferences. Some individuals favor firmer, more rounded designs, while others prefer softer, subtler options, says Anthony Giuffrida, a board-certified interventional spine and pain management physician.
Adjustable Straps
Adjustable straps ensure that the pillow you buy fits your chair snugly and securely. This is especially important if you get up and sit back down frequently throughout the day, as you want your pillow to stay put. Look for pillows with at least one strap, although two is even better.
Washable Cover
Because lumbar support pillows can potentially be used for long hours on a daily basis, a cover that’s both removable and machine-washable is non-negotiable. Covers are available in a wide range of materials from polyester to cotton to bamboo.
How We Chose
As someone who regularly writes about pillows and bedding, I’ve tested dozens of lumbar support pillows, so I have an idea of what to look for in a pillow that helps relieve back pain. I also tapped Women’s Health editors for their feedback on lumbar support pillows they’ve tried. With that intel and help from several experts in spinal medicine, back pain, and chiropractic care, I evaluated several pillows on design, durability, and adjustability, narrowing them down to this list of the seven best lumbar support pillows.
If you’re ready to finally give your back the support it needs, these are the best lumbar support pillows worth buying in 2025.
Best Overall - Tempur-Pedic Lumbar Cushion
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Lightweight, compact design is easy to take anywhere | No adjustable straps to keep it in place |
| Universal fit for most chair sizes | |
| Chic, machine-washable cover | |
| Solid, 10-year warranty |
Tempur-Pedic’s material is “some of the best on the market, making it very lightweight and breathable,” says Ashley Cruz, a chiropractor and founder of Cruz Chiro Wellness in New York City. Plus, most of the brand’s products excel at pressure relief, which is why WH editors are huge fans of everything Tempur-Pedic, from its mattresses (the Tempur-Breeze is on WH'S list of the best mattresses for back pain)
With a just-right “Goldilocks” firmness, Tempur-Pedic’s legendary cooling memory foam core, and a high-quality design backed by a 10-year warranty, this pillow checks most of our must-have boxes for a lumbar support pillow.
At only two inches thick, this travel-sized option is smaller than most others on this list. But the pillow’s density provides more support than other options measuring twice as deep. The slightly curved design contours perfectly to the spine to ensure a more comfortable sitting position and proper posture, too.
The pillow also features a removable cover with a clean, simple design that’ll blend into any office aesthetic. Its cover is machine-washable, making for quick and easy maintenance. Our only real gripe is the lack of adjustable straps. But that isn’t a deal-breaker. While testing this pillow, I found that the pillow stayed put no matter how many times I got up throughout the day. As a plus, the pillow is also available in a larger size if the travel version is too small for your liking.
| Firmness | Firm |
| Adjustable Straps? | No |
| Washable Cover | Yes |
Best Budget - Everlasting Comfort The Original Lumbar Support Pillow
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Comfy memory foam is the perfect density | Doesn’t stay in place as well as others we tested |
| Soft, breathable mesh cover | |
| Lifetime warranty/replacement guarantee |
This lumbar support pillow is the most traditional in terms of size and shape, and its comfort is unmatched for its price. Its medium-density memory foam provides a “just right” level of comfort that works well for most people. Cruz likes that it’s larger than the Tempur-Pedic option above (it fits chairs up to 32 inches), “making this the perfect option for taller people and various seating situations such as trains, airplanes, and cars.”
I found the mesh cover to be very breathable (a nice-to-have given the memory foam construction that tends to run hot), and I love that the cover is also removable and machine-washable. I did find the pillow’s straps a little long, so some may have trouble keeping this pillow in place, depending on your chair size.
| Firmness | Medium |
| Adjustable Straps? | Yes |
| Washable Cover | Yes |
Best Cooling - Purple Back Cushion
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Unique GelFlex Grid is ultra-breathable and cooling | Heavy compared to other pillows we tested |
| Very springy and cushiony for maximum pressure-point relief | Frustrating cover setup |
| Strap works well to secure to a variety of chair shapes/sizes |
Like Tempur-Pedic, Purple has been a long-time favorite among our testers (their RejuvenatePlus mattress is also on our list of the best mattresses for back pain). The brand’s unique ‘GelFlex Grid,’ made from elastic polymer, can even be found in its lumbar-supporting back cushion. Lees notes that it may not be quite as supportive as traditional memory foam but that its proprietary grid material may be cooler and more breathable. Cruz agrees and likes that its super lightweight design makes it ‘a commuter’s dream,’ since it’s so easy to travel with, too. I personally found the material to be exceptionally springy, providing good support and excellent pressure relief, and, so far, very durable.
My only gripe is the cover. While it’s soft, removable, and machine-washable, it’s frustrating to put on, requiring a surprising amount of effort to fit the pillow inside.
| Firmness | Medium |
| Adjustable Straps? | Yes |
| Washable Cover | Yes |
Best Cylindrical - Optb The Original McKenzie Lumbar Roll
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Two unique support firmnesses (standard or firm) | Unique size and shape aren’t for everyone |
| Excellent posture support | No warranty |
| Removable, washable cover makes for easy maintenance | |
| Affordable |
Recommended by Cruz, this pillow’s cylindrical design makes it stand out as the only one of its kind in this roundup. It’s not the usual shape most think of when they imagine a lumbar support pillow. But I was impressed with just how well this pillow supports the back. It’s a versatile choice for chronic back pain sufferers since it can be easily positioned for more targeted relief. Just place it where you need the most support and where it feels best. Its round shape excellently accommodates the curve of the lower spine.
The pillow is available in standard or firm densities, so you can dial in the exact level of support you prefer, and its built-in adjustable strap is versatile and long enough to fit a wide range of seats from desk chairs to car seats. (Pro tip: Travelers might want to try the ultra-portable inflatable version.)
| Firmness | Standard or firm |
| Adjustable Straps? | Yes |
| Washable Cover | Yes |
Softest Pillow - Relax Support Back Support Pillow
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Wide, convex shape adapts to most backs and chair sizes/shapes | Might be too soft for some |
| Soft, machine-washable cover | |
| Available in three colors |
This “diamond in the rough” is similar to our top pick, Tempur-Pedic’s Lumbar Cushion. But it’s six inches wider to provide better back coverage and support. Plus, its shape and built-in strap ensure that it adapts well to most backs and chair shapes/sizes. The memory foam fill is softer than most lumbar support pillows on this list. While that can be a good thing, it might be too soft for some, which is why it might not be appropriate for users who find relief from firmer pillows. As a plus, the included polyester cover unzips for easy removal and machine-washing.
| Firmness | Soft |
| Adjustable Straps? | Yes |
| Washable Cover | Yes |
Best For Smaller Frames - C Cushion Lab Extra Dense Lumbar Pillow
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Cooling, gel-infused memory foam fill | Unique, oversized design isn’t for everyone |
| Breathable, washable cotton cover | |
| Available in three colors |
Designed with a unique shape that resembles a tooth, Cushion Lab’s Extra Dense Lumbar Pillow is a standout among the lumbar support pillows we considered. Its unique curved shape is designed to support the entire lower back (rather than just the lumbar area) of those with small to medium frames. Taller testers (those over six feet), however, may find it uncomfortable, as the shape may not fit the contours of the back properly because the top of the pillow hits the back at an awkward midpoint.
I found the gel-infused memory foam fill to be extremely supportive and offer a slight cooling effect, more so than other traditional memory foam models I tested. When not on sale, this pillow is a bit pricier than most of its competition. But Cushion Labs offers a 30-day return policy (including free returns if purchased through Amazon), so trying it for yourself is truly risk-free.
| Firmness | Firm |
| Adjustable Straps? | Yes |
| Washable Cover | Yes |
Firmest Pillow - LoveHome Lumbar Support Pillow
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Extra firm density provides strong support | May be too firm for some |
| Ideal size for smaller chairs | |
| Breathable mesh cover | |
| Available in four colors |
If you suffer from chronic back pain or prefer a firmer lumbar pillow, this option from LoveHome is a solid buy. Thanks to its extra-dense memory foam fill, it’s among the firmest models we considered (some may even find it to be too firm). Its smaller dimensions are ideal for smaller office chairs, and the dual straps help keep it snugly in place. I love its ultra-breathable mesh cover (which is machine-washable, too), and that it comes in four colors, allowing you to choose an option that matches your workspace. I also like that its retail price is quite affordable—even more so when it’s on sale on Amazon.
| Firmness | Extra firm |
| Adjustable Straps? | Yes (two) |
| Washable Cover | Yes |
Meet the Experts
- Kevin Lees, DC, is the director of chiropractic operations at The Joint Chiropractic.
- Anthony Giuffrida, MD, is a board-certified interventional spine and pain management physician and the director of Florida’s Cantor Spine Center.
- Tori Hartline, DC, is a pediatric and prenatal chiropractor and the owner of Sunlife Chiropractic.
- Ashley Cruz, is a chiropractor and the founder of Cruz Chiro Wellness in New York City.
About The Joint Corp.
Founded in 2010, The Joint Corp. is on a mission to make quality care convenient and affordable, while eliminating the need for insurance, for patients seeking pain relief and ongoing wellness. The chiropractic brand has grown to 950-plus locations nationwide and over 13 million annual patient visits.