We all know how it feels, that persistent dull ache that intensifies as we sink deeper into our office chair after the sixth hour at work. This pain you’re experiencing is due to the lack of ample support for your spine. While there are several ergonomically designed office chairs out there which claim to rectify this issue, many are not able to provide optimal support for your back. Thus, it’s essential to get your hands on the best back supports for office chairs. But first, let’s find out what are some common posture mistakes causing discomfort!
Our Recommendations
Common posture mistakes at work
-
Your head tips forward when you’re staring at the computer screen
Did you know that the head, on average, weighs about 5kg? This means that even the slightest forward tilt of the head will cause unnecessary strain on your neck and upper back muscles. Many times, we end up tilting our head forward for extended hours because we’re so engrossed in work. This often contributes to persistent backaches.
-
You’re leaning forward at your desk
When working on the monitor, you may tend to slouch over your desk. However, this position may cause our shoulders to roll forward in habit, resulting in lower back pain. Sometimes, a chair that’s too soft can lead to this issue too. Moreover, this poor posture puts extra pressure on your lower spine, compressing your discs and leading to an aching sensation.
-
Your elbows are too far away from your body
Are your keyboard and mouse positioned too far away from you? While reaching your arms forward to type may not seem like much, doing it repetitively for the whole workday will hurt your shoulders and upper back. If you’re experiencing stiffness in your shoulders, try pulling your keyboard and mouse closer to you, at a near 90-degree angle, for a more comfortable position.
-
You sit for too long
This is a common mistake many working adults make. When you’re sedentary at your seat, your blood circulation is more restricted than usual and your muscles get less oxygen and nutrients in the process. Prolonged sitting can cause your limbs to feel numb and also result in neck and back sores. Try to catch a break every 30 minutes and shake out your arms and legs!
Full back support for office chair
1. Xiaomi Leravan Universal Relax Chair Back Support
Find yourself doing one of the above? Then it’s time to rectify the issue once and for all! The Xiaomi Leravan Universal Back Lumbar Support (available on global_seller.sg) is one of the most customisable back supports for office chairs. Its steel wireframe can be moulded to your seat for maximum comfort. You can also shape it into a lumbar support for your chair to cushion your lower back. Moreover, it features a breathable mesh and hollow design to boost ventilation on warmer days. Keep the product clean by wiping it down with a wet cloth and allowing it to air dry.
2. BIOSKIN Microtouch Smart Lumbar Support Pillow
Poor sitting posture causes strain on back muscles such as the latissimus dorsi and lower trapezius. These muscles are responsible for pulling your shoulders down and keeping your body upright. Slouching overworks them and reduces the core strength necessary to support your body. The BIOSKIN Microtouch Smart Lumbar Support Pillow (available on BIOSKIN Official Store) boasts a double-winged design which allows the support to shift according to the way you sit and also helps to reduce pressure on your spine. In addition, it contains two built-in 3D airbags which you can inflate through the attached hand pump. Strap this onto your office chair or car seat to promote good posture!
3. Mesh Lumbar Chair Brace Back Support
When it comes to the best back supports for office chairs, the Mesh Lumbar Chair Brace Back Support (available on Beauty for you) never disappoints. Featuring a fool-proof ergonomic design that provides ideal back support for all types of spine alignments, this product is a budget-friendly companion at less than $10 for all office warriors. Those who sweat easily will appreciate the ventilating mesh grills on this chair lumbar support. Moreover, the raised nodes in the middle provide muscle stimulation to relieve the dull aches you may start experiencing by midday.
4. Xiaomi 8H Soft Lumbar Cushion
Stayed up too late the previous night and find yourself nodding off at your desk the next day? You’d be glad to know that the Xiaomi 8H Soft Lumbar Cushion (available on Mi home) isn’t only great for your posture but is also your best pal when catching some Z’s at your desk (during lunchtime, of course)! Filled with high-quality natural latex pellets, this lumbar support for chair boasts just the right amount of sturdiness to cushion your back without feeling too rigid. When you’re ready for a nap, lay the cushion on your desk or on your chair’s headrest as a fluffy pillow!
5. Memory Foam Lumbar Support Back Cushion
Memory foam pillows conform to your spine’s natural curvature and help relieve pressure points. Thus it’s no surprise that some of the best back support for office chairs are those made of memory foam. This Memory Foam Lumbar Support Back Cushion (available on SweetHome Official Store) will zap away your back pain in no time! Moreover, the cover is removable so you can easily throw it into the washer when it needs cleaning.
6. BackJoy SitSmart Pro Gel
Another great back support for office chairs is the BackJoy SitSmart Posture Pro Gel (available on OG Official e-Shop) which is a life saviour for those who stay seated for hours on end. This revolutionary back support is made of gel-infused memory foam to maintain its shape and enhance durability. The SitSmart Pro Gel relieves back sores by addressing the root cause — poor sitting posture. Rather than just providing back support, the SitSmart Pro Gel doubles as an effective posture corrector and restores proper spine alignment to relieve lower back pain. Additionally, it’s designed to cup your glutes so your pelvis is naturally elevated above the sitting surface. Talk about an effortless posture enhancement!
Lower back support for office chair
7. Electric Back Massage Support Pillow
Looking for an upgrade from ordinary back supports for office chairs? End your search with the Electric Back Massage Support Pillow (available on enjoydeals.sg) which features a unique physiotherapeutic design to ease tension in the back. The curved design of this lumbar support for your chair will wrap snugly around your back to give your spine much-needed support. The best part is, the round massage columns vibrate when the support pillow is plugged in, helping to loosen the knots in your back. Shiok!
8. Go Travel Memory Foam Lumbar Support
Not a fan of stiff back supports? Then the Go Travel Memory Foam Lumbar Support (available on The Planet Traveller Official Store) will be right up your alley. This back support for office chairs is made of highly resilient and dense premium memory foam which yields and curves to the shape of your spine to maintain a proper posture. Unlike many other back supports, this one doesn’t force your back to contour to it and instead, boasts superior pressure-relieving capabilities. Its relatively smaller size works perfectly as a lumbar support for the chair, plus the outer jacket can also be removed for a machine wash.
9. BackJoy Perfect Fit Lumbar Support
Most Singaporeans are familiar with BackJoy, one of the most prominent back support brands in Singapore. Their best-selling BackJoy Perfect Fit Lumbar Support (available on OG Official e-Shop) is designed with an optimal curvature to promote a gentle forward bend in your lower spine. Using the brand’s patented port and pillar technology, this lumbar support for the chair is created to be extremely breathable and lightweight. It comes with an adjustable strap so you can use this back support for any type of office chair!
10. Lower Back Memory Foam Lumbar Support Cushion
Large back and lumbar supports for chairs can take up quite a bit of seat space. If you prefer something more compact, the Lower Back Memory Foam Lumbar Support Cushion (available on queena123.sg) will be perfect for you. This small chair lumbar support boasts a C-curve design to wrap around your lower back, allowing you to rest on the T-point raised module massage spot for the most optimal pressure relief. Cleaning the product is easy as well. Simply remove the mesh cover to wash and your back support is as good as new again!
11. Arccoil Adjustable Lumbar Spinal Support Cushion
Lumbar supports for chairs are not always one size fits all. Ensure that it rests comfortably against your lower back for it to be effective. This Arccoil Adjustable Lumbar Spinal Support Cushion (available on Arccoil Official Store) is adjustable up to 10cm so anyone can use it. It also means that you can re-use this back support in your car seat and adjust it there too. It also boasts a bidirectional plume design to allow good ventilation.
12. DansUnReve Blue Waist Cushion Memory Foam Orthopedic Pillow
Want a lumbar support for your chair that’s fuss free and easy to handle? This DansUnReve Blue Waist Cushion Memory Foam Orthopedic Pillow (available on Dansunreve Official Store) is small but effective at supporting your back during the work day. Its design fully fits the space between the back of your chair and back of your body. Plus, its slow rebound design also means that this cushion will not sink and change in shape even after hours of use. Secure the cushion onto your office chair with the adjustable retractable elastic bands and see the difference it brings to your workstation at home!
Seat cushion for office chair back support
13. AADI Mesh Memory Foam Lumbar + Seat Cushion
Have you worn out the cushioning on your office chair? Spending long hours in such a seat can be uncomfortable and disruptive for your posture. Improve your working conditions with the AADI Mesh Memory Foam Lumbar + Seat Cushion (available on JIJI.SG Official Store). This back support and cushion for office chairs keep your hips balanced and back supported. The memory foam cushion is protected with a mesh cover which allows for airflow to keep you cool. You can even store your mobiles and gadgets in the easy-to-reach side compartment!
14. Lister Space Memory Foam Cushion
If your office chair is uncomfortable, you don’t have to suffer in silence any longer. With the addition of the Lister Space Memory Foam Cushion (available on Lister Official Store), staying seated for longer will no longer be an issue! This ingenious design features a Japanese cold cooling technology featuring gel and memory foam. The results? You’ll be treated to a cooling sensation on your buttocks! Apart from the cooling features, this back support for chairs supports your back and waist. No more backaches from long hours of sitting!
15. Memory Foam Cushion | Lumbar Back Support | Seat
You don’t have to break the bank for the best back supports for your chair. This bundle pack — Memory Foam Cushion | Lumbar Back Support | Seat (available on HomeLivinStyle) includes both a back and seat support to cushion you (literally) and promote a more comfortable sitting experience. Made from premium memory foam and plush velvet cover with zipper, sit straight and tall in your home office from today!
16. (Aikaa) A-Hip / A- Back Seat Cushion
See your child slouching forward while doing home-based learning? This (Aikaa) A-Hip / A- Back Seat Cushion (available on COCOMO Official Store) supports the hip and back, puts less pressure on the lower back and improves posture. Both the back and hip support cushions are made from high-density, low-elastic memory foam. They are also antibacterial and odour eliminating so you don’t have to worry about these trapping sweat and smelling bad over time!
17. Double Layer Egg Sitter Chair Seat Cushion
How unique is this back support for the office chair? This Double Layer Egg Sitter Chair Seat Cushion (available on Shoe Box Collection) delivers unparalleled comfort with its honeycomb design. With 500 pieces of pressure absorbent honeycombs, you’ll get extra comfort without pressure points building up. It’s also made from an ultra-elastic polymer which prevents the seat cushion from warming up over time!
Sit upright with the best back support for office chair
We hope this list of the best back supports for office chairs will help you bid adieu to backaches sooner rather than later. You should consider getting one of these best office chairs as well to ensure maximum comfort while you work at your desk. Meanwhile, did you know that some exercises can help strengthen your back muscles and ease back pain? Try these simple 15-minute home workouts or release tension in your back with different foam roller exercises! Your pillow may also be contributing to your poor posture and body aches. Make the switch to some of these best pillows for neck pain today!
This article was updated on 2 June 2021. Additional research done by Rajveen Kaur Aujla.
