Listen Up: Physical Therapists Want You To Stop Ignoring Back Pain & Do This Instead

Comfort level

First and foremost, in order to be comfortable to sit back on, a lumbar pillow needs to be thick enough to support the spine yet soft enough to nestle up against. Your ideal thickness will depend on your weight and overall preferences.

Positive reviews

Each pillow we selected has received positive recommendations from real people who have used them. We combed through hundreds of reviews and used any negative feedback to inform potential cons—which we’ve called out in each product description.

Materials

Those with back pain will need a pillow that stays supportive and holds its shape over time. We chose options made with high quality materials.

Expert criteria

We used our expert’s advice and insights on how to choose the best lumbar support pillows to guide our selection process.

Best for the car: Tempur-Pedic LumbarCushion

People love this pillow for car rides, flights, and long days at the office. It’s lightweight and easy to travel with, offering incredible pressure relief while staying cool to the touch. The ergonomic shape supports the mid and lower back region, especially when sitting for long periods of time (e.g. road trips and air travel). 

The memory foam design is plush and comfortable, while still sturdy enough to offer sufficient support. We also love the breathable cover is, and how comfortably the pillow sits on any chair.

Best for the couch: Coop Sleep Goods Ventilated Orthopedic Lumbar Cushion

This brand comes highly recommended by experts. Certified physical therapist Benjamin Torres, DPT, previously told mindbodygreen he always recommends Coop pillows to his patients. In fact, he even uses the brand’s Original Pillow, which we’ve featured in our roundup of the best pillows for shoulder pain. 

This iteration features ventilated (aka cooling) charcoal-infused memory foam and is specifically designed to relieve pressure on the lower back region, encouraging better posture. The brand offers a generous 100-day return policy and donates all gently-used pillows to local charities.

Best for sleeping: Sunday Citizen Snug Waffle Lumbar Pillow

Per Torres, the posture you sit or sleep in for upwards of six hours can create pain that lingers into the following day. Ergo, setting your posture straight with a supportive pillow is a great way to avoid sitting- or sleeping-induced pain. 

This soft, waffle-knit design evenly distributes pressure, which can reduce back pain while you sleep. The functional-yet-stylish pillow comes in six neutral colors (Sahara Tan, Cloud Gray, Off White, and more), along with a few seasonal offerings (such as Moss and Grape) to fit any bedroom aesthetic. The breathable fabric is odor-resistant (meaning it doesn’t harbor smells—a huge win) and hypoallergenic, so it’s less likely to trigger allergies.

Best for an office chair: Desk Jockey Lumbar Support Pillow

If you spend long periods of time sitting (we’re all guilty of it!), you’ll appreciate this pick. As its name suggests, the high-quality memory foam pillow is designed specifically for an office chair. With adjustable elastic straps and strong buckles, it fastens directly to the back of your chair and doesn’t slip or slide—even if you fidget in your seat. It’s a bit firmer, making it a great choice for those who crave extra support. 

We appreciate that the cover is machine-washable for easy cleaning. Admittedly, the synthetic cover can harbor heat, but reviewers say it isn’t too bothersome. Rather, shoppers say this pillow offers good support, without being too soft or too firm. Many note that it eases pain significantly by coaxing their back into proper alignment.

Best for everyday: Everlasting Comfort Memory Foam Back Cushion

With a crescent-shaped, ergonomic design, this pillow promotes proper posture, pressure relief, and the necessary chair-back support needed to prevent lumbar pain while sitting. The memory foam core cradles the natural contours of your unique spine and feels like a gentle hug. It’s slightly softer than other options and fits chairs up to 32 inches wide. 

Our favorite part? This lumbar pillow has been rigorously tested against a list of over 350 toxic chemicals. As a result, it has been deemed OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified. 

With over 33,000 ratings, the Everlasting Comfort Memory Foam Back Cushion has plenty of glowing reviews. People say it’s comfortable, pressure-relieving, and does an excellent job of easing pain.

Best for posture support: Samsonite Ergonomic Lumbar Support Pillow

Weighing about 1.5 pounds, this adjustable lumbar pillow isn’t cumbersome by any means—though it can look bulky. But, we promise, once you get past the aesthetics of this option, you’ll be wowed by how comfortable it feels on your lower back. The crescent-shaped pillow is designed to cradle your back while also keeping cool—something that not all lumbar pillows can say. 

The high-density memory foam core is CertiPUR-US certified, and the pillow has a soft mesh cover. The ventilated design regulates temperature, resists odors, and won’t cause irritation to sensitive skin. 

With over 13,000 ratings on Amazon, customers are overwhelmingly pleased with the support this pillow provides. Many mention the pillow being their go-to for long car rides.

Best budget: DMI Lumbar Support Pillow

If you suffer from lower back pain—whether from poor posture, arthritis, or injuries—a well-designed lumbar support pillow can offer some reprieve. This orthopedic pillow features a supportive crescent moon shape and high-quality resilient contoured foam to minimize pressure on the sciatic nerve and fill the gaps in the back area that may cause incessant slouching. 

We appreciate that it comes housed in a washable cover that’s breathable enough to keep your back cool and comfortable. At a lower cost than most lumbar support pillows, this is a great choice for anyone who wants some quick and simple pain relief.

Best ergonomic: Coushy Ergonomic Back Relief Cushion

We’re impressed by this pillow’s quality and materials. It features high-density memory foam infused with bamboo charcoal, wrapped in a hypoallergenic cover. Plus, the pillow is made without ozone depleters, mercury, lead, formaldehyde, flame retardants, or other toxic chemicals often found in foam bedding. Instead, the pillow is fully air permeable, soft-to-the-touch, and has a quick-drying capability that eliminates bacteria growth. 

Of course, the pillow also works for its intended purpose—eliminating back pain. Reviewers say the pillow does a great job of relieving back pain even with just a few days of use. One mentions “tremendous relief for the first time in years,” after just one week.