Summary
1) Best Overall Lumbar Support Pillow to Relieve Back Pain and Prevent Injury: Dosaze Lumbar Relief Pillow
2) 2nd Best Lumbar Support Pillow: Purple Back Cushion
3) 3rd Best Lumbar Support Pillow: Everlasting Comfort
4) Mesh Lumbar Support Pillow: KingPhenix Lumbar Support with Breathable Mesh
5) Roll Lumbar Support Pillow: McKenzie Lumbar Roll
6) Lumbar Support Pillow for Wheelchairs: IDMI Lumbar Support Pillow
7) Budget Lumbar Support Pillow: Relax Support Pillow
8) Aesthetic Lumbar Support Pillow: Cushion Lab Ergonomic Lumbar Pillow
In Depth Review And Process
Ever since I started working from home during the pandemic, I’ve been in search for the perfect lumbar support cushion. Effective office chairs can be very expensive (some run over $1,000!), and it’s generally just a good idea to have a lumbar support cushion around so that when you do have to sit on chairs with less support, you can maintain the proper spinal alignment and posture.
However, I tested a bunch of lumbar support cushions and had a lot of trouble finding one that I really liked. Here are the general issues that come with a lot of lumbar support cushions:
- Adjustable straps – many lumbar support cushions do not have straps that secure the cushion to the chair. Or, these straps are either too narrow or too wide, which causes a poor fit on the chair (and defeats the purpose of having them
- Too thick or too narrow – a lot of lumbar support cushions aren’t the right width. Some are too wide such that they push you forward on your chair a lot. Others are too narrow and don’t actually provide any support
- Too hot – as with any memory foam product, lumbar support cushions can tend to overheat. This is a huge option as you usually sit in your chair all day and don’t want your back to overheat
- Low quality materials – lower quality materials and foam will tend to degrade and break down over time, and are not supportive
Overall, the best lumbar support pillow I used was the Dosaze Lumbar Support cushion. Dosaze essentially solved all of the issues that I had with other lumbar support cushions. It is fully adjustable (with two straps that aren’t too wide or narrow), the perfect width (that provides support while not pushing me off the chair), stays cool with the cooling gel and ventilation, and uses premium CertiPUR-US certified memory foam and a cooling bamboo cover. We’ll get into more detail on our testing process later.
Is It Worth It To Consider Pillows Under $40?
I personally do not think it is best to consider the options under $40. You will likely save money in the long run because the manufacturers of cheaper support cushions tend to cut corners – these cushions also generally do not last as long. If you get the right cushion (even if it is more expensive), you’ll likely save money in the long run.
As an example, some cushions (especially those that are not CertiPUR certified) tend to use lower quality foam foam, which results in worse pillows. Others use air which is not supportive at all.
It is worth it to invest in a higher quality support cushion – especially when you consider how much impact a support cushion can have on your work life.
Complete support everywhere you need it, that’s what matters. And that’s exactly what the Dosaze Lumbar support pillow offers. Trust me, your lower back will thank you. Whether you use this on a chair or in your car, it will improve your posture. And an improved posture means less pressure and stress on your lumbosacral discs. What does that mean for you? Whether you are sitting for work or for fun, it will improve your experience. Better productivity for work, and a relaxed body and mind when it’s time to play.
This support cushion solves every major issue that most people have with other lumbar support cushions, and in my opinion, that makes it incredibly worth it. It is fully adjustable (with two straps that aren’t too wide or narrow), the perfect width (that provides support while not pushing me off the chair), stays cool with the cooling gel and ventilation, and uses premium CertiPUR-US certified memory foam and a cooling bamboo cover.
I tested this pillow on multiple chairs and it fit every single one well — the straps fit super well around narrow and wide chairs, so it is always secured to a height that works for you.
The gel memory foam layer cools your back while the support foam layer provides the support you need to maintain a healthy posture.
Finally, the lumbar support cushion is the perfect width — not too wide and not too narrow. It really is an amazing product!
UPDATE (4 months later!): I’ve been using this lumbar support pillow for four months now, and it is still easily the best. It has held up and the foam has not degraded at all – love it overall!
This is another solid lumbar support cushion – it provides a lot of support while also staying cool (the main benefit of it, in my opinion).
That being said, there are a couple of notable drawbacks that make it not the best option for the most general audience.
- Only one adjustable strap – this adjustable strap doesn’t stay secure very well on all chairs. It sometimes works, but the fact that there is only one makes it a bit insecure on some chairs
- Grid takes getting used to – this grid takes a bit of getting used to. While it does provide support, if you aren’t used to it, it might feel a bit weird to you.
I felt pretty good about this lumbar support pillow and would recommend it for a lot of people. However, there probably still better options out there.
This lumbar support cushion is available on Amazon — it is a relatively inexpensive option with decent reviews, so I was excited to try it out. This lumbar support cushion can be a good option for some people, but I was somewhat disappointed after I tested it.
You would think that with two straps that this lumbar support cushion stays in place — and generally you would be correct. However, I did have an issue with smaller chairs — the straps are a bit too long for chairs with narrow backs because it does not stay as secure. Wirecutter had a similar experience.
While the cover is easily to remove and wash, I didn’t love the feel of the cover. It feels a bit rough and is actually quite hot (as is the memory foam).
This lumbar support can definitely work for some people, but it doesn’t for others. Some users claim that this foam is too hard and therefore uncomfortable.
My wife also tried this cushion (and she’s on the petite side), and this support cushion was simply too wide and tall for her. It seems like some people on Amazon had a similar experience.
These are a little different from our other selections. Not in support but in construction. Instead of being made out of a material with give, like memory foam, these are a mesh on a frame. The benefit here is something that allows for complete airflow, meaning it is 100% breathable. It’s also quite reasonably priced.
Pros:
- Breathable
- Inexpensive
- No memory foam, so no off gassing
Cons:
- Several complaints that it only lasts a few months
- It’s hard, without much give
- Slides around
- Not adjustable at all
Probably one of the most well-known support cushions, the Original McKenzie Lumbar Roll has been around for more than 25 years. It’s simple, yet versatile, and small enough to be carried easily. It’s available in both firm and regular density foam.
I tested this pillow and there are definitely pros and cons with this general form factor (the “rolled” cushion) for lumbar support cushions. On the positive side, this pillow can promote proper posture for most people. However, it can also feel uncomfortable relative to other, curved but not rolled, style lumbar support cushions.
We were lucky with the one we got — it generally lasted well, but be careful because reviewers on Amazon do say that the quality has gone down in recent years.
This Duro-Med Relax-A-Bac Lumbar Cushion includes a wooden support insert for those in need of extra support and firmness. With it’s ergonomically designed construction it will improve posture and help relieve pain.
Dimensions: 14 × 5.5 × 15 inches
available in black, burgundy, navy, and gray.
Pros:
- Extra support if necessary
- Made from highly resilient foam and will not lose its shape
- Washable cover
Cons:
- Despite being marketed for firm support there are some complaints that it lacks support
- Reports of bad chemical smell
If you are short and looking for a lumbar support cushion, be sure to check this one out. Customers rave about how it fits the lower back area just right. This cushion uses something called ArcContour, which is a special patented technology, and is neither too firm or too soft.
Available in black, grey, and beige.
Dimensions: 16.5 x 4 x 8.3 inches
Pros:
- Includes a new wider strap to hold in place
- A unique, lateral convex shape
- High quality memory foam
Cons:
- Many customers complained that the design of the buckle on the strap is defective
- May not be from enough for many people
The Back Relief Lumbar Pillow from Cushion Lab is an aesthetically pleasing, well branded lumbar support pillow. However, the design is unfortunately less functional that I had initially hoped.
The shape, while I had high expectations, isn’t actually that comfortable. It bulges a bit too much and doesn’t stay in place on all chairs (because you can’t tighten it enough).
Overall, this is an okay option, but you can definitely do better, especially for the money you’re paying.
Conclusions
For most sleepers (side, back, and combination) with neck pain, I highly recommend the Dosaze Lumbar Support Pillow. The quality of the foam, the innovative shape, and the cover are all best in class. And if you don’t like it, you have 60 full days to return. That being said, you can try any of the pillows on this list and see for yourself, hopefully risk free (well except for a few!).
Disclosure: HomeHacks has relationships with some of the products listed in this article. We may earn a varying commission if you purchase any of the products on this list.
