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The best lumbar support pillows in 2025, according to experts

If you suffer from occasional lower back pain, a lumbar support pillow could help. Here’s what you need to know when shopping for one.
Lumbar pillows help alleviate lower back pain by providing support to the lumbar spine.
Lumbar pillows help alleviate lower back pain by providing support to the lumbar spine. Tempur Pedic; Cushion Lab; Amazon
By Cory Fernandez

Suffering from chronic low back pain, regardless of your age or health status, imposes a great deal of stress and inconvenience on everyday life. Unfortunately, the condition is extremely prevalent in a range of demographics. As of 2020, over 600 million people globally suffer from some form of low back pain, which is also the single leading cause of disability globally, according to the World Health Organization. However, there are ways to combat low back pain, including an ergonomic lumbar support pillow. 

To learn more about what causes lower back pain, what lumbar support cushions are and how they function, we spoke with experts, including chiropractors. Additionally, we rounded up product recommendations from experts and incorporated their guidance on shopping for lumbar support pillows.

SKIP AHEAD: How we picked the best lumbar support pillows | The best lumbar support pillows in 2025 | How to shop for lumbar support pillows

Selected.Our top picks

How we picked the best lumbar support pillows

To pick the best lumbar support pillows, we rounded up recommendations from experts, including chiropractors Dr. Matthew Cavanaugh and Dr. Allen Conrad. When it comes to shopping for lumbar support pillows, our experts recommended keeping the following characteristics in mind:

  • Shape and size: Similar to shopping for a mattress or comfortable running shoe, looking for the best lumbar support pillow requires finding one with the appropriate shape and size based on your body, according to Cavanaugh. “Ideally, the pillow should be designed to contour the shape of your back,” he says. “The problem is that there is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to size and curves of lumbar spines.” Considering things like the natural curvature of your back and the size of your seat (depending on where you plan to use the pillow) is important. The pillow should be large enough so that it provides sufficient support to your entire lower back, but not so large that it pushes you toward the edge of the seat, according to Cavanaugh. 
  • Material: Like with many mattresses and pillows today, many lumbar pillows are made of memory foam. That’s because memory foam is known for its viscoelasticity, which means it has both viscous and elastic properties, according to NASA, which is responsible for the creation of the popular material. The aeronautical engineer Charles Yost created memory foam, which was used as cushioning for pilots. The material makes for comfortable mattresses, seat cushions, pillows, couch cushions and much more. Most of the options on this list are made with memory foam but we have also included lumbar pillows made from gel material. 
  • Firmness: Another important factor in shopping for a good lumbar support pillow is firmness, which is largely influenced by personal preference. The pillow shouldn’t be so soft that it’s virtually doing nothing but it shouldn’t be so firm that it causes pain or discomfort. This is why Cavanaugh recommends testing out different types of pillows to make sure they’re right for you. “The pillow needs to be firm enough to provide support but also soft enough to be comfortable,” says Cavanaugh. 
  • Portability: Many lumbar support pillows are designed to be used in different settings and different kinds of seats — this includes common places like an office chair, a car seat or even at the top of your bed against the headboard, which can make sitting upright easier while reading or watching television. This means that a good lumbar support pillow is lightweight, easy to carry and store and is simple to set up no matter the type of chair. You’ll often find that many lumbar pillows have a flexible strap attached to them so that they are easy to fasten to the back of the seat. 

The best lumbar support pillows in 2025

We considered guidance from experts in chiropractic care and high ratings to round up a list of the best lumbar support pillows to help alleviate low back pain.

Cushion Lab Back Relief Lumbar Pillow

The Cushion Lab sells a wide variety of pillows and cushions for various purposes, including this popular lumbar pain relief pillow. The cushion’s unique shape is intentionally designed to target and support particular points in the lower back. This pillow comes recommended by Cavanaugh, who says it’s a versatile option that works in different seats. The pillow comes with a breathable cover and has a firm memory foam material that provides support whether you’re using it on a couch or traditional office chair, according to the brand. Plus, the cushion is available in 23 colors, which is more than any other pillow on this list.

Washable cover: Yes | Adjustable strap: Yes | Material: Memory foam | Shape: Oblong | Dimensions: 16 x 16 in.

Qutool Lumbar Support Pillow

The lumbar support pillow from Qutool was designed to fit many different types of seats, according to the brand. Cavanaugh recommends this pillow, which he says is a good choice for those who spend a lot of time seated. The cushion has a rounded shape at the bottom for lumbar support, but it also has cushioning for the middle and upper parts of the back for those who need a little extra support. The cushion has two large straps on the back, which you use to fasten the cushion to whatever you’re sitting on.

Washable cover: Yes | Adjustable strap: Yes | Material: Memory foam | Shape: Rectangular | Dimensions: 17 x 15.5  x 4.7 in.

Samsonite Lumbar Support Pillow

Conrad recommends this lumbar support pillow from Samsonite, which he says many patients find comfortable and they like that it provides a good amount of back support. The product is designed to maintain its curved shape without flattening or becoming flimsy over time, according to the brand. The shape of the pillow is not only meant to help provide some relief, but it helps promote better posture over time by complimenting the curve of your back. 

Washable cover: Yes | Adjustable strap: Yes | Material: Memory foam | Shape: Square | Dimensions: 13.5 x 14  x 4.5 in.

Tempur-Pedic Travel Lumbar Cushion

This travel-friendly lumbar cushion from well-known mattress brandTempur-Pedic comes recommended by Cavanaugh, who likes its dimension and portability. “This lumbar support travel cushion is perfectly sized to be taken anywhere you go and is ergonomically shaped to provide the support your lower back needs,” he says. The cushion itself is square-shaped so it lies flat, which makes it easy to store and travel with. Additionally, the pillow is made from the brand’s proprietary Tempur material, which offers more support and pressure relief to the body compared to traditional memory foam, according to the brand.

Washable cover: Yes | Adjustable strap: No | Material: Tempur material | Shape: Square | Dimensions:  10 x 11  x 2 in

Sleep Number Lumbar Pillow

Conrad also recommends this square-shaped lumbar pillow from Sleep Number, which he likes for its affordability and you can easily move it between different types of seats and chairs. “The Sleep number beds were quite popular over the years and so is the back support pillow,” he says. “This one is a bit softer, but is cost effective and easy to travel from a chair to your car seat if needed.” The pillow also comes with a removable, machine-washable microfiber cover.

Washable cover: Yes | Adjustable strap: No | Material: Memory foam | Shape: Square | Dimensions:15.5 x 13 x 5.5 in

Everlasting Comfort Lumbar Support Pillow

Everlasting Comfort comfort makes a variety of wellness-related and ergonomic products, including this lumbar support pillow. The cushion has a 4.4 star average with over 40,000 reviews on Amazon and is fine to use on office chairs, car seats, couches and gaming chairs, according to the brand. The straps on the back of the pillow make it easy to fasten to each seat, this way you don’t have to worry about it shifting as you move throughout the day. In addition to providing posture support, the contour of the cushion and the extended sides conform to the shape of your lower back.

Washable cover: Yes | Adjustable strap: Yes  Material: Memory foam | Shape: Square

How to shop for lumbar support pillows

Test them out before buying, if possible

A good lumbar support pillow depends a lot on the person using it. This means that a certain pillow might be a perfect match for one person and completely incompatible for another. Some people may need a pillow that provides a lot of pressure, while others simply want a bit of cushion. Cavanaugh recommends testing out lumbar support pillows in person if possible, since it’s difficult to gauge how a pillow feels virtually. In addition to doing research online, consider going to a local bedding or orthopedic store.

Consider the size in relation to your height

In addition to shape, size and firmness, Conrad recommends considering your height. That’s because certain lumbar support pillows will fit differently on people of different sizes, according to Conrad. “If your mid back is sore or arthritic, then a taller back support that can reach the mid and low back may be better suited for you,” he says. “If you are five feet tall, a back support designed for a person [who is] 6 feet 5 inches tall obviously won’t be good for you.”

Consult your doctor

It’s important to always consult your doctor if you’re experiencing severe back pain. A lumbar support pillow helps alleviate some pain in the lower back while sitting throughout the day, but it isn’t considered a replacement for or an alternative to professional medical care. If your doctor recommends getting a pillow to support your lower back, consider looking into one of the options mentioned above.

Frequently Asked Questions

Lumbar support is any form of support used to protect the area of the spine that is below the lowest rib and above the hip bone, referred to as the lumbar spine. This part of the spine is formed in a way to prevent injury, according to Cavanaugh. “This inward curve, or lordosis, serves as a shock absorber and helps to evenly distribute our weight without causing too much stress or strain to the discs, ligaments and muscles,” he says. It’s crucial to protect this part of the spine to prevent pain in the future. “The reason lumbar support is so important is because without adequate support, ligaments get overstretched, chronic pressure is exerted on our disc and muscles become fatigued,” says Cavanaugh. This is ultimately what leads to low back pain that doesn’t have to do with any particular underlying condition or injury, according to Cavanaugh.

A lumbar support pillow is a cushion that provides support and comfort to the lumbar spine, commonly referred to as the lower back. These types of pillows are a good option for those who sit for long periods of time and suffer from low back pain and poor posture as a result. They also help those who are suffering from low back pain stemming from an injury or degenerative arthritis, according to Conrad. “A lumbar support pillow offers additional pressure to the low back and lumbar region for prolonged sitting,” he says.

Low back pain is common for many people of different ages, and it has several different causes, according to our experts. That said, when it comes to low back pain that isn’t tied to a particular injury or condition, there are a few common lifestyle factors that lead to the condition. People aged 20 to 40 years old are more prone to experience low back pain if they maintain a mostly sedentary lifestyle or don’t regularly participate in physical activity, according to Cavanaugh. “This is also the age group that begins to suffer from disc injuries,” he says. Disc injury refers to complications of the cushions between the bones in the vertebrae, particularly in the lower back. People between the ages of 40 to 60 are also more likely to experience low back pain that stems from the effects of different forms of arthritis, including spinal stenosis and degenerative disc disease, according to Cavanaugh. People over the age of 60 also commonly experience these symptoms in addition to age-related conditions like osteoporosis and spondylolisthesis, says Cavanaugh.

Meet our experts

At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.

Why trust NBC Select?

Cory Fernandez is a commerce editor at NBC Select, who writes about topics such as food, kitchen, home, cleaning and lifestyle content. For this story, Fernandez spoke with two chiropractors with experience in treating various conditions related to the spine.

Catch up on NBC Select’s in-depth coverage of tech and tools, wellness and more, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok to stay up to date.

Cory Fernandez

Cory Fernandez is a commerce editor for NBC Select, and an authority on all things food, cooking, kitchen, home, and general lifestyle.

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