The 6 Best Back Braces to Fit Your Needs

• Best for lower back pain: Mueller Lumbar Support Back Brace
• Best unisex brace: BAXMAX Back Support
• Best for lifting: BraceAbility Work Back Brace for Heavy Lifting
• Best for pregnancy: SEROLA Sacroiliac Belt
• Best for straightening and posture: Posture Medic
• Best medical grade back brace: Aspen Evergreen 637 LSO

One of the silver linings of 2020? Without a doubt, working from home. It rewarded many hardworking Americans with more flexibility, less stress, and more time with family.

But despite its many advantages, working in a home office setup — especially hunched over a laptop — also had its share of drawbacks. Cases of lower back and neck pain are on the rise according to a 2020 study.

The study, which examined work-related stress and musculoskeletal (MSK) issues among other things, found that 41.2% of study participants reported an increase in lower back pain in home office setups.

This, of course, has led to an uptick of interest in ergonomic desk furniture and orthopedic back braces, according to chiropractor Allen Conrad, BS, DC, CSCS.

“As more people started to work from home over the past few years, the need for over-the-counter braces has increased,” he says. “An orthopedic brace will help with stiffness and pain, and allow users to sit or stand with additional spinal support.

“As a result, these products help home workers be more productive and improve their posture,” he says.

Keep in mind

It’s important to note that back braces are most effective when used as recommended by a doctor and under their supervision. Although the mechanics of back braces are effective at relieving pain, braces may not address underlying conditions that are the source of pain.

How we chose

While back braces are more readily available than ever, not all products are created equal.

To help you find a product best suited for your needs, we examine who benefits most from a back brace, share factors to consider when choosing one, and include product recommendations from experts.

Best back brace for lower back pain

Mueller Lumbar Support Back Brace

• Price: $
• Material: neoprene blend
• Part of back targeted: lower lumbar
• Machine washable: no
• Pros: If you’re looking for a back brace that’s firm and rigid, chiropractor Jordan Duncan, DC, of Silverdale Sport & Spine in Washington, says this product is your best bet. “It comes with a removable pad that can be used to provide more cushion and support, and is made from breathable materials, making it comfortable to be worn for longer periods,” he says.
• Cons: While this back brace is available in different sizes, be aware that it may not guarantee the right fit. Some individuals may find it too loose or too tight, so you’ll want to measure your waist carefully before purchasing.

Best unisex back brace

BAXMAX Back Support

• Price: $$
• Material: nylon
• Part of back targeted: lumbar
• Machine washable: no
• Pros: Chiropractor Darren Bell, DC, says that this unisex back brace is lightweight, extremely durable, and doesn’t add bulk. “This is an all-purpose brace that would be best suited for a patient who lives an active lifestyle, but occasionally needs some additional spinal support,” he says.
• Cons: Some people report that it can cause pain if you have wider hips.

Best back brace for lifting

BraceAbility Work Back Brace for Heavy Lifting

• Price: $$
• Material: elastic
• Part of back targeted: lumbar
• Machine washable: no
• Pros: Conrad recommends this brace because of its reinforced lumbar support. “It provides additional stays among the back of the brace, which help keep it from bunching up, and also has adjustable shoulder straps for additional support,” he says. “This type of lumbar back brace is helpful for those who work in construction or heavy lifting jobs, and its tapered sides make it easy to wear under clothing. It also has two reinforced side straps, which can adjust the strength of the support for whatever you need.”
• Cons: Users note that if not the exact right size, the brace can slip over your midsection.

Best back brace for pregnancy

SEROLA Sacroiliac Belt

• Price: $$
• Material: urethane, elastic
• Part of back targeted: pelvis and lower back
• Machine washable: no
• Pros: “Sacroiliac belts are necessary for women during pregnancy. They are worn around the pelvis and improve stability of the sacroiliac joints,” Duncan explains. “My favorite sacroiliac belt comes from SEROLA. It comes with reinforcing Velcro straps, which makes for a secure fit around the pelvis.”
• Cons: Users reports that if tightened too much, it can cause pain in the buttocks.

Best back brace for straightening and posture

Posture Medic

• Price: $
• Material: nylon, rubber
• Part of back targeted: neck, upper back, lower back
• Machine washable: no
• Pros: This posture corrector is a good option if you spend long hours working at your day. According to Bell, “It is easy to use and can assist in correcting the postural aberrations that occur from prolonged computer use and other sedentary activities.”
• Cons: Some users report that the product broke after a few uses.

Best medical-grade back brace

Aspen Evergreen 637 LSO Back Brace

• Price: $$$
• Material: mesh fabric
• Part of back targeted: lumbar
• Machine washable: no
• Pros: Bell recommends this back brace if you need advanced orthopedic spinal support. “It can be customized to suit individual needs and body types while offering advanced orthopedic spinal support,” he says. The compression can be tightened to focus support for specific areas of pain, he adds, and can also be useful following an accident or injury, or in cases of chronic pain.
• Cons: This brace is very pricey.

The task of choosing a back brace may seem pretty straightforward, but Duncan says there are certain factors to be aware of before you shop.

First, he says you’ll want to find a product that limits the overall movement of the spine. “This way, it achieves the desired effect of taking the strain off of injured tissues, as well as improving spinal stability,” he explains.

Next, you’ll want to ensure that your brace fits securely between the top of the pelvis and the bottom of the ribcage.

But because a back brace wraps around the abdomen, Duncan says “they have the potential to increase intra-abdominal pressure. Because of this, individuals should be screened for cardiovascular risk factors by a medical professional before using a brace.”

Because a home office setup can take a toll on our posture, back braces may seem like a viable solution to this problem. But as widely available as they may be, Duncan says back braces should really be reserved for specific situations.

“Those with true spinal instability, or those recovering from major trauma or surgery, will benefit most from lumbar spine back brace,” Duncan says. “In these circumstances, limiting overall trunk motion is indicated.”

A back brace that helps correct your posture on your upper back, likely from prolonged sitting, could be helpful for some people, he adds.

Movement is usually the best therapy for the vast majority of people, particularly uninhibited movement, according to Duncan.

“Therefore, unless you are post-operative, or have recently sustained a major injury, other forms of treatment should be employed prior to the use of a back brace,” he says.

If you’re experiencing severe and ongoing back pain issues, see a doctor. They can evaluate your condition and pinpoint what might be causing your back pain to help determine whether you’ll benefit from a brace.

A doctor can also recommend the best brace for you and how and when to wear it.

Can you sleep with a back brace on?

Unless it’s recommended by a doctor and your back brace is specifically made for pain relief while you sleep, avoid wearing one while you sleep.

Most back braces are designed to be worn while you’re awake to offer support, pain relief, or posture correction.

Is it OK to wear a back brace all day?

It depends on the condition you’re treating. Make sure to check with a doctor for an appropriate length of time to wear a brace.

Consistently wearing a brace for more than a few hours a day, unless advised by your doctor, could be counterproductive because it begins to weaken your muscles. That could lead to a higher risk of injury.

How do you measure for a back brace?

Manufacturers typically offer instructions for how to measure yourself for a back brace. In general, you’ll use a soft measuring tape to measure around the widest point of your natural waistline, covering your belly button.

While working from home has provided more family time and reduced stress levels for many hard-working U.S. adults, at-home office setups can spike musculoskeletal pain, particularly in the lower back area.

To correct this, back braces and posture correctors may be of interest — particularly ones that provide support and spinal stability. But experts note that back braces should only be used in specific scenarios, such as recovering from intense surgery or trauma.

Nevertheless, back braces and posture braces are worth a try if you need the added support and cushioning.