# Ergonomic chair or lumbar cushion: can a cushion do the job?

Source: https://chairandposture.co.uk/blog/ergonomic-chair-vs-lumbar-cushion
Published: 2026-10-12
Publisher: Chair and Posture

**In short:** A lumbar cushion can fill the gap between your lower back and a chair back, and can shorten a seat that is too deep. It cannot add seat height range, arm adjustment, tilt control or a better seat. If your chair already adjusts well and only lacks lower back contact, a cushion is a sensible fix. If several adjustments are missing, a new chair is the better spend.

Lumbar cushions cost a fraction of a new chair, so it is fair to ask whether one is enough. This article explains what a cushion actually changes, what it cannot fix, and how to test your current chair against the HSE display screen equipment points. It avoids health claims and focuses on fit: whether you can sit with your lower back supported, feet flat, thighs level and forearms at keyboard height.

## What a lumbar cushion changes

A lumbar cushion sits between your lower back and the chair back. It fills the hollow at the base of your spine so the chair back makes contact there. On a chair with a flat or reclined back, that can make it easier to sit back rather than perch forward.

A thicker cushion also moves you forward on the seat. On a seat that is too deep for your legs, this can stop the front edge pressing behind your knees. That is a real fit benefit for shorter people on large chairs.

## What a cushion cannot change

A cushion does not add any adjustment to the chair. If the seat will not go low or high enough, if the arms hit the desk or cannot be lowered, if the back will not lock upright, or if the seat foam has collapsed, a cushion will not help. It can also slide out of place, so you may need to reposition it each time you sit.

| Problem | Cushion helps? | Better fix |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Gap behind lower back | Yes | Cushion or chair with adjustable lumbar |
| Seat too deep | Partly | Chair with seat depth adjustment |
| Seat height wrong | No | Chair with wider range, or footrest |
| Arms hit desk | No | Chair with adjustable arms |
| Seat foam flattened | No | New chair or seat replacement |
| Back will not lock | No | Repair or new chair |

Cushion or new chair by problem

## How to test your current chair

Sit at your desk and work through the HSE points. Set the seat so your feet are flat and thighs roughly level. Sit right back. Check whether your lower back touches the chair. Then check arm height, seat depth (about two to four fingers' gap behind the knee is a common rule) and whether the back locks.

If the only failing point is lower back contact, try a cushion. If two or more points fail, look at a new chair. Our [office chair adjustment guide](https://chairandposture.co.uk/blog/how-to-adjust-an-office-chair) walks through each setting.

## Choosing a cushion

Look for a cushion with a strap to hold it to the chair back, a firm foam that keeps its shape, and a thickness that suits the gap. Try it at different heights: the [lumbar support guide](https://chairandposture.co.uk/blog/how-to-use-lumbar-support) explains how to find the curve of your lower back. A cover you can remove and wash is useful.

On a mesh chair, a cushion can stop the mesh flexing as designed. On a gaming chair, a cushion may duplicate the supplied lumbar pillow, which you can often move or remove.

## Other cheap add-ons that help fit

A cushion is not the only low-cost fix. A footrest helps when you have raised the chair to suit a high desk and your feet no longer rest flat. A seat cushion can add a little height on a chair that will not go high enough, though it also changes seat depth. A separate keyboard and mouse with a laptop stand lets you set the screen height without hunching.

Try one change at a time and give it a few days, so you can tell which change made the difference. Our [comfort guide](https://chairandposture.co.uk/blog/how-to-make-an-office-chair-more-comfortable) lists add-ons in order of cost.

## When a new chair is worth it

A new chair is worth it when your current one fails several fit points, you sit for long periods most days, or several people share it. Chairs with adjustable lumbar, seat depth and 4D arms solve most fit problems in one go. Our [ergonomic office chairs guide](https://chairandposture.co.uk/best/best-ergonomic-office-chairs) compares chairs by those points, and our [under £300 guide](https://chairandposture.co.uk/best/best-office-chair-under-300) covers lower-cost options.

[See office chairs under £300](https://chairandposture.co.uk/best/best-office-chair-under-300)

## Frequently asked questions

**Are lumbar support pillows worth it?** They are worth trying if your chair fits you apart from a gap behind your lower back. They cannot fix missing adjustments.

**Is an ergonomic chair better than a lumbar cushion?** A chair with adjustable lumbar does the same job and adds other adjustments. A cushion is a cheaper fix for one problem.

**Can I use a lumbar cushion on an ergonomic chair?** You can, but if the chair has adjustable lumbar, set that first. Doubling up can push you too far forward.

**Where should a lumbar cushion sit?** In the curve of your lower back, roughly at belt height, so it fills the hollow without pushing you forward.

## Buying guides on this topic

- https://chairandposture.co.uk/best/best-ergonomic-office-chairs
- https://chairandposture.co.uk/best/best-office-chair-under-300
- https://chairandposture.co.uk/best/best-mesh-office-chairs

## Sources

- [HSE: Working safely with display screen equipment](https://www.hse.gov.uk/msd/dse/)