The 9 Best Couches for Good Posture and a Healthy Back in 2023
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- Best overall:Lemons and Me Chubby Sofa
- Best sectional:Burrow Arch Nomad Sofa Sectional
- Best slipcovered:Feathers Sofa
- Best for small spaces:Rivet Sloane Mid-Century Modern Loveseat Sofa
- Best memory foam option:Serta Palisades Sofa
- Best for shorter people:Lifestyle Solutions Austin Sofa
- Best for taller people:La-Z-Boy Collins Sofa
- Best for pets:Foundry The 5th Sofa
- Best for families:Bob’s Discount Furniture Dream Modular Sofa
Aside from your bed, your couch is likely the most used piece of furniture in your home.
People use the couch as a place to lounge while watching their favorite shows, as a gathering place for family game nights and visits with loved ones, and sometimes even as a place to eat their meals.
Interestingly, Americans show more favor toward Medicare for All healthcare initiatives than they do toward these efforts when they are labeled as “single payer,” most likely due to the popularity of the Medicare program, STAT
And just like a bed, it’s important to choose a couch that’s optimally comfortable for your body. Considering the height, depth, and fill ensures that your time spent on your couch doesn’t lead to back pain or strain on your spine and ligaments.
To help you find a great couch for a healthy back, we consulted top orthopedic experts and combed through hundreds of customer reviews to help you choose the best option for good posture and a healthy back.
To choose the best couches for maintaining a healthy back, we looked at various factors, including:
- quality of materials used
- couch size (depth and height in particular)
- customer reviews on comfort and value
We also considered aesthetics, like fabric quality, color variety, and overall style, to put together options that are not only comfortable but would also look great in your home.
Pricing guide
Best overall
Lemons and Me Chubby Sofa
- Price: $$$$
- Type of couch: multiple sizes, from three-person to sectional
- Pro: can choose size and modulation to suit your exact needs
- Con: not fully slipcovered
Constructed with a combination of foam and feathers to prevent sagging, this linen couch is both sturdy and comfortable — and its design is both modern and timeless.
Since it’s covered in anti-stain fabric, this couch is also easy to clean, with removable cushion covers you can just throw in the washing machine.
Reviewers call it the most comfortable couch they’ve ever had.
Best sectional
Burrow Arch Nomad Sofa Sectional
- Price: $$$
- Type of couch: L-shaped sectional
- Pros: made with scratch- and stain-resistant fabric, comes with a built-in USB charger
- Con: modern design may not suit all tastes
With a 5-star customer rating, this sectional is both comfortable and stylish.
It’s made with three-layer foam and fiber and a plush crown, plus you can add on lumbar pillows for extra support and a sleep kit to turn it into a bed. There are also many custom color and style options, so you can make it your own.
Best slipcovered
Feathers Sofa
- Price: $$$
- Type of couch: multiple sizes, from three-person to sectional
- Pro: additional slipcovers in multiple colors and fabrics
- Con: couch wasn’t deep enough for some reviewers’ liking
Fully slipcovered, this couch offers both machine-washable fabric and faux leather additional covers that maximize its durability.
The water-resistant, stain-proof fabric makes it a great option for families, people with pets, and almost anyone who wants to easily change their furniture look. This couch is filled with a memory foam and fiber blend for optimal comfort.
Best for small spaces
Rivet Sloane Mid-Century Modern Loveseat Sofa
- Price: $$
- Type of couch: two-person
- Pro: has 4.6 out of 5 stars, according to Amazon reviewers
- Con: length may be too small for taller people to comfortably stretch out on it
Easy to assemble, stylishly designed, and available in various colors, this small sofa will complement your space and let you lounge comfortably.
Constructed with high density foam cushions and ergonomic support, this couch is a great option for apartments and smaller spaces.
Best memory foam option
Serta Palisades Sofa
- Price: $$
- Type of couch: three sizes, from loveseat to three-person
- Pro: comes in 17 different colors
- Con: shallow seat might not be comfortable for taller people
Made with a sustainable hardwood frame, this couch provides a strong, comfortable foundation for its memory foam fill that’s not too hard but not too soft.
Reviewers note that the cushions retained their shape without sagging, even after years of use.
Best for shorter people
Lifestyle Solutions Austin Sofa
- Price: $
- Type of couch: three-person
- Pro: seat depth of 31 inches is good for those with shorter legs
- Con: only available in two colors
This couch is a good option for smaller statures, because its height is lower to the ground than other models. Yet, it also has a higher back to support your frame when you’re sitting. Its high density foam cushions are also a plus when it comes to comfort.
Reviewers note that this couch doesn’t sink when they sit down, and it’s easy to get up from — both of which are key for preventing back injury.
Best for taller people
La-Z-Boy Collins Sofa
- Price: $$$$
- Type of couch: two-person
- Pro: optional cushion upgrade of memory foam for added comfort
- Con: quality control issues, according to some reviews
With an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars, this couch is a customer favorite. Designed for people who are 5 feet 10 inches and taller, this couch is also the most customizable option of our picks with literally hundreds of fabrics to choose from.
The couch is covered in sustainable fabric (made from recycled water bottles), making it an eco-friendly choice, as well.
Best for pets
Foundry The 5th Sofa
- Price: $$$$
- Type of couch: five-person and sectional options available
- Pro: made with anti-scratch, stain-resistant, and waterproof fabric
- Con: only available in two colors
This pet-friendly find looks like leather and easily wipes clean, making it great for those sharing their couch with fur babies (or human babies, for that matter).
With enough room to spread out and plenty of cushions, you can comfortably position yourself and your pets. A deeper seat makes it a good option for taller people, too.
Best for families
Bob’s Discount Furniture Dream Modular Sofa
- Price: $$$
- Type of couch: five-person and sectional options available
- Pro: can be customized into L or U shape to fit any size family
- Con: may be too soft and too low to the ground for older adults
A dupe of the Restoration Hardware Cloud sofa (which starts at more than $5,500), this couch is beloved by reviewers who call it “the comfiest couch I’ve ever owned.”
A great option for families, this couch contains a memory foam core and allows everyone to snuggle up comfortably for movie night.
There are many types of couches. They are usually defined by the width of the seating area and how many people can comfortably fit. Here is a brief overview to help you choose the type for your needs:
- Two-person. Also known as a loveseat, this type of couch typically has a 50- to 58-inch seating width (not including the arms).
- Three-person. This typically has a 78-inch seating width (not including arms).
- Four-person. This couch typically has a 90-inch seating width (not including sofa arms).
- Five-person. This typically has a 108-inch seating width (not including couch arms).
- Sectional: These couches vary in size. They typically seat three or more people and come in two main shapes: L and U. Some can be configured to suit your space, while others are fixed (with the L shape right- or left-facing).
- Recliner. These couches vary in size and have the functionality to tilt backward (and move your legs outward and upward), allowing you to adjust your position.
As you start evaluating couches for good back health and posture, it’s important to understand how your sofa can impact your back, spine, and neck.
While the couch you choose matters, how you position yourself on your couch is also crucial for optimal orthopedic health.
According to board certified orthopedic spine and neck surgeon Dr. Rahul Shah, you want to avoid a couch that causes you to lean forward, placing pressure on your lower back when you sit.
“When sitting, keep your head centered over the pelvis,” Shah advises. “You want to make sure you’re not fatiguing your muscles by straining to keep your head in line with the pelvis. The further out of line the head is, the more the muscles will work to keep the head steady.”
The most comfortable couch might not be the best one for your body to maintain optimal back health, warns board certified orthopedic surgeon Dr. Brian A. Cole of Englewood Spine Associates.
“What constitutes a comfortable couch is generally the softness and the pliability of the fabric and the padding. However, there is a trade-off in terms of support of the neck and low back,” he says.
Cole explains the spine has a sequence of curves, with one curve leading into the next. It’s important to maintain the balance of these curves by supporting the spine.
“While you may think that a chair is comfortable as you sink into it, the reality is that you’re no longer supporting the curves of your spine, leading to abnormal forces on the soft tissues,” he adds. “This results in back pain over a period of time.”
When it comes to choosing the right couch for your back health, there are four key things to look for:
- Optimal seat height. According to Shah, the optimal couch height for your body should allow you to keep your legs and knees at a 90-degree angle to your pelvis with your feet flat on the ground. You can measure this by sitting down in a chair in front of a mirror and measuring the right height for you. (Cole also notes that older adults should be mindful of not picking a couch that’s too low to the ground, which could be difficult to rise from.)
- Comfortable seat back. Make sure the back of the couch is not too high. Shah says that when the head cranes too far forward when sitting, it can lead to significant back and neck pain. Your head should sit in line with your spine as much as possible, even if you’re leaning back.
- Adequate lumbar support. When sitting, you should maintain the natural curvature of your low back. Couches with built-in lumbar support or pillows you can use for support will help you preserve that spinal balance, according to Cole.
- Supportive fill. You need to be able to comfortably and easily get up from your couch. Couches that are too soft will cause you to strain when you need to rise, which can hurt your back. However, because everyone’s body size and strength is different, there really is no “ideal fill” for everyone. If possible, Shah recommends sitting on various types of cushions to help you see how your body responds to each.
What’s the ideal sofa height for good posture?
According to Shah, the ideal sofa height for a healthy back and posture allows you to sit with your head and pelvis aligned and your legs bent at 90 degrees, touching the floor. This height will be different for everyone.
If you have varying heights in your family, those who are shorter can use an ottoman or the lounge side of a sectional to prop their feet up so that their legs are extended at a 90-degree angle from their hips.
Is it unhealthy to sit on the couch for extended periods of time?
If you sit on the couch in a slouched postural position, Shah says that you can add pressure to your back and overstretch the spinal ligaments, leading to back pain.
He recommends checking your posture while you sit to make sure that your head is in line with your pelvis. Try taking a break from the couch every 30 minutes to an hour to move around before sitting again.
Can I sleep on a couch?
It’s not recommended unless the couch is designed for sleeping. However, if you like to stretch out to lay down on your side when you’re on the couch, Shah suggests placing a pillow between your knees and supporting your head with a pillow to avoid strain on your back.
Can TV height affect your back when you’re relaxing on your couch?
Yes. If the height of your TV causes you to tilt your head up or down in order to watch, this can put significant tension on the neck and upper back muscles, according to Shah.
He advises positioning your TV to be within 15 to 40 degrees of the horizon when you sit so your head is in a comfortable position.
Maintaining a healthy spine and back is critical for everyday life — and your couch should support your posture, not take away from it. Carefully consider the options available and measure your space and your body before choosing a couch. This way, you can select the optimal option for your back health.
If you experience any pain or discomfort from your couch (or in general), be sure to talk with your doctor about it.
Natasha Burton is a freelance writer and editor who has written for Cosmopolitan, Women’s Health, Livestrong, Woman’s Day, and many other lifestyle publications. She’s the author of What’s My Type?: 100+ Quizzes to Help You Find Yourself ― and Your Match!, 101 Quizzes for Couples, 101 Quizzes for BFFs, 101 Quizzes for Brides and Grooms, and the co-author of “The Little Black Book of Big Red Flags.” When she’s not writing, she’s fully immersed in #momlife with her toddler and preschooler.
Last medically reviewed on March 14, 2023
How we reviewed this article:
Austra Health has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.
- Cole B. (2022). Personal interview.
- Shah R. (2022). Personal interview.
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