Most posture correctors are designed to help you sit up straighter. The thinking behind these devices is that a straighter posture will help relieve back tension and improve musculoskeletal function. However, there’s limited evidence that they work. Moreover, there’s no evidence to show that having a straight posture is in itself beneficial.
Speaking to Fit&Well, Sherry Bingham, a chartered physiotherapist who specializes in back problems explained that it’s not so-called 'bad posture' that causes back problems: “Prolonged or sustained positions may contribute to musculoskeletal pain,” she explained. “It is not the position of the posture, but the length of time spent in it that matters.”
Still convinced you need one? If so, the guide below should help you compare the popular models on the market. But if you want more information, scroll down to our FAQ section.
Sherry Bingham trained at St George's Hospital Medical School in London in the U.K and is registered with the Chartered Society of Physiotherapists. She has worked in a mix of private and public health practices and has a special interest in lower back and spinal pain.
Best posture correctors 2022
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The Upright Go 2 posture trainer is a smart wearable device that you can use on its own or with an app on your phone (iOS/Android). It is attached to your upper back and uses movement sensors to alert you with a gentle vibration when you’re slouching, in theory training you to develop and maintain straighter posture.
It’s a small device, making it travel friendly, and you can either attach it to your skin with self-adhesive pads, or pay a bit more to buy the Upright Necklace ($19.95/£15.99) to put it in. Lean too far forward and the Upright Go 2 will start buzzing – which is mildly annoying, but we guess that’s the point to get you to sit up straight and stop slouching.
The companion app gives real time bio-feedback and provides posture and training stats to guide you to build strength and form.
Much like some of the best sports bras, this posture corrector is designed with women in mind and to fit all body types. It uses lightweight, breathable polyester that is skin-friendly and it’s discreet enough to wear under clothing or during a workout.
The Berlin and Daughter Posture Corrector comes in six sizes (XS-XXL) and the straps are padded to support the shoulders and back. We love that it’s designed by a woman for women, and is soft and stretchy.
But it’s unfortunate that the padded straps are fixed in length. It comes with a waist strap with Velcro connecting it at the front, which you can adjust the pull on your shoulders.
The FlexGuard posture corrector provides a gentle reminder to straighten your back and is worn on the body like a brace. It comes with Velcro adjustable straps, which you want tight enough to feel that gentle pull or tug that reminds you to straighten your shoulders back, but not so that it’s uncomfortable.
Made from neoprene material, which is meant to be breathable, users find it gets warm after wearing it for prolonged periods of time, especially when worn over clothing. It also comes with a posture guide booklet that has some useful tips, and is worth a read.
It comes with a bar that supports the lower back, which is a good way to keep you in position especially when you’re sitting. It’s fairly comfortable and helps when you’re moving about to help you not move your back in an uncompromised position.
The Somaz Posture Corrector has a unisex design and adjustable straps, which are good in theory but they do mean you have to take the whole device off every time you need to adjust anything. Users report that it takes a bit of fiddling to get it to sit right on their waist too, but once there it is very comfortable.
It’s made with neoprene, wetsuit style material which had good stretch but can feel a bit hot when worn over clothing, and slightly sweaty without.
But for the price this is a good value entry-level posture corrector that can help remind you to sit up straight and correct your position, as long as you’re prepared to do the hard work!
Unlike other posture correctors, the Hempvana Arrow Posture Corrector is made from hemp plant fibers (although just 8%) as well as stretchy neoprene. You can wear it over or under clothes but as with other correctors made from this wetsuit material, it can heat up quickly.
We liked the triple strap support but like many reviewers found they got caught up in the armpits rather uncomfortably. The Hempvana Arrow Posture Corrector is easy to get on, but quite tricky to take off without becoming a contortionist.
Because it only comes in two sizes, and runs short on tall people, it’s probably best suited to petite or shorter individuals.
Developed by spine doctors, we like the adjustable straps on the Dr Arthritis Posture Corrector and soft and lightweight fabric. Like many of the best posture correctors, it’s a little awkward to put on the first time round, and to get the adjustments right for you but after that it feels supportive.
We liked that the product comes with a free posture tips and exercises booklet that complements the work the brace is doing.
We noticed the product runs small so you might need to size up to get the right fit, particularly as you want a posture corrector to feel snug to be effective.
Known for their yoga and wellness products, Gaiam is a brand you can usually trust. Bear in mind however that this posture corrector is designed for shoulders only, and there is no lower back support so people who need support here might need to look for another product.
We liked the broad coverage over the shoulders, the simple design and the focus on upper body posture realignment. You can wear it over or under clothes, during exercise, or just around the house while working.
It comes with adjustable and breathable padded straps, but users find that when you pull them too tight they ride up the back and out of position. Those of heavier build might struggle to do up the short straps over their chest too, so this is worth bearing in mind before making a purchase.
The ComfyBrace is a unisex and affordable posture corrector that you can wear under or over clothing. It’s lightweight and travel-friendly, and made from durable neoprene fabric. It only comes in one size however, and as we know, men and women tend to come in all sorts of shapes and sizes! So it might fit well on some people, and not on others.
It has adjustable straps but user report that it's a little uncomfortable to wear, and there is no lower back support. The harness may be too small for some, and it takes a while to get it to fit snugly and feel supportive enough.
But it’s cheap and cheerful and may serve as a starter posture corrector for people interested in trying it out before they invest in something more long-lasting and effective.
The Copper Compression Posture Corrector is made of… you guessed it, copper-infused fabric, which is known to be antimicrobial (kills germs) and odor-free. As such, the fabric should be moisture wicking and dry quickly after exercise.
The product comes in two sizes, and has a unisex design, which we always find slightly odd as men and women have such different proportions. It does has adjustable straps, but these can often be fiddly and move around during exercise.
But what it does have going for it is it’s a full back brace, giving even coverage and support. It’s also fairly comfortable, and has a simple and smart design.
How we compiled this list
This list of posture correctors was compiled by the Fit&Well team after sifting through user reviews, analyzing features and evaluating the value for money on each product.
FAQs
Do posture correctors work?
There’s very little good quality evidence to show that posture correctors work. A scoping review of the literature, published in the Scandinavian Journal of Pain, concluded that there is no evidence to show that they improve musculoskeletal pain.
Sherry Bingham, Chartered Physiotherapist who specializes in back problems, told Fit&Well: “Do posture correctors work? In a word, no. There is nominal evidence to support the use of postural devices in healthy populations.
“As a physio I decided to try them for myself to gain first-hand evidence for my patients. I found them to not only be uncomfortable; but sometimes unjustly pricey. The novelty wore off rather quickly!”
What causes us to slouch?
People often think of slouching as bad posture – but there’s no evidence to suggest that it’s inherently bad. As Bingham explains, sustaining any position for a long period of time could result in pain.
But why do we tend to start slouching when we’re at a desk? It’s all to do with conserving energy, according to Bingham: “Your subconscious attempts to put you in the least metabolic state possible as it takes less energy than holding yourself up by using the muscles. Your body will always take advantage of [things like] leaning and gravity.”
But there’s no credible evidence that this position, or so-called ‘poor posture’, causes pain. Long periods of staying in any one position can cause pain, but it’s best to combat this with regular exercise and stretching. Bingham also recommends seeing a manual therapist for an annual MOT of your system.
How to improve back pain
If you have back pain, the best thing to do is see a medical professional to try and work out the cause. There’s also lots of evidence to suggest that exercise is beneficial for improving pain and it can help you avoid injury, too (see this literature review in Spine Journal for proof).
How to choose the right posture corrector for you
Above, you can see how the different models compare. But Bingham has some more advice for anyone looking to buy a posture corrector: “Put it back on the shelf and spend your money wisely on a coffee, it is likely to bring you more joy and is better for you.”