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We slouch at our desks for at least 40 hours a week and bend our necks toward our phones the rest of the time. Not to mention we’re nearing the two-year mark of a pandemic that has limited our usual activities. All of this may be affecting our back health. Bad posture doesn’t just cause temporary pain and stiffness; it can cause a permanent hunch.

After seeing far too many photos of myself with horrible posture—my shoulders fully rounded over, my stomach somehow pushed forward while my hips are pushed back—I wonder why anyone has ever voluntarily spoken to me in public. So I decided to do something about it, trying braces, shirts, a yoga strap, and even a little vibrating device that sits on your back. These are the best posture correctors we’ve tried. That said, none of these options will fix your problems overnight. Start by using them 10 to 20 minutes a day, and add time as you go (and listen to the product’s directions). If you have severe back pain, a hump, or scoliosis, talk to your physician before trying any posture correctors.

Updated January 2022: We’ve made the newer and cheaper Upright Go S our top pick.

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