Do Posture-Correcting Smart Devices Actually Work? Wirecutter
Real Talk
Advice, staff picks, mythbusting, and more. Let us help you.SaveQ: I, like everyone within eyeshot in my office, am currently slouched over my computer and know my neck and shoulders pitch forward when I stand. I've recently seen a number of posture-correction devices online, from simple mesh straps you put on under your clothes to full-on digital wearables with companion apps. Do any of these actually work? Or is there no substitute for proper stretching and conditioning? The AmazonBasics monitor arm is stable and adjustable with a wide range of movement. Buying Options
The sturdy Rain Design iLevel 2 has a handy adjustment knob and is made of anodized aluminum. Buying Options
*At the time of publishing, the price was $65. A: Here's the very short answer: Save your money and teach yourself how to sit up straight. And here's the longer one: Good posture is important. Having it can save you from , preventing back pain and muscle strain, among others. Plus, it “contributes to a good appearance,” and of course we all want that. You can find a , including a couple of “smart” ones, that supposedly help you to sit up straight. Supposedly. The two smart devices, the and the , function in about the same way. The Lumo Lift is a little sensor that goes on your upper body somewhere and fastens with a magnet through your clothes. It vibrates when it senses that you’re slouching. If you lift your head and push your shoulders back, it stops. It works with an app that tracks this behavior, similar to a fitness tracker. The Upright, meanwhile, is a device that sticks to your back, right on your skin; other than that, it does the same thing as the Lumo Lift. Both devices have mixed reviews on Amazon, as well as F grades on Fakespot. (Using Fakespot is a good way to find fake or compensated reviews, .) The non-smart posture devices mostly consist of a strap that goes across your back and pulls your shoulders up. They cost around $20 to $30, which is a steal next to the prices of the smart devices: The Lumo Lift is $80, and the Upright is $130. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find any scientific studies on these posture devices, smart or otherwise, so we don't have good data on whether they really work. But here’s an option that’s free: Teach yourself to sit up straight while you’re at your desk. The Cleveland Clinic has some , and here are to improve your posture. It’s also crucial to make sure that you’re not straining your back and neck in front of your computer, but you can (or ) to help minimize that problem. One of the most important things you can do in that regard is to make sure that your monitor is at the right level for your eyeballs; we have recommendations for and if you need help. (And if you need these things for your work setup, ask if your company will cover the cost. Healthy employees are , after all.) Stacks of books work for raising computers to the correct height, too. If you need reminders to sit up straight, try setting them on your phone, or if you use Slack chat. I use the latter for reminders to walk around the block every hour. Although it’s annoying, it works for me—well, 75 percent of the time. And it does have a snooze function. The Wirecutter’s editors answer reader questions all the time. Send an email to , or talk to us on and . Published questions are edited for space and clarity. Mentioned above
Further reading
by Kaitlyn Wells No one can prove that blue-light glasses are necessary, but experts agree that they’ll likely help you sleep better. We found some stylish pairs worth trying. by Rachel Cericola Put Amazon's Alexa to work for you with these great smart-home devices. by Grant Clauser If your smart speaker is a Google Home, here are the best devices that work with it. by Jennifer Pattison Tuohy If you want to power up your smart home, then you need to install smart sensors—tiny detectors that tell other smart devices what to do automatically.