7 Best Posture Correctors (2023): Braces, Apparel, Laptop Stands

Medea Giordano

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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. 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. None of these options will fix your problems overnight, and you shouldn't be in pain while using them. 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 December 2022: We've added a cheap vibrating device as an honorable mention, and the Forme posture bra.

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Upright Go products are the best option for correcting your posture. They're easy and safe and work by vibrating when you hunch over for too long. It's like someone tapping you on the shoulder every time you slouch. Just place this little rectangle on your back, either through adhesive strips or a necklace (I recommend getting the necklace), calibrate it through the app, and forget about it. You can change the length and intensity of the vibrations within the app. You can also track your slouching habits without vibrations if you want to see some humbling data on just how bad your posture is.

The Go S is new and cheaper than the Go 2 I originally tested (8/10, WIRED Recommends), but it's just as great in nearly every way. The S stores your results for seven days before you'll need to sync it over Bluetooth via the companion app, whereas the Go 2 can store data for 30 days. The Go S has just one sensor to detect movement instead of two, and there's no advanced movement detection, but I didn't notice any difference or error in its capabilities. The only major downside is you get two and half days of battery life instead of five. (You can recharge it via USB-C.) Still, these have been the only devices that managed to make me think about my posture even when I'm not wearing them.

★ Upgrade Pick: If you don't want to charge the battery as often, the Go 2 ($80) is still a great device, and you can often find it discounted. It might be worth it for the extended battery life and additional sensor.

If you want to spend as little as possible, this cheap device follows the same idea of Upright Go, vibrating when it detects you've slouched farther than the set angle—it comes preset, but you can adjust it. Instead of sticking to your skin or hanging from a necklace, this one attaches to a shoulder strap. That adds a layer of annoyance if you slouch because you'll feel the strap move to an uncomfortable position.

This device is not nearly as good as the Upright Go, however. The vibration is louder and more annoying to those around you if you're using it in an office, and it's harder to hide under clothing. There's also no app for easy settings, though that could be a pro for some people. Because it's from a random brand on Amazon, there's less guarantee of customer service support if anything goes wrong, but you'll typically find it for only $26.

If you work at a desk, a laptop stand is a good way to get your screen at eye level, reducing the need to slouch over it. A good stand might be all you need, but pairing it with a brace or the Upright Go S is an even better solution, depending on your situation.

The ObVus Solutions Tower is our favorite, as you can adjust it to several heights. It's sturdy, lightweight, and small enough to move around the house freely (or coffee shops and offices). Depending on your desk setup, you may want to add more risers. I use the Superjare Dual Monitor Stand Riser to hold my ObVus Solutions Tower on one side and my monitor on the other. Check out our Best Laptop Stands guide for more options. If you have a bigger budget, consider a standing desk—we've tested several in our Best Home Office Gear guide.

We prefer the above devices over a brace, because those ones pose no risk to your muscles. Some users wrongly use braces so tight that they're nearly the only thing holding them up, but that will weaken your muscles in the long run and make your slouching way worse—even though the ones mentioned in this guide aren't rigid like the type of brace someone may need after an injury, you don't want to mess with your muscles even a little bit. Finding the right fit can take some experimenting, but they should just be slightly annoying when you hunch over so that you don't want to.

If you want to go this route and save some money over the Upright Go S, use one for just 10 or so minutes a day, and read through the directions carefully.

Lauren Goode

WIRED Staff

Julian Chokkattu

Brenda Stolyar

Once you figure out how to shimmy into the straps, this corrector makes it difficult to roll your shoulders forward. It mostly supports your upper back, and while it's unisex, it is a particularly good option if you have a larger chest. The corrector is soft and thin enough that you can wear it under clothes, and it doesn't look like a medical-grade brace if you decide to wear it on top of your shirt.

The BackEmbrace falls squarely in the middle of the lineup as far as cost and support go. As a side sleeper, I regularly contort my shoulders eight hours per night, but the corrector has helped reduce my neck and shoulder pain; I can wear it comfortably (and sit up straight) all day. —Louryn Strampe

★ A Cheaper Alternative: The BackEmbrace is pricey, but we think it's the best option. If you want to save some money, the Copper Compression brand makes a nice shoulder brace that's usually well under $30. It's not going to blend in under clothes as easily, but its straps are really adjustable, and the material is comfortable.

Clothing brands have started making tops and sports bras with some built-in posture correction. It doesn't feel as intense as a brace, but it might help you a little bit. If anything, they're a cut above your typical workout wear and offer more support for larger chests.

We've tried Kinflyte's bras ($109) and tops ($149) and Forme's Power Bra ($168). In these, you'll find different layers of fabric and compression panels to keep you upright. Neither brand is going to force you into a position, but they both reminded me to keep good form during a workout, which is a huge pro in my book. Even while walking on the treadmill or doing yoga, I tend to be in a gargoyle position when I'm not paying attention.

Both brands make products that feel and look like luxurious athleisure wear, are supportive for a range of bust sizes, and come in different support levels. Plus, all Kinflyte's garments are made of recycled polyester knits from post-consumer plastic bottles.

★ Another Alternative: Alignmed also has posture shirts ($95) for temporary support that are made using NeuroBand technology, which the company claims stimulates nerves to align your joints with every movement. They're a tad cheaper, look just like activewear, and are comfortable.

If you already own a long yoga strap, you can easily make your own shoulder posture brace for temporary use—a yoga teacher recommended this to me for use during a class. If you don't have one, this is a good, affordable option, but any you find should work. (Go for the longer lengths so it's comfortable.) Renowned yoga teacher Kathryn Budig wrote a tutorial for Yoga Journal that highlights a few easy steps:

The length of the strap you'll need depends on your body, including shoulder and chest size, but we recommend at least 10 feet. Anything smaller will likely be more painful than helpful.

Lauren Goode

WIRED Staff

Julian Chokkattu

Brenda Stolyar

Living a sedentary lifestyle may add to your posture problem, so simply getting active could be the answer. Yoga has long been touted as a means to improve posture. When I'm regularly practicing, I'm more aware of my posture outside of class. And as someone who doesn't love the gym, yoga gets my heart pumping and body moving without feeling like I'm really working out. WIRED reviewer Matt Jancer outlined some easy ways to put together a yoga space at home.

Planking, leg raises, and chest presses can also help, as can taking ballet barre classes. Before buying something from our list above, you may want to try a few of these exercises first.

A lot of us start to hunch because we're working on a laptop or looking down at our phones all day. The writers at the Natural Posture explain that poor posture—sitting with your shoulders forward—causes the soft muscles in your chest to get tight, which in turn makes it feel uncomfortable to sit up straight. If you can remind yourself to sit up without buying anything, don't waste your money, but some of us need a reminder.

Any of the devices we recommend make you aware of how you're sitting, but start slowly with all of them. The Somaz brace I tested suggested wearing it for 10 minutes a day to start, as did the Upright Go devices. It may hurt at first to sit up, but slowly retraining your muscles will make it so that sitting upright is second nature. Regular exercise can also help. No matter what, go slowly and don't overextend your body. If you have serious injury or pain, consult a physician.

Reece Rogers

David Nield

Reece Rogers

Lauren Goode

WIRED Staff

Julian Chokkattu

Brenda Stolyar

Lauren Goode

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