We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Shopping Health Products The 3 Best Inversion Tables of 2024, Tested and Reviewed Give your body some sweet relief By Sara Gaynes Levy Updated on October 1, 2024 01:45PM EDT In This Article View All In This Article Our Top Picks Reviews Add to Cart What to Know Behind the Scenes FAQ Why Trust PEOPLE? What Is PEOPLE Tested? Photo: PEOPLE/LETICIA ALMEIDA Back pain is, for many of us, an unfortunate side effect of getting older. Thankfully, there are a number of ways you can cope with back pain — we don't recommend ignoring it — but many people turn to physical therapy to help lessen the sting of back pain. One tool in a physical therapist's toolbox is an inversion table. You can also buy one for your home! Inversion tables help reduce back pain by flipping you upside down and lessening the force of gravity on the disks in your spine. It's akin to a good stretch, and it can provide immediate relief for some people and help you to stand up taller. PEOPLE tested 10 options and found the best inversion tables to help relieve back pain. Here are the best inversion tables that PEOPLE tested. Our Top Picks Best Overall Inversion Table: Teeter EP-560 Inversion Table at Amazon $249 Jump to Review Best Value Inversion Table: Innova ITX9600 Inversion Table at Amazon $123 Jump to Review Best Portable Inversion Table: Skybike Mini Inversion Table at Amazon $86 Jump to Review Best Posture Corrector: Dr. Arthritis Posture Corrector at Amazon $15 Jump to Review Best Walking Pad: Sperax Under Desk Treadmill at Amazon $180 Jump to Review Best Comfortable Sneakers for Seniors: Skechers Go Walk Arch Fit 2.0 at Zappos $76 Jump to Review Best Black Leggings: Old Navy Side-Pocket Legging at Old Navy Jump to Review Best Overall Inversion Table Teeter EP-560 Inversion Table PHOTO: Amazon $249 at Amazon $329 at QVC View on Teeter.com Star Qualities Assembly only took 15 minutes Cushioned and supportive Safe to fully invert Red Flags A little bulky to store The Teeter EP-560 inversion table in one word: easy. It comes mostly pre-assembled, and what you have to set up on your own is intuitive and pretty much impossible to do incorrectly. Unlike some of the other tables we tested that took hours to build, the Teeter only took 15 minutes. Once built, it's simple to use. Rather than using a lock and pin to adjust the angle of inversion (like many inversion tables), this Teeter uses a strap, so you can easily select your precise inversion degree. It also doesn't flip too quickly, avoiding the dizzy head rush that can sometimes happen. The ankle straps and clever design also made us feel safe using this table alone. While inverted, it's also quite comfortable. There's generous cushioning under the head (which also keeps your spine aligned) and the rest of the table is solid and supportive. It also has nodules to target specific pressure points in your back that can be moved around to meet your needs. One downside is that it's a bit bulky to fold and store, and it's a little heavy as well. While the assembly is simple, it does require two people. Overall, if you're looking for a sturdy, versatile, and effective inversion table that's easy to set up and use, you can't go wrong with this one. Weight: 58.2 pounds | Dimensions: 48.5 x 30 x 8.9 inches | Height Range: 4 feet 8 inches to 6 feet 6 inches | Weight Max: 300 pounds Best Value Inversion Table Innova ITX9600 Inversion Table PHOTO: Amazon $123 at Amazon $12 at Walmart Star Qualities Good value for the price Fairly simple to set up Ankle straps felt super sturdy and secure Red Flags Flips you over really fast For those looking for a simple, no-frills, cost-effective inversion table, the Innova is a great choice. Assembly took about 30 to 45 minutes — quicker than many of the tables we built — and was relatively straightforward as well. Once assembled, the table was easy to use, and we felt well-strapped in while inverted. The headrest and backrest are comfortable, and the ankle straps felt very secure (the sturdiness of the ankle straps was probably the standout feature of this table). Just be aware that when you invert, the table pretty much whips you backward, so it's important to hold on. During testing, we found it jarring, and it would be a shock to the system if you had never used an inversion table before. The Innova is a good choice for experienced inversion table users looking for an affordable option. Just be aware that the inversion experience is less subtle than other models. Weight: 58 pounds | Dimensions: 46 x 28 x 63 inches | Height Range: 4 feet 10 inches to 6 feet 6 inches | Weight Max: 300 pounds Best Portable Inversion Table Skybike Mini Inversion Table PHOTO: Amazon $86 at Amazon View on Tryskybike.com Star Qualities No assembly required Very little learning curve for use Easy to move around and store Red Flags Doesn't fully invert If you're tight on space or unsure about inversion tables, the Skybike Mini is an ideal option. It takes up very little space, and it comes assembled right out of the box. We found this one really comfortable to get on and off of because you use it on the floor (rather than having to invert your whole body on a table). This also made it feel safe — if for some reason you did fall off, you wouldn't fall far. The foam rollers help you get an effective upper back stretch (it's not a full inversion, but provides a similar stretch), so we didn't mind hanging out on this table for a while. While it doesn't fold up, you don't really need it to: It's compact, lightweight, and easy to carry and store. We don't say this often at PEOPLE Tested, but we wouldn't change anything about this table. It was effective and comfortable and a moderate size that would fit in most homes. Weight: 7 pounds | Dimensions: 17.5 x 17 x 16.5 inches | Height Range: No limit | Weight Max: 300 pounds Add to Cart All our recommended products go through rigorous testing in our NYC lab and at home, so while you’re shopping for an inversion table, consider adding one of our other PEOPLE-Tested favorites to your cart. Dr. Arthritis Posture Corrector $15 at Amazon View on Doctorarthritis.org Sperax Under Desk Treadmill $180 at Amazon Skechers Go Walk Arch Fit 2.0 $76 at Zappos View on Skechers.com $76 at Macy's Old Navy Side-Pocket Legging View on Old Navy What to Know About Inversion Tables Size How much room do you have for a table? Will you keep it out, or store it? These are important questions to ask yourself before purchasing an inversion table. If you're tight on space, you might consider a portable option, like the Skybike Mini. Height and Weight Limits Every inversion table has different height and weight maxes and minimums, so make sure to read the product's description before purchasing. Most of the inversion tables that we tested were rated to support weights up to 300 pounds and heights up to 6 feet 6 inches. Assembly Requirements Be forewarned: Some models take a very long time to put together, or you may need an extra set of hands! This is an important thing to consider when choosing an inversion table, as some really do need two people. If you're looking for a table that's very simple to set up, then the Teeter EP-560 is a great choice (it comes mostly assembled and took us only 15 minutes to set up!). Behind the Scenes Our team at PEOPLE Tested tried out the top 10 inversion tables on the market to see which ones were most helpful for easing back pain. Assembly: We evaluated how easy the tables were to assemble, whether they fit a wide variety of body shapes and types, and how easy they were to use.Evaluation: After assembling each table and strapping in, we looked to see how safe we felt in the inverted position. We also checked how durable the table was when weight was dropped on it, and how easy it was to fold, move, and store. Lastly, we evaluated whether we thought it was a good value.Rating: Once the testing period was complete, we rated each inversion table on a one to five scale against the following attributes: ease of setup, design, ease of use, and overall value. The options with the highest average ratings earned a spot on this PEOPLE-Tested list of the best inversion tables. Frequently Asked Questions How long should you hang upside down on an inversion table? To prepare for a complete upside-down inversion, start by acclimating to more moderate positions for up to one minute at a time over several days. Once you're comfortable in a full upside-down position, only remain there for a maximum of a few minutes to avoid dizziness or head pain. Before using an inversion table, check with your doctor to confirm that you don't have any underlying conditions that might be aggravated by hanging upside down (such as high blood pressure or heart conditions). What angle is best for an inversion table? Choosing the right angle for an inversion table depends on a health status, age, and experience with inversions. The best inversion tables offer several angles so you can start gradually and work your way up to a comfortable inversion. An angle of 10 to 30 degrees is usually an appropriate place to start. Over time, users may work up to an angle of 60 degrees or more for short periods. How safe and comfortable are inversion tables? Most people find inversion tables comfortable and completely secure. When hanging at higher angles or upside down, some may experience pressure on their ankles due to the locking mechanisms, but this can often be alleviated by wearing comfortable sneakers and socks or padded boots. High-quality inversion tables are quite secure as long as you use all of the included safety components. Are inversion tables easy to adjust? Yes, inversion tables are easy to adjust. Each model has its own adjustment system — most use heavy-duty pins to lock angle and height settings in place. Why Trust PEOPLE? Sara Gaynes Levy is a freelance writer for PEOPLE with experience covering home goods, outdoor products, and general health reporting. For this story, Sara consulted extensive testing insights provided by our PEOPLE Tested labs, which included notes from testers of different sizes, ages, and genders. This story was most recently updated by staff writer Cai Cramer, who has years of experience writing about health and fitness equipment. What Is PEOPLE Tested? We created the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval to help you find the very best products for your life. We use our unique methodology to test products in three labs across the country and with our network of home testers to determine their effectiveness, durability, ease of use, and so much more. Based on the results, we rate and recommend products so you can find the right one for your needs. But we don't stop there: We also regularly re-review the categories in which we've awarded the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval — because the best product of today might not be the best of tomorrow. And by the way, companies can never buy our recommendation: Their products must earn it, fair and square. In short, PEOPLE Tested provides recommendations you can trust — every day, every purchase.