Best Sim Racing Cockpits for 2023

Aug 08, 2023

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Ready to race against the world's best virtual drivers? You better have the right equipment. These are the best sim racing seats and cockpits you can buy.

Sim racing bridges the gap between virtual and reality, bringing the adrenaline-fueled world of high-speed racing into our homes. As crucial as your virtual driving skills might be, the right sim racing setup can make or break your experience, and little is more pivotal in sim racing than using the right cockpit for your needs. This isn't just a chair—it's an epicenter of control and immersion where your physical input meets on-screen action. We've picked the best options out there to help you step up your sim racing game.

Whether you're a rookie racer or a seasoned sim racing pro, choosing the right rig can dramatically enhance your experience and even increase your virtual lap times. Here are some key considerations you should bear in mind before making your investment alongside your sim racing wheel and sim racing game of your choosing.

Ensure that the cockpit you're eyeing offers ample adjustment options to cater to your preferred driving position. Ergonomics are crucial in long racing sessions, and a highly adjustable rig can prevent fatigue and discomfort. Look for features like adjustable seat positions, steering wheel height, pedal placement, and monitor stands.

Make sure the cockpit is compatible with your existing hardware. Not all sim gear is universal; some is designed specifically for particular brands or types of racing wheels, pedals, shifters, and platforms (Xbox, PlayStation, or PC). It's also possible to get certain adapters to mount specific wheels and pedals to various seats, so take into account whether you'll need to purchase any extra gear.

Pay attention to the materials used and the overall build quality. Extruded steel or aluminum typically make the sturdiest rigs, but steel tubing seats are incredibly robust as well, especially with thicker tubing. The seat material should also be considered; options range from fabric to synthetic or genuine leather. Your choice can impact both durability and comfort.

A good cockpit should offer a solid foundation, especially when reacting to force feedback from the steering wheel. A wobbly frame can detract from the realism and immersion of your sim racing experience. Opt for cockpits with sturdy, well-braced frames.

Evaluate the amount of space available in your gaming area. Some cockpits are significantly larger than others. Foldable or modular designs might be more suitable for small spaces. It's also worth considering how easily the rig can be moved or stored.

If you plan to upgrade or add components in the future, such as a buttkicker, shifters, or a VR headset, make sure the cockpit supports these expansions. Some models feature modularity that allows you to easily integrate additional components as your setup evolves.

Set a budget and assess what you are getting for your money. While it's tempting to go for a high-end cockpit, sometimes midrange options offer nearly as much functionality at a fraction of the cost. However, if sim racing is more than just a hobby for you, investing in a premium cockpit might be worthwhile.

Here are some of the best sim racing cockpits on the market today.

The Next Level Racing GT Track (NLR-S009) features a robust design with comprehensive adjustability and support for additional sim racing gear. Inspired by insights from professional and eSports drivers, it supports all major wheel and pedal brands and can handle strong direct-drive wheels thanks to its laser-cut carbon steel frame.

Users can adjust the distance and angle of pedals, the height and tilt of the wheel plate, and the seat distance and angle. It's also compatible with other sim racing equipment, such as handbrakes, shifters, buttkickers, and more through optional mounting accessories. While we wouldn't suggest using the cockpit while on wheels, it does come with casters.

It's also designed to easily integrate Next Level Racing's Motion Platform V3 and Traction Plus Motion Platform for enhanced simulation immersion.

The Playseat Trophy is a relatively new chair from Playseat, made in collaboration with Logitech. While we haven't used one (yet), its shape bears a striking resemblance to the Playseat Challenge (more about this seat below), albeit with a much sturdier, non-folding frame and a more padded seat.

It's not nearly as adjustable as some other options on this list, but it does offer wheel and pedal adjustments. One major benefit of the Trophy over the Challenge is Playseat's new patented body-conforming Actifit seat technology, which conforms to your body for a better fit. We also like the wide shoulder supports of the Trophy, which is something we wish Playseat would add to its more compact Challenge cockpit.

The Playseat Trophy is a bit expensive, considering it lacks support for easily mounting shifter sticks, buttkickers, and other accessories. But it does offer a clean, all-in-one solution for anyone who wants to start racing with minimal hassle.

The Playseat Evolution Pro is a no-frills sim racing cockpit that gets the job done without breaking the bank. It's one of Playseat's best-selling rigs and with good reason: It's sturdy, adjustable, and doesn't take up a ton of space. It doesn't have fancy attachment points, but the seat is comfortable, and when paired with the right displays and peripherals it offers everything you need for lifelike racing.

It should work with nearly any sim racing wheel and pedals you throw at it, and while it's not nearly as compact as some, the top half of the seat can be folded down to make it a bit smaller when not in use, which is a nice bonus.

The Next Level Racing F-GT Lite Formula and GT cockpit is distinct from the competition in that its folding design makes it possible to switch between formula- and GT-style seating positions. This makes it a lightweight solution for anyone who wants to dabble in various motorsport disciplines without having to sacrifice realistic seating positions for one or the other.

Like the Playseat Challenge, the F-GT Lite Formula and GT can be folded up with the wheel and pedals in place for easier storage. When you want to get racing, simply slide it out, use the lever-style pivot points, and get it into the shape you need for the race at hand.

Made of smaller diameter metal tubing with plastic joints, this seat won't be the sturdiest option (especially when used with more powerful sim racing wheels), but that's the tradeoff for its portability.

The RSeat Formula V2 epitomizes high-end, formula-style sim racing seats. RSeat has spared no expense with this model, offering up an experience that mimics the real-life ergonomics of a Formula-style cockpit as best as you can, short of buying a monocoque to stash in the corner of your game room.

It's constructed from laser-cut carbon steel, covered in high-quality Alcantara fabric, and compatible with nearly any sim racing wheel and sim racing pedals on the market. What sets the Formula V2 apart from its competition is its attention to detail: From adjustable pedal angles and seat position to its extensive lineup of accessories for adding buttkickers, keyboard trays, and even speakers, the RSeat Formula V2 is as versatile as you're willing to make it, making it one of the best options out there for anyone wanting a single-seater experience.

The Playseat Challenge is the perfect solution for sim racers who are short on space but don't want to compromise on the quality of their racing experience. Its key feature is its foldable, lightweight design that makes it easy to set it up when you need it and pack it away when you're done.

Despite its compact design, it's quite comfortable with a fully adjustable seat and sturdy frame that can support vigorous racing action. We used a Playseat Challenge over the course of five years in various apartments, and dollar for dollar, it's the best value out there if you need to save on space. It can get a bit wobbly if using a stronger wheel, but we've used the Fanatec ClubSport Wheel Base 2.5 on it for years, and it's held up through hundreds of races and tens of thousands of laps.

It's a great option for those who want a balance of comfort, convenience, and a realistic racing experience.

Like the RSeat Formula V2, the Playseat Formula Pro cockpit is meant for a formula-style seating position. It's been a staple in the sim racing community over the past decade and with good reason: It offers a lifelike seating position, works with nearly any steering wheel and pedals you throw its way, and it's sturdy without taking up an entire room. Elite-level racers from around the world have used and continue to use this seat, including soon-to-be three-time Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen.

While its user base includes some famous names, the rig isn't without its flaws. First, it uses a center column to hold up the wheel base. While this makes for a slimmer rig, it does mean you'll have a giant column between your legs while racing, which can become annoying depending on your style of driving and anatomy. We didn't mind it the few times we tried this rig but can see how it may be annoying for some racers. Also, this cockpit doesn't offer much in terms of customization. Mounting things like button boxes requires DIY rigging, which is less than ideal.

Playseat has addressed these issues and more with its more robust Formula Intelligence rig, which is larger but adds conveniences and quality-of-life features the Playseat Pro lacks.

Primarily, you must consider comfort, adjustability, build quality, and compatibility with your existing gear. Also, consider the space you have for the setup and whether you'd prefer a stationary or motion-enabled seat. The budget is another significant factor as sim racing rigs can vary widely in price.

While you can use a regular office chair, it won't provide the same level of immersion or comfort for extended racing sessions as a dedicated sim racing seat. Racing seats are designed to mimic the feel and posture of actual racing car seats, enhancing the overall experience.

Not necessarily. While higher-priced rigs often offer more adjustability, higher build quality, and extra features like motion feedback, an inexpensive sim racing seat can still provide an excellent experience if it's well-made and comfortable. The best rig for you will depend on your individual needs and budget.

Motion-enabled seats incorporate technology that moves and vibrates the seat to mimic the forces and vibrations you'd experience in a real car. They can significantly enhance immersion but are generally quite expensive. Whether they're "worth it" depends on your budget and how much you value realism in your sim racing experience.

The amount of space needed can vary significantly depending on the seat and associated gear. Some setups are quite compact, while others, especially those incorporating full motion systems, can take up a significant amount of room. Always check the dimensions of a seat and consider the space for associated equipment like steering wheels, pedals, and screens before buying.

Road & Track and its sibling publications at Hearst Autos represent three of the most influential automotive publications in the world. We rely on decades of experience in the automotive and gear spaces to help readers make informed purchasing choices, bringing reviews and evaluations of automotive gear and accessories such as Travel Luggage, Sim Racing Games, and Chronograph Watches to our readers.

With the legacies of Autoweek, Car and Driver, and Road & Track behind us, the Hearst Autos Gear Team is more concerned with the trust our readers have in us than our bottom line. We won't tell you to buy something if we wouldn't buy it ourselves or recommend it to our friends, and we'll never claim to have used or tested something if we haven't. Read more about our testing process here.

Gannon Burgett loves cameras, cars, and coffee: a perfect combination for his Hearst Autos work. His byline has appeared in USA Today, Gizmodo, TechCrunch, Digital Trends, the Detroit Free Press, and more.

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