Products at a Glance
How we picked the best racing seats
We made our selections of the best racing seats by evaluating the needs of gamers invested in the genre. This meant considering the frames, features, and functionality of different cockpit styles for all manner of users. Because there are different types of power users and enthusiasts depending in the genre, we’ve tried to be as wide-reaching as possible.
Particular attention was paid to the asking prices of the best racing seats in our roundup. With more fans than ever taking the latest racers more seriously, companies are striving to forge frames and chairs with more competitive price points. It’s now entirely possible to have a high-grade cockpit setup for well under the $200 mark.
We’ve also thrown in a higher-end option for those wanting to go truly next level. While you’ll need to supply your own gear to go inside these chassis, all of the choices in this list are a great starting point for an encompassing experience.
We’re also rounding up all the best gaming chairs for comfort and posture, too. And, if you’re looking for more gaming chair recommendations, then head over to our best gaming chair guide.
Product Reviews
- Folds away for convenience
- Competitively priced
- Compatible with Logitech, Thrustmaster, and Fanatec
- Fabric chair could be a little thin for some
The Next Level Racing GT Lite Foldable Simulator Cockpit is our top pick for the best racing seat in 2022. This is because it is affordably priced at $249, you’re getting a fully featured frame that’s compatible with all good peripherals.
This includes hard mounting for pedals in flat and angled positions as well as your wheel and shifter of choice. There’s also the option to mount your shifter on either the left or right side, which can be ideal for specific racing titles.
The seat itself in this set is made of a breathable fabric, which will it could be on the thinner side for some, but is ergonomically designed to line up with your spine. The steel frame chassis ensures that there’s no warping or buckling either, as can happen with cheaper options on the market.
- Well constructed
- Highly adjustable
- Pre-installed mounts
- Not suitable with direct drive steering wheels
The Playseat Challenge is ideal for those racing enthusiasts looking to maximize limited space in their setups. While some of the other best racing seats fold down, none get quite as compact as this wallet-friendly model. With its aggressive MSRP of $229, though frequently selling for well under the $200 mark. Due to its hinged, deck chair style frame, this racing seat folds up near-flat vertically, with the pedals support going inwards, too.
Due to its hinged, deck chair style frame, this racing seat folds up near-flat vertically, with the pedals support going inwards, too. Form factor aside, though, there are many other strengths to this chassis.
This includes support for a wide range of race positions supported in the chair itself, such as upright GT, rally body, and lower F1 stance. If you’re someone wanting to play a wide variety of racing games available on your platform of choice, you’ll be well supported here.
- Pre-drilled mounts for major peripheral brands
- Motion Platform and Traction Plus compatible
- Direct Drive steering wheel compatible
- One of the more expensive options
The Next Level Racing GT Track Cockpit is ideal for enthusiasts of this genre of games. It’s been custom-designed for the pro-scene, as many of the best Esports and rally drivers use this particular model. That isn’t surprising when considering the level of adjustability and support here, though. The angle and distance of the steering wheel, pedals, shifters, and handbrake can be positioned to suit your individual needs.
For serious racing fans, the smaller inclusions with this racing seat are sure to satisfy on a meticulous level. For instance, there’s the 4-point racing harness, as well as lockable wheel castors meaning you can move your rig around with ease. Positioning yourself at the ideal angle is much easier than having to manually set up and re-position.
For those wanting the most immersive experience, the GT Track Cockpit is made with the Motion Platform V3 and Traction Plus in mind. The former can be attached to the chassis in less than ten minutes. If a complex multi-monitor setup is essential for total engrossment, then this may be all you need.
- Ergonomically designed chair
- Durable metal frame
- Direct Drive steering wheel compatible
- Not the most compact
The Playseat Trophy finds itself in the middle ground between entry-level and enthusiast, both in terms of price and feature set. Unlike other options in our roundup, this model is frameless and forged with ergonomics in mind as one solid piece. All things considered, weighing in at 35lbs, it’s comparatively lighter than some other framed alternatives.
Due to not being constrained to the traditional setup, the Playseat Trophy is one of the best racing seats for ergonomics. The seat and backrest can both be fully adjusted, with the chair itself built for force feedback so you get the full experience on the track.
This is due to what the company calls its ‘ActiFit’ material, which is padded and lightweight. If you’ve ever felt hemmed in or uncomfortable in older racing seats, you won’t have that problem here.
- High quality hardware
- Ample accessories
- Expensive
Looking for a premium pick? Well, we’ve got you covered. The Extreme Simracing Cockpit is an immensely comfortable and sturdy seat. It can hold any user up to 300lb and features a durable o-flex Carbon Steel chassis and reclining faux leather bucket seat.
This cockpit is excellent due to its vast amount of accessories. You can elevate your sim rig thanks to accessories such as the 50-inch TV stand, cup holder, and shifter mount. This quality racing chair is perfectly set up for long hours of gaming. It is also important to talk about the rubber leveling base that comes with the sim racing seat. This design will enhance and improve stability, ideal if you’re hoping to use it regularly.
Features and Considerations
There are various aspects you should consider when purchasing your next racing simulator seat.
Comfort and Support
Let’s be honest, you’ll spend a lot of time on your sim rig racing chair, so it better be comfortable. Look for a racing chair with a good amount of foam padding and adjustability to guarantee ultimate comfort.
A quality racing seat will come with a variety of customizable options, allowing you to change the position of the seat, pedals, and steering wheel to your liking.
Features
Something else that is important to consider is additional features. Having these will completely elevate your gaming experience to new levels. Look out for features such as built-in speakers, cup holders, and extra storage compartments. Bear in mind, these are all nice to have but not essential.
What are some of the best racing seat brands?
Next Level Racing and Playseat make some of the best racing seats on the market for their true-to-form accuracies in everything from chair to frame. Because compatibility with all popular brands of gear sticks, pedals, and wheels is essential, these manufacturers have confirmed native support.
Are the racing seats worth it?
Racing seats provide comfort and ergonomic support tailored toward motorsport titles, even more so than your usual gaming chairs. This is because the sitting positions simulate that of rally cars, as well as F1 vehicles, too.
Our Verdict
The Next Level Racing GT Lite takes pole position for its affordable price point and a wide suite of features that few others in the competition just cannot match.
What makes it great is that it’s a portable and well-priced racing cockpit that is perfect for sim racers with limited space. It boasts a revolutionary design that allows you to switch between GT and Formula racing positions fast. This offering is built with high-quality materials, making it an excellent choice for anyone.