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Handpicked: 6 Best Racing Chairs & Sim Cockpits (2024)

Racing simulator cockpits are easily the most entertaining and engaging type of gaming chairs.

As products they can be painfully hit or miss, though. Some are meh. Others are that secret ingredient to reaching game immersion levels you never even imagined to experience.

Cutting to the chase: At UGC we believe that Openwheeler's GEN3 Cockpit is one of the best gaming seats for racing available right now.

Comfortable, sturdy, flexible...and of course, compatible with all platforms and most leading steering wheel brands. At its specific price point, it's a total bargain.

There are some higher-end options for a completely premium experience such as Next Level's GT Track. We'll cover them too.

Let's head over for a quick intro and then dive right into the best gaming chairs for your steering wheel.

Best Overall

Great compatibility with diverse steering wheels and platforms.


Flexible and surprisingly easy to move around/store.

Great Extras


Leader in design, overall durability and stability of construction.


Passive + Active cooling system for ultimate comfort.

Good Value


Realistic simulations with proprietary anti-wobble measures.


Great for taller gamers, with awesome shoulder support.

There are more gaming seat racing chairs on today’s market than ever, and a whole host of designs and features to choose from. 


When you are thinking about buying a sim racing rig, there are many things you need to bear in mind. You need to ensure the chair you are buying is made from high-quality materials and is constructed well, make sure you are happy with its appearance as well as its functionality and be happy about the level of comfort it offers.


Whether you are on a restricted budget or have more to invest, the diversity of the market means you shouldn’t struggle to find something that meets your needs when you wish to purchase a fitting chair or cockpit.

The best chair for racing games offers reclining features to relax your lower back and offer sufficient support across a range of seating positions.


Lots of things to talk about, in other words. Let's dive in and outline some of the better choices you can get your hands (and feet) on these days.

UGC recommends:
6 best racing simulator cockpits & gaming chairs for steering wheels

1

Best racing chair (including for Logitech G29 & G920):
OpenWheeler Gen3 Cockpit

Best seat for Logitech G29? It's this specific Openwheeler Racing Chair.


GEN3?


Yep, OpenWheeler continue to innovate and this is one of their best-performing gaming seat for racing and cockpit simulators. They've covered almost all of their bases here - the racing chair is compatible with Logitech G29, as well as the G920 and G932 series. It's also works fine with Thrustmaster (including the TX model) or Fanatec branded wheels.


Needless to say, you can get a fully immersive experience regardless whether you're playing on Xbox One, PS (PS4 to be exact) or PC.


The right word here is: stability. This racing seat gaming chair is made from powder-coated, heavy-gauged steel. It sits well and is here to stay with this kind of manufacture. After all, this stuff's not cheap - you should get the best value out of your purchase!


Paired with this quality manufacture comes the breathability of the fabric. I'm not sure about you, but hitting those drifts or that curvy map on Dirt 4 makes for some very sweaty moments. Not here, though - or at least discomfort is minimized as much as possible.


The cherry on the top is the flexibility. First, the shifter mount can be used both left-handed or right-handed. Second, the chair is somewhat lightweight for a racing chair. You can just move it after you're done with your session and store it away at a place that doesn't get in the way.


OpenWheeler just gets it right, what can we say!


You can also check what people who already bought it have to say in their reviews.


The drawback?


The only nitpick we have here is that you need to buy any add-ons or electronic controls separately. The electronic controls part isn't surprising - lots of manufacturers follow the same logic. Some add-ons being included would have been awesome, though!

2

Best premium racing & flight simulator seat:
Next Level Racing GT Track V3

The GT Track V3 is one of the best racing simulator cockpits we've seen recently. Here's why.


Next Level's V2 motion system made some revolutions with the older GTUltimate model. Now, an updated V3 system is waiting for you to fully immerse yourself in even better quality and comfort.


First of all, a combination of passive + active cooling has been introduced to keep you from sweating and detracting your attention from the race track. The harness has been improved too, so you can strap yourself and remain stable even when drifting around the most challenging tracks.


Next Level stay true to their manufacturing roots. The GT Track NLR-S009 is made of high quality carbon steel. Similar to other brands, you'd say. However, where this particular one excels is the precise welding and laser cutting involved in the process.


As a result, you get unmatched stability. The rigidity of the racing simulator cockpit is supplemented by diverse adjustment options you wouldn't find in many other products. Height and angle adjustments are a given, but you can also adjust the seat distance and angling more intricately than standard chairs.


Last but not least, should you get into flying, the GT Track is one of the best gaming chairs for flight simulators too. It's fully upgradeable to a flight cockpit and you'd benefit from all the bells and whistles - especially the angling support.


The drawback?


Price. That's just about it. All of these premium features and improved construction comes at a higher price point than other gaming chairs for steering wheel.


As we always recommend, head over to read buyers' thoughts on the GT Track gaming chair for racing.

3

Best value gaming chair for sim racing with pedals:
Playseat Evolution Alcantara Chair


A phenomenal product known for its amazing build quality, undisputed comfort, and stability. The Playseat Evolution is one of the decently priced, yet premium racing gaming chairs you can buy nowadays. 


Part of its high-end feel comes from the Alcantara leather used in the manufacture. Softer than usual leathers or synthetics, yet very durable, it really makes an impression when spending more time on the chair.


While not as meticulous as Next Level, Playseat's Evolution builds up on lower-priced alternatives in terms of construction. You have a dedicated anti-wobble measure here, paired with a sturdier-than-usual construction to keep things as stable as possible.


The framework is made of powder-coated steel. Not as great as carbonized, but still on the higher end of what you'd see in racing chair manufacture quality.


This particular steering wheel chair is great for taller people too. The Evolution Alcantara accommodates gamers up to 7' foot tall without causing discomfort or painful adjustment issues.


The drawback?


Playseat mention a weight cap of 300 lbs. We haven't tested that limitation personally, but it's a bit weird considering the racing chair is compatible with taller people.


If you're having doubts, just check its Amazon page for buyers' opinions and insights. You might find an answer to your specific questions.

4


This GTR Simulator gaming seat racing chair works with all market-leading consoles and PCs including the PS4 and PS3, the Xbox One and the Xbox 360.


It slides backward, forwards and reclines and has a back pedal mount that can be adjusted between 10 and 40 degrees. The wheel mount adjusts up, down and forward and features robust steel construction.


The seat is described as a "complete racing simulator seat" by the manufacturer and is heel and toe-friendly.


The perfect fit can be achieved with the various easy-to-grip knobs and the seat can be adjusted back and forth by 6".


It has a gear shifter mount 9" from the ground, whilst the footplate comes with eight adjustable angles.


GTR Simulator Equipment is a decently known gaming chairs manufacturer that also specializes in fitness equipment and more. Prolly not as high-end as some of the options we discussed, but still a more than appropriate choice for some racing fun.

5

Next Level Racing F-GT Short Review - a decent racing sim cockpit.

If you want Next Level's quality of construction and reliability sans the bells and whistles of their V3 GT Track...Well, the F GT simulator cockpit for racing games is a very viable choice.


This dual position gaming seat racing cockpit is renowned for its authenticity and offers fully adjustable wheels, pedal positions, and a gear shifter.


Also, a part of the package is a lumbar support cushion, powder coated steel frame and a seat slider. The seat is perfect for sim racing and is even used in professional driver training - or so we've heard. 


It is compatible with all leading wheels and pedals, including devices and peripherals from Logitech, Thrustmaster or other leading brands.


If you’re looking for one of the best chair for racing games setup to match with a moderately sized budget, you can’t go wrong with this one. It’s got sleek looks and isn’t complex to set up at all. It’s also far easier to adjust than some higher tier mounts are.

6


This one is a bit more of a premium take on GTR's usual sim gaming rigs for a steering wheel.


Made from steel and synthetic leather, this side can slide backward and forwards and is also able to recline. It has a weight capacity of 330lb and its pedal mount can be adjusted from 10 to 40 degrees. It is designed to resist shock and abrasion and can easily be folded away for quick storage. It works with a host of noted devices, like the Logitech G29 Driving Force Race Wheel and most Thrustmaster wheels, shifters and pedals.


This system is built for someone looking for an all in one solution to their seat, accessory and monitor mount that’s wrapped up all in one giant chassis.


While this setup isn’t that much cheaper than the other mounts and seats out there, it will save you money in the long run as it also has room for your monitors.


This is particularly useful if you want to take the desk out of the equation and fabricate a more realistic cockpit. 


The design on this chassis will need a more expensive aftermarket hydraulic G-force system; if you plan on building a more immersive race simulator, that is. The cheaper ones might simply be rated with values too weak for this mount.

Quick FAQ regarding the best chairs for racing games

There are many manufacturers of racing seats on the market – which are the most reputable?

Some of the most trusted and prestigious manufacturers of racing seats around include Openwheeler, Next Level, GiantEx, Playseat, VEVOR, Auto Dynasty, and Conquer.

What kind of features should I look for in a racing seat?

Though there is a wide range of features available to you, features commonly found in racing seats for gaming include compatibility with devices and peripherals like Logitech products, the Xbox and the PS4.

Many people look for racing seats that they can easily fold away for storage in moments. Lumbar support cushions are highly sought-after, as is the ability to recline. Powder-coated steel is used to manufacture many racing seats, with many top products including adjustable pedals. 

How much do I need to pay for a quality racing seat?

Prices for reliable, supportive and multi-functional racing seats can vary, but you can purchase high-quality products for around low to mid $XXX . The more you pay for a racing seat, the more functionality and longevity you can expect.

Conclusion

There are many high-quality racing seats available on the market, and you shouldn’t find it too hard to identify a suitable product for your needs even if you only have a modest amount of money to invest.

Racing seats can heighten the thrill of gaming and make the experience much more realistic. If you do feel spoilt for choice, it’s a good idea to draw up a shortlist of products and think hard about what your needs are so you can come to an informed decision.

By purchasing a well-constructed chair made from materials of the highest quality, you can make a worthwhile investment that will serve you well for years to come before you need to replace it.

Xander (Editor-in-Chief)
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