The Best Sim Racing Seats – Buyer’s Guide

Featured image: my sim racing setup with a Motorbase seat

Picking the perfect racing seat for your sim rig is undoubtedly a crucial factor when putting your cockpit together.

Without knowing what you’re looking for, it’s pretty easy to spend too long looking for the right seat for your simulator. In this guide, I aim to help you with the otherwise lengthy task of choosing a seat that will fit your body shape, match the comfort or sportiness you’re looking for, and fit your budget.

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I’ll be covering a range of seating options from gaming chairs to proper racing seats from professional automotive brands, and I’ll go over what sort of mounting solutions you’ll need and what you should look for when you’re ready to buy.

If you’re looking for an actual sim racing rig that includes an integrated seat, frame, and base, then be sure to check out my other guide to the best sim rigs on the market, or our guide to F1 rigs as today I’ll purely be focusing on stand-alone seats to go with a cockpit you’ve purchased without the seat.

How to Choose a Sim Racing Seat

The biggest thing to remember when picking a racing seat is that the process will have a certain amount of personal relevance. There are a few things that I’d consider to be cardinal buying rules, such as something that caters to both comfort and the practical side of sim racing, but otherwise, it all depends on your budget and preferences.

Probably the most important thing you should consider before committing to any particular model is whether or not your seat will fit you! It’s good practice to measure yourself much like you would for new clothing, and have these sizes handy when you’re browsing online for a new seat. All seats have a measurement guide like this:

The point is that you want your sim experience to feel as real as possible, so make sure to check out the adjustability of all seats to ensure that you’ll get the best seating position that makes you feel like a racer.

As with any sim racing equipment, I recommend that you spend ample time researching a variety of trusted brands, but a bonus in this department is that you are not only limited to sim racing brands. You have the option of selecting real racing seats that are built for use in Motorsport. Seats for sim racing and Motorsport seats share the same base dimensions – they’re compatible for mounting.

Of course, some people are happy to play sim racing games from an office chair (I’ve added a few gaming chairs too), but if you’re looking to step up your immersion levels, you can’t beat a proper bucket seat for the bolstering hip support they can provide, which is especially important if you race for more extended periods. It will pay dividends, in the long run, to invest in a good seat.

When you start your search for a new sim racing seat, here is a quick checklist of items to keep in mind:

• Frame/shell materials (steel, fibreglass, carbon fibre)
• Upholstery materials
• Ergonomic and adjustable design
• Lumbar support
• Secure mounting system
• Style: F1 / Formula racing, Hybrid (LM prototypes) or GTE?
• Price

A collection of brands that I always consider trusted and worth their salt within the seat market are Motorbase, Sparco, Recaro, and OMP.

They all offer a wide variety of products at various price points, making them suitable for absolute quality. Of course, there are a lot more companies out there producing great seats, and I’ll cover a couple of them here, but you can’t go wrong with a seat from one of these three reliable brands. Naturally, the market is evolving very quickly and we’ve seen, in the past 6 months or so, sim racing rig manufacturers begin to expand into the seat manufacturing universe.

So look out for the Next Level Racing ES1 and offerings from SimLab for both F1 simulation and GT racing too.

It’s worth doing your research on Reddit. You’ll find people who have similar preferences to you, for example, and these individuals can be valuable sources of information as to where you can find useful upgrades or whether you should try out certain sim racing products. So, let’s take a look at what I consider to be the best seat options available to buy right now.

Gaming Chairs vs Proper Racing Seats

Before we dive into specific products, it’s worth understanding the fundamental difference between gaming chairs and proper racing seats. Gaming chairs offer excellent comfort for extended sessions and often include features like recline functions, armrests, and built-in lumbar support. They’re ideal if you also use your rig for work or want something that’s easier to get in and out of.

Proper racing seats, on the other hand, are designed to lock you in place with aggressive side bolstering and a fixed position. They provide the authentic racing feel and are essential if you’re using a motion rig or want the most immersive experience possible. The trade-off is that they’re less versatile and can be challenging to climb in and out of.

Let me be honest here – gaming chairs won’t give you the locked-in feel of a proper bucket seat, but they’re far more practical for daily use. If you’re planning marathon endurance sessions or sharing your rig with family members of different sizes, a gaming chair might be the smarter choice.

Gaming & Ergonomic Chairs for Sim Racing

I’ve spent a fair bit of time testing sitting in various gaming chairs in sim racing and gaming scenarios, and whilst they might not look as motorsport-authentic as a bucket seat, they offer genuine advantages for many sim racers.

Ace Series Gaming Chairs

The Ace Series represents excellent value in the gaming chair market. The ZEUS at $129.99 is what I’d recommend for budget-conscious racers who still want decent support. Moving up, the Ace-S1 at $139.99 adds improved padding, whilst the MARS at $169.99 introduces better lumbar support that really helps during those longer stints.

For those wanting something a bit more substantial, the Dragon at $179.99 offers reinforced side bolstering that actually provides decent lateral support when you’re wrestling with high FFB settings. The top-tier GTX320 at $239.99 is what I’d choose if I wanted a gaming chair for serious sim racing – it’s got the most aggressive bolstering of the range and quality materials that’ll stand up to regular use.

Ergonomic Series

The Ergonomic Series focuses on long-term comfort. The CH153 at $169.99 features excellent lower back support, whilst the Luft 310 at $179.99 adds breathable mesh backing – brilliant for those of us who run hot during intense racing sessions. I’ve found these particularly good for endurance racing where comfort trumps outright performance.

“Proper” Sim Racing Seats

Now we’re talking serious business. These are the seats that’ll have you feeling like you’re strapped into a real race car. I’ve sat in plenty of bucket seats (in the sim and real like) and each has its place depending on your needs and budget.

Trak Racer Seats

Trak Racer has really stepped up their game recently. I’m impressed with their cockpits and their new range. Their Recliner Seats ($299-$369) are an interesting hybrid – they look like proper racing seats but include a recline function. Perfect if you want the racing aesthetic but still need some adjustability. I’ve been particularly impressed with the build quality for the price point.

The Trak Racer Rally Style Fixed Fiberglass Seat at $349 is what I’d recommend for rally and drift enthusiasts. The upright seating position and aggressive side bolstering keep you planted when you’re sawing at the wheel. It’s side-mounted only, so make sure your rig can accommodate this.

For GT racing fans, the Trak Racer GT Style Fixed Fiberglass Seats ($349-$419) offer a more reclined position. These are proper motorsport-spec seats with high-density foam that won’t compress over time. The $419 version includes upgraded fabric that’s more resistant to wear.

The crown jewel is the Trak Racer TRX Hybrid Fixed Fiberglass Seats in either Alpine 2023 Livery or All Black finish at $399. These were co-developed with Alpine F1, and it shows. The shape accommodates both Formula and GT seating positions brilliantly. If you switch between different racing disciplines, this is the seat I’d choose.

Sparco Options

You can’t go wrong with Sparco – they’ve been making racing seats longer than most of us have been alive. The Sparco Grid-Q at £346.96 is their entry-level fibreglass option, but don’t let that fool you – it’s still FIA-approved and offers excellent support. The removable cushions let you fine-tune the fit, which is a nice touch.

The Sparco EVO QRT Fibreglass at £434.40 steps things up considerably. Using their QRT (Quick Resin Technology), it’s significantly lighter than traditional fibreglass seats whilst maintaining strength. The integrated lumbar support is spot on, and the wider shoulder area works well if you’re broad across the chest.

Essential Accessories

Don’t forget – a seat is only as good as its mounting system. I’ve seen too many people splash out on an expensive seat only to bolt it directly to their rig without proper adjustment.

Seat Sliders

If you’re sharing your rig or just want the ability to fine-tune your position, seat sliders are essential. The most affordable option is the Sparco Seat Slider from Sim-Lab at $59.95. It offers 23cm of adjustment and includes all mounting hardware. The width is adjustable by bending the centre bar – sounds crude but works brilliantly.

Moving up, the OMP Universal Seat Sliders at $95.99 feature a double-locking mechanism for added safety. These are what I use on my motion rig – that extra security is worth the price difference when you’re being thrown around.

For premium builds, consider the Sabelt options ranging from $99.99 to $174.99. The P Series sliders include an anti-noise system that eliminates the annoying rattles you sometimes get with cheaper options.

Seat Brackets

You’ll need appropriate brackets to mount your seat. The PRO SIMRIG brackets offer excellent adjustability, whilst the Sabelt brackets ($89-$124.99) are specifically designed for their S and X series seats but work with most side-mount seats. Made from 5mm thick aluminium, they’re properly robust.

Harnesses

If you’re going full immersion, the Sabelt Sim Racing Seatbelts at $229.99 add that final touch of authenticity. The 4-point harness with quick-release buckle not only looks the part but genuinely helps keep you positioned correctly during intense sessions. Just remember – these are for sim use only!

How to mount your sim racing seat with sliders and brackets

There are a few different ways you mount your seat to your rig, can do and generally it is recommended to buy mounts from the same retailer as the seat to ensure compatibility.

The three most common ways to mount a seat are; side mounts (fixed position), runner kits (adjustable), and base plates (fixed position). Depending on the brand of your seat, you may be able to choose between any of the three choices, or you may be forced to choose one. It’ll also be dependent on what type of cockpit you’re using, so before you click to buy, make sure you’ve covered all your bases.

Steel Side Mounts

These steel side mounts are multi-drilled to provide lots of scope for adjustment, allowing you to
position your seat in the most suitable position.

A good thing to note is that these mounts will fit side most mounted seats including those from Sparco, OMP, Cobra and Corbeau.

Cobra universal seat runners

Seat runners are universally designed to give shell seats some adjustability.

They sit between the standard steel mount (mentioned above) and will mount on an 8020 style aluminium rig easily.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right seat is deeply personal. What works brilliantly for me might be uncomfortable for you. That said, if you’re just starting out, I’d recommend beginning with a gaming chair unless you’re certain you want the full racing experience. The Ace Series GTX320 or a Trak Racer Recliner gives you flexibility without sacrificing too much immersion.

For those ready to commit to proper racing seats, the Trak Racer TRX Hybrid is an exceptional value at $399. It’s what I’d choose for a new build today. Add a set of Sim-Lab sliders and you’ve got a professional-grade setup for well under $500.

Remember, prices shown are current thanks to our real-time API integration and may vary. Always check availability as popular models do sell out, especially the Trak Racer options, which seem to fly off the shelves.

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