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Best Sim Racing Cockpit You Can Buy in 2025

Next Level Racing

For close to $1,000, GTTrack isn’t cheap, but it’s a solid and upgradable platform for sim racing. The sim racer rig starts with a beefy frame that can support the most powerful direct-drive force feedback racing wheels while standing up to strong pedal pressure. The seat is supportive and comfortable which is good for extended lapping sessions.

The GTtrack racing simulator cockpit is adjustable for a wide range of body types, compact enough for most homes and is compatible with Next Level’s ecosystem of motion control electronics.

Playseat

Besides being significantly less expensive than a full racing rig like the GTtrack, the Playseat Challenge’s best feature is how it quickly folds into an extremely compact package for storage in a closet, corner or under a bed. The foldable racing simulator cockpit design comes with a few compromises but ultimately makes the Challenge one of the most ideal simulator cockpits for casual and serious racers in small apartments, bedroom setups and shared spaces.

There are adjustments for the wheel, pedal and seat placement, but no gear shifter mount. (If you must have a shifter box, consider the Next Level Racing GT Lite.) Getting in and out of the racing simulator seat can be a touch awkward, especially for kids. The racing simulator frame is strong enough for most console racing wheels and the fold-out pedal mount keeps the foot controls surprisingly planted during use. I personally use the Playseat Challenge sim rig in my small San Francisco Bay Area apartment.

Next Level Racing

The Next Level Racing Wheel Stand provides a firm platform for mounting a racing wheel, pedal box and even a shift lever. The Wheel Stand is meant to be a starting point around which you can upgrade, adding a seat and more as you go. Unfortunately, that means that it doesn’t come with a real racing seat in the box, and the racing simulator ergonomics of a couch or rolling office chair aren’t the best.

The low entry point price makes this a good option for casual racers who want to get away from just clamping onto a coffee table or desk.

OpenWheeler

If you don’t have the space (or the bucks) for a full GTrack cockpit, but don’t need the foldability of the Playseat Challenge, the OpenWheeler GEN3 sim racing rig sits nicely in the Goldilocks zone between the two. This sturdy racing seat and frame combo accommodates mounting a wheel, pedal set and shifter and is very adjustable for a wide range of body types. The racing seat is also quite comfortable.

When not in racing simulation use, the OpenWheeler can collapse a bit. Fans of flight sims can also purchase optional mounts to quickly convert the rig to a HOTAS setup, complete with a perfectly centered flight stick.

Next Level Racing

Offering the excellent build quality of the GTtrack at a more affordable price point, the Next Level Racing F-GT Simulator Cockpit has an extra trick up its sleeve that makes it an ideal choice for F1 racing fans. The dual-position seat and pedal box can be configured in the traditional, upright GT passenger car seating position or transformed for a low-slung, high-pedal position for a Formula Sim racing experience. 

Like the GTTrack racing simulator, the F-GT is a flexible and upgradeable platform that can support the addition of display mounts, extra hardware and even a conversion kit for flight sim setups. Unfortunately, the F-GT is not compatible with the Motion Platform V3 kit, which shouldn’t matter too much to buyers on a budget. 

Next Level Racing

The Motion Platform V3 is an add-on for the Next Level Racing GTtrack rig at the top of our best racing simulator cockpit list, providing an easy and relatively inexpensive entry point into the world of motion-controlled sim racing. The Motion Platform adds two-axis force feedback to the racing seat allowing drivers to feel the G-forces of every corner, braking point and application of throttle. You’d be amazed how much this extra level of immersion and feel can improve your sim racing performance. The hardware is compact — adding nothing to the GTtrack’s footprint — fairly quiet and easily configurable with the included software. Just make sure your favorite racing sim is compatible, most of the big ones for PC are, but console racing is not.

CXC Simulations

If price is not a factor and you want the best home racing experience short of building a track in your backyard, look no further than the CXC Motion Pro II. This is a full turn-key sim racing rig complete with a large monitor, racing seat with motion control force feedback, an immersive audio system, direct-drive steering wheel and pedal box. Just add a gaming PC or console and you’re ready to rock. This is the most immersive (and most expensive) sim racing rig that I’ve ever tested that could conceivably fit in a game room or garage. 

Starting at $69K for the standard setup, the Motion Pro II can be further upgraded with flight sim controls, a 3-head ultrawide display or a VR headset. There are myriad steering wheel options to choose from and even an option for a real FIA-certified racing bucket from Cobra. Checking all of the boxes pushes the price just over the six-figure mark, at which point, maybe just consider taking your actual car for a cruise more often.

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Unless you plan on adding motion control to your rig, it’s more important that your seat be comfortable and sturdy than deeply bolstered.

Next Level Racing

Like real-life driving, ergonomics are a big deal. Being able to comfortably reach the pedals and easily control the wheel can make the difference between the pole position and the back of the pack. Since you’re likely a different size from me, I’ve only recommended cockpits and seats with a good level of adjustability. If you share your sim rig with other members of your family, being easily adjustable is another good get.

Most home sim racing rigs don’t move, so the seat doesn’t need to hold you in place while cornering. Deep bolsters are nice to have and can feel more immersive, but aren’t strictly necessary unless you’re also diving deep into motion control. Look for a seat that’s comfortable for longer sessions, supportive enough for steering and pedal pressin’ and easy to get into and out. If you live in a small or shared space, consider a foldable cockpit like the Playseat Challenge or the Next Level Racing GT Lite, which can be easily stored in a closet when not in use.

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A sim racing cockpit can be as simple as a wheel stand and your couch or as complex as this VR and motion-enabled CXC Simulations rig.

Antuan Goodwin/Roadshow

This $3,000 add-on for an $800 racing sim rig is painfully expensive, but it can be further upgraded with Next Level’s $6,000 Traction Plus platform, which adds yaw motion to the system allowing drivers to feel the rotation of a vehicle during a drift or the lack-thereof when understeering. There’s also an optional Buttkicker haptic add-on that lets players feel the rumble of the road and engine through the seat. 

Just like in a real car, being able to feel how the car is reacting to your inputs and the surface of the road is not only enjoyable but is also a great tool for improving your driving performance. Going all-in on a Next Level motion control racing setup can push upwards of $10 grand when you include the cost of your wheel and pedal box. Compared to our “price is no object” pick — the CXC Motion Pro II that starts at $63K and can crest the six-figure mark when fully kitted out — or breaking into an automaker’s headquarters, that seems like a bargain.

Sim racing cockpit FAQs

A racing sim cockpit supports your steering wheel and pedals in an ergonomic position while you digitally drive in a racing sim or game. It can be as simple as a wheel stand plopped in front of your couch, but a good setup also includes a seat that physically connects you to the wheel and pedals in a driving position familiar to a real car with increased stability for force-feedback.

What makes a good sim racing cockpit?

If you’re serious about sim racing — and especially if you’re looking to supplement or transition to real-world racing — then a sim racing cockpit is definitely worth it. A good racing rig may not be worth the investment for more casual players interested primarily in arcade racers.

What budget should I set for a good racing simulator?

Haptic feedback adds a physical feel to your gaming or race simulation. The most basic level is force feedback through the steering wheel — although even this “basic” level can get very complex once you delve in. For the rest of your racing simulation rig, haptic feedback can range from a seat rumbling subwoofer/motor to motion control systems that tilt and slide the seat, mimicking the G-forces you’d experience in a real moving car.

What should I look for in a sim racing wheel?

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