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Best Racing Seats In 2023: Playseat, Next Level & more

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Best Racing Seats In 2023: Playseat, Next Level & more

Bring your racing experience to life with these amazing racing seats.

Finding the best racing seat can be challenging at times, especially with the wide range of price points to consider that make it hard to know how much you should spend and what sort of quality you're getting for your cash. We've done some of the hard work for you by putting together a list of top picks based on features, price, and reviews to help you find the right seat to upgrade your setup.

In terms of features to look for, we'd recommend something lightweight, perhaps even foldable, so you can store it with ease once you're finished racing. From there, we'd suggest making sure the seat you're interested in buying is compatible with your top-tier racing wheel as you don't want to encounter any issues setting up once the seat arrives.

So, with all this in mind, if you're after something built specifically for racing, like this Next Level Racing GT Track Cockpit, or you're looking for one of the best gaming chairs for racing, like this noblechairs HERO, we've got you covered right here.

This Next Level Racing GT Track seat is designed for serious sim racing enthusiasts who want to achieve as realistic a racing experience as possible playing games like F1, Gran Turismo, or Forza.

It comes with fully adjustable steering, shifter, and pedal mounts to suit your preference, and is compatible with Next Level Racing's motion platform to bring even more realism to your racing games.

Ultimately, we feel this cockpit is well worth considering if you're looking for a well-rounded bit of kit, especially as it is compatible with some of the best wheels for PS5 and Xbox around.

If you're looking for a more inexpensive racing seat, then the Playseat Challenge is an excellent choice.

Despite being lightweight and portable, it doesn't compromise on quality materials. The frame is constructed from powder-coated steel, ensuring durability and strong support. The seat is also lined with Alcantara, offering a comfortable seating experience, especially on warmer days compared to leather.

Moreover, this seat is designed to be compatible with all the major wheels available. This makes it one of the top contenders to consider if you're after a budget-friendly way to upgrade your setup.

Best racing seat for controllers

While a racing seat that comes with all the mounting options is ideal for games like F1, not everyone may have enough floor space to accommodate a cockpit setup. However, there's no need to worry, as a top-notch gaming chair such as the Razer Iskur can still elevate your racing environment to the next level.

The chair features a bucket seat-style design that provides the feeling of being enclosed in a race car, with a fully adjustable lumbar curve that closely aligns to your spine to enhance comfort and posture during extended gaming sessions.

Additionally, the chair is entirely cushioned with high-density moulded foam, then covered with synthetic leather and a resin finish to ensure a robust exterior that's also easy to clean when necessary.

Also, the back angle of the chair is adjustable up to 139 degrees, giving you ample options to achieve a comfortable seating position. Ultimately, we feel this seat is one of the best gaming chairs we've come across. So, if you're after something a little more versatile for your setup, then this Iskur seat could be for you.

The Extreme Simracing Cockpit is designed to offer exceptional comfort and robust support for individuals weighing up to 300 lbs. This is achieved through its carbon steel chassis, which ensures there's no unwanted flex, along with a reclining faux leather bucket seat that enhances your racing experience.

Another standout feature of this cockpit is the wealth of accessories it includes. Notably, it boasts a 50" TV stand, a shifter mount, and even a cup holder to keep you refreshed, even during marathon gaming sessions.

Additionally, the racing cockpit is equipped with a rubber levelling base, designed to enhance stability, making it an ideal choice for those looking to set up a more permanent gaming station.

The Next Level Racing F-GT Lite is an impressively versatile and highly adaptable piece of equipment, designed to cater to a wide range of racing preferences.

This racing simulator can be easily configured for both GT and Formula racing setups, allowing you to seamlessly switch between different gaming experiences. It also features a wheel mount, which not only accommodates Direct Drive wheels but also provides compatibility with haptic feedback devices. This combination ensures an immersive and authentic racing experience that truly puts you in the driver's seat.

Another notable advantage is its foldable design, making storage a breeze when the seat is not in use. This, along with the aforementioned characteristics, makes the Next Level Racing F-GT Lite a strong contender, offering flexibility, compatibility, and convenience for avid racing enthusiasts.

When it comes to finding the right racing seat, there are usually a few questions that pop up, but we're here to answer some of the more common queries.

Racing seats can vary in complexity depending on their style and price tag.

If you're looking for something more akin to a normal office chair if you prefer using a controller, then a standard gaming chair may be for you.

By contrast, you can also get a racing simulator seat that is more of a cockpit-style setup if you have the whole wheel, shifter, and peddle ensemble.

There are also motion cockpits available which, as their name suggests, move in correlation to what you see on your screen. This is obviously the most expensive variant, but should also be the most realistic and immersive option.

Although they're not absolutely necessary, a good racing chair can help bring your favourite racing game to life.

A racing chair can also increase your level of comfort, particularly if you're used to a desk set up and monitor.

Unfortunately, they can take up quite a bit of room, however, most racing seats are foldable these days, making them easier to store when they're not in use.

Racing seats can be pricey, but there are several budget options available if you don't want to splash the cash on a premium cockpit

In terms of how much you should spend, that depends on your available budget and how seriously you invest in racing games.

If you're planning on playing games like Forza more casually, then picking up a racing chair may not be entirely necessary and worth the added cost. However, if you're a serious and keen racer looking to add realism into your experience, then going for a top gaming chair should satisfy your needs.

We've previously gone into detail on whether racing seats are comfortable and, in the said guide, we mention that bucket seats in real life are built to be secure, lightweight, and strong to maximise performance and safety.

However, as sim racing seats aren't used in real life, they can therefore afford to include some additional elements to ensure you remain comfortable, even during extended gaming sessions.

For example, most sim bucket seats come with a ton of padding for added comfort, plus they can be made from premium materials like leather and Alcantara to ensure a highly enjoyable gaming experience.

Mounting a wheel to a racing seat involves several steps to ensure a secure and comfortable setup. First, place your racing seat in a suitable position, such as in front of a gaming console or a racing simulator rig. Ensure that the seat is stable and positioned at a comfortable distance from the screen or display.

Most racing seats come with a wheel mounting bracket or a wheel stand specifically designed for attaching the racing wheel. Locate this bracket, which is usually in the centre, then adjust the height to your preference.

Place the wheel base on the mounting bracket, aligning the screw holes on the base with the corresponding holes on the bracket. Use the provided screws or bolts to secure the wheel firmly to the bracket. Ensure that the base is centred and aligned properly.

Secure, connect, and test out the wheel to ensure it works and is positioned correctly. You should then be good to go. Any issues along the way, make sure you consult the instruction manual for more detailed and specific mounting instructions.

Alcantara is a type of synthetic microfibre fabric that is designed to mimic the look and feel of suede leather. It was developed in the 1970s in Japan, and it is now commonly used in a variety of products, including furniture, clothing, and vehicle interiors, hence it being used for sim racing gear.

Alcantara is known for its softness, durability, and resistance to stains and wear. While it may not have the same natural texture as suede, it is often considered a more practical and sustainable alternative.

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Affiliate writer and editor with a passion for F1 and racing.

RacingGames.GG has always been a platform for sharing a love of virtual racing with the world. Be it arcade racing, F1, or rally our team is passionate about racing. All our content stems from this enthusiasm and a desire to see the genre of racing games grow.

Best Racing Seats In 2023: Playseat, Next Level & more

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