if you’ve recently gotten into sim racing, welcome aboard. But if you’re an intermediate-level player transitioning to your first sim racing cockpit, you’ve come to the right place. Buying a cockpit simulating racing is a big step. It’s expensive, and it’s something you can’t change every other day. So, you have to make sure the racing simulator cockpit you choose fits your needs.The guide below will help you find the right cockpit for sim racing, regardless of your experience level.What Is a Sim Racing Cockpit?
A sim racing cockpit is a compact car seat, steering wheel, and pedals arranged together. Think of it like your sim car. It mimics a real car’s layout. Plus, it has additional elements like a gear shifter, handbrake, buttons, etc.
But why would you want one? Can’t your desk or couch suffice? Well, they can. But a sim racing cockpit provides an immersive experience that elevates your gameplay.
Also, if you choose a racing simulator cockpit with Direct Drive or Force Feedback, you get an extra layer of realism. The feedback is insanely accurate, giving you the slightest nuances of your car’s performance on a simulated track.
Top 5 Sim Racing Cockpits
Just a preface: we know the best or top sim racing cockpits are subjective. But based on user reviews, gameplay experience, compatibility, value for money, and technology, we have put together a list of five sim racing cockpits that we believe are top contenders in the market.
Playseat Trophy Logitech G Edition: Best Overall
If you’re looking for a cockpit for sim racing that won’t break the bank but would still offer great features and quality, the Playseat Trophy Logitech G Edition is your best bet. Its Actifit seat technology conforms to your body, while the high-carbon steel frame lasts the test of time. You can also change the seat’s position to suit your racing style, be it Formula One or rally racing.
The racing simulator cockpit is highly flexible, as it lets you adjust the pedal and wheel the way you want. Move it up or down, tilt it forward, tilt it backward; it’s all up to you. Its backrest reclines independently of the wheel and offers full lumbar support.
At just 37 lbs (17 kg), the Logitech sim racing cockpit is one of the lightest on the market. That makes it easy to store when not in use.
Pros
● A rigid and durable high-carbon steel frame
● Ultimate flexibility in seat positioning
● Suitable for any racing type
● Utmost customizability
Cons
● Has a large footprint
● Fiddly adjustments
Next Level Racing GT Track: Best for Pro Racers
Anyone who isn’t worried about the budget and wants a superior sim racing experience should give the Next Level Racing GT Track cockpit a shot. The cockpit’s support for Direct Drive makes it the first choice among pro sim racers.
Don’t believe us? Well, Kamil Pawlowski, the Project Cars 2 World Championship winner, uses this sim racing cockpit. It’s also used by other pro drivers like Mad Mike Whiddett of Red Bull Racing and Ricardo Costa Jr., a professional rally driver.
Let’s get back to specs now. The cockpit is also pre-drilled for Fanatec, Thrustmaster, and Logitech wheels and pedals. As for compatibility, you can use this cockpit with Motion Platform V3.
All in all, the GT Track is a feature-rich cockpit with a gear shifter and handbrake support, a four-point racing harness, height-adjustable feet, lockable castor wheels, and a Butkicker® adapter.
Pros
● Stunning anodized carbon-gray finish
● Next Level Racing motion ecosystem compatibility
● Compatible with most high-end wheels and pedals
● Realistic GT and Formula driving positions
Cons
● Unable to adjust deck position without adjusting the wheel mount
● Reinforcement needed for hydraulic pedals
Fanatec Rennsport Cockpit V2: Best for Accessorizing
Some cockpits are just made to be customized, and the Fanatec Rennsport Cockpit V2 is one of them. Currently, Fanatec lets you add the Sparco Pro 2000 seat to your cockpit. The seat base plate on the cockpit has a 320×345 mm and 320×440 mm hole pattern, letting you put in almost any racing seat (may require additional drilling).
The Rennsport has been made to be easy to mount so that you can get racing in no time. Fanatec has also used quality materials in the design to ensure durability and stability.
As for the racing experience itself, you can adjust the cockpit to your preference. Whichever driving position best suits you, the cockpit will be able to cater to it.
Pros
● Powder-coated finish for resistance
● Assembly tools include
● Sporty design
● High adjustability
Cons
● Very pricey
● Doesn’t come with a pre-installed seat
Next Level Racing GLite Pro: Best for Beginners
Don’t want to spend too much money? No worries. The Next Level Racing GLite Pro is a good option. It’s mainly designed for GT racing, so if you’re into that, you’ll love this cockpit.
Another great thing about this sim racing cockpit is that it can be folded for easy storage. It’s also pretty easy to assemble since there aren’t too many parts. You can use wheelbases of up to 13 nm with this cockpit. For the hand brakes and shifters, check the mount sizes within the cockpit.
The hole pattern in this cockpit has been updated to accommodate newer steering wheels in the market. It also comes with 2 strengthening straps to provide extra support to the wheelbase. Since you can adjust the wheelbase distance in three different positions, you can customize your driving experience for your comfort.
Pros
● Easy to store
● Affordable pricing
● Quite flex-resistant
Cons
● Extra straps make the cockpit cumbersome
● Not as stable as other models
Next Level Racing Go Kart Plus: Best for Go Kart Racing
As the name gives away, the Next Level Racing Go Kart Plus is perfect for go-kart racing. It is ideal for racers who are 3’7″ to 6’7″ in height and have a waist size of up to 40”. The seat, pedal position, and wheel on the cockpit are adjustable to suit all users.
For accessories, you can add entry-level or pro-level Direct Drive wheels to the Go Kart Plus. The cockpit also comes with lockable castor wheels from Next Level Racing that take your mobility up a notch. You can customize the cockpit with pedals and wheels from a range of companies, including Moza Racing, Fanatec, Logitech, and Thrustmaster.
Pros
● Compatible with multiple accessories
● Adjustable seat, pedals, and wheel for maximum comfort
● Easy mobility with lockable castor wheels
Cons
● Not ideal for Formula-style seating positions
● Limited compatibility with some racing wheels
Factors to Consider When Buying a Cockpit for Sim Racing
As we’ve already established, buying a sim racing cockpit is a big investment. You’ll probably be spending anywhere from $400 to over $1,000. So, you need to be smart about your purchase. Here are some factors to keep in mind when buying a cockpit simulator racing.
Included Components
What does the racing simulator cockpit come with? Does it have a seat attached? Is a wheel included? Some brands sell their cockpits as a barebones frame with the option to purchase additional components. Others come fully equipped with everything you’ll need.
Which of the two you choose will depend on your preference. If you already have a racing wheel and pedals, you might opt for the barebones frame. But if you’re starting from scratch, it might be better to go for a fully equipped option.
Compatibility
When it comes to compatibility, you have to look at two things. One, is the cockpit suitable for the type of racing you want to do? Two, is it compatible with accessories from renowned brands?
Suppose you’re a Formula 1 fan. It wouldn’t make sense to get the Next Level Racing Go Kart Plus since it’s made for go-kart racing.
Similarly, if you have a Logitech wheel, you need to make sure the cockpit is compatible with it. Most manufacturers will mention compatibility in their product descriptions. Check these before you go on to buy anything in particular.
Adjustability
Your height and weight will also affect your racing experience. Get a sim racing cockpit that adjusts to your size. You don’t want to be uncomfortable while racing because it’s too small for you. Or, worse, race with your knees hitting the frame because it’s too big for you.
Besides size adjustability, some cockpits also have adjustable pedal placements and wheel heights. Take these into account.
Build Material and Stability
If you’re spending so much money on a racing simulator cockpit, you obviously want it to last. Most cockpits come with a sturdy steel frame or aluminum construction. Some even have additional braces for added stability. But the cheaper ones may not be as sturdy.
Takeaway
By now, you should have somewhat of an idea of the type of cockpit you need. Go ahead and pick one from our selection above. If you want to look at more options, we’d recommend checking Next Level Racing’s collection. The company has much more variety than other brands like Fanatec or Logitech.
