How Long Do Sim Racing Seats Last?

Your sim racing seat is one of the most important parts of your rig, so it’s understandable that you want to get your money’s worth out of it. This might leave you wondering how long your sim racing seat will last and how you can make it last longer.

Sim racing seats can last anywhere from 3-5 years or more. The lifespan of a sim racing seat is influenced by a lot of factors, such as how much you use it and what brand it is. The absolute minimum you should expect from a seat is 3 years of use before you need to replace it.

From named brands like Playseat, you’ll be looking at $200 for their cheapest models, and other seats can be closer to $500. So, it’s fair to wonder how you can make your sim racing seat last longer, and we go into lots of detail all about this below.

What Will Influence The Lifespan Of A Sim Racing Seat?

How Much You Use It

Probably the most important factor above all others is how much you’ll be using your sim racing seat. That isn’t just frequency of use, but the time spent sim racing per session as well. For example, spending a whole day sat in the chair in varying positions will induce more wear than one-hour race sessions.

With most warranties covering a product for 1 or 2 years, you really should expect the product to outlast that by a couple of years. Even looking at the minimum length of time, you should expect 3 years of use in your sim racing seat, regardless of whether you spend every day sim racing or only occasional weekends.

Brand & Quality

Alongside the usage wear and tear on a seat, you should also look at the brand and therefore quality of your seat. Companies that specialize in making sim racing seats will use high-grade materials and include a host of longevity features in their products when compared to budget brands, so you can expect a longer lifespan out of the pricier ones (for the most part).

Buying a cheap seat may save you some cash in the short-term, but you’ll likely have to replace it much quicker than a named brand of seat. This is due to cheaper products not usually being made of high-grade materials, leading to faster wear and tear.

The Minimal Lifespan Of A Sim Racing Seat

The minimum life of a sim racing seat should easily hit the 3-year mark. This length of time is conservative when you consider how long couches and armchairs will last. Even cheaper office chairs will generally last for this amount of time. With sim racing seats being purpose-built for a lot of heavy use, it’s fairly likely that you’ll get more than 3 years of use out of a quality sim racing chair.

Check The Warranty

As with most furniture and appliances, sim racing seats come with a warranty that will protect your purchase from early faults. The extent of this warranty will depend on the company you purchase the seat from, with some stretching as far as 2 years of coverage, and some not offering any at all.

A warranty is basically a company pledging their confidence in a product they’ve made. As such, it’s always good to see a long and inclusive warranty on anything, let alone a sim racing seat, which can be such a big expense and a hugely important part of your rig.

Bear in mind that warranties from different brands will cover different things. Some will cover premature wear and tear alongside part failures, but others will only cover breakages. The extent of your refund can also vary by brand.

KEY POINTS

• Sim racing seats should generally last at least 3 years

• High-quality racing chairs can last a fair bit longer

• Always check the warranty offered by your chosen brand before you buy

How To Extend The Life Of A Sim Racing Seat

Cleaning Your Seat

Cleaning your sim racing seat’s upholstery with a leather or faux leather polish, or a special fabric cleaner, will keep it both looking nice and also add to its lifespan by adding a protective layer to it. The specific method and cleaner you should use depends on what material your sim racing seat is made from.

Preventing Rust

You may also want to consider greasing components to keep them healthy, such as the frame, to avoid an early onset of rust. However, this is likely only required on large, expensive sim racing seats, and it’s probably not a must for most sim racers. Keep it away from moisture and you should be fine!

Keep Pets Away From It

As somebody who owns a cat, I can’t stress enough how important it is to keep your pets away from your sim racing seat! No matter whether it’s fabric or leather, claws and fur don’t mix well with most materials, especially not if your cat decides to make the seat its new scratching post!

How Long Do Cheap Sim Racing Seats Last?

Cheap sim racing seats generally last up to 3 years, but it’s unlikely that a budget chair will last much longer than that. This of course depends on what you class as cheap, but anything under $150 is unlikely to hold up as well as a high-quality, $300 sim racing seat.

Buying a budget sim racing seat will have a distinct effect on how long you’ll be able to use it. The quality of materials just won’t be as high as premium, named brands. And another important factor is the short, limited warranties or lack of warranty altogether on some cheaper products.

Does A More Expensive Sim Racing Seat Last Longer?

Spending more money doesn’t always equal better quality. However, when it comes to products that will be in use or integral to a whole setup, like in sim racing, spending that little bit extra can guarantee a longer lifespan and a better experience overall.

You can expect reputable brands to provide a higher build quality and more durable materials that are made to last, and that all-important warranty will likely be longer compared to those of budget seats. Look for brands like Playseat, Sparco, and GT Omega.

Final Thoughts

Most high-quality sim racing seats will last at least 3 years, but those from reputable brands like Sparco and Playseat may last even longer. Taking proper care of your sim racing seat will allow you to get the most use out of it.