The 9 Best Cheap Sim Racing Seats: The Ultimate List

Finding a high-quality, budget friendly sim racing seat can be tricky, as you want to ensure you still have a comfortable racing experience. To help you make your decision, we’ve put together a list of our favorite cheap sim racing seats.

The 9 best cheap sim racing seats are:

1. GTR Simulator GTA Cockpit
2. Openwheeler GEN3
3. Playseat Challenge
4. RESPAWN-200
5. Playseat Evolution
6. Conquer Racing Simulator
7. Secretlab Titan
8. RaceRoom RR3055
9. Sparco R100

Depending on your specific needs, budget, and personal taste, any one of these racing chairs could suit you. In this article, we will look at all of the chairs on the list in more detail to find out which one suits you best.

Note: We have ordered our list in terms of value for money, so the cheapest options aren’t necessarily at the start of the list. See the Playseat Challenge for the lowest price.

The 9 Best Cheap Sim Racing Seats

1. GTR Simulator GTA Cockpit

The GTR Simulator GTA Cockpit is our number 1 pick, and for good reason. It’s made from high-quality materials, is fully adjustable, looks good, feels good, and has plenty of functionality for any sim racer to enjoy.

Features

It comes with a fully adjustable seat that you can recline, as well as a pedal stand and wheel stand that can be adjusted so that the angle and length both suit your specific requirements. The frame is built from steel and the seat is made of synthetic leather, and both should last you for many races to come. It’s also firm but comfortable, to keep your body well supported while you race.

You will have to assemble the frame around the chair, but all parts are included, and installation isn’t too difficult. Versatility is one of this product’s disadvantages, with it being dedicated solely to sim racing, and while it may not be the cheapest, for what it is there really is nothing better on the market today at this price point.

PROS:

• Fully adjustable seat and stands
• Lots of colors and designs
• Very comfortable

CONS:

• Not the absolute cheapest

2. Openwheeler GEN3

This chair narrowly missed out on the number one spot and could have, in all honestly, shared the top honors. This chair is also fully adjustable and can be made to fit almost anybody. A fully reclining seat, along with adjustable wheel and pedal mounts ensure it’s ideal for racers of all kinds.

Features

This chair doesn’t have many parts and can be easily disassembled and stowed away when you’re not using it. It’s made from fabric rather than leather and it comes in 6 different colors. It also has great back support, though one minor quibble may be that (like the GTR Simulator GTA) it could perhaps do with some more neck support.

Its price is reasonable if not a little expensive, but if you are looking to buy at this price point, choosing between this and the GTR Simulator chair is really a matter of personal opinion as they are of a very similar standard.

It suffers from the same functionality issues as the GTR with it also being a dedicated sim chair that requires assembly, but that actually makes it a very ideal choice for sim racers. If you need a seat that can function as an office chair, check out the RESPAWN-200.

PROS:

• Seat is fully adjustable
• Easy to assemble
• Extremely comfortable

CONS:

• A little expensive

3. Playseat Challenge

This is the cheapest option on our list, but that doesn’t mean it’s of cheap quality! It’s a highly comfortable, all-in-one sim racing cockpit that’s ideal for those looking for a good beginner sim racing setup.

Features

Easy to move, easy to store, and easy to adjust, the Playseat Challenge doesn’t require the space that many others do and it can be fully folded away in seconds. It’s made from steel and Alcantara fabric for enhanced durability, and it’s incredibly comfortable too. Additionally, it is adjustable to suit a range of heights, although especially tall people may want something a little larger.

The Playseat Challenge has a built-in mount for your wheel and pedals, but it doesn’t have a dedicated gear stick mount. For the price, if you are looking for an entry-level rig or something that you can use casually, look no further than the Playseat Challenge!

PROS:

• Great value for money
• Easy to fold and store
• Fully adjustable

CONS:

• Looks a little cheap
• No shifter mount

4. RESPAWN-200

This is the first of the “racing style” gamer chairs on the list (to be clear, it’s a gaming chair, but it can suit sim racers). Ergonomically designed, coming in a range of nine colors, and even available in fabric or leather material options. This is a seat that offers a great gaming experience while also serving as a brilliant desk chair.

Features

The RESPAWN-200 includes a height-adjusting mechanism, side recliners, 4D armrests, and removable lumbar and neck support cushions, so that players can be in complete comfort while racing or working from home.

The key to this chair is its functionality. You can easily switch from work mode to game mode without any hassle, and this can offer a lot of extra value for busy sim racers without the space for a dedicated rig.

The obvious drawback is that there are no mounts for any extra accessories, and it’s not optimized for sim racing. However, should you be playing using only a controller, then this might be a better option for you.

PROS:

• Versatile chair
• Comfortable and ergonomically designed
• Reasonably priced

CONS:

• You can’t attach any accessories to it
• More a gaming chair than sim racing chair

5. Playseat Evolution

The second of the Playseat chairs to feature in this list, this is the mid-range model from the brand. The Evolution is easily assembled and has a unique foldable design so that it can be stowed away quickly and easily, although not quite as easily as the Challenge.

Features

The seat frame is made from steel, and the pedals and wheel mounts can be fully adjusted to suit your preferred racing style. It’s designed for comfort, so you can game for long periods while not having to worry about any back issues, despite not having neck support.

The mounts are compatible with most wheels and pedals on the market, which is a huge bonus, and build quality is top-notch with no wobbling or design issues. The price is at the higher end of the budget range, but this is beginning to get into the territory of quality, dedicated sim racing gear, making it ideal for more experienced racers too.

PROS:

• High quality
• Easily foldable
• Compatible with most wheels and pedals

CONS:

• It is a little expensive

6. Conquer Racing Simulator

Our next option is another dedicated sim racing rig. Built on a steel frame and with adjustable wheel, stick, and pedal mounts, this chair is ideal for players who want an entry-level, all-in-one sim racing rig.

Features

The chair can be fully reclined, comes in 3 different colors, and is made from durable fabric. It offers extra lumbar support, but lacks any neck support. This chair will need some assembly, but all parts are included and it shouldn’t be too tough to set up.

The seat’s main plus point is its low price. At this price, you will be very hard pressed to find this many features, and with a dedicated cockpit design, it’s ideal for sim racers looking to build their first rig.

The steering wheel angle can’t be changed, which limits adjustability, and it sits very low to the ground and the steering support itself can be a little wobbly. But with all that said, for the price, it really is an incredible value for money choice.

PROS:

• Budget friendly
• Comfortable for extended use
• Easy to assemble

CONS:

• Limited adjustability

7. Secretlab Titan

The second of the sim racing office/gaming chair options (after the RESPAWN-200), this is aimed more toward the higher end of the market. It’s made from premium quality materials and designed to give maximum comfort to the player. The minds at SecretLab have been creating premium quality chairs for years, and the Titan model is just one great example of this.

Features

The Titan is completely adjustable to suit any setup, and it can be used for both working from home and gaming, making it a highly functional chair for those that want the maximum bang for their buck.

This chair doesn’t support add-on features like a wheel or pedals, and it is also on the high-end of the price range. But if you are looking for a premium product to use while you work and game, then it really is one of the best options on the market.

PROS:

• Good range of colors available
• Great functionality
• Luxury product with amazing comfort

CONS:

• A bit pricey
• Not a dedicated racing chair

8. RaceRoom RR3055

The RaceRoom RR3055 is another dedicated sim racing cockpit that offers players a real race-car feel for a reasonably low price. The seat is made from synthetic leather and is set on a steel frame, and it’s ergonomically designed to give players optimum comfort while racing.

Features

All parts are of good quality and are stable, but some more freedom would be more ideal. The wheel mount also only supports certain wheels, which could be an issue for some players. You don’t get a gear stick mount, and having a non-adjustable wheel mount is a big negative because it leads to a suboptimal driving position for most racers.

Given its price, there are some better value options available out there, but if you check that it supports your peripherals, this can be a good, solid choice for an all-in-one rig.

PROS:

• Good build quality
• Very comfortable
• Dedicated racing rig

CONS:

• Some parts on the rig can’t be adjusted

9. Sparco R100

Finally, the R100 from Sparco is one of the best reclining seats on the market, and while you’ll need a racing rig to attach it to, it’s an incredibly immersive choice for those on a budget. It’s not too pricey, but it offers a realistic racing aesthetic and plenty of comfort.

Features

It’s made from high-quality fabric and offers a slick racing aesthetic that’ll ensure it fits into any racing rig. You will need to have a setup already so that you can attach this chair to it, but it’s still a fairly cost-effective option for those that want that extra bit of immersion.

The reclinable nature of the seat means you have a lot of control over its position, making it a versatile and comfortable choice. It’s a little narrow in places, meaning it may not be the most suitable for larger racers. But overall, it offers comfort and functionality at a reasonable price point.

PROS:

• Incredibly comfortable
• Reclinable choice
• Durable build quality

CONS:

• You’ll need a rig to attach it to
• Not the best for larger racers

Summary Of The Best Cheap Sim Racing Seats

Seat	Pros	Cons
GTR Simulator GTA Cockpit	Highly adjustable in many ways Very comfortable seat	Not the absolute cheapest option
Openwheeler GEN3	Very comfortable sim racing chair Easy to put together	A bit on the pricey side
Playseat Challenge	Amazing value for money Foldable for easy storage	No shifter/handbrake mount
RESPAWN-200	A versatile desk chair Comfortable and ergonomic design	It’s not a dedicated sim racing chair
Playseat Evolution	Great build quality Can fold the seat for easier storage	The wheel mount can get in the way of your legs Expensive for what it is
Conquer Racing Simulator	Good value for money Comfortable for long racing sessions	Not the most adjustable setup
Secretlab Titan	A very good all-round chair Highly comfortable with a luxury feel	A bit expensive Not a dedicated racing chair
RaceRoom RR3055	Solid build quality Very comfortable dedicated rig	Not a huge range of adjustability
Sparco R100	Comfortable reclining option Very good build quality	Expensive and doesn’t come with a rig

How To Choose A Sim Racing Seat

Budget

For our list, we gathered a range of cheap options that are ideal for various different types of sim racing experiences. All these chairs range from $150 to about $500 (although some may be a little over this mark depending on where you buy it), so keep in mind that, if you’re looking for the high-end gear, this list may not be for you!

Functionality

As great as some of these chairs are to race with, some of them are not much good for anything else. Although it’s great to feel like a racing driver all the time when you actually have to do your real-life job, something that you can get behind a desk might be handy if you want a multi-purpose option.

We always recommend going for a dedicated racing seat for the best experience and the highest level of immersion, but at lower price points, there are still some good desk chairs for sim racing.

Other Accessories

If you are planning to buy, or already do have, accessories like a wheel, pedals, gear stick or a handbrake, there will be some chairs that are better suited for attaching your equipment than others (these are often the cockpit-style racing chairs). Note that these are often on the more expensive side, but they can offer a far more realistic and upgradable experience.

Appearance

Keep in mind that most chairs come in a range of colors, but fabrics are far more difficult to change, and so are designs. So, while it’s not the most important factor to consider, how your racing seat will look as part of your overall rig is still worth thinking about before you buy!

Final Thoughts

The GTR Simulator GTA is the best cheap sim racing seat. It offers a complete package when it comes to overall feel and design as well as being fully adjustable. However, if you’re looking for a budget friendly desk chair for sim racing instead, the RESPAWN-200 chair is the one to go for.