The Next Level Racing PRS1 is a reclining sim racing seat that tries to split the difference between a hard fixed back bucket and an office chair, and for a lot of drivers that is exactly the right compromise. It gives you the wraparound, locked in shape of a bucket seat, then adds dual recliners, seat sliders, and an adjustable lumbar block so you can dial in a posture you can sit in for a two hour endurance stint. Next Level Racing rates it for users up to a 38 inch waist, which suits slim to mid size builds rather than the broadest frames (the CDC puts the average US adult waist at about 38.5 to 40.6 inches). If you want race car seating without giving up the ability to recline and fine tune, this is the seat that fits that brief.

This review weighs Next Level Racing’s published specifications against the pattern of verified buyer feedback in our database, where the PRS1 holds a 4.6 out of 5 average across 17 reviews. You can read how we weigh maker claims against owner reports on how we review, and if you are still mapping the field, the wider picture is laid out in best sim racing cockpits.

What it is and where it fits

The PRS1 (model NLR-E057) is the entry point of Next Level Racing’s Performance Reclining Seat line. It is a seat only, so you are buying the chair, not a frame, and it ships as a bucket shell wrapped in a leather and vinyl finish over a nylon seating surface. Next Level Racing lists it as an armless recliner weighing 20 kg, with the shell measuring roughly 23 by 23 by 37 inches. The reason a reclining seat exists in a category dominated by rigid buckets is comfort over long sessions: a fixed back locks you at one angle forever, while the PRS1 lets you set the backrest where your spine actually wants it. That makes it a natural pick for drivers who race for hours, or for a shared rig where two people of different heights take turns.

Comfort, fit, and ergonomics

Fit is where a seat lives or dies, and the PRS1 is aimed at a specific body range. Next Level Racing designs it to accommodate a waist up to 38 inches, which covers many adult builds, but a very broad or very tall driver should read that number carefully before buying. The bolstering is shaped to hug your torso, which is what gives a bucket seat its planted feel through fast direction changes, and owners who race with it consistently describe the shape as supportive rather than pinching. The standout comfort feature is the adjustable lumbar support, which Next Level Racing calls the first integrated lumbar system built for a sim racing seat. That block lets you push support into your lower back instead of living with whatever curve the shell was molded to, and it is the single detail most likely to matter on a long endurance run. Reviewers who spend real hours in a seat tend to notice lumbar support long after the novelty of a new rig wears off.

Adjustability and the reclining mechanism

The PRS1 carries two recliners, one on each side, rather than a single pivot. Dual recliners are the better engineering choice here because a seat back under load wants to twist, and splitting the pivot across both sides keeps the angle even and the mechanism from flexing on one side under braking. Next Level Racing states the double recliner holds precise seat angle while maintaining strength and stability under load, which is the claim that matters most: a recliner that creeps or racks under a hard brake input undermines the whole point of a fixed racing posture. On top of the recline, the seat rides on dual sliders so you can move the whole shell forward or back to set reach to the wheel and pedals. Between the recline angle and the slide range, the PRS1 gives you more posture options than a bolt down bucket, which is the trade you are making when you choose a reclining seat over a rigid one.

Building it into a rig

Because the PRS1 is a seat and not a complete cockpit, the important question is what you bolt it to. A reclining seat asks more of the frame than a rigid bucket does, since the recliner mechanism and slider add height and a small amount of give that a solid mounted shell would not. On a stiff aluminum profile frame the seat sits securely and the recliners take the load they are designed for. On a lighter or foldaway frame, factor in that the seat itself adds mass and a taller mounting stack. Owners generally report a straightforward build, helped by the fact that Next Level Racing designs its seats and frames to work together, so the mounting geometry lines up when you stay inside the ecosystem. If you are pairing it with a third party frame, confirm the slider bolt pattern against your rig before you buy. For the frames that suit a seat like this, see best sim racing cockpit under 500.

Pros and cons

What works:

  • Bucket seat shape with the comfort of a reclining backrest, a strong match for long sessions
  • Adjustable lumbar support that most fixed buckets in this class do not offer
  • Dual recliners for even, stable angle adjustment under braking load
  • Dual sliders to set reach and to share a rig between drivers
  • 4.6 out of 5 average across 17 verified buyer reviews

What to weigh:

  • Rated to a 38 inch waist, so the broadest builds should size up to a wider seat
  • The recliner and slider stack add height and a little give compared to a hard mounted bucket
  • Seat only (the dual sliders are included), so you still need a frame to mount it on
  • Next Level Racing lists a 1 year manufacturer warranty, shorter than some rivals offer on a frame

Who it is for

The PRS1 suits drivers of slim to mid size build who want the planted feel of a bucket without committing to a single fixed angle. It is a strong pick for endurance racers who value lumbar support and a backrest they can set to their spine, and for households where a shared rig needs to fit more than one driver. If you already run Next Level Racing frames, the matched mounting geometry makes it an easy addition. For a side by side look at the seats in this class, see best sim racing seats, and browse the full range in racing seats.

Who should skip it

Drivers with a waist beyond the 38 inch rating should look at the wider fitting Next Level Racing PRS2, which is built to accommodate a larger frame. Anyone chasing the absolute stiffest, lowest seating position for a formula posture may prefer a hard mounted fixed back bucket, since a reclining mechanism trades a sliver of rigidity for comfort by design. And if you want a seat that arrives already bolted into a complete cockpit, a reclining seat sold on its own is not the shortest path; a bundled rig in best sim racing cockpits will get you there in one box. Budget minded buyers who do not need a recliner can also spend far less on a basic fixed bucket and put the savings toward pedals.

How it scores

The WSR Score reflects verified buyer ratings gathered and normalized on a consistent scale, not an editorial rubric. On that basis the PRS1 rates well, which matches its reputation as a comfortable, adjustable reclining seat for drivers who log long hours. You can read what goes into the number on how we review.