The Next Level Racing PRS2 is the larger, wider fitting member of the brand’s Performance Reclining Seat line, and that fit is the whole reason it exists. Where the PRS1 is rated to a 38 inch waist, the PRS2 (model NLR-E058) is built to accommodate a 40 inch waist, so it is the seat to reach for when a standard bucket feels tight across the hips. It keeps the parts that make a reclining sim seat worthwhile: the locked in shape of a bucket, dual recliners, seat sliders, and Next Level Racing’s integrated adjustable lumbar block. If you are a broader or taller driver who has been eyeing the PRS1 and worrying about the fit, the PRS2 is the answer to that specific worry.

This review weighs Next Level Racing’s published specifications against the pattern of verified buyer feedback in our database, where the PRS2 holds a 4.2 out of 5 average across 40 reviews. You can read how we weigh maker claims against owner reports on how we review, and the wider field is laid out in best sim racing cockpits.

What it is and where it fits

The PRS2 is a seat only purchase, released in June 2025, sitting above the PRS1 in Next Level Racing’s Performance range on the strength of a roomier shell. Next Level Racing lists it at 44 pounds with the shell measuring roughly 23 by 23 by 37 inches. The design brief is a comfort fit for a wider range of users, and the headline number that backs that up is the 40 inch waist accommodation. That is the reason to choose it over the PRS1: not a different feature set, but a shell shaped for a larger frame. Everything else that defines a Performance reclining seat carries over, so you are getting the same bucket plus recliner concept in a size that fits more bodies. For a broad build, that fit is not a nice to have, it is the difference between a seat you can settle into and one that pinches.

Comfort, fit, and ergonomics

The PRS2 is aimed at drivers up to a 40 inch waist, which puts it among the more accommodating bucket style sim seats before you step up to a fully open shell. The bolstering still wraps the torso for a planted feel, but the shell gives a broader driver room the tighter PRS1 does not. The comfort centerpiece is the same integrated adjustable lumbar support Next Level Racing builds into its Performance seats, which lets you push support into your lower back rather than accept a fixed molded curve. Owners who race long stints tend to value lumbar adjustment more than any other comfort feature, because it is what keeps a session from ending in a sore back. A larger driver also benefits doubly here: the wider shell and the tunable lumbar together address the two things that most often make a standard seat uncomfortable for a bigger frame.

Adjustability and the reclining mechanism

Like the rest of the Performance line, the PRS2 carries dual recliners rather than a single side hinge. Splitting the pivot across both sides keeps the backrest angle even and resists the racking and creep that a single hinge suffers when you brace against a hard brake. Next Level Racing states the double reclining mechanism holds precise seat angle while maintaining strength and stability under load, which is the claim that matters for a heavier seat carrying a heavier driver. The seat also rides on dual sliders, so you can move the whole shell forward or back to set reach to the wheel and pedals, and that slide range is doubly useful on a shared rig. Between recline angle and slide position, the PRS2 gives a large driver the posture options a fixed bucket cannot.

Building it into a rig

At 44 pounds and sized for a larger driver, the PRS2 puts real load on whatever frame it bolts to, so a stiff frame is the right partner. A reclining seat already adds height and a small amount of designed in give through its mechanism, and a heavier seat plus a heavier occupant only raises the stakes on frame rigidity. Next Level Racing designs its seats and cockpits to share mounting geometry, so building on the brand’s own frames keeps the bolt pattern aligned. On a third party frame, check the slider and mounting hole spacing and confirm the frame’s rated capacity before you commit, since a larger driver in a 44 pound seat is exactly the combination that finds a frame’s limits. Owners generally report a manageable build. For frames suited to a seat this size, see best sim racing cockpit under 500.

Pros and cons

What works:

  • Wider shell rated to a 40 inch waist, a genuine answer for broader drivers
  • Integrated adjustable lumbar support for long session lower back comfort
  • Dual recliners for even, stable angle adjustment under braking load
  • Dual sliders to set reach and to share a rig between drivers
  • Bucket shape with the flexibility of a reclining backrest

What to weigh:

  • At 44 pounds it is a heavy seat that demands a stiff, capable frame
  • Seat only, so a frame to mount it on is still needed
  • A smaller driver gains nothing from the wider shell and may prefer the tighter PRS1
  • Its verified review average sits a little below the PRS1’s, on a larger sample

Who it is for

The PRS2 is for broader and taller drivers who want the planted feel of a bucket and the comfort of a recliner in a shell that actually fits them. It is the natural pick when the 38 inch rating of the PRS1 feels marginal, and it suits endurance racers who want tunable lumbar support for long stints. Households sharing a rig across different body sizes also benefit, since the wider shell and slider range flex to fit more people. For a side by side look at the alternatives, see best sim racing seats, and browse the full range in racing seats.

Who should skip it

Smaller and average build drivers gain nothing from the wider shell and are better served by the tighter fitting Next Level Racing PRS1, which holds a slightly higher verified rating and hugs a standard frame more closely. Anyone chasing the lowest, stiffest formula posture may prefer a hard mounted fixed back bucket, since the recliner trades a little rigidity for comfort. And if you want a seat that ships already mounted in a complete cockpit, a standalone reclining seat adds a step; a bundled rig in best sim racing cockpits gets you there in one box. Buyers on a strict budget who do not need the wider fit or the recliner can spend far less on a basic bucket.

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 PRS2 rates solidly, which matches its reputation as a comfortable, wider fitting reclining seat for larger drivers who log long hours. You can read what goes into the number on how we review.