If you want the short answer: the Next Level Racing ERS3 Elite Series is the reclining seat we point most sim racers toward, because it is designed from the start to bolt into a sim rig and stays comfortable through long sessions. For a lower cost reclining option with adjustable lumbar support, the Next Level Racing PRS1 is the value pick, and if you want the locked in feel of a real motorsport shell and already run a cockpit with seat rails, the NRG Innovations NRG-FRP-300BK is the fixed back alternative.
A sim racing seat is not the same purchase as an office style gaming chair. What matters is whether it mounts to a rig, how well it holds you in place through hard braking and cornering, and whether it stays comfortable over sessions that run well past a single race. We compared six seats on those terms and explain how we review below. If you are still choosing a frame to bolt one of these into, start with our best sim racing cockpits roundup.
![Pro High Back II Race Seat [Black]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71kovaeFxyL._AC_SL500_.jpg "Pro High Back II Race Seat [Black]")
Comparison at a Glance
| Seat | Type | Recline | Mounting | Fit note | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Next Level Racing ERS3 Elite Series | Reclining bucket | Dual recliners | Bolts to a sim rig | Open fit for a wide range of users | A sim purpose flagship seat |
| Next Level Racing PRS1 | Reclining bucket | Dual recliners | Bolts to a sim rig | Up to a 38 inch waist | Value reclining with lumbar support |
| Next Level Racing PRS2 | Reclining bucket | Dual recliners | Bolts to a sim rig | Up to a 40 inch waist | Larger drivers who want a wider fit |
| NRG Innovations NRG-FRP-300BK | Fixed back fiberglass | None (fixed) | Side mount brackets and seat rails | Large shell, 23 in W by 35 in H by 18 in D | The locked in feel of a motorsport shell |
| Cooler Master DYN X Racing Seat STD | Fiberglass bucket | Adjustable position | Universal sim rig fit | Interchangeable cushion covers and headrests | A premium look with adjustable trim |
| Pro High Back II Race Seat | Molded fixed shell | None (fixed) | Bolt in, brackets vary | Seat covers sold separately | The lowest cost molded shell |
Dimensions and fit figures come from each manufacturer’s product listing. Where a seat does not publish a maximum waist or shell size, the table says so rather than repeating a number from a forum.
How We Picked
We limited this list to seats that are built to mount in a sim racing rig, either as a drop in reclining seat or as a fixed back shell that fits standard side mount brackets. We set aside office style gaming chairs on casters, which flex and roll under load and do not hold you in place through hard braking. Beyond that, we weighed how securely each seat locks the driver in, comfort over sessions that run well past an hour, adjustment range for different body sizes, and how much extra hardware you need to buy to mount it.
Each product’s WSR Score comes from verified buyer feedback, normalized to our 10-point scale. Read more about how we review.
Next Level Racing ERS3 Elite Series
The ERS3 is designed specifically for sim racing, with double recliners for precise seat angle and an open feel that suits a wide range of users across GT, truck, and farming titles. Next Level Racing positions it in its Elite Series, above the Performance line, with a higher quality finish and reinforced construction for rigorous use. If your rig can take a full sized reclining seat and you want one that was engineered for this job rather than adapted from a car seat, this is the one we point to first.
- Pro: designed from the start for sim racing rather than adapted from an automotive seat
- Pro: double recliners give precise, repeatable seat angle adjustment
- Pro: open fit suits a wide range of body sizes and driving styles
- Con: a full sized reclining seat needs a rig with the space and rails to take it
- Con: priced above the Performance series seats below
Racers with a full sized rig who want a reclining seat built specifically for sim use.
Your rig is compact or you want the flat, locked in angle of a fixed back shell.
Next Level Racing PRS1
The PRS1 sits in the Performance Reclining Seat line and delivers the locked in feel of a bucket seat while keeping the adjustment and comfort of a reclining design. It is built to accommodate users up to a 38 inch waist and adds an integrated adjustable lumbar system, which Next Level Racing describes as a first for a sim racing seat, so you can dial in lower back support for long sessions. A smooth double reclining mechanism sets the seat angle. It covers most of what the ERS3 does at a lower price.
- Pro: adjustable lumbar support for comfort over long sessions
- Pro: reclining bucket feel at a lower price than the Elite Series
- Pro: double reclining mechanism for precise seat angle
- Con: rated to a 38 inch waist, tighter than the PRS2 below
- Con: still needs a rig with room for a full reclining seat
Most racers who want a reclining seat with lumbar support without paying Elite Series money.
You need the wider fit of the PRS2 or you want a fixed back shell.
Next Level Racing PRS2
The PRS2 is the wider fit sibling of the PRS1. It carries the same immersive bucket feel, the same industry first adjustable lumbar system, and the same smooth double reclining mechanism, but it is designed to comfortably accommodate users up to a 40 inch waist. If the PRS1 sounds right but you want a little more room, this is the version to choose; the extra width is the main difference between the two.
- Pro: wider fit rated to a 40 inch waist
- Pro: same adjustable lumbar support as the PRS1
- Pro: double reclining mechanism for precise seat angle
- Con: the wider shell can feel less snug for smaller drivers
- Con: needs a rig with room for a full reclining seat
Larger drivers who want the PRS lumbar support with extra width.
You are a smaller driver who wants a snug hold; the PRS1 fits closer.
NRG Innovations NRG-FRP-300BK
This is a real fixed back fiberglass reinforced racing shell, the kind used in cars, with deep thigh bolsters and shoulder and lower back support that lock the driver firmly in place. The large size measures 23 inches wide at the shoulder by 35 inches tall by 18 inches deep and weighs about 24 pounds with the side mount bracket. It is compatible with 4 and 5 point harnesses. Because it does not recline, you set your position once through the bracket mounting, so it suits racers who want the flat, planted feel of a competition seat and have a rig with seat rails to mount it to.
- Pro: fixed back fiberglass shell gives the locked in feel of a motorsport seat
- Pro: deep thigh bolsters and harness compatibility for a planted position
- Pro: lighter than many reclining seats at about 24 pounds with bracket
- Con: no recline, so you cannot fine tune the seat angle after mounting
- Con: needs side mount brackets and a rig with seat rail slots, which adds cost and setup
Racers who want the flat, locked in feel of a competition shell and have a rig with seat rails.
You want to adjust the seat angle, or you do not want to source side mount brackets.
Cooler Master DYN X Racing Seat STD
Cooler Master’s DYN X seat pairs a fiberglass shell with a universal design that adapts to a wide range of driving positions, and it lets you personalize the look with interchangeable cushion covers and headrests in several colors. It is aimed at racers who want a premium, modern appearance and the flexibility to change trim over time. The main caution is that it is a newer listing with limited owner feedback so far, so there is less long term durability history to draw on than the established seats here.
- Pro: fiberglass shell with a modern, premium appearance
- Pro: interchangeable cushion covers and headrests to personalize the look
- Pro: universal design adapts to a range of driving positions
- Con: a newer listing with limited owner feedback so far
- Con: priced as a premium seat despite the thinner track record
Racers who want a premium looking seat with swappable covers and are comfortable being an early adopter.
You want a long, proven owner track record before spending on a premium seat.
Pro High Back II Race Seat
This is a budget molded seat built from high density polyethylene with a double wall shell, offering back, lumbar, and side support in a simple, durable package. Seat covers are sold separately, so the base seat is plain black plastic until you add one. It is a general purpose molded race seat, and it works in a DIY sim rig for racers who want a functional seat at the lowest cost and are willing to add padding and covers themselves.
- Pro: lowest cost seat here, with a durable double wall polyethylene shell
- Pro: back, lumbar, and side support in a simple, rugged design
- Pro: a practical choice for a DIY rig on a tight budget
- Con: seat covers are sold separately, so comfort trim is an extra cost
- Con: a plastic shell lacks the bolstering and finish of the dedicated sim seats above
DIY builders who want a functional seat at the lowest possible cost.
You want bolstering, padding, and finish out of the box; the sim specific seats above provide it.
Buying Guide
Reclining seat or fixed back shell
A reclining seat, like the Next Level Racing models, lets you adjust the backrest angle and drops into most rigs on seat rails, which makes it the easier choice for a shared setup or one you tweak often. A fixed back fiberglass shell, like the NRG seat, sets one flat angle and holds you more firmly, closer to a real competition seat, but it needs side mount brackets and a rig designed to take them. Choose the reclining seat for flexibility, the fixed back for the most planted feel.
Check the mounting before you buy
The most common mistake is buying a seat that will not mount to your rig. Reclining seats use seat rails with a bolt pattern that your cockpit must match, and fixed back shells need side mount brackets sized to both the shell and the rig. If you have not chosen a frame yet, our best sim racing cockpits roundup covers which seats each cockpit accepts, and the cockpit vs wheel stand vs desk mount guide explains why a wheel stand alone will not hold a full seat.
Fit and size
Seat fit is personal. The PRS1 is rated to a 38 inch waist and the PRS2 to 40 inches, so check the published fit figures against your own measurements rather than assuming one size works for everyone. A snug bucket holds you better through hard cornering, while a more open seat is easier to get in and out of over a long session.
Who Should Not Buy
If you only race occasionally at a desk with a wheel clamp, a dedicated sim seat is more hardware than you need, and a sturdy chair pulled up to the desk will do. If you have not yet bought a rig or cockpit, do not buy a seat first; the frame determines which seats and brackets fit, so choose the cockpit and then the seat. And if you want the flat, locked in angle of a competition shell but do not want to source side mount brackets or give up recline adjustment, none of the fixed back options here will feel convenient; a reclining seat is the simpler path.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a gaming chair instead of a sim racing seat?
You can, but an office style gaming chair on casters flexes and rolls under braking and cornering loads, which reduces the planted feel that a sim seat provides. A dedicated seat bolted to a rig holds you in place far better for serious driving.
Do these seats come with mounting brackets?
It depends on the seat and the rig. The NRG fixed back shell is listed with a side mount bracket, but you still need a rig with seat rail slots to bolt it to. Reclining seats mount on seat rails whose bolt pattern must match your cockpit, so confirm compatibility with your specific frame before ordering.
What is the difference between the PRS1 and PRS2?
They share the same reclining mechanism and adjustable lumbar system. The main difference is fit: the PRS1 is rated to a 38 inch waist and the PRS2 to a 40 inch waist, so the PRS2 is the wider fit of the two.
Do I need a fixed back seat to be competitive?
No. A fixed back fiberglass shell gives the most planted feel, but a well mounted reclining seat holds you securely and is more flexible for adjustment. Consistency and practice matter far more to lap times than the seat type.
Does a sim racing seat work with a PS5, Xbox, or Gran Turismo 7 setup?
Yes. A seat is passive hardware with no electronics, so it works the same whether you race on PS5, Xbox, or PC, including in Gran Turismo 7. What decides fit is your cockpit’s seat mounting pattern. Console support matters for your wheel base, not for the seat, so choose the frame first. Our best sim racing cockpits roundup is a good place to start.
Do I need a seat slider for a sim racing seat?
Not always. Many cockpits already include seat rails or a slider, so check whether your frame has one before buying another. A reclining seat mounts on those rails, while a fixed shell like the NRG relies on side mount brackets and a rig with seat rail slots. If several people share the rig, easy sliding adjustment is worth having.
Sources
- Next Level Racing product listings for the ERS3 Elite Series, PRS1, and PRS2 seats
- NRG Innovations product listing for the NRG-FRP-300BK fixed back racing seat
- Cooler Master product listing for the DYN X Racing Seat, and the Pro High Back II race seat listing
- September 2026: first published with six sim racing seats spanning reclining, fixed back, and budget molded designs.
