The Next Level Racing ERS3 is the brand’s Elite Series reclining seat, and its whole personality is in one phrase from the maker: an open feel to suit a wide range of users. Where a tight bucket clamps you into one shape, the ERS3 takes a more relaxed approach, which is why Next Level Racing pitches it at GT sim racers along with truck and farming sim drivers. That is a real signal about who it is for. This is a comfort first reclining seat for people who want to sit in a rig for a long time without feeling squeezed, more than it is a hard edged seat for chasing lap times in a formula posture. For a lot of drivers, that is the more honest priority.

This review weighs Next Level Racing’s published specifications against the pattern of verified buyer feedback in our database, where the ERS3 holds a 4.4 out of 5 average across 111 reviews, one of the larger review counts among reclining sim seats. 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 ERS3 (model NLR-E050) sits in Next Level Racing’s Elite Reclining Seat range as a seat only purchase, not a complete cockpit. Next Level Racing lists it at 17 kg (37.5 lb) and describes it as designed specifically for a smooth sim racing experience, with a high quality finish for a premium touch. The defining trait is the open shell. Rather than the deep, aggressive bolstering of a race bucket, the ERS3 uses a more relaxed shape that a broader spread of body types can settle into. That is why the maker calls out truck and farming simulation alongside GT racing: those drivers spend long stretches at the wheel and value comfort and easy entry over a locked in, low slung racing position. If that description sounds like how you actually use a rig, the ERS3 is speaking to you directly.

Comfort, fit, and the open shell

Next Level Racing does not publish a waist rating for the ERS3, so treat fit qualitatively rather than by the numbers. What the maker does emphasize is that the open feel suits a wide range of users, which points to a seat that is easier to get in and out of and more forgiving of larger and taller builds than a tightly bolstered bucket. Owners who race long sessions tend to reward exactly this kind of shape, and the ERS3’s review pattern reflects steady satisfaction across a large sample. The trade is inherent to the design: a more open seat gives up some of the wraparound lateral hold that a deep bucket provides, so a driver who wants to feel physically pinned through a fast chicane may find it more relaxed than they expect. For prolonged sessions and mixed sim use, that relaxed shape is the point rather than a flaw.

Adjustability and the reclining mechanism

The ERS3 uses double recliners, which Next Level Racing ties directly to enhanced strength and durability for rigorous use. Splitting the recline pivot across both sides of the seat is the right call for a rig that sees regular load, because a single side hinge is the first thing to rack or creep when you brace against a hard brake. Dual recliners keep the backrest angle even and hold it under that load. Because the ERS3 is built around comfort and long sessions, the recline range is the core adjustment: set the backrest to the angle your spine wants and the seat rewards you over hours rather than minutes. Next Level Racing markets the seat’s durability as a headline trait, and the double recliner construction is the mechanical backing for that claim.

Building it into a rig

As a seat only, the ERS3 needs a frame to bolt to, and a reclining seat asks a bit more of that frame than a rigid bucket does. The recliner mechanism adds height and a small amount of designed in give, so a stiff frame is the better partner. Next Level Racing designs its seats and cockpits to share mounting geometry, so if you build on the brand’s own frames the bolt pattern lines up without improvising. On a third party frame, confirm the slider and mounting hole spacing before you commit, since a reclining seat’s mounting stack differs from a fixed bucket’s. Owners generally describe assembly as manageable, which is what you want from a seat this size. For frames that pair well with a reclining seat, see best sim racing cockpit under 500.

Pros and cons

What works:

  • Open shell that suits a wide range of body types and mixed sim use, from GT to truck and farming
  • Comfort first shape built for prolonged sessions rather than short sprints
  • Double recliners for even, durable angle adjustment under load
  • Premium finish and a large, steady review sample
  • 4.4 out of 5 average across 111 verified buyer reviews

What to weigh:

  • No published waist rating, so confirm fit against your own build rather than a spec
  • The open shape gives up some of the lateral hold a deep race bucket provides
  • Seat only, so a frame is still on your list (seat sliders and mounting hardware come in the box)
  • Next Level Racing does not emphasize an integrated lumbar block the way its Performance seats do

Who it is for

The ERS3 is for drivers who prioritize long session comfort and easy entry over a low, tightly bolstered racing posture. It suits mixed sim users who split time across GT racing, truck, and farming titles, and it is a sensible pick for larger or taller drivers who find deep buckets restrictive. The large review sample also makes it one of the more proven reclining seats in the range for buyers who want a track record behind the purchase. For a side by side look at the alternatives, see best sim racing seats, and browse the full lineup in racing seats.

Who should skip it

Drivers who want the wraparound, pinned in feel of a race bucket through high speed direction changes will find the open shell too relaxed, and should look at a more aggressively bolstered seat. Anyone who specifically wants an adjustable lumbar block for lower back support may prefer the Next Level Racing PRS1, which builds that system in. And if you want a seat that comes already mounted in a complete rig, a standalone reclining seat adds a step; a bundled cockpit in best sim racing cockpits arrives ready to bolt your hardware to. Competitive drivers chasing every last bit of seating rigidity should weigh a fixed back bucket instead.

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 ERS3 rates well, which matches its reputation as a comfortable, durable reclining seat that suits a broad range of drivers and sim types. You can read what goes into the number on how we review.