Best Sim Racing Cockpit In 2024: Complete Buyers Guide

Here is our ultimate sim racing cockpit buyers guide for 2024. Includes the best sim rig and best sim racing cockpit recommendations in 2024 across a wide range of budgets and requirements.

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Sim racing gameplay MOZA Vision GT GT Omega

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Sim racing cockpits and sim rigs come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes and budgets, which is great for a budding sim racer looking to purchase one. However, the sheer number of different rigs and cockpits available can make shopping for your first or next cockpit a daunting task.

Sim rigs can be purchased as an all-in-one cockpit, or as a frame only without a racing seat. In this ultimate buyer’s guide to the best sim racing cockpits, I’m going to break down what to look for when buying any sim rig, and I’ll share my recommendations for the best sim racing cockpits across a wide range of budgets.

I’ve leaned on years of sim racing, testing and reviewing different cockpits, and I’ve chosen my recommended high-end sim rigs, through to my favourite mid-range and budget sim racing cockpits.

TL;DR: Our top picks for the best sim racing cockpit for 2024

To start our buyer’s guide, I wanted to summarise my top picks for each category of sim racing cockpits. I’ll look at each of these sim rigs in much more detail further in this guide, but here are my top picks for the best sim rigs.

Racing CockpitPrice
Sim-Lab P1X Pro Sim Racing SetupsBest 8020 sim rig
Sim-Lab P1X Pro
From £739 / $849
Sim-Lab GT1 Pro designBest budget 8020 sim rig
Sim-Lab GT1 Pro
From £549 / $649
Next Level Racing F-GT Lite Sim Racing CockpitBest budget sim racing cockpit
Next Level Racing F-GT Lite
£279 / $299
GT Omega APEX Wheel StandBest wheel stand
GT Omega Apex Wheel Stand
£129 / $115
Trak Racer TRX SimulatorBest Formula 1 cockpit
Trak Racer Alpine TRX
£999 / $999
Next Level Racing Formula Lite Pro CockpitBest budget F1 cockpit
Next Level Racing Formula Lite Pro
£279 / $299
Next Level Racing Motion Platform V3Best motion sim racing cockpit
Next Level Racing Motion Platform v3
£/$2999
SIM Lab X1-Pro Racing CockpitBest extreme performance rig
Sim-Lab X1 Pro
£1499 / $1599

What makes for an excellent sim racing cockpit?

There are a few key areas that make for a good sim racing cockpit or sim rig. These include;

  • Rigidity: First and foremost is rigidity, as this is needed from almost every type of sim rig at any price point. You do not want your racing wheel shaking your sim rig due to force feedback, and you don’t want to feel any flex every time you press the brake pedal.
  • Budget: Sim rigs can be expensive, however, there are great options throughout different price ranges. A good wheel stand can often be purchased for under £150 or $150.
  • Compatibility: Most sim racing cockpits come with pre-drilled racing wheel and pedal mounts. It is always worth checking the compatibility to ensure the hole pattern matches the wheel and pedals you are planning on using as some racing wheels, such as the small MOZA R3, have unique mounting patterns.
  • Upgradability: Because a good sim racing cockpit can be a large investment, you want to ensure it will meet your needs in years to come. If you think you may want to upgrade your racing wheel or add specific accessories, it is important to check that your sim rig can be upgraded in the future to avoid having to replace it.

Your cockpit is the heart of your sim racing setup. It is the focus point where all of your other sim racing hardware will attach. So, it is really important to ensure that you are choosing the right cockpit for now and the future.

The different types of sim racing cockpit available

Sim racing cockpits are one of the most important pieces of equipment you can buy when building a sim racing setup. They can dictate the style of sim racing wheel base you can mount to it, as well as the amount of space you’ll need. So, it’s essential to know how sim rigs can differ before you start shopping.

There are very different styles of sim rigs and sim racing cockpits, each with its own pros and cons. Premium aluminium profile and metal tube sim rigs allow for the most powerful sim racing equipment to be mounted without any stability issues or risk of flexing. While all-in-one rigs and budget-friendly options can sometimes limit the type of sim racing equipment you can mount.

A powerful direct drive racing wheel can cause some sim rigs to flex and shake under load. The very first decision you should make right at the start of choosing a sim rig is what style of cockpit you are looking for. Below are a few key points for each style of sim rig.

Sim-Lab P1X Pro Cockpit

Aluminium profile 8020 sim rigs

The most professional and heavy-duty sim racing rigs are known as 8020 sim rigs and are constructed using a heavy-duty aluminium profile. These can be highly customisable and can fit almost any requirement. The strength of the aluminium profile used allows for the strongest and best-performing sim racing wheels to be mounted to them.

Pros & cons

  • Often the sturdiest and most rigid sim rigs you can buy.
  • Are normally the most expensive style of sim rigs.
  • Don’t often include a racing seat.
Next Level Racing GT Track Sim Rig

All-in-one sim racing cockpits

There are a whole host of all-in-one sim cockpits and rigs across a wide range of budgets however, these normally cater for beginner sim racers or those with less budget and space available. All-in-one sim rigs will feature everything you need to start sim racing including a sim racing seat, which is normally an added extra for tubular and 8020 rigs.

Pros & cons

  • Include everything you need.
  • Can look fantastic with unique designs and configurations.
  • Not normally as many mounting points for accessories.
Next Level Racing Wheel Stand 2.0

Wheel stands

If you’re short on space, a wheel stand could be the ultimate solution. Sim racing wheel stands can generally be folded and stored away when not in use to reduce the amount of room they take up. Most let you keep your racing wheel and pedals mounted while you fold it away to make setting it up and storing it away after sim racing as easy as possible.

Pros & cons

  • The cheapest cockpits you can buy.
  • Can often be upgraded to a full cockpit at a later date.
  • Collapsible and easily moveable for storage.

Size of your sim rig and how much room it’ll take up

A sim rig is a rather large commitment in terms of floor space. Many sim racers will start with a racing wheel mounted to a desk or a foldable wheel stand. But for many, this isn’t a viable long-term solution. If you are looking to upgrade your equipment or sim race more often, a permanent sim rig is the next natural step.

One limiting factor with any sim rig can be the amount of floor space you have available. Ensuring you have enough space for a permanent sim rig is important. If you are limited on space, this will affect your buying decision. You could instead opt for a smaller all-in-one sim rig or a collapsable wheel stand.

I have a medium-sized room, which is where my two sim racing cockpits are configured. The room is laid out to have two gaming PCs, one powering each cockpit. If I needed another cockpit for a review or testing, I could move my GT Omega PRIME cockpit out of the room because it is on caster wheels.

How much room does a sim racing cockpit need?

On average, a sim rig will take up around 150cm by 100cm. Some more compact all-in-one sim rigs can be considerably less than this, while some 8020 sim rigs will require more space.

Below are the dimensions of a fairly standard Trak Racer 8020 sim rig. It measures a maximum size of 166.4cm x 75.6cm after taking into account the overhangs from the racing seat and gear shift mount.

Sim Rig Dimensions

You will also need to factor in where your sim rig will be positioned in your room and how you will mount your TV or monitor. Unless you’re using a VR headset, you will need your sim rig in front of a screen. This could be in front of a TV mounted on the wall, tucked under your desk or by mounting an integrated gaming monitor.

Most sim rigs can be cumbersome to move once fully built. I found this out the hard way when trying to move my Sim-Lab P1X Pro. The cockpit alone weighs close to 55kg before you factor in the racing wheel, pedals, monitor, and other hardware. Moving it is, without a doubt, a two, or sometimes three-person job.

To avoid the issue I ran into, you will want to look for somewhere permanent to position your sim rig that has a screen directly in front. Many cockpits do have integrated mounting points for screens, which can be an ideal solution, but again, this will take up even more space as your monitor or the monitor mount will almost always be wider than your cockpit.


Choosing between an aluminium profile sim rig vs metal tube vs all-in-one cockpit

Aluminium profile sim rigs and sim rigs constructed from a metal tubes or frames achieve similar result with completely different methods. Either of these construction methods can provide an extremely strong and sturdy platform to mount your racing wheel and pedals to.

However, these different styles of cockpits can look very different and present a completely different set of positives and negatives to choose from.

Aluminium profile (8020) sim rigs pros and cons

An aluminium profile (8020) sim rig is designed for maximum versatility and strength. Thanks to the mounting points that run the complete length of each piece of aluminium profile extrusion, you can configure your rig in an almost infinite number of ways, tailoring it to your exact needs.

If you want to mount any additional items to your rig, such as keyboard trays, handbrakes or shifters, you can simply bolt them directly to any piece of aluminium extrusion or use a universal mounting adapter.

The downside of choosing an aluminium profile cockpit is that they can be cumbersome and time-consuming to build. You essentially get sent a box full of different-sized extrusions and are tasked with constructing the entire rig. Many sim racers also don’t like the rather industrial and often boxy styling of an 8020 sim rig.

Tubular and metal framed cockpit pros and cons

A metal-framed sim rig can often be a much more streamlined product compared to aluminium profile. They can be just as sturdy as an 8020 rig depending on the design. However, customisation and versatility are sometimes lacking as you are normally always limited on how and where you can mount your hardware.

You often get a limited amount of customisation with an all-in-one sim rig as they will come in a pre-designed form with pre-drilled mounting points. With more high-end all-in-one sim rigs, you can often adjust a lot of areas, such as seating position and mounting points, to find a fit that works perfectly for you.

One really positive part of an all-in-one cockpit is that the design is often much more aesthetically appealing compared to an 8020 sim rig. The frame can often be designed to wrap around you in unusual shapes, and it’ll often be the better-looking sim rig.

Sim racing gameplay MOZA Vision GT GT Omega

The rigidity of your cockpit really matters

Looking at sim rig strength is important as it will dictate the style of the sim racing wheel and pedals you can mount. To race with a high-powered direct drive racing wheel, you’ll need an extremely sturdy sim rig.

This is because the best direct drive racing wheels can create a huge amount of force feedback. With less sturdy sim rigs, you will noticeably feel your sim rig flexing and moving under heavy load.

This isn’t good for the integrity of your sim rig, as it can cause damage over time. It also doesn’t help you translate which force is due to the force feedback and what is just movement within your rig, making it harder to respond correctly to the force feedback.

If you use a lower-powered racing wheel, rigidity won’t be such a big issue. This is where all-in-one sim rigs shine, as they give enough stability to support your racing wheel with the bonuses that all-in-one sim rigs offer.


Plan on how you’ll mount your sim racing wheel base to your cockpit

Another area to look at is ensuring the mounting points of your sim racing wheel base match the mounting points in your sim rig. The majority of sim rigs come with pre-drilled wheel mounting plates, while others require you to purchase specific adapters to mount your racing wheel.

Simlab RaceX Sim rig

A pre-drilled mounting plate will allow you to mount a wide range of racing wheels to your rig from the bottom of the wheel base. With these, you must ensure the pre-drilled positions match the mounting points of your racing wheel.

If you are looking at buying a high-end sim rig, you will often be presented with a choice of racing wheel mounting options. If you’re using a direct drive racing wheel, this will often be front-mounted or side-mounted.


Think about future upgradability

As you grow as a sim racer, over time, you may wish to add more elements to your sim racing cockpit. These could include a mount for a shifter, keyboard tray or monitor. It is hard to account for this when purchasing a sim rig, but keep an eye out for the potential to upgrade over time.

Many sim rigs show which accessories can be added, and some push you to purchase these extra items when you buy your sim rig. Don’t worry about buying the additional accessories right away, but do remember which accessories are available.

Then, over time, you will be confident that you won’t need to buy a new sim rig, as you can simply add extra elements to your current rig.


Integrated monitor mounting options

One of the additional products often available with a sim rig is an additional monitor mount. These allow you to mount a wide variety of gaming monitors directly to your sim rig.

This is a great option when considering where to position your sim rig. It often isn’t practical to position your SIM rig directly in front of your desk monitor or TV, as this will block it from being used in other ways.

F1 Sim Racing Cockpit F1 Drive London

Monitor mounting comes in a few different varieties. Many sim rigs allow you to mount your monitor directly to your rig. This is a solid option, as you can ensure your monitor is always correctly positioned even if you move your rig. It also allows you to position your monitor closer to your racing wheel, which is beneficial to achieving the correct FOV (field of view).

You can also opt for a stand-alone monitor mount. This will sit independently to your sim rig and allow you to move and reposition your screens over time. If this is a route that you are considering or thinking about taking, simply double-check that the correct mounting options are available when buying a sim rig.


Plan to include all accessories and extras into your budget

Your budget is the last area to consider when shopping for sim racing rigs. This is often one of the most prominent deciding factors, as it will dictate how far you can reach and which style of sim rig you can look at. It is always important not to overstretch your budget, especially as sim racing can be an expensive hobby.

Over time, you may need replacement parts, upgrade your sim racing wheel, or add other hardware. So, it is essential not to spend all your money on a super flashy sim rig. Sim rigs are available for various budgets, including lower-priced 8020 sim rigs. So always keep your intended budget in mind when shopping.

What accessories are there for sim rigs?

When buying most sim rigs, you’ll be prompted at the basket or on the product page to add any accessories. You can see that buying the GT Omega PRIME in the image below, we have a range of accessories including different wheel mounting solutions as well as the option to add a racing seat.

Most premium sim rigs do not include a racing seat as standard, and budgeting for one can add a lot more cost to your whole sim racing setup. Choosing to add the GT Omega Inertia racing seat in the image below increases the price of the PRIME cockpit from £579.95 up to £869.90.

GT Omega PRIME Cockpit Add ons

Sim-Lab P1X Pro: The best 8020 sim rig

Product Specs

CockpitSim-Lab P1X Pro
Dimensions1350 mm x 680mm x 770 mm
PriceFrom £739 / $849
Where to buyBuy from Sim-Lab

I will start my recommendations with my favourite aluminium profile (8020) sim rig. This is a very crowded market with many brands and manufacturers, each offering their own 8020 sim rig. Brands with flagship 8020 sim rigs include Sim-Lab, Next Level Racing, Trak Racer, GT Omega and more.

The mighty Sim Lab P1-X is always at the tip of the tongue when it comes to recommending an 8020 aluminium profile sim rig. It is one of the most sturdy and best sim rigs available, with a host of great customisation features just like many 8020 rigs.

In 2024, Sim-Lab revamped the P1-X and released the P1X Pro sim rig. This new sim rig took the foundation laid by the original P1-X and improved in almost every area. It features a new design throughout designed to be even sturdier.

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Sim Lab is widely known to partner with real-world racing drivers and is currently the official supplier of the Mercedes AMG F1 team. That is a testament to the quality on offer from Sim Lab.

One of the reasons that the Sim Lab P1X Pro is so strong is due to the large aluminium profile that is used. The P1X Pro uses 40x160mm aluminium extrusion to ensure there is no movement or rigidity. This is compared to 40x120mm and 40x80mm that a lot of other 8020 rigs use.

Every piece of the aluminium profile used to build the P1X Pro is laser-cut to ensure a precise fit. Overall, this is without a doubt one of the best 8020 sim rigs you can buy and is the go-to professional sim rig.

Reasons to buy

  • Incredibly rigid, and can withstand force feedback from the most powerful direct drive wheels.
  • Looks great with custom aluminium extrusion and rounded corners.
  • All elements are incredibly high quality, from the extrusion to the bolts that included branded caps.

Cons

  • Can be expensive when configured with a racing seat.
  • Incredibly heavy and difficult to move once built.

Next Level Racing F-GT Elite 160: Best premium 8020 sim rig

Next Level Racing F-GT Elite 160

Product Specs

CockpitNLR F-GT Elite 160
Dimensions136cm (L) x 84.2cm (W) x 94.2cm (H)
PriceFrom £1149 / $1099
Where to buyBuy from Next Level Racing

While the Sim-Lab P1X Pro is an absolute beast of a sim rig and my personal favourite having used it for a year. I also want to offer an alternative option. Next Level Racing is an Australian sim rig manufacturer that produces a wide array of different sim racing cockpits. At the top of their lineup is the F-GT Elite 160 which is designed to compete directly with the Sim-Lab P1X Pro.

The Next Level Racing F-GT Elite 160 is one of the more recent 8020 sim rigs that have been released, and it certainly arrived with a bang. In a world where many 8020 sim rigs look like something constructed from parts of extrusion found lying around, the NLR F-GT Elite 160 certainly stands out.

It features swept-back pieces of aluminium profile that have all been cut to align perfectly. This gives it an extremely race-ready look and makes it one of the best high-end 8020 sim rigs.

The F-GT Elite 160’s build quality is strong enough to support its edgy appearance. It features large 40x160mm aluminium extrusion pieces, mixed with a heavy-duty pedal plate that can support just about any pedals.

And there is more adjustability with this sim rig than you would ever need. The rig comes equipped with a seat mount that allows you to side-mount your racing seat in almost any position. You can achieve an upright GT-style racing position or a fully reclined Formula 1 style seating position.

The combination of striking looks combined with exceptional build quality and adjustability allows the NLR F-GT Elite to be one of the best 8020 sim rigs on the market.

Reasons to buy

  • Very adjustable design with plenty of mounting options.
  • Thick and durable 160x40mm pieces of extrusion make this incredibly rigid.
  • Can be configured into a true Formula 1 driving position.

Cons

  • Very expensive, and doesn’t come with a racing seat as standard.
  • Integrated monitor mount lacks the ability to position the monitor in front of the uprights.

Sim-Lab GT1 Pro: Best budget 8020 sim rig

Sim-Lab GT1 Pro design

Product Specs

CockpitSim-Lab GT1 Pro
Dimensions1350 mm x 680mm x 770 mm
PriceFrom £549 / $649
Where to buyBuy from Sim-Lab

While many 8020 sim racing cockpits can be quite pricey and expensive, they don’t have to be. There is a good selection of more budget-friendly sim racing cockpits available. The Sim-Lab GT1 Pro is one of my favourite budget to mid-range sim rigs.

This is essentially a stripped-down variant of the P1X Prp that I have been using, offering similar performance and design at a much lower price tag. Watch my review for the GT1 Pro below.

It uses 40x80mm aluminium extrusion, which allows for good rigidity and customisation. This approach makes this 8020 sim rig accessible to those without the budget to spend on rigs like the P1X Pro.

Despite its lower budget, the GT1 Pro is a fantastic sim racing cockpit. It features a sturdy wheel deck compatible with direct drive racing wheels, along with a pre-drilled pedal tray that is also widely compatible.

Both the wheel deck and pedal tray are designed to be instantly compatible with the most popular sim racing wheels and pedals available. If your pedal or wheel doesn’t fit with any of the pre-drilled holes, you can relatively easily drill your own holes through the metal sheets.

A few years ago, at this price point, you wouldn’t have been able to find many 8020 sim rigs unless you undertook a DIY project yourself. At this price, the GT1 Pro is one of the best mid-range sim racing cockpits around.

Reasons to buy

  • Sturdy enough for mid-range direct drive racing wheels.
  • A good amount of adjustability and customisation options.
  • Compatible with a lot of accessories, including keyboard trays and monitor mounts.

Cons

  • It’s not as rigid as more premium 8020 cockpits and can suffer some flex with higher-powered racing wheels like those from Simucube.
  • Doesn’t have the same design flair that the Sim-Lab P1X Pro has.

Best budget sim racing cockpit: Next Level Racing F-GT Lite

Next Level Racing F-GT Lite Sim Racing Cockpit

Product Specs

CockpitNext Level Racing F-GT Lite
Dimensions164cm x 75cm x 94cm
Price£279 / $299
Where to buyBuy from NLR

For those looking for the best budget sim racing cockpit, there aren’t too many better options than the Next Level Racing F-GT Lite. This is a cockpit that provides multiple configuration options thanks to its adaptable GT or formula seating position.

It utilizes sturdy metal tubes throughout its construction to support small, direct-drive racing wheels without too much flex. The cockpit includes a lightweight and breathable racing seat, and although the seat on the F-GT Lite isn’t quite as comfy as the newer Next Level Racing Formula Lite Pro, it is still comfy during a long race session.

The real party piece of this cockpit, other than the ability to transform from a GT to formula driving position is the ability to fold and collapse away for storage. This cockpit is similar to a wheel stand in this category as it can act as a temporary sim racing cockpit that can be stored away when not in use.

Reasons to buy

  • Can be transformed between GT and F1 driving positions.
  • Collapsible for easy storage.

Cons

  • The seat isn’t as comfy as it could be.
  • Quite large when folded down.
  • Very low driving position with the F1 configuration sitting you on the floor.

Best wheel stand: GT Omega Apex Wheel Stand

Product Specs

CockpitGT Omega Apex Wheel Stand
Dimensions55cm x 110cm x 69cm
Price£129 / $115
Where to buyBuy from GT Omega

If you are first starting out in the world of sim racing, it can be pretty daunting seeing the price of sim racing equipment. You may not want to spend thousands on a new hobby, meaning a more budget-friendly solution is required.

Thankfully, there is a good amount of budget-friendly sim racing equipment available, from budget racing wheels and pedals to budget sim racing cockpits. Some of the more budget-orientated sim racing cockpits come in the form of wheel stands, and these are collapsible, allowing you to store them away once you’ve seen the chequered flag and finished sim racing for the day.

GT Omega is known for producing a wide range of gaming products, including sim racing cockpits and wheel stands. I first started my sim racing journey with a GT Omega wheel stand.

The GT Omega APEX Wheel stand is a hugely accessible sim racing cockpit. It can be configured in multiple configurations. The wheel stand comes as a stand-alone frame, allowing you to mount a racing wheel and pedals. But it can be expanded to include a rear seat frame and adjustable seat to form a complete sim racing cockpit.

The configuration I set up in our Sim Racing Setup studio included the wheel stand mounted onto the official rear seat frame, which was accompanied by a GT Omega XL RS reclining chair. This combination formed a complete sim rig and allowed me to race with relatively powerful wheel bases.

As you can see, I regularly used the Fanatec CSL DD wheel base and the CSL load cell pedals with my GT Omega APEX wheel stand, and there is pretty much zero flex or movement with this level of racing wheel.

This wheel stand is great because of its pure flexibility. In its stand-alone form, you can fold it away when not in use and use it with your regular office or dining chair. And when you’re ready for a full sim rig, you can expand it with a rear frame and seat.

And the best part is that this whole setup is very budget-oriented. It is the cheapest sim rig on this list and performs well above its price range. This is a perfect sim rig for a first delve into sim racing.

Reasons to buy

  • Foldable and collapsible for easy storage.
  • Sturdy enough for low-powered direct drive racing wheels.
  • It can be upgraded into a complete cockpit by adding the rear seat frame.

Cons

  • Not a lot of adjustment over the racing wheel positioning.
  • It can be quite heavy to move and not the easiest to fold away.

Best Formula 1 cockpit: Trak Racer TR8 Pro

Trak Racer TRX Simulator

Product Specs

CockpitTrak Racer TR8 Pro
Dimensions2200mm x 860mm x 820mm
Price£999 / $999
Where to buyBuy from Trak Racer

If you are an avid fan of racing open wheeled or Formula 1 cars in sims such as iRacing or the F1 series, a true Formula 1 cockpit can really increase immersion. This is exactly what the Trak Racer TRX is, and the American company has even partnered with the Alpine Formula 1 team while creating this sim rig.

The TRX is a 2″ industrial-strength iron chassis sim rig that allows for extensive customisation. Trak Racer has done a good job of providing a range of different mounting points for various peripherals.

Almost everything on this sim rig is adjustable. You can change your seating position between a GT-style and a true reclined F1 seating position. The wheel mount is fully adjustable meaning you can move your racing wheel closer or further away from your seat, as well as being able to adjust your wheel plate up and down.

The pedal plate is very similar in that it has a large amount of movement available. You can adjust the angle and the position of your pedals to find a comfortable driving position. The shifter mount can also be moved not only backwards and forwards, but it can also be tilted towards or away from you!

To round out the adjustability category, the Trak Racer TRX sim racing cockpit also allows you to mount a fully adjustable TV or monitor directly to your rig via an integrated monitor mount that sits just behind your racing wheel. This monitor mount can also hide cables to help with cable management.

With all of the customisation available and the sturdiness of the 2″ chassis, this cockpit is without a doubt one of my favourite sim rigs, so much so that I used one every week for around 2 years!

Reasons to buy

  • One of the nicest designs of any sim racing cockpit.
  • Includes official Alpine branding throughout.
  • The price includes the F1 racing seat as standard.

Cons

  • Not as adjustable as an 8020 sim rig.
  • The F1 seating position isn’t quite as extreme as a real-world F1 cockpit.

Best budget F1 cockpit: Next Level Racing Formula Lite Pro

Next Level Racing Formula Lite Pro Cockpit

Product Specs

CockpitNext Level Racing Formula Lite Pro
Dimensions86.6 cm (L) X 60.5 cm (W) X 87.1 cm (H)
Price£279 / $299
Where to buyBuy from NLR

While the Trak Racer TRX offers incredibly performance, it does come with a high price tag. If you want a similar F1 sim racing experience without the cost, the Next Level Racing Formula Lite Pro is a fantastic option.

This cockpit is very similar to the F-GT Lite, which has been around for a few years. It features a similar metal frame and a design that is pretty reminiscent as well. It can also be folded away for storage, much like the F-GT Lite. And it even costs the exact same.

So if this Formula Lite Pro costs the same as the F-GT Lite, which is the best budget F1 sim racing cockpit? The biggest difference between the F-GT Lite and Formula Lite Pro is that the F-GT is a combination of both GT and F1 seating positions, while the Formula Lite Pro is a dedicated F1 cockpit.

This cockpit improves upon some areas that let the F-GT Lite down, such as the seat, which is much comfier this time. The frame and design is also slightly sturdier than the F-GT Lite as it doesn’t need to be able to transform between different driving positions.

Reasons to buy

  • Comfier seat than the F-GT Lite.
  • Can be collapsed and stored away once finished sim racing.
  • Enough adjustability to get comfy and move your racing wheel and pedals.

Cons

  • Quite long due to the reclined F1 driving position.
  • When folded down, it is still quite large making storing a little difficult.

Best motion sim racing cockpit: Next Level Racing Motion Platform v3

Next Level Racing Motion Platform V3

Product Specs

CockpitNext Level Racing Motion Platform v3
Dimensions52 x 49 x 26 cm
Price£/$2999
Where to buyBuy from NLR

The Next Level Racing Motion Platform V3 isn’t a sim racing cockpit in its own right. Instead, it is an accessory that can be fitted to a range of Next Level Racing cockpits to transform them into a full-motion sim rig.

Motion sim rigs are one of the most premium options that you can choose when opting for maximum immersion. They allow you to experience true motion effects such as g-forces, gear shifts and vibrations, giving you a much more realistic experience compared to a static sim rig.

The price of a motion platform will normally put most sim racers off, as they can be incredibly expensive. This platform V3 from Next Level Racing costs £/$3000. This price does not include a sim rig. Instead, you would need to pair this platform with a compatible Next Level Racing sim rig, such as the F-GT Elite that I recommended above.

If you do have the budget for this motion platform, you will elevate your sim racing experience and immersion to levels that compete with the most complex and advanced racing simulators.

Reasons to buy

  • Offers immersion that is above and beyond any static sim rig.
  • Very simple to configure and set up and is compatible with a wide range of cockpits.

Cons

  • Incredibly expensive puts this out of reach for most sim racers.
  • Requires a compatible sim rig.

How did we test these cockpits to find the best sim rig in each category?

Over the past few years, we’ve been lucky enough to review a wide range of cockpits from various brands. This buyer’s guide links to video reviews of some of the cockpits we have reviewed. Creating reviews for each cockpit lets us test them thoroughly with a wide range of different sim racing hardware.

We always use different racing wheels and pedals when testing each sim racing cockpit, to ensure each one can withstand strong force feedback, or FFB within the range that the cockpit was designed for. I say this as some of the budget-friendly cockpits aren’t designed to handle strong direct-drive racing wheels so it would be unfair to test them with one.


How to choose a sim racing cockpit that is right for you

Hopefully, the above options give you a good insight into the different styles of sim racing cockpit available in 2024. I’ve highlighted the best sim rigs and cockpits within each category to help narrow down the selection as well as showing more premium and budget-friendly options. It is great for sim racers, that in 2024, we have such a wide range of different sim racing cockpits available.

I did touch on it above, but the main things to really consider when buying a sim racing cockpit are;

  • Style – Which style of sim rig best meets your needs.
  • Size – Always bear the size of your rig in mind, as they can take up a lot of space.
  • Budget – Budget always has to factor into a large purchase such as a sim rig. Luckily there is a lot of choice at different price points.
  • Rigidity – Always think about the racing wheel and pedals you’re mounting, as stronger products require a sturdier sim rig.

With those elements in mind, you can really narrow down your sim rig requirements. And with so many fantastic rigs on offer from a range of brands such as Sim Lab, Trak Racer, Next Level Racing and more. Shopping for a sim rig shouldn’t be too troublesome!


Frequently Asked Questions

Sim racing cockpits and sim rigs can be one of the more confusing products you can buy when creating a complete sim racing setup. There are so many variables, from type to price and how much performance they can handle. So I’ve compiled a selection of the most commonly asked questions about sim racing cockpits below.

Do all sim racing rigs include a seat?

Not every sim rig and cockpit will include a racing seat. Many of the more premium cockpits give you the option of buying the frame without a racing seat. This is to give you the choice over the style of seat you wish to add. You may already have your own racing seat or want to purchase a different branded one.

Do all racing seats fit all sim racing cockpits?

The majority of sim racing cockpits, especially the more premium ones use a very similar method of mounting a racing seat. Most utilise seat brackets which can accommodate most racing seats. Almost all fibreglass racing seats have mounting points at the side which are designed to be attached via a set of seat brackets. Then the brackets themselves can be mounted to your sim racing cockpit.

Can I mount my racing wheel to a desk?

If you don’t have the space for a sim racing cockpit, mounting to a table or desk is a viable option. Most brands sell or include a table clamp with their racing wheels. However, there is a limit on how strong of a racing wheel you can use with a desk. Powerful direct drive wheels can be too powerful and violent for a desk mount and could cause damage if not securely mounted.

Can I use an office chair for sim racing?

If you are using a desk or table mount to sim race, you could always use your regular office chair as a racing seat. The main issue to solve is the chair rolling across the floor when you stamp on the brake pedal. This can be fixed by using a set of wheel blocks which are available on places like Amazon.

Are more expensive sim racing cockpits worth it?

Generally, the more expensive a sim rig is, the better built it is. However, you don’t necessarily need to spend a fortune on a sim racing cockpit. If you are only planning on using a lower-powered racing wheel, you won’t need the extra support that premium sim racing cockpits provide. In this scenario, you could opt for a cheaper sim rig.

Will my racing wheel and pedals attach to any sim rig?

Generally yes, however, there are exceptions. Most sim rigs have pre-drilled holes that are designed to accommodate the most popular racing wheels and pedals. However, some newer sim racing products and some products that aren’t as common may not fit these pre-drilled mounting holes. In this case, you may need to drill your own holes or utilise another way of mounting your racing wheel like a desk clamp.


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Article written by Rich

Founder of SimRacingSetups.com

Rich is the founder, F1 car setup creator and content writer for SimRacingSetups. With over a decade of experience as a graphic designer, marketing director, competitive sim racer and avid motorsport fan, Rich founded SimRacingSetup.com to share his passion and knowledge of sim racing and Formula 1 with other sim racers. Regularly writes for sim racing website SimRaceReviews.com

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