Best Sim Racing Seats — Bucket, GT and Formula Styles Explained
I’ve sat in everything from cheap office chairs (please don’t do this) to FIA-homologated carbon racing seats that cost more than my first real car. The difference is dramatic. The seat is the foundation of your sim rig. It determines your driving posture, how stable your core is under braking, how relaxed your arms are during steering, and even how consistent your throttle and brake modulation become. If your body moves around while driving, your brain and muscles can’t build accurate muscle memory — and that affects lap times and consistency more than most people realize.
Finding the right seat depends on the type of racing you enjoy, how long your average sessions are, your rig’s mounting compatibility, and your personal comfort preferences. Below, I’ll break down the three main seat styles, the pros and cons of each, and the seats I recommend based on my own experience — plus reactions from friends and family who have tested them in my rig.
The Three Main Seat Types
1) Bucket Seats (Fixed-Back Racing Seats)
Bucket seats are designed to lock your torso in place. The deep bolstering holds your ribs, hips, and shoulders so you don’t have to brace your body with your arms. That means your arms can stay relaxed during cornering and wheel work — which makes steering inputs much more precise. These seats shine in GT racing, endurance driving, time attack, and competitive leagues.
When I switched to my first fixed-back bucket seat, my braking consistency improved almost immediately because I wasn’t lifting my body against the brake pedal anymore — the seat held me.
My sister: “I instantly felt more stable while braking and turning. I didn’t have to ‘fight’ the seat.”
Best for: GT3, GT4, endurance racing, serious drivers.
Downside: Comfort depends on correct fit. If the shoulder width is wrong, it will feel tight or awkward over long sessions.
2) GT-Style Reclining Seats
GT-style recliners are the crossover option. They look like performance car seats, often with side bolstering, soft foam padding, and adjustable recline. They don’t hold you as tightly as bucket seats, but they are far more comfortable for casual driving or long cruising sessions.
I used a recliner when I was playing Gran Turismo and Forza daily — it was perfect for mixed driving styles and didn’t feel fatiguing even after 3–4 hour sessions.
Friend: “I could race in this all afternoon with no fatigue.”
Best for: Casual sim racers, multi-purpose gaming setups, comfort lovers.
Downside: A bit of lateral body movement under heavy braking or fast steering transitions.
3) Formula Seats (Low, Laid-Back F1 Position)
Formula seats place your body almost horizontal, with feet raised and your hips lower than your knees — just like an F1, LMP1, Formula Ford, or F2 cockpit. The immersion is incredible if you race open-wheel cars. However, this position is very specialized — not ideal for GT cars, drifting, rally, or daily cruising.
Brother: “Amazing for F1 — terrible for drifting. I felt like I was trying to slide a go-kart lying down.”
Best for: Dedicated F1 or prototype sim setups.
Downside: Limited versatility and requires a rig designed for this position.
Best Sim Racing Seat Recommendations
Best Overall GT Seat — Sparco GRID Q / OMP HTE-R
These seats provide excellent shoulder containment, breathable fabrics, and rigid shells. They’re ideal for long GT races while still being relatively comfortable.
My take: These offer the perfect balance between immersion and comfort. I use a GRID Q in my GT3-focused rig.
Most Comfortable GT Recliner — Recaro Speed
The Recaro Speed is iconic for a reason. It’s supportive, comfortable, and durable. It feels like it belongs in a track-ready street car — in the best way possible.
Father: “This feels like it belongs in a real sports car.”
Best Formula Seat — Playseat F1 / Trak Racer F1 Seat
If your life is F1 telemetry charts, aero maps, and shaving tenths at Spa — this is your seat. It nails the open-wheel driving posture.
Note: Make sure pedals and wheel mounts support the F1 seating layout.
Best Budget Seat That Doesn’t Suck — NRG FRP-300
This seat offers real bolstering, decent padding, and reliable construction for the price.
Neighbor: “This is the best seat under $300 I’ve ever tried.”
Fit & Comfort Tips
- Your knees should not be higher than your hips — this ruins lower back alignment.
- Your shoulder support must match your shoulder width — measure before buying.
- If you heel-and-toe often, make sure the seat front edge isn’t too tall.
- A lumbar pillow can transform endurance comfort.
- Use sliders if multiple people share the rig.
Final Recommendation
If you mainly drive GT or endurance races and want maximum driving precision, go with a fixed-back bucket seat. If you race casually, switch games often, or spend entire evenings in the rig, a GT-style recliner will feel better long term. And if your heart belongs to F1 — the Formula seat is unmatched for immersion.
Remember: The seat isn’t just about comfort — it directly affects how consistently and precisely you drive. When your body is stable, your driving becomes smooth, repeatable, and intuitive — and that’s when sim racing truly comes alive.
My name is Michael “Mick” Carter, and I’m a dedicated sim racing enthusiast with a deep love for motorsport. I first discovered sim racing in 2015 when a friend introduced me to a Logitech G27 and Assetto Corsa—an experience that immediately hooked me. Since then, I’ve gone from basic gear to advanced direct drive setups, VR headsets, and custom racing rigs, constantly refining my driving technique and equipment.
I mainly race in iRacing, ACC, and rFactor 2, focusing on GT3 endurance and open-wheel events. I’m not a professional driver—I’m simply someone who enjoys the craft of racing: learning car behavior, improving lap times, and battling for position with respect and skill.
I share what I’ve learned so others can build setups they enjoy and grow their own passion for sim racing. For me, the joy is in improving, one race at a time.