Racing games have been a part of gaming since the early stages of video gaming. In fact, the first ever video game that was technically a racing game was Atari’s arcade game called Space Race. There, you will be racing against another ship to the finish line.
However, most people wouldn’t really know about Space Race. Instead, they will talk about how Gran Trak 10 was their first racing game.
Disclosure: ItemLevel’s posts may contain affiliate links from which ItemLevel may earn a commission.
Grant Trak 10 was also made by Atari, and it kickstarted a new genre of gaming that soon found itself having fans from people who enjoy NASCAR and F1 racing in the real world.
We have no shortage of racing games today, and all of them are a blast to play on the controller. But what would it be like if we could play them on a sim racing cockpit?
If you’re looking for some cool sim-racing cockpits that won’t put a dent in your finances, then here’s a list of some of the best sim-racing cockpits that are incredibly cheap.
Our Recommendation:
It’s also sturdy and built to last, making it a very good racing sim cockpit to have if you’re going to be using it a lot of the time. Plus, it’s foldable and easy to move out of the way once you’re done. If you’re looking for something that’s really a bang for your buck while also giving you a good immersive experience, then the Next Level Racing F-GT Lite is just for you.
Top 5 Best Cheap Sim Racing Cockpit in 2023
Sim racing cockpits are very expensive, even if you’re looking for a cheap one. You are, after all, buying something that needs to be sturdy enough to handle a lot of movement when you’re using the steering wheel, pedals, and handbrake. If you opt for the ones that are really cheap, you might find the quality of the materials very flimsy thus, resulting in a sim racing cockpit that breaks faster.
The items we are featuring on this list are all going to be missing some things that make it cheaper. Some sim racing cockpits cost a lot due to the inclusion of a racing wheel, handbrakes, pedals, and even a chair. It’s a sacrifice that has to be made in order to get a good deal. But if you have all of the peripherals you need (i.e., wheel, handbrake, pedal) then a cockpit is all you need.
Before we go through each individual product, here’s a quick rundown of all of the sim racing cockpits that you will be seeing in the list:
Top 5 Best Cheap Sim Racing Cockpit in 2023 | Included In Package | Buy Now |
---|---|---|
RACGTING Racing Simulator Cockpit | Chair, handbrake and cockpit | |
Next Level Racing F-GT Lite | Chair and cockpit | |
Logitech Playseat Challenge X | Chair and cockpit | |
Dardoo Racing Simulator Cockpit | Cockpit only | |
Marada G920 | Cockpit only |
Top 5 Best Cheap Sim Racing Cockpit in 2023 | Included In Package | Buy Now |
---|---|---|
RACGTING Racing Simulator Cockpit | Chair, handbrake and cockpit | |
Next Level Racing F-GT Lite | Chair and cockpit | |
Logitech Playseat Challenge X | Chair and cockpit | |
Dardoo Racing Simulator Cockpit | Cockpit only | |
Marada G920 | Cockpit only |
RACGTING Racing Simulator Cockpit
What we have first is the RACGTING Racing Simulator Cockpit. This racing sim cockpit is great for several reasons: primarily that it’s cheap. However, it’s also great because you have a chair included. Most cheap racing simulator cockpits cost a lot more when it has a chair included, which is why some opt for the ones that don’t have a chair.
The chair is of great quality and features a velvet texture, which is nice if you’ve ever sat on a seat that has a velvety texture to it, so you can expect a soft and comfortable touch while you’re racing in Forza or Gran Turismo. One thing to take note about this is that it’s also made out of heavy-duty carbon steel, which is very durable. You won’t have to worry about breaking this anytime soon.
Speaking of heavy-duty, the cockpit itself is actually a little heavy, weighing over 25 pounds (110 kg). Not as heavy as the more expensive racing simulator cockpits, but that actually works very well for it. With this being only 25 pounds, you can bring this around with you if you want to play racing games at a friend’s house or if you need to move it out of the way.
You should also remember that this racing simulator cockpit doesn’t have a wheel and pedal installed. It only has a chair and handbrake, as well as the frame that makes up the cockpit. You will need to have to get your own racing wheel and pedals and install it in the cockpit. If you’re a racing fan, then it will be no problem as you should no doubt have it.
But don’t jump up and buy the first wheel and pedals you see, because you’ll be making a mistake if you don’t look into what is compatible with the cockpit. Yes, this racing sim cockpit cannot use all the wheels and pedals that are out there, but only a few models from Logitech and Thrustmaster. Here are the compatible devices that can be installed on this racing sim cockpit:
- Logitech
- G29
- G920
- G923
- G27
- G25
- Thrustmaster
- T248,
- T248X
- T300RS GT
- T150
- T80
- TX
- T-GT
- TS-PC
- TS-XW
If you don’t have any of the wheels or pedals shown in the list, then you might have to do some more shopping along with the cockpit. This is bad for those who already own a wheel and pedal because now they have to buy another one if they want to use this racing cockpit.
Pros
- Very cheap and budget-friendly
- Has a chair and handbrake installed already
- Made out of heavy-duty carbon steel, which is a durable material
Cons
- Only compatible with a list of products from Logitech and Thrustmaster
- If you don’t have any of the compatible devices, it’s more added expense on top of the cockpit
Next Level Racing F-GT Lite
Specs:
Material | Carbon steel |
Size | 68.5 x 29.5 x 50 inches |
Weight | 42 pounds |
Compatibility | Compatible with all Logitech, Thrustmaster, and Fanatec racing products |
Color | Black only |
Check Price | Amazon |
Up next is Next Level’s Racing F-GT Lite. Lite because this is a much cheaper and stripped-down version of their Racing F-GT, meant for those who have limited spaces in their homes but want to have an immersive gaming experience with a racing sim cockpit. This is a rather fun product to have because of one thing: it has two modes.
The F-GT in the title is not just some fancy model name. It stands for Formula – Grand Tourer, which are two popular racing events that have games made from them (F1 and Gran Turismo). With that said, that means you can switch to the Formula setting to play F1 games and switch to the Grand Tourer setting to play Gran Turismo games.
It’s a great way to really immerse yourself into two different games, and you will find that it’s actually a really different experience when you sit in a position that’s the same as F1 drivers or Grand Tourer drivers. You’ll actually feel immersed in the game that you’re playing, allowing you to get a better feel of what you need to do in order to win a race.
Aside from that, the only thing that is included in this product is the cockpit itself. No steering wheel, no pedals, and no handbrakes. You will need to get your own wheels, pedals, and handbrakes in order to use this cockpit. But fret not, as this cockpit is compatible with almost all racing products from Logitech, Thrustmaster, and even Fanatec.
Like other cheap racing simulator cockpits, the F-GT Lite is designed to be able to be moved around and stored when not in use for those who live in smaller homes to avoid taking up too much space. However, with how intricate and designed this cockpit is, it weighs over 42 pounds (20 kg), meaning that moving this around is a workout and a half.
While this product is indeed cheap compared to the more expensive racing sim cockpits, this is actually slightly more expensive compared to the likes of RACGTING Racing Simulator Cockpit. While it’s understandable why this is much more expensive, it can be a deal breaker for some people who are working on a tighter budget.
Pros
- Can change between Formula and Grand Tourer for better immersion in games
- Compatible with almost all racing products from Logitech, Thrustmaster, and Fanatec
- Made of durable materials (carbon steel)
- Comes with a chair
Cons
- Slightly more expensive, bad for those working on a tighter budget
- Weighs over 42 pounds (20 kg) and may be hard to move around if you’re not strong
Logitech Playseat Challenge X
Specs:
Material | Carbon steel |
Size | 55.12 x 23.62 x 41.34 inches |
Weight | 25 pounds |
Compatibility | Compatible with all Logitech products only |
Color | Black only |
Check Price | Amazon |
Speaking of Logitech, they have their own racing sim cockpit called the Logitech Playseat Challenge X. This bad boy is quite possibly one of the most comfortable cockpits you can get for gaming at a relatively cheap price (will explain the price later). It’s fully adjustable and you can move it around easily as it is only 25 pounds (11.5 kg) in weight.
What really stands out about this cockpit is that the fabric of the seat helps you stay cool. While some racing cockpits will have you getting sweaty and eventually start sticking to your seat, the Playseat Challenge X is designed to help you stay cool so you can continue racing without having to take breaks from your cockpit afterward.
It’s also similarly built so that if you live in a small home, you can fold this bad boy up and place it on the side after use. You won’t even have to worry about lifting this up, because the weight of this racing sim cockpit is only 25 pounds, which is 11.5 kg. It’s compact, can fold, and it doesn’t weigh too much so you can hide this to the side after use.
Another thing that makes this racing sim cockpit both good and bad is that it’s only compatible with Logitech racing products. Good because you won’t have to worry about buying other wheels or pedals as long as you are using Logitech wheels and pedals already. Bad because if you do use other parts, then that means you will need to do some more shopping.
A very big downside that some people might turn away from this otherwise great product is the price. While it is relatively cheaper compared to other racing sim cockpits, this is bordering the line of “budget-friendly” and “expensive”. It is a well-designed and great product to have, but unless you’re able to make an exception in your budget, then you might have to look somewhere else.
Pros
- Compatible with all Logitech racing products
- Weighs only 25 pounds (11.5 kg)
- Seat is designed for comfort and long gaming sessions
- Compact and easier to stow away after use
Cons
- Only compatible with Logitech racing products and nothing else
- A little more expensive compared to other racing sim cockpits
Dardoo Racing Simulator Cockpit
Specs:
Material | Alloy steel |
Size | 59 x 18 x 31 inches |
Weight | 32 pounds |
Compatibility | Compatible with Logitech G25, G27, G29, G920. G923, Thrustmaster T500rs, T300rs, TX Ferrari 458, Fanatec Porsche and CSR wheels, Fanatec ClubSpor, Fanatec CSR Elite, and Fanatec Shifter |
Color | Black only |
Check Price | Amazon |
Dardoo’s Racing Cockpit Simulator is when things start getting really budget-friendly while also sacrificing some things that we’ve seen so far in this list. This racing sim cockpit does not feature a chair you can sit on. Instead, you will have to install your own chair on the cockpit if you want to be able to use this cockpit to play racing games.
It’s understandable that it’s annoying that you won’t have a chair that comes with the cockpit, but if you have a spare gaming chair lying around, you can unscrew the chair from the wheels and install the gaming chair onto the cockpit.
Unlike the previous racing sim cockpits that used carbon steel to build the cockpit, Dardoo’s Racing Simulator Cockpit is made out of tougher stuff called alloy steel. It is much more stronger and resistant to a lot of things like heat and can withstand more pressure. So, knowing that this racing sim cockpit is made entirely out of alloy steel is good to know, as you won’t have to worry about easily breaking it.
While the racing sim cockpit itself is great, you are limited to the racing products you can use that are compatible with this cockpit. In fact, the list of compatible products is much smaller compared to other racing sim cockpits so it almost doesn’t seem worth it, but only worth it if you already have compatible products from either Logitech or Fanatec.
The best thing about this cockpit, however, is the price. It’s the second cheapest option available in this list, and it’s made out of a material that is much stronger compared to the other cockpits that are featured on this list. If you’re looking for a cockpit only that doesn’t have a seat and you already have the compatible racing gear, then this is definitely a deal that you can’t miss out on due to how good it is.
Pros
- The second cheapest option on this list
- Made out of stronger material than carbon steel, alloy steel
- Can use any office or gaming chair as a seat as it does not come with a seat
Cons
- Weight slightly heavier (32 pounds)
- Does not have a seat attached
- A small list of compatible racing products from Logitech and Fanatec
Marada G920
Specs:
Material | Carbon steel |
Size | 23 x 7 x 23 inches |
Weight | 26 pounds |
Compatibility | Compatible with Logitech G25, G27, G29, G920, Thrustmaster T80, T150, T300RS, TX, T500RS, F458, F430, and Fantaec wheels only |
Color | Black only |
Check Price | Amazon |
The Marada G920 is the last one we have on this list, and it is the cheapest option we have available. It is so cheap, that you will most likely have enough in your budget to get yourself the newest Forza game and play it with this brand-new racing sim cockpit. It’s currently one of the best ones that many are recommending, and for good reason.
It again does not have a seat installed, but you won’t have to worry about installing a seat. The way this racing sim cockpit is designed is for you to use any seat you want. A gaming chair, office chair, wooden chair, or plastic chair. You can even use a stool if you want to. Any chair is now able to be used, but it might be uncomfortable if you aren’t using a gaming chair or office hair.
A couple of things that need to be pointed out about this cockpit is that it is the smallest cockpit that is on this list as well. And I don’t mean small like it’s a miniature product. The size of this cockpit does not take up too much space, and that’s because of the way it’s designed. It is designed to be more compact and not take up too much space inside a small home, and it works.
While the cheap price and smaller and more compact size are definitely eye-catchers, you might think twice when you realize that the Marada G920 is only compatible with a small list of products from Logitech, Thrustmaster, and Fanatec. In fact, you won’t be able to use anything else from Fanatec except for the wheels.
Pros
- The cheapest racing sim cockpit on this list
- Small and compact, it won’t take up too much space in a home
- Can use any chair you want thanks to its design
- Weighs only 26 pounds
Cons
- Compatible with only a small list of products from Logitech, Thrustmaster, and Fanatec
To Sum Up
There are so many good racing sim cockpits that it’s hard to choose which one you want. Each of these offers something that will most likely resonate with what you want. If you’re still unsure about which racing sim cockpit is for you, consider the following:
RACGTING Racing Simulator Cockpit is good if you’re looking for something that’s middle of the road in features and compatibility. It also has a handbrake pre-installed with the cockpit, so you won’t really need to worry about anything else but just getting a wheel and pedal for it.
Next Level Racing F-GT Lite is for those who really want to feel immersed in racing. With the ability to switch between Formula mode and Grand Tourer mode, you can easily slip into the game as if you’re one of the racers behind the wheel.
Logitech Playseat Challenge X is a great racing sim cockpit to have when you already have the necessary Logitech racing gear you need. If you don’t trust another brand except for Logitech, then this is for you, as you can only use Logitech racing gear on this bad boy.
Dardoo Racing Simulator Cockpit is another great one that really ensures that your racing sim cockpit can handle your racing skills. The alloy steel will help this racing sim cockpit be sturdy enough so that you can stay on it for as long as you want.
Marada G920 is for those who are working on a budget. This cheap racing sim cockpit is great because not only is it cheap, but it is small and it won’t take up too much space in your house.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Do I need racing sim cockpits to play racing games?
You really don’t need to buy racing sim cockpits to enjoy racing games. This is more of a gimmick that car lovers invest money in to enjoy racing at high speeds when they can’t do it in real life. A simple controller or even your keyboard and mouse are enough to enjoy playing racing games.
2. Will racing sim cockpits become the norm to play racing games in the future?
Definitely not. While it’s fun and immersive to play racing games like this, it’s inconvenient to have racing sim cockpits take up space in your home at all times. Many people who want to play racing games this way tend to go to the arcade. This method of playing racing games won’t ever replace the convenience of using a controller mouse and keyboard.
ALSO READ: Best VR Headset For Sim Racing
Comments