Yes, you can use a gaming chair for sim racing. Many sim racers start this way. The real question is how long it works well with your setup. As your hardware gets stronger, the limits of a gaming chair become more noticeable.
A gaming chair may look like a racing seat. It has side supports, stitching and a headrest. Underneath, however, it is still an office chair. It has a gas lift, a tilt system and five wheels. These parts work well at a desk, but they are less suitable when you push hard on racing pedals.
Do you need a racing chair for sim racing?
You do not need one when you first start. A gaming chair works fine with a controller or a basic wheel and pedal set. You sit higher than you would in a real car, but the forces are still low. You can focus on learning the track, your racing lines and your braking points.
This changes when you upgrade your hardware. A stronger wheelbase and a harder brake put more force on your body. Your chair may start to tilt, turn or roll backwards. We explain the last problem in more detail in how to stop your chair from rolling back when sim racing.
Where does a gaming chair fall short?
The first problem is the height. A gaming chair often puts your hips well above the pedals. Your legs point down instead of forward. This means your ankle has to do more of the work when you brake. That can feel less natural and may become tiring during longer races.
SIMGASM | Core Recline Office Chair - Black
Movement is another problem. A gaming chair can turn slightly when you steer with more force. The tilt system can also move when you brake. Even small movements change your position in front of the wheel and pedals. This can make it harder to use the same inputs every lap.
Gaming chair or sim racing seat: what is the difference?
A sim racing seat does not have wheels, a gas lift or a swivel base. It is fixed directly to the frame of the cockpit. This means the seat stays in the same position while you race. You also sit lower, with your legs pointing more towards the pedals. This is closer to the position you have in a real car.
The shape is different too. A bucket seat like the Core Bucket Racing Seat has a steel frame and strong side supports. These supports help keep your hips and upper body in place while you race. The seat uses a 360 × 385 mm mounting pattern underneath. This makes it suitable for a slider set such as the Universal Dual Locking Seat Slider Set.
SIMGASM | Core Bucket Racing Seat - Black
What about your desk chair?
Some sim racers also want a comfortable chair for normal desk use. The Core Recline Office Chair is made for this purpose. It is a racing-style recliner with leather and suede. With the Office Kit, you can mount it to a standard office chair base using its 193 × 193 mm mounting pattern. This way, you can use the recliner at your desk while your sim racing rig has its own fixed seat.
When is it time to upgrade?
There are a few clear signs that it may be time to upgrade. Your chair moves backwards when you brake. You have to sit on the front edge of the chair to reach the pedals. Or your lower back starts to hurt after a longer session. These signs can mean that your chair has become the weak point in your setup.
At that point, a cockpit with a dedicated sim racing chair can be a useful next step. Not sure if the upgrade is worth the money? Read our guide about whether a sim racing cockpit is worth it. If you are buying your first rig, you can also read our guide to the best sim racing cockpits for beginners.
Universal Dual locking seat slider set - Black
Our advice from the workshop
It makes sense to upgrade your seat when you upgrade your brake. A strong brake works best when your seat stays in one place. If the chair moves backwards, it becomes harder to brake with the same force every time.
Johan Akkerman, founder of SIMGASM, has been sim racing since 2008 and has competed in Project CARS championships. Our cockpits follow the same basic idea: the seat and pedals are connected to one strong and stable frame.
What does switching to a sim racing rig feel like?
Your first session in a fixed seat may feel different. You sit lower and your legs reach further forward. The pedals can also feel much firmer because your seat no longer moves backwards.
Give yourself some time to get used to the new position. Your braking points may change because you can now use more of your leg when you brake. You no longer have to depend mainly on your ankle.
Many sim racers notice the biggest difference under braking. It becomes easier to use the same amount of brake pressure each lap. Trail braking can also feel more controlled. The seat does not make the car faster by itself. It gives your body a stable position, which can help you make more consistent inputs.
Frequently asked questions
We’d like to address a few frequently asked questions:
Is a gaming chair bad for sim racing?
No. A gaming chair can work well with basic sim racing hardware. The main problem starts when you use a stronger wheelbase or a load cell brake. The chair can then move too much.
Can I bolt a gaming chair to a cockpit?
Usually not without extra parts or modifications. Most gaming chairs are designed for an office chair base. Sim racing seats are designed to mount directly to a cockpit or seat slider.
Is an office chair better than a gaming chair for sim racing?
There is usually little difference when it comes to stability. Both often use a gas lift, wheels and a swivel base. This means both can move when you brake or steer with more force.
Do I need a bucket seat or a recliner?
That depends on how you use your sim racing rig. A bucket seat gives you more support and keeps your body firmly in place. A recliner gives you more adjustment and can be more comfortable for longer sessions.
Want to learn more? The SIMGASM experts are happy to help.
