For VR racing in 2026, the best sim racing seat is one that stays perfectly still, leaves room behind your head for the headset strap and puts you in the same position every session. A fixed back bucket seat does this very well. A reclining seat also works, as long as you set the backrest upright enough to keep the headrest away from your headset.
In VR you no longer see your seat, so you feel it even more. Below you find what really matters, which seat type suits which driver and how to set it up so you stay comfortable and sharp.
Why VR changes what you need from a seat
A headset blocks the real world, so your body depends fully on what it feels through the seat.
On a monitor, your eyes give you a fixed reference point. In VR, your brain links the virtual cockpit to the position of your body. If the seat shifts a few millimetres under braking, the virtual car seems to move too. Many drivers feel that as a strange, floaty sensation, and some even feel a bit sick. A firm, stable seat keeps your body and the virtual car in sync.
Johan Akkerman, founder and CEO of SIMGASM, races this way himself. His preferred simulator combines the SIMGASM Sport cockpit with the Formula Atlas seat, virtual reality and motion.
The headrest problem
Most headsets have a strap or battery at the back of your head. When the backrest leans far back, the headrest pushes against that strap and tilts the headset forward. The image then looks blurry and the headset feels heavy on your nose.
Heat and comfort
A headset makes your face and head warm. A seat with a smooth, breathable cover and a firm cushion feels better than a deep, soft chair that traps heat around your back.
SIMGASM | Core Bucket Racing Seat - Black
Bucket or recliner for VR racing?
Both seat types work in VR, but each needs a slightly different setup.
Fixed back bucket seat
A fixed back seat keeps one angle every time, so your virtual position stays the same from session to session. The Core Bucket Racing Seat locks its backrest at a fixed driving angle and uses a steel frame with pronounced side bolsters. Those bolsters give your body a clear reference in fast corners, which helps a lot when you cannot see your own legs.
Reclining seat
A recliner gives you more freedom to find space for the headset. Set the backrest a little more upright than you would for monitor racing. Then check that the back of the headset stays clear of the headrest when you look over your shoulder. The Core Recline Seat moves from near vertical to a relaxed angle, which makes this easy to fine tune.
Not sure about the right backrest setting? Read what recline angle works best in a sim racing seat.
SIMGASM | Core Recline Office Chair - Black
How to set up your seat for VR
A few simple steps make a big difference once the headset goes on.
First, sit in your normal driving position and recenter the view in the game. Do this every session from the same seat position, so the virtual seat matches your real one. Second, lock the seat slider fully on both rails. Third, route the headset cable over your shoulder and away from the seat bolsters, so it never catches when you turn your head.
Also check your graphics settings. A smooth, stable frame rate matters as much as a solid seat. Our ACC VR settings guide helps you find a good balance. If you still feel unwell after a few laps, read our VR motion sickness fixes.
Does the frame matter for VR?
Yes, because any movement in the frame reaches your seat and then your brain.
A rig that flexes under force feedback makes the seat sway, and in VR you notice that quickly. Read whether you need a sim rig for VR racing for the full picture. The Sport cockpit, for example, uses a 40 x 120 mm main profile, a rated braking load of 300 kg at the pedal deck and integrated cable passthroughs, which also keep the headset and USB cables tidy. Every SIMGASM product is tested as part of a complete simulator rather than as a single part, so the seat, slider and frame work as one.
SIMGASM | Sport Aluminum Sim Racing Cockpit - Black
Our advice for VR drivers in 2026
Choose stability first and style second.
Go for a fixed back bucket seat if you race competitively in VR and want the same feel every lap. Choose a recliner if you share the rig or switch between VR and monitor racing. Both options are part of the Core seats range from SIMGASM, a Dutch company based in Wijk bij Duurstede.
Questions about sim racing seats and VR
These quick answers help you choose and set up your seat for VR.
Does the headrest get in the way of a VR headset?
It does when the backrest leans far back. Set the seat a bit more upright and check that the headset strap stays free.
Is a bucket seat better than a recliner for VR?
A bucket seat gives a more consistent position. A recliner works well too, as long as both sides lock firmly.
Can a loose seat cause VR motion sickness?
A moving seat makes the virtual car feel out of sync with your body, and for many drivers that adds to discomfort.
Should you recenter VR every session?
Yes. Recenter from your normal driving position each time, so the virtual seat matches your real seat.
Want to learn more? The SIMGASM experts are happy to help.
