When you’re looking at immersing yourself in sim racing, a rig is one of the first things you’ll look at getting after your wheel and pedals. At first, the prices can look pretty daunting.
With full-motion rigs with all the bells and whistles totting up to over £10,000, sometimes it looks like you won’t be able to get a rig on a modest budget. In this article, we’ll look at five of the best sim racing rigs that you can pick up for less than the cost of a Fanatec CSL DD.
What Should I Look For In A Sim Racing Rig?
A high-end Playseat rig that is designed for Fanatec’s Direct Drive wheels would be as useful for a Thrustmaster TMX as a fold-up solution would be for a 32Nm Simucube 2 Ultimate – the key takeaway being that your rig must be suitable for your setup, amongst many other requirements:
- Your rig should meet the demands of your wheelbase, pedals, and any other accessories
- It should match your medium-term or long-term aims for your setup. Are you hoping that your rig will hold a Direct Drive or hydraulic pedals once you’re ready to make the step up?
- It should be comfortable and allow you the most flexibility when in use
These are things you might want to keep in mind if you’re shopping on a tight budget, especially if you want to save against spending more than necessary to upgrade your setup in the future.
How Much Should I Spend On A Sim Racing Rig?
Rigs can be relatively affordable, provided that you know what you want from them. The range of rigs that we discuss here starts at less than $150 at full price, with the most expensive clocking in at just under $350.
However, with each product, you get a unique set of compatibility and designs that can help you decide the direction that you wish to take with your rig. Do you want a simple solution that’s easy to move around? Or do you want a large rig that is ready to handle whichever set of wheelbase and pedals you wish to purchase later on in your sim racing journey?
In our list, there’s a bit of something for everyone looking to take this next step on a budget. If you aren’t quite so restricted by price, however, then make sure to have a look at our picks for the Best Sim Racing Rigs in 2024.
| Name | Pros | Cons |
| GT Omega ART | – Very affordable– Impressive level of adjustment given price | – Limited in terms of racing seat choice as standard |
| Next Level Racing Wheel Stand 2.0 | – Practical for those with limited space– Can be used with standard gaming chair | – Cost similar to fully-built sim rigs– Won’t be as tough as purpose-built rigs |
| Next Level Racing GT Lite Sim Racing Cockpit | – Bucket seat style– Foldable solution | – Lack of back support again– Difficult to get in and out of the rig like the Playseat Challenge |
| Playseat Challenge | – Bucket seat style– Foldable solution | – Lack of back support– Difficult to get in and out of the rig |
| Playseat Challenge X | – Tougher and more stable than standard Playseat Challenge– Enhanced adjustability compared to standard model | – A little heavier than Challenge, so trickier to fold and move about– Difficult to get in and out of the rig |
| Playseat Evolution | – Sturdy build– High-quality vinyl seat | – Centre pillar can be intrusive for 3-pedal solutions |
GT Omega ART: $240
At just $240, the GT Omega ART cockpit is one of the best-value sim rigs on sale today. Made of tough steel, the ART has an impressive amount of adjustability and upgradeability so that it can excel at most tasks thrown at it. It’s best suited to lower-powered wheels as standard, though it can be made stronger with the addition of DD support bars, which cost around $40.
The wheel deck angle, seat frame length and width, as well as the pedal plate can all be adjusted to fit the needs of every driver taking it on. It even comes with a shifter mount free of charge, meaning it covers pretty much all bases despite its low price.
Unlike full-on 80/20 rigs, the GT Omega can only natively be used with seats made by the company, though new holes can be drilled for those who know their way around DIY tools. In terms of other peripherals, the ART comes with pre-drilled holes for Fanatec, Moza, Thrustmaster, and Logitech equipment.
Next Level Racing Wheel Stand 2.0: $249
For racers with limited space, a full-on sim rig may be too bulky to be practical. The Next Level Racing Wheel Stand 2.0 is here to help though, as it is designed to be fully foldable so that it can be stored easily and easily erected.
It comes with a gear shifter and handbrake mounting plates, while the wheel and pedal platforms come with pre-drilled holes for equipment by Fanatec, Logitech, and Thrustmaster. The Wheel Stand 2.0 is also gaming chair friendly, as it features a handy metal cradle system that keeps hold of the front wheels of the seat, meaning it won’t move about under heavy braking.
There is also an optional seat attachment that can be purchased later, which allows the stand to morph into a fully-fledged sim rig.
Next Level Racing GT Lite Sim Racing Cockpit: $249
The Next Level Racing GT Lite Sim Racing Cockpit is an alternative to Playseat’s Challenge. At just a touch more expensive, it comes in at a similar cost to the Playseat.
However, the main differences between the two are that the Next Level Racing solution has a more conventional seat compared to the bucket seat of the Playseat, and also features small differences in shifter mounting and pedal mounting.
The GT Lite features two metal plates to mount pedals – which we can help you choose in our 2024 Buyer’s Guide – that can be set at a raised angle or placed flat on the floor depending on the user’s preference.
On the other hand, much like the Playseat Challenge, the Next Level Racing GT Lite doesn’t have solid back support. Whilst its design makes getting into the seat easier, the issue stems from the same strengths of foldability and compactness as the Challenge. As a result, it is a fantastic offering for those delving into sim racing and serves to open you up to other solutions in the future.
Playseat Challenge: $259.99
Playseat’s Challenge rig boasts compactness and adjustability for a modest price.
The all-in-one solution comprises a bucket seat, wheel plate, and board to mount your pedals. The lack of a central pillar, rather than having two bars coming up to meet the wheel plate instead, means that users with two-pedal and three-pedal solutions can make the most of their solutions without having to compromise and negotiate central support.
On top of this, the Playseat Challenge is foldable when not in use, meaning that it won’t take up massive amounts of space if you’re looking to use your computer for other means, or just don’t want your rig to be a permanent fixture to your room.
This compact solution does come with its compromises, however.
For example, the ActiFit-lined seat doesn’t have full back support which could affect users who need a solid back to their seat. In addition to this, the design of the seat as a bucket seat could make it difficult for some users to easily climb into or out of the seat after a long session in their simulator of choice.
Playseat Challenge X: $299.99
An enhanced version of the Playseat Challenge, the X version is on the market for an extra $40. The premium plays down the difference between the two, as the materials used to construct the X are thicker and stronger. This means that not only does it suffer from less flex than the normal Challenge, but it should also last longer.
The seating area is also wider than the normal Challenge, making it more comfortable to sit in for larger drivers. It also has a wider footprint, making it more stable than its predecessor. Furthermore, unlike the Challenge, it has an adjustable pedal plate, giving more options in terms of adjustability.
The X is also coated with Playseat’s breathable active-fit material, meaning it should keep pesky sweat at bay more effectively than the normal Challenge. Like the Challenge, it can be folded up and stored away nice and easily. Due to its tougher construction, it does weigh a few kilos more, so it’s a little trickier to haul around than its forerunner.
Playseat Evolution: $349.99
The Playseat Evolution features a central single-pylon wheelstand, a sturdy pedal plate as well a high-quality and easy-to-clean vinyl or suede seat, again at a more than reasonable price. It is also massively adjustable, with a telescopic design that means that you can adjust the distances of the wheelstand and pedal plate from the seat without any excess metal sticking out.
All in all, this makes the Playseat Evolution massively accessible to all Sim Racers working on a budget.
The main issue that can come from the Playseat Evolution is a product of its compact design. The central single-pylon wheelstand can make things difficult for users of a three-pedal solution, as they might feel like they are compromising on their brake usage if they are trying to navigate a metal pole that is lined up with their central brake pedal. As a result, this is most suitable for users who are running with just two pedals.
To Conclude
Coach Dave Academy is confident to recommend each and every one of the sim rigs listed in this piece, as they all offer a range of benefits for racers at an affordable price. Should none of these rigs float your boat, then refer to Coach Dave Academy’s guide for the Best Sim Rigs On The Market in 2024.
You’ll be able to choose from cheaper options closer to the ones listed here, or full 80/20 profile fixtures that are ideal for those looking to make the step up to Direct Drive wheelbase or motion technology.
