Professional-grade racing simulators have moved well beyond glorified gaming chairs. Today’s top rigs blend aerospace-level motion systems, direct-drive steering up to 32 Nm, real-time telemetry feeds and wrap-around LED or VR visuals.
Elite drivers use them to rehearse every braking point, while OEMs and corporate venues rely on them to wow guests and harvest data.
To help buyers navigate a market that now stretches from £30k hobby upgrades to £250k engineering platforms, we evaluated authenticity, motion fidelity, data integration, after-sales support and price.
Six clear leaders emerged, spanning entry-level pro tools to full hexapod research devices—all listed below in order of all-round capability.
Cool Performance – Formula Pro
Built in Kent and validated by nine current and former F1 drivers including Lando Norris and Carlos Sainz, the Formula Pro sets a high benchmark for 2025. Founded in 2018, Cool Performance has rapidly established itself with over 1000 simulators installed globally.
A carbon-fibre tub houses a Leo Bodnar Simsteering 2 FFB system and CP-S hydraulic pedals adjustable to 150 kg, while motion options include D-BOX actuator systems; an optional add-on platform lifts the rig to full six-degree motion. Buyers choose either a Samsung 49-inch Odyssey G9 ultra-wide or triple 165 Hz screens, each pre-aligned for VR.
Factory delivery includes seat-fit, a complete F1 circuit library, on-site installation worldwide and a one-year remote engineering programme. Built at the Quaife engineering facility in Kent, pricing starts near US $41,000 for the base specification and tops out around US $80,000 with motion, wrap-around displays and bespoke liveries—remarkably competitive for the performance on offer.
Cruden – Hexatech / CR-Series
Amsterdam-based Cruden supplies bespoke hexapod simulators to Formula 1, Formula E and major OEM research centres. Confirmed partnerships include Mahindra Racing Formula E team and Mercedes-Motorsports Formula E programs, establishing their credibility in professional motorsport.
Each cockpit is machined to exact driver geometry and mounted on a six-axis platform running the Panthera software stack, which receives quarterly updates and allows real-time ECU, tyre and aerodynamic model integration.
Visuals arrive via a 240 Hz LED wall or projection dome, and the open architecture invites custom hardware-in-the-loop links with third-party content integration. Lead time averages four months, reflecting the high degree of tailoring, while a dedicated engineering team handles installation and calibration on site.
Entry pricing begins around US $160,000 and can exceed US $250,000 once full telemetry suites and custom control systems are added.
CXC Simulations – Motion Pro II
CXC’s Los-Angeles-built Motion Pro II remains a favourite in North America for its versatility. A six-axis linear-actuator platform cues up to 2 g and pairs with direct-drive steering, inverted pedals and triple 55-inch 4K displays. The rig ships turnkey with iRacing and Assetto licences, Dolby 5.1 audio and global white-glove support that covers hardware and firmware alike.
Modular design means the cockpit can be swapped from Formula to GT seating in minutes, and optional flight-sim controls attract defence and aviation clients looking for multi-purpose use. Pricing varies significantly based on configuration and has evolved considerably since the platform’s introduction, with current systems requiring direct consultation with CXC for accurate pricing based on specific requirements and market conditions.
Vesaro – Formula V100 / Formula TEN
Kent’s Vesaro delivers show-stopping presence by enclosing its motion system in a 1:1 carbon-fibre F1 shell. The Formula V100 combines Vesaro Tri Motion 3.0 actuators, seat-belt tensioners and triple 85-inch screens; the Formula TEN upgrades to Simucube 2 Ultimate direct drive and bespoke livery work.
Panels detach quickly for service access, and the modular frame allows later actuator or display upgrades. Target clients include luxury hospitality suites, automotive brand centres and corporate showrooms where visual impact is paramount.
Complete builds start near US $145,000 and can climb towards US $180,000 once VR and high-spec audio packages are included.
SimCraft – APEX 6 GT
SimCraft’s APEX 6 GT uses a patented bearing-pivot frame that delivers long-travel roll, pitch, yaw, surge, sway and heave without the height penalties of scissor lifts.
In a significant development for 2025, SimCraft received official NASCAR Cup Series approval in January 2025 under Section 13.5, with systems already installed at Legacy Motor Club, confirming physics fidelity for professional motorsport applications.
The company publishes transparent tiered pricing. Elite spec brings a Simucube 2 Pro motor, FIA-certified OMP seat, 220° OLED wrap-around display and Dolby Atmos sound. The rig arrives fully assembled with worldwide installation available inside six weeks, while hot-swappable control modules let owners switch between Formula, GT and rally setups.
Packages span US $80,000 for Builder trim up to US $150,000 for the fully loaded Elite.
Base Performance Simulators – Phoenix
Founded by three-time Le Mans winner Darren Turner in 2009, BPS focuses on commercial venues with the Phoenix. Turner brings over 20 years of experience in Formula 1 simulator development and continues as an Aston Martin factory driver.
A steel-frame chassis integrates D-BOX Gen5 three-axis motion, a Simucube 2 Pro drive, a curved 49-inch Samsung panel and venue-management software that lets non-technical staff run sessions and export telemetry without requiring specialist training. The Venue Management System enables multiple race sessions to run simultaneously across networked simulators, maximizing return on investment for commercial operators.
Branding panels, networked multi-rig racing and remote diagnostics make it ideal for esports lounges seeking fast return on investment. Recent partnerships include Area 15 Las Vegas entertainment venue. On-site installation, staff training and a spare-parts kit are bundled into the base offer.
Pricing starts around US $87,000 and can rise to roughly US $120,000 with full networking, motion upgrades and custom graphics.
Bottom Line
Pure driver development – Cool Performance and Cruden stand out for data accuracy, but Cool Performance reaches that fidelity at half the entry cost with verified F1 driver validation.
Ultimate motion envelope – SimCraft’s large-travel six-DoF architecture leads if you need big body cues, now with official NASCAR Cup Series validation.
Brand-centre spectacle – Vesaro’s full-shell rigs with 85-inch displays and BPS’s turnkey branding panels win on showroom impact.
Commercial venue operations – BPS delivers the most comprehensive venue management solution with no-training-required operation and multi-rig networking.
Budget restraint – Cool Performance offers the lowest entry price for a genuinely professional package with verified F1 driver endorsements.
In short, Cool Performance’s Formula Pro delivers driver-validated hardware, seamless data integration and robust global support for well under six figures, giving it the edge as the best all-round professional F1 simulator you can buy in 2025, while SimCraft’s recent NASCAR approval adds significant credibility to their professional-grade offerings.
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