Sim Rig Cup Holders and Accessories: Do You Need Them?
By Racing Simulators - World's Best Sim Rigs | Published: 2026-10-16
Category: Buying Guides
A practical FAQ on sim rig cup holders, bottle mounts, and cockpit add-ons. Learn what to buy, what to skip, and how to mount peripherals without flex.
Quick answer
A sim rig cup holder is a low-cost comfort upgrade, not a performance part. Buy one if you race in long stints and want to keep drinks off your desk or floor. Skip it if your rig already has a tray or you never drink while driving. The same logic applies to most sim racing cockpit accessories: add them to solve a specific annoyance, not to fill empty profile slots.
What a sim rig cup holder actually solves
The main job of a sim rig cup holder is to keep a drink within reach without putting it on your wheelbase, monitor stand, or the floor where you will kick it during a heel-and-toe downshift. A bottle holder does the same for water bottles, which matters more in longer sessions or hot rooms. The practical benefit is fewer interruptions: you stay seated, your hands stay near the wheel, and you are less likely to knock something over mid-stint.
- Keeps drinks off your desk, floor, or wheelbase
- Reduces mid-race reaching and spills
- Useful for long practice sessions and league races
Where should you mount a cup holder on an aluminium profile rig?
Mount it on a side profile rail or a dedicated side chassis support, not on a monitor stand or the wheel deck. The wheel deck moves under force, and a drink there will wobble or spill. A side rail keeps the cup out of your steering arc and away from your pedals. If you use a side chassis support, you can often mount the holder lower and further back, which keeps your elbow clear during quick corrections.
Do you need a PC shelf or side support before a cup holder?
If your PC or control box is sitting on the floor, fix that first. A universal PC and control box shelf for extrusion rigs gets the computer off the ground and onto the rig, which reduces dust intake and cable strain. A side chassis support adds a stable mounting plane for peripherals, including a cup holder or button box. These are structural add-ons; a cup holder is a convenience add-on. Buy in that order if your budget is limited.
What to skip when buying sim racing accessories
Skip anything that clamps to a moving part or relies on friction alone. Skip cup holders that do not list a mounting pattern for extruded aluminium profile, because you will end up zip-tying them. Skip oversized accessories that block your view of the wheel or your pedal reach. If a product page does not state the profile compatibility, treat that as a decision limitation and ask before buying.
Sim rig accessory FAQ
- Is a sim rig cup holder worth it?
- Yes, if you regularly drink during long sessions and want to keep liquids off your desk and floor. No, if you already have a stable tray within reach or never drink while driving. Buy it to solve a specific annoyance, not as a performance upgrade.
- Will a cup holder fit my aluminium profile rig?
- Only if the holder is designed for extruded aluminium profile. Check that the product lists profile compatibility and a mounting pattern before ordering. If compatibility is not stated, ask the seller rather than guessing.
- What sim racing cockpit accessories should I buy first?
- Prioritize structural add-ons that improve stability and cable management, such as a PC shelf or side chassis support. Add cup holders and bottle mounts after the core rig is clean and stable. Structure first, convenience second.
- Can I use a sim rig bottle holder for anything else?
- Yes, many sim racers use the same mount for a water bottle, a small tool caddy, or a phone. Just keep the mount on a side rail so it does not interfere with steering or pedal input. Keep the steering arc and pedal path clear.
- Do I need sim racing desk accessories if I use a dedicated rig?
- Usually not. Desk accessories are for desk setups. On a dedicated aluminium profile rig, use profile-mounted accessories so nothing depends on a desk edge or a clamp. Match the accessory to the rig type.
Product facts
- Universal Sim Rig Cup Holder — Bottle & Cup Mount for Aluminium Profile Cockpits: Universal Sim Rig Cup Holder for aluminium profile cockpits, made from durable nylon, designed for racing, flight, trucking, and simulation cockpits. It is a direct-fit convenience add-on for extruded aluminium rigs, so you do not need to modify or drill your cockpit.
- Universal PC & Control Box Shelf for Extrusion Rigs - Oversized V2: Universal PC and Control Box Shelf for extrusion rigs with adjustable mounting plates and rigid steel construction. Gets your PC or control box off the floor and onto the rig, which reduces dust and cable strain before you add smaller peripherals.
- Universal Side Chassis Peripheral Support for Aluminum Extrusion Cockpits: Universal Side Chassis Peripheral Support compatible with all extruded aluminium sim rigs, from Trak Racer, the Official Racing Simulator Supplier of the Alpine F1 Team and Partner Supplier of Airbus Aircraft. Adds a stable side mounting plane for a cup holder, button box, or other peripherals without clamping to moving parts.
