The Best Racing Wheels for Any Type of Driver

The Thrustmaster T-128 is precise overmuch an entry-level sim racing product, and its pricing and physique bespeak that, but it inactive has a batch of merit arsenic a large archetypal measurement into sim racing for kids and racing fans connected the tightest budgets.

The tiny and wholly integrative rim does consciousness a small toy-like (as does the tiny and besides wholly integrative two-pedal set), but you bash get existent unit feedback – and that’s a important favoritism betwixt the T-128 and lower-priced options similar the T-80. The foodstuff is perfectly not worthy the compression connected ace fund options similar the T-80 and its equivalents, which run connected bungee-style absorption systems with zero unit feedback. If you’re reasoning astir buying 1 of those, prevention your wealth and conscionable enactment connected a controller.

The T-128’s tiny rim diameter whitethorn look a small dinky initially, but it’s important erstwhile a instrumentality basal isn’t packing a immense torque number, arsenic the person your hands are to the centre of rotation the stronger it volition feel. The T-128’s 2 Nm of highest torque is surely humble compared to the powerfulness of its much costly peers, but it’s inactive capable capable to pass capable of the on-track accusation you’ll request to consciousness your car’s behaviour and respond intuitively.

If you bash instrumentality the plunge and are having fun, the bully quality is the T-128 tin besides beryllium augmented with add-ons, similar the TH8S shifter – which is simply a 7-speed + reverse H-pattern shifter. The pedals tin besides beryllium upgraded, truthful you’re not locked successful to conscionable what comes successful the box. For those looking for a instrumentality for trucking and farming sims alternatively than racing, a bracket strategy for mounting the T-128 instrumentality basal horizontally is also available (which besides comes with a rotary spinner knob for one-handed operation).

The Thrustmaster T-128 comes successful 2 versions: 1 compatible with some Xbox and PC, and 1 compatible with PlayStation and PC. Broadly speaking, PlayStation compatibility adds an further premium to the RRP of a wheel, though this tin alteration depending connected retailer pricing.

With the Thrustmaster T-128 much costly connected PlayStation than the Xbox version, the Logitech G-29 is simply a dependable alternate prime successful this scenario. After a decennary connected sale, the G-29 mightiness look positively geriatric, but determination are astatine slightest respective bully reasons you tin inactive bargain caller G-29s: They’re robust, they’re large bang-for-your-buck, and they stay a precise reliable spot to commencement a sim racing journey.

With a metallic rim, wrapped and stitched, the G-29 does instantly consciousness a small little toy-like than the T-128 successful the hands. The included three-pedal acceptable is besides a people above, with metallic pedals and a amended wide consciousness (a rubber stopper mounted down the brake pedal simulates the gathering hydraulic unit of a brake pedal). The information that you get a clutch pedal retired of the container besides means you don’t besides request to upgrade your pedals if you opt to adhd Logitech’s standalone shifter to your setup aboriginal on. Unfortunately, Logitech’s standalone shifter has a shorter propulsion than Thrustmaster’s TH8S shifter and it doesn’t consciousness arsenic bully to use.

The G-29’s halfway weakness, however, is that it does thin to marque a spot of a racket astatine times – peculiarly erstwhile there’s a batch of unit feedback accusation being pumped into it. They decidedly clunk and rattle rather a bit. Rally gamers instrumentality heed.

Why are we recommending the G-29 implicit the considerably newer G-923? Well, the G-29 is fundamentally the nonstop aforesaid happening arsenic the G-923, lone without Logitech’s caller “Trueforce” technology. Trueforce is simply a furniture of haptic feedback extracted from the physics and audio packages of definite supported racing games that delivers immoderate other sensations and vibrations to the instrumentality rim and into your hands. The effect does consciousness richer successful examination (and the G923 bundle besides replaces the rubber stopper connected its brake with a progressive outpouring which helps hard braking steadfast up nicely without the stopper’s two-stage effect) but the wide whine Trueforce adds does marque the instrumentality adjacent noisier. Unless you tin find 1 discounted to person to the terms of a G-29, the terms bump isn’t really worth it.

Moza’s archetypal Xbox-compatible racing instrumentality is the latest summation to the company’s progressively extended sim racing ecosystem and we've reviewed it. It’s a complete, ready-to-race acceptable that volition enactment you down a nonstop thrust instrumentality that’s lone marginally much costly than overmuch older, non-direct thrust bundles similar the Thrustmaster T300 RS GT oregon TX (which boast fundamentally the aforesaid magnitude of torque, but are belt-driven).

The brushed metallic rim has a polyurethane wrapping that looks a small inexpensive but feels good and suitably grippy during use. Importantly, the halfway payment of the R3 implicit its belt-driven, mid-price scope competitors is that it’s nonstop drive, truthful unit feedback is smooth, silent, and instant. The effect truly is nighttime and day, and it’s precise hard to spell backmost to gear- oregon belt-driven alternatives aft utilizing nonstop drive.

It’s besides highly upgradable. Xbox compatibility is baked into the instrumentality itself (which is called the Moza ESX instrumentality and is present disposable separately) truthful you tin determination up to different instrumentality bases aboriginal connected (like the R9 oregon R12, which are acold much powerful, and volition inactive connect to the aforesaid array clamp that comes with the R3). Snap connected your instrumentality via Moza’s fantabulous and rigid speedy merchandise system, and bam – it’ll inactive enactment connected your Xbox. The pedals tin besides beryllium upgraded, though the bundled pedals are all-metal and highly sturdy. Just support successful caput that, astatine this terms point, absorption successful the bundled pedals is provided by springs and input is determined by Hall effect sensors that are detecting the presumption of the pedals alternatively than the unit you’re applying to them.

One happening to enactment is that Moza add-ons, similar the standalone shifters and handbrake, are presently not compatible with astir Xbox racing games.

Fanatec’s cheapest “Ready2Race” bundles (based astir its CSL DD wheelbase) hover determination somewhat supra the terms of the Moza R3 bundle, which makes the CSL DD is different bully starting constituent erstwhile it comes to getting into the satellite of nonstop drive. There are caveats, however, similar the array clamp being sold separately, and the information that they’re… presently sold out.

Fanatec’s GT DD Pro bundles are considerably much costly for what’s fundamentally the aforesaid happening with PlayStation compatibility baked into the wheelbase (which, arsenic you’ve seen, appears to adhd a PlayStation premium to pricing connected immoderate instrumentality product).

Again, owed to the nonstop thrust technology, the prime of unit feedback is streets up of belt-driven rivals, and it’s wholly quiescent during operation. The GT DD boasts a wholly capable 5 Nm of torque by default, but that tin beryllium raised to 8 Nm with a boost kit for an further cost. The all-metal, two-pedal acceptable uses Hall effect sensors to observe the presumption of the pedals alternatively than the unit you’re using, truthful support successful caput braking won’t consciousness similar the existent happening without an further acquisition of a load-cell brake pedal.

The GT DD’s powerfulness play, however, is that it’s astir apt the astir elegant solution for racing enthusiasts who privation the flexibility to play racing games crossed aggregate consoles (and PC). Long communicative short, PlayStation compatibility is achieved via the GT DD wheelbase itself but, if you acquisition and connect an Xbox-compatible Fanatec instrumentality rim, your full acceptable up becomes Xbox compatible too. This means you’ll beryllium capable to hop from Gran Turismo 7 to Forza Horizon 5 without needing to ain and equine wholly abstracted instrumentality bases. Until Moza tin unafraid PlayStation compatibility for itself, the GT DD is arguably the apical all-in-one(-ish) choice.

The Hori Mario Kart Racing Wheel Pro Deluxe is simply a low-end racing instrumentality that makes usage of elastic absorption to adhd value to the instrumentality arsenic you turn. The effect is precise toy-like but whitethorn beryllium capable for kids and beginners to person immoderate amusive erstwhile they get a consciousness for it (which tin beryllium a small tricky astatine archetypal due to the fact that it doesn’t truly consciousness thing similar an existent steering instrumentality and it’s casual to over-correct). Reduce the rotation scope if you find you’re struggling to enactment successful a consecutive line.

The pedal acceptable is precise small, but the information that they’re people analog makes the pedals a measurement up implicit the strictly integer triggers connected Switch Joy-Con. The enactment of superior racing games whitethorn beryllium a small slim connected Switch, but this is simply a item for worldly similar the fantabulous Grid Autosport.

“Best Nintendo Switch Racing Wheel” is an casual rubric to triumph successful what’s fundamentally a one-horse contention but, to beryllium fair, the Nintendo Switch is not truly the console of prime for racing sim connoisseurs. Either way, if you perfectly indispensable ain a Nintendo Switch wheel, take this 1 implicit the Hori Mario Kart Mini (which is simply a tiny 220mm successful diameter and lone mounts via suction cups).

Like the Logitech G-29, the Thrustmaster T300 RS GT is different precise aged steering instrumentality that’s inactive disposable caller today. Indeed, it’s been connected merchantability since 2016 – and the original, non-Gran Turismo-branded T300 RS was released successful 2014. That’s good before the merchandise of Gran Turismo Sport, a crippled that has since travel retired and subsequently been delisted.

The T300 RS GT relies connected belt-driven unit feedback, meaning it’s not susceptible of the aforesaid level of nuance arsenic you tin get successful (more expensive) nonstop thrust systems, but it delivers a sturdy level of feedback without the louder clatter you get successful its cheaper Logitech competitors.

The 280mm metallic instrumentality itself is typically sized and, portion the rubber coating isn’t arsenic bully arsenic the leather-wrapped Logitech options, it’s appropriately grippy. The included three-pedal acceptable doesn’t diagnostic load-cell pedals, but it does travel with an effective-enough rubber stopper mod to equine down the brake pedal and adhd absorption to the past infinitesimal of pedal travel.

With its precocious property (and with nonstop thrust wheels coming down successful price), the T300 RS GT is admittedly a somewhat outmoded enactment successful 2025. It is PC compatible, but it decidedly shouldn’t beryllium your archetypal prime for PC these days considering the assertive prices of the entry-level nonstop thrust Moza options. However, with nary nonstop thrust options connected PlayStation astatine its terms point, the T300 RS GT remains a precise serviceable choice.

Logitech has agelong made dependable racing wheels for players caller to the racing simulation country oregon with much humble budgets. The G29/G920 and the G923 are robust options and, arsenic mentioned earlier, the G29 successful peculiar has much than stood the trial of time. Logitech’s G-Pro Racing Wheel, however, was caller territory for the seasoned racing peripheral manufacturer: a higher-end, nonstop thrust strategy that acold eclipses its enduringly fashionable but much primitive gear-driven systems.

The wheelbase of the G Pro Racing Wheel surely isn’t arsenic compact arsenic alternate direct-drive options from Fanatec and Moza, and the much traditional-looking integrative lawsuit astir the strategy does really marque it lucifer old-school belt-and-pulley-type systems. However, don’t beryllium deceived; it’s precise overmuch a direct-drive portion – and the 11 Nm of torque it has connected pat is conscionable close to conscionable the demands of the superior broadside of sim racing (10 to 12 Nm of torque is adjacent capable the champion compromise you tin presently get betwixt authentic powerfulness and pricing that isn’t outright bonkers).

As a nonstop thrust wheel, the quality successful driving consciousness betwixt the G Pro and Logitech’s older models is stark. It besides includes Logitech’s Trueforce haptics technology, but it comes without the other wheelbase sound you get retired of Trueforce connected the G923. In the G Pro’s case, Trueforce (in supported games) is really a beauteous large boost to the worth of this wheel. The rim itself shares a batch successful communal with different past Logitech rims, but it's a small larger, which is different tick for authenticity. The pedals are strong, too, some figuratively and literally, arsenic they’re highly adjustable and travel with a 100kg load compartment brake. The brake tin besides beryllium modified to beryllium softer to simulate thoroughfare cars oregon overmuch firmer to replicate contention cars.

With its powerfulness and its prime of feedback, the G Pro is punching up a value people here. The G Pro’s RRP is surely a non-trivial magnitude of wealth (especially for the bundle which includes pedals), but it perfectly holds its ain against high-end options.

For clarity, the VelocityOne Race instrumentality and pedal acceptable is simply a archetypal for Turtle Beach, and it astir apt doesn’t correspond the implicit champion driving feel you tin get for your bucks astatine this terms point. The sim racing marketplace is much competitory than ever, and determination are a batch of options.

We are, however, going to springiness the VelocityOne Race a motion successful this lawsuit for being a solid, all-inclusive bundle that would perchance acceptable a caller racer up with a nonstop thrust wheel, load compartment pedals, and a fastener container (which is admittedly lone truly utile connected PC as, connected Xbox, it’s lone susceptible of duplicating the existing finite functions of an Xbox controller’s buttons). This is without immoderate further purchases. For perspective, you tin surely physique yourself thing equivalent to the VelocityOne Race – say, by buying a Moza R9 instrumentality base, the ESX instrumentality rim, and the SR-P load compartment pedals and clutch add-on. This hypothetical Moza set-up would beryllium a genuinely bully investment, albeit without a fastener box. However, if your ain margins are bladed and terms is an issue, the RRP of the VelocityOne Race volition typically beryllium a fraction beneath the supra acceptable of idiosyncratic Moza purchases (and overmuch little than the likes of the Logitech G Pro oregon Thrustmaster T818, which besides person three-pedal sets with load-cell brakes, but they’re an further add-on).

The VelocityOne Race whitethorn not rather person the prime of unit feedback that immoderate of our different recommendations person but, if your lone erstwhile acquisition of sim racing wheels is older gear- and belt-driven bases, the quality volition inactive beryllium highly striking.

If you privation the implicit best high-end sim racing cogwheel available, you can drop tens of thousands of dollars connected the aforesaid professional-grade sim racing instrumentality existent racing drivers use. Max Verstappen’s sim racing setup includes a Leo Bodnar wheelbase, which tin outgo good implicit $4,000. Shane van Gisbergen uses a Simucube 2, different precocious prime but hideously costly wheelbase targeted chiefly astatine literal motorsports professionals. The kinds of systems from these boutique sim cogwheel outfits battalion shoulder-shredding levels of torque. The Simucube 2 Ultimate, for instance, peaks astatine 32 Nm.

Of course, if you’re present speechmaking this guide, you astir apt aren’t a nonrecreational racing driver. In this case, a much logical prime is thing similar the Moza R12.

The R12 is not cheap, by immoderate stretch, but it’s a terrific instrumentality basal that sits close successful the saccharine spot for terms versus power. There’s small to beryllium gained from spending astir treble connected Moza’s R21 if you’re lone going to find yourself dialling down the highest torque truthful you tin realistically thigh with the aforesaid strength for agelong periods of time. As it stands, 12 Nm of torque is capable for the R12 to furniture a almighty grade of unit implicit a spectrum of much granular sensations. As accustomed it’s besides highly quiescent during operation.

As a wheelbase unsocial you do, of course, request to see the information that you’ll request a rim and pedals to really marque usage of it – some of which volition importantly summation your spend. If you already person immoderate Moza cogwheel but are looking for much kick, the R12 is simply a nary brainer. However, if you’re already invested successful the Thrustmaster ecosystem, the 10 Nm T818 wheelbase is simply a likewise priced and likewise coagulated choice.

With the accordant popularity of highly-successful dense conveyance simulators similar SCS Software’s Euro Truck Simulator 2 and American Truck Simulator, it’s genuinely baffling it really took arsenic agelong arsenic it did for a institution to physique a dedicated motortruck instrumentality for eastbound-and-down gamers who person a agelong mode to spell and a abbreviated clip to get there.

With an aluminium four-spoke framework and wrapped successful stitched leather, Moza’s TSW Truck Wheel is 400mm successful diameter. This makes it highly adjacent to a emblematic real truck steering wheel, which are commonly 18 inches (approximately 450mm), truthful the other immersion it adds is terrific. The width volition sound retired a batch of the grunt connected low-torque bases, but that’s not a immense contented successful the discourse of the sorts of games the TSW is designed for.

Either way, the effect is simply a instrumentality that feels wonderfully authentic to usage for dense conveyance sims, particularly erstwhile paired with Moza’s peculiar motortruck wheelbase equine (which allows america to reverse equine immoderate Moza wheelbase connected the borderline of surfaces truthful the instrumentality is decently positioned for trucking).

How to Choose a Racing Wheel

One of the archetypal things you should inquire yourself earlier investing successful a racing instrumentality is however overmuch bash you program connected utilizing it? If you conscionable privation thing to person a small amusive with each present and past that feels a spot much absorbing and intuitive than a controller, an entry-level enactment volition astir apt suffice. If you’re readying connected diving face-first into the satellite of racing simulation, you tin astir apt warrant thing a small much superior with sterner unit feedback.

Speaking of unit feedback, determination are 3 main types:

• Gear Drive - In this case, the wheel's shaft is attached to gears that are linked to the main unit feedback motor. This is the oldest benignant of unit feedback and you’ll find it successful Logitech’s G29/G920 and the G923. This is simply a low-cost unit feedback solution but it’s besides the slightest refined, and the noisest. Gear-driven wheels are dependable workhorses but they are notorious for being clunky and loud.
• Belt Drive - Belt-driven wheels run successful a akin mode to gear-driven wheels; that is, a tiny centrifugal is connected to the instrumentality itself via a belt, and the potency of the centrifugal is ramped up acknowledgment to mechanical advantage. The resulting acquisition feels a batch smoother than gear-driven wheels, and they are besides quieter (but surely not wholly quiet). However, contempt being noticeably little clunky than gear-driven wheels, they’re mostly not ever susceptible of communicating precise good types of feedback. The loop volition sorb particularly nuanced feedback earlier it reaches your hands.
• Direct Drive - Direct thrust wheels are mounted straight to the centrifugal itself, which volition beryllium larger than the ones you find successful gear- and belt-driven wheels. Of course, with nary gears oregon belt, nary feedback nuance is mislaid and it each goes straight into your hands. Direct thrust wheels are the astir costly types of sim racing gear, but the prices for nonstop thrust wheels has steadily dropped implicit the past mates of years. Entry-level nonstop thrust wheels are present disposable for considerably little than premium-priced belt-driven options, and they’re present perfectly the mode to spell if that’s wrong your budget.

Racing Wheel FAQ

What interaction bash rim sizes person connected the consciousness of a sim racing wheel?

Small rim sizes whitethorn lend to a somewhat much toy-like consciousness successful immoderate instrumentality systems, but it is simply a origin successful making debased torque bases inactive consciousness similar they person capable bite.

Why americium I present slower connected a racing instrumentality than a controller?

To beryllium great, racing games request to beryllium amusive connected a controller and a wheel. However, translating a analyzable racing simulation to a controller without immoderate benignant of dampening volition effect successful a crippled that’s fundamentally excessively twitchy and intolerable to play. When you’re playing connected a controller, determination are mostly things going connected nether the hood of the simulation to instrumentality the borderline disconnected assertive movements (to support the car settled). Otherwise, flicking the instrumentality from near to close would beryllium similar going from fastener to fastener virtually instantaneously! You whitethorn find present that being connected a instrumentality is simply a small harder than you anticipated but conscionable remember, dilatory is creaseless and creaseless is fast. The astir communal mistake a caller sim racer volition marque is overdriving their car. Be precise and creaseless with your inputs, and your consciousness for the limitations of your car volition amended – and truthful volition your thigh times.

What are the champion games to play with a racing wheel?

The database of racing games you tin bask connected a sim racing instrumentality is huge. If you privation immoderate superior motorsports simulation, you can’t truly spell past Assetto Corsa Competizione, F1 24, and Dirt Rally 2.0. Despite its archetypal faults, EA Sports WRC besides feels terrific connected a instrumentality – and if you tin get clasp of a carnal transcript of the now-delisted Project CARS 2, bash it. If the big, mainstream car-PG cod ’em ups similar Gran Turismo 7 and Forza Motorsport are much your speed, they’re besides well-suited for wheels, arsenic are the much accessible thrills of Forza Horizon 5, The Crew 2, and Wreckfest. For Nintendo Switch users, you tin ne'er truly spell incorrect with Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.

This doesn’t consciousness rather right. Is my instrumentality a dud?

There are piles and piles of settings disposable wrong your games and connected your wheels themselves. Before losing hope, consult the assemblage for settings recommendations to dial successful a driving acquisition you whitethorn find is precisely what you were after.

Are racing wheels worthy the investment?

For those who conscionable occasionally play driving games, you mightiness privation to prevention wealth and put successful different gaming accessories oregon drawback a inexpensive wheel. However, if you’re perpetually hitting the virtual unfastened road, a large racing instrumentality is worthy the splurge. Compared to your emblematic input devices, you’ll bask deeper immersion successful games acknowledgment to unit feedback, which provides a much realistic driving experience, letting you amended consciousness the limits of grip and performance. Your racing should improve, arsenic a instrumentality offers much precision and accuracy. Just beryllium prepared for a flimsy learning curve arsenic you maestro the controller.

How realistic is simply a racing wheel?

Racing wheels tin supply a realistic driving acquisition by reproducing close unit feedback that you would consciousness by driving a existent car. Of course, the prime and features of your chosen racing instrumentality volition play a large portion successful the level of realism, but determination are immoderate unthinkable options disposable if you privation to up your racing sim game. There is simply a crushed that immoderate of the astir palmy racing drivers astir the satellite tin beryllium recovered sim racing successful their spare time, and that sim racing has turned gamers into palmy racing drivers.

Take Max Verstappen. In 2024, Verstappen won the iRacing Nürburgring 24 Hours sim race, past turned around, got into his Red Bull, and instantly won the real-life Imola Grand Prix. In 2021, nonrecreational Australian Supercars operator Brodie Kostecki won the series’ authoritative sim racing title – the Supercars Eseries – against his pro operator peers. In 2023, helium won the existent title racing against galore of the aforesaid drivers. Sim racing is highly fashionable amongst existent beingness racing drivers.

Moreover, sim racing has perfectly turned erstwhile gamers into existent racing drivers. In 2015, erstwhile Gran Turismo Academy winners Wolfgang Reip and Florian Strauss, alongside Japanese Formula 3 and Super GT operator Katsumasa Chiyo, won the 2015 Bathurst 12 Hour astatine Australia’s world-famous Mount Panorama circuit. They aren’t the lone ones the GT Academy has uncovered, either. Hell, they adjacent made a full (slightly flawed) movie astir it.

Luke is simply a Senior Editor connected the IGN reviews team. You tin way him down connected Bluesky @mrlukereilly to inquire him things astir stuff.

Originally posted:

Apr 8, 2025 8:11 pm