The Best Sim Racing Wheels

Everyone wants to feel the adrenaline rush caused by speeding inside a car. A real race track with real conditions is a high-risk environment with fatal consequences. We have compiled a list of the best sim racing wheel that can provide the most realistic experience from the comfort of your home. The first-ever racing wheel that hit the market was in 1994. It was manufactured by ThrustMaster and was called Formula T1. However, the reliability of these controllers was a question mark. They worked by using a volume resistor (potentiometer). Rotation of the racing wheel was registered by the changing resistance caused by the wheel’s turning coupled with the potentiometer. Due to contact-based working phenomena, the wheels wore out fast and had a limited shelf life. Manufacturers have to devise an alternate solution to this inevitable design flaw.

The problem has been eliminated by using magnetic field change caused by turning the wheel, thus requiring zero contact to register a turn. We have ensured that all the racing wheels on our list are based on the Hall effect. Thrustmaster and Logitech have the largest share in the market for Simulator Racing Wheel. Professional sim racers prefer ThrustMaster over other brands mainly due to their powerful force feedback, accurate weight, inertia, size, and feel of the product. There are many options; some may include a clutch pedal, while others won’t. Some products have durable metal-based components throughout the assembly, while others might be based on plastic. There are different advantages of an individual type of racing wheel, and we will discuss the good and bad of each product. We aim to provide you with the top product that your gaming setup deserves.

Our top picks

Quick Shopping Tips:

Finding the right product can be tricky if you don’t know the basic specs and their advantages. We suggest reading our tips before proceeding:

Action Buttons: While driving through aesthetically stunning visuals in Forza Horizon, you will frequently require access to your keyboard to perform certain functions like the change of view, access menu, manual to auto, NOS, etc. Users can program action buttons to perform specific actions when pressed, which can come in handy in Sim racing.

Pedals: Pedals are an essential part of the authentic driving experience. Without flooring the accelerator pedal, the feel of having your car tires burn out before launching into the lap is impossible. Some manufacturers reduce costs by reducing the clutch pedal. If you are not planning to buy a gear shift (which no manufacturer includes), the presence of a clutch pedal is an extra cost.

Quick Release System: You might be driving a truck in Euro Truck Simulator with a wheel based on cars will not be fun. Few manufacturers provide a quick-release system for their racing wheels so that you can replace them with an accurate wheel specific to your gaming requirement. Since wheels might have display and action buttons across the manufacturer, compatibility is an issue. So consider this tip before purchasing.

Display: brands use different techniques to include information displayed in their products. Some might provide a simple set of LEDs indicating the revolutions for the accurate gear shift. In contrast, others might go for a larger comprehensive display customizable per the user requirement. Pro racers usually go for the wheels with no display as there is less clutter, and they can save money as they rarely feel the urge to look at the wheel.

The Best Sim Racing Wheels: First look

The Best Sim Racing Wheels: In-depth Review

Thrustmaster T300 RS is the gamer community’s most respected Sim Racing Wheel. Mainly due to its extraordinary built quality meant to outlast its user’s life. The minimalist look gives out the maximum performance one can expect from a well-respected brand. The item would add realism to your race track feel when gaming on a PC with hardcore specifications like an Nvidia RTX 3090 and 12th Gen Intel processor. The wheel’s body is made of metal with a brushed surface giving it a premium look our readers deserve.

Diving deep into the specification, you need to know that there is a powerful brushless motor that utilizes 25W to provide a realistic feedback effect. Being brushless allows it to give a higher power-to-weight ratio. It can change its RPM almost instantaneously and work with high efficiency. The overall low maintenance of this motor makes this best racing wheel PC ideal for sim racing wheels working for long hours. Its heat dissipation is ensured through a proper fan that ensures the belt’s integrity for long operations. There is a quick-release system on the unit’s body, which makes changing the wheel a breeze.

If you want to upload videos on YouTube and add a little zest to your videos, then Thrustmaster T248 has all the right features to make that happen. The premium look and feel of the controller make it eye candy. Just like a regular high-end luxury car steering wheel, this controller also has 25 action buttons programmed to provide you with the versatility a sim steering wheel should carry. Compared to the previous generation of racing wheels by Thrustmaster, it gives a 70% increase in the intensity of forced feedback. Its magnetic pedals provide super-fast gear shifting with a 30ms response time.

The dominant feature of the steering wheel section is the relatively large display that only T248 offers with 20 different layouts. Users can use it for configuring elements such as the Force Feedback type, the rotation angle, etc. While racing, you can use it to display RPM, best lap and gear ratio, etc. It is the only item in the Thrustmaster lineup with a dynamic feedback system. You can select from three modes: FFB1, FFB2, and FFB3. FFB1 provides proportional force as provided by the game, FFB2 enhances the feedback effects, and FFB3 dominatingly provides a boosted feedback effect that allows users to feel the track close to reality.

Logitech G920 Driving Force is an entry-level yet excellent product designed to last long despite being used by an amateur in sim racing. It has a minimalist look and monotonic color scheme with an Xbox or a PC. In the box, you get the steering wheel assembly and a pedal set containing an accelerator, brake, and clutch. It has a 900° lock-to-lock angle which can be adjusted as required by the user. The handle’s material is made from hand-stitched leather adding to the premium feel of the product. Its stainless steel paddle shifters add the silver element to the sober aesthetics.

Older steering wheels used a resistor-based working mechanism to register to turn off the wheel. However, the latest Logitech steering wheels utilize a hall effect that detects the turning of the handle with a change in a magnetic field. That makes it the best racing wheel PC with no contact wear and tear. The steering shaft is supported by a ball bearing that adds to the inertia, and helical gearing keeps the operation incredibly smooth. They have added a wheel stripe to keep you centered on the road and help you maintain a proper angle while you drift through expert race tracks.

Logitech products are known to be built like a tank. The solid built quality is clearly visible in their products. Logitech G923 Trueforce is their most popular sim racing wheel with premium features of any high-end controller. It comes with a full metal accelerator, brake, and clutch pedal, adding to the product’s durability. The pedals are designed to give a non-linear response, increasing intensity exponentially with distance. The complete system is self-calibrating, so you don’t have to re-configure it whenever you connect it to your PC. Combining aluminum, steel, and leather makes the overall feel premium.

To make the gaming experience close to reality, Logitech uses a Closed-loop Motor Control System that monitors the feedback of voltage to keep the realism of the best racing wheel PC in check. The next generation of forced feedback is called TrueForce by Logitech. Some gaming titles support TrueForce while others don’t, so check the game list before purchasing. You can use the 24-point dial to select traction adjustment, brake force, torque, etc. The handle utilizes an RPM indication which makes starting off on the race track with the proper engine revolutions efficient.

Thrustmaster TX Racing Wheel: Leather Edition would catch your attention if you are looking for a premium, high-end product that speaks quality. The experience this top-tier item will provide comes with a price tag, but it’s 100% worth it. It is made with top-quality leather meant to outlast you if used carefully. Thrustmaster uses the yellow center marking only for this product so that you remain unique and visible. The rugged metal frame adds weight and inertia to the whole assembly, along with a metal shaft rotating inside a ball bearing. Moreover, It comes with official Microsoft Certification for Xbox.

The product is part of the Thrustmaster ecosystem, allowing swappable wheels for different racing styles. You will not require a separate driver assembly for each type of wheel. The servo motor is quiet and powerful, working at 25W to produce body shaking force feedback for the sim steering wheel. They have used a dual belt system to eliminate the dead zone phenomenon, similar to the low-end devices. The body is made of plastic, and there are vents on the surface to keep the air flowing to reduce heat build-up during long gaming sessions. When you take a hard turn, its force feedback makes you feel like you are on the road instead of your gaming chair.

Diving into the affordable option on our list, Thrustmaster TMX Force Feedback has the incredible feel of any top steering wheel with only minor negligible differences. Like any other product by the manufacturer, it also has a realistic 11 inches / 28 cm diameter. The ergonomic design lets the item be clamped onto a table firmly and provides a powerful torque through the best sim racing wheel servo motor. Compared to the other products within a similar price range, this controller offers 900° end-to-end rotation. The metal shift pedals add to the premium feel of a car steering wheel.

The force feedback on this steering is also significant but non-adjustable like other models. T150 and TMX have similar machine designs and thus provide similar feedback. Most games currently do not support the all-new forced feedback effect, which makes TMX relevant to the current set of games on Xbox. Considering the price, it’s an excellent deal as a controller for Xbox. It works with all the titles available on Xbox and plug-and-play configurations. Overall it’s a budget option for gamers who want to feel the race track from the comfort of their home.

Logitech G29 Driving Force is similar to the G920, but there is a difference in aesthetics and compatibility. G29 is primarily targeted at the PlayStation and PC audiences. At first look, the steering looks the same, but the color accents pop more in the PlayStation version. The combination of red and blue accents over the main monotonic black and grey looks astonishing. Combining it with the long-lasting, durable performance and accuracy of Logitech machinery, it’s an excellent choice as the best racing wheel PC is compatible. It has the latest TrueForce technology that gives forced feedback in an unprecedented manner.

Comparing Logitech products with other manufacturers, Logitech provides better customer service and better value for money. The complete set of action buttons with a 24-point selector for the customized response of the wheel makes it ideal for the experts looking to tweak their gaming performance during competitions. Even the floor pedals are made from all metal built to last long, making them less prone to damage during transportation. Pedals are made pressure sensitive for better control and realism. Its patented design for the pedal base keeps the complete assembly in its place. Overall, it’s a mid-range product with a decent price/performance ratio.

For entry-level gamers or casual gamers, Thrustmaster T150 Force Feedback provides a viable option to keep the overall cost of the gaming setup in check. Compared to other controllers within the price bracket, it can move 1080° from one end to the other. Pro Sim Racers recommend using this product to get the hang of things before jumping into hardcore gaming. It’s lightweight and an ideal sim steering wheel for any gaming setup. The product comes packed with two pedal accelerators and braking systems made from plastic material, making them ideal for entry-level gaming.

It can connect a 100% metal-based TH8A shifter. Drifting in games is difficult if your car is in Auto. Installing a handbrake and a shifter could lead to better handling. Games like Dirt 2.0 have comprehensive coding that simulates realistic conditions. T150 is compatible with games like Forza Horizon, Dirt 2.0, and Gran Turismo. Its smooth, forced feedback will keep you on the edge of the seat, forcing your way through the turns. Due to its price, there is no display for revolution, gear shifts, lap, etc., but when you are gaming and focused on the screen, you hardly get any time to look at the steering wheel.

Final Words

To conclude all the product reviews, we would say that it’s entirely up to the user to decide which component or feature is most critical for them. For example, as a casual gamer, you will not require a quick release opinion for the product as you might just want to play for a little while for leisure. This feature might be critical for a streamer as the user might be streaming it over the internet to an audience where aesthetics matters the most. Naming a product the best sim racing wheel is an entirely subjective decision. All the products on our list are compatible with PC, but gaming consoles have different compatibility due to their inherent software.

Thrustmaster and Logitech were the two manufacturers of all the products on our list. We believe Thrustmaster is for serious gaming users and willing to spend extra for realism. The main feature that keeps ThrustMaster unique is its overall assembly feel while driving. It feels closer to realism compared to Logitech. For a beginner or entry-level racer, it is recommended to go for Logitech. It is designed to take the hits from a beginner who is unaware of their equipment’s sensitivity and tends to be harsh on their equipment. Only a few game titles provide a depth Force Feedback effect. So be sure to check your game also.

Frequently Asked Questions