Best Sim Racing Setup Under $500
The world of sim-racing wheels and wheel-bases can be overwhelming yet very interesting. We will discuss here our choice in this area for the best overall setup under $500.
Our best value for money sim racing setup is composed of:
The steering wheel is the Thrustmaster T150. This is a bundle containing the steering wheel, the wheel-base and the pedals, all-in-one. The T150 is one of the most popular force-feedback steering wheels on the market. It has a 900° rotation (very important, we will come back to that in a minute) and a gear-driven wheelbase. It is a very reliable 11-inch (28 cm) steering wheel wrapped in leather. The TX version is compatible with PC & Xbox whereas the T150 version is compatible with PS3 & PS4.
The Thrustmaster T150 has very good value for money the only drawback could be the level of quality of the pedals. There are only 2 of them and they are made out of plastic. We recommend switching to a T150/TX Pro which is basically the same thing as the T150/TX with an additional T3PA pedal set made of 3 strong metallic pedals.
The Playseat Challenge is a high-quality foldable seat. It is made of quality materials such as steel and fabric and is fully adjustable to your size and needs. It supports all wheels and associated wheels bases on its supports. It is a very good product with good value for money. The only drawbacks are its appearance, that might seem cheap, and the fact that after prolonged use it can become a bit uncomfortable.
There are better steering wheels and rigs on the market but, as we will see in a minute, the price range of sim racing equipment can be well… somewhat shocking. The T150/TX and Playseat Challenge are solid choices for the money.
As a bonus tip: you can also get the Logitech G29 that costs a little more than the T150/TX (and get an above $500 sim racing setup) if you wish to obtain a Belt Driven system instead of the gear-driven TX/T150. More on that a bit later.
Now, this is our humble opinion. If you want to do your research thoroughly on your own, then keep reading.
Why the Thrustmaster TX/T150?
Steering Wheels and Wheel Bases
First, you need to know what you are buying: is it just a steering wheel? A steering wheel with its wheel-base? Or just a wheel-base?
Our suggestion above is a bundle containing the steering wheel, the wheelbase and the pedals.
The Range of Rotation
A good steering wheel must match the rotation range of the in-game steering wheel. To do this, to have a 1:1 ratio you need to have at least 900° rotation on your sim racing wheel. A lower rotation means that you will turn the physical wheel more than the in-game wheel. This is one of the most important points when choosing a steering wheel for sim racing. Don’t overlook this.
This is the case for the T150/TX which has a 1080° rotation.
The Right Force Feedback
Force feedback is what gives you sensations when driving with your steering wheel at home. It is the system that replicates driving a real car. This is also the main difference you will see between a very expensive wheelbase and a cheaper one.
In fact, there are 3 types of force feedback out there. By order of invention: Gear Drive, Belt Drive and Direct Drive. Gear drive force feedback is the oldest tech. It was created in around 2000. It uses plastic gears to create a transmission in order to increase the force given by the motor to the wheel. It is a good solution budget-wise. The drawback is that plastic made transmissions are harder, less precise and noisier. Usually, the cheapest wheelbases will have this system.
The Gear Drive was outclassed by the Belt Drive force feedback around 2010. It is relatively new tech. Most wheelbases in the markets are Belt Driven. The Logitech G29 for example is belt-driven. Check our review here. This system work by utilizing a belt, a pulley and a small motor. The motor generates the force feedback which is then passed by the belt to the wheel rim. The belt and the pulley can increase the force created by the motor up to 20 times. Belt Drive force feedback systems tend to be smoother and stronger that Gear Drive systems for a very competitive price.
Going up on the ladder, there is the Direct Drive system which is the most expensive one. It equips the most expensive wheelbases on the market. This system is very simple: the steering wheel is mounted directly on a large and strong motor. There are no limits on the created force. Direct drive is the strongest, fastest and smoothest force feedback creating technology.
So when picking your wheelbase, think about the force feedback creation tech you want. It is, with the 900° rotation, the most important point in choosing the right system.
Our pick for this under-$500-sim-racing-gear thread, the Thrustmaster T150/TX is Belt Driven which ensures a smooth utilisation. If you are ready to upgrade a bit your budget you can also take the Logitech G29 which is a very good choice and considered by many as the best Belt Driven wheel/wheelbase bundle. It only costs approximately $100 more than the T150/TX.
Materials
Obviously, you need to look into the steering wheels and wheelbases by analyzing their materials, what they are made with. First, check what you want to feel when touching the wheel. Leather is a good choice. Fabric can be good too. The best wheels out there are made with Alcantara leather.
You can also check if the materials with which the wheel is made is solid and reliable. Lots of systems are made with stainless steel.
The Thrustmaster T150/TX has reinforced rubber-coated grips and decent materials for the price. It also comes with 2 metal wheel-mounted paddle shifters
Realism & Design
Important for an F1 inspired wheel for example. The wheel needs to be realistic and feel heavy. It needs to have buttons and shifting paddles where you want them. This is not a major point but a point you should investigate if you are willing to spend some money.
The Thrustmaster T150/TX is really realistic when it comes to its design and materials.
Price
The sim racing steering wheel market requires some expertise and research. Price can vary greatly from the Thrustmaster T80 which can cost less than $80 to the Fanatec Podium Racing Wheel F1 that can cost more than $2 000. If you are tight on your budget go with our pick or for a G29, if you have big bucks to spend go for a high-end Fanatec system.
Compatibility
Check the compatibility with PC and/or your Xbox or PS4. Usually, compatibility with PC is not an issue. However, it can become one with your console. Check also compatibility with your other sim racing gear. If you buy pedals from a brand and a wheel from another they make not work together on consoles. This should not be a problem with PC.
The Thrustmaster T150 is compatible with PS3 & PS4 whereas the Thrustmaster TX is compatible with PC & Xbox One.
Why the Playseat Challenge?
Price
Often, pro sim racers choose one gaming chair and one wheel stand. Or better yet, they pick high-end systems like the GTR Simulator GTA. The Playseat Challenge does both in one: it is a wheel stand and a chair at the same time. It is also a good product way cheaper than other high-end sim racing cockpits with good quality.
Adjustability
Will the cockpit or chair you plan to buy fits your body? Can you adjust it? With the Playseat Challenge, you can fully adjust it to your body.
Being Foldable
Chances are you are not going to play 10 hours a day every day. You need to have a system that will be reusable for other purposes (work for example) or a foldable system that can be stored away easily. Lucky you, the Playseat Challenge is easily foldable.
Materials
Obviously you want a chair/cockpit with great building quality and great materials. This is the case for the Playseat Challenge. It is made of quality steel and fabric that lasts.
Appearance
You also want a chair or a cockpit that looks good. That is probably the only drawback of our pick. It might look cheap or not stylish but don’t let this fool you, the Playseat Challenge remains a great choice for entry-level racing sim rigs.
Parting thoughts
We made a lot of research in order to determine the best under-$500-sim-racing-setup on the market. According to ours, the best sim racing setup under $500 is composed of:
- The Thrustmaster T150/TX, check it here, is a very good entry-level product with good value for money. The T150/TX comes with the steering wheel, its belt-driven wheelbase and pedals.
- With the Thrustmaster T150/TX, our top pick for the cockpit/chair for this under $500 racing sim setup is the Playseat Challenge. You can check it here. It is also a very good product with good value for money. It has good materials, is fully adjustable and foldable.
- Additionally, if you are willing to pay a little more (around $100) for a better wheel/wheelbase/pedals bundle, we recommend the Logitech G29 with is a very interesting bundle. Probably the best value for money on the market.
- You can look also the Fanatec brand if the cost is not an issue for you. ( Fanatec CSL Elite or Fanatec Clubsport for example, check here)
These are our top picks for this under $500 sim racing setup thread. If you want to do some further research on your own you should give a particular focus on the force feedback generation method that is used and on the rotation range of the wheel.
If you are looking for other sim racing gear recommendation, we have other pages just like this one on our recommended products section. We also have a section for karting and racing equipment. This is the best gear on the market in our opinion.
