Best Sim Racing Steering Wheels
The world of sim-racing wheels and wheel-bases can be overwhelming yet very interesting. We will discuss here our top picks in this area by considering above all the value for money of each product.
Our best value for money sim racing steering wheel is the Logitech G29 (Check it here). This is a bundle containing the steering wheel, the wheel-base and the pedals, all-in-one. The pedals are of very good quality for the price point. It has a nice price for both beginners in sim racing and more experienced virtual racers.
The Logitech G29 is the most popular force-feedback steering wheel on the market. It has a 900° rotation (very important, we will come back to that in a minute) and a strong 2-motor driven wheel base. It is a very reliable 11-inch (28 cm) steering wheel wrapped in leather. It has many buttons, a rotary dial and comes with handy pedals. It is also compatible with pretty much everything: PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox.
There are better steering wheels on the market but, as we will see in a minute, the price range of steering wheels can be well… somewhat shocking. The G29 is a solid choice for the money and has a 2-year warranty coming with it. We do not recommend going lower than $300 for bundles (steering wheel + wheels base) as for lower price points there are few good options out there.
If on the other end, budget is not a problem for you, we highly recommend the Fanatec wheels and wheel-bases. Mainly the Fanatec CSL Elite (check it here) and the Fanatec Clubsport (check it here). As a general rule, if you have the means go for a high-end Fanatec gear. It just cannot disappoint.
Now this is our humble opinion. If you want to do your research thoroughly on your own, then keep reading.
What to Look For in a Steering Wheel
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 suggestions above are bundles containing both the steering wheel and the wheel base. You can also buy the steering wheel separately or the wheel base separately.
For lone steering wheels, we recommend the Thrustmaster TM Open Wheel (see it here ). It is an F1 inspired wheel, with a 900° rotation angle. It has comfy handles and it is very reliable. The value for money is really good (it costs less than $200 in most places). Again if you have more budget to spend, any Fanatec steering wheel will do the job. We specially recommend the ClubSport Steering Wheel GT (see it here).
For lone wheel bases, we recommend the Fanatec Clubsport wheel base (see it here). It is a belt drive wheel base almost equivalent to a direct drive. It is very advanced, reliable, smooth and precise.
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.
The Right Force Feedback
Force feedback is what gives you sensations when driving with your steering wheel at home. It is the system that replicate driving a real car. This is also the main difference you will see between a very expensive wheel base 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 the 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 wheel bases will have this system.
The Gear Drive was outclassed by the Belt Drive force feedback around 2010. It is a relatively new tech. Most wheel bases on the markets are Belt Driven. Our top pick, the Logitech G29 (check it here), is belt driven. 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.
Materials
Obviously, you need to look into the steering wheels and wheel bases 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.
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.
Price
The sim racing steering wheel market requires some expertise and research. Price can vary greatly from the Thrustmaster T80 which cost less than $80 to the Fanatec Podium Racing Wheel F1 which costs $2 000. If you are tight on your budget go with our pick (G29), if you have big bucks to spend go for an high-end Fanatec system.
Compatibility
Check the compatibility with PC and/or your Xbox or PS4. Usually, compatibility with PC is not 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.
Top Brands To Consider
Logitech – A Good value for money brand. They make product on the $200-$400 price range. Ideal if you are a beginner in sim racing or if you are on a budget.
Thrustmaster – A solid choice. They make wheels covering a price range going from $100 to $1000. I would avoid the entry level stuff and focus on +$200 wheels. The T150 has good value for money.
Fanatec – They have 3 ranges of products going from good to incredibly good: Fanatec CSL, Fanatec Clubsport and Fanatec Podium. We recommend going for the CSL if you have the means. Pretty much anything Fanatec is the reference when it comes to sim racing.
Ascher Racing – Precision Sim Engineering – Simucube. These brands are the top of the top. Very good products but also incredibly expensive. Their entry level wheels starts roughly at $1.000. It is an overkill in my opinion. If you are a beginner definitely don’t buy these brands. Only do it if you have big money and some experience in sim racing. We recommend sticking to Logitech, Fanatec and Thrustmaster.
Parting thoughts
It requires heavy research to choose the right steering wheel or wheel base. According to ours, the best of the best are:
- The Logitech G29 with is a very interesting bundle. (wheel + wheel-base + pedals). Probably the best value for money on the market. Check it here.
- The Fanatec CSL Elite (Check it here) or Fanatec Clubsport (Check it here) if you want something fancier.
You should research heavily before buying your sim racing steering wheel as there are many important features to consider. 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.
