So, you’ve decided to get a racing wheel for your sim setup. Welcome to the club!
Gaming controllers can be great, but they don’t capture the same feeling as a racing wheel. If you’ve been playing racing games on your PC, you may have noticed that your keyboard isn’t quite up to snuff, honestly we commend you if you can set a competitive time this way! Maybe you like Fast & Furious but don’t want to buy a car and rev it in the backyard. Or perhaps you want to progress in Gran Turismo 7 after the new updates and don’t want anything to stop you from winning all the races (see our guide on the most profitable Gran Turismo Races here)
But with all the options out there, it can be hard to know which one is right for you—so we’ve done the work for you! You’ll be able to find our top picks and a rundown of the best wheels in each price range.
Here are some of the best racing wheels out there in 2022.
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Logitech G923 Racing Wheel and Pedals, TRUEFORCE up to 1000 Hz Force Feedback, Responsive Driving Design, Dual Clutch Launch Control, Genuine Leather Wheel Cover, for PS5, PS4, PC, Mac – Black
Best value-for-money racing wheel – Logitech G923 Trueforce
Logitech has been making steering wheels for over two decades. As gaming technology has progressed, so has the quality of their products. The G923 caters excellently to both entry-level gamers wishing to dip their toes in the water of sim racing and hardcore racers who have been doing this for some time. The new TrueForce technology in the G923 also provides possibly the most immersion of any wheel on the market while maintaining the price point below upscale rates. The price is high if you’re new to the scene, but it’s cheaper than its immediate competitors and one of the finest in terms of performance.
Best Direct Drive racing wheel – Fanatec GT DD Pro
The Fanatec GT DD Pro sets a high standard for all racing wheels. With a direct-drive engine, the wheel may be thrown about with such power that you’ll be clinging on for dear life. With the GT DD, every bump or loss of traction is felt. Its upgradeability is a significant selling factor since you can spend money on upgrades and accessories to make it even better. Unfortunately, that’s also its major flaw. The cheapest package lacks a clutch pedal and cannot provide the same level of direct-drive force feedback as the DD basic. All these features are available for an additional expense.
The best affordable racing wheel – Thrustmaster T248
The Thrustmaster T248 is a far more affordable alternative to the Fanatec GT DD, yet it doesn’t skimp on performance. It has a hybrid force feedback mechanism that employs both a gear and a belt. However, the T248’s hybrid system appears to have come at sacrificing some of the finer details. The construction seems and feels poor. It’s also rather noisy, especially the shifter paddles. Nevertheless, the T248 does many things right technically. This is your wheel if you want to improve your racing skills and learn to corner consistently on a budget.
The Best Budget-friendly Racing Wheel: Hori Racing Wheel Overdrive
With the Hori Racing Wheel Overdrive, you can get yourself ready to race for only $100. Although it isn’t the most feature-rich choice, you will receive a comfortable wheel. A set of pedals are also included with the package. It’ll be a significant increase from a controller for precise steering, and it’ll be more than enough to start you casually racing. It comes with an 11-inch steering wheel and clamps to secure it to your desk. The wheel has a smaller turning range than high-end choices, but it still rotates 270 degrees, or you may reduce it to 180 degrees for more immediate input. The most important feature you’ll be missing out on is force feedback.
Best PC Racing Wheel: Thrustmaster TS-XW Racer
PC gamers are accustomed to the best in gaming. The Thrustmaster TS-XW Racer is difficult to beat if you get beyond the slightly extravagant price tag. Thanks to its outstanding 40-watt brushless force feedback and self-aligning torque, this wheel provides one of the most realistic PC gaming experiences. You’ll be able to detect even the tiniest cues in your game. It includes a scale copy of the Sparco P310 Competition wheel, so you can think you’re in the driver’s seat of an actual race vehicle. Two paddle shifters, 14 buttons, and a D-pad are also included on the steering wheel. It comes with a metal three-pedal set and is ready to use right out of the box.
Choosing a racing wheel is not something to take lightly. You can spend a ton on a high-end setup, or you could purchase the least expensive model and sacrifice quality and feel. Of course, only you can decide what to spend and what features are important, but we hope that this article has helped you along with your search for the perfect wheel for your PC.