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I’ve put all the Best Racing Wheels for PC to the test to see which one comes out on top. All of the wheels in this guide have been tested in a variety of driving games, and based on what I learned there, I’ve chosen the best ones to buy for a wide range of budgets, from powerful direct drive bases to cheap wheel and pedal sets.
Simply put, the Fanatec GT DD Pro is the best PC race wheel you can get. It’s a cheap direct drive setup that makes it easy for me to live out my F1 dreams. You don’t have to be Lewis Hamilton or Dale Earnhardt Jr. to win races, but having a lot of natural ability helps.
The best racing wheels for PC give you more information about the car and tracks than other wheels, so you can react to changes in drive and traction faster and more accurately. With the best racing wheel attached to your desk, your favorite racing games like Forza Motorsport or F1 22 will feel even more real.
There is a wide range of prices for the best PC race wheels. But don’t worry, I’ve picked out a few affordable choices that all give you force feedback and a great driving experience overall.
Best Racing Wheels for PC Comparison Table
| Model | Fanatec GT DD Pro | Thrustmaster TMX Force Feedback | Logitech G923 | Thrustmaster T128 | Hori Racing Wheel Apex | Fanatec Podium Racing Wheel F1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compatibility | PC and Xbox | PC and Xbox One | PC, Xbox, PS4 | PC | PS4 | PC and Xbox One |
| Motor | Direct Drive | Mixed Belt and Gear | Dual-Motor Force | Mixed Belt and Gear | Mixed Belt and Gear | Direct Drive |
| Maximum Force Feedback | 25 Nm | 12-bit resolution, 900° | Not specified | 10 Nm | 11 Nm | 20 Nm |
| Pedals Included | Yes | Yes | Yes (Optional Shifter) | Yes (Optional Shifter) | Yes | Yes |
| Pedal Material | Aluminum | Mixed | Not specified | Mixed | Mixed | Aluminum |
| Shifters Included | No | No | Yes (Optional) | No | No | Yes (Optional) |
| Wheel Diameter | 350 mm | 11″ (28 cm) | 290 mm | 280 mm | 280 mm | Not specified |
| LED Display | Yes | No | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Price | $1,799.95 | $199.99 | $399.99 | $129.99 | $99.99 | $1,499.95 |
Fanatec GT DD Pro
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Platform | PC, PlayStation, and Xbox |
| Force Feedback | Direct Drive |
| Rotation | 1080 degrees |
| Pedals | Not included |
| Compatibility | Fanatec pedals and shifter |
| Additional tech | OLED display, Tuning display, LiPo |
The Fanatec GT DD Pro is the best race wheel on the market. A direct-drive motor can spin the wheel so fast and hard that you have to hold on for dear life. You want that, so trust me. With the GT DD, you feel every bump and loss of grip. I noticed that my lap times got better once I figured out where I was losing grip and speed. Even though I ran into a few barriers along the way, I felt like I was able to improve my race because of them.
The GT DD is pretty much perfectly put together. The wheelbase is a big, solid piece of metal that cools itself quietly, and a strong, simple clamp fits into it. The wheel is one of my favorites out of all the ones I’ve tried because it has so many buttons that are easy to learn. The CSL Pedals that come with the car don’t have a clutch or a load-cell stop. Fanatec sells a load-cell kit that can be used as an upgrade. It replaces the brake and turns the extra brake into a clutch pedal.
The Good
- Direct Drive is a technology that makes driving feel real and immersive.
- Compatible with PC, Xbox, and PlayStation
- High-quality construction and materials to last for a long time
- It has advanced features like an OLED display and a tuning display, and it works with Fanatec pedals and shifters so you can customize it.
The Bad
- The price goes up because the pedals are not included.
- Compared to other steering wheels on the market, this one is more expensive.
Thrustmaster TMX Force Feedback
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Platform | PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S |
| Force Feedback | Mixed Belt-Pulley and gears |
| Rotation | 900 degrees |
| Pedals | 2-pedal set included |
| Compatibility | Thrustmaster add-ons |
| Additional tech | None |
You can easily find Best Racing Wheels for PC, but you won’t find cheap racing wheels that are worth your money. We can turn to Thrustmaster once more for a solution, which is good news. The TMX isn’t as flashy as most—you’re really getting back to basics. The pedal set is pretty simple, with just two boring handles on a plastic base, and the wheel itself has only the buttons you need to play the game.
It only has the most important parts, but that’s what we want at this price. That’s because the force feedback inside is what really counts, and the TMX has the same belt-pulley system as the popular T150. It’s not as good as the other Thrustmaster and non-Thrustmaster systems on this list, but you’ll be glad it’s there.
The Good
- A good force feedback system will make driving feel more real.
- It comes with a two-pedal set.
- It works on PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
- Add-ons from Thrustmaster can be used to add more features and make the experience more realistic.
The Bad
- Mixed belt-pulley and gear force feedback systems may not be as smooth or accurate as direct drive systems.
- They also have a smaller range of motion than other steering wheels on the market.
Logitech G923 steering wheel & pedals
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Platform | PC, PlayStation, and Xbox |
| Force Feedback | Dual Motor |
| Rotation | 900 degrees |
| Pedals | 3-pedal set included |
| Compatibility | Logitech add-ons |
| Additional tech | Trueforce, Progressive Brake Pedal |
Logitech has been making Best Racing Wheels for PC for about 20 years, and as game technology has gotten better, so has the quality of their products. The G923 is the straight follow-up to both the Xbox-focused G920 and the PS version, the G29, which were both PC-compatible. Now, we only have one device that comes in two versions, both of which work with PC, and boy, oh boy, is it a doozy.
Steering wheels are usually made for either newbies who want to try sim racing for the first time or serious racers who have been doing this for a while. The G923 is a great choice for both groups. The new TrueForce technology makes the G923 one of the most immersive wheels on the market, and the price is still less than what you’d pay for a high-end wheel.
The Good
- For a more realistic and immersive driving experience, the car has two motors that send force feedback.
- It comes with a 3-pedal set, which includes a brake pedal that gets higher as you step on it.
- Trueforce technology makes the game more immersive and real. It works with PC, PlayStation, and Xbox.
- Logitech add-ons can be used to make it your own.
The Bad
- Compared to other steering wheels on the market, this one doesn’t turn as much.
- Some people might find that the pedals don’t last as long as other options.
Thrustmaster T128
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Platform | PC |
| Force Feedback | None |
| Rotation | 270 degrees |
| Pedals | 2-pedal set included |
| Compatibility | None |
| Additional tech | None |
Not everyone can afford the biggest and Best Racing Wheels for PC money can buy, and not everyone wants them. With all the different features and specs to think about, it might help to know that there are race wheels made for people who are just starting out. Thrustmaster made the entry-level T128 to keep costs as low as possible.
This means that it doesn’t have a lot of the high-end features that most force feedback wheels have, but for a fair price, you can race using the wheel and pedals. The wheel itself does well during a race. It has a console pad-style setup with secondary buttons that are close to your thumbs. When you hit the gear shift paddles, you hear a satisfying click.
The Good
- A cheap choice for those on a tight budget
- It comes with a two-pedal set.
- It’s easy to store and set up because it’s small.
- Can be a good choice for casual gamers or people just starting out.
The Bad
- There is no force feedback system, which can make the game less realistic and less immersive.
Hori Racing Wheel Apex
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Platform | PlayStation |
| Force Feedback | Mixed Belt-Pulley and gears |
| Rotation | 270 degrees |
| Pedals | 2-pedal set included |
| Compatibility | Hori add-ons |
| Additional tech | None |
Want to move up from a controller, but can’t see why you should spend hundreds of dollars on a wheel? Hori’s Racing Wheel APEX is almost too cheap to cost more than $100, and it has most of the most important functions except force feedback. Even though 270 degrees of rotation is less than some of the more expensive types here, it still gives you a lot more accuracy than your controller or keyboard.
The rim and wheels are made of plastic instead of metal, but the strong suction mounts help it stay stable during a race. There are also rubber grips to keep your hands on the steering wheel so you don’t have to worry about them moving. If you want to change gears by hand, you can also use paddle shifters on the back. Plus, it works with PlayStation devices, so you can use it to win your Gran Turismo races.
The Good
- PlayStation gamers have a cheap option.
- A belt-pulley and gear force feedback system makes driving more exciting.
- It comes with a two-pedal set.
- Hori add-ons can be used to make it more immersive and give it more features.
The Bad
- Compared to other steering wheels on the market, this one doesn’t turn as much.
Fanatec Podium Racing Wheel F1
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Platform | PC, PlayStation, and Xbox |
| Force Feedback | Direct Drive |
| Rotation | 1080 degrees |
| Pedals | Not included |
| Compatibility | Fanatec pedals and shifter |
| Additional tech | OLED display, Tuning display, LiPo |
This Formula 1 Best Racing Wheels for PC is the most realistic sim race wheel you can buy because it is licensed by Formula 1. With four paddles on the back of the wheel for shifting and making changes, you will have a driving experience that no one else can beat. The force input from the direct-drive wheels makes the experience feel real.
Also, the grips on the wheel have feedback motors built in, which makes the experience even better. Lastly, this wheel has QR technology that works without wires. This means that the removable wheel doesn’t need extra wires between the wheelbase and the steering wheel. If you are willing to pay a little more, this wheel is well worth it.
The Good
- High-quality Direct Drive force feedback system that makes driving feel very real
- Compatible with PC, PlayStation, and Xbox. Features like OLED and Tuning display.
The Bad
- The price goes up because the pedals are not included.
FAQs
A: A racing wheel for PC is a peripheral device designed to simulate the experience of driving a car. It usually consists of a steering wheel, pedals for acceleration and braking, and sometimes additional features like gearshift paddles.
A: A racing wheel for PC can provide a more immersive and realistic experience while playing racing games on your computer. It allows you to have greater control over your virtual vehicle, which can make the gameplay more challenging and enjoyable. It can also improve your driving skills if you plan on racing in real life.
A: Some racing wheels for PC may be compatible with other gaming platforms like PlayStation and Xbox, but it’s important to check the product specifications to make sure it will work with the games and platforms you plan on using it with.