The best racing wheels on console and PC

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Beyond being a simple amusement, the best racing wheels may be so much more. Because racing wheels provide precise steering, realistic force feedback, and additional hardware like pedals or a gear shifter, they may be a better option than typical controllers for some simulation-focused games.

If you’re willing to go all in, a high-end racing wheel setup can greatly enhance the lifelikeness of races like F1 24 and Gran Turismo 7. A racing wheel, together with possibly some pedals, a specific wheel base, and a gear shifter, makes driving much more realistic. This also applies to a lot of the top PS5 racing wheels, which frequently include these additions in their package.

QUICK LIST

• BEST OVERALL : Thrustmaster T248
• BEST BUDGET : Hori Apex
• BEST PREMIUM : Thrustmaster T-GT 2
• BEST MID-RANGE : Logitech G923
• BEST FORCE FEEDBACK : Thrustmaster T300 RS

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1. Thrustmaster T248

Best racing wheel overall

SPECIFICATIONS

Rotation: 900 degrees

Feedback type: Force feedback

Drive type: Hybrid

Compatibility: PS5, PS4, PC

TODAY’S BEST DEALS

In terms of performance, design, and cost, the Thrustmaster T248 is our choice for the greatest racing wheel overall. This fantastic racing wheel has an amazing array of functions for users who like to fine-tune their experience, along with great build quality for both the wheel and pedal modules.

Outside of significant sales seasons, the Thrustmaster T248 costs roughly the same as the Logitech G923, at $300 / £300. If you’re searching for something more feature-rich than a less expensive wheel without going over budget, this is a very alluring price point. Our premium alternative below, the Thrustmaster T-GT 2, is even more affordable.

Additionally, you’re getting excellent performance that can actually compete with the top Logitech wheels. For an accurate and engaging racing experience, the Thrustmaster T248 offers powerful force feedback and 900-degree rotation. The T248 is ranked as the greatest option overall if you’re searching for a wheel that has a little bit of everything since we think it’s a true sweet spot among the top racing wheels available.

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2. Hori Apex

Best budget racing wheel

SPECIFICATIONS

Rotation: 270 degrees

Feedback type: Rumble

Drive type: Belt

Compatibility: PS5, PS4, PC

TODAY’S BEST DEALS

Though it appears to be similar to the other wheels here, the Hori Apex is actually rather different. This wheel uses rumbling instead of force feedback. Play a game like Gran Turismo 7 or F1 24, and the quality of experience on more contemporary Thrustmaster or Logitech wheels will greatly surpass that of the Hori.

On the other hand, the Hori is ideal for arcade racing, some of which lack force feedback altogether and just have rumbling effects. The Hori is therefore significantly lighter than any other wheel in our comparison. This is the one wheel here that won’t seem hard done by if it’s not given the right frame or wheel stand, but you’ll still need something to clamp it to.

It strives harder than the others to put all the key PS4 buttons at your fingers; there are two of them right on the wheel rim itself. It is obviously designed for racing where you’ll apply nitrous every 4.5 seconds. Additionally, you may customise the D-pad to mimic the analogue sticks on either the DualShock 4 or DualSense.

But without a doubt, the Hori Apex is the group’s most toy-like wheel. It has inexpensive plastic pedals, plastic gear shifters, and no replaceable parts. In addition, it only rotates 270 degrees, as opposed to the 900 or 1080 we find with more expensive options. This is quite restricted rotation when compared to all the other wheels available. Therefore, in comparison to the more expensive wheels, there are some concessions here.But as a budget buy for more laid back racing titles, it’s a decent pick.

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3. Thrustmaster T-GT 2

Best premium racing wheel

SPECIFICATIONS

Rotation: 1080 degrees

Feedback type: Force Feedback

Drive type: Belt system

Compatibility: PS5, PC

TODAY’S BEST DEALS

Beyond its excellent build quality, the Thrustmaster T-GT 2 is the most straightforward premium alternative to suggest. Yes, the wheel is made to warrant its high asking price, but it also stands out thanks to a few key design choices. For starters, it isn’t geared; instead, brushless motors power a system of belts.

Because of this, it has the ideal balance of power and smoothness, making it the most realistic and immersive sound system available for the money. It results in some of the best force feedback you’ll get from a non-direct drive racing wheel, with an amazing feeling. It isn’t nearly as user-friendly for beginners as a plug-and-play model like the Logitech G923, but on the plus side, you can easily customise it if you wish to switch out the T-GT 2 for a different wheel.

The Thrustmaster T-GT 2’s exorbitant price is the biggest problem. It’s naturally out of reach for most budgets at $799.99 / £699.99, as it falls into a more enthusiast-oriented price range. We would strongly advise holding off on purchasing the T-GT 2 if you’re still set on it, as the wheel frequently becomes less expensive during major sales events.

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4. Logitech G923

Best mid-range racing wheel

SPECIFICATIONS

Rotation: 900 degrees

Feedback type: Force Feedback

Drive type: Helical gears

Compatibility: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC

TODAY’S BEST DEALS

Nearly identical in appearance to the Logitech G920, this wheel is also our choice for the best PS5 racing wheel. The wheel retains its high-quality components; the metal pedals and leather stitching are also present, as is the exceptionally robust steering, robust force feedback, and sensible button arrangement. With the help of a power adapter and USB connection, setup is also quite simple. The Logitech GHub program allows for reasonable customisation of button locations and macros. Actually, not much has changed from the previous Logitech G920 in terms of the essentials.

However, it’s still a significant upgrade that makes the Logitech G923 ideal for Xbox Series and PS5 gaming consoles. However, it’s just as content with the PC, PS4, or Xbox One. However, the wheel has two independent products that depend on the console, so make sure you purchase the correct version. This is not a case of one size fitting all.

But the G923 also brings about a few significant upgrades. The G923 primarily includes Trueforce, a haptics-based technology that uses your fingers and palms to convey the sensation of the road. The G920’s brake has also been improved by Logitech to provide a more gradual resistance when depressed. Additionally, this wheel now comes equipped with the Playstation 4 version of the G920’s 24-Point selection dial and LED rev indicator. The Thrustmaster T300 RS provides a smoother feel than the G923, which is equipped with Logitech’s helical gearing mechanism.

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5. Thrustmaster T300 RS

Best force feedback racing wheel

SPECIFICATIONS

Rotation: 1080 degrees

Feedback type: Force Feedback

Drive type: Helical gears

Compatibility: PS5, PS4, PC

TODAY’S BEST DEALS

The excellent force feedback system of the Thrustmaster T300 RS sets it apart from other racing wheels. Instead of being geared, it uses a number of belts that are driven by brushless motors. This provides the ideal balance of power and smoothness, making it the most realistic and immersive sound system available for the money.

Forza Motorsport and Assetto Corsa Competizione, two very realistic racing games, will become much more enjoyable with the addition of any force feedback wheel, but these Thrustmasters are the clear winner at this price. Everything is excellent except for a slight rumbling sound that occurs as you struggle against the wheel. This is the sound of the motor operating.

After playing for around ten minutes, the belt system does start to get quite hot, which calls for the employment of a fan system. It is quieter than the Logitech G29 in use, though, and not as annoying.

These usually excellent wheel sets have a few drawbacks, and they are all related to the components that are not part of the wheelbase. Though it has a rubber grip instead of a leather one, the steering wheel is sturdy and quite gripping. Although we did miss the feel a little after using the G29, many folks will be OK with the material. Although the Thrustmaster T300 RS lacks some of the features of the Logitech G29 right out of the box, its force feedback is so much better.

What you need to know

The best racing wheels for a console or PC are usually among the priciest accessories available. Even inexpensive models, like as the Hori Apex, can fetch prices as high as $100 or £100. Consequently, fans of the genre typically purchase racing wheels.

Nevertheless, the top racing wheels on our list are feature-packed collections. This normally has good functionality, with some including buttons unique to sim racing to assist with pit crew communications and gear shifts, among other things. In addition, the majority of the greatest racing wheels typically have a set of pedals, which improves gameplay immersion and control.

Additionally, a lot of the top racing wheels are plug-and-play. This is so that they can be easily connected to a console or PC because the wheel is already fixed to a base that is included.

Nonetheless, some racing wheels—like the Thrustmaster Ferrari 488 GT3—do not include a base or pedals. In that scenario, you will have to purchase these individually. However, these configurations are only for the enthusiast community due to their exorbitant price. We’ve made an effort to add more affordable, plug-and-play solutions that will save you a tonne of setup time.

Best racing wheels – FAQs

What games support the best racing wheels?

Games with a realistic simulation level work well with racing wheels. This might be iRacing or Assetto Corsa Competizione on a PC. Additionally, a variety of modern racing wheels are supported by console titles like Gran Turismo 7, F1 24, and Forza Horizon 5, so you don’t have to use a more conventional controller to play them.

What is force feedback?

Force feedback is currently a common characteristic seen in the majority of the top racing wheels. The feature’s main goal is to deliver accurate tactile feedback in response to events that occur on track. This might be felt in the wheel rattling during a tight turn or trembling following a collision with another vehicle. Similar to a controller’s rumble, force feedback is mostly included for immersion. Nonetheless, the majority of games let you to turn it off or change its intensity if you discover that it interferes with your performance during a race.

What is the best budget F1 racing wheel?

Although racing wheels might be pricey, there are alternatives available if money is more of a constraint. The Thrustmaster T150 and the Hori Apex are excellent entry-level wheels that, unlike versions like the Thrustmaster T300 RS, won’t break the bank, even though they’re still not exactly inexpensive.

How we test the best racing wheels

The primary criterion we use to evaluate the top racing wheels is setup simplicity. For instance, if a wheel is largely plug-and-play, we can suggest it to novices because it’s usually as easy as connecting the device to your preferred PC or console. On the other hand, certain wheels must be fastened to a wheel base, which is frequently offered separately. Since these are frequently rather pricey, I would only suggest them to enthusiasts or people who are experienced with this kind of peripheral.

Which racing wheels are the greatest can be determined by a variety of additional considerations. Force feedback, which attempts to simulate realistic kick and vibration in response to in-game experiences like grasping tight corners, driving over curbs, and shifting gears, is one of this game’s most notable features. A typical controller just cannot match the additional level of immersion that force feedback may offer.

When evaluating a racing wheel, we also consider other design components including comfort, drive type, rotation, and auxiliary buttons. The best will provide a high degree of comfort during gameplay and a wide range of features appropriate for games ranging from arcade races to the most realistic racing simulations.