2025 is probably the best year to set up a sim-racing setup on the cheap. The reason? The market is full of bundles that are all interesting, both from a sensory and a financial point of view. What’s more, many brands have started offering budget-friendly options in their catalogs, such as Logitech and Thrustmaster, who have introduced a Direct Drive base developing at less than 10 nm to compete with Fanatec and Moza.

The entry-level sim-racing segment is very popular, both in terms of sensations for beginners, and also for price. Many pilots or gamers who want to get started in the discipline prefer to acquire a setup for a low price, so they can take their first lap around the track, and then move on to the next level.

Today, we’re going to take a look at Direct Drive’s bundled bases, which offer the best value for money in the budget-friendly segment, while still delivering good driving sensations. The idea is to have a setup that provides a good dose of realism, without taking out a bank loan to buy it. Below, you’ll find 4 bundles costing less than €1,000, some of which can be exchanged for half that, and which will enable you to make your sim-racing debut. The ranking is from best to worst, and remains my subjective opinion.

Fanatec Ready2Race

Let’s start with what I consider a heavyweight in the entry-level segment, and that’s Fanatec‘s Ready2Race bundles. The German brand of sim-racing peripherals touches on 3 distinct racing simulation ranges, favoring its adoption by many racers.

The base is the CSL DD, coupled with various flywheel offers. Depending on price and bundle, the base is available in 5 or 8 nm max torque. That’s more than enough for my sim-racing debut.

As far as wheels are concerned, Fanatec covers 4 motorsport categories in Ready2Race: GT, Formula, Rally and Touring. I have to confess that the wheels offered on these bundles are mainly composite, which is an elegant way of saying they’re plastic. But this has the advantage of costing less, and also Fanatec has one of the largest catalogs of sim-racing wheels on the market. All you need to do is buy another wheel to improve your setup or change discipline.

For pedalboards, the predominant offering is the standard CSL Pedals. But it’s easy to upgrade with Load Cell and clutch kits for less than €150. And speaking of prices, bundles start at €400, and go up to €950 with a Porsche-specific steering wheel.

Moza R3/R5

Moza Racing has made great strides in sim-racing, with worldwide market coverage. In the space of just a few years, the brand has gone from nobody to known by virtually every virtual racing enthusiast.

For smaller budgets, Moza offers 2 options: the R3 bundle for PC and Xbox, and the R5 bundle, with Direct Drive bases that develop 3.9 and 5.5 nm of max torque respectively. Visually, these two bundles are very similar, with steering wheels that are virtually identical, pedals that are the same, and bases that are practically copy-and-paste.

Moza’s bases are known for developing good power, enabling a level of realism that’s just right. Immersion is well and truly present on R3s and R5s, mainly on PC, as software control is limited on consoles.

Like Fanatec, Moza offers a complete catalog of sim-racing peripherals, and everything is compatible with everything. The brand uses a standard QR, and the SR-P Lite pedalboard can be upgraded with a Load Cell kit and a clutch pedal.

Now let’s talk price. For the R3 bundle, expect to pay €330 for the PC version only, and €400 for the Xbox. The R5 bundle, meanwhile, retails for €600. I think Moza’s price positioning is really quite good.

Logitech RS50 System

Prior to the launch of the RS50, Logitech only offered the G Pro as a Direct Drive base. The latter develops 11 nm of constant torque, and I find this a lot for someone new to sim-racing. Wanting to reach more racers, the Swiss manufacturer has developed and marketed a less powerful base, with 8 nm of max torque, which is the sweet spot for beginners.

So, the DD base is small, visually very pleasing, while offering very good racing sensations. Unfortunately, you’ll need a title compatible with Logitech’s software, otherwise the feel and feedback can be erratic.

Let’s talk about the steering wheel. It’s based on an aluminum frame, with TPU leather on the hoop. Visually, it’s magnificent, and I must say that’s the case with practically all Logitech steering wheels. There are 16 controls on the faceplate, a RevLED, 2 paddles on the rear, as well as the brand’s new QR, promising a whole future catalog of wheels.

Let’s move on to the pedalboard. Unfortunately, Logitech no longer offers a pedalboard with its bundles, which is a real shame if you ask me. However, Logitech has developed the RS Pedals to keep up with the competition in the entry-level market, and to make up for lost time. You get an LC pedal, excellent ergonomics and Hall sensors.

Prices vary according to the platform. The pedalboard costs €150, and if you take the bundle, it comes in at €650. But just between you and me, there’s a little trick to save money if your platform is PC and Xbox, and it involves buying all the peripherals separately, and having a final price of €720. The price stays on 800 € for Playstation. These prices include the pedalboard, by the way.

The Thrustmaster T598

Thrustmaster was the first manufacturer, between itself and Logitech, to enter the entry-level sim-racing market with its T598 base and axial motor. This technology is unique in sim-racing, and provides a good level of feedback while limiting the peripheral’s footprint.

For the T598 bundle, we’re treated to a DD base that develops 5nm of constant torque, but hides an overboost under its casing: the motor can boost power even further for a short period.

As far as the steering wheel is concerned, I think it’s a basic wheel, with a composite structure, a carbon-fiber skin on the faceplate and controls distributed all around it. At the rear, you’ll find 2 paddles and the new Thrustmaster QR that comes as standard with this wheel. So, if you already have the T818, you won’t need Thrustmaster’s Quick Release adapter.

The crankset is also brand new, and upgradeable. It’s called Raceline LTE and features a metal frame, 2 pedals, including the brake with spring resistance mechanism. Sensors are Hall, and Thrustmaster recently unveiled a Load Cell kit for the brake at the SimRacing Expo 2025.

Let’s finish with the price. The base is only compatible with PC and Playstation, and unfortunately there is no option for Xbox. If you want to buy this bundle from Thrustmaster, it will lighten your bank account by €500.