In the sim-racing market, there are many brands occupying different segments. We have the entry-level segment, represented mainly by brands such as Logitech and Thrustmaster. In the mid-range, we have Moza Racing, Simagic and Fanatec. And at the top end, we have Simucube and Asetek.

And among all these players, there’s one brand that might go unnoticed if it didn’t offer quality products. It’s LeoXZ, and it’s present on the sim-racing wheel market. In what follows, we have the XF1 wheel, which represents LeoXZ’s top-of-the-range product. Let’s put it on our sim-racing setup and see what it has to offer.

Main and technical features of the steering wheel

• Carbon fiber faceplate and metal backplate
• 295 mm diameter
• Silicone handles open downwards
• 4.3” IPS center screen with 800×480 pixel resolution at 60 Hz
• USB and wireless connectivity (optional) with 2.4 GHz antenna
• Available in 2, 4 and 6 pallet versions, including 4 magnetic pallets
• Available with QR from Fanatec (QR1 or QR2), Simagic and Moza
• 21 controls in total on the front panel, with buttons, switches and rotarys
• RGB on central buttons and rotaries
• RevLED on top of screen
• Standard 6×70 mm rear mounting pattern
• PC and PS4/PS5 compatible with Fanatec base and QRs
• Weight 1.5 kg on the scale without QRs

XF1 Ultimate design

The XF1’s design is halfway between sober and slightly flashy, thanks to the RGB behind the buttons and rotarys. Don’t worry, it’s not flashy, and frankly, I love it.

The XF1’s rectangular shape is typical of Formula and GT racing wheels. The faceplate is carbon fiber, with black dominating the entire periphery. It’s beautiful and simple, yet still quite competitive.

Also, let’s not forget that the XF1 is a Formula wheel, and it had to have a screen. It’s in the center, and displays telemetry data on a 4.3″ IPS panel.

Customized assembly

LeoXZ’s XF1 can be mounted in two different ways: either you opt for the brand’s Quick Release, or you use the standard 6×70 mm pattern, which can accommodate any QR on the market.

For the first option, LeoXZ offers QRs from Fanatec (QR1 and QR2), Simagic and Moza Racing. This means you can use the XF1 on bases from these 3 brands, and if you take a standard 6×70 mm QR, there’s no limit to the number of Direct Drive bases you can use.

Wheel manufacture and finishing

For the structure of the XF1, LeoXZ has used aluminum alloy for this steering wheel, carbon fiber for the faceplate and pallets, and silicone for the grips. The build quality is on a par with the competition, which includes steering wheels from Moza, Simagic and Fanatec, to name but a few.

It’s well made, well assembled and also very well finished. I didn’t notice any manufacturing, assembly or finishing defects. The XF1 is a wheel that’s active in a segment where you don’t want to undercut the competition, at the risk of losing market share.

Handling the steering wheel

The wheel has a diameter of 29.5 cm, which is standard for competition and the targeted disciplines. As for the shape, it’s obviously rectangular, and the handles are open at the bottom.

The front panel features a total of 21 controls, including buttons, rotarys and switches. For the display, we have RevLEDs and a central 4.3″ IPS screen. At the rear of the XF1 are the customizable paddles: you can have 2, 4 or 6 in total.

The shape and diameter of the steering wheel make it easy to grip. Practically everything is close to where your hands will be, including buttons, some rotaries and paddles. It’s well thought out, well laid out and ergonomically designed.

Sensations during play

Let’s move on to the setup to see what LeoXZ’s XF1 has under the hood. Once the controls have been set up on SimHub, be it mapping or RGB, and this also applies to the central screen, the grip on the steering wheel is, as we saw earlier, very good for anything to do with single-seaters.

The XF1 is a steering wheel that has found its feet mainly on Formula titles, and it delivers a high level of immersion. Regardless of the steering wheel variant – 2, 4 or 6 paddles – you’ll soon find yourself racing around Spa-Francorchamps in Verstappen’s RB21.

The XF1 is intuitive when it comes to buttons and other controls, and you’ll operate them without even seeing them or taking your eyes off the track. What’s more, the 4.3″ screen offers a good level of brightness, coupled with 800×480 pixel resolution and 60 Hz refresh rate. As a result, reading data is easy, fast and precise.

As far as the rear paddles are concerned, they’re unfortunately not adjustable in spacing, but I find their location ideal for Formula racing. If you take the variant with 6 paddles, the top 4 are magnetic, and the bottom 2 are technically designed for lunch control, but you can use them for anything and everything.

XF1 wheel compatibility

Thanks to the various Quick Releases made available by LeoXZ, the XF1 can be used natively with bases from Fanatec, Simagic and Moza Racing. If you opt for the German sim-racing equipment manufacturer, LeoXZ has modified their QR so that the chainstays detect the XF1 as a Fanatec wheel, and you’ll have all the chainstay settings right from the steering wheel.

As for platforms, the manufacturer has announced compatibility with PCs, of course, but also with PS4 and PS5 if you have a Fanatec base.

Value for money

The price of the XF1 varies greatly depending on the options you choose. In its basic configuration, i.e. with a USB socket and 2 paddles, the steering wheel retails for €500, without QR. And if you take the 6 paddles, Fanatec’s QR2 and the wireless kit, you can expect a bill of around €780.

I realize it’s expensive, but it’s a quality wheel that’s highly customizable to suit your needs and driving preferences, and compatible with the bases of Fanatec, Simagic and Moza Racing, the most popular sim-racing brands on the European market.

I think the XF1’s value for money is decent. It’s not the best, I admit, but it’s not the worst either.

My verdict on the XF1 Ultimate steering wheel from LeoXZ

Frankly, I enjoyed my time with the XF1. It’s a beautiful Formula-type steering wheel, ergonomic, well-built and, above all, highly customizable. So its shape and handles will naturally push it into the hands of Formula racing fans and also GT fans (to a lesser extent), but it does very well for the things you expect of it.

If you have a Fanatec, Moza or Simagic base, this remains an excellent alternative to the First Party wheels of these three brands, especially with Fanatec, as the German manufacturer doesn’t yet offer a Formula wheel with a large screen in the center.