The G29 and the G923—that’s often where it all begins. They’re affordable, console-compatible setups that do a great job of introducing you to sim racing. But at some point, you hit a wall. The feedback lacks precision, the on-track sensations start to feel stale, and the urge to switch to Direct Drive begins to tempt you.

The problem is that the DD market has exploded in recent years, and there’s now a massive selection available. So where do you start if you’re coming from an entry-level Logitech setup and don’t want to shell out 1,500 € on a sim-racing setup either? I’ve selected a few starter kits and bundles that make sense for this transition, ranging from 4 to 8 nm of torque, most of which include a steering wheel and pedal set.

Direct Drive bundles to replace your Logitech

The Fanatec CSL DD

Fanatec is a legendary brand in sim racing. The CSL DD is available in several bundles to cater to virtual drivers and their favorite disciplines. These include touring, rally, GT, Formula, and even drifting—some of which come with a load cell pedal set.

The base CSL DD model produces 5 nm of peak torque, but this can be increased to 8 nm with a boost kit. It features a power supply unit that delivers 180 Watts, allowing the electric motor to operate at full power.

The feedback is very linear on this base, with realistic sensations, and a device that provides a lot of information about what the car you’re driving is doing and experiencing. The CSL DD remains a must-have for sim racing, as well as the go-to choice for many drivers—thanks to its simple design, compatibility with PCs and consoles (depending on the wheel), and the brand’s extensive product lineup.

The Moza R3 or R5

Moza entered the sim-racing market very recently, and the brand has quickly made a name for itself in the industry. Today, Moza’s products are reliable, high-performance, and, above all, affordable.

For drivers looking to upgrade from a base model like the G29 to Direct Drive, Moza offers an entry-level lineup consisting of the R3 and R5. The R3 bundle is really designed for laid-back pilots who prioritize fun above all else—especially on consoles—since the base is compatible with Xboxes.

As for the R5, it’s a more powerful alternative to the R3. In fact, Moza’s small base model delivers 3.9 nm of maximum torque, while the R5 delivers 5.5 nm of torque, making them perfect for pilots in the midst of a transition.

Let’s talk about the feel of the two bundles. If you’re coming from a gear-driven base like the G29 or G923, the difference in feedback is like night and day. It’s detailed, rich in sensation, and above all, realistic—something you don’t often find with entry-level alternatives.

Each bundle includes a steering wheel of fairly good quality—especially the R5, which combines TPU leather and metal—a simple but upgradeable pedal set, and, of course, the DD base and its clamp for mounting on furniture.

The Thrustmaster T598

Thrustmaster is a heavyweight in the gaming industry, with a presence in the controller, flight simulation, and racing simulation markets. For a long time, Thrustmaster was the exclusive manufacturer of belt-driven bases thanks to its “Dual Belt” system. It was only recently that the brand began selling its Direct Drive bases, notably the T598.

This is an entry-level bundle, featuring a base unit that delivers 5 nm of torque with an overboost function for extra power, a steering wheel, and a pedal set. The wheel is designed for touring, with a round shape and controls distributed across the front panel and positioned close to the hands. The pedal set is a fairly simple device, but it can be upgraded with a load cell kit.

The T598 is a great option for racers looking to switch to direct drive, but its build quality falls short of the competition because Thrustmaster relies heavily on cheap materials. In other words: the bundle uses almost entirely plastic for the base and the steering wheel, but the pedal set is made of metal.

In terms of feel, it’s good. The brand uses an axial motor for feedback, which has a very small footprint and enough “horsepower” inside the enclosure to deliver a realistic experience.

The Logitech RS50

Logitech and Thrustmaster are competing brands in the same segment—namely, sim-racing peripherals and products. The Swiss manufacturer also took some time to enter the Direct Drive market, notably with its G Pro and RS50 bases. The G Pro is aimed at seasoned racers, while the RS50 is geared toward beginners.

Unlike Thrustmaster, Logitech offers high-quality products made from premium materials, including aluminum. The RS50 base delivers 8 nm of torque (among the most powerful on our short list), with a small steering wheel measuring 29 cm in diameter. Unfortunately, the RS50 bundle does not include a pedal set, but Logitech offers one for separate purchase.

When it comes to the feel on the track, it’s honestly better than a T598 because the base model delivers 3 nm more maximum torque. It’s smooth, responsive, and perfect for making the switch from a G923 to Direct Drive while staying within the Logitech ecosystem.

Criteria for Making a Choice

The Thrill of the Track

Track feel remains one of the most important aspects of sim racing, especially if you’re looking to switch from a G29/G923 to a Direct Drive base. Of the DD bases we’ve looked at so far, all offer good track feel overall. Of course, some are better simply because the brand has been in the game for a long time, allowing it to refine its software and firmware in addition to the hardware.

Compatibility with different platforms

This is an important point if you’re a driver who mainly plays on consoles, particularly PlayStation and Xbox. Fanatec, Logitech, and Thrustmaster offer models compatible with home consoles, which is a big plus for fans of casual sim-racing on a big screen.

At Moza, only the R3 bundle is compatible with Xbox consoles, and the rest of the lineup works only on PC. As a result, this will certainly limit its adoption by potential racers.

The Ecosystem

Sim racing is all about adapting your setup to the various disciplines of motorsports. And there’s nothing better than having an ecosystem that includes dozens of input devices to achieve this—whether it’s steering wheels, pedal sets, shifters, and handbrakes, in addition to other accessories.

Fanatec’s ecosystem is by far the most extensive in sim racing today, covering all disciplines of motorsports. What’s more, it’s very important that the brand’s ecosystem be fully compatible with all of its products.

Value for money

On this point, it’s clear that the price of a bundle needs to be reasonable, given the services provided. You’re not going to shell out €1,000 just to play *Forza Horizon* or *Need for Speed*.

Moza Racing is often considered the manufacturer that offers products at very competitive prices, especially compared to Fanatec or Simagic. And the build quality has clearly kept pace. Moza has made tremendous strides in this area in recent years, to the point where it now seriously rivals much more established brands.

So, which bundle should you choose?

Earlier, I showed you a few bundles that are excellent options for switching from the G29/G923 to Direct Drive.

Here is my personal ranking, based on my experience, to help you find the best combination of quality, value, and performance.

At the top of the list is Fanatec’s CSL DD, regardless of which variant you choose. This bundle includes the CSL DD with 5 or 8 nm of torque, a sleek design, a wide variety of steering wheels, and pedal sets that may or may not feature load cells. It remains a must-have for sim racing, starting at just €380 during sales (compared to €570 at regular price), making it a true Swiss Army knife.

As for second place, it all depends on which platform you’re using. On PC, I’d go with the Moza R5, which currently costs €419 (on sale). And if the Xbox is your go-to for gaming and sim racing, then there’s the R3, which is priced at €299 at the time of writing, but the base model only delivers 3.9 nm of torque.

Rounding out the top three, third place clearly depends on your budget. If you’re willing to invest, the Logitech RS50 is the clear choice : €800 for the DD base, steering wheel, and LC pedal set, but its premium build quality and 8 nm of torque justify the price. On the other hand, if you’d rather stick to a more reasonable price range, the Thrustmaster T598 is a solid alternative, priced between 450 and 500 € depending on the platform.