There’s a lot more to sim-racing than just choosing a steering wheel and pedals to race down rally stages or smash lap times on circuits the world over. Sim-racing is a discipline in its own right, even a passion for some, and building a setup takes time, knowledge and, above all, the right peripherals.

As I said, sim-racing isn’t just about having a steering wheel and pedals. You need to think about choosing several other peripherals, such as the screen(s), the cockpit (if you can afford it), the platform and also the gearshift lever.

Admittedly, many of you may be asking yourselves the question “why should I use a gearshift when my steering wheel has paddles?”, and I’d say that’s an excellent question, the answer to which can be summed up in a single word: immersion.

Even if motorsport in general is slowly moving towards sequential gearboxes, or even automatic DCTs, there’s nothing like a mechanical gearbox to push immersion to the max, to feel all the sensations produced by the car. And for sim-racing, it’s all the same: a gearshift brings realism, engagement with the simu and unique sensations.

As you can imagine, there are many gearshifts on the market, just as there are steering wheels, pedals, bases, etc., and choosing one is not easy. In this article, I’m going to show you the best sim-racing shifters currently on the market, according to your budget.

The different types of sim-racing shifter

Just like in a racing car, there are two types of gearshift in sim-racing. In fact, there are 3, but the third is a hybrid.

• H Pattern gearshift, a standard gearshift found on cars with mechanical gearboxes. The gears are arranged side by side in an H pattern, with 6, 7 or 8 gears (including reverse). This type of gearshift can also be used as a hybrid in sim-racing, with the addition of a sequential function.
• Sequential shifter, which is a gearshift where the gears are shifted sequentially, i.e. one after the other by moving the lever up or down on a single axis. These levers are faster when shifting gears, and can accommodate cars with 6 or 7 gears, or even more (reverse gear not included).

The Fanatec Clubsport SQ V1.5 Shifter

Advantages :

• Excellent construction
• Premium and hybrid shifters
• Excellent feel in use

Disadvantages :

• Handling a little difficult
• Slightly heavy
• Premium prices

Let’s start with, as far as I’m concerned, the best sim-racing shifter on the market, if you can afford it because it’s not cheap. Fanatec offers some excellent peripherals, and the Clubsport SQ V1.5 Shifter is one of them.

Its all-metal construction gives it solidity and a premium feel, at the expense of a hefty weight (around 3.3 kg). You’ll need a good setup to attach and use this shifter.

Like the Thrustmaster TH8A, the Clubsport SQ V1.5 Shifter is a hybrid shifter with H Pattern and sequential mode. Unlike the TH8A, you don’t need to modify the shifter to switch from one mode to another, as this operation is performed using a small switch.

The gearshift is inspired by that of a Porsche 911 and features 8 gears, including reverse. Just like a Porsche, shifting into R (reverse) is done by pressing down on the lever, to prevent accidental shifting. This is a plus for safety, but not for ^7th gear. The last gear is also shifted by pressing the lever. For simus with only 6 gears, there’s no problem. But for others, the handling is hazardous and, above all, frustrating at first. It will take some time to get used to this shifter, and that’s a shame.

The sensations are there for all to see, with strong gears and, above all, good feel. However, it’s not easy to get the hang of, especially for beginners. You’ll get the gears wrong, and it’ll take a bit of practice to get used to the shifter.

Mounting is top-notch. Fanatec provides a plate to position this shifter wherever you want on your setup, whether on a table or a cockpit. It’s great to have this level of flexibility, but not so great when you have to buy said plate for €40, and the shifter is €250.

Let’s move on to compatibility. To put it simply: this peripheral is compatible with PC, Xbox and Playstation. On consoles, you need a Fanatec base compatible with the platform, which is not necessary on PC.

This product is by far the best for high-level sim-racing or just starting out on this wonderful adventure. It’s a shifter I can highly recommend. However, it’s still premium, with the price that goes with it.

Read my full review of the Fanatec Clubsport SQ V1.5 Shifter.

The Logitech G Driving Force Shifter

Advantages :

• Very attractive price
• Ideal for beginners

Disadvantages :

• Hardly any

Let’s continue with a gearshift accessible to everyone, the Logitech G Driving Force Shifter. This inexpensive shifter is ideal for sim-racing beginners who want to add immersion to their setup.

The G Driving Force Shifter uses steel and leather for its construction, which is quite a feat considering the price it’s listed at (€65 on the manufacturer’s website). This model features 7 speeds, including reverse, making it perfect for most sim-racers who want a decent peripheral without blowing the budget.

Its steel construction ensures durability, even when you’re shifting hard. What’s more, this G Driving Force Shifter comes with its own clamps for table mounting.

Now let’s talk compatibility. This shifter will work on PC and consoles (PS4 and Xbox One), as long as you have one of the brand’s steering wheels, namely the G923, G29 and G920. It’s still a good product for the price, especially if you only use the Logitech ecosystem. Your setup will only cost you around €300 with all peripherals (steering wheel, base, pedals and shifter).

Read my full review of the Logitech G Driving Force Shifter.

The Thrustmaster TH8A

Advantages :

• Good build quality
• Broad platform compatibility
• Sequential mode

Disadvantages :

• Handling a little difficult

To finish this list, the Thrustmaster TH8A. So, to put it simply, if you’re looking for a shifter that will give you a good feeling and a decent feel, this is the one for you, even if it does have its little flaws.

The TH8A is a rather old-fashioned shifter, but it still incorporates highly developed technologies, such as the use of a potentiometer, a magnetic sensor for gears and even a sequential mode, making it a hybrid. For the H Pattern, you get 8 gears, including reverse, making it more versatile than the Logitech we saw just before. Unlike other, more premium shifters, switching from H Pattern to sequential mode isn’t straightforward: you have to remove the top plate (H) and replace it with another for the sequential world. In fact, this mode limits the shifter’s movements, which is a bit simple in design, but works all the same.

The TH8A ‘s design is very sober, with a metal construction. The mounting system is located on the front of the shifter, works with a screw and is 360° adjustable, perfect for any setup.

As far as grip is concerned, it’s good as far as I’m concerned. I loved using the TH8A for sim-racing, especially as it’s not limited by the Thrustmaster ecosystem. You’ll be able to use this shifter with the manufacturer’s steering wheels, as well as those of other brands. This is a big plus point for the TH8A, especially if you have peripherals from different brands, and want to add this shifter to your setup.

As far as I’m concerned, it’s the best-value shifter in this ranking, even if it’s a bit confusing to get used to the first time. I highly recommend it, especially when you find it for €150.

Read my full review of the Thrustmaster TH8A Shifter.

Which one to choose?

When choosing any sim-racing device, there are several points to consider, including:

• The price. It’s imperative to allocate a budget for your shifter, so as not to impact too much on the sim-racing experience. You can’t, for example, choose a lever like the Logitech we’ve seen if you have a high-end setup. The experience will be distorted, as will the sensations.
• Availability. Some brands, such as Thrustmaster, are available from numerous retailers, both online and in-store. This makes it easier to see and test their peripherals before purchase, something Fanatec is unable to do.
• The platform. Typically, and if you stay on the same ecosystem, platforms don’t cause big problems. But you still need to make sure that the shifter you’re looking at is compatible with the platform you’re using.
• The ecosystem. I recommend that people always stick to a single ecosystem to avoid any compatibility or performance problems. If you’re on Fanatec, shop from the same manufacturer.

Conclusion

Adding a gearshift lever to your sim-racing setup will benefit both your gaming experience and driving sensations. While steering wheel paddles are more practical in most situations, and will cost you less, a gearshift lever is a sim-racing must-have, and I recommend that you have one.