Sim-racing made its PC debut long ago, with brands such as Logitech and Thrustmaster developing their first peripherals in the 90s. At the time, there weren’t many titles that could benefit from such peripherals, as game consoles had only just been democratized. Well, consoles with nice graphics for the time, but that wasn’t enough to launch the discipline of sim-racing to a wide audience.

In the beginning, Thrustmaster was founded to offer products that could enhance the immersion of aircraft pilots, and gradually the company began to reach a wider audience by developing peripherals for the average person.

Of course, PCs remain an essential platform for everything to do with simulations, and sim-racing in particular. Today, we have a number of players such as Fanatec, Moza and Simucube , all of whom offer quality, if not top-quality, sim-racing products. Fans of this discipline can be found all over the world, and we even have professional pilots training on simulators with sim-racing peripherals.

The most important element in a sim-racing setup is the steering wheel. Without it, you won’t be able to control the vehicle, feel its feedback and immerse yourself in the world. On the PC, there’s certainly no shortage of steering wheels, with peripherals to suit all budgets and levels of passion.

In what follows, I’m going to take a look at the different steering wheel ranges available for the PC, the features that such a peripheral must have, and which, in my opinion, are the best wheels currently on the market.

The top-of-the-range PC steering wheels

The Fanatec Clubsport Racing Wheel F1

Advantages :

• Excellent sim-racing bundle (base + steering wheel)
• Use of blue forged carbon

Disadvantages :

• Very premium prices

I’m starting with a great bundle that will delight F1 fans, the Fanatec Clubsport Racing Wheel F1. Part of Fanatec’s top-of-the-range range, this bundle has all the options available in the catalog. Blue forged carbon, DD+ base developing 15Nm of torque, OLED screen, several paddles, lots of buttons, etc. It’s all there. It’s all here.

The design of the Clubsport Racing Wheel F1 is a replica of F1 steering wheels. So you either like it or you don’t. The blue forged carbon gives it lightness and strength. The buttons are well placed so you don’t have to take your hands off the wheel, just like in a race car. I often say that sim-racing isn’t just about doing laps on a virtual circuit. Immersion plays an important role in all this.

As for getting used to it, it can be a little tricky at first. It will take some time to get used to the Clubsport Racing Wheel F1, unless you already have a typical F1 setup. The force feedback is just enormous, with the engine’s 15 nm of torque, as is the immersion. Add a cockpit and curved screen, and you’ll be teleporting to the Monaco Grand Prix in no time.

If it weren’t for the €1,300 price tag on this bundle, I’d have no hesitation in recommending it to all sim-racers. But its high price and somewhat difficult handling mean that the Clubsport Racing Wheel F1 will only find takers among hardcore fans of the discipline.

The Fanatec Gran Turismo DD Extreme

Advantages :

• 15 nm of constant torque developed by the motor
• Excellent force feedback

Disadvantages :

• Poor button ergonomics

Fanatec’s catalog continues to grow with time, and Gran Turismo fans had the pleasure of discovering the GT DD Pro’s replacement, the GT DD Extreme. This bundle is based on Fanatec’s recently-released ClubSport DD+, which develops 15nm of constant torque and comes with a slightly reworked steering wheel from the previous bundle.

As for the wheel, we’ve gone from a flat-bottomed one to a completely round one, with a screen on top of the faceplate. Basically, these steering wheels are the same, but you can see, and feel, a slight upscale on the GT DD Extreme, which now uses vegan leather (imitation leather) around the wheel. Honestly, it’s quite a change from the old GT DD with its plastic and rubber, which really gave the impression of having a toy in your hands, and not a sim-racing setup.

As for the base, it’s the ClubSport DD+ with its 15 nm of torque, and in terms of feel and sensation, it’s really 2 notches above an 8 nm CSL DD. Details are finer, the base doesn’t clipping when you push it to its limits, and it’s also a well of sensations in sim-racing. Fanatec took its time developing this base, and it has paid off.

You can get this little gem for €1,300. Stocks are said to be good, with shipping between 4 and 7 days.

The Fanatec Podium Porsche 911 GT3 R

Advantages :

• Excellent build quality
• Premium materials
• Exceptional grip

Disadvantages :

• Premium prices

Let’s continue with an excellent steering wheel from Fanatec, the Podium Porsche 911 GT3 R. This is one of the German manufacturer’s top-of-the-range steering wheels, developed in partnership with Porsche, and it’s great to see such passion in sim-racing.

The wheel is 32 cm in diameter and uses aluminum and suede leather, and it’s just gorgeous. The watchword is minimalism, as there’s nothing on the steering wheel except the Porsche logo. All the controls are on a hub that attaches to the rear, with 10 buttons, switches, 6 paddles, a large OELD screen and a RevLED. It’s perfect, GT-like and specially designed for sim-racing pros.

The Podium Porsche 911 GT3 R has an excellent grip, with perfect ergonomics. You’ll find it easy to spend hours behind the wheel, whether in GT3 or any other discipline. The feel is there, provided you pair it with a high-torque base (Podium DD2 for example), and this is made possible by the steering wheel’s QR.

There are 6 paddles, including 2 analog paddles for Launch Control, for example. Made of anodized aluminum, these paddles are large, sturdy and, above all, click very well thanks to Fanatec‘s magnetic sensors.

This steering wheel is sold on its own, with only the Podium Button Module Endurance, for the princely sum of €650. But for that price you get an excellent steering wheel that will adapt perfectly to any sim-racing setup. For me, it’s the ultimate all-round sim-racing wheel.

The Logitech G Pro Wheel

Advantages :

• Direct Drive motor
• Good build quality
• Quick Release

Disadvantages :

• Price a little high for the services
• TrueForce sometimes blurred in feel

Logitech has long operated in the entry- and mid-range sim-racing segment, and this has worked well for the brand. However, the high-end segment is more interesting from a business point of view, so the manufacturer has decided to take the plunge. Say hello to the G PRO WheelLogitech’s first high-end Direct Drive steering wheel.

Let’s face it, the manufacturer has a knack for design and aesthetics, and this steering wheel is magnificent. Aluminum structure, perforated leather all around, predominantly black color, it’s sober and beautiful at the same time. Grip is excellent, thanks to a flat-bottomed wheel 30 cm in diameter. The buttons are positioned on the edges of the wheel, making them easy to reach. And the same goes for the paddles (of which there are 4), which are right at your fingertips. Perfect as far as I’m concerned.

The base is the manufacturer’s first DD, with 11 nm of torque. Even though it’s quite large in size, it doesn’t feel like sim-racing, as it looks very much like a car’s dashboard instruments. The sensations are there, with a motor that is both linear and powerful, capable of reproducing great immersion in sim-racing. However, Logitech has added its TrueForce technology, which theoretically gives a better rendering in racing, but only when it works well. As far as I’m concerned, I always deactivate this feature because it’s often blurred when driving.

The only weak point of this wheel is its price. Priced at €1,000, I think the G PRO Wheel is expensive. Sure, it’s Logitech, it’s premium and it’s got a DD motor, but this is the first time the brand has entered this segment with such technology. But what’s nice is the addition of a QR, which certainly heralds a range of Logitech steering wheels, and I can’t wait to see that.

The best mid-range PC steering wheels

The Fanatec Gran Turismo DD Pro 5 nm

Advantages :

• Official Gran Turismo license
• PC-compatible
• Good sensations

Disadvantages

• Steering wheel materials a bit cheap

Fans of racing games are very familiar with the Gran Turismo series on Playstation, and Fanatec is offering us a complete bundle (steering wheel, base and pedals) in partnership with the studio. And frankly, it’s well done.

To start with, the wheel is 28 cm in diameter, with a flat bottom and a colored band at the top. The grip is good, even if the steering wheel is rather large as far as I’m concerned. Despite the fact that this peripheral is officially licensed for GT, it will work perfectly well on PC, so don’t worry about that.

The ergonomics of this steering wheel are good, with 11 buttons located all over the wheel and easily accessible with your fingers. The paddles are on the steering wheel and are relatively small for my taste, as well as being made of plastic. But to Fanatec ‘s credit , the Gran Turismo DD Pro is aggressively priced, hence the use of this material.

For the base, it’s the CSL DD 5 nm with a Direct Drive motor. For quiet sim-racing, this is more than enough, especially when you know that you can boost the torque value with an additional power supply kit. Previously, switching to the 8 nm base with the Gran Turismo DD Pro was of little interest due to its plastic Quick Release, which introduced a dead zone and the risk of disconnection when turning hard. But Fanatec has corrected this shortcoming, and now supplies the GT DD Pro with the metal QR1 on the base side, offering greater solidity and a more precise feel.

As for the pedalboard, it’s the CSL Pedals with just 2 pedals (gas pedal and brake). But you can have the model with 3 or take the last pedal separately. Its metal construction ensures sturdiness and longevity. It’s a good device in absolute terms, even though it’s really Fanatec‘s entry-level model. You’ll get good braking sensations up to a certain degree of immersion, of course.

For less than €700, this bundle remains a must-have for PC sim-racing. You get quality peripherals that give you maximum bang for your buck. What’s more, you can upgrade certain elements thanks to Fanatec’s extensive catalog. To find out more about this bundle, read my full review by clicking here.

The Fanatec ClubSport Forza Motorsport

Advantages :

• Excellent build quality
• Official Forza license

Disadvantages :

• Quite heavy

The Forza license has dominated the Xbox and PC racing market for several years now, and Fanatec has brought us an excellent steering wheel in partnership with the title’s development studio.

Let’s start with the design of this steering wheel, which is sublime. The wheel is 33 cm in diameter, just like in a real car. It has a flat bottom and no buttons at all, as these are part of a hub at the rear. The wheel structure is aluminum, with leather all around. It’s really beautiful and I love it.

Steering wheel ergonomics are excellent, with all buttons very close to your fingers. The paddles are large, but there are only 2 of them. It’s a shame, but there you go. By the way, the paddles are magnetic, ensuring fast, precise shifting. Above the hub, a small OLED display shows data such as the current speed.

Visit ClubSport Forza Motorsport uses Fanatec‘s metal QR, a guarantee of solidity and increased immersion. With it, you won’t have the worries of plastic QRs like dead zones or disconnections. However, you should be aware that you need to acquire a Fanatec base to be able to take full advantage of this little gem, as the German brand’s ecosystem does not allow the use of other products, especially for bases and steering wheels.

In my opinion, the ClubSport Forza Motorsport is an excellent choice for amateur sim racers, and even e-sports pros. Even if the price is a barrier for some players, this steering wheel is still the perfect choice in its segment. And if you do pick it up, you won’t have to change peripherals for a long time to come.

The Thrustmaster T598

Advantages :

• 5 nm of constant torque with overboost function for 100% more power
• Complete bundle at an attractive price
• Scalable crankset

Disadvantages :

• Average build quality, especially for the steering wheel
• Ergonomics that leave something to be desired

Thrustmaster represents the Go-To for racers looking for sim-racing peripherals that are both affordable and correct in terms of performance. These belt-driven bases offer a good feel for gamers new to sim-racing. In fact, this segment is typically populated by two brands offering quality products: Thrustmaster and Logitech.

Average build quality, especially for the steering wheel

But since the arrival of the T818 Direct Drive base on our setups, Thrustmaster has been keen to win over new customers with DD bundles. The T818 started the ball rolling, and now it’s the turn of the T598 which aims to appeal to a more budget-conscious audience.

The T598 is a Direct Drive bundle with a 5 nm constant torque base, standard flywheel and upgradable crankset. This bundle sells for €500, which is a very aggressive price for the features on offer. With an all-round steering wheel, a pedalboard that can accommodate kits such as Load Cell and clutch, and a high-performance base for those looking to improve their sim-racing skills, should the competition be worried?

Well, actually, no. At least, not from Fanatec or Moza Racing. The CSL DD bundle is certainly more expensive in most cases, but in return, the feel is a notch above that of the T598, in terms of feedback and feel, and even build quality.

The best entry-level steering wheels on the PC

The Thrustmaster TMX

Advantages :

• Cheap bundle
• Powerful brushless motor

Disadvantages :

• Poor quality crankset

Thrustmaster started out making peripherals for driving simulators, then dabbled in sim-racing along the way. Today, the brand boasts an extensive catalog of products for the discipline, including the TMX.

This steering wheel is an entry-level product at less than €200, which means that compromises have been made, such as on the pedal assembly, which is, frankly, of poor quality. As for the rest of the steering wheel, it’s pretty good for the price.

The wheel is 28 cm in diameter and is attached to a powerful brushless motor. The maximum angle of rotation is 900°, which is just right. But be careful! Don’t buy a wheel with a maximum angle of rotation value less than this if you want to get a good feel for it.

Force feedback is quite immersive, without the steering wheel being too communicative. It’s true that you’ll feel the sensations, but only within the limits of the motor’s power. In any case, I prefer this technology to geared motors, which can sometimes be rather blurred in terms of feel.

The build quality is quite good, but there’s a lot of plastic on the product. Again, given the price, this is to be expected. On the other hand, ergonomics aren’t exactly top-notch. Some buttons are far from your fingers, forcing you to take your hands off the wheel. Also, the base has buttons for adjusting motor power, and these are located behind the wheel. This is not at all ergonomic for quick use.

All in all, this is a good wheel for sim-racing beginners who want to have a quiet time. If you like it, I invite you to read my full review of the Thrusmaster TMX by clicking right here.

The Logitech G920

Advantages :

• Good build quality
• Compatible with PC and Xbox
• Good value for money

Disadvantages :

• Return of force sometimes unclear

Logitech is a well-known brand in the world of peripherals, and has been for over 20 years. The G920 is a relatively old wheel, but it works perfectly on PC and Xbox.

The design of this device is very sober, with an anodized aluminum wheel structure and a perforated coating that acts as leather around the edges. Personally, I like it because it’s simple and unobtrusive. The steering wheel is attached to the base, which has two geared motors to provide force feedback. In absolute terms, it works well, but sometimes there’s some blurring in the force feedback, but that’s not really a problem as this wheel is mainly aimed at beginners and sim-racing enthusiasts. Also, the wheel has a rotation angle of 900°, which is the minimum for proper sim-racing.

The G920 is sold as a bundle with a pedalboard, which is correct. You have springs on the 3 pedals to provide some resistance when you use them. Again, for starting out in sim-racing, this does the trick.

I’ll pass over the ergonomics of this steering wheel, which are very good. All buttons are well placed and easy to reach on the wheel. The paddles are large and you’ll have no trouble using them during your sim-racing sessions. What’s more, they’re attached to the wheel, which means they rotate with it.

In absolute terms, the G920 remains a good choice for sim-racing beginners, or even for enthusiasts looking for an inexpensive bundle to indulge themselves.

Read my full review of the G920.

Which one to choose?

• Budget. Choose a steering wheel to suit your budget. A sim-racing setup includes several peripherals, and the steering wheel remains the most important. Don’t buy an expensive steering wheel and couple it to an entry-level base, for example.
• Degree of immersion. Sim-racing is all about immersion. The more you want, the more you’ll have to look in the higher ranges. This point goes hand in hand with budget, so be sure to do your homework.
• Ecosystem. The ecosystem is a product that brands promote for their peripherals. Try to shop from a single manufacturer, even if it’s possible to have products from different brands running on PCs, except that it’s not always optimal.
• Bundle. For beginners and novices, I recommend buying bundles. You’ll get more for your money, and above all all the peripherals you need for sim-racing.

The different steering wheel ranges on PC

It goes without saying that there are several ranges of sim-racing peripherals, just as there are for any other product. The vision behind this diversity of ranges is to be able to reach a wide audience, and not focus on a single cross-section of sim-racing fans. But in reality, we have certain brands that focus on a single segment of the peripherals market, like Simucube for example. These brands have a fairly specific fanbase, such as motorsport teams or hardcore fans.

Apart from that, you and I have three main ranges of sim-racing wheels: entry-level, mid-range and top-of-the-range. Each of these ranges tends to satisfy the needs of a particular group of sim-racers, so that they can enjoy the discipline to the full.

Entry-level PC steering wheels

Entry-level shuttlecocks are products designed to meet the needs of beginner or even amateur sim-racers, offering basic performance and feel.

The main aim of these wheels is to offer a low-cost solution to a public that doesn’t necessarily want to invest a lot in the discipline. With options costing €200 or even €300, you’ll be able to sim-rac and get some good experience.

PC steering wheels in the mid-range

This range is mainly aimed at amateurs and fans of the discipline who are looking for quality products that provide an excellent compromise between price and feel. Technologies such as Direct Drive, magnetic and analog paddles, integrated OLED screens, Quick Release, etc., all make their appearance in this range.

As far as I’m concerned, the mid-range remains the best in terms of price, functionality, build quality and, above all, customization. With brands like Fanatec, you can, for example, choose the base, the steering wheel, the hub, the pedalboard and so on. Virtually all peripherals are customizable and interoperable.

PC steering wheels at the top of the range

With this range of steering wheels, the watchword is: no compromise. These steering wheels use premium materials, competition-inspired technologies and products designed in partnership with carmakers such as McLaren and Porsche.

High-end steering wheels are often aimed at a specific audience made up of hardcore fans, e-sports professionals and racing drivers, because let’s face it, there’s a fine line between a high-end setup and a Supercar.

What does a PC steering wheel need to have?

Steering wheel preferences in sim-racing are a fairly subjective subject, in the sense that what I like to have on my device may not apply to yours. For example, I like to have a switch that lets me control Launch Control, if I don’t have an analog palette for that purpose. In the same vein, you may prefer to have a removable button hub attached to your steering wheel. My point is that some elements may be essential to the steering wheel, and some may not. However, a good peripheral must have the following, at least that’s what I think.

• Build quality. A steering wheel, or any other sim-racing peripheral, needs to have a good build quality so that it can last a long time. An all-plastic steering wheel that explodes in just two weeks of use should never be on your wish list.
• High rotation angle. The angle of rotation is a value in degrees that designates how much a steering wheel can turn on its axis. The higher the value, the more realistic the steering wheel and the better the feel.
• Good ergonomics. Ergonomics are relatively subjective, as they differ from one sim-racer to another. Put simply: you need to feel comfortable using the steering wheel, whether you’re turning the wheel, pressing buttons or doing anything and everything. Don’t forget that you’re likely to spend many hours behind the wheel sim-racing, so you might as well make the session as enjoyable as possible.
• Welcome back. Force feedback is what lets you feel what the car is doing in sim-racing. This is the result of different technologies, all of which use electric motors to provide resistance or force feedback. Depending on the degree of immersion you want, there are several options available to you, such as geared motors, Brushless or Direct Drive. As far as I’m concerned, a DD motor is a must, even if it doesn’t make even 10 nm of torque.
• Multiple buttons/switches. Sim-racing is all about immersion, and you need to be able to modify certain vehicle parameters directly from the steering wheel. That’s why I recommend getting a device that has several buttons, as well as switches for setting functions such as Launch Control, ABS aggressiveness, traction control, etc.
• Quick Release. Just like in a racing car, the QR allows you to quickly change the steering wheel, or wheel, while keeping the same base. If, for example, you’re a fan of rallying and F1, you can have a round steering wheel to go flat out on the special stages, and a rectangular wheel to smash the times in Monaco. QR is a key element in sim-racing setups, but it comes at a price.