Microsoft ‘s consoles have been very popular ever since they first appeared on the market. Admittedly, it’s hard for them to beat Sony in terms of sales, but they remain capable, popular and, above all, easy-to-operate platforms.

Gone are the days when you had to have a Dream Team of developers to be able to release games on consoles, and it was Microsoft who got the ball rolling in November 2005 with its Xbox 360. From then on, development studios showed favoritism for the Xbox, since it was so easy to create games on this platform, as was the manufacture of peripherals.

Sim-racing has been around for many years, with Logitech, Fanatec and Thrustmaster the major players. These three brands have a virtual monopoly on the peripherals (steering wheel, pedals, shifter, etc.) used in sim-racing setups. At present, there’s a vast choice of steering wheels for Xbox One, and I always go for Fanatec products. The German manufacturer has always set itself apart from the competition by offering quality peripherals that always push back the barriers of immersion.

Since I mainly work on PC, I’m going to change my habits today and introduce you to Fanatec steering wheels that are compatible with Xbox One.

ClubSport GT Forza Motorsport V2

Advantages :

• Powerful yet fluid force feedback
• Excellent build quality
• Metal QR

Disadvantages :

• A rather high price

Let’s start with a steering wheel that has been specifically designed to run on Xbox and PC, as it is officially licensed. Forza Motorsporta title that has established itself for many years as THE racing game on Microsoft’s platform.

Visually, the wheel is 33 cm in diameter and has a flat bottom, just like many racing cars. Over the entire diameter of the wheel, soft leather is used to cover the aluminum underneath. As you’d expect, the build quality of this wheel is exceptional.

Fanatec fans will recognize the ClubSport Wheel Base V2.5 design from which the GT Forza Motorsport V2 takes its inspiration. The grip is perfect, whether you’re an amateur or a sim-racing fan. This is not the “rectangular” type of steering wheel like other peripherals from the brand. The wheel comes with a hub that includes Xbox buttons, paddles and a screen. The hub attaches to the back of the wheel, and can also be removed in a matter of moments.

Let’s talk technology. Equipped with a belt-driven brushless servomotor, the GT Forza Motorsport V2 offers a unique driving sensation and force feedback that’s both powerful and fluid, depending on your mood. This is made possible not only by the servomotor, but also by Fanatec‘s Duall Hall and DirectSensor technologies. On the flywheel, there are two sensors: one on the motor (or servomotor) and another on the axle, and the torque varies according to your steering strokes. Having spent a good number of hours on it, I can tell you that the sensations are right up there.

On consoles, I spend a lot of time on Forza, and this steering wheel is perfect for the game. If you haven’t heard, Forza simulates ABS braking by vibrating the controllers. As soon as the anti-lock braking system kicks in, the controller vibrates, just like the GT Forza Motorsport V2. In fact, this steering wheel is equipped with vibration motors, and if you have a compatible crankset, you’ll even feel the vibrations on the brake pedal, just like in a car with ABS.

Now for the price. Between build quality, official Forza license, vibration, total sim-racing immersion, compatibility on Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S and PC, and much more, it all adds up. The GT Forza Motorsport V2 is priced at €499.90 on the Fanatec store. For this price, please note that you only get the steering wheel and hub. No base, no pedalboard either. So you’ll have to buy them separately, and take the ones that are compatible with Xbox One.

Nevertheless, the GT Forza Motorsport V2 is one of my top 5 Fanatec steering wheels for sim-racing, whether on PC or Xbox. If you can afford it, it’s a must-have.

The CSL Elite WRC Steering Wheel

Advantages :

• Beautiful design
• Excellent build quality

Disadvantages :

• QR 1 Lite

Although this steering wheel features the WRC logo right in the middle of the wheel, it’s not just for rally fans. With its 30 cm diameter, it’s an excellent wheel for sim-racing, whatever your setup.

Fanatec didn’t skimp on materials, as the wheel’s structure is made of aluminum, while the genuine leather is typical of the German brand’s peripherals. In terms of design, I find the steering wheel quite sober. Black predominates, with a red band above an OLED screen and orange paddles. You’ll also find the WRC logo in the middle of the wheel, as well as a tire design at the bottom.

As far as buttons are concerned, the steering wheel has the Xbox ones, which is enough for me. You can change them with the Racing Style buttons, as well as the CSL Elite WRC Steering Wheel paddles . To change the paddles, you’ll need an Allen key, but the operation is relatively quick and simple, with just two screws for each paddle.

Overall, I really like the design of this steering wheel, especially the orange stitching, which reminds me of a real Supercar steering wheel. On the other hand, I’m not really a fan of the bright orange paddles. It makes the CSL Elite WRC Steering Wheel look, I don’t know, flashy.

In terms of feel, this is a steering wheel worthy of Fanatec. All the buttons are well positioned, the paddles are exceptionally responsive and the grip is just superb, largely due to the diameter of the wheel. However, the QR 1 Lite is this wheel’s Achilles’ heel, as are many of Fanatec’s entry/mid-range wheels. Put simply, the QR 1 Lite is made of plastic and, firstly, offers limited force feedback, so you’ll need to choose an appropriate base. And secondly, there’s a dead zone when you turn it a few degrees. But hey, for just €200, the CSL Elite WRC Steering Wheel is still an excellent wheel for sim-racing.

In terms of compatibility, this steering wheel is officially licensed by WRC to run on Xbox One, Xbox Series S/X and PC. On another point, you’ll need to acquire a base for sim-racing sessions, as this steering wheel is sold on its own. There’s no shortage of Fanatec bases on the manufacturer’s site, and you’ll easily find what you’re looking for, like the 8 nm CSL DD to keep with the mid-range theme. If you’re planning to use another base with a higher force feedback, you’ll need a metal QR, as the plastic one won’t do. In fact, if you ask me, get the metal QR in the first place, to solve the problem of dead zones and steering wheel disconnections.

Formula V2.5X

Advantages :

• Excellent build quality
• RevLED
• Carbon fiber
• Metal QR

Disadvantages :

• Handling a little difficult for beginners

Let’s move on to a steering wheel I really like, the Formula V2.5X. In over 20 years of existence, Fanatec has released numerous sim-racing peripherals, and the Formula V2.5X is one of them.

As with many other Fanatec peripherals, the Formula V2.5X uses carbon fiber for the wheel structure. This material is both ultra-resistant and very light, even though the entire wheel weighs 1.7 kg. There are 4 aluminum paddles, including 2 analogs. The wheel rim is made of Alcantara to provide a pleasant grip, and it really does.

Formula V2.5X is officially licensed for Xbox, but will work perfectly well on PC and even Playstation, provided you have a base compatible with Sony consoles. On PC, this problem doesn’t exist, as virtually all bases work on this platform.

As for buttons, there are 11, including Xbox ones, switches and an analog joystick. Honestly, that’s more than enough for any sim-racing fan. The steering wheel is also equipped with 2 vibrators to ensure a pleasant driving feel.

Of course, premium means RevLED. The Formula V2.5X features RevLEDs to display the engine’s rev counter. It’s really handy, especially for those who prefer to drive with a manual gearbox. This steering wheel is built with “quality” in mind. Unlike the CSL Elite WRC Steering Wheel, the Formula V2.5X comes with a metal Quick Release for a very solid connection between wheel and base. No more dead spots on the steering wheel.

All buttons are accessible without your hands leaving the wheel, which is perfect. However, I’ve seen several sim-racing beginners struggle to get used to the shape of the steering wheel and its grip. Personally, I haven’t had this problem, but then again, I’ve got hundreds of hours of sim-racing under my belt.

Price-wise, this steering wheel fits in perfectly with the GT Forza Motorsport V2. Expect to pay €399.95 for this little gem. It’s a little pricey, but it’s still an excellent steering wheel for sim-racing fans, and even for beginners who want to get started in this discipline.

Read my full review of the Fanatec Formula V2.5X.

Racing Wheel F1 Podium

Advantages :

• Powerful force feedback
• Carbon fiber construction
• Highly configurable
• Compatible with Xbox Series X/S

Disadvantages :

• High prices

Fanatec ‘s Podium steering wheels are considered to be the brand’s top of the range, and the Racing Wheel F1 is the very best. If you’re looking for the best steering wheel from the German manufacturer, look no further.

The premium feel is evident right from the start, with carbon fiber throughout the steering wheel structure. It’s not a skin or anything, it’s real carbon fiber for even greater immersion. As one of the Fanatec flywheels sold with a base, the Podium Racing Wheel F1 certainly has the best. With a maximum torque of 20 nm, it has to be said that the sensations are right up there, as is the immersion in an F1 car.

There are 11 buttons, as well as switches, paddles and an OLED screen. On this point, sim-racing fans will be well served. Almost all buttons are accessible without your hands leaving their position, except for a few. The steering wheel is highly ergonomic, but a little difficult to get to grips with at first, especially for beginners.

For fans of manual gear shifting, the Podium Racing Wheel F1 offers 6 paddles (4 magnetic and 2 analog). This is very useful for simulations requiring, for example, the use of a clutch, or the handbrake. But given the price of the steering wheel, I imagine that real fans have a dedicated handbrake. Because yes, the Podium Racing Wheel F1 is expensive. Very expensive indeed.

I don’t need to mention the QR, as it’s made of metal. As a result, you won’t experience any loss of feel when using this wheel, or indeed any of the brand’s other premium peripherals. As far as I’m concerned, this is one of, if not the best Fanatec steering wheel available for Xbox One. What’s more, it’s even compatible with PC and Xbox Series X/S, making it an excellent long-term investment, especially when you consider that its price is no less than €1,800 (€1,300 on special offer). True sim-racing fans know that a good setup doesn’t come cheap, and they’re willing to pay the price to push immersion to the max.

Read my full review of the Fanatec Podium Racing Wheel F1.

Which one to choose?

Previously, on consoles, the choice of a steering wheel, or even a sim-racing configuration, was limited. But now that Fanatec offers compatible products for Microsoft and Sony consoles, the situation has changed.

I advise you to choose a steering wheel Fanatec depending on your needs and the games you play. If you’re looking for real immersion in F1 22, for example, the Podium Racing Wheel F1 is the ultimate choice. But if you’re more into leisurely sim-racing with Dirt or another game, I’d choose the GT Forza Motorsport V2 for its affordability compared with the Podium F1. Don’t forget that you also need a pedalboard to push the immersion.

And if you choose another steering wheel, bear in mind that the base you choose must also be compatible with Xbox One, otherwise the wheel will be used for decoration only.