Although the genesis of sim-racing was on the PC, it’s undeniable that game consoles (Playstation and Xbox) have greatly helped the discipline’s rise in popularity. With mainstream licenses such as Gran Turismo and Forza, it’s become easy enough to sim-race at home, without blowing your budget.

The PS4 is a famous console that has sold very well. With over 115 million units sold worldwide during its career, it has to be said that the market for PS4 peripherals is juicy, very juicy indeed.

Sim-racing is a discipline that has been around for over 20 years. Like you and me, there are millions of fans of this discipline, just like fans of motorsports and video games. I grew up with licenses such as Need For Speed, Gran Turismo, WRC, etc., titles that marked my youth and also forged my passion for sim-racing.

To do sim-racing properly, you need a setup. The simplest include a steering wheel, base and pedals. And for the more advanced ones, you also have a gearshift, a handbrake, multiple screens and a cockpit. As you’d expect, each setup is unique in terms of peripherals. It’s worth noting that not all sim-racing steering wheels are identical, nor are the bases, pedalboards, and so on.

For me, the most important element of any setup is the steering wheel. It’s how you control the car’s trajectories, feel the vibrators, the force feedback (for the base), etc. It’s a key element of immersion in sim-racing. It’s a key element of immersion in sim-racing, and in fact it’s the peripheral you should have first, in addition to the pedals of course.

On the PC, there’s been no shortage of steering wheels since the late 90s and early 2000s. But on consoles, it wasn’t the same. It took some time for sim-racing peripherals to be democratized on game consoles (Xbox and Playstation), thanks in particular to players such as Logitech and Thrustmaster.

In this article, I’m going to present the best steering wheels currently available for the PS4 in three ranges (entry, middle and top). I’ll also tell you what you need to consider when choosing a steering wheel.

The best entry-level PS4 steering wheels for under €400

The Logitech G29

Advantages :

• Complete bundle for a good price
• Beautiful design
• Easy to handle

Disadvantages :

• Non-linear force feedback

I’m starting with a very good PS4-compatible Logitech steering wheel, the G29. This is an entry-level peripheral offering very good value for money. The bundle includes wheel, pedalboard and base for under €300 most of the time.

Even though this steering wheel is aimed at beginner sim-racers, Logitech has not skimped on materials. This device uses aluminum and metal for the structure of the wheel and crankset, giving it solidity and greater immersion in sim-racing. The wheel is flat-bottomed, and I love the design.

The G29 ‘s ergonomics are excellent, even though the wheel is only 28 cm in diameter. It’s a little small, but won’t pose any problems when driving. On the steering wheel, all the PS4 controller buttons are positioned so that they’re not too far from your hands, as are the paddles.

As I said, this bundle also includes a pedalboard, which is of fairly good quality. Built in metal, this device is solid and will provide you with quite good sensations. The pedals are fitted withLoad Cell springs to provide force feedback, especially for braking. In absolute terms, it’s decent, even if the settings aren’t great. But then again, for less than €300, you can’t expect a revolution.

The base uses 2 motors with a gear system to produce the force feedback. It’s the best in this range, even if Thrustmaster offers a worse system on some of its steering wheels. The only weak point of this base is its non-linear force feedback: sometimes it’s well dosed, and sometimes it’s abrupt.

As far as I’m concerned, the Logitech G29 is an excellent wheel for beginners and amateurs alike. You’ve got everything you need to get started in this discipline, and for very little money too. I’m all for it.

Read my full review of the Logitech G29.

The Thrustmaster T300RS

Advantages :

• Compatible with PS5
• High-quality brushless motor
• Excellent build quality

Disadvantages :

• Plastic crankset

The Thrustmaster T300RS is, theoretically, a mid-range steering wheel if we are to believe the manufacturer. However, I prefer to add it here on this ranking, as there’s only the T150 which is considered entry-level, and the latter is not at all a good choice as far as I’m concerned.

So, the T300RS is an excellent flywheel for its price (in the €400 range), and includes a flywheel, base and crankset. The base uses a brushless motor to produce the force feedback, and it’s pretty good as far as I’m concerned. Unlike the G29 and its sometimes non-linear force feedback, the T300RS ‘s is very good.

The wheel is round, with a diameter of 28 cm. Again, I find this a little small, but it doesn’t change the ergonomics, which are excellent. The buttons (13 in all) are well placed, as are the paddles. You’ll have no trouble getting to grips with this steering wheel for amateur or beginner sim-racing.

The base of this steering wheel provides fluid force feedback for sim-racing. It’s linear, smooth and, above all, realistic. I enjoyed using it during my sim-racing sessions, even though I’m used to Fanatec Direct Drives. Admittedly, it’s not the same degree of immersion, but it’s good enough for everyday sim-racing.

Let me now turn to the weak point of this steering wheel: its crankset. To put it simply: the entire budget went into the motor and wheel, leaving nothing for the crankset. It’s a plastic structure with just 2 pedals. I’d advise you to get another crankset if you’re going to be sim-racing fairly regularly, because the T300RS ‘s is really bad, and I’m being nice with it. At Thrustmaster, you’ll find some pedal shovels, otherwise you have the T300RS GTwhich is exactly the same steering wheel with a better-quality crankset. Obviously, this model, the T300RS GT, is more expensive than the normal one, so it’s up to you.

Honestly, I like this steering wheel for amateur sim-racing. It’s not really expensive, offers a good driving experience and, above all, excellent immersion. Just make sure you buy it when it’s on sale, otherwise it’ll cost you over €400.

Read my full review of the Thrustmaster T300 RS.

The best mid-range PS4 steering wheels (under €800)

The Logitech G923 Trueforce

Advantages :

• Good value for money
• Good build quality

Disadvantages :

• Trueforce system not up to scratch

Le G923 is, in fact, a vast improvement on the G29 and G920 steering wheels. Logitech’s latest steering wheel takes the same basic principles as its predecessors, but adds new technologies and, above all, greater compatibility.

If you didn’t know, Logitech was making two steering wheels, identical but compatible for each console. The G29 for Playstation, and the G920 for Xbox. With the G923, there’s just one wheel for both platforms. This simplifies purchasing and manufacturing. But the changes don’t stop there. The G923 incorporates a new technology devised by Logitech: Trueforce. In theory, this technology provides greater immersion for the player by connecting directly to the game’s physics engine, retrieving information from it and transmitting it via the steering wheel.

For example, if you drive over a vibrator, not only will you hear it, but the steering wheel will vibrate from right to left, just like in real life. However, this system is still in its infancy, and it’s pretty realistic when it works.

In terms of design, the G923 resembles the steering wheels it replaces, with a 28 cm-diameter wheel and all-metal construction. Frankly, it’s very handsome, and the wheel feels very good in the hand. Logitech has also added a RevLED to the wheel, as well as a Launch Control function, which is very popular these days.

I’ll pass quickly over the ergonomics of this steering wheel, which are excellent, as were those of its predecessors. Everything is in the right place, within easy reach. Also, the crankset is of better quality than that of the G29. The springs are sturdy, which will give you a better driving feel.

All in all, this is a great step forward for Logitech, and especially for sim racers. The G923 is an excellent steering wheel that I’d recommend mainly to amateurs and fans of the discipline. If you’re new to sim-racing, I’d recommend the G29 or G920, which are both less expensive and will delight you to no end.

Read my full review of the Logitech G923.

The Fanatec Gran Turismo DD Pro 5 nm

Advantages :

• 5 nm Direct Drive motor
• Official Gran Turismo license
• Excellent build quality

Disadvantages :

• Plastic Quick Release

Fanatec is a well-known brand in the sim-racing world, offering top-quality peripherals designed for fans of the discipline, and even professional drivers. Although Fanatec made its debut on the PC, the German brand soon added console compatibility to its catalog to attract a wider customer base.

The Gran Turismo DD Pro is an officially licensed steering wheel manufactured in partnership with Sony. The wheel is 28 cm in diameter, giving it a very compact appearance. What’s more, it has a flat bottom, which will delight many a sim-racer. The design is simply sublime, with noble materials such as aluminum.

The bundle includes the steering wheel, DD base and pedals. The base, a 5 nm CSL DD, is excellent and above all robust. Fanatec has mastered this technology, so there’s nothing to worry about. The crankset is also metal, giving the rider a good feel thanks to the Load Cell pedals.

The ergonomics of this steering wheel are excellent, with a concentration of buttons on the edges of the wheel and paddles at the rear, which are, incidentally, a little small for my taste. There’s also a RevLED on the steering wheel, which is very useful for knowing when to shift into manual mode.

Honestly, it’s a near-perfect steering wheel for the PS4, and the PS5 too, if it weren’t for its plastic Quick Release. The QR 1 Lite is notorious for having a dead zone of a few degrees when you turn the wheel, as well as disconnecting a little too often when you drive aggressively.

As for price, Fanatec fans know that the brand’s products don’t come cheap. Expect to pay €700 for the 5 nm DD version of this bundle, which I think is fair, and €850 for the 8 nm DD version. Personally, I’d recommend the 5 nm version if you want to use the plastic Quick Release. If you opt for the metal QR, the 8 nm version is an option. Otherwise, in standard configuration, this steering wheel is excellent, almost perfect.

Read my full review of the Fanatec GT DD Pro.

The best high-end PS4 steering wheels (over €1000)

The Logitech G Pro Wheel

Advantages :

• 11 nm Direct Drive
• Very good build quality
• Steering wheel with Quick Release

Disadvantages :

• Price a little high

In the past, Logitech was mainly present in the entry- and mid-range segment, but the manufacturer wants to change that by offering a range of products that will titillate Fanatec, the G Pro.

So, the G Pro Wheel is Logitech’s first Direct Drive steering wheel with 11 nm force feedback. As far as I’m concerned, it’s an excellent start, especially when you consider that there’s no real competitor on the same performance level. Opposite Logitech, you have Fanatec with its 8 nm CSL DD and Moza with its 9 nm R9 base, both of which deliver less torque.

The design of the G Pro Wheel is sublime, virtually all black with only the wheel structure in anodized aluminum. I love it. This wheel is available in 2 versions, including one for the PS4/PS5 with all the console buttons superbly positioned. Another positive point is that the G Pro Wheel integrates 4 paddles attached to the wheel, which will be very useful for Launch Control, etc. Also, the G Pro range finally makes use of a Quick Release for its steering wheel, which leads us to believe that Logitech is preparing a whole series of steering wheels using this system. That’s a big plus in my book.

And now for the price. Priced at €1,100, the G Pro Wheel is a bit pricey for my taste, especially as it’s sold as a steering wheel + base bundle. Admittedly, the Direct Drive makes 11 nm of torque, but this is the first time Logitech has used this technology, and only time will tell whether it’s reliable or not. If the bundle were sold with the G Pro pedalboard (which costs almost €400 on its own), I’d recommend this wheel without hesitation. But €1,100 for the base and steering wheel is a bit steep, especially when compared to the following.

The Fanatec GT DD Extreme

Fanatec’s brand-new GT DD Extreme bundle has just been released, much to the delight of sim-racing and Gran Turismo fans. Following the successful recipe of the GT DD and GT DD Pro models, which featured a CSL DD base with 5 or 8 nm of torque and a specific steering wheel developed in partnership with Polyphonie Studio, this time it’s more or less the same, except that the base is none other than the ClubSport DD+ with 15 nm of torque.

The new DD+, as I just mentioned, develops 15 nm of constant torque. This means that, if you want it, you’ll have the full power of the base at all times, and not at maximum, as is the case with the competition. This base is not only powerful, but also extremely communicative in terms of light and heavy details. With it, and once you’ve set it up correctly, you’ll feel the slightest input from the car you’re driving, from a simple loss of grip, to mass movements in curves, to ABS interventions if you’ve activated it.

A new bundle also means a new steering wheel. Well, not that new, actually. Fanatec, in partnership with the Gran Turismo development studio, based its design on the old GT DD bundle steering wheel, slightly enhancing the wheel’s quality and overall appearance. As far as I’m concerned, the new steering wheel feels better in the hand, and the leather dilutes its toy-like appearance.

This bundle is already available on the Fanatec website for €1300. All you need is a pedalboard to complete your racing setup, preferably one in Load Cell.

The Fanatec Clubsport Racing Wheel F1

Advantages :

• Premium manufacturing
• F1 license
• Highly configurable

Disadvantages :

• Difficult to handle
• Very premium prices

I’ll end with the best Fanatec bundle (base+wheel) if you’re an F1 fan: the Clubsport Racing Wheel F1. To cut a long story short, this bundle is simply perfect. A little tricky to get to grips with, but perfect in every detail.

So, the wheel is in blue forged carbon, with a diameter of 27 cm. Frankly, it’s really small, especially when compared to other steering wheels from the German manufacturer. On the wheel, you’ve got 11 buttons, switches, 2 thumb encoders, a RevLED, an OLED screen and 6 paddles, including 2 analog ones. It’s simply a sim-racer’s paradise, especially for those who want to parameterize everything.

The base of this steering wheel is a 15 nm DD+, which isn’t bad at all. You’ll be able to feel everything the vehicle does with force and, above all, precision. Fanatec knows what to do with Direct Drive bases, and the Clubsport Racing Wheel F1 is the ultimate proof.

This bundle is clearly aimed at hardcore fans of the discipline, even if it is a little difficult to get to grips with at first. Its only weak point is the price. At almost €1,300, this bundle is ultra-premium, especially when you consider that all you get is the wheel and the 15nm DD+ base. But honestly, I’d much rather add €200 than take the G Pro Wheel.

The different steering wheel ranges for PS4

Currently on the sim-racing market, all peripherals are divided into 3 main ranges, namely entry-level, mid-range and high-end. Some brands are present in all 3 ranges, such as Logitech recently, while others, such as Fanatec, focus on the mid-range and high-end.

Entry-level

The entry-level range of steering wheels for PS4 is distinguished mainly by 2 brands: Logitech and Thrustmaster. The aim of this range is to offer inexpensive products that will encourage people to start sim-racing. And as far as I’m concerned, that makes sense, because you can’t expect the average person to spend over €1,000 on a setup when they know nothing about sim-racing.

Typically, entry-level steering wheels come in bundle form, with a steering wheel attached to a base and a pedalboard. On the steering wheels, you’ll find all the buttons of the compatible console (PS4 in our case), plus paddles. These steering wheels are simple, let’s face it, and cheap too, with prices typically under €300 for the most popular. Since we’re talking about entry-level peripherals, the basic force feedback technologies are often in the form of geared or belt-driven motors.

These technologies are decent, but provide a rather blurred force feedback, often with dead zones in the center. As for the steering wheels, they’re often of fairly good quality and relatively sturdy if you shop at well-known brands like Logitech. As for cranksets, well, they’re ultra-simple. Configurations are often 3 pedals, sometimes 2, with springs for resistance.

On the whole, the entry-level sim-racing wheels are there just to see whether you want to continue in this discipline or not, or whether you want to do it every Sunday without blowing your wallet too much.

The mid-range

This range is certainly the most popular in the sim-racing world, especially with players like Fanatec. Mid-range sim-racing wheels are much better than entry-level ones, in many respects.

First of all, the build quality is clearly superior. You have the use of noble materials like aluminum, leather, Alcantara even. Typically, these steering wheels are designed in partnership with brands such as BMW, McLaren and Porsche, to produce official replicas of the finest craftsmanship.

These wheels have access to better technologies, such as magnetic paddles, OLED screens, RevLEDs, Quick Release, Direct Drive bases and more. For me, this is the range to shop for if you’re a sim-racing enthusiast or fan.

In this range, and especially with brands like Fanatec, we’re starting to see some product segmentation. This means that you’ll have steering wheels, bases and pedalboards sold separately. The vision behind this practice is to customize setups with the peripherals you like best, and this is very much in evidence at German manufacturer Fanatec.

As for the price range for mid-range setups, you’ll need between €500 and €1,000 to get the whole package (steering wheel, base and pedals). This is considerably more expensive than the entry-level setups (3 times more in some cases), but the immersion is much better.

Top of the range

Here, it’s the big leagues, and on the PS4, it’s mainly Fanatec who dominate the game. In this range, you’ll find top-quality peripherals using materials such as carbon fiber, aluminum and Alcantara, and often in official racing wheel replicas.

For the bases, the technologies are exclusively Direct Drive, with force feedback of up to 25 nm. I can guarantee that immersion is the order of the day. These steering wheels are also packed with features, such as vibration, OLED screens with tons of information, button hubs, 4 or 6 paddles, including 2 analog paddles for Launch Control, and so on.

Personally, I love the top-of-the-range steering wheels, because you get a better driving feel, as well as immersion. But, often, the price of these peripherals stands in the way of many sim-racers who want to upgrade their setup. To put it simply, top-of-the-range sim-racing wheels start at at least €1,000, and go up to around €2,000.

Which one to choose?

• Budget. As with other peripherals, you need to set yourself a budget for a steering wheel. Although we’ve seen several bundled options, some manufacturers, like Fanatec, offer a wide catalog of stand-alone steering wheels for the PS4.
• Availability. Some brands are only available via their online store (Fanatec among others). If you want to see a steering wheel before you buy, you need to take this into consideration.
• Compatibility. I’d advise you to choose a steering wheel that’s compatible with both PS4 and PS5, so that you have a product that will serve you for many years to come. Even if we currently have PS4-compatible titles, this won’t be the case for some time to come.