Le Mans Ultimate has arrived, bringing with it the thrill of a new racing experience straight from the creators of rFactor 2. It promises heart-pounding action and adrenaline-fueled challenges, but to truly immerse yourself in the intensity of the track, you'll need one of the best wheels for Le Mans Ultimate to elevate your gameplay to new heights.
We've put together a list of top-tier racing wheels to help you out here, all of which can massively enhance your racing skills, provided you've got the right wheel settings to get the most out of them. That's because these powerful devices all have the potential to improve your lap times by delivering a more realistic, immersive driving experience, with technology such as force feedback and direct drive accurately replicating the sensations of racing the prestigious Le Mans in real life.
Even though it's still in early access, and yet has already been on sale, our review highlights just how much Le Mans Ultimate has to give, and our list covers wheels that have equally as much in their locker as it does. So, based on their features, price, and reviews, these are the best wheels for Le Mans Ultimate we could find...
Best wheels for Le Mans Ultimate
- Logitech G923 - best force feedback option
- Logitech G PRO - a great direct drive alternative
- Thrustmaster TMX - top budget option to consider
- Fanatec Gran Turismo DD Extreme - the most powerful wheel you can buy
1. Logitech G923
Best force feedback wheel for Le Mans Ultimate
* prices are accurate at the time of the last update
Why we chose the Logitech G923
The Logitech G923 is probably the best force feedback wheel on the market when you factor in its relatively inexpensive price tag alongside its impressive feature set.
Logitech's TRUEFORCE feedback technology pulls the strings behind the scenes, delivering both kinesthetic and tactile force feedback at a speed of up to 4000Hz. This means it can accurately replicate the feeling of the road surface, weather, and terrain changes as well as elements like tire grip, bumps, and crashes from the game beneath your fingertips.
On the center console, you get a handy LED RPM indicator, strategically placed to make it easy to see to help you time gear shifts to perfection. It also comes with integrated back paddles that enable those flawlessly timed shifts for greater control and precision on the track.
It features a slew of supplementary buttons too, which add to the customization potential, and it comes with a set of pedals that feature a programmable dual-clutch to simulate real race car launch assist for even greater immersion and potential for success in the game.
Reasons to buy:
- Well-rounded for the price
- Comes with a very strong set of pedals
Read More: Best deals on sim racing equipment
2. Logitech G PRO
Best direct drive wheel for Le Mans Ultimate
- Amazon - $1,148.99 / £1,349.98
- Logitech - $799.99 / £999.99 (wheel only)
- Walmart - $1,043.05 (wheel only)
* prices are accurate at the time of the last update
Why we chose the Logitech G PRO
The Logitech G923 is good, but it's not the most powerful offering Logitech has at its disposal. No, if you're after one of the best direct drive wheels, you're going to want to take a look at the Logitech G PRO.
As mentioned in our review, the G PRO is a very well-rounded choice in the direct drive realm, delivering 11Nm force from Logitech's TRUEFORCE feedback technology once again. The reduced latency and heightened fidelity of direct drive only add to the immersion and realistic sensations you get when driving the Le Mans circuit.
On top of this, the wheel features a unique pro button layout known as "thumbsweep". Every button and dial is strategically placed for convenient access, allowing you to stay laser-focused on the track, even if you need to make mid-race adjustments.
The addition of magnetic gear-shift paddles and an intuitive mounting system enhances the G PRO's appeal even further, ensuring a swift and effortless setup so you can jump right into racing.
Reasons to buy:
- Delivers powerful direct drive
- Its "thumbsweep" layout keeps all the controls in close reach
Read More: Best wheel bases
3. Thrustmaster TMX
Best budget wheel for Le Mans Ultimate
* prices are accurate at the time of the last update
Why we chose the Thrustmaster TMX
If you're after an exceptional budget-friendly choice compared to the Logitech wheels we've talked about so far, look no further than the Thrustmaster TMX.
Aside from the price tag, one of its greatest selling points is its adjustable rotation capability. Spanning from 270 to 900 degrees, it often comes in incredibly handy when tackling broad turns. With force feedback technology too, this wheel offers an immersive racing experience, transmitting those on-track sensations straight to your hands.
Thrustmaster also takes pride in its optical reading system, boasting a 12-bit resolution that ensures precise control along the steering axis, crucial for maintaining accuracy on the track. Moreover, the wheel's construction is notable for its durable rubber coating and metal components everywhere else, giving it a sturdy base on which to last.
It's compatible with a range of great gear shifters too, if you want to add one, and it's of course ready to go on PC - the platform of choice for Le Mans Ultimate.
Reasons to buy:
- Cheaper than most of its rivals
- 12-bit resolution keeps it precise and accurate on the track
Read More: Best sim racing pedals
4. Fanatec Gran Turismo DD Extreme
The most powerful wheel for Le Mans Ultimate on the market
- Fanatec - $1,299.95 / €1,299.95
* prices are accurate at the time of the last update
Why we chose the Fanatec Gran Turismo DD Extreme
Extreme by name, and extreme by nature; the Fanatec Gran Turismo DD Extreme is one of the most powerful direct drive wheels on the market, making it a great opt
ion to consider for those looking for unrivaled feedback potential.
It merges an innovative wheel, developed in collaboration with Polyphony Digital, with the powerful 15 Nm ClubSport DD+ Wheel Base, ensuring steadfast torque delivery and precise feedback.
The wheel itself is multifaceted as well, boasting a realistic premium vegan leather rim and 300mm diameter, while the console features four 5-way directional sticks, RGB LED rings, RGB RevLEDs and FlagLEDs, and a 2.7” OLED display to help you stay on top of all the information of your car.
It comes with large magnetic paddle shifters on the back too, which makes shifting gear incredibly easy. Because it's so lightweight as well, you really will be able to feel everything that FullForce technology and the responsiveness of the direct drive motor have to offer - that's just what a wheel this powerful is all about.
Reasons to buy:
- It has an insane amount of direct drive power
- Plenty of LEDs and an OLED display keep you updated on your car's performance
Read More: Best sim racing shifters
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Buying anything can be quite confusing at times. No need to panic here though, because we've answered some of the most commonly asked questions about wheels and Le Mans Ultimate below...
Are all racing wheels compatible with Le Mans Ultimate?
With Le Mans Ultimate only available on PC at the moment, only wheels that are compatible with PC will work with the game. Fortunately, most racing wheels out there are PC-compatible, which opens up a wide range of options for you to consider.
Things are only going to get trickier if Le Mans Ultimate comes to console, in which case, you'll need to buy a wheel that works with the console you're going to be playing on. Many wheels are compatible with PlayStation or Xbox, not both, so bear that in mind when you come to buy.
Are racing wheels adjustable?
Most wheels are adjustable to some degree. For instance, you can customize the sensitivity for steering inputs in most cases, allowing you to control how much the in-game steering wheel responds to your movements.
Additionally, you can often adjust the rotation angle of the wheel. This feature determines the extent you need to turn the physical wheel to execute a full lock-to-lock turn in the game, affecting the driving dynamics.
Racing wheels equipped with feedback mechanisms also typically offer customization options for the strength and intensity of feedback effects, such as vibrations and resistance. This allows you to fine-tune the realism and immersion to your liking.
Furthermore, most of the wheels we've picked out above include programmable buttons and controls that can be altered to fit your gaming style or to align with specific controls of the racing game you are playing.
Just remember though, the level of adjustability can differ among various racing wheel models, so always double-check the product specifications and user manuals to fully understand the adjustable features available in a particular model.