Best Racing Wheels 2024

Enhancing your gaming setup with the best racing wheel can transform your experience, offering a level of immersion that traditional controllers, mice, or keyboards cannot match. Compatibility is crucial, however, and while some top-tier wheels cater exclusively to certain platforms like PlayStation, Xbox, and PC, you can also find wheels that work seamlessly across all consoles. This is particularly beneficial if you use more than one gaming platform.

Once you've ensured compatibility, the focus shifts to features that enhance realism. Look for wheels that provide tactile feedback, allowing you to feel every bump and shift in the road directly through your hands. For the most authentic experience, consider a top direct drive wheel, which offers the most precise feedback, or a force feedback wheel, which provides a slightly more affordable option without significantly compromising on quality.

The construction of the wheel is also important. Opt for wheels built with durable materials like metal rather than plastic for longevity and stability. Additionally, wheels that feature a lining of plush Alcantara or leather not only add a touch of luxury but also improve grip comfort during extended gaming sessions.

That's a lot to take in, so to help you out, we have evaluated top racing wheels and compiled a list based on features, build quality, price, and user reviews. Here are our top picks across all platforms...

Best racing wheels

1. Logitech G923 - a well-rounded pick for any platform
2. Thrustmaster T-GT II - a competitive option for the PS4
3. Fanatec Gran Turismo DD Pro - best direct drive choice for the PS5
4. Fanatec CSL DD - a great alternative for Xbox
5. MOZA RS V2 - a stellar wheel to upgrade your PC setup.

Credit: Logitech

1. Logitech G923

Best racing wheel overall

We're starting with a great all-rounder given it's compatible with all the major consoles as well as PC. The wheel in question is this Logitech G923, featured before in our lists of the best wheels for Forza Motorsport as well as Gran Turismo 7.

Let's begin by mentioning Logitech's TRUEFORCE feedback technology. It's a system designed to plug directly into in-game physics for unprecedented levels of realism thanks to its real-time haptics software. However, you also get a 24-point selection dial unit on the wheel itself, meaning everything from traction to torque, and even brake force is all adjustable right in front of you.

Logitech hasn't held back on the build either. The wheel is made from a combination of aluminium, steel, and leather. As a result, you should find this Logitech bit of kit can withstand all the trails of home racing, whilst taking your in-game immersion to the next level.

Read More: Best deals on sim racing equipment

Credit: Thrustmaster

2. Thrustmaster T-GT II

Best racing wheel for PS4

The Thrustmaster T-GT II is an impressive bit of kit that has been developed through research to deliver a truly authentic and immersive racing experience, complete with all the essentials you need for gaming.

Thrustmaster boasts the wheel has been refined through more than 23,000 hours of intense Research and Development work, resulting in a device capable of high-velocity force feedback from its 40-watt brushless motor and consistent performance due to Thrustmaster's patented H.E.A.R.T innovation.

It's also worth touching on its build. The wheel is wrapped in leather, and it features 25 action buttons on the main console. Included in these buttons are four rotary selectors natively recognised in GT Sport, making it a great option for games like Gran Turismo.

The wheel is officially licensed for PlayStation too, which means it's up there as one of the best wheels you can buy for the PS4. If you're after an upgrade in this realm, this one is worth checking out.

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Credit: Fanatec

3. Fanatec Gran Turismo DD Pro

Best racing wheel for PS5

While compatible with the majority of consoles, we feel the Fanatec Gran Turismo DD Pro is best suited to next-gen (although more current-gen these days) gaming, particularly the PS5.

It's the first direct drive wheel on our list, and, therefore, comes with a premium price tag. However, to get the most out of everything the PS5 has to offer, you're going to want something that can deliver as realistic feedback effects as possible. To achieve this, the wheel is directly mounted to the motor shaft, meaning no belt or gear drive is weakening the response.

The wheel face is pretty advanced too. You get an OLED head-up display and diffused RevLEDs to give visual information on your driving. You also get a set of four 5-way directional sticks that correspond to the familiar PlayStation inputs, hence why we think it's a particularly great pick for PS5.

Other notable features include the Boost Kit 180 unlocking the wheel's full 8 Nm of torque, paddle shifters, plus the tactile rubber grips around the edge for grip.

For more information here, check out our review of the Fanatec Gran Turismo DD Pro. We'd say it's a great choice for most people, as it's ideal for those after a direct drive experience. However, Fanatec does have something more powerful with the DD Extreme, which is worth checking out if you want the incredibly high 15 Nm of torque.

Read More: Best sim racing shifters

Credit: Fanatec

4. Fanatec CSL DD

Best racing wheel for Xbox

Continuing with Fanatec and another direct drive wheel, the Fanatec CSL DD looks to be a superb bit of kit for playing your favourite racing titles on Xbox. In fact, it's officially licensed by the World Rally Championship (WRC), and is used in WRC esports competitions as a result.

So, why has the WRC chosen this particular device? Well, it features a premium build that combines brushed aluminium with plush Alcantara for comfort and grip around the rim.

Moreover, it comes with its own set of detachable paddles, a RevStripe, and a three-digit LED screen to provide useful information like your speed in compatible games. You can also access the Tuning Menu to tweak any settings during gameplay to suit your preferences.

Again, it's worth mentioning it comes with Fanatec's Boost Kit 180 to deliver 8 Nm of torque, which is another reason why it's such a great direct drive choice for Xbox.

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Credit: MOZA Racing

5. MOZA RS V2

Best racing wheel for PC

PC gaming tends to lend itself to some of the more serious sim racing titles. With that in mind, one of the best wheels for the likes of Assetto Corsa, rFactor 2, and iRacing, for example, is this MOZA RS V2.

Firstly, it's worth mentioning that this 13", genuine leather, carbon fibre, and aluminium wheel is compatible with a range of direct drive and force feedback bases, including the impressive 9 Nm MOZA R9 for an unrivalled direct drive experience.

On the wheel, you get a ton of additional buttons and an LED Rev counter to help you time your gear shifts to perfection with all the information right in front of you. And, when it comes to actually changing gear, you get two lightweight carbon fibre magnetic shifters on the back of the wheel to make each change as quick as possible.

Finally, it comes with a handy quick-release system to ensure a solid, stable connection after every use, and when you want to switch between devices. Overall, the RS V2 stands out from the crowd as one of the best wheels for PC right now.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Buying a racing wheel can often lead to a ton of questions, especially if it is your first time. Don't worry though, we've answered some of the most commonly asked queries below.

How much should you spend on a racing wheel?

Your available budget along with how much you're willing to invest in sim racing will determine how much you should spend on a wheel.

That being said, racing wheels vary massively in price. So, whatever budget you do have, there's bound to be a wheel out there to suit what you can afford.

Of course, some of the budget options may not come with all the bells and whistles some of the more premium picks have. However, there are plenty of great wheels with relatively inexpensive price tags to consider.

The Hori Overdrive / Apex, for example, features in our guide on the best budget racing equipment around. Despite its lower price, you still get a 270-degree turn radius with adjustable output options to give you complete control over your setup.

If you can extend your budget a little further though, then there are a whole host of great wheels to consider that come with force feedback and, towards the top end of the scale, direct drive, to add more realism to your sim experience.

With all this in mind, the choice of how much to spend comes down to you. Don't worry if you can't afford a premium wheel right now though. You can always upgrade down the line.

What does force feedback mean for a racing wheel?

Force feedback is a simulation technique used in racing wheels to create as realistic a racing experience as possible.

Force feedback is achieved through a combination of in-game code from whichever title you're playing, the right configuration, and several electric motors inside the wheel itself.

The motors work in tandem with what is displayed on the screen, and adjust themselves depending on the driving conditions to create resistance.

At this point, it's worth noting not every racing wheel comes with force feedback capabilities. You may be able to change this by upgrading to one of the best wheel bases, although this isn't always the case.

We'd recommend going for something that comes with some kind of feedback technology though, as, without it, you're missing out on some excellent in-game immersion.

What does direct drive mean for a racing wheel?

Direct drive technology takes force feedback to the next level by eliminating the belt or gear system that is typically used in conjunction with the motor to simulate resistance.

With direct drive, the wheel is directly attached to the feedback motor, allowing users to experience full resistance with fewer components between the wheel, motor, and the user. Direct drive devices tend to be more expensive than their force feedback counterparts as they use larger motors, which require more materials.

Also, to direct drive, only a few motors are capable of meeting the necessary precision, including stepper motors or AC servo motors. These motors require complex control systems and separate drivers to function properly.

Are racing wheels adjustable?

Yes, many racing wheels are adjustable to allow you to customise your gaming experience according to your personal preferences. For example, most racing wheels allow you to adjust the sensitivity of the steering input. This determines how much the virtual steering wheel in the game turns in response to your physical input on the racing wheel.

Also, some racing wheels allow you to adjust the rotation angle of the virtual steering wheel, influencing how far you need to turn the physical racing wheel to achieve a full lock-to-lock turn in the game.

Those with feedback settings tend to allow you to alter the strength and intensity of the feedback effects, such as vibration, resistance, and movement. You can often fine-tune these settings to match your preferred level of realism and immersion.

As racing wheels typically come with buttons and other controls, most models allow you to customise the button assignments to suit your preferences or to match the controls of the specific racing game you're playing.

Keep in mind that the extent of adjustability can vary between different racing wheel models. So, it's a good idea to review the product specifications and user manuals to understand the specific adjustable features offered by that particular model.

Are sim racing wheels suitable for beginners?

Yes, sim racing wheels are suitable for beginners. In fact, they can be an excellent way for newcomers to racing sims to enhance their gaming experience and improve their driving skills.

This is because they can provide a more intuitive and immersive way to control virtual vehicles compared to traditional gamepads or keyboards. The steering wheel and pedal setup closely mimic the controls of a real car, making it easier for beginners to understand and learn.

Sim racing wheels often feature feedback technology too, which replicates the sensations of driving a real car by providing tactile feedback through the wheel. This feedback helps beginners develop a better sense of car control, including understanding when the car is losing traction or experiencing understeer/oversteer.

As someone who has used a controller to play racing games, I can safely say it's easy to be more precise using a wheel as well. Making minor adjustments to your steering is both easier and more fluid in comparison to using the thumbsticks on a gamepad, thus making a wheel an excellent choice for beginners overall.