Finding the best wheel base can be tricky at times, especially if you're not entirely sure what you should be looking for to complete your sim racing setup.
Fortunately, we've compiled a list of top picks based on price, reviews, and features to kick off your search in the best way possible.
Features-wise, we've highlighted bases that can deliver a serious amount of torque to give as much feedback as possible. We'd say anything that can deliver 8Nm or above is enough to maximise realism.
We've also made sure to select bases compatible with a range of different racing peripherals, including some of the best wheels for PS5 and Xbox Series X, as well as PC.
So, whether you're after a wheel base built for PC gaming, like this MOZA R9, or something compatible with all consoles, like these Fanatec CSL DD / GT DD Pro devices, we've got you covered right here.
We've also made sure to answer some of the most commonly asked questions about wheel bases, so stay tuned until the end to learn what exactly they are and what you should be looking out for when making your purchase. With that in mind, here's our list of the best wheel bases available now...
Best wheel base
click to enlarge
+ 41. MOZA R9
Best wheel base for PC
Torque: 9Nm
Compatibility: PC
The 9Nm MOZA R9 stands out to us as it delivers a full direct drive experience for anyone looking to make the jump from gear or belt-driven sim racing alternatives.
It's also incredibly compact, meaning you should be able to attach it to any rig, and can even be used with a table clamp for those looking for a bit more security in their setup.
The wheelbase is only compatible with PC, so console players will have to look at Fanatec for a DD experience. However, if you’re on PC and looking for your first direct drive wheel - it’s hard to recommend much else!
Read More: Best racing wheels
click to enlarge + 42. Fanatec CSL DD / GT DD Pro
Best wheel base for PlayStation
Torque: 8Nm
Compatibility: PC, Xbox, PlayStation
Fanatec’s “baby DD” wheel base is one of the most affordable ways for at-home racers to feel the benefit of direct drive.
The wheel base delivers up to 5Nm of torque, and can be boosted to 8Nm with an additional Boost Kit. The pocket-sized wheel base can be mounted onto any wheel stand or rig too, and it even has a table clamp for those without a semi-permanent setup.
The CSL DD is compatible with PC and Xbox, while the GT DD Pro, as highlighted in our review, is compatible with PlayStation and PC, but will work with the Xbox too if you have an appropriate steering wheel attached.
Read More: Best sim racing pedals
click to enlarge + 43. Fanatec Podium DD2
Best wheel base for Xbox
Torque: 25Nm
Compatibility: PC, Xbox
The DD2 is Fanatec’s biggest, baddest wheel base and the one used by official esports championships such as F1 Esports.
The base produces a staggering 25Nm of torque, matching the output most real race cars produce using power steering. Moreover, you get an in-built OLED display for real-time performance monitoring too. The Podium DD2 is only compatible with PC and Xbox though, so if you are a PlayStation racer then you’ll have to look elsewhere.
Given its serious power output, a more rigid rig with one of the best racing seats is optimal, but it will happily attach to a wheel stand too.
Read More: Best sim racing shifters
click to enlarge + 44. Simucube 2 Ultimate
Best premium wheel base
Torque: 32Nm
Compatibility: PC
The Simucube 2 Ultimate stands out as one of the leading wheel bases available today, making it the preferred choice for professional sim racers seeking unparalleled performance.
With its exceptional capacity to deliver 32Nm of torque, the force feedback experience it offers is truly next-level, elevating the realism of simulation to new heights. When it comes to responsiveness, it outshines all other wheel bases on the market.
However, it's important to note that the Simucube 2 Ultimate is exclusively compatible with PC. Console racers looking to enjoy the advantages of direct drive technology may want to explore Fanatec's range of products as a suitable alternative.
Read More: Best monitors for racing
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
When it comes to finding the right wheel base, there are usually a few questions that come to mind. Don't worry though because we've answered some of the more common queries right here.
What is a wheel base?
A wheel base is essentially the heart of a sim racing setup as it provides the power and drive to a steering wheel as well as its force feedback sensation.
Force feedback is a simulation technique used by racing wheels to deliver a true-to-life representation of what it is like to race in the same conditions as your game in real life. To do this, the wheel base uses motors to create resistance to align with what's happening on your screen.
As shown in our list, you can also get direct drive which is similar to force feedback except the motor is directly attached to the wheel, allowing the full feedback from the motor to be felt as there are fewer components involved between you, the wheel, and the mechanism.
What should you look for from a wheel base?
Before looking into some of the finer technical details, you should first check that the wheel base you're looking to buy is compatible with your console and racing wheel. This information can usually be found in the product description.
From there, we'd recommend checking out what kind of force feedback the device in question offers, plus how much torque it can deliver to your steering wheel. The higher the torque, the more intense and powerful the feedback should be.
How much should you spend on a wheel base?
Generally speaking, if you're in the market for a wheel base, then you're likely looking to upgrade your current setup and, as such, may want to invest a little more to pick up a high-end bit of kit to take your racing experience to the next level.
As a result, standalone wheel bases don't come cheap, with anything priced slightly cheaper usually coming with a fixed wheel attached.
The Fanatec CSL DD is one of the cheapest we featured in our list, yet it still comes with a fairly significant price tag. As a result, we'd only recommend picking up a wheel base if you're serious about sim racing and have the available budget to do so.
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