The home of virtual motorsport news, guides, & reviews

The home of virtual motorsport news, guides, & reviews

Best Wheel For F1 23

F1 23 in-game image of the white, red, and navy Alpha Tauri racing ahead of the Haas F1 car.
Credit: EA

Adding the best wheel for F1 23 to your home setup is a great way to get the edge on the track. Be it an online competition or an offline career, a quality wheel can help reduce your lap times significantly. However, finding a great wheel isn't as easy as it sounds.

Fortunately, we're here to help as we've rounded up some of the best racing wheels on the market and placed them into one list. So, with the 1.16 update out now helping the game be one of the best in the series, why settle for anything less than the best this year?

What exactly makes a great wheel for F1 23? Well, we've predominately focused on wheels which come with some form of feedback technology. Force Feedback is common, but if you're willing to spend a little extra, then there are some amazing Direct Drive devices worth checking out.

Build-wise, well a Formula-style design is preferable for some people, although not necessary for the F1 game. That said, we would recommend something made from high-quality materials to help ensure your wheel withstands the test of time.

So, with these features in mind, along with their price, and reviews, here are some of the best wheels for F1 23 available now. We'll make sure to keep this guide updated once new devices join the sim racing scene. For now though, here are our top picks...

Best wheel for F1 23

  1. Logitech G PRO
  2. Thrustmaster T-GT II
  3. Thrustmaster TS-XW Racer
  4. Fanatec Podium Racing Wheel Formula
  5. Hori Racing Wheel Apex / Overdrive
Logitech G PRO product image of a black racing wheel with a metal centre and pedals next.
click to enlarge
+ 5
Credit: Logitech

1. Logitech G PRO

Best wheel for F1 23 overall

Manufacturer: Logitech
Compatibility: PlayStation, Xbox, PC

The Logitech G PRO stands out as an unparalleled all-rounder, offering compatibility across all major consoles and PCs. Regardless of your gaming platform, this wheel has you completely covered.

Operating on Direct Drive technology, it boasts an impressive 11Nm of force and incorporates Logitech's cutting-edge TRUEFORCE feedback system. This powerful combination, as touched on in our review, delivers a remarkably realistic racing experience akin to being behind the wheel of an F1 car, all from the comfort of your home. With reduced latency and heightened fidelity, the immersion is exceptional.

A key highlight is Logitech's design of the PRO “thumbsweep” button layout. Every dial and button is strategically positioned for easy access, ensuring you stay focused on the track even while activating features like DRS.

Adding to its appeal are magnetic gear-shift paddles, dual-clutch paddles, and a hassle-free mounting system, guaranteeing a swift setup process. The Logitech G PRO offers a wealth of features that make it an incredibly compelling choice for your gaming setup.

Thrustmaster T-GT II product image of a black and silver wheel and pedals.
click to enlarge
+ 5
Credit: Thrustmaster

2. Thrustmaster T-GT II

Best wheel for F1 23 PlayStation

Manufacturer: Thrustmaster
Compatibility: PlayStation, PC

If you're after something for your PlayStation setup specifically, then this Thrustmaster T-GT II could be the wheel for you as it's a real powerhouse packed with amazing technology.

Officially licensed for the PS4 and PS5, the main feature of this device is arguably its high-velocity 40-watt brushless motor. According to Thrustmaster, it delivers responsive Force Feedback with high torque capacity for unrivalled realism.

However, that's not all this wheel has to offer. It also comes with 25 action buttons, 1 push button, and 4 rotary selectors. Plus, it features Thrustmaster's H.E.A.R.T technology, which is designed to maintain the wheel's precision over time to keep you racing to the best of your ability for years to come.

A 3-pedal T3PA GT II, arguably some of the best sim racing pedals on the market, is also included to complete this fantastic sim racing bundle.

Thrustmaster TS-XW Racer product image of a red and black wheel and pedals.
click to enlarge
+ 5
Credit: Thrustmaster

3. Thrustmaster TS-XW Racer

Best wheel for F1 23 Xbox

Manufacturer: Thrustmaster
Compatibility: Xbox, PC

From PlayStation to Xbox, this officially licensed Thrustmaster TS-XW Racer wheel stands out from the crowd as a great option to consider for F1 23 thanks to its powerful 40-watt brushless servomotor delivering accurate Force Feedback to your fingertips.

Thrustmaster also utilises a Motor Cooling Embedded system to help it maintain consistent feedback, even under extensive use during longer F1 23 sessions.

Interestingly, the wheel also comes with a dual belt-pulley system for smoother turning with no dead zones. So, when it comes to tackling tough chicanes or hairpins (Monaco springs to mind), its complete turning radius should come in handy.

All in all, an impressive bit of kit. However, if you're looking to further customise your setup, then the Thrustmaster Quick Release system means you can swap out for any product in Thrustmaster’s racing ecosystem for a more bespoke layout.

Fanatec Podium Racing Wheel Formula product image of a Formula-style black and orange wheel.
click to enlarge
+ 5
Credit: Fanatec

4. Fanatec Podium Racing Wheel Formula

Best wheel for F1 23 PC

Manufacturer: Fanatec
Compatibility: PC, Xbox

If you're really looking to invest in your setup, we'd recommend checking out this impressive Fanatec Podium Racing Wheel Formula bundle, particularly if you're playing F1 on a powerful gaming PC.

Starting with the wheel itself, you get Fanatec's high-end ClubSport Steering Wheel Formula V2.5. It's a Forumla-style device that comes packed with 11 buttons, 12-way multi-position switches, thumb encoders, and rocker switches; plus you get RevLEDs to show the optimal shifting point right in front of you.

The wheel is then connected to Fanatec's DD2, one of the best wheel bases in the game. It delivers Direct Drive feedback through a bespoke motor that's designed to provide outstanding acceleration, ultra-low cogging, and exceptional holding torque performance over time.

Finally, this particular bundle includes a Podium Advanced Paddle Module, giving you two magnetic, carbon fibre shifters and two additional magnetic paddles for functions like DRS.

So, in terms of the ultimate package, this wheel bundle from Fanatec is certainly up there. Yes, it's a premium option, but if you take F1 seriously, it might be worth the investment.

Hori Racing Wheel Apex / Overdrive product image of a black wheel with a red centre line.
click to enlarge
+ 5
Credit: Hori

5. Hori Racing Wheel Apex / Overdrive

Best budget wheel for F1 23

Manufacturer: Hori
Compatibility: PlayStation, Xbox, PC

If you're new to F1 or don't want to break the bank on a wheel just yet, we'd suggest taking a look at the Hori Racing Wheel Apex for PlayStation, or Overdrive if your platform of choice is Xbox.

These two relatively inexpensive devices have a lot to offer considering their price tags. For example, the wheels feature 270-degree rotation, with completely adjustable dead zones via the companion application. You can also set up four different profiles using the app, allowing you to seamlessly switch between setups without having to manually adjust every time.

The wheels also come with paddle shifters, their own D-pads, and remappable buttons, which you can assign to some of your most-used in-game controls.

With a full-size pedal set and a sturdy clamping system as well, we feel there's plenty to like about these Hori devices. So, make sure you check them out if it's a budget wheel you're after for F1.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Finding the best wheel can be tricky at times, and often leads to a ton of questions. Don't worry, we've answered some of the most commonly asked questions below...

Should you buy a wheel for F1 23?

While you may not need a wheel to play F1 23, there are many advantages to adding one to your setup.

For instance, the wheels we've selected all come with some sort of feedback technology. In most cases, you get either Direct Drive or Force Feedback, both of which can help you figure out when you've hit track limits through vibrations felt through the wheel itself. This means you can adjust accordingly to avoid any time penalties.

Moreover, we find minor adjustments to steering easier with a wheel compared to using a controller. Trust us, trying to apply just a few centimeters extra tilt to your steering in-game using an analog stick takes some practice. With a wheel, you tend to avoid this.

That said, using a wheel does take some getting used to. Also, a controller or keyboard offers greater versatility away from racing. So, if you're a more casual F1 racer, then you may find picking up a top gamepad to be more beneficial instead.

How much should you spend on a wheel for F1 23?

There's no clear-cut answer to this question as it all depends on your available budget along with how much you're willing to invest in your F1 23 setup.

That said, we'd advise against going for the absolute cheapest wheel or the market as it's likely you'll miss out on a ton of great features, like a console display, feedback technology, and more, all of which can help bring the wheel to wheel action of F1 23 to life.

That's because, as far as sim racing games go, the F1 titles have historically been some of the best. Games like iRacing and rFactor, two games reportedly used by Formula One drivers to train, may edge F1 on realism. However, the F1 games are certainly up there.

As a result, there's an argument to be made for investing in a professional-standard sim racing wheel, particularly a Direct Drive bit of kit. That said, it's not a necessity, and there are certainly some great mid-range wheels that would fit the bill for most people.

So, deciding how much to spend will ultimately come down to you. Our main advice is to avoid the cheapest wheels if possible and, remember, you can always upgrade your setup down the line if you can't afford a top-of-the-line bit of kit straight away.

Are all wheels compatible with F1 23?

While many racing wheels are compatible with multiple games, including F1 23, not all racing wheels will work with all platforms. For instance, certain wheels tend to be built for Xbox and PlayStation separately. Therefore. it's important to check the compatibility of the racing wheel you are interested in with the specific platform you intend to use it with, to ensure that they are compatible.

Additionally, even if a racing wheel is compatible with F1 23, it may not support all of the features of the game, such as Force Feedback or certain button mappings. So, it's always a good idea to check the product specifications and any compatibility information provided by the manufacturer to ensure that the racing wheel you are interested in will meet your needs.

Can a racing wheel be used with a VR headset in F1 23?

Yes, a racing wheel can be used with a top VR headset to enhance the immersive experience.

In virtual reality, driving in-game will feel far closer to real life with a racing wheel in your hand, especially compared to a controller. In fact, a controller can be quite tricky to use as you can't see what you're doing, whereas using a wheel has a familiarity to it as many of us drive a car on a weekly basis already.

Ideally, you'll want to pair a VR headset with a wheel that features some sort of haptic feedback to simulate the feeling of the road surface, bumps, and other driving sensations. Without this, you won't quite get that same level of realism while wearing a VR headset.

Just keep in mind that not all racing wheels and VR headsets are compatible with all racing games and consoles. It's therefore essential to check the compatibility of your specific racing wheel and VR headset with the games you want to play. For more information, check out our guide on the best VR headsets for racing games.

Yes, you can. In fact, using a racing wheel in conjunction with a top-tier VR headset can significantly enhance your immersive virtual F1 experience.

When it comes to virtual reality, driving within a game becomes far more realistic and engaging when you have a racing wheel in your hands, surpassing the experience offered by a standard controller. Attempting to steer and control a virtual vehicle with a controller can be challenging, primarily because you can't see exactly what you're doing. By contrast, a racing wheel provides a more familiar and authentic interface, mirroring the way many of us drive actual cars on a regular basis.

For an optimal experience, make sure you select a racing wheel equipped with haptic feedback capabilities. This feature allows you to feel the road surface, sense bumps, and experience other tactile sensations, further immersing you in the virtual driving world. Without haptic feedback, you might miss out on the full extent of realism that VR can offer when paired with a racing wheel.

For additional guidance and recommendations on headsets to use with F1 23, you can refer to our comprehensive guide on the best VR headsets for racing games.

For more articles like this, take a look at our Hardware and Affiliates page.