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Best High-End Sim Racing Steering Wheel: 2025 Buyer’s Guide
View our recommendations for the very best high-end sim racing steering wheels, money no object. Includes replica F1 and GT steering wheels from Fanatec, Sim-Lab, GSI, Cube Controls and more.
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A steering wheel is one of the most personal parts of any sim racing setup, as it is the piece of hardware that you see and interact with more than any other. With that in mind, it’s no surprise to want to choose the best steering wheel possible.
If you are trying to maximise your sim racing setup, a good high-end sim racing steering wheel is a must. While you can pick up incredibly good budget steering wheels, the quality and design of the best high-end steering wheels are impressive.
In this buyer’s guide, I’m going to share my recommendations for the very best high-end sim racing steering wheels you can buy in 2025. Money no object, these are the best of the best.
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TL;DR: The best high-end sim racing steering wheels in 2025
Within a high-end category, you’ll find a range of replica steering wheels which either replicate real-world car wheels, or are designed to be used in them. Wheels such as the Bentley and BMW M4 GT3 wheels were designed in partnership with Bentley and BMW, and designed to work both in a sim racing setup, and in the real-world GT3 cars.
Below is an overview of the very best sim racing steering wheels, including the most premium options available.
| Steering wheel | Description | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Sim-Lab Mercedes-AMG F1 | Mercedes-AMG F1 Replica | €/$2699 |
 | Asetek Invicta Formula | Premium Formula Wheel | €/$1249 |
 | Porsche 911 RSR | Replica Porsche Wheel | £/$1999 |
 | Fanatec Podium Bentley GT3 | Replica GT3 Wheel | €/$1999 |
 | Fanatec BMW M4 GT3 | Replica GT3 Wheel | €/$1499 |
 | MOZA Racing Lamborghini Essenza SCV12 | Replica Hypercar Wheel | £/$1299 |
 | GSI GT-Max32 | Premium GT Wheel | £1131 / $1385 |
 | Cube Controls GT-X2 | Premium GT Wheel | €/$1387 |
What defines a high-end sim racing steering wheel?
High-end sim racing steering wheels go above and beyond in both design and quality. You can expect the highest quality materials to be used in the build of any premium steering wheel. They are the perfect partner for the best direct drive wheels.
Quite often, high-end sim racing wheels are based on real-world wheels. These replica wheels imitate the real wheel, down to using the same motorsport-grade materials.
Features of a high-end sim racing steering wheel
- Premium materials: Expect a heavy use of carbon fibre, Alcantara, leather and other high-end materials to be used in the construction.
- Built-in display: Most high-end sim racing steering wheels do include an in-built screen. These are especially common on formula steering wheels, and becoming increasingly common on GT steering wheels.
- A lot of functionality: Premium steering wheels include a lot of functionality, with many inputs of varying styles. Push buttons and encoders can be mapped and programmed to perform multiple functions while sim racing.
- Replica design: Many high-end steering wheels are created in partnership with car manufacturers. These replicas fetch a premium price, and often use the same materials as the real-world steering wheel.
- Branded partnership: To create replica wheels, sim racing brands often partner with car manufacturers and racing teams to create replica or officially licensed sim racing wheels.
- Price: With the brand partnerships and high build quality comes a high price tag. The most premium sim racing steering wheels can cost upwards of £/$1000-2000. I’d never recommend buying a steering wheel just because it’s expensive; however, most premium wheels will cost a considerable amount.
The different styles and types of high-end sim racing steering wheels
Not every high-end sim racing steering wheel is the same, with many different styles to choose from. You can opt for a replica wheel to imitate the real steering wheel for the car your sim racing with. Or, you could choose a steering wheel that is incredibly well built, or one that has the best in-built display.
The larger your budget, the more choice you have over the style of steering wheel you choose. There are some trends that run throughout all of the best high-end steering wheels. They are the incredibly high build quality and large feature set that is expected from any good sim racing steering wheel. You can also expect the customer service and warranties to be excellent to further reinforce the high price tag that premium wheels demand.
No matter whether you primarily sim race GT cars in Assetto Corsa Competizione, or race open wheeled cars in iRacing or the EA Sports F1 games. There will be a variety of high-end wheels to choose from.
Compatibility
Most high-end and premium sim racing brands focus their product development on PC sim racing. Consoles can be very restrictive when it comes to the inputs that work in game, and the hardware used. These restrictions mean that many sim racers choose to race using a PC.
By focusing on PC-only hardware, compatibility is a much easier problem to address. Most high-end sim racing wheels can be directly connected to a PC via a data port or USB cable. Some even offer wireless technology to avoid having a coiled USB cable hanging from your steering wheel.
Wheels such as the Simucube Valo GT-23 don’t offer a wired option. Instead, it relies on a wireless connection. This comes in the form of a Bluetooth-based technology that transmits data to a Simucube wheel base, or a Simucube Link Hub if using a third-party wheel. The perk of this wireless connectivity is that you won’t have to deal with a cable restricting steering wheel movement.
With the wide range of quick release adapters, most sim racing steering wheels can be used with any wheel base. Most brands offer a quick release adapter, which opens up third-party compatibility. Then you can use a wired USB connection from the steering wheel directly to your PC to transfer data and power.
Best replica sim racing steering wheels
At the extreme end of premium sim racing steering wheels, you’ll find a lot of replica wheels. Sim racing brands often partner with real-world car manufacturers and race teams to create special edition replica steering wheels.
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All of the major sim racing brands have done this, including Fanatec with BMW and Bentley, MOZA Racing with Lamborghini, Sim-Lab with Mercedes-AMG and others.
These replica sim racing wheels are the ultimate way to show your support for a specific race team or car manufacturer. You can also achieve some of the most immersive sim racing setups by adding the real wheel to your setup.
Below are some of the very best replica sim racing steering wheels available.
| Steering wheel | Replica | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sim-Lab Mercedes-AMG F1 | Mercedes-AMG F1 Wheel | €/$2699 |
 | VPG Ford Mustang GT3 | Ford Mustang GT3 Wheel | £/$1599 |
| Porsche 911 RSR | Porsche 911 RSR Wheel | £/$1999 |
| Fanatec Podium Bentley GT3 | Bentley Pikes Peak Wheel | €/$1999 |
| Fanatec BMW M4 GT3 | BMW M4 GT3 Wheel | €/$1499 |
| MOZA Racing Lamborghini Essenza SCV12 | SCV12 Hypercar Wheel | £/$1299 |
| Trak Racer BWT Alpine F1 Team A522 | Alpine A522 F1 Wheel | Not Available |
 | Cube Controls Mercedes-AMG – GT Edition | Mercedes-AMG GT Wheel | €/$781 |
Which car manufactures have replica sim racing steering wheels?
With sim racing rising in popularity over the past few years, many car manufacturers have collaborated with sim racing brands to create a replica sim racing wheel. Brands such as Porsche and BMW have been partnered with Fanatec for years, producing officially licensed products. But rarely are these licensed products true replicas.
Below is a list of car manufacturers with replica sim racing wheels.
- Alpine: Trak Racer BWT Alpine F1 Team A522
- Bentley: Fanatec Podium Bentley GT3
- BMW: Fanatec BMW M4 GT3
- Ferrari: Thrustmaster SF1000
- Ford: VPG Ford Mustang GT3
- Lamborghini: MOZA Racing Lamborghini Essenza SCV12
- McLaren: Ascher-Racing McLaren Artura GT4
- Mercedes-AMG: Sim-Lab Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team Sim Racing Steering Wheel
- Porsche: Porsche 911 RSR
The best overall high-end steering wheel
Asetek Invicta Formula Wheel technical specs
- Style: Customisable to be formula or GT
- Diameter: 300mm – 304mm
- Grip material: Exchangeable handles
- Display: 4.3″ LCD touch screen
- Compatibility: USB-C connection
- Price: EU: €1249 / US: $1249
- Buy: Buy Asetek Invicta Wheel
Asetek spent a fairly long time developing the Invicta wheel, with both La Prima and Forte versions being launched many years ago. That time was incredibly well spent, as Asetek has created a formula that allows for incredible customisation, paired with an extrodinarily high-quality design and build.
The Asetek Invicta wheel can serve as both a formula or GT sim racing steering wheel. Every individual wheel can be customised to include a variety of handle styles which can really change this wheels ergonomics.
There are also a huge range of other customisation options available, including the colours of every input, and even the wheel’s main construction material. Each Invicta wheel is different and personalised to each sim racer.
At its core, the Invicta wheel has incredibly good foundations. It uses a carbon fibre chassis, making it lightweight and rigid, even under extreme force feedback. There is a large 4.3-inch LCD 60Hz display with touchscreen functionality.
You also have maximum control with this wheel thanks to the 144 individual inputs. These are spread across a range of push buttons, thumb encoders, front-facing encoders and rocker switches. And give you a huge amount of customisation when it comes to creating a button mapping layout.
The Invicta wheel is unique with its high level of customisation, offering sim racers a truly tailored experience that is not often found. The gorgeous design and incredible build quality, make this one of the nicest formula or GT style sim racing wheels.
Pros
- Highly customisable: The Asetek Invicta wheel can be customised in almost every area, from handle style to colours.
- Incredibly well built: Each wheel is handcrafted to each customer, allowing for some of the highest build quality of any wheel.
- 144 individual inputs: A huge number of programmable inputs to control your car while on track.
- Large touchscreen: The large 4.3-inch display is touchscreen and fully customisable.
Cons
- No console compatibility: As with most high-end steering wheels, the Invicta is only PC compatible.
- Rocker switches aren’t overly ergonomic: Strangely, the two rocker switches on the wheel feature no covers or soft-touch materials and can feel quite jarring compared to the other inputs.
The best high-end F1 steering wheel
Sim-Lab Mercedes-AMG F1 Wheel technical specs
- Style: Formula 1
- Diameter: 280mm
- Grip material: Rubber silicone
- Display: 4.3″ display
- Compatibility: Lumberg 6-pin to USB connector
- Price: EU: €2699 / US: $2699
- Buy: Buy Mercedes-AMG F1 Wheel
There is no doubt that the Sim-Lab Mercedes-AMG F1 sim racing wheel is one of the most convincing replica wheels we’ve ever seen. This ultra-premium wheel was created by Sim-Lab in close partnership with the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula 1 team.
Sim-Lab used the real CAD data to ensure the sim racing version of this wheel matched the real-world version used by Lewis Hamilton and George Russell. The first thing I noticed when I used this wheel was just how lightweight it is. You’d expect a wheel that mimics the real-world counterpart to feel heavy. However, the heavy use of carbon fibre throughout allows for the wheel to weight just 1240 grams.
Just as Lewis and George did during the 2024 Formula 1 season, you have access to a huge number of inputs across the wheel. Every push button, rotary encoder and paddle works and can be individually mapped in any sim racing game.
The center piece is the large 4.3-inch display, which utilises SimHub and RaceDirector. You can customise this display, and even use Mercedes=AMG designs that match the real-world layouts. Being an F1 fan, I could talk about this wheel for a long time, however, one thing remains clear. This is easily one of the very best high-end sim racing steering wheels you can buy in 2025.
Pros
- Real-world replica: This wheel is any Mercedes-AMG F1 fan’s dream. It looks and feels identical to the real-world F1 wheel.
- Incredibly high-quality: Using motorsport-grade materials and hand-crafted carbon fibre throughout makes this wheel feel premium.
- All inputs are programmable: Every input works the same as it does in the real-world F1 car, and each input can be programmed in game.
- Third-party compatible: Compatible with any third-party wheel base thanks to the Lumberg 6-pin to USB connector.
Cons
- No console compatibility: This wheel is only PC compatible.
- Incredibly expensive: The Mercedes-AMG F1 wheel is easily one of the most expensive sim racing steering wheels you can buy.
The best high-end GT steering wheel
Porsche 911 RSR Wheel technical specs
- Style: GT3
- Diameter: 300mm
- Grip material: PU grips
- Display: 5″ display
- Compatibility: Lumberg 6-pin connector
- Price: UK: £1999 / US: $1999
- Buy: Buy Porsche 911 RSR Wheel
While it may look very similar to the two formula-style wheels that I’ve already recommended, the GRID Engineering Porsche 911 RSR wheel is a replica of the steering wheel found the real-world GT and Le Mans car.
It utilises a larger 300mm diameter, making it ideal for GT racing, and includes a host of inputs and features that add to its functionality. This wheel is designed to be a replica of the real-world wheel, with every input working and functioning just as it does with the real-world steering wheel.
The chassis is constructed using the highest-quality 6061 aluminium and is anodised to provide longevity and durability. The Porsche 911 RSR wheel features a huge 5-inch LCD screen and one of the largest displays of any sim racing steering wheel. You can fully customise the layouts on the screen using SimHub and RaceDirector, allowing you to use the exact same Porsche GT layout as the real 911 RSR car.
Much like the Sim-Lab Mercedes-AMG F1 wheel, this Porsche 911 RSR wheel is one of the nicest replica wheels you can buy for sim racing. It oozes realism and quality, providing an incredible sense of immersion.
Pros
- 5-inch display: The impress 5-inch display is one of the largest on any sim racing steering wheel.
- High-quality aluminium construction: The aluminium chassis, and 5mm carbon faceplate lead to an incredibly high build quality.
- Customisable inputs: There are a large number of encoders and button inputs that are all individually customisable.
- Universally comaptible: Thanks to the Lumberg 6-pin connector on the rear of the wheel, you can connect it to any third-party wheel base.
Cons
- Only PC compatible: Like most high-end sim racing wheels, this Porsche 911 RSR wheel is only PC compatible.
- Heavier than other wheels: At over 2kg, this wheel is heavier than other sim racing steering wheels.
How we chose these wheels as the best high-end sim racing wheels
Choosing to first spend the money on a high-end sim racing steering wheel, and then choosing which wheel to buy, is a big decision. You’ll want to maximise your investment with one of the best wheels, ensuring the choice is right for you.
I’ve personally used all of the steering wheels that I’ve recommended above. Some I own, others have been loaned or tested at events. But each one has stood out in a different way. I would highly recommend trying to find an expo or event to personally try these wheels if you are deciding on which is right for you, as they are incredibly large investments.
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Frequently asked questions
What is considered a high-end sim racing steering wheel?
High-end doesn’t always relate to the price of a sim racing steering wheel, although increased prices do come hand-in-hand with premium wheels. A high build quality, excellent design and great customer service are some of the features to look for when choosing a high-end sim racing steering wheel.
Can I use a high-end formula wheel for GT sim racing?
Both formula-style steering wheels and GT wheels are ideal for GT sim racing. Many real-world GT cars use butterfly-style steering wheels, which closely resemble a formula wheel. They are typically larger in diameter, but a 280mm or 300mm formula wheel can still be ideal for GT racing.
Article written by Rich
Rich is the founder, F1 car setup creator and content writer for SimRacingSetups. With over a decade of experience as a graphic designer, marketing director, competitive sim racer and avid motorsport fan, Rich founded SimRacingSetup.com to share his passion and knowledge of sim racing and Formula 1 with other sim racers. Regularly writes for sim racing website SimRaceReviews.com
View all articles written by RichDisclaimer: Some of the links on this page may be affiliate links. We may earn commission from any sale after clicking a link. Read our affiliate policy.
