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So you’re looking to purchase a sim racing wheel but don’t know where to start? No worries. We have put together the ultimate sim racing wheel comparison guide, including our mega comparison table.
The mega comparison table below shows every racing wheel worth considering in one huge table.
The table includes console compatibility, through to peripherals, force feedback technology, and a complete sim racing wheel torque comparison. It really summarises every aspect of a sim racing wheel that is worth considering.
Sim racing wheel comparison table
The table is best viewed on desktop as you can see more racing wheels at once. However you can swipe left to right to view the entire table on mobile.
Scroll left and right to view all racing wheels in the table below.
The table above includes the most popular racing wheels which sim racers can purchase in 2021.
Anything not included on the table above, probably isn’t worth considering. We have left off budget wheels with no force feedback, with the Thrustmaster Ferrari 458 as the exception. We have included this racing wheel as it is the best super budget racing wheel you can buy. However due to the lack of force feedback, even if budget is your main purchasing factor, we would recommend trying to purchase a racing wheel from Logitech or Thrustmaster rather than the Thrustmaster Ferrari 458.
Attachable Peripherals
As well as console compatibility we have looked at each racing wheel’s expand-ability. Many sim racers will want to purchase a racing wheel with the intention of adding extra peripherals later down the line. Adding a handbrake module or a manual shifter can really increase your involvement with a racing game. If you are looking to add a manual H-pattern shifter to your racing rig, you will also need to ensure that the racing wheel supports a pedal set with a clutch pedal, so we have included this option in our comparison.
Interchangeable Wheel Rims
Many sim racers will look to play multiple racing games, and race different styles of car. These could include racing open wheeled cars, through to GT cars and road cars. However racing an open wheel Formula 1 car with a round street style racing wheel can feel odd. And the same applies the opposite way round too. Driving a Mazda MX-5 cup car with a formula style racing wheel isn’t overly realistic.
To adapt to the style of car you are driving, you will want to look for a racing wheel which supports interchangeable wheel rims. Almost all mid level to premium racing wheels support interchangeable wheel rims. However most budget racing wheels do not support this feature.
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Force Feedback Technology
One of the most important aspects of a racing wheel to consider when purchasing, is the force feedback technology. This is the part of the wheel base which generates force feedback, and this technology dictates how you feel the feedback and at what quality.
Gear driven force feedback is the most basic variation of force feedback. This utilises gears and a small motor to transfer feedback through the racing wheel. Due to physical gears interacting with each other, there is often a notchy feel to the force feedback in these types of racing wheels. Generally the more budget racing wheels utilise this technology.
Belt driven force feedback is generally a step up from gear driven wheels. You will find this technology in all mid level racing wheels, and even in some high end racing wheels. This technology uses a belt to transfer the feedback from the motor through to the racing wheel. You will experience much smoother force feedback with a belt wheel. And you can also get much more detailed and accurate force feedback with these wheels.
The pinnacle of force feedback technology is direct drive. Direct drive racing wheels use a much larger motor which is mounted directly to the steering wheel via a drive shaft. Because the motor is much larger you can get much stronger force feedback with these wheels. Also there is no detail lost through a belt or gear system. All feedback is felt directly in the racing wheel.
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We have also included peak force feedback strength in our comparison table. This number shows how much force the wheel base can generate. The higher this number the better in most cases. As you will see, the more budget racing wheels on the left of our table output much lower levels of force. In comparison the direct drive racing wheels to the right of our table generate the highest strength levels of force feedback.
Degrees Of Rotation
Our final comparison point is the degrees of rotation. This number indicates how much the steering wheel can rotate. As a reference most road and track cars rotate from 900° to 1080°. You will require this amount of rotation if you are looking to emulate a real world road car or a drift car. Race cars generally only have around 360° of rotation.
All of the racing wheels allow you to turn down the maximum rotation, so don’t worry if the wheel lists a higher degree of rotation than you need. You should only reference this if you are looking to buy a racing wheel for drifting or racing road cars.
So How Should I Use This Information?
Ultimately, our comparison table will show you which sim racing wheel ticks all of the boxes that you are looking for in a racing wheel. It will help you limit down your options, and compare the wheels you are considering.
To view the prices of each racing wheel, click the “check price” button. This will show you how much each racing wheel is.
What Racing Wheel Do We Recommend?
Ultimately, all of the racing wheels in our comparison table are decent wheels in their own right. However, each wheel will be more suited for certain types of gamers.
Best Budget Option
Best Budget Sim Racing Wheel
Thrustmaster T150
The best budget racing wheel you can buy
Cross compatibility. T150 for PS4, & TMX for Xbox
The best budget racing wheel is probably either the Thrustmaster TMX or the Thrustmaster T150. This racing wheel is well priced and the build quality is high. It is a belt / gear hybrid driven racing wheel, so the feedback isn’t as smooth as some of the more expensive Thrustmaster wheels. However we have tested the Thrustmaster TMX a lot, and the force feedback is actually very impressive given the price range. Depending on which console you own will determine which of these wheels you purchase, however both are almost identical.
Best Mid Level Option
Fanatec Formula V2
Best Fanatec designed F1 wheel rim
Extreme level of customisation
The Fanatec ClubSport racing wheel is one of the best racing wheels you can purchase. Priced at a mid level price range, this racing wheel outperforms almost all competition. It is also very expandable if you are looking to add extra peripherals or purchase additional racing wheels. It is a better option than the Fanatec CSL Elite but it is priced slightly higher. If your budget can’t stretch to a Fanatec ClubSport, the CSL Elite is still an amazing racing wheel.
When you get to looking at the best racing wheels you can buy, you have a wide range of options. Depending on whether you want a wheel that simply works straight out of the box, or if you want to invest time and money in a DIY project, there are so many options. Our favourite direct drive wheel still remains the Fanatec Podium F1 racing wheel. This wheel is compatible across multiple platforms and is widely supported. Buying this racing wheel will also avoid a lot of headaches compared to DIYing a direct drive wheel. However if you are looking for a DIY project, Accuforce, Simucube and Bodnar are all great options.
Disclaimer: The links above are our affiliate links, and we may receive a small commission from any sales used via these links. Buying after clicking one of our links will never affect the price you pay.
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