Best Racing Wheels 2024: Top Steering Wheels for Gaming
Want to feel every curve and bump of the track in your favorite racing sim? A racing wheel puts your right in the driver’s seat, making a world of difference as you hit the pavement in games like Forza Motorsport to iRacing. Sure, a controller or keyboard and mouse will suffice to a point, but the realism and immersion when gripping a wheel on a sharp corner and feeling the resistance is second to none.
The best Racing wheels offer powerful force feedback to feel every bump in the road for a more true-to-life experience. The direct drive motors in high-end wheels offer hard-to-beat torque but even belt-driven systems can bring the power. Additionally, comfortable grips ensure you keep your hands on the wheel during close races, while reliable paddle shifters make for quick gear shifts in heated moments. It also helps to have familiar, easy-to-reach controls for navigating menus in different games. After nailing the basics, you may want to consider a wheel that’s kitted out with a full pedal set, so you don’t need to worry about shelling out more dough down the line.
To help narrow your search, we’ve found the ten best racing wheels for your gaming PC, Xbox Series X|S, PS5, and Nintendo Switch. From the adrenaline-pounding, sweat-inducing realism of the direct drive system on the Logitech G Pro to the mid-range Thrustmaster T300 RS GT with its all-in-one package that gets the job done well, we’ve got you covered — and click here to find them in the UK.
It might not offer the insane realism of a high-end direct drive wheel, but the responsive dual-belt system with a brushless force feedback motor on the Thrustmaster T300 RS GT is a major step up from entry-level wheels. The 25 watts of power it delivers lets every twist and turn of the road be felt, allowing subtle corrections when control feels like it’s being lost. Even when pushing this wheel to the limit, it remains smooth while keeping relatively quiet as the internal fans pump out hot air to keep performance levels up. So, be prepared for things to get a little toasty.
Given this is a Gran Turismo-branded wheel – a PlayStation game franchise – the wheel’s buttons and controls match the Sony console, making it especially handy when playing the best PlayStation 5 games. All the controls are within reach and fairly easy to navigate. Plus, it’s hard to beat the 1,080-degree turning range with Hall Effect sensors for accuracy and two paddle shifters to help you always get to the right gear. The wheel is an average-sized 11-inch option built on sturdy brushed metal and wrapped with rubber grips, preventing hands from slipping even if the race gets hairy. If a different wheel is preferred, this one is detachable from the wheelbase.
The Thrustmaster T300 RS GT comes with a solid three-pedal set, including an accelerator and clutch with adjustable height and spacing. Out of the box, not much pressure is needed to activate the pedals, but you can change the sensitivity when playing on a PC. Of course, this is also a seamless plug-and-play option with the PS5, PS4, and PS3. With all that’s on offer on top of a mid-range price, it’s easy to see why the Thrustmaster T300 RS GT is our favorite racing wheel.
Logitech offers an affordable way to get into sim racing with the Logitech G923 racing wheel. For less than $400, you’re getting a wheel with geared force feedback, and it’s decently realistic to a degree, though it’s not the most nuanced and can be a bit noisy. However, a “Trueforce” feature should add some extra immersion through a vibration motor, which, in supported games, does things like simulating the feel of the engine revs vibrating through the steering column straight into your hands.
Beyond the belt-driven force feedback and vibration motor, the Logitech G923 wheel features all the customizable controls and buttons you need for a PlayStation or PC setup. There’s even a 24-point selection dial and LED rev indicator lights. Finally, a full set of metal pedals complete this budget-friendly racing setup.
You can get yourself geared up for racing for just $120 with the Hori Racing Wheel Apex. It’s not quite as fancy as other racing wheels on this list, but the Hori Racing Wheel Apex is the perfect way to get started with a racing wheel on the PS5. It’s a basic setup, with a racing wheel, equipped with the standard PlayStation face buttons, and two pedals. That means no clutch, but Automatic is the way to go anyways, we don’t care what anyone says.
The Apex isn’t just compatible with the PS5, though. You can also use it with the PS4 and PC, and the 270-degree turn radius is perfect if you’re looking for a bare-minimum experience. You can also rest comfortably knowing that the Hori Racing Wheel Overdrive does come with a desk mount system, so you don’t have to worry about the wheel sliding everywhere when you’re struggling to hang on to first place as you cross the finish line.
If you like the look and sound of the Thrustmaster T300 RS racing wheel but want to get a affordable model that works with the Xbox Series X and Series S, then the Thrustmaster TMX Racing Wheel is the one to check out. There are ample buttons on the wheel, paddle shifter, a control pad, and the wheel is automatically recognized by the Xbox, allowing it to work just as well as the best Xbox Series controllers.
This is the best racing wheel for Xbox Series X and includes a two-pedal set and can attach to just about any mount other wheels can, whether that’s a desk or table. The controls also include the Xbox guide button, so you’ll have full functionality to interact with your console. You’ll be ready to take it to the tracks in the latest Forza Motorsport.
The Thrustmaster T248 is a racing wheel ready for the PS5. If you’re gaming on Sony’s console, this is the wheel you want for full support and more immersive experience than your typical PS5 controller. It provides handy controls that will lineup with those displayed in the game, and it’ll let you feel like you’re actually driving a car a lot more than a standard controller ever will.
The kit includes the racing wheel itself as well as a three-pedal set that provides high sensitivity and even allows for four different pressure modes from the brake pedal. The wheel will let you get a feel for the road through its belt- and gear-driven force feedback system, which can offer three different modes for your preferred level of feedback. The wheel also provides magnetic paddle shifters for quick activation as well as a display at the center of the wheel that can display useful game data from your engine’s RPM to your best lap time.
See our guide to the best PS5 racing wheels for more options.
Joy-Cons or another Switch controller can work when you’re in a pinch, but the Hori Mario Kart Racing Wheel Pro Deluxe will take your Mario Kart experience to another level. Coming in around $100, it isn’t a pro-level wheel with powerful force feedback or direct drive systems, though you get a little bit of resistance while making turns. The two pedal set for the break and gas is also responsive while offering some resistance for more control.
The Hori Mario Kart Racing Wheel Pro Deluxe features a plastic build with a decently sized wheel that feels solid in hand. You’ll find all the controls to navigate games and sturdy paddle shifters. The wheel is even customizable with programmable buttons and different sensitivity levels for better handling. Plus, it’s not exclusively for Mario Kart, so it’ll work with your favorite Switch driving games and some PC offerings.
Belt-driven systems offer smooth force feedback using a belt connecting a motor to the wheel but are often seen as lesser than their direct-drive counterparts. However, the Thrustmaster T-GT II may change your mind, as it best exemplifies what these wheels are capable of. You’ll feel all the road’s curves as you cruise the racetrack, thanks to the powerful, high-capacity torque, while the wheelbase is precise and quick to react, giving direct drive wheels a run for their money. The only major drawback is the system can get a bit noisy.
Beyond the impressive belt-drive system, the Thrustmaster T-GT II offers plenty more. Leather wraps around the wheel for a premium feel, while its face totes plenty of controls, including 25 action buttons and four rotary selectors. The two brushed aluminum paddle shifters should be quick to react and hold up well through all the gear changes throughout your wheel’s lifespan. To complete this setup, you get a set of three metal pedals, so you’ll be ready to hit the track.
If you are looking for a wheel that best emulates the direct drive experience, look no further than the Fanatec GT DD Pro. It’s the perfect addition to your gaming setup and will have you ready to take on the streets in Gran Turismo 7. As the name might suggest, direct drive wheels connect a large motor directly to the steering wheel, which allows for much better control and force feedback. This is what professional racers and enthusiast sim racers use.
You get 8Nm of force feedback from the Fanatec GT DD Pro thanks to the included 180 boost kit. That type of torque is sure to make your hands and wrists sore, even after a short circuit race. The wheel itself features a great interface with familiar PlayStation controls, unique 5-way directional sticks, and RevLED for important visual information while driving. The included steel two-pedal set completes this ultimate direct drive setup. Hopefully, you scored a killer PC deal, as this wheel is pricey. But it also works with PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S (when using an Xbox licensed wheel), if you’d rather do console gaming.
For a wheel base with an insane amount of power and a realistic feel, the Thrustmaster T-818 is what you need to grab. This direct drive motor offers a wild 10Nm of torque for superb angular acceleration and force feedback. You’ll feel every twist, turn, and bump in the virtual road. There are also no filters for the in-game effects, so you’ll experience the games as intended, but be prepared for a slight learning curve.
The Thrustmaster T-818 is just a wheel base, meaning you need to purchase a wheel and pedal set separately. Luckily, this base is compatible with all wheel rims in the Thrustmaster ecosystem — past, present, and future. So, if you’ve got a wheel from the Thrustmaster T300 RS GT, you can use that and save some money. It even includes a “Fast Release” attachment system for easy swapping out of wheels. As for pedal sets, all Thrustmaster offerings are compatible via USB on PC, while an RJ45 port future-proofs the base.
Hitting up to 11Nm of force feedback, you’ll feel every twist and turn of the road, leaving your hands worn out after a few laps around the track when using the Logitech G Pro Racing Wheel. This direct drive wheel drives smoothly, and the special haptics technology, Trueforce, brings it to another level. You’ll sense road imperfections like potholes or loose gravel. However, this feature is only available on certain games.
There are two models of the G Pro Racing Wheel, an Xbox Series/PC or a PS5/PC version, and both wheels feature all the buttons and controls needed, including a handy tactile joystick for easy navigation and two sets of metal paddle shifters. If you’re looking for foot pedals, this already pricey wheel requires you to purchase them separately for $350, but the pedals are simple to adjust and feel fantastic, especially the load cell brake pedal.
One of the first things you should think about when shopping for a racing wheel is how comfortable it’s going to be for you to use. Is the wheel large enough and comfortable enough for you to use? Padded and leather (or pleather) bound add a nice touch of comfort, but you may still want to buy a pair of gloves if your wheel delivers a lot of force feedback.
Speaking of force feedback, there are three main types out there in the world:
If you love racing games but don’t know where to start, there are a few great modern games with racing wheel support you can try. Gran Turismo 7 is a great newer option if you have a PS5 or PS4, and Forza Horizon 5 is solid choice for those with an Xbox or PC. Dirt Rally 2.0 is a great rally sim that you can play on both consoles and PC. For Nintendo Switch users, you can never really go wrong with Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.
For those who just occasionally play driving games, you might want to save money and invest in other gaming accessories or grab a cheap wheel. However, if you’re constantly hitting the virtual open road, a great racing wheel is worth the splurge. Compared to your typical input devices, you’ll enjoy deeper immersion in games thanks to force feedback, which provides a more realistic driving experience, letting you feel turns and bumps in the road. Performance should also improve, as a wheel offers more precision and accuracy. Just be prepared for a slight learning curve as you master the controller.
Racing wheels can provide a realistic driving experience by reproducing accurate force feedback that you would feel by driving a real car. Of course, the quality and features of your chosen racing wheel will play a big part in the level of realism, but there are some incredible options available if you want to up your racing sim game.