Best Gaming Steering Wheels
1. GREAT BUDGET OPTION
HORI Hori Overdrive Steering Wheel (Xbox/PC)
PROS
- Professional presentation
- Adjustable sensitivity settings
CONS
- No force feedback
- Weak pedal mat
At $99.99 retail, this Hori unit is really the cheapest option for a grown-up sim wheel, and it’s been designed with a surprisingly stylish look given its budget price. While its construction is mostly lightweight plastic, the wheel rim does come with a rubber wrapping to enhance the feel. The Hori comes in Playstation (Apex) and Xbox (Overdrive) compatible trims. A Mario-branded version of this set compatible with Nintendo Switch is also available. All versions can alternatively be plugged into a gaming PC.
It features no force feedback, instead relying on the old-fashioned bungee cord pulley system to add tension and return the wheel to center. It does, however, have a vibrating rumble motor to give the driver some impression of what their vehicle is doing. The wheel comes with a bog-standard 270 degrees of rotation and has a variety of onboard options that the owner can use to tune the wheel’s sensitivity.
Included are wheel-mounted paddle shifters for gear changes, and a cheap plastic two-pedal floor mat. Some reviewers have complained that these pedals can slip around under heavy use.
2. BEST OVERALL VALUE
Logitech G Logitech G29 Wheel (PS/PC)
- Reliable, proven performance
- Durable and lightweight material
CONS
- Brake pedal requires a lot of force
Also available for Xbox.Since their release in 2015, the Logitech G29 and G920 have become probably the most popular wheel sets at this price point. Originally retailing for $399, they can now be picked up at a much cheaper rate at just under $250. That money gets you a luxurious leatherette-wrapped aluminum wheel with metallic paddle shifters on each side. Hollow plastic has been reserved for the force feedback motor casing.
The gear-drive motor within has a rougher, noisier operation than the TMX, but it feels durable and provides plenty of torque. The Logitech also has a comparable maximum rotation at 900 degrees. A sturdy three-pedal mat is included with metal footpads. The clutch and accelerator action feel great, while the brake tells another story. Inside the brake pedal spring is a rubber stopper made to add resistance and simulate the non-linear feel of an actual braking system. In reality, it makes your foot stop at around 60% brake pressure and takes some mashing to overcome. Logitech has addressed this problem on the updated G923.
3. FOR KIDS
HORI Hori Mario Kart Mini Racing Wheel (Switch/PC)
PROS
- Solid value
- Mario-themed design
CONS
- Small for adults
- Lacks durability
This toy-like Nintendo Switch compatible wheel is meant to be played with Mario Kart, the center “M” logo even doubles as a button to use that game’s Power-Ups. It can also be used with other racing games in the Switch library, although there won’t be as many options as those available on other platforms.
At a scant $69.99, it looks and feels like a budget product. Everything from the rim, to the paddle shifters, to the pedals is made from hollow plastic. The wheel can be plugged into a PC for use with more serious simulators, but the narrow 180-degree rotation will prove inadequate for that kind of work. It’s also quite a bit smaller than a typical racing wheel’s 11-inch diameter.
Really, this one is only recommended if you have Mario Kart-crazy kids around the house.
4. NEWEST RELEASE
Logitech G Logitech G923 Gaming Steering Wheel (Xbox/PC)
PROS
- Realistic experience
- Same button layout for both models
- Brake pedal is smooth
CONS
- Motor vibrates a lot
- No swappable rims
- Some features only work with compatible games
Also available for Playstation.The Logitech G923, currently retailing around $400, is a glorified refresh of the G29 platform. The external dimensions and design are identical to the old model—same fixed leatherette rim, same 900-degree rotation. All the changes made are internal. The base features an updated gear-drive motor that Logitech has branded as TrueForce. This new force-feedback system relies much more on vibration than its predecessor, giving the player-added road feel, but also generating more noise than the G29—maybe too much noise for some customers’ preference.
Game developers have also worked with Logitech to optimize four simulation titles’ physics engines to take full advantage of the G923’s TrueForce feedback. Those four games are GRID, Assetto Corsa Competizione, iRacing, and Gran Turismo Sport. This catalog is expected to expand with time, as the product has been on the market for less than a year as of this writing. We were able to test out the feedback with iRacing, which uses the vibration motor to simulate engine noise, almost like an extra speaker in your steering wheel. It’s a neat trick, but nothing life-changing.
5. FOR FERRARI FANS
THRUSTMASTER Thrustmaster Ferrari 458 Racing Wheel (Xbox/PC)
PROS
- Ferrari look
- Budget model of reliable brand
CONS
- No feedback or rumble feature
- Slippery pedals
- Touch points aren’t durable
Also available for Playstation.The entry-level Thrustmaster wheel comes with a similar feature set to the Hori Apex at a slightly higher $110-120 price point. The Playstation (T80) version comes in a generic race car style, while the Xbox (458) model is controlled by a licensed Ferrari replica wheel. That may be the one to pick up if you’re a fan of that particular marque. An update on the Playstation design can also now be found with a Ferrari 488 replica rim, and any of these options can be played on PC.
Like our last pick, it features 270 degrees of rotation with adjustable settings, bungee-cord resistance, paddle shifters, and a simple two-pedal mat. Unlike the Hori, this wheel doesn’t utilize a rumble motor, so be aware if that’s a feature you’re looking for. The rim is also pretty thin plastic with only small rubber grips on the sides. The included pedal set has a little bit nicer design than the Hori Apex, but ultimately suffers from the same slipping issue if placed on carpet.
6. CUSTOMIZABLE PLATFORM
THRUSTMASTER Thrustmaster T300 Gaming Wheel (PS/PC)
PROS
- Durable and quality materials
- Swappable wheel feature
- Multiple kit options available
CONS
- Custom parts are pricey
Slated above the G29 in terms of build quality, this pro-level offering from Thrustmaster gets a swappable wheel feature not found on the Logitech products. Road racing, Formula 1, and Ferrari-style rims are available for purchase separately or as a kit. The TX and T300 starter kits with a wheel and three pedals can be found for $400. For those who already have compatible parts, or want to mix-and-match, the force feedback motor base can be purchased on its own for only $230. A package with a two-pedal mat is also available for Playstation at $350.
The base uses Thrustmaster’s belt-driven system—this time with a brushless motor providing the smoothest engagement available at this price point. The mechanical buzz of its rotation has been reduced to near-silence. The overall unit feels a bit heftier than the Logitech wheels, and that lends to additional power. Spinning this thing around at high feedback settings can be quite a workout. The swappable rims are all very high-quality metal and can offer extra gadgets like adjustable traction control and power management on the fly. This unit features 1,080 degrees of rotation, and the TH8A shifter is also compatible.
