Best racing wheels 2021: the best peripherals for racing games

Date:
Fri, 16 Jul 2021 13:48:40 +0000

Description:
We take a look a the best racing wheels for a realistic and responsive racing experience.

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Some big news just dropped in the racing wheel world. Fanatec and the Gran Turismo team have announced a partnership. This means the company will likely produce the official wheel for Gran Turismo 7.

We can already make an informed guess as to what it will be. Fanatec released a CSL DD wheel earlier this year. It is the most affordable direct drive racing wheel to date but only works with Xbox consoles and PCs.

Fanatec is likely to make a PS5/PS4 version of this DD wheel with a Gran Turismo-themed rim. But we dont know when it will be released, and its unlikely to be that affordable for those starting out with a sim racing
hobby. Theres still plenty of room for our other best racing wheel picks below.

The Logitech G923 may be the best choice for those not looking to spend a fortune, and no desire to upgrade any bits further down the line. It comes with decent pedals and a tried-and-tested internal mechanism, but its
rotation and feedback are significantly less smooth than our step-up favourites.

These are the Thrustmaster T300RS (Xbox) and Thrustmaster TX (Xbox). Their belt-driven system feels smoother, although you may well end up wanting to upgrade the pedals as the bundled pedal boards are fairly basic.

Our most commonly recommended racing wheel of 2020 and 2021 is the Fanatec
CSL Elite. But Fanatec has only gone and discontinued it in favor of the Fanatec CSL DD. However, weve kept it in this list for now as plenty of you may be eyeing up refurb or used sets over at the usual suspect spots for non-new tech. And, well, we havent managed to review the Fanatec CSL DD yet either.

If you're wondering why all these wheels even the cheaper ones are so pricey, it's because of force feeback. You need this to get a remotely realistic feel, and it uses motors in the base. They aren't like the cheap wheels you can buy for your Nintendo Switch. (Image credit: Fanatec) Fanatec ClubSport v2.5

The king of belt-driven racing wheels Intricate and powerful force feedback Fab build quality Runs cool and quiet Costs a lot when you add top-quality pedals Not PS4-compatible No bundled table clamp

The Fanatec ClubSport 2.5 is no longer on sale at Fanatec's online store, suggesting it has been discontinued. However, it remains one of the best-quality racing wheels you can get.

The Fanatec ClubSport v2.5's force feedback is superb, with depth and
fidelity not seen in alternatives that cost less. Its build represents the best of Fanatec too, with plenty of metal on show and a translucent panel up top that lets you see its inner workings. This thing feels like it'll outlast your next console. Heck, it might outlast you.

It's quiet and runs cool too, thanks to a well-designed dual fan cooling system.

If you have the money to spend, this is racing wheel one to get. However, it doesn't come with a table clamp. The Fanatec ClubSport v2.5 is made for a permanent setup. It doesn't want to spend 10 months of the year in a
cupboard, although Fanatec does sell an excellent clamp separately.

This is not for the PS4/PS5 crowd either. It's for Xbox and PC only. (Image credit: Logitech) Logitech G923

A racing wheel ready for next-gen consoles Smarter Trueforce force feedback Leather wheel covering Improved progressive brake pedal Supports next-gen systems It's Xbox One or PS4, not cross-platform Old-school helical gearing
is still used

The Logitech G923 looks almost identical to the G920, but there are some
major changes underneath. It adds Trueforce, a more intelligent kind of feedback that needs to be optimised for each game.

iRacing, Assetto Corsa Competizione, Snowrunner, GT Sport, and Grid are on
the list today. Don't expect too many oldies to be added, as it requires more work from the developers.

But what does Trueforce do? It's a haptics based system that transmits the feel of the road through your fingers and palms. The feedback is no longer mostly about struggling against wheel as you take a corner 5mph too quickly. You'll feed the tarmac tickling your digits.

Logitech has also upgraded the G923's brake, for more progressive resistance on the depress.

It's a healthy level-up that makes the Logitech G923 seem ready for the PS5 and Xbox Series X. But it's just as happy with the Xbox One, PS4 or PC. Make sure you buy the right version, though. There are separate versions for Sony and Microsoft consoles, and both types have the same "G923" name this time around.

Most of the fundamentals remain the same as the previous Logitech G920. The G923 has Logitech's helical gearing system under the hood, which does not provide as smooth a feel as the Thrustmaster T300 RS. (Image credit:
Logitech) Logitech G29

An oldie but a goodie Rotation: 900 degrees | Feedback type: Force Feedback | Drive type: Helical gears | Compatibility: PS4/PS3/PC Good included pedals Leather-coated wheel Non-smooth force feedback Dated tech

For years Logitech made virtually the default console race wheels - the Logitech G25 and G27 were crackers.

The Logitech G29 (PS4) and G920 (Xbox One) are great too, but are quite similar to those older wheels. That comes with good and bad parts.

First, the G29 is a lot more affordable than the direct Thrustmaster alternatives, the T300 series wheels. The quality of the wheel itself is
great too.

Theres a metal core and leather stitched over the parts your hands grip. Fanatec and Thrustmaster charge a lot more for leather wheels.

The Logitech G29 gets you higher-end extras at no extra cost. Its pedal board is much better than anything else at the price too, with a board that has a clutch and very solid metal plates. Its not plastic rubbish.

There is one reason to prefer a Thrustmaster wheel, though. The Logitech wheels still use a completely gear-based system for their force feedback rather than belts. While its very powerful, you can feel this geared effect
as you turn the wheel, as its motion is a bit notchy rather than completely smooth.

After a while you get used to it, but it makes the whole experience that bit less realistic; unless you drive a Flintstones era car it shouldnt feel notchy, right?

The Logitech G29 is also a bit noisier than the more expensive belt-driven models. (Image credit: Logitech) Logitech G290

Higher-end parts at no extra cost Rotation: 900 degrees | Feedback type:
Force Feedback | Drive type: Helical gears | Compatibility: Xbox One Good included pedals Leather-coated wheel Non-smooth force feedback Dated tech

The Logitech G920 is pretty much the same as the G29 above, except it's for use with the Xbox One while the G29 is for use with the PlayStation 4.

Like it's PS4 counterpart, the G920 is more affordable than Thrustmaster wheels but still boasts great quality. However it also comes with the same downfall of being a bit nosier than most wheels on the market. (Image credit: Thrustmaster) Thrustmaster T300 RS

Powerful racing Rotation: 1080 degrees | Feedback type: Force Feedback |
Drive type: Helical gears | Compatibility: PS4/PS3/PC Powerful and smooth force feedback Solid wheel Good pedals cost more Rubber wheel as standard

The Thrustmaster T300 RS and TX are the default enthusiast racing wheels from Thrustmaster, and theyre some of the best around. Theres now an even more expensive T-GT but, as that costs 699/$799, its out of reach for most
budgets.

What makes the Thrustmaster T300 RS one of the best racing wheels is the improved force feedback system. Its not geared, rather using a series of
belts that are powered by brushless motors. This gives it that perfect mix of power and smoothness, for a sense of realism and immersion you cant really beat at the price.

Any force feedback wheel will add a whole new dimension of fun to reasonably realistic racing games like Forza Motorsport and Driveclub, but at the price these Thrustmasters are the obvious choice. Theres a little gnawing rumble as you fight against the wheel, which is the feel of the motor working, but its otherwise great.

The belt system does cause a fair bit of heat after a while, necessitating a fan system that kicks in after youve been playing for 10 minutes or so. However, its not too distracting, and quieter than the Logitech G29 in
action.

There are a few downsides to these generally great wheel sets, and its all about the parts outside of the wheel base. The steering wheel is solid and very grippy, but uses a rubber grip rather than a leather one.

Many people will be fine with the material, but after using the G29 we did miss the feel a little.

The pedals that ship with many variants of the T300 RS and TX arent great either, like the set weve been using in the pic. The pedal caps are metal,
but this is really just a basic plastic construction, without the stiffness
of a great board or more advanced features like a high-end progressive brake.

Theres a solution, but its not cheap. These wheels are actually part of a system you can get other steering wheels and more advanced pedal boards, the T3PA and the fab T3PA Pro. Theres even a manual gearbox if you want a proper old-school driving feel.

Fresh out of the box the Thrustmaster T300 RS lacks a few of the Logitech
G29s touches, but its force feedback is a lot better. (Image credit: Thrustmaster) Thrustmaster TX Ferrari 458 Italia Edition

Viva Italia Rotation: 1080 degrees | Feedback type: Force Feedback | Drive type: Helical gears | Compatibility: Xbox One Powerful and smooth force feedback Solid wheel Good pedals cost more Rubber wheel as standard

Much like with the G29 and G920, these Thrustmaster wheels are essentially
the same but boast the key difference of working with different consoles. The Thrustmaster TX is for Xbox One and the T300 RS is for PlayStation owners.

Again, the TX boasts a force feedback system and is considerably quieter than the Logitech G29 with a rubber-grip wheel, but it does lack a lot of the little touches that make the Logitech wheels great - including a more comfortable wheel - and the pedals have some issues. (Image credit: Thrustmaster) Thrustmaster T-GT

A bit more expensive Rotation: 1080 degrees | Feedback type: Force Feedback | Drive type: Belt system | Compatibility: PS4/PC Excellent force feedback
Quiet High-quality wheel covering Wheel diameter a little small Slightly notchy turn feel

The Thrustmaster T300 RS and TX are the default enthusiast racing wheels from Thrustmaster, and theyre some of the best around. Theres now an even more expensive T-GT, but as that costs 699/$799 its out of reach for most budgets.

What makes the Thrustmaster T300 RS and its brothers so easy to recommend is the new force feedback system. Its not geared, using a series of belts instead, powered by brushless motors. This gives it the perfect combo of
power and smoothness, for a sense of realism and immersion you cant really beat at the price.

Any force feedback wheel will add a whole new dimension of fun to reasonably realistic racing games like Forza Motorsport and Driveclub, but at the price these Thrustmasters are the obvious choice. Theres a little gnawing rumble as you fight against the wheel, which is the feel of the motor working, but its otherwise great.

Read the full review: Thrustmaster T-GT (Image credit: Thrustmaster) Thrustmaster T150

More budget racing Rotation: 1080 degrees | Feedback type: Force Feedback | Drive type: Belt and gear | Compatibility: PS4/PS3/PC Great Value Good force feedback Slightly notchy feel Cheap pedals

While those with plenty of cash to spend should definitely consider the T300 RS and its brothers, theres also a lower-cost version that still has many of the same benefits at half the price.

So, what are the differences between T150 and T300 RS? The main one is that while the T300 RS has force feedback driven entirely by belts, the T150 uses
a combo of a helical gear system and a belt.

Predictably enough, then, the effect is half-way between the Logitech G29 and T300 RS. Its smooth-ish, but not entirely, and you feel the effect of the geared motor as it pulls against you when you take a corner at high speed.

Given the price, the results are great, though.

The parts that seem a little cheap in the more expensive Thrustmasters are even more budget-y here, though. All-plastic, flimsy pedals are miles off
what you get with the Logitech wheel. Their low-resistance action makes them feel like arcade racer fodder, while the force feedback is definitely deserving of the most navel-gazing of realistic driving sims.

The exterior of the steering wheel part itself is also all-plastic, without the metal parts that make these wheels seem a bit less toy-like. There are still sports car-like metal spoke shifters behind the wheel, though.

A wheel that packs in a lot of substance if not the luxury touch, the Thrustmaster T150 is probably the best budget wheel around. You can get an even cheaper model, the T80, but as thats not a force feedback model its in a completely different, lower league. (Image credit: Thrustmaster) Thrustmaster TMX

Great for the price Rotation: 1080 degrees | Feedback type: Force Feedback | Drive type: Belt and gear | Compatibility: Xbox One Great Value Good force feedback Slightly notchy feel Cheap pedals

While, for PS4 fans, theres the Thrustmaster T150; Xbox lovers should pick up the Thrustmaster TMX. They use the same wheel base tech, but have the
controls and compatibility chips needed to get on-board with these seemingly picky consoles.

That means, like with the Thrustmaster T150, you're looking at a great budget wheel with excellent force feedback but downfalls include a notchy feel and pedals that are wanting. (Image credit: Fanatec) Fanatec CSL Elite

The premium option Rotation: 1080 degrees | Feedback type: Force Feedback | Drive type: Belt | Compatibility: PS4/PS3/PC/Xbox One Very smooth and
powerful Highly customizable Basic wheel doesnt have rumble Can get very expensive with upgrades

Fanatec makes some of the best, and most expensive, racing wheels going. The Fanatec CSL Elite is actually one of its more affordable models, made with a mainstream audience in mind, not least because it supports consoles rather than just the PC.

As usual there are different versions for Xbox One and PS4, and the Microsoft version is actually slightly cheaper.

The force feedback is a level above what you get in the Thrustermaster T300
RS too, even smoother and with a more precise feel, a little faster and cleaner. Its an excellent wheel base, and also has a rev counter, supported
by some games.

You may only be able to pick up this wheel second-hand these days, as it appears to have been discontinued in favor of the Fanatec CSL DD.

Fanatecs pedals are excellent, with seriously tough metal frames and proper progressive brakes, and you can even choose how stiff the brake is. It goes
so stiff, in fact, that to really get the most out of the CSL Elite you want
a frame into which you screw the pedals. But the price alone tells you this
is an enthusiast wheel.

Just looking at the Fanatec CSL Elite, you can tell its made by nerdy obsessives. After all, who else would choose that funky grey disco ball
effect on the base? Not all will love the look, but at least its not super-shiny.

The included wheel is big, well-made and looks like it could survive the apocalypse. Heck, it wouldnt look out of place on a Mad Max car. However, Fanatec also makes some much nicer wheels. Like the Thrustmaster wheels, this is part of a system you can upgrade.

The included P1 steering wheel has rubbery grips and no vibration motors in the thing itself all the effects come from the force feedback motors. Some
of the pricier steering wheels (which you can plug into the same base) do
have vibration too, though.

You need serious money to get the most out of the CSL Elite, and the basic setup isnt cheap. But as long as you dont look too much into what youre missing with a replacement wheel, youll be very happy. (Image credit: Hori) Hori Apex

The arcade wheel Rotation: 270 degrees | Feedback type: N/A | Drive type:
Belt | Compatibility: PS4/PS3/PC Relatively low cost Good for arcade racers
No force feedback A lot lighter than the rest

The Hori Apex looks a lot like the other wheels here, but its actually rather different. This isnt a force feedback wheel, relying on rumble instead.

Fire up a game like Project Cars and the Thrustmaster T150 will decimate the Hori for quality of experience. However, the Hori is perfect for arcade racers, some of which only have rumble effects rather than force feedback programmed in anyway. The more expensive wheels are lost on a game like Need for Speed.

The Hori isnt. It rumbles when you drift, hit a barrier or car, or go over road markings, but you dont have to fight with the wheel. Theres a little bit of resistance to turns, and the wheel rights itself when you take your hands off, but there arent motors in the base at war with your arms.

As a result, the Hori is also much lighter than any other wheel here. Youll still need something to clamp it to, but this is the one wheel here that wont seem hard done by if its not treated to a proper frame or wheel stand.

Clearly made for racers where youll use nitrous every 4.5 seconds, it tries harder than the rest to put all the main PS4 buttons at your fingertips; theres a pair of them right on the wheel rim itself. You can also alter the D-pad to emulate the DualShocks own D-Pad, or either of the analogue sticks.

There are good bits, sure, particularly the lower price. However, the Hori Apex (and the Hori Overdrive) is easily the most toy-like wheel in this
group. It has plastic gear shifters, fairly cheap plastic pedals and no parts to upgrade. It also has very limited rotation compared with all the other wheels here, turning just 270 degrees rather than 900 or 1080.

This is what Hori was aiming for, though it's a maker of arcade gear, and this is clearly an arcade wheel. And while the Logitech G29 makes it look
like a toy, its miles better than the no-brand 30/$50 racing wheels you may have tried over the years. (Image credit: Hori) Hori Overdrive

A lighter alternative Rotation: 270 degrees | Feedback type: N/A | Drive
type: Belt | Compatibility: Xbox One Relatively low cost Good for arcade racers No force feedback A lot lighter than the rest

Like others on this list, Hori offers two different wheels depending on the platform you're playing on. While the Hori Apex is for PS4, the Hori
Overdrive is for Xbox One.

Like its PS4 counterpart, the Hori Overdrive is a good budget alternative for those who prefer arcade racing. However, this wheel comes with no force feedback and feels considerable cheaper. Best racing wheels at a glance Logitech G29 Logitech G920 Thrustmaster T300 RS Thrustmaster TX Ferrari 458 Italia Edition Thrustmaster T-GT Thrustmaster T150 Thrustmaster TMX Fanatec CSL Elite Hori Apex Hori Overdrive Ready to rev? Check out the best racing games right now



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/news/best-racing-wheel-logitech-vs-thrustmaster-vs-f anatec-vs-hori/


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