Sim Racing Wheels Guide

🛍️ How to Use This Guide

Welcome to the Beginner Sim Racing Wheel Guide — your one-stop page to understanding and comparing the best entry-level sim racing wheels.
  • âś… What all the wheel tech terms mean (like force feedback and torque)
  • 🔍 What each wheel offers — from gear-driven basics to smooth belt drives and immersive direct drive systems
  • đź“Š A comparison table to quickly see differences in platform support, torque levels, included pedals, and key features
If you're not sure where to start:
  • Scroll through the wheel breakdowns to learn what features matter
  • Use the comparison chart at the bottom to match a wheel to your needs and platform (PC, Xbox, or PlayStation)
  • Click the official product links to explore more or purchase
This guide is written in plain English, without confusing jargon — so even if you've never used a racing wheel before, you're in the right place.

🔍 Understanding the Tech

  • Force Feedback (FFB): Simulates real driving sensations.
  • Torque (Nm): A measure of strength—higher means stronger feedback.
  • Drive Types:
    • Gear: Affordable and punchy.
    • Belt: Smoother, quieter, more refined.
    • Direct Drive (DD): Most realistic—motor directly drives the wheel.
  • RPM LEDs / Touch Screen / Dashboard Display: Provide visual feedback and in-race adjustments.
  • Quick-Release Rims: Let you swap steering rims within a brand's ecosystem.

🛞 Detailed Breakdown of Each Wheel

Logitech G923 Racing Wheel

🔹 Logitech G923

Drive Type: Gear | Torque: ~2.5 Nm Platform: PC, Xbox, PS | Pedals: Included | Removable Rim: No
  • TrueForce FFB—adds vibrations based on in-game physics and audio.
  • RPM LED strip—shows engine rev range for timing shifts.
  • On-wheel dial and buttons—adjust brake force, traction control, etc.
Beginner Fit: Easy to use, plug-and-play setup with solid feel at a low price.
Logitech G923 on Logitech site
Thrustmaster T128 Racing Wheel

Thrustmaster T128

Drive Type: Hybrid (belt + gear) | Torque: ~2.5 Nm Platform: PC, Xbox, PS | Pedals: T2PM (2-pedal, magnetic) | Removable Rim: No
  • Hybrid Drive System—combines smooth belt feedback with solid gear torque.
  • Engine speed LED strip—guides you when to shift.
  • Magnetic paddle shifters and pedals—fast shifting and high precision.
Beginner Fit: A refined step up for improved feel without complexity.
Thrustmaster T128 on Thrustmaster site
Thrustmaster T248 Racing Wheel

Thrustmaster T248

Drive Type: Belt | Torque: ~3.5 Nm Platform: PC, Xbox, PS | Pedals: T3PM (3-pedal with brake mod) | Removable Rim: No
  • On-wheel Race Dashboard—built-in display shows telemetry and lets you change settings like FFB strength in real time.
  • Dynamic FFB presets—three selectable force modes.
  • Magnetic shifters and pedals—consistent and wear-free inputs.
Beginner Fit: Great bridge between entry-level and Direct Drive systems.
Thrustmaster T248 on Thrustmaster site
Thrustmaster T598 Ferrari Racing Wheel

Thrustmaster T598 (Playstation Edition)

Drive Type: Direct Axial Drive | Torque: 5 Nm continuous Platform: PC, PS4, PS5 | Pedals: Metal LTE 2-pedal (upgradeable) | Removable Rim: Yes
  • Direct Axial Drive motor: Zero cogging for ultra-clean force feedback.
  • Overshoot boost torque + Harmony high-frequency dynamics—feel crisp kerbs, engine snap, track textures.
  • Race Dash screen—adjust FFB, torque, gear jolt settings and monitor lap or race data instantly.
  • Gear Jolt—haptic feedback that pulses when shifting gear for realism.
  • Detachable 11.8″ sport rim with magnetic paddles—adds immersion and supports future upgrades.
Beginner Fit: Entry-level Direct Drive with bundled high-quality pedals and rich on-wheel controls.
Thrustmaster T598 on Thrustmaster site
Moza R3 Bundle Racing Wheel

Moza R3 Bundle

Drive Type: Direct Drive | Torque: 3.9 Nm Platform: PC, Xbox | Pedals: SR‑P Lite (2-pedal) | Removable Rim: Yes
  • Ultra-low torque ripple and groove torque for smoother feedback.
  • 15-bit encoder with NexGen 4.0 FFB algorithm for precision and strong detail.
  • Mobile/desktop app tuning via MOZA Pit House software.
Beginner Fit: Stunning DD performance at beginner prices, console-compatible.
Moza R3 Bundle on Moza site
Moza R5 Bundle Racing Wheel

Moza R5 Bundle

Drive Type: Direct Drive | Torque: 5.5 Nm Platform: PC only | Pedals: SR‑P Lite (2-pedal) | Removable Rim: Yes
  • Aviation-grade metal housing and advanced motor for durability and smoothness.
  • Customizable FFB/tuning via cloud-based Pit House app.
  • Quick-release system supports future rim upgrades.
Beginner Fit: Ideal for PC racers who want elite DD feedback without breaking the bank.
Moza R5 Bundle on Moza site
Fanatec CSL DD Racing Wheel

Fanatec CSL DD (5 Nm / 8 Nm Boost Kit)

Drive Type: Direct Drive | Torque: 5 Nm standard, up to 8 Nm with Boost Kit Platform: PC, Xbox | Pedals: Not included | Removable Rim: Yes (Fanatec QR2)
  • QR2 compatibility with Fanatec wheel rims and pedals.
  • Boost Kit 180 unlocks higher torque levels over time.
  • FanaLab / on-wheel tuning options for personalized FFB profiles.
Beginner Fit: Great modular system to grow your rig over time—even add better rims, pedals, and cockpits later.
Fanatec CSL DD on Fanatec site

đź“Š At-a-Glance Comparison

Wheel Drive Torque Platform Pedals Key Tech Features
Logitech G923 Gear ~2.5 Nm PC / Xbox / PS Yes (simple) TrueForce FFB, RPM LEDs, on-wheel dial
Thrustmaster T128 Hybrid ~2.5 Nm PC / Xbox / PS Yes (magnetic, 2) RPM LEDs, H.E.A.R.T., magnetic paddles/pedals
Thrustmaster T248 Belt ~3.5 Nm PC / Xbox / PS Yes (T3PM loader) On-wheel dash, FFB presets, brake mod
Thrustmaster T598 Direct Axial DD 5 Nm (+boost) PC / PS4 / PS5 Yes (metal LTE 2) Axial motor, Race Dash, Gear Jolt, detachable Ferrari rim
Moza R3 DD 3.9 Nm PC / Xbox Yes (Lite) NexGen 4.0 FFB, app control, low ripple torque
Moza R5 DD 5.5 Nm PC only Yes (Lite) Strong DD, cloud tuning, solid build
Fanatec CSL DD DD 5–8 Nm PC / Xbox None included QR2 modular system, Boost Kit, FanaLab support
Scroll to Top