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Sim racing wheel guide: Belt drive and direct drive wheels
When it comes to sim racing, having the right gaming steering wheel can make all the difference. With so many sim racing wheels from Thrustmaster, Fanatec, and Logitech, it can feel overwhelming to choose the best one for your setup.
We’re going to be looking at two specific kinds of wheels: belt-drive and direct drive. Belt-drive wheels use belts to transfer the force feedback from the motor to the wheel, giving you the resistance you feel during a race. Direct drive wheels connect the wheel directly to the motor shaft, with no belts or gears in between.
Direct drive is more responsive and precise because it delivers the motor’s feedback instantly, creating a far more realistic driving experience. Belt-drive wheels are great for beginners thanks to their price and simple setup, while direct drive wheels offer the highest realism and performance for racers who want the best experience.
Keep in mind, if you are in the market for a new wheel and base, certain wheels are made for specific bases. For example, if you buy a Thrustmaster T-Series wheel base, you need to make sure the wheel rim you purchase is compatible with that base.
Now, let’s check out some of our best picks:
Top sim racing wheels: reviews & comparisons
Logitech G923 Racing Wheel
We’re starting off strong with Logitech here. With a black leather-wrapped wheel, plenty of buttons to assign commands, and a three-pedal set that includes a clutch, this is one of the best wheels you can get to help you get your feet wet in the world of sim racing. The clamps make it easy to set up on any table or desk, but the wheel also has bolt-mounting points underneath if you want to attach it to a dedicated stand.
Setup is simple: plug in the power and USB cable, and on PC you just install Logitech G HUB to get full force-feedback support. The TRUEFORCE system gives you responsive feedback in supported games. It’s not a direct-drive wheel, so the force feedback isn’t as strong as high-end options, but it still performs really well for beginners and casual racers.
The pedals use metal faces for a nice look and feel, though the base itself is more basic compared to higher-end pedal sets. The brake pedal uses a progressive spring, which takes a little getting used to if you’re chasing a more realistic car-brake feel. Still, this was my first wheel, and it held up great, even during long endurance races, until I eventually upgraded.
This wheel I cannot recommend enough!
Pros:
- Easy to set up – plug in power and USB, install Logitech G HUB
- Comes with three pedals – gas, brake, and clutch
- Compatible with PC and console versions (model varies by platform)
- Affordable compared to high-end racing wheels
Cons:
- Not a direct-drive wheel, so force feedback isn’t as strong
- Pedal base is more basic compared to premium sets
- TRUEFORCE features only fully work in supported games
Overall: A great entry-level option that balances affordability and performance. Perfect for casual racers looking for a solid first racing wheel.
Thrustmaster T128P Force Feedback Racing Wheel
The Thrustmaster T128P is another good wheel when you look at all the focus they’ve put into giving you the best value for money. If you’re wanting to get into sim racing, then this is a great option because of the hybrid force-feedback system Thrustmaster uses. While it isn’t direct-drive, the hybrid drive (belt + gears) still gives you enough strength and responsiveness to help with control and immersion so you can race competitively against other sim racers.
The paddle shifters use Thrustmaster’s magnetic technology, which makes your shifts quick and accurate. They’re not metal, but they do feel fast and consistent during races.
Thrustmaster also has add-ons you can purchase separately, such as a shifter and handbrake for drifting games, which is a nice bonus if you want to expand your setup later. Setup is super easy, plug in the power, connect the USB, and the wheel is ready to go, so you can hop into a race quickly.
Still, I need to minus points for the smaller wheel size. This isn’t close to a real steering-wheel diameter, and since it’s entirely plastic, it definitely feels more budget than premium. The included pedals follow the same pattern: they’re plastic and more basic overall. Something important to note is that this wheel only comes with two pedals, gas and brake, so, no clutch. That’s expected at this price, but something beginners should know.
Even with the compromises, I’d still recommend this or the Logitech wheel if you’re looking to get into sim racing and want to find out whether the hobby is something you want to commit to long-term.
Pros:
- Optional accessories – Works with Thrustmaster’s add-on shifter and handbrake
- Hybrid force feedback – Strong and responsive for a budget wheel
- Magnetic shifters – Quick and accurate gear shifts
Cons:
- Smaller wheel size – Not close to real steering wheel dimensions
- Plastic construction – Looks and feels budget
- Only two pedals – No clutch included
Overall: Great for beginners who want a solid entry into sim racing without spending too much. The hybrid feedback gives it an edge over many budget wheels, making it a strong starter choice.
Thrustmaster T248/T248P Racing Wheel
While the T248P is touted as the upgrade of the T128P, I have to be honest and say I probably wouldn’t choose this myself. Both wheels have a lot of similarities, this model is able to provide greater strength and feedback, but a lot of the functions seem to not work as well as they should.
There were races where sometimes the lights on the wheel would work and others when they wouldn’t, even though it was the same race, and to be paying much more only to have a leather wrap that still doesn’t feel as premium as the Logitech wheel is a major downside.
However, it’s still a decent racing simulator wheel for starters just not the best in my opinion. Eventhough the Thrustmaster T248 is marketed as an upgrade over the T128P, it also comes with some inconsistencies.
Pros:
- Decent force feedback strength – Stronger and more dynamic than the T128P
- LCD display – Displays speed, gear shifts, and other race data
- Magnetic paddle shifters – Reliable and durable
Cons:
- Doesn’t feel as premium as the Logitech leather wheels
- Inconsistent LED features, dashboard lights don’t always work properly
Overall: A decent mid-range option, but not the best value. If you’re spending this much, you may want to consider a direct drive wheel instead.
Thrustmaster T-Series Upgrades
One thing Thrustmaster does incredibly well is building an upgrade-friendly ecosystem. With the T248, you can expand your setup with add-ons like upgraded pedals, a shifter, or their full-metal handbrake, all of which connect directly to the wheel base.
If you decide to move to a more premium Thrustmaster base later on, the upgrade possibilities get even better. Higher-end models like the T300, TX, and others support interchangeable rims, allowing you to swap in 1:1 replica F1, rally, and GT wheels. These rims are expensive, but the quality is awesome and can feel much closer to the real thing.
✔ Upgrade your pedal system for better realism
✔ Add accessories like a handbrake or shifter
✔ Swap rims on some premium Thrustmaster bases (F1, rally, GT, and more)
Fanatec CSL DD Ready to Race Bundle 5 Nm (Direct Drive)
The Fanatec CSL DD sim racing wheel is a game changer in how the force feedback and response is because as we stated earlier, direct wheel drive has a motor which can provide quicker response and feedback. One of my favorite details is when I’m driving over a red and white curve I can actually feel the bump in my wheel. When it slips, the response of the motor transfers to my wheel and I can feel in near real time where I am slipping so that I can correct more quickly and get back into the race.
The wheel uses metal magnetic paddle shifters, which makes shifting feel accurate and satisfying. The pedals are metal and feel more solid than basic plastic beginner pedals, though they’re still an entry-level set that you can upgrade later for more realism. The brake pedal gives decent control for its class, and you can upgrade it with a load-cell kit later if you want a more realistic braking feel to handle your corners and not lock up your wheels.
At the same time this sim racing wheel has 5nm (NewtonMeters) of force feedback which is stronger than the logitech but also a little weak compared to other direct-drive wheels, which often deliver 8 Nm or more. I found for myself the 8nm upgrade was just about right but that does add to the price. Unfortunately this package doesn’t come with a clutch, but you can purchase a clutch if you use one.
Still, this is a great purchase for the price and will get you into the direct drive wheels which is such a game changer! The price is hard to beat and the Fanatec wheel is fully upgradable and able to add different wheels and shifters which is awesome to see. But do keep in mind that the upgrades, especially the wheels, are at a premium price.
Pros:
- Fully upgradable – Add different wheels, stronger motors, and more
- Direct drive force feedback – Instantly reacts to game physics
- Magnetic metal shifters – Strong and satisfying feedback
- Realistic pedal feel – More accurate braking control
Cons:
- Base model only has 5Nm of torque – You may need to upgrade to 8Nm for better force feedback
- No clutch pedal included – Sold separately
- More expensive than belt-driven wheels
Overall: If you’re serious about sim racing, this is one of the best sim racing wheels for its price. The force feedback precision is incredible and well worth the investment.
Disclaimer: Product images, titles, and descriptions may change. Information is for reference; see the live product page for current details.
Which Sim Racing Wheel is Right for You?
| Wheel | Best For | Drive System | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Logitech G923 | Beginners | Belt Drive | Affordable, easy setup | Less precise feedback, plastic pedals |
| Thrustmaster T128P | Budget-conscious racers | Hybrid Belt Drive | Stronger force feedback, magnetic paddle shifters | Smaller wheel size, plastic build, no external shifter support |
| Thrustmaster T248 | Mid-range option | Hybrid Belt Drive | More power, LCD display | Inconsistent LED features, plasticky feel |
| Fanatec CSL DD | Serious sim racers | Direct Drive | Best force feedback, upgradable | Expensive, base model limited to 5 Nm (upgradeable to 8 Nm) |
Final Thoughts
Sim racing can feel overwhelming at first, but choosing the right racing wheel doesn’t have to be complicated. For beginners, the Logitech G923 or Thrustmaster T128P are great choices. For a mid-range option, the Thrustmaster T248 offers good performance with room to grow. For serious racers, Fanatec’s direct-drive wheels provide an awesome, realistic experience.
Thanks for reading, I hope this article review of the best sim racing wheels helped you find the right setup! And by the way, if you’re on the lookout for a new laptop, make sure try our Laptop Finder Quiz. Otherwise, check out our similar tech reviews on the links below.
