📢 Disclosure: Some links on this page are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support.
Sim racing wheel guide – Belt fed 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 Fed and Direct Drive. Belt fed is exactly what it sounds like. The belts provide the resistance and force feedback tthat you experience during your race. Whereas direct drive is a steering wheel that provides a realistic driving experience by directly connecting the wheel to a motor, without the use of gears or belts.
Direct Drive is more responsive and exact in what the game is generating which can create a far more realistic feeling. Likewise, the feedback is far faster than the belt and you can recover and read faster what is happening on the road. Belt drive wheels are great for beginners, while direct drive wheels offer the best realism for dedicated sim racers.
Keep in mind if you are in the market for a new wheel and base, the thing to remember is that certain wheels are made for certain bases. For example, if you buy a thrustmaster T-Series racing steering base then you need to be certain that the wheel you are purchasing is made for that base.
Top Sim Racing Wheels: Reviews & Comparisons
1. Logitech G923 Racing Wheel
We’re starting off strong with the Logitech here. With a black leather wheel, an array of buttons to assign commands to, satisfying shifter and three pedals that include 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 so you don’t have to buy a racing wheel stand if you don’t want to, but this wheel has screw holes underneath to connect to one if you want.
Plus, setting it up is a breeze, simply plug in the power cable and the USB port, the drivers are automatically downloaded to the computer so you can get into a race quickly and without much trouble.
But, because the wheel is belt fed it won’t have as much strength or feedback as a direct wheel drive, however it still gets the job done. You can hear the sounds of the belts though they aren’t too loud, but I did notice the longer I used it, the louder it got.
The pedals being metal helps with its appeal but the base is plastic and although it does cut costs, it doesn’t look as nice. This does affect the pedals because they don’t have a true to real life driving feel which can cause you to make mistakes by breaking too hard and locking up your wheels.
Still, this was my first wheel and it stood the test of time until I decided to upgrade and even during 24 hour races it held up with ease. This wheel I cannot recommend enough!
Pros:
✅ Easy to set up – Plug in the USB, and the drivers install automatically
✅ Comes with three pedals – Gas, brake, and clutch for a full racing experience
✅ Compatible with PC, PlayStation, and Xbox
✅ Affordable compared to high-end racing wheels
Cons:
❌ Uses belt drive technology, meaning less precise force feedback
❌ Plastic pedal base – Doesn’t feel as realistic as higher-end models
❌ Belts can become louder over time
Overall: A great entry-level option that balances affordability and performance. Perfect for casual racers looking for a solid first racing wheel.
2. Thrustmaster T128P Force Feedback Racing Wheel
The Thrustmaster T128P is another good wheel when you look at all the focus they’ve put in giving you the best value for money. If you’re wanting to get into Sim racing, then this will be a great option because of the hybrid technology Thrustmaster has put into them. While yes, this is a belt fed wheel, they’re still able to provide enough boost in strength to help add to the control and force feedback so that you can race competitively against other sim racers.
The shifters are metal and magnetic as well which helps it be extremely accurate with your shift and also durable so that it lasts for many races to come.
Thrustmaster also has add ons which you can purchase such as another shifter and handbrake for drifting games which is awesome. The setup couldn’t be easier too, by simply plugging in and connecting the USB to the computer, it automatically sets it up so you can hop into a game quickly.
Still, I need to minus points for the smaller wheel base. This is not a standard wheel base size like your actual steering wheel on your car. It’s smaller and plastic, but this is what you get for the price. The outer cover and pedals are plastic too, but all of this was done to make it more cost effective.
I’d still recommend either this or the Logitech wheel if you are looking to get into the sim racing world and want to find out if sim racing can be a long term hobby.
Pros:
✅ Optional accessories – Compatible with Thrustmaster’s add-on shifter and handbrake
✅ Strong hybrid force feedback – Feels more natural than standard belt-driven wheels
✅ Magnetic shifters – Quick and responsive gear shifts
Cons:
❌ Smaller wheel size – Doesn’t match real-life steering wheel dimensions
❌ Plastic construction – Lacks premium feel
Overall: Great for beginners who want stronger force feedback than the Logitech G923. One of the best sim racing wheels that provides a step into sim racing without spending too much.
3. Thrustmaster T248 Racing Wheel
While the T248 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 though it was the same race, and to be paying so much more and not getting a leather wheel like what you can with 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 – More powerful than the T128P
✅ LCD display – Displays speed, gear shifts, and other race data
✅ Magnetic paddle shifters – Reliable and durable
Cons:
❌ No leather grip – Doesn’t feel as premium as similarly priced 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 that Thrustmaster does incredibly well is their upgrades. Each of these T-Base racing wheels comes with an assortment of racing wheels and add ons that you can purchase. I also love that you can upgrade your pedal system as well with a simple connection of a cable into your wheel, and the full metal hand brake is super satisfying. Also, they have 1:1 replica wheels which, while expensive, can be like driving the actual car. The wheels are certainly a premium add on, but the quality is there without a doubt!
✔ Swap out your wheel for replica F1, rally, and GT wheels
✔ Upgrade your pedal system for better realism
✔ Add accessories like a handbrake and shifter
Overall: If you want customization and long-term upgrades, Thrustmaster is a better investment.
4. Fanatec CSL DD Ready to Race Bundle (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 shifters are also metal with magnetic shifting for a more accurate shift experience which makes it feel incredibly satisfying. The pedals are also more realistic and meant to feel like your actual driving pedals instead of the cheap plastic pedals. The push and how far it goes is much more realistic and able to give you more control on your braking which is vital to handle your corners and not lock up your wheels.
At the same time this sim racing wheel has 5nm (Neuton Meters) of force feedback which is stronger than the logitech but also a little weak compared to other wheels which usually start at 8nm 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 bestsim racing wheels for its price. The force feedback precision is incredible and well worth the investment.
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 shifters | Smaller wheel size, plastic build |
| Thrustmaster T248 | Mid-range option | Hybrid Belt Drive | More power, LCD display | Inconsistent LED features, no leather grip |
| Fanatec CSL DD | Serious sim racers | Direct Drive | Best force feedback, upgradable | Expensive, base model has 5Nm force |
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, Thrustmaster’s T-Series wheels offer upgrade potential. For serious racers, Fanatec’s direct drive wheels provide am 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.
