Racing games might be as close as any of us ever get to driving a Ferarri. And that’s ok because these racing wheels make the driving experience more realistic than ever before. The best race wheels are responsive. They shake and jerk as you are driving at fast speeds and truly provide the sense that you are going 150 mph. They provide a great racing experience that was once only found inside of the arcade.
The best racing wheels will have great response and torque along with medal pedals that include a gas pedal, brake and clutch. If you decide to go with an entry-level racing wheel, you can always upgrade components like the pedals later. So, if you really want to take your racing experience to the next level, but aren’t quite ready to try to go 150 mph in your Honda Accord, you’ll definitely want one of these racing wheels.
Below is our list of the best racing wheels available.
1. Thrustmaster T300 RS GT
This is one of the most responsive racing wheels for gaming. The driving action is so lifelike you’ll be white-knuckling the steering wheel as you are banking hard turns during game play. The racing wheel feels realistic due to the action feedback. When you hit a wall in your racing game, you will feel the wheel jam and jerk, so much so that it’s actually a bit jarring when it happens. The wheel has some weight to it which makes it feel real, and also shakes while you are ripping turns during game play to add to the experience. The pedals legitimately look like they were taken out of a racing car. If there is one downside to this overall great racing wheel, it’s that the handbrake is controlled by a button. This can make it a bit tricky to handbrake while you are in the midst of rallying. Beyond that, it’s hard to go wrong with this Thrustmaster racing wheel.
2. Logitech G29 Dual-Motor Feedback Driving Force Racing Wheel
This racing wheel is available either for PlayStation or Xbox, as well as PC. It features the D-Pad on the wheel, and it comes with a floor pedal unit. The steering wheel is designed to emulate the feeling and turning capabilities of actual racing wheels. Though this specific model is only compatible with PlayStation systems, another model is available that will work for PC gamers, as well. We like that this listing comes with several different options, including with pedals and a shifter, and has a range of high-quality details like steel ball bearings and a hand-stitched leather grip on the wheel itself.
3. Thrustmaster TMX Force Feedback Racing Wheel
If you want to get into serious racing, but don’t want to spend a ton on a high-end race wheel like the Thrustmaster TX RW Leather Edition, the TMX Force Feedback Racing Wheel is a great, affordable option. This Thrustmaster racing wheel features force feedback, which is the resistance you feel as you turn and the shaking and jerking you experience when you hit a wall during gameplay. Unlike more premium Thrustmaster wheels, the pedals aren’t nearly as realistic. These are made primarily of plastic, and don’t have much resistance, which makes them feel more like arcade game pedals instead of a real race car. But if you decide later that you want to upgrade the pedals, you can pair the racing wheel with a better set. We recommend this for Xbox gamers who want to get a bit more serious with their racing games, but aren’t quite ready for a premium wheel just yet.
4. Openwheeler GEN2 Racing Wheel Stand Cockpit
If you’ve already got the wheel, the next step is getting a stand for it. This option from Openwheeler features a racing chair and a mount for the pedals and steering wheel, so it really feels like you’re driving a race car. Though this option doesn’t come with the wheel or pedals, it’s the perfect add-on for a gamer looking to take his or her game to the next level. While many of our other options give a lifelike experience, it’s tough to compete with a chair and pedal setup like this one from Openwheeler.