Best Racing Wheels For Gamers in 2022

The introduction of the PlayStation 5 and the Xbox Series X may change the best consoles, but the best racing wheels can stay the same for the time being. Despite the fact that the new consoles will introduce fresh controllers, with Sony even requesting its new controller to play new games, both the PS5 and the Xbox Series X will maintain support for earlier racing wheels.

That’s bad news for racers because the last thing you’d need is to be required to do racing games with a controller while you’re waiting for new racing wheels. The small travel of a thumbstick and trigger just can’t relate to the range of a pedal or the rotation of a wheel when it gets to delivering nuanced control in a racing game. The best racing wheels can even help you better maintain an eye on the road. While a normal controller may give you a bit of rumble, the force feedback on a racing wheel can be used while you’re driving to help you feel out each corner. In addition, seating behind a racing wheel is just a lot more fun. So, if you’re ready to go into your racing groove and game your favorite racing games, these are the racing wheels you’ll need your hands on.

Best Racing Wheels For Gamers in 2022

  • Thrustmaster T300 RS GT
  • Hori Racing Wheel Overdrive
  • Thrustmaster TMX Racing Wheel
  • Thrustmaster T248 Racing Wheel
  • Fanatec CSL DD
  • Logitech G923
  • Fanatec GT DD Pro Express Version

1. Thrustmaster T300 RS GT

Best Racing Wheel For Gamers in 2022

Thrustmaster T300 RS GT

Wheel Size: 11″ | Rotation Range: 1,080 degrees | Motor: Brushless force feedback | Weight: 22.4 pounds

The Thrustmaster T300 RS GT meets all of the bases for a high-quality racing wheel that will put you into the action in your favorite racing games, from the wheel to the pedal base to the motor inside. This particular model features a realistic, 11-inch wheel with rubber grips that wrap all the way around, ensuring that you won’t slip even if the race starts to turn rough.

Because the Thrustmaster T300 RS GT employs a dual-belt system with a brushless force feedback motor, you’ll have that grip as well. You’ll need to hang on tight because you’ll be seeing the road through this wheel. Fortunately, because it’s using a brushless motor, it won’t be particularly noisy. The wheel has all of the controls you need for PlayStation games, including compatibility for the PS5, as well as a 1,080-degree turning range with Hall Effect sensors for accuracy and two paddle shifters to help you always get to the correct gear.

2. Hori Racing Wheel Overdrive

Best Budget Racing Wheel For Gamers in 2022

Hori Racing Wheel Overdrive

Wheel Size: 11″ | Rotation Range: 180-270 degrees | Weight: 7 pounds

With the Hori Racing Wheel Overdrive, you can have yourself geared up for racing for just $100. It may not be the most feature-laden option, but you’ll have a comfortable wheel that runs with both the Xbox Series X/S and the Windows PC. The kit also includes a pair of pedals. It’ll be a serious upgrade from a controller for precision steering, and it’s more than enough to have you casually racing.

The Hori Racing Wheel Overdrive includes an 11-inch steering wheel and clamps for securing it to your desk. The wheel is a shorter turning range than high-end options, but it will still allow you 270 degrees of rotation, or you can cut it down to 180 degrees for more immediate feedback. You’ll even have paddle shifters to really get control of the car you’re driving, thanks to the front of the wheel includes some classic Xbox inputs for simple control in the game. The most notable thing you’ll lose out on here is force feedback.

3. Thrustmaster TMX Racing Wheel

Best Xbox Series X/S Racing Wheel For Gamers in 2022

Thrustmaster TMX Racing Wheel

Wheel Size: 11″ | Rotation Range: 270-900 degrees | Motor: Force feedback | Weight: 12.3 pounds

This is the one to try out if you enjoy the look and sound of the Thrustmaster T300 RS racing wheel but need to have a model that goes with the current Xbox Series X and Series S. There are amble buttons on the wheel, a paddle shifter, a control pad, and the ability for the wheel to be recognized by the Xbox automatically.

A two-pedal set and a can adhere to just about any mount other wheels can, such as a desk or table, are included in this kit. The Xbox guide button is also added in the controls, so you’ll get full functionality to interact with your console.

4. Thrustmaster T248 Racing Wheel

Best PS5 Racing Wheel For Gamers in 2022

Motor: Belt and gear hybrid force feedback | Weight: 15.6 pounds

The Thrustmaster T248 is a recent racing wheel that is compatible with the PS5. This is the wheel you’re going to need for full support if you’re gaming on Sony’s new console. It arrives with handy controls that will align with those displayed in the game, and it’ll give you seem like you’re actually driving a car in a much more tangible sense than a standard controller will.

The racing wheel, as well as a three-pedal set that maintains high sensitivity and even allows for four different pressure modes from the brake pedal, are allowed in the kit. Through its belt- and gear-driven force feedback system, the wheel will authorize you to develop a feel for the road, and you can select three different modes for your preferred level of feedback. The wheel also has magnetic paddle shifters for quick activation, as well as a display at the center of the wheel that can show useful game data from your engine’s RPM to your best lap time.

5. Fanatec CSL DD

Best PC Racing Wheel For Gamers in 2022

Fanatec CSL DD

Rotation Range: 2,520 degrees (electronically limited, adjustable)| Motor: Direct drive force feedback | Torque: 4Nm or 8Nm Weight: 12.15lbs

PC gamers are accustomed to the best things in gaming, and the Fanatec CSL DD is going to be the best wheel motor for this platform. You’ll need to put your pre-order in now, despite the fact that it will not be available until mid-January. Because of its exceptional sidewall flex and self-aligning torque, this motor will provision the most realistic feel in PC gaming.

When purchasing the 8Nm model, the CSL DD arrives with a huge 180 boost kit, allowing for the direct drive motor’s full performance. Because of the additional power, when you get into 8Nm mode, you will have some of the strongest feedback you can find in a racing wheel, and you’ll even be ready to see the subtlest cues. This motor arrives with a basic Tuning Menu so that you can get started quickly, but there has also an Advanced TuningMenu that can be set to adjust your driving preferences. It should also be compatible with all of your PC racing games, both current and vintage. It’s important to know that this is only a motor, but it should function with most Fanatec wheels, pedals, and clamps.

6. Logitech G923

Best Belt-Driven Racing Wheel For Gamers in 2022

Logitech G923

Wheel Size: 10.24″ | Rotation Range: 900 degrees | Motor: Dual force feedback | Weight: 4.5 pounds (wheel), 6.8 pounds (pedals)

With the Logitech G923 racing wheel, Logitech maintains an affordable way to get into sim racing. This wheel is effectively a G920 light revision, which isn’t a terrible thing. That was a stable and affordable racing wheel, and that is up with the G923 as well.

You’re still receiving a wheel with geared force feedback on the outside. That provides a fair degree of realistic feedback in games, though it is not the most nuanced and can be occasionally noisy. Logitech has also added a “Trueforce” feature to this new wheel, which provides some extra immersion through a vibration motor. That Trueforce adds some extra sensation in supported games, simulating the feel of the engine revs vibrating straight through the steering column and into your hands. By allowing a complete pedal set, this kit is easy to bring sim racing more affordable.

7. Fanatec GT DD Pro Express Version

Best Direct Drive Racing Wheel For Gamers in 2022

Fanatec GT DD Pro Express Version

Rotation Range: 2,520 degrees | Motor: Direct drive | Torque: 5Nm or up to 8Nm

The GT DD Pro Express Version is the best option if you wish to have the greatest direct drive experience. It’s the perfect addition to your game setup, and when Gran Turismo 7 launches in March 2022, you’ll be ready for a fully immersive experience. Direct drive wheels, as the name implies, connect a massive motor directly to the steering wheel, allowing for much better control and force feedback. Professional racers and enthusiast sim racers both use this system.

The GT DD Pro Express Version provides 5Nm of force feedback, but with the addition of the 180 Boost Kit, it can reach up to 8Nm, which is sure to get your hands and wrists sore even after a short circuit race. The wheel itself carries a fantastic interface, complete with familiar Playstation controls, unique five-way directional sticks, and RevLED, which gives visual information while driving. This ultimate direct drive setup will be finished by the included steel two-pedal set. You should be making laps in no time because it is compatible with the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S (when using an Xbox licensed wheel), and PC.

What to Look for in a Racing Wheel 

One of the main things you should consider when looking for a racing wheel is how easy it will be for you to use. Is the wheel large enough and comfortable enough for you to handle? Padded and leather (or pleather) bound wheels give a welcome touch of comfort, but if your wheel provides a lot of force feedback, you may still want to purchase a pair of gloves.

Speaking of force feedback, there are three main types out there in the world:

  • Gear Drive – The wheel’s shaft is attached to gears that connect to the primary force feedback motor in this case. This type of force feedback system was effective in terms of increasing torque, but it was notorious for throwing imprecisely and being extremely noisy. Gear Drive systems are also among the earliest type of force feedback systems found on racing wheels, and they are rare and far between, aside from the Logitech G25 Wheels you may spot on Ebay.
  • Belt Drive – The most common type of force feedback system found in modern racing wheels. This type of system utilizes belts instead of gears, and it employs the same concept of translating torque from the haptic motor as Gear Drive. The resulting experience is much more precise and significantly softer. Belt Drives, on the other hand, frequently absorb some amount of the force feedback before it moves to the wheel and your hands, which can also stretch and degrade overtime and require users to replace the belt.
  • Direct Drive – This system is frequently seen as the best type of force feedback system because it often involves the wheel mounted directly to a large motor. With this type of force feedback system, there remains no delay or loss of torque. However, because there remain no belts or gears to amplify the haptic force, these systems are frequently forced to employ larger motors. Direct Drive wheels are also the most expensive type of racing wheel you can get, varying in price from $1,000 to $2,000.
Don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter to get latest tech news and and gadgets reviews. And follow us on FacebookInstagram, and Twitter.

Did you enjoy this content?

Leave a Reply