5 Sim Racing Wheels Under $300

‍Logitech G29 (PS) / G290 (Xbox) ~$249

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The venerable model has been produced since 2015, and thanks to its price reduction over those 10 years, it remains as relevant as ever.

Inside the plastic body is a gear-driven force feedback system, which can feel authentically challenging to drive, but can also make a lot of cog-grinding noise, especially when driving in the Formula 1 games.

However, the metal gearshift paddles belie its cheap price and many an esports career has started out using a Logitech device. The in-built system for attaching the wheel to a table remains one of the most effective systems ever produced, too.

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Logitech G293 ~$280

This is a very similar device to the G29 we have already mentioned - in fact, you’d be hard-pressed to spot any visual difference.

The G293 is an updated version of the same device, but it includes TrueForce. This is Logitech’s proprietary vibration, or haptic, system. It adds a deep rumble to the feedback, but it should be noted that it’s only functional if a game developer has enabled it.

The pedals are slightly tweaked too, the brake pedal being harder to press. But otherwise, it’s difficult to recommend this over the G29 at a higher price (it retails for $349).

However, if you spot this discounted to less than its older sibling, you may as well pick up this instead. We’ve seen it regularly for under $300.

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Thrustmaster T128 ~$199

This is a direct competitor to the aforementioned Logitech, and a significantly newer design, too.

Inside it uses gears, but also belts, and while it is far from silent, the T128 is much quieter in operation than the G29 and smoother in response. The wheel face also includes four LEDs, to alert you of an impending gearshift.

On the downside, the gearshift paddles are small, plastic and extremely loud. Generally, the plastics used throughout are flimsy compared to the Logitech, too. There is the T248, which dramatically increases the build quality, adds a screen and uses the same internals, but it’s $399.

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PXN V99 ~$189

If you’d like to eschew convention and established brands, the PXN V99 is a bargain.

It features a direct drive motor, for smoother feedback, and you even receive a h-pattern gear shifter too, unlike the other devices on the list. The value proposition is startling.

So what’s the catch?

Well, it’s rarely natively supported for titles on PC. It will work, but you will unlikely experience presets. On console, it isn’t officially licenced either, which means it will not work on PlayStation 5, and on PlayStation 4, it requires you to plug in a DualShock controller into the base at all times. A faff.

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Moza R3 bundle ~$359

This is a little over the $300 budget (listed at $399, but regularly seen for $359). However, if you can stretch just that little bit more, this is a bonafide direct drive wheel base.

Yes, its 3Nm of peak torque output is tiny, but the experience is smooth, quiet and a cut above most on this list.

It also features a quick-release system, meaning you can upgrade to different wheels to fit on the base at a later date.

This particular package works on PC and Xbox, but not PlayStation. Still, if that works for you, and you can push to reach this price, this is the best available in this bracket.

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Written by the teams at trophi.ai and Traxion.GG.