‍System Compatibility

Before you dive into spec sheets and pricing comparisons, it’s important to double-check that the wheel you are considering is compatible with your preferred device.

Almost all contemporary steering wheels will work on PC, but for PlayStation and Xbox, you will need to check model-specific compatibility.

For example, Moza produces a wheel base that works on both PC and Xbox, but it doesn’t make any devices compatible with PlayStation.

Meanwhile, Fanatec offers products that can work on PC, PlayStation and Xbox - although it’s not every model.

Then there is in-game support. Commonly, brands such as Thrustmaster, Fanatec and Moza will be plug-and-play with most driving simulations. But, lesser-spotted brands such as PXN will require you to manually assign all control inputs each time you start a new game.

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Mounting Options

You don’t need a full cockpit or rig to be competitive, provided your wheel is mounted securely – although the full setup is preferable for high-torque wheel bases.

Make sure the wheel you are looking at includes a way of mounting to a desk, such as the inbuilt clamp part of a Logitech G923, or the bundled, but separate, clamps for a Thrustmaster T598.

Some brands, such as Moza and Fanatec, offer these as optional extras, so don’t assume that a way of mounting is included in the box.

If you are affixing the wheel base to a wheel stand or cockpit, there are often included bolts, screws and washers with a wheel – although there’s always a chance that the mounting plate or under-wheel holes don’t match your particular setup.

Contact your cockpit manufacturer before purchasing to make sure it fits, as there may be an optional plate adaptor required.

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Ecosystem

When purchasing a steering wheel for sim racing, try not to only consider the main device and research the wider accessory ecosystem. A wheel can be a significant investment, and you may want to upgrade elements in a year or two from now.

For instance, entry-level Logitech devices do not include a quick-release for the wheel from the base. This means you exclude the option of adding an extra wheel design at a later date.

When it comes to entry-to-mid-level wheels, Fanatec still has the largest range of accessories, such as extra wheel rims, shifters and pedals, than other brands. But, the likes of Thrustmaster, Asetek and Moza are constantly adding to their respective ranges.

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Direct Drive

The more cost-effective wheels will likely be either belt-driven, gear-driven or a combination of both.

That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but a more contemporary direct drive wheel base will provide a smoother, more authentic driving experience. They also have the potential to produce higher torque figures, and over the past four years, a slew of more affordable options became available.

Now, you can still be quick with a gear or belt-driven wheel base, so if that’s all you can afford, they can still be a great choice for the likes of Assetto Corsa Competizione or iRacing. But if you are in a position to afford a direct drive unit, you’ll be closer to the real thing.

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