With all of the different wheel and pedal options out there, and varying budgets, I thought it would make the most sense to provide a few different options. As I pick up new equipment or test different things, I’ll keep these recommendations up to date.
Wheels
Best budget wheel
Winner: Logitech G29/G920
The Logitech G29/G920 is hands down the best wheel for anyone getting into sim racing for the first time. It is especially good for those that don’t have a large budget to work with. I have been sim racing for over 10 years, and the G920 is the wheel that I currently use.
Reliability
Logitech has a tremendous track record when it comes to reliability. Very rarely will you ever hear of anyone who has had problems with their Logitech gear. This should come as no surprise. Logitech has been making computer peripherals for decades. To be fair, Logitech wheels do not use some of the advanced engineering techniques that the higher end wheels use. Additionally, the strength of force feedback is limited which is often a contributor to parts failures in some of the higher end wheels.
Compatibility
Logitech wheels work flawlessly on both the PC and console. For Playstation gamers, you’ll want to ensure you select the G29 as it has Playstation compatibility. For Xbox gamers, the G920 is the wheel for you.
Given the established history and popularity around the world, software related issues are few and far between. When they do exist, it’s never difficult to find a resolution given their broad appeal.
Affordability
Given that the wheel comes packaged with pedals, or if you buy the more expensive package, pedals and a shifter, a beginner can get up and running on a racing sim cheaper than they could with any other manufacturer – without sacrificing quality.
At around $300 to have every component you need to race, you simply cannot beat Logitech when it comes to value.
Realism/Immersion
The biggest downfall of Logitech wheels is they lack the realistic feel of the higher end wheels. This is just simply not Logitech’s game. Their aim is to provide a well functioning wheel at the best price point possible, and they do. Unfortunately, as long as you’re using one of their wheels you will always be aware of the fact that you are playing a “game.”
The diameter of the wheel is a mere 10.5″, nowhere near the realistic sizing you would find in a real life racecar. It is also predominantly plastic, with some pleather-like wrapping around the hand grip area.
At the end of the day, if you’re looking to get started in sim racing, and do not have a large budget to work with, the Logitech G29 or G920 is an excellent choice.
Click to see current pricing for the Logitech G29 on Amazon (Playstation compatible)
Click to see current pricing for the Logitech G920 on Amazon (Xbox compatible)
Best value mid-range wheel
Winner: Fanatec CSL Elite Playstation Starter Kit (also works for Xbox and PC)
Fanatec has long been regarded as the premier brand in sim racing equipment. One of their biggest draws is the breadth of their ecosystem when it comes to steering wheels. They have varying lines that one could argue ranks from “better” to “best”, specifically their CSL Elite, Club Sport, and Podium products.
Keeping that in mind, when considering the idea behind “mid-range” and “value”, it points to a clear winner for me, and that’s the CSL Elite Playstation Starter Kit
At around $600, sim racers can enjoy the benefit of upgrading to not only a more realistic look and feel, but also higher quality engineering. In fact, Fanatec reveals a little secret to us right on their website:
This racing wheel is using advanced and highly praised ClubSport technology. The servo motor, electronics and power supply come straight from its high-end brother. This makes the force feedback far superior.
Fanatec.com
This price also includes both the “base” which contains the drive system and internal components, as well as the “rim” which is the actual wheel that the user grips, and the CSL Elite Pedals – the pedals I currently use. This is something that often trips up new Fanatec purchasers and leads to disappointment and blown budgets due to a misunderstanding of the a la carte nature of these products. Purchasing these items a la cart would cost over $800!
Click here to see current pricing on Fanatec.com
Best high-end wheel
High End Reviews coming soon!
Pedals
Best budget pedals
Winner: Logitech G29/G920
The Logitech G29/G920 is hands down the best wheel/pedal combo for anyone getting into sim racing for the first time. Currently, I do not use the G920 pedals as I recently upgraded, but I can attest that they are a perfectly fine option in the early days.
Best value mid-range pedals
Winner: Fanatec CSL Elite
Fanatec has long been regarded as the premier brand in sim racing equipment. They have two pedal lines: CSL Elite and Club Sport.
Keeping that in mind, when considering the idea behind “mid-range” and “value”, it points to a clear winner for me, and that’s the CSL Elite Pedals. These are the pedals that I currently use.
A more realistic feel
The pedals are constructed entirely of metal, and have a much more realistic feel to them. The resistance on both the accelerator and brake pedals are much stronger, and can allow for more precise input while driving.
Improved performance
Another benefit is the 12-bit resolution capability of the pedals. The resolution determines how many “steps” or input values are recognized by the computer. The higher it is, the more precise you can be. A 12-bit resolution means that 2^12 or 4,096 steps will be recognized. This is massive compared to Logitech’s 8-bit, or 256 steps. Simply put, the pedals are more precise
Additional costs involved
One down side is that the base version of the CSL Elite Pedals only contains the accelerator and brake pedals. Users have the ability to add on a load cell kit, which provides another pedal, wiring, and sensor that can be added to the base. That add-on will cost another $139.
Additionally, if you do not already own a Fanatec wheel, you will have to buy an adapter that allows you to plug the wheels directly into your PC via USB. Doing so will result in a resolution drop to 8-bit. The cable costs $19.99.
In either scenario, these pedals will increase the realism/immersion aspect of your experience and are worth the price. For Fanatec wheel owners it is a no-brainer.
Click here to see current pricing on Fanatec.com
Best high-end pedals
Winner: Fanatec ClubSport V3
When I think of “high-end”, it is neither solely about the price, nor the amount of bells and whistles. For me personally, there is a practicality component that has to be considered.
While there are certainly much more realistic(and therefore much more expensive) pedals on the market, I personally believe the Fanatec ClubSport V3s are the best choice. This is especially true for anyone new to sim racing.
I believe you reach a certain level in terms of both immersion and performance, where added benefits have diminishing returns. For a person who is getting into sim racing for the first time, the added benefits of the absolute top-of-the-line products are unlikely to be realized for a substantial period of time. This is why my “high-end” recommendation are not pedals that come with a $1000+ price tag.
With flawless construction, 12-bit resolution, built in brake and accelerator adjustability, and load cell equipped, these pedals provide everything needed for a complete experience.
I ran these pedals before stepping away from sim racing for a little while. I can tell you that they are worth every bit of the $359 price tag they carry. If your budget allows for it and you’re sure that you are committed to this hobby, I highly recommend them.