Best Sim Racing Wheels for Beginners

Feel like you're driving a racing car in front of a monitor or TV with the Trust GXT-289 Movi gaming wheel. It's an affordable kit for amateur sim racers.

The steering wheel unit is attached to the table with clamps and suction cups. It is designed as a single platform with a textured wheel, customizable buttons on the left, and a gear stick on the right. The gear stick is placed near the wheel, making it somewhat inconvenient to use. An alternative to the gear stick is the paddle shifters.

The pedal unit of the model includes only gas and brake, without a separate clutch pedal. As for the steering wheel rotation range, it is 270°. The virtual turn angle is claimed to be up to 900° (2.5 full turns). For a more immersive gaming experience, the wheel features a vibration feedback system.

Trust GXT-289 Movi is compatible with stationary computers, PlayStation 4, Xbox, and Nintendo gaming consoles. A 2-meter cable is used for connection. Reliable clamps and a non-slip pedal base securely hold the device, regardless of the virtual sim racer's driving style.

The ThrustMaster T128 gaming wheel belongs to the budget series but has advanced features typical of more expensive brand models. The equipment allows you to gain first driving experience and smoothly transition to professional gaming. Its main feature is a 900º wheel turn, reflecting the real performance of most production cars. The presence of force feedback significantly enhances the realism of control, creating additional load during turns and off-road conditions. The kit includes a pedal platform for brake and gas. The absence of a clutch pedal makes the model more convenient for beginners.

The manufacturer has made the ThrustMaster T128 quite universal in all regards. The presence of 16 programmable buttons ensures comfortable control not only of supercars but also more specific machinery, such as military and agricultural. The magnetic type paddle shifters imitate the real transmissions of racing cars. The equipment can be mounted on a desk or a special gaming platform. Compatibility with PlayStation 4 / 5 and Windows PCs is implemented.

The Tracer SimRacer Manual Gearbox 6 in 1 is an affordable comprehensive solution for beginner sim racers with multiplatform compatibility. The wheel is suitable for use with PCs and Sony PlayStation 3/4 or Xbox One gaming consoles.

The kit includes three main components: the steering wheel itself, a separate gear stick, and a pedal block with clutch, brake, and gas. The wheel and gear stick are attached to the table with clamps. The pedal unit has a folding pad for improved floor grip.

The model's wheel rotates up to 270° and features a vibration feedback system that simulates various effects of overcoming obstacles, engine operation, collisions, etc. A total of 15 customizable buttons adorn the steering column, complemented by a four-position D-Pad. A couple of auxiliary buttons are located near the gear stick. By the way, its services can be refused in favor of paddle shifters for gear changes.

The model belongs to the basic segment of gaming controllers and is unlikely to pose serious competition to the "sharks" of the industry like brands Logitech or ThrustMaster. However, it is significantly cheaper. The Tracer SimRacer Manual Gearbox 6 in 1 meets the needs of undemanding virtual racers, whether children, teenagers or beginner adult sim racers.

The ThrustMaster T248X wheel for dedicated sim racers is specially licensed for use with Microsoft Xbox consoles. The model can also be connected to a stationary computer.

The racing kit from ThrustMaster consists of a steering column with table clamp mounts and a three-pedal unit (gas, brake, clutch). However, a traditional gear stick is not provided — paddle shifters are supposed to be used for shifting gears on the proprietary contactless H.E.A.R.T. magnetic system. They provide crisp clicks and have a reaction time of about 30 ms.

The model uses a Hybrid Drive system with a belt drive, supporting three types of return force resistance: classic, extended, and enhanced feedback effect. The latter transmits all the physical sensations that the racer experiences during the race. This feature depends on game support. The ThrustMaster T248X pedal block is also based on a magnetic mechanism and supports four different brake pedal press modes.

A distinctive feature of the wheel is the built-in LED screen for real-time display of various metrics. You can show speed, engine revs, gear or lap number, race position, and much more. In addition, there are twenty buttons with a four-position D-Pad at the driver's disposal.

The Logitech G923 Trueforce is a versatile gaming wheel for virtual motorsport. The model is compatible with stationary computers, gaming consoles Microsoft Xbox and Sony PlayStation consoles.

The highlight of the steering controller is the implementation of Trueforce feedback technology. It connects directly to game engines, allowing players to better feel engine roar, tire grip with the track, road relief, and steering feedback during maneuvering. Trueforce creates realistic driving impressions but is supported by a limited range of games, including Assetto Corsa Competizione, Gran Turismo Sport, and others.

Another important innovation onboard the model is the introduction of tangible braking progression. The corresponding pedal's progressive resistance spring improves control over the braking process. Overall, the gaming wheel's pedal block consists of clutch, brake, and accelerator.

The wheel features 14 buttons for comfortable control of game functions, paddle shifters for gear shifts, and an integrated circular selector. Additional active features include a programmable dual-clutch function that provides maximum traction and minimal wheel slippage. Logitech G923 Trueforce will appeal to many followers of the computer racing genre, although it will cost several hundred green bills.