If you play a lot of racing games, then you’ll know just how important it is to feel immersed. The rush of racing against expert opponents is unparalleled, so anything you can do to ratchet up your immersion is beneficial to your experience. This includes investing in a great sound system, building the right ambience in your room, and, of course, ensuring that you’re using the right peripherals to play. With that in mind, let’s take a look at the best racing wheels you can buy on PC in 2022.
Thrustmaster T248
Thrustmaster’s name is an extremely well-known one in the world of racing peripherals, so it should come as no surprise that the T248 tops our list. It’s not a cheap wheel by any means; it’ll set you back around £250-£300 if you pay for it at retail, although you can likely find it cheaper if you’re happy to buy a used version. However, what you’re getting for that price is a robust, well-built racing wheel with tactile buttons and steering that feels great. The feedback is impressive, too, so this is the perfect all-rounder wheel for you if you’re a racing enthusiast.
Logitech G923
If you’re not au fait with the Logitech G29 wheel, then consider this an unbridled, unadulterated recommendation. The G923 is a masterfully-designed wheel that has an incredible force feedback feature, making each bump and jump feel earth-shaking. You’re getting three pedals for added functionality, too, and everything feels just as solid and well-made as you’d expect from Logitech. If you do have the G29, this might not be a worthy upgrade, but if you’re new to the world of racing wheels, then there’s no reason not to pick this one up.
Hori Racing Wheel Overdrive
If you want a decent PC racing wheel, then you’re going to have to shell out just a little bit of cash, unfortunately. However, within the limits of the usual prices that PC racing wheels go for, the Hori Overdrive racing wheel is a solid budget proposition. It’s much cheaper than its competitors, but it doesn’t necessarily feel that way thanks to robust construction and a surprisingly premium feel. The Hori companion app allows you to adjust button functionality and various other parameters, too, so if things aren’t quite to your liking, you should find a way to tweak them there.
Thrustmaster TMX Force Feedback
Another great offering from Thrustmaster, the TMX Force Feedback wheel is just a little less pricey than the T248, but it’s no less brilliant as a result. The biggest fault we can find with this wheel is its pedal construction, which doesn’t quite match its price tag. However, the wheel itself is extremely solid and well-built, and the force feedback boasted of in the name is no gimmick either. This is a great entry-level racing wheel if you’re looking to get started in the world of sim racing, and while it won’t sustain you into serious hobbyism, it’s an excellent first option.
Fanatec Gran Turismo DD Pro
Now this wheel is the real deal. If you’ve been sim racing for a while, or if you think you’re ready to make the jump into the big leagues, this is definitely the racing wheel for you. The GT DD Pro is, quite simply, a beast of a wheel. It was technically constructed specifically for the PS5 and PS4’s Gran Turismo 7, but it works absolutely brilliantly on PC as well. It feels incredible, boasts stunningly detailed vibration and feedback, and looks good, too. The only downside is that it’s modular, and you’ll want to spend more money if you want the full package (which, if you’re serious about sim racing, you probably do).
Hori Racing Wheel Apex
The world of racing wheels is less populated than you might think, which is why you’ll mainly see Hori and Thrustmaster’s names, as well as the occasional offering from Logitech or an outside party. The Apex racing wheel was built for PlayStation consoles, just like the GT DD Pro, but it works great on PC as well. This is a budget wheel, so it’s not going to blow you away, but its construction and functionality are solid considering the price you’ll pay for it. The pedals aren’t great, though, so make sure you’re gentle with them.
Thrustmaster TS-XW Racer Sparco P310 Competition Mod
Unwieldy name aside, this offering from Thrustmaster is probably the last word in sim racing if you’re a truly hardcore player. It’s got a price tag to match how serious it is about giving you the perfect racing experience, so if you want something that’s budget-friendly, you should definitely look elsewhere. Given how in-depth and detailed the functionality is on this wheel, it’s a surprisingly quiet affair, but it also offers force feedback that will shake the very heavens. Make no mistake: this is a serious wheel for serious wheelheads, so casuals need not apply.
Given that racing wheels are a serious enthusiast’s prospect for the most part, the amount of quality offerings available for beginners or amateurs could perhaps be improved. However, we think there’s more than enough choice here to keep everyone happy, from racing beginners all the way through to seasoned sim pros. Did we miss any particularly brilliant racing wheel models? Which one do you use as your daily driver (no pun intended)? Let us know!
