Short answer: the Logitech G923 is the best racing wheel for F1 games for most people, the MOZA R5 Bundle is the best upgrade if you are on PC, and the Logitech G RS50 is the only convincing direct-drive route on PS5. That is the short version of a month spent cycling ten wheels through F1 sessions on a desk, a wheel stand and a frame rig.
The search intent behind “best racing wheels for F1 games” is straightforward. You have an open-wheel game, you know a controller is holding you back, and you want to know which hardware actually makes an F1 car feel like an F1 car. The frustrating part is that the ideal answer, a carbon-fibre F1 replica at 1:8 scale, sits in a completely different price bracket from the hardware most players are shopping around.
So we spent our time with the gear that real people can realistically buy. Every wheel in this roundup was run in an F1 title with assists progressively dialled down, judged on the same three things: how much of the car’s state you can feel through the rim, whether the pedals give you usable brake and throttle control, and whether the thing is still accurate after an hour of wet Spa. Nothing here is a paper comparison of torque figures alone.
One important clarification before we get into the list. A formula-style F1 rim, the small button-heavy wheel with magnetic paddle shifters and a screen in the middle, is a completely different product from a wheel base, the motor unit that bolts to your desk or rig. Several of our picks are rims that need a base bought separately, and the sim racing wheels and pedals guide covers that whole ecosystem if you want the wider picture.
Our Top 3 Picks for F1 Games After Testing (October 2026)
Logitech G923
- TRUEFORCE 4000 Hz feedback
- Programmable dual clutch for launch control
- PS5 PS4 and PC
- Leather rim and LED RPM bar
MOZA R5 Bundle
- 5.5 Nm direct drive
- 280 mm ES wheel
- Steel Hall sensor pedals
- Desk clamp included
Thrustmaster T300RS GT
- Quiet belt-driven feedback
- Three-pedal GT set
- Aluminium paddle shifters
- Quick-release rim
The G923 wins this roundup because it is the only wheel here that does everything an F1 player needs without a second purchase. The dual clutch pedal is programmable for launch control, TRUEFORCE gives you enough of the car’s slip angle to catch a slide, and it runs on PS5, PS4 and PC from the same box.
The MOZA R5 is the pick if you are on PC and want a genuine direct-drive upgrade, because 5.5 Nm with zero belt slack changes how the car arrives at a corner. The T300RS GT takes the belt-driven crown for smooth, quiet steering and a three-pedal set that is genuinely usable in a formula car.
Comparing All 10 Racing Wheels for F1 Games in 2026
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Everything in this table is a wheel you can physically use in an F1 title, but they are not interchangeable choices. Two of them are rims that need their own base. Three are PC-only. One has no force feedback at all, and we include it anyway because it shows you exactly what you give up at the bottom of the market.
Our broader best racing wheels for PC roundup goes deeper on the base-versus-rim question, and if you already own a base, the rim entries here become much more interesting value.
1. Logitech G923 – The Best Racing Wheel for F1 Games Overall
Logitech G923 Racing Wheel and Pedals for Playstation/PS5/PS4 & PC
TRUEFORCE at 4000 Hz
Programmable dual clutch pedal
PS5 PS4 and PC
Leather rim with LED RPM bar
✓ The Good
- Convincing TRUEFORCE detail for a gear-driven wheel
- Programmable dual clutch for F1 launches
- Hand-stitched leather rim and metal pedals
- Smooth rotation with deep G HUB configuration
- Runs on PS5 PS4 and PC
✕ The Bad
- Pedals give no force feedback or lock-up cues
- Dual clutch needs game support
- Column can grab slightly on fast straights
This is the wheel we kept coming back to. Logitech’s gear-driven column is technically an older design, and you can feel that in the very first corner where a direct-drive unit would be silent. But TRUEFORCE processes the game’s force data 4000 times per second, and the result is enough front-end weight to feel the car loading up on a slow entry.
For F1 specifically, the headline feature is the programmable dual clutch pedal. Almost every F1 title has a launch control that rewards a manual start, and the G923 lets you bite the clutch with a foot rather than tapping a face button. It is not the same as a load cell clutch, but it is the single most F1-relevant feature in this roundup below the premium tier.
The leather rim also matters more than it sounds. Formula cars are driven with small, precise inputs, and a soft covering on a round wheel gives you a more forgiving reference for how much lock you have used than the rubber or plastic used on cheaper rims.
What you give up is pedal feedback. The G923 has no haptic or load cell brake, so you get no ABS pulse and no wheel-lock cue through the floor. Reviewers report the pedals feeling dead compared with load cell sets, and in a car that locks up under braking into a hairpin, that absence is genuinely felt.
Why the dual clutch pedal matters more in F1 than in GT
Launch control is a starting-grid mechanic, and starting-grid mechanics are an F1 mechanic. A GT race rarely has you bouncing off the grid, which is why so many GT-focused wheels treat the clutch as a nice-to-have.
In an F1 game the clutch pedal also helps in slow corners, where you can feather the wheel and let the engine hold the car while you rotate. The G923’s clutch is a single pedal with limited travel rather than a proper bite-point sensor, so it is a tool rather than an advantage, but it is a tool almost no competitor in this price band includes.
Setup advice for an F1 car on the G923
Run the on-wheel sensitivity low and let TRUEFORCE do the work, then set the dual clutch to launch control in G HUB. Reviewers note a light rattle at some settings until the force feedback and damper values are dialled in, so give it ten minutes of tuning before you judge it.
Mount it on a proper stand rather than a thin desk. The wheel stand roundup covers the options, and a firmer mount removes the column grab that some owners notice on fast straights.
Who should skip this wheel
If you race competitively with assists fully off and expect to catch real slides, you will grow out of a gear-driven column quickly and end up buying a direct-drive base later. If you simply want a better time in an F1 game with the Traction Control on, this is the correct purchase and you will not outgrow it for months.
2. MOZA R5 Bundle – Best Direct Drive Upgrade for PC F1
MOZA R5 Bundle Racing Wheel, Direct Drive Base, Pedals Simulator Kit for PC
5.5 Nm peak torque
280 mm ES aluminium rim
SR-P Lite steel Hall pedals
CNC desk clamp
✓ The Good
- Smooth linear direct drive with no belt or gear noise
- Curbs and weight transfer read clearly in F1
- All metal construction including magnetic paddles
- Pit House software is deep and easy to set
- MOZA ecosystem swaps without adapters
✕ The Bad
- SR-P Lite pedals have no clutch and no load cell
- Pedal base tilts back without a brake stiffener
- Desk clamp may not fit metal-framed desks
This is where the roundup gets interesting, because the R5 Bundle is a complete direct-drive package that transforms an F1 car. Owners describe it as a night-and-day jump from geared or belt-driven hardware, and the reason is simple: there is no slack between your hands and the game’s force data.
At 5.5 Nm of peak torque the R5 sits below the league-grade direct-drive units, but for a single-seater on a desk setup that is not the limiting factor. The 280 mm ES rim is a round wheel rather than an F1 shape, and some drivers find the size generous for the quick rack-to-rack steering an open-wheel car demands.
Build quality is where MOZA consistently punches above its tier. The base, rim quick release, paddles and pedals are all metal, and the paddles are magnetic, which is the feature you most want in a car that spends its life on sequential shifts.
The catch is the pedals. The SR-P Lite set is a Hall sensor three-pedal unit with no clutch pedal and no load cell, so it is a two-pedal-plus-throttle arrangement that you will likely upgrade. Forum regulars on r/simracing repeatedly recommend budgeting for a load cell brake and a clutch add-on alongside any budget direct-drive kit.
Torque, motor heat and long F1 stints
Direct drive motors generate heat during long runs, and the R5 has no active cooling. Reviewers recommend lowering force feedback strength in a hot room rather than running it flat out for an hour, particularly on a full-length F1 race where the steering never really stops moving.
That advice applies to any direct-drive base at this level, and it is one reason the sim racing cockpit roundup recommends airflow around the motor housing in a bedroom setup.
Why the MOZA ecosystem matters for F1
MOZA rims and components interchange without adapters, so when you eventually want a smaller F1-style rim on the same base, you bolt it straight on. That is the opposite of the closed ecosystem complaint that comes up repeatedly in the community about other brands, where a base only accepts its own rims.
That upgrade path is the reason I rank the R5 so high despite the basic pedals. You are buying a base that can grow into a formula setup rather than a sealed system.
Who should skip this wheel
If you play on PS5 or Xbox, this is the wrong wheel entirely. It is PC-only, and console use requires extra hardware. If you are on PC and want clutch feel on the grid from day one, look at the bundle that arrives with a clutch pedal instead.
3. Thrustmaster T300RS GT – Best Belt-Driven Rig for PS5 and PC
Thrustmaster T300RS GT Force Feedback Racing Wheel & 3 Pedal Set – PS5 & PC
Belt-driven force feedback
Three-pedal GT set
Aluminium paddle shifters
Quick-release rim
✓ The Good
- Noticeably smoother and quieter than gear-driven rivals
- Three-pedal set allows mid-corner throttle modulation
- Aluminium paddles usable without regripping
- Quick-release rim makes rim swaps easy
- Reported to keep working over years
✕ The Bad
- Factory calibration can sit off-centre before firmware update
- Rim is small at about 11 inches
- The plastic pedal bases can squeak or crack
The T300RS GT is the quiet one. Thrustmaster switched to a belt-driven motor and the difference against a gear-driven rival is immediate: no buzzing, no chatter through a kerb, and a smoother return to centre that suits the constant small corrections an F1 car asks for.
It is also the most future-proof entry wheel on this list in one specific way. The quick-release rim and the surrounding Thrustmaster ecosystem mean the base accepts better pedals, including genuine load cell brake and clutch units, without changing anything else. That matters if you plan to upgrade in a year rather than replace the whole kit.
The three-pedal GT set is a real advantage over the two-pedal bundles elsewhere in this roundup. Trail braking into a slow corner with a mid-corner throttle blip is a core open-wheel technique, and you cannot do it with two pedals.
Two recurring complaints are worth knowing before you order. Factory calibration can sit roughly 20 degrees off centre until you run the firmware update, which almost sorts itself out, and the roughly 11-inch rim is small next to a modern GT or F1 shape.
Belt drive versus gear drive for an F1 car
Belt drive is smoother and quieter than gear drive, and quieter matters when you are trying to hear the car rather than the motor. It will never match direct drive for detail or for the absence of slack under load, but it is a genuine step up in feel for the money.
Community advice in the r/simracing monthly threads consistently puts a belt-driven wheel plus load cell pedals ahead of a complete cheap direct-drive bundle, because the pedal is where an F1 game gives you more than the wheel does.
Pedal durability and the moulding seam
The stock plastic pedal bases are the weak point. Reviewers report squeaking and, in some cases, cracking under hard braking, so if you own a frame rig the pedal unit is the part to monitor. A molding seam on the inner rim can also irritate your thumbs out of the box until it wears in.
Neither issue is a dealbreaker, and both are fixable with a better pedal set later, which is exactly the path the community recommends.
Who should skip this wheel
If you race endurance as well as open wheel, the small rim and GT-shaped layout will feel wrong for a GT car, and you should look at a larger rim. For pure F1 on a budget, though, it delivers the smoothest steering of anything at this level.
4. MOZA R3 Bundle – Most Compact Direct Drive Setup for PC
MOZA R3 Bundle Kit Direct Drive Servo base, Racing Wheel and Pedals for PC
3.9 Nm direct drive
11-inch ES Lite alloy rim
SR-P Lite steel Hall pedals
5 mm CNC desk clamp
✓ The Good
- Very low torque ripple for the class
- Compact base fits small desk setups
- 22 buttons and quick-release rim
- Steel pedals and CNC clamp feel premium
- Parts swap across MOZA without adapters
✕ The Bad
- PC only
- 3.9 Nm is light in sustained high-force corners
- No clutch and no load cell brake
The R3 Bundle is the one we recommend when the question is how cheaply you can get a real direct drive in an F1 game. It arrives complete, with base, rim, pedals and a machined table clamp, and the direct-drive response is the first thing you notice.
Reviewers consistently single out the low torque ripple as the standout. Ripple is the small unwanted wobble in the rim that makes fine inputs feel vague, and in a car that jitters over curbs an open-wheel car jitters constantly, low ripple is not a luxury.
The 3.9 Nm figure is lower than the R5, and you can feel that in the fastest, most heavily loaded corners where the wheel goes light in your hands. The compact base is a genuine advantage though: it fits on a small desk where a larger servo unit simply will not sit.
Twenty-two configurable buttons is a lot of control for an entry kit, and the quick-release rim means an F1-style rim is a bolt-on upgrade later rather than a whole new base.
Torque in a fast F1 corner
An F1 car at a fast corner loads the front tyres hard and the force through the rim is substantial. A 3.9 Nm base will not hold that indefinitely, so expect the wheel to lighten where a higher-torque unit would stay planted. It is a real limit, but it shows up in a narrower set of corners than buyers expect.
If you can accept it, the trade is worth it. Most of the F1 experience is medium and low-speed work, and that is where this kit is strongest.
Rim shape and hand size
The ES Lite is a round 11-inch wheel with an alloy rim and polyurethane grips. It suits smaller hands particularly well, and drivers with larger hands sometimes find the flat bottom section cramped when they run their thumbs underneath at full lock.
That is a fit issue rather than a quality issue, and it is resolved by moving to a different rim on the same base, which the quick release makes painless.
Who should skip this wheel
Console players should skip it entirely, since it is PC-only. Anyone who wants clutch feel on the grid will be adding a clutch pedal to the budget, and anyone who already owns a direct-drive base has no reason to buy a second one at 3.9 Nm.
5. Logitech G RS50 – Best Direct Drive Wheel for PS5 F1 Games
Logitech G RS50 Direct Drive Racing Wheel, Hub, & Base for PS5/PS4/PC
8 Nm direct-drive peak torque
Swappable RS hub and rim
PS5 PS4 and PC
Table clamp and seat hardware
✓ The Good
- Quiet linear direct-drive feedback with no belt or gear noise
- Heavy premium build
- Swappable rims including an F1-style rim later
- TRUEFORCE integration owners single out
- Console and PC in one package
✕ The Bad
- Pedals are not included in this bundle
- G HUB reported to cause dropped inputs
- 8 Nm has no torque multiplication so slow corners feel light
This is the answer for PlayStation players who have outgrown belt-driven hardware. Eight newton metres of direct drive with TRUEFORCE integration is a class of feedback that barely exists on PS5, and the build quality is a clear step above the plastic and gear-driven alternatives on the same platform.
The important structural point is the hub. This package is a base plus a swappable hub system, so the 11-inch round rim included here is not the end of the road. When you are ready for an F1-style rim, you bolt it onto the same hub and base and the console buttons still work.
Owners frequently single out TRUEFORCE integration as the thing that makes it feel more realistic than the raw torque number suggests, particularly through the transition where a front tyre starts to give up.
Two caveats are worth reading carefully. The pedal set is a separate purchase, so the true cost of a complete F1 setup is higher than the box suggests. And Logitech G HUB has been reported by some users to cause input loss or a stuck throttle mid-race, which is exactly the failure you cannot tolerate in an F1 game.
PlayStation licensing is the whole story
Console wheels are not a free market. A PlayStation wheel needs Sony’s licensed communication protocol, and the cost of licensing filters out most of the third-party direct-drive manufacturers. That is why almost every premium wheel you will find for PS5 comes from Logitech, Thrustmaster or the officially licensed Japanese brands.
The result is a thinner catalogue than PC offers. The PC roundup has a far longer list of direct-drive options, and the honest truth is that on PC you simply have more choice.
Eight newton metres and slow corners
With no torque multiplication, the RS50 still runs light at low speed in a tight hairpin, which is an F1 signature corner. The fix is force feedback curve and damper tuning rather than hardware, and it closes much of the gap for most drivers.
Owners also praise the physical quality. A heavy base and a machined hub feel like a permanent piece of equipment rather than a consumable, and the included table clamp plus seat mounting hardware covers most rigs.
Who should skip this wheel
Skip it if you need a clutch pedal on day one, since you are buying pedals separately, and skip it if your drive is already direct drive on PC. It is a consolidation purchase for a PlayStation household moving up, not a starting point.
6. Thrustmaster T248P – Best Wheel With an On-Wheel Display for F1
Thrustmaster T248P Force Feedback Racing Wheel (compatible w/ PS5, PS5 Pro, PS4 & PC)
Interactive race dashboard screen
Leather-wrapped rim
Up to 25 action buttons
Dual-position encoders
✓ The Good
- Change force feedback strength and read data from the wheel
- Supports genuine load cell brake and clutch upgrades
- Leather rim and dual encoders feel premium
- Belt drive keeps operation smooth and quiet
✕ The Bad
- Belt feedback is weaker and less detailed than direct drive
- Plastic rim can feel sticky over time
- Included pedals feel basic beside the load cell units
The T248P is defined by a screen in the middle of the rim, and for an F1 game that screen is more useful than it first appears. A real F1 wheel is a button-heavy control surface, and being able to see your force feedback setting, your revs and your gear map without leaving the game keeps your hands on the wheel.
You can also adjust force feedback strength on the fly from the display, with three preset modes, which is a genuinely useful tool when you are dialing in an unfamiliar car for a race weekend.
Up to 25 action buttons including two dual-position encoders is more than you will ever assign in one F1 title, and the extra inputs are where you put things like pit limiter, look behind, or a pit strategy overlay.
Like the T300RS GT, the T248P sits in the Thrustmaster ecosystem and supports genuine load cell brake and clutch units later. The included pedals feel basic by comparison, which is the honest weakness of the package.
The on-wheel dashboard versus a separate display
Telemetry on the wheel saves desk space and means your eyes do not have to leave the apex. The compromise is a small screen with a limited number of display options, so it shows the data you choose rather than everything at once.
For a single-seater, a screen showing gear, revs and a timing delta is close to ideal, because those are the three things you want without breaking your concentration.
Where belt drive shows its limit in F1
Reviewers are clear that belt-driven feedback on the T248P is weaker and less detailed than direct drive, and that gap is more obvious in an open-wheel car than in a touring car, because open-wheelers generate and transmit far more detailed forces.
The rim is also reported to develop a sticky or tacky feel over extended use, which is a wear issue rather than a defect but worth factoring in if you are a very high-hourage user.
Who should skip this wheel
If you are chasing league realism, the display will not make up for the missing direct-drive detail and you should save up for a direct-drive base. For a console player who wants quick, repeatable setup changes, it is hard to argue against.
7. PXN V99 Force Feedback Racing Wheel – Best Multi-Console Starter
PXN V99 Force Feedback Racing Wheel, with Pedals and Shifter
3.2 Nm dual-motor feedback
270 and 900 degree rotation
Hall pedals with clutch
6+1 shifter
✓ The Good
- Real dual-motor feedback well above the class
- Only kit here with a clutch pedal and shifter included
- Works on PC Xbox One Xbox Series X and S and PS4
- Hall sensor pedals are cheap and wear-free
- Rotation switch suits F1 and open wheel styles
✕ The Bad
- Haptics can overheat the base and shut it down
- Pedal base slides on hard floors
- Shifter feels cheap and can jump to neutral
The V99 exists because the three-pedal-and-shifter package has almost disappeared from the budget end of the market. It is the only kit in this roundup that arrives with a clutch pedal and a six-plus-one metal shaft shifter, and for an F1 player without a separate shifter that saves both money and desk space.
The 3.2 Nm dual-motor force feedback is genuinely good for the money. Owners consistently rate it above other wheels at this level, and unlike the belt and gear designs it has no mechanical slack in the steering path.
Multi-platform support is the other headline. It runs on PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X and S, and PS4, which makes it the natural choice in a household that moves between console and PC.
The 270 and 900 degree rotation switch is quietly important for open-wheel driving. A 270-degree setting gives the quicker rack-to-rack ratio an F1 car needs, while 900 degrees suits slower road cars.
Durability is the real weakness
Several reviews report the haptics running hot enough to overheat the base and shut it down mid-race. In a game where a five-minute lap is decided by a fraction of a second, an unexpected shutdown is far worse than a slightly weaker motor.
The pedal base also slides around on hard floors unless it is weighted or mounted, and the shifter is the cheapest-feeling part of an otherwise capable kit, with reports of it returning to neutral or failing to register a gear.
Platform reality check
Despite some listings implying wider support, PS5 operation is unofficial and reportedly unplayable, so treat this as a PC, Xbox and PS4 product. The Xbox Series support is a genuine advantage, because very few direct-drive options cover it.
Forum discussions about cross-brand quick-release compatibility come up constantly, and this kit sidesteps that problem entirely by being a closed, self-contained ecosystem.
Who should skip this wheel
Skip it if you plan to make this a permanent part of a rig, or if you race online competitively and cannot tolerate a potential mid-race shutdown. For a first serious step up from a pad, it does more for an F1 experience than its rivals.
8. Fanatec CSL Steering Wheel GT3 – Best GT3 Rim Upgrade for Existing Bases
FANATEC Sim Racing CSL Steering Wheel GT3 – PC
300 mm GT3 rim
50 Shore A rubber grips
Magnetic aluminium paddles
QR2 Lite fitted
✓ The Good
- Full-size 300 mm rim with dense rubber grips that stay comfortable
- Magnetic anodized aluminium paddles allow one-handed shifting
- Nine buttons plus encoders toggles and a 7-way FunkySwitch
- Dual analog paddles remap to clutch bite point or handbrake
- Three-year manufacturer warranty
✕ The Bad
- Rim only
- so a Fanatec direct drive base and pedals must be bought separately
- PlayStation needs a separately licensed Fanatec base
- QR2 Lite needs an adapter for older bases
Be clear about what this is: a wheel rim, not a wheel. The Fanatec CSL GT3 is a 300 mm GT3-style rim that needs a Fanatec direct drive base and a pedal set bought separately. If you do not already own a Fanatec base, the real cost of getting going is far higher than this listing suggests.
If you do own one, this is one of the best rims available. Owners rate the rim itself extremely highly for its GT3 proportions, the density of the rubber overmolding, and the paddle hardware, and endurance and open-wheel sim racers use it as a default choice.
The magnetic anodized aluminium rocker padders are the standout. They can be operated with a thumb from either side, and in a sequential-shift F1 car that means you never break your grip on the rim to change gear.
Input density is unusual at this level: nine push buttons, two multi-position encoder switches, two two-way toggles and a 7-way FunkySwitch. The dual analog paddles offer four switchable modes including clutch bite point and handbrake, which is the closest thing to clutch feel you can get from a rim alone.
QR2 and cross-brand rim compatibility
The QR2 Lite wheel-side base is preinstalled, which makes rim changes quick and secure. The catch is that it is not backward compatible with older Fanatec bases without an adapter, so check what generation of base you have before buying.
Cross-brand quick release is the single most confusing part of this market. The PC wheel roundup flags the same issue, and the honest answer for most people is that you should treat each brand’s ecosystem as a closed set unless you have verified the spline yourself.
PlayStation support and the licensing rule
On PC, Xbox Series X and S, and Xbox One, this rim connects to any Fanatec direct drive base. On PS5 and PS4 it only works when paired with a PlayStation-licensed Fanatec base, which is a separate purchase and a separate licensing arrangement.
That rule catches out a lot of buyers. Confirm the base is the PlayStation-licensed variant before assuming a rim will work on your console.
Who should skip this wheel
Skip it if you are starting from nothing, because a rim without a base is not a sim setup. Buy it if you already run a Fanatec direct drive and want a smaller, lighter, more aggressive-looking wheel than a GT rim for open-wheel racing.
9. Thrustmaster T98 Ferrari 296 GTB – Most Versatile for Casual F1 Play
Thrustmaster T98 Ferrari 296 GTB – Racing Wheel and Pedal Set – PS5 & PC
Ferrari licensed 10 inch rim
Bungee cord resistance
240 degree rotation
Hall effect pedal set
✓ The Good
- Officially licensed Ferrari design gives it real presence
- Manettino driving profile selector is unusual and useful at this price
- Bungee cord resistance is smooth with reliable centring
- Hall effect pedals give smooth consistent input
- Tool-free clamp and plug-and-play with no software
✕ The Bad
- No force feedback
- so no kerb or traction cues
- 240 degree rotation is tighter than most modern wheels
- Two-pedal set with no clutch
The T98 is the least capable wheel here and it is still worth a place on the list, because it does one thing well: it makes a formula game feel like a driving game rather than a spreadsheet with a steering input.
Resistance comes from a bungee cord rather than an electric motor. There is no force feedback, which means no kerb strike, no traction loss and no self-aligning torque through a slide. What you get instead is a consistent, smooth pull with reliable automatic centring, and for a first wheel that is more useful than it sounds.
The Manettino selector borrowed from real Ferraris is a genuinely clever feature at this level. It cycles three driving profiles, so you can switch between a forgiving setup and something sharper without opening a menu.
The Ferrari-licensed 296 GTB-inspired design also does something no other budget wheel manages, which is look credible on camera if you stream. For a lot of first-time buyers that matters more than torque.
Why 240 degrees is a limitation for F1
Open-wheel cars need quick, large steering inputs. A 240-degree lock suits a road car and leaves an F1 car feeling restricted, and the small 10-inch rim exaggerates that because there is less physical rim to wind through.
Reviewers frame it as an entry-level, arcade-leaning wheel rather than a sim option, and that framing is fair.
Setup and mounting
Tool-free clamping to a table up to 1.8 inches thick means you can have it running in minutes, and there is no software to install. The Hall effect pedal set is also a step up from potentiometer pedals, which is unusual at this level.
It works on PS5, PS4 and PC, which makes it one of the cheapest ways to move from a pad to a wheel on a console.
Who should skip this wheel
Skip it if you have any interest in realism. Without force feedback there is no way to feel a slide, so any serious progression into F1 games will outgrow it. Buy it as a first step, a second wheel for a child, or a casual console game.
10. HORI Racing Wheel Apex – Best PlayStation Starter Wheel for Young Drivers
HORI Racing Wheel Apex for Playstation 5, PlayStation 4 and PC – Officially Licensed by Sony – Compatible with Gran Turismo 7
Sony officially licensed
270 degree rotation with adjustable output
23 buttons
Compact clamp mount
✓ The Good
- Officially licensed PlayStation wheel with the full console button layout
- Sharp tight and uniform steering on both sides
- Smooth pedals with no detectable play
- Sturdy clamp keeps the setup anchored
- Compact footprint suits a small room
✕ The Bad
- No force feedback or vibration at all
- Notchy auto-centring with a wide dead zone
- Very short pedal travel of roughly 2.5 to 3 inches
The HORI Apex has the largest review count of any wheel in this roundup by a wide margin, and that tells you something real about its audience. It is the licensed PlayStation wheel that children and first-time players pick up, open, and start driving immediately.
The build is genuinely good for what it is. A 270-degree rotation with adjustable output, a full PlayStation button layout, twenty-three buttons, and a sturdy clamp system that keeps the wheel and pedals anchored on a desk. Reviewers praise the tight, uniform steering on both sides and the smooth pedal action with no detectable play.
The HORI Device Manager app adds up to four custom profiles, plus firmware updates and settings, which is more software support than most budget wheels offer.
What it does not have is force feedback. There is no motor resistance and no vibration, so kerbs and traction loss are communicated visually and audibly in the game rather than through your hands. In an F1 title that is a fundamental gap, and no amount of tuning closes it.
Pedal travel and the dead zone problem
Two specific issues come up repeatedly. The pedals have roughly 2.5 to 3 inches of travel, which makes fine brake and throttle modulation difficult, and the auto-return-to-centre is notchy with an audible click and a wide-feeling dead zone that cannot be recalibrated away.
In a game that demands trail braking and precise throttle control, both of those hurt. The same review data also mentions reported plastic pedal breakage and difficult warranty service that required the original packaging.
Where it does excel
The compact footprint is a real advantage. The whole unit is small enough for a bedroom or a shared space, and the clamp mounts securely, which is more than many wheels of this size manage.
It is also one of the few officially Sony-licensed wheels in this roundup, which means the console button layout and any platform features work as intended on PS5 and PS4.
Who should skip this wheel
Skip it if you want to develop driving technique. Two pedals with no clutch and no force feedback will not teach you anything about weight transfer, and it is the wheel most likely to frustrate you within a month. It suits younger players and casual sessions far better than F1 specifically.
What You Actually Need to Buy for F1 Games
Most disappointing wheel purchases come down to one misunderstanding: people buy a rim when they need a base, or a base when they need a rim. Before choosing anything from the list above, work through these seven decisions in order.
1. Direct drive, belt driven or gear driven
Direct drive bolts a brushless servo motor straight to the wheel shaft, so the game’s force data reaches your hands with no belt or gear slack. That is why direct drive feels the most detailed and why every competitive recommendation ends there. Belt drive is smooth, quiet and far cheaper, and it remains a legitimate step up from gear drive. Gear drive is the oldest design, cheapest, and the noisiest under load.
For an F1 game specifically, direct drive is worth moving to sooner than in other genres, because open-wheelers produce far more complex and higher-frequency forces than road cars.
2. How much torque in Nm you actually need
Peak torque in Nm is the headline number, but read it as a ceiling rather than a daily experience. Below roughly 5 Nm, fast, heavily loaded corners will feel light. Around 8 Nm is the sweet spot for most players and covers the majority of an F1 lap. Above 15 Nm you need a solid rig, and the returns flatten for everyone except league competitors.
Also check whether the figure is stock or boosted. Community reviewers consistently ask this question, because several bases gain substantial torque from a boost kit that alters the numbers quoted in reviews.
3. Wheel base versus wheel rim
This is the single biggest money-saving decision in the category. The base is the motor, the electronics and the mounting system. The rim is the wheel itself, which carries the shape, grips, buttons and paddles. Many quality bases accept different rims through a quick release, so you can start with a GT rim and move to an F1-style one later.
Check the quick-release standard before buying either part. QR2 is common, but the newer QR2 Lite wheel-side base is not backward compatible with older bases without an adapter, and that trips up plenty of buyers.
4. Clutch pedals and why F1 needs them
Clutch pedals come up constantly in the forums and are still widely skipped. In an F1 game they do three things: they let you use launch control on the grid, they allow manual starts when the standing start option is enabled, and they help you rotate a slow car while the engine holds the revs.
Most entry bundles ship with two pedals and no clutch. If the wheel you are considering cannot accept a clutch pedal later, that is a reason to choose a different wheel.
5. Rotation range and rim diameter
Rotation is usually quoted as 270 or 900 degrees. A lower figure means a faster rack-to-rack ratio, which suits an open-wheel car. Rim diameter runs from about 10 inches on cheap wheels to 270 mm and 300 mm on modern equipment.
Small rims feel precise but cramped for larger hands, and large rims feel smoother but slower. The Fanatec GT3 rim in this list is a 300 mm rim that is much larger than a typical console wheel and needs more desk or rig space as a result.
6. Platform licensing on PS5, Xbox and PC
This is the hardest constraint in the whole category. A PlayStation wheel needs Sony’s licensed protocol, which filters out most third-party direct-drive manufacturers and leaves a much shorter list. Xbox has a broader but still narrower selection than PC, and very few direct-drive bases cover it. PC is the open market, with the widest range and the most cross-brand rim compatibility.
So decide the platform first, then shop within that platform’s list. Buying a beautiful PC-only wheel and then discovering you also play on PS5 is the most common expensive mistake in this hobby.
7. Rigs, wheel stands and mounting
A direct-drive base puts real weight on a desk, and a wheel stand is a genuine upgrade even at the entry level. Beyond that, a frame rig with a seat is where competitive driving happens, and a wheel stand comparison is the right next read before you commit to hardware.
Budget for pedals as a separate item in most cases. In an F1 car, a load cell brake changes the experience more than an incremental torque upgrade does.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best racing wheel for F1 games?
The Logitech G923 is the best racing wheel for F1 games for most players, because it combines TRUEFORCE force feedback, a programmable dual clutch pedal for launch control and native PS5, PS4 and PC support in one box. On PC, the MOZA R5 Bundle is the better upgrade if you want genuine direct drive, and on PS5 the Logitech G RS50 is the strongest direct-drive option available.
Is direct drive the best for sim racing?
Yes, direct drive is the best technology for sim racing because a brushless servo motor is bolted directly to the wheel shaft, so force feedback reaches your hands with no belt or gear slack. You feel kerbs, weight transfer and tyre slip more clearly. Belt-driven wheels are smoother and quieter than gear-driven ones but never match direct drive for detail.
What features should I look for in a racing wheel for F1?
Look for peak torque in Nm, with around 8 Nm covering most F1 driving, plus dual clutch paddles or clutch pedal support for launch control. A rim of roughly 270 mm to 300 mm gives enough physical rim for quick open-wheel inputs, magnetic paddle shifters suit sequential shifting, and an on-wheel display speeds up setup changes. Load cell brake support matters more than most buyers expect.
Which company makes the best sim racing wheels?
There is no single winner, because the brands suit different players. Logitech G covers console users with licensed PlayStation hardware, Thrustmaster offers the smoothest belt-driven options with the deepest upgrade ecosystem, MOZA builds the most affordable complete direct-drive bundles for PC, and Fanatec makes premium rims and bases for serious rigs. Match the brand to your platform and budget rather than the other way round.
Is there a gaming F1 steering wheel available?
Yes, although genuine F1-style rims are mostly sold as separate upgrades. A gaming wheel with a small, button-heavy F1-style rim needs a compatible direct drive base, so the practical route is to buy a mid-range direct-drive package on PC and fit an F1 rim later. On PS5, official F1-branded rims are rare because of PlayStation licensing, and a round wheel is the realistic console option.
Are budget racing wheels good for F1 games?
Budget wheels are good enough to learn on, and they are a large upgrade over a controller. The limitation is feedback detail: belt and gear driven wheels cannot reproduce the traction cues an F1 car generates, and most budget bundles ship with two pedals and no clutch. If you plan to keep the wheel for a year or more, spending more on a direct-drive base usually pays back faster than buying a second wheel later.
Which Racing Wheel Should You Buy for F1 Games?
If you want the single best racing wheel for F1 games with no further decisions, take the Logitech G923. It is the Editor’s Choice for one reason: it is the only wheel here that gives you force feedback, a clutch pedal and multi-platform support in a single box, and that combination matters more than raw torque for most F1 players.
If you are on PC and want the upgrade that changes the car most, the MOZA R5 Bundle gives you direct drive at a price that makes it hard to argue against, while the MOZA R3 Bundle is the value pick if desk space or budget is tight. If you are on PS5 and outgrew belt drive, the Logitech G RS50 is the only genuinely convincing direct-drive route. If you want quiet, smooth steering and plan to add load cell pedals later, the Thrustmaster T300RS GT is the one to beat.
Skip the formula-style rim entirely unless you already own a compatible base, and budget for pedals with a clutch before you budget for a torque upgrade. Whichever route you take, the fastest way to get more out of the hardware you already own is a properly chosen monitor, and our best monitors for sim racing guide covers that next step. Pick your wheel this week, and give it a month before you judge it.
