Monday 16th Sept Update: Please note Fanatec has been liquidated, we recommend checking all other products as an alternative during this period of acquisition.
If you are a Playstation Sim Racer and are looking for a new racing wheel, this is the place to be, as we will be talking through the best racing wheels for PlayStation.
The PlayStation 5 has a lot to offer sim racers. In addition to console ports of some of the best sim racing titles out there such as Assetto Corsa Competizione, it also boasts exceptional exclusive titles such as Gran Turismo 7. However, unlike with computer gaming, there isn’t the same kind of variety when it comes to equipment that you can use on a PlayStation.
In this article, we’ll dive into some of the best solutions out there to help you sim race on a PlayStation 5. From budget solutions to top-of-the-line technology, these wheels will help you turn that extra lap and find that next tenth of a second.
What Should I Look For?
The first thing to look out for is if the manufacturer recommends their wheelbase for use with PlayStation systems. Manufacturers such as Fanatec have a variety of products, many of which are not compatible with the PlayStation software as they are designed to be Xbox-compatible. These wheels can be recommended for PlayStation 5, however PlayStation 4-compatible wheels will also work on a PlayStation 5.
Because of the way in which compatibility is measured, you don’t need to look out for which wheel is the most compatible. In fact, you only need to look out for if it is compatible in the first place.
What Do I Need To Consider?
Perhaps the most important element to consider when buying a PS5 wheel, compared to simply buying one for a PC, is that you are investing in a particular ecosystem. On a computer, you can typically run a wheelbase and pedals from two separate manufacturers with little issue as you can assign different inputs to different devices.
However, on a PS5, this is not possible as it requires every input to come from a single device. As a result, if you are looking at purchasing a wheel, the upgrades available in that brand’s ecosystem must also be considered. If you are looking at a Logitech G923 for instance, you cannot purchase any upgrades as Logitech does not currently manufacture parts such as Load Cell pedals. Likewise, if you’re looking at Thrustmaster or Fanatec you can only purchase upgrades from whichever brand you have originally purchased from.
As a result, looking at each component part becomes even more important. For example, if you’re looking to invest in a long-term run of sim racing, is it worth purchasing a Direct Drive wheel from the outset? Likewise, is it worth compromising on pedals that use potentiometers when buying a wheel in order to save those crucial extra bucks?
Our Picks
| Product | Range | Pros | Cons |
| Thrustmaster T248 Racing Wheel | Low-budget | Low costIncludes pedals | Brake pedal isn’t load cell based |
| Logitech G923 TRUEFORCE | Medium-budget | Robust solutionImproved version of the most popular family of wheels | Dated gear-based solution |
| Thrustmaster T300RS GT Edition | Medium-budget | Affordable compared to competitorsEntry into a customisable ecosystem | Older belt-driven design |
| Fanatec Gran Turismo DD Pro | High-budget | Affordable Direct-Drive technologyMassively-customisable ecosystem | Lengthy wait times for products |
| Logitech G PRO Racing Wheel | High-budget | Top-end 11Nm direct drive force feedbackDual-clutch, magnetic gear-shift paddles | ExpensiveThe ecosystem is limited compared to competitors |
| Thrustmaster T-GT II | High-budget | Cutting-edge patented technologiesDeveloped in conjunction with Polyphony Digital | High start-up cost |
| Fanatec Gran Turismo DD Extreme | High-budget | The most advanced DD system licensed for PS 5Developed in conjunction with Polyphony Digital | ExpensiveLong delivery time |
Simagic Compatibility
If you own Simagic products and want to use them for PlayStation, you can now check out the Sigma Cortex Converter. The Sigma Cortex Converter is a specialised device that allows users to connect and operate Simagic wheelbases, wheels, and related peripherals, like pedals and shifters, on PlayStation 4 (PS4) and PlayStation 5 (PS5) consoles, which is a game changer if you love to play on both PlayStation and PC.
You can now get your 10nm, 15nm or 23nm Simagic Alpha bases working on titles like Gran Turismo 7. Along with connected pedals like the P1000s or 2000s. If you would like to check out Sigma Cortex you can do that here.
Thrustmaster T248
First on our list is the Thrustmaster T248, that’s available for Xbox/PC and Playstation/PC versions. It comes at the super low price of £159, including a set of pedals. The wheel boasts what Thrustmaster calls a hybrid drive system that combines both a belt and gear drive system, giving it a lot more torque when compared to similarly priced wheels.
It has 25 buttons on the steering, including magnetic paddle shifters, two up/down encoders and a multifunction display that can show you the current gear, RPM, speed and more.
The pedals are a full set meaning that you get the usual brake and throttle pedals but also a clutch pedal. The pedals are magnetic, which should give you a lot more reliability when compared to its potentiometer-based counterpart. The brake pedal has four pressure settings that should cater for most driving styles.
The T248 doesn’t exactly exude quality since it’s mainly constructed from plastic, but its actually amazing value considering that you get what’s essentially a full-featured steering and pedal set for only under $200.
Logitech G923 TRUEFORCE
More expensive than the previous-generation and also-compatible Logitech G29, at €399 the Logitech G923 TRUEFORCE is the next evolution in the most popular series of wheel on the market.
A tried-and-tested solution, the G923 features its patented TRUEFORCE system that’s endorsed by athletes such as two-time F1 World Champion Fernando Alonso. The system adds more depth to the gear-driven force feedback design, meaning that you can feel more through the wheel while still keeping the reliable system of force feedback.
However, the tried-and-tested solution is also arguably the biggest flaw for the Logitech wheel. The gear-driven solution gives feedback that can be considered inconsistent at times, and the potentiometers in the pedals can become clogged and stop working if they’re in a place where they can gather dust and other small debris.
Whilst it is still a good product with a solution that has stood the test of time, other wheels at the same price could be considered better value for money.
Thrustmaster T300RS GT Edition
At €399.99, the Thrustmaster T300RS GT Edition is a competitive alternative to the Logitech G923 TRUEFORCE. Using two belts to deliver consistent and linear force feedback, it also features 16-bit resolution in the steering wheel allowing for more pinpoint accuracy in your steering inputs.
The first of the wheels on this list to carry licensing from the legendary Gran Turismo series, the T300RS is a great solution for someone serious about their console-based sim racing. It also features as part of an ecosystem, meaning that the default wheel rim can be swapped out for any of the options that Thrustmaster have available on their website.
The T300RS is a dependable option for somebody serious about sim racing for the long run. With the ability to further upgrade the overall package with the Thrustmaster T-LCMs, an addition that ranked top in our list of The Best Sim Racing Pedals, this is a fantastic option for any sim racer and at any level. If you’re looking for a new wheel, and especially one that works on the PS5 platform, the T300RS is an excellent option.
Fanatec Gran Turismo DD Pro
Starting at €699.95, the Fanatec Gran Turismo DD Pro is a means of bringing a relatively-affordable Direct Drive wheel to PlayStation platforms. Whilst the Podium Racing Wheel F1 is also an option, its price of €1,799.95 could deter even the most ardent sim racer from picking it up.
The Gran Turismo DD Pro is a PlayStation-compatible version of the ever-popular CSL DD, the wheelbase that we recently recommended in our article on The Best Fanatec Wheels.
Also available in boosted to 8Nm of peak torque at €849.90, the biggest difference between this and the other options on this list is the Direct Drive functionality. This gives seamless and instant force feedback at a higher strength than its rivals and, with the Fanatec CSL 2-pedal set as standard, you can expand on your initial investment in several ways.
One can be by adding a Load Cell pedal for your braking, either by purchasing the CSL Load Cell Kit or by upgrading to the ClubSport V3 pedals that feature vibration motors on the brake. Another can be by changing the rim to one of many options available within the Fanatec ecosystem, which you can find out more about in our article on The Best Fanatec Wheels. The world really is your oyster in this case.
Thrustmaster T-GT II
Last on our list, and by no means least, is Thrustmaster’s top-end offering in the Thrustmaster T-GT II. With prices starting at €749.99, this wheel comes with all the bells and whistles on top of Gran Turismo branding. Coming with the T3PA pedals as standard, you can also upgrade this unit with the T-LCM pedals as well as other fancy add-ons from the Thrustmaster ecosystem.
Developed in conjunction with Polyphony Digital, creators of Gran Turismo, there are some fantastic and unique features on this wheel. These include features such as Drift Curve Calculation (T-DCC), which makes it easier for drivers to sense the car slipping, and Depth Feedback (T-DFB) which gives users a three-dimensional sense of environment and allows you to feel how each corner of the car is behaving. Whilst it isn’t the Direct Drive standard that Fanatec is setting, it is the best of the best that you can get without being on a Direct Drive wheel.
Logitech G PRO Racing Wheel
The PRO direct-drive wheel is the most advanced and top-end piece of sim racing gear offered by Logitech. The price for this wheel with the base (excluding pedals) starts at 719.99 USD. The pedals cost an additional 314.99 USD.
The steering wheel is classic Logitech – a 30 cm D-shaped aluminium wheel with partially perforated and smooth leather. Those who have used a Logitech wheel before will certainly recognise the style. The magnetic shifters feel good, but not exceptional, and while the rotating encoders are decent, they too don’t stand out.
The wheelbase generates a respectable 11 Nm of torque, which is at the higher end for sim racing. It also features a quick-release system made entirely of metal, which is easy to use and seems resistant to wear and tear.
Another notable feature is the TrueForce technology, which converts game telemetry and sound into haptic feedback. This was introduced with the Logitech G923, but it suffered a bit due to the older gear-driven technology of that wheelbase. Now, with direct drive, the TrueForce shines. However, be careful not to set the TrueForce too high, or you’ll lose the feedback details in the noise.
The big downside is that the ecosystem is limited, with only a racing adapter for older pedals and a shifter. There are no other steering wheels, shifters, or pedals available, which is disappointing.
Fanatec Gran Turismo DD Extreme
The new Fanatec Clubsport DD+ wheelbase is the next-generation version of direct drive wheelbases that offers up to 15 Nm torque and improved performance, targeting the high-end segment of sim racing enthusiasts.
Currently, it is the most advanced Direct Drive system officially licensed for PlayStation 5, with the highest consistent power output and excellent responsiveness and dynamics. The wheelbase is compatible with most Fanatec wheels and pedals. This feature is the usual strong selling point of the Fanatec ecosystem that allows sim racers to upgrade only the selected parts of their set.
Fanatec also offers a Gran Turismo DD Extreme bundle designed specifically for Gran Turismo. It includes the Clubsport DD+ Wheelbase and Gran Turismo wheel for 1299.95 USD. The wheel includes 19 RGB LEDs and a 2.7-inch OLED display, which can show various telemetry readouts depending on the game. This display is designed to work seamlessly with Gran Turismo 7 and other PS5 sim racing titles.
The Fanatec ClubSport DD Plus and Gran Turismo DD Extreme bundle are expensive but deliver a premium sim racing experience. If you’re looking for a top-tier racing experience on both PC and PlayStation, the DD+ is worth considering. However, the Gran Turismo DD Pro might still be enough for most users. The DD+ offers more power and precision, but whether you notice the difference depends on your experience.
Our Recommendation
Fanatec is the top choice for serious PlayStation sim racers, offering the most robust ecosystem of peripherals. Their Direct Drive wheelbases, ranging from 8 Nm to 15 Nm, provide superior force feedback for a highly immersive experience. Fanatec’s ecosystem is unmatched in terms of customisation and upgrade potential with a wide variety of wheel options, three main pedal choices and additional peripherals like handbrakes and shifters. If you are committed to sim racing on PS5, investing in Fanatec’s gear will ensure you are equipped with the best tools.
