Key Factor here; At this price point most brands start offering premium features and high-end technologies most reserved for serious drivers and enthusiasts-Grade racers, if you take a closer look the 1.000 $ price wall can be the barrier between a good or bad buying decision.
Let me explain myself why, most sim racing companies out there try to offer a “ready-to-use” setup that includes everything you need to sim racing the right way, a nice pair of pedals, a good wheelbase, and nice looking steering wheel, but sometimes they can cut in performance and functionalities to meet this, and that’s when the tricky part comes to play, choosing the right product under a 1000$ that doesn’t lack on realism, quality performance, and Immersions can be hard.
But don’t worry whether you are here to buy a new Racing Wheel or just to prove a point to your friends, one thing is sure, after reading the article you may have a clear mind on which sim racing wheel better fits your requirements and more important be sure you get most for your money.
Let’s get started
1. CSL DD Racing Wheel WRC For XBOX & PC (8Nm)
Let’s start with a bundled product from Fanatec, the CSL DD Racing Wheel WRC is a combination of the CSL DD (8Nm) and the CSL Elite Steering Wheel WRC, this racing wheel is used in official WRC Esports competitions, and is made to dominate the most challenging rally stages.
The CSL DD Racing Wheel WRC for Xbox & Pc (8Nm) features a genuine Alcantara® grip with orange stitching. Made in brushed aluminum with a 300mm diameter. The CSL DD is the heart of the bundle, using the Direct-Drive Technology with 8Nm of peak torque and a limited rotation of 2520 degrees. The motor delivers exceptional performance due to FluxBarrier technology, resulting in dynamic force-feedback in a small size.
The CSL Elite Steering Wheel WRC includes a three-led display, two orange shifter paddles, a 4-way direction pad with push-button and the XBOX One button layout. The CSL Elite Steering Wheel WRC is an official product made for rally racing and officially licensed by WRC.
The CSL DD (8Nm) features multiple connections such as USB-C, Fanatec DataPort-C, RJ12 connections for pedals, shifters, and handbrake. It is compatible with XBOX and PC systems and can be found starting at $699.90 on the Fanatec official site.
Features
- Rotation of 2520 degrees
- Only PC & XBOX compatibility
- Connection for multiple racing accessories
- 8Nm of torque power
- Officially licensed steering wheel
| Pros | Cons |
| Great Performance | Paddle shifters not overly positive to use |
| Quality Build | Aesthetic design is a little toy-like |
| Very quiet | Pedals are not included |
Where to buy the Fanatec CSL DD Racing Wheel WRC For XBOX & PC?
- Buy on Fanatec CSL DD Racing Wheel WRC For XBOX & PC (8Nm)
2. Gran Turismo DD Pro (8Nm)
Now for PlayStation users here is an interesting option, the Gran Turismo DD Pro (8Nm) includes everything to deserve to be your next racing wheel, the CSL DD (8Nm) gives the most of it to deliver remarkable power for the price, this racing wheel also includes a set of two pedals which is the exact piece that complete the setup.
The Gran Turismo DD Pro has a 100% custom motor developed specifically for sim racing. The new FluxBarrier technology delivers a sensational performance. The DD Pro is capable to reach 8Nm of torque with the Boost Kit 180 adapter that is included in the bundle. Everything within a CNC-machined aluminum casing acts as the structural chassis as well.
The Gran Turismo DD Pro features 11 buttons optimized for PlayStation Interface, four 5-way directional sticks, a 5-way directional stick for menu navigation, two ergonomic paddle shifters, an OLED display, and a diffused RevLed strip for RPMs. Additionally, the two-pedal set is made in heavy steel, while the option to upgrade the pedals and add a third one is possible.
The pedal set comes with a 12-bit Contactless Hall sensor on both pedals for high precision and durability. The brake pedal has a PU foam damper to add additional resistance for a progressive braking feel. Both of the pedals have height-adjustable faces and the pedal position can be adjusted sideways along the heel rest.
The Gran Turismo DD Pro is compatible with XBOX, PC, and PlayStation systems and can be found starting at $849.90. Read more useful information on the Fanatec official website.
Features
- 8Nm of torque power
- FluxBarrier technology
- 12-bit Sensor on pedals
- Optimized for PlayStation interface
- Full system compatibility
| Pros | Cons |
| Powerful direct-drive force feedback | No clutch pedal with the cheapest bundle |
| Excellent wheel interface | Compatibility mode is required for some games |
| Compact construction | Another Steering Wheel is required to be compatible with XBOX |
Where to buy the Fanatec Gran Turismo DD Pro (8Nm)?
- Buy it on Fanatec Gran Turismo DD Pro (8Nm)
3. Ts-Pc Racer Ferrari 488 Challenge Edition
Born from the 70th anniversary of Ferrari, this Racing Wheel won’t let you down in terms of performance or design, the 9:10 replica is licensed by Ferrari, bringing some unique features inside. Its blood from two specialists such as Thrustmaster and Ferrari can be felt on the hands.
The Ts-Pc Racer Ferrari 488 Challenge Edition features a metal top cover surrounded by hand-stitched Alcantara imported from Italy, the same used in Ferrari wheels. Under the hood we found an Industrial-class brushless 2nd-generation motor, with a 40-watt Force Feedback response, a Motor Cooling Embedded system, and a rotation angle that goes from 270º to 1080º.
The Ts-Pc Racer Ferrari 488 Challenge Edition has 32 cm in diameter, being a real replica of the Ferrari 488 Challenge wheel, with a total 25 programmable buttons, 2 directional D-pads with push function, 2 rotary switches with push function, 8 action buttons and 2 paddle shifters made of black brushed anodized aluminum.
The Ts-Pc Racer Ferrari 488 Challenge Edition includes an External Turbo Power Supply that allows the racing wheel to deliver constant power and massive peak, where it can reach 400 watts. With a weight of, 10260 g, the Ts-Pc Racer Ferrari 488 Challenge Edition is only compatible with PC systems.
You can find it at $699.99, read more details about this racing wheel at the official Thrustmaster site.
Features
- 40-watts
- Officially licensed by Ferrari
- 9:10 replica
- 270º – 1080º rotation angle
- Turbo Power Supply
| Pros | Cons |
| 9:10 Replica of the Ferrari 488 Challenge wheel | Fans made a little bit of noise |
| Powerful brushless motor | No pedals are included |
| Dual Belt System | Isn’t suitable for consoles |
Where to buy the Thrustmaster TS-PC RACER Ferrari 488 Challenge Edition?
- Buy on Amazon TS-PC RACER Ferrari 488 Challenge Edition
4. T-GT II PACK
This bundled pack from Thrustmaster is just a part of a bigger bundled product, but enough if you want to take an upgrade from your actual racing wheel. The T-GT II Pack is a result of more than 23,000 hours of research and development, officially licensed by PlayStation and Gran Turismo, giving the racing wheel the capabilities of immersive and more realistic Force Feedback for the real Sim Racing fans.
The T-GT II Pack features brand-new technologies like T-LIN, T-DCC, and T-DFB, which help the perception of Force Feedback, the AEC-Q certified printed circuits help the durability of the product, ensuring racers that the wheel won’t break on the most demanding tracks. All of these technologies give total control, great precision, and immediate responsiveness when you are driving.
The 40-watt motor of the T-GT II Pack, provides a perfectly linear Force Feedback and dynamic torque, thanks to the motor’s velocity, it transmits responses in real-time and the Turbo Power Supply provides an extra massive power of 400 watts and 86% of optimized efficiency over the heat produced. The T-GT II Pack has a full PlayStation interface control plus two paddle shifters in a robust body.
The T-GT II Pack is available for $699.99, to read more details about it, you can visit the official Thrustmaster site.
Features
- Real-Time Force Feedback
- Only PC & PlayStation compatibility
- T-DCC (Drift Curve Calculation)
- Automotive industry components
- 40-watts
| Pros | Cons |
| Licensed by PlayStation and Gran Turismo | No pedals are included |
| Unique 3D Depth Feedback | Isn’t suitable for XBOX consoles |
| Great Quality Product | Can be a little heavy (12 kg) |
Where to buy the Thrustmaster T-GT II Pack?
- Buy on Amazon T-GT II Pack
5. T300 Ferrari Integral Racing Wheel Alcantara Edition
And last but not least, this is the cheapest product on the list, but don’t get me wrong. This racing wheel is an icon in the market and has lots of fans behind. The price is not necessarily correlative with quality, this racing wheel takes its place on the ground thanks to the realistic and accurate response it delivers. Furthermore, this product is officially licensed by Ferrari and PlayStation, so you will get a solid quality product.
The T300 Ferrari Integral Racing Wheel Alcantara Edition features the same brushless motor technology as other Thrustmaster bases, offering a very quiet racing experience. The dual-belt system is a synonym for smooth force feedback, removing the possible presence of death zones, without affecting the power transmitted to the user. The Thrustmaster’s patented contactless H.E.A.R.T system, without potentiometers, delivers an unlimited product lifespan, reaching up to 16-bit resolution, with 65,536 valves.
The T300 Ferrari Integral Racing Wheel Alcantara Edition supplies 25 watts of torque power, the T3PA pedals included in the bundle will complete the job in simulating the racing at its max. The steering wheel comes with 6 action buttons, a rotary switch and a rotary encoder. The T300 Ferrari Integral Racing Wheel Alcantara Edition, as well as all the products in the T300RS series, feature a quick and easy wheel-changing system, allowing the use of different Thrustmaster wheels.
The T300 Ferrari Integral Racing Wheel Alcantara Edition is compatible only with PC and PlayStation systems, available for $499.99, to read more details about it, you can visit the official Thrustmaster site.
Features
- 25-watts
- Brushless Motor
- Dual-Belt System
- Officially licensed
| Pros | Cons |
| Ecosystem-Ready | Fan stays on after PC shutdown |
| T3PA Pedals | Isn’t suitable for XBOX consoles |
| Unlimited lifespan and optimal precision | Pedal plate slides easily |
Where to buy the Thrustmaster T300 Ferrari Integral Racing Wheel Alcantara Edition?
- Buy on Amazon T300 Ferrari Integral Racing Wheel Alcantara Edition
Our Thoughts
As you can see on this guide, all the racing wheels are very competitive and powerful, a step above the entry-level range, here you can find different options depending on the systems you are using, but we strongly recommend you pay especially attention to the Force Feedback and quality of the pedals.
If you read our blog regularly you will notice we LOVE Fanatec products, We truly think they are one of the best sim racing worldwide, But they are not perfect, they lack on product production and distribution chains, we could choose the Fanatec Gran Turismo DD PRO really easy for you, but right now is a product currently not available and we don’t know for sure when will be.
That is why our personal recommendation this time is the Ts-Pc Racer Ferrari 488 Challenge Edition, due to its premium design, the large paddle shifters, and the power delivered by the motor, this is a sure bet, even knowing it is only compatible with PC systems, its features are everything you would look in a racing wheel for this price.
If you are willing to wait for the Gran Turismo DD Pro (8Nm) go for it, We think is a close-to-perfect sim racing wheel with everything you need to maximize experiences, good response, realism, and smooth force feedback.
