Alright, when it comes to selecting the best of the best, we can not only judge the product by their price, your budget takes a significant part in your buying decision, but shouldn’t be your only braking point here, there is much more to look out for when you are grabbing your first high-end racing wheel for sure.
But don’t worry, we have covered an extensive and very well-researched “Buyer’s Guide” of the best sim racing wheels in 2022.
What we are looking for?
We want a racing wheel that brings the most on realism, the one that is built with the highest standards on construction, ready-to-run, and with plenty of functionalities, we are looking for the ultimate “sim hardware equipment” you can add to your system today. That is our main goal!
The Ultimate Buyer’s Guide
But first: We put together two previous articles, in which we explain levels of experiences when it comes to racing wheels in general, from an entry-level perspective through more in-depth products, you can check does post here >> best Sim Racing wheels under $1000 and here >> best Sim Racing wheels for beginners [Under Budget]
Enjoy the ride!
1. Thrustmaster T-GT II
This bad boy from Thrustmaster is a house power and cutting-edge technology, that was manufactured with one purpose, to give the user the most realistic and vivid sensations. Just by looking at its dimensions and weight, you will be sure you are in front of a very capable and modern system.
Featuring 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 on the durability of the product, ensuring racers that the wheel won’t break on the most demanding tracks.
This is the result of more than 23,000 hours of research and development. All of these technologies give total control, great precision, and immediate responsiveness when you are driving.
The T-GT II features a brushed aluminum center plate, wrapped in nice leather with a premium feel. In addition to 25 action buttons, 4 rotary encoders, a D-pad, and two paddle shifters made in brushed aluminum. Everything wrap in a 28 cm diameter wheel that complements the entire setup.
The T-GT II comes with a 40-watt motor, that provides a perfectly linear Force Feedback and dynamic torque, thanks to the motor’s velocity, it transmits responsiveness 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 has a full PlayStation interface of control plus two paddle shifters in a robust body.
The T3PA GT II included a pedal set, that brings the users a 3 pedal set with adjustable settings, the pedals are capable of supporting up to 25 kg of pressure individually, and the brake pedal features a Conical Rubber Brake Mod that increases the pressure supported, with full angle adjustments, the pedal set will complement the racing wheel to generate a more immersive and real-life experience when you’re behind the wheel.
The T-GT II is available for $799.99, you can read more details on the official Thrustmaster site.
Features
- Real-Time Force Feedback
- PC & PlayStation compatibility
- T-DCC (Drift Curve Calculation)
- Automotive industry components
- 40-watts
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Premium technologies | Not compatible with XBOX consoles |
| T3PA GT II Pedals | |
| Extra power with Turbo Power Supply |
Where to buy the T-GT II?
- Buy on Amazon T-GT II
2. Fanatec Podium Racing Wheel Formula for Xbox and PC
Obviously, Fanatec had to be on the list, and when we talk about performance and style in the simracing world, Fanatec is at the top of the line, with their amazing wheel bases and steering wheels, this Fanatec product bundled won’t disappoint. Including the Fanatec DD1, the Podium Advanced Paddle Module and the ClubSport Steering Wheel Formula 2.5 X as the wheel rin.
This racing wheel is more than capable of satisfying the most demanding racers and the hardest stages where the car is taken to the limit. Using an outrunner-type motor technology, which was made for simracing and by sim racers, surrounded by a heavy piece of solid metal, built to last for years.
The Direct-Drive combined with the endless rotation means that the power and data are transmitted wirelessly to the steering wheel. Delivering a total torque of 20Nm, reaching the output in most real race cars.
The Podium Wheel Base DD1 also includes an integrated 2.7” 256×64 resolution OLED display, which displays telemetry and different indicators of the car, the rotation angle goes up to 2520 degrees and features multiple peripheral device connections, such as USB, Pedals, Shifter 1, Shifter 2, Handbrake and Power cord.
The ClubSport Steering Wheel Formula V2.5 X comes with 11 action buttons, 12-way multi-position switches, thumb encoders, and rocker switches, to get full control of every aspect of the car, every button is ergonomically positioned. The wheel presents nine multicolor LEDs that show motor RPM and two flags LED bars with three multicolor LEDs that can indicate tire slip, flag warnings, pit limiters, and more.
The Podium Advanced Paddle Module provides two magnetic shifters with solid, positive feel to every shift and two additional magnetic paddles for functions like DRS, allowing F1-style launch control with automotive-grade materials and an aluminum cage.
The Podium Racing Wheel Formula For XBOX & PC is available for $1,649.95, you can read more details about the wheel on the official Fanatec site.
Features
- 20 Nm of peak torque
- 2520 degrees of steering angle
- Dual analog paddle shifters
- Automotive grade components
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Direct Drive technology | Not compatible with PlayStation systems |
| Wireless data and power | |
| 27cm Formula-style steering wheel |
Where to buy the Podium Racing Wheel Formula for Xbox and PC?
- Buy on Fanatec Podium Racing Wheel Formula For Xbox and PC
3. Fanatec Podium Racing Wheel F1®
But what if you liked the Podium Racing Wheel Formula for Xbox and you actually use a PlayStation system? Well don’t worry, for extra bucks you can acquire its brother, the Podium Racing Wheel F1®, that not only will be compatible with PlayStation, you can also connect it to Xbox and PC, which for sure is a wiser option if you are going to spend that amount upgrading your setup.
Featuring the same Fanatec Wheel Base DD1 that includes the integrated 2.7” OLED display, same rotation angle up to 2520 degrees and features multiple peripheral device connections, such as USB, Pedals, Shifter 1, Shifter 2, Handbrake and Power cord. The outrunner-type motor delivers up to 20Nm of torque power to the Direct Drive technology system.
But, what is the difference with the Podium Racing Wheel Formula for Xbox? The steering wheel is the ClubSport Steering Wheel F1® PS4, that isn’t available separately at this point. It comes with 11 buttons with ultra-reliable switches, two 12-way multi-position switches with rotary encoder functionality, an analog joystick, the 7-way FunkySwitch, two rocker switches, two well-reachable thumb encoders and the Podium Advanced Module with F1®-style dual clutch paddles and dual magnetic shifters plus two additional magnetic paddles
Like if it wasn’t enough with all that control over the game and the car, the steering wheel features a really F1-style design, made in metal and carbon fiber, with a 5 mm solid carbon fiber front plate, grips made of genuine Italian Alcantara and a diameter of 27 cm that is appropriate for fast movements and actions. The steering wheel also features a 1” 128×64 OLED display for telemetry, a revolution LED bar which indicates the RPM and two flag LED bars with three multicolor LEDs each.
The Podium Racing Wheel F1® is officially licensed by Formula 1™ and PlayStation 4™. It is available from $1,799.95, you can read more details about the wheel in the official Fanatec site.
Features
- Alcantara Grips
- PlayStation compatibility
- Dual analog paddle shifters
- Automotive grade components
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| The ultimate level of experience for PS4 Console | Looking for a full setup? Be prepared to spend at least $2,159.85 |
| Wireless data and power | F1 Style (It’s not that bad if you’re hard-die F1 enthusiastic). |
| Officially licensed by Formula1™ |
Where to buy the Podium Racing Wheel F1®?
- Buy on Fanatec Podium Racing Wheel F1®
4. Thrustmaster T300RS GT Edition
As we said before, the word “best” not always means the more expensive, if we take a look at the market’s landscape, we find this well-known option, the T300RS GT Edition is a famous racing wheel used by professional racers. Thrustmaster made a heavy work here.
The T300RS GT Edition features the brushless motor technology that only Thrustmaster use to develop, ensuring a really 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 T300RS GT Edition comes with the T3PA-GT Pedals, which is a set of three pedals allowing the racer a total control of the car on the track, not only the pedals but the controls itself of the steering wheel allows full access to the PlayStation interface with all the control buttons included.
We know for sure that there are better and more expensive racing wheels but this one specially is one of the best for new beginners and mid-level simracing experience that totally worth the price.
The T300RS GT Edition is only compatible with PC and PlayStation systems. It is available for $449.99, you can read more details about the wheel on the official Thrustmaster website.
Features
- 25 watts of torque power
- Brushless Motor
- Dual-Belt System
- Officially licensed by PlayStation
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Powerful force feedback | Isn’t suitable for XBOX consoles |
| Wonderfully responsive | Slightly old-school design |
| Unlimited lifespan and optimal precision |
Where to buy the T300RS GT Edition?
- Buy on Amazon T300RS GT Edition
5. Simucube 2 Pro + Simucube Tahko GT-21 Black Edition
We built our own personalized racing wheel with two amazing and high-quality products, Simucube is the manufacturer responsible for this union. We bring together the Simucube 2 Pro wheelbase as the heart of the setup, this wheelbase is a serious bet and surely will satisfy your expectations.
The Simucube 2 Pro features an ultra-low latency Direct Drive Force Feedback, allowing the user to experience the real physics of the simulated race car and track, supporting wireless wheel connection and reaching a maximum torque of 25Nm. The Simcube 2 Pro brings a Dual CPU architecture that integrates a dedicated 216 MHz real-time processor and a 144 MHz PC USB interface CPU, ensuring an ultra-low latency performance even in the hardest situations.
Covered by precision machined solid metal parts, the Simucube 2 Pro has a passive cooling system that puts out less heat and consumes less power, allowing quiet driving sessions and avoiding the dust collecting on the Simucube 2 Pro exhausts.
In the other hand, we have the Tahko GT-21 Black Edition, which will be the brain of the setup and where you will control every aspect of the car and the game. The Tahko GT-21 Black Edition comes with ten high-quality action buttons, adjustable magnetic paddle shifters, a rotary encoder and a 7-way switch. Made in CNC-finished steel with a flat GT shape and surrounded with suede grips in a 320 mm diameter wheel.
The design and style of the Tahko GT-21 Black Edition is not only esthetical, this steering wheel works perfectly with other racing game styles, matching a wider style ranges than a Formula style steering. Combined with the Simucube 2 Pro, we truly believe that you will get more than you expect with this custom racing wheel.
The Simucube 2 Pro is compatible only with PC systems. It is available for €1,438.80, you can read more details about the base on the official Simucube site. As well as the Tahko GT-21 Black Edition which can be found at €822.96 on the official site.
If you want to buy the Simucube product in the USA, you can visit any of the official vendors of the brand in America, some of them are Trak Racer, Micro Center, Ricmotech, and Advanced Simracing.
Features
- 25Nm of torque power
- Dual CPU architecture
- Ultra-realistic Force Feedback
- Suede grips
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Tremendous precision and details over the track | It is not ecosystem-ready |
| Simucube is a top brand with high-quality products | The price to build the setup is very high |
Where to buy the components for the custom racing wheel?
- Buy on Trak Racer Simucube 2 Pro
- Buy on Trak Racer Tahko GT-21 Black Edition
6. Moza DD R21 + Moza GS GT Wheel
Today the competition is fierce, there are so many sim racing brands out there giving their best, and Moza Racing is one of them. We made this custom setup to give you more options when looking to improve your setup to the max. Combining two of the top products of the brand, we can build a very capable and top-of-the-line racing wheel that will definitely worth the price.
With a unique supercar-inspired design, the Moza DD R21 is a full wireless wheelbase with cutting-edge technology, a full aluminum body, and two color combination options, so you are still able to select the color that best matches the rest of your racing gear or setup.
The DD R21 features a powerful motor that reaches 21Nm of torque power, that offers almost zero torque ripple, notching, or cogging, allowing you to feel every bump, slip and slide, so you will have a very immersive experience, the 262,144 points of resolution give an impressive understanding of the wheel position. The DD R21 also has a temperature control that keeps the performance at its best even in long racing sessions.
In our hands we will find the GS GT Wheel, which is a steering wheel with a lot of functions and a very important thing to have in mind, an exceptional grip so the wheel won’t miss your hands and fingers when the tremendous force feedback of the base impacts.
The GS GT Wheel has a forged carbon fiber framework with Alcantara grips, the wheel diameter is 300 mm like in most real sport cars, the 10 programmable buttons will make your drive easier allowing to control different aspects of the car, with the plus that these are luminous so even in the dark you will push the right ones. Additionally, we found 5 band knobs, 2 thumb encoders, 2 joysticks and the dual-clutch magnetic paddle shifters that feature an incredible feeling and contactless technology.
The DD R21 is compatible only with PC systems. It is available for $1,199.00, you can read more details on the official Moza Racing site. The GS GT Wheel can be found for $499.00 on the Moza official site as well.
Features
- 21Nm of torque power
- 262,144 Points of Resolution
- Wireless Power and Communication
- Alcantara grips
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| High-quality materials | Some buttons are not sensitive enough |
| A good number of inputs | Alcantara grips force use of gloves |
| Fantastic design | Only compatible with PC |
Where to buy the components for the custom racing wheel?
- Buy on Moza Racing DD R21
- Buy on Moza Racing GS GT Wheel
7. Fanatec Podium Wheel Base DD2 + Cube Controls GT Pro
This is the jewel of the crown of the brand, the Podium Wheel Base DD2 is the most powerful base of the brand, but not only power is what we wanted to include here, but the DD2 also features the latest in technology, and it is prepared for future upgrades and generations.
This base uses the same outrunner-type motor that we found in the DD1, allowing us to have practically no cogging and exceptional holding torque performance. The base brings wireless data and power connection due to the endless rotation of the direct drive motor, which means that there are no wires between the base and the wheel. In contrast with the DD1, the DD2 reaches the 25Nm of torque power that is directly transmitted to the player when are trying their best at the track.
The performance is not everything, the DD2 design has a sturdy and solid construction, the German design with 5 years of warranty ensures that the last thing to think about is the base, the integrated 2.7” OLED display will provide the information needed about the base at the moment and the different ports at the back won’t let you down when you bring home that new gear to upgrade your setup.
But we included a steering wheel from Cube Controls, what happens here? Well don’t worry about it, the Cube Controls GT Pro USB is fittable with this base, even though the wheel has a wireless version, this time we include the wired one. The wireless version in not compatible with this base, even when both features wireless technology. In case you are wondering, the steering wheel will connect to the PC directly via USB.
The Cube Controls GT Pro is a serious option when it comes to steering wheels, this high-level piece of technology features an excellent construction quality, the D-shaped form of the wheel makes the steering more comfortable while the grips are trustworthy. The front carbon fiber plate and the CNC-machined body are a synonym of durability and quality.
The GT Pro USB comes with 5 backlit momentary buttons, 2 toggle switches, 2 front rotary encoders, 2 thumb encoders, a multi-directional joystick with integrated encoder function and two short-throw magnetic paddle shifters that give a feeling of security.
The GT Pro is not only available in a wireless version (which we didn’t pick this time), but it also can be bought with different options of wheel rims, the Sparco and Zero versions are available on the website if you want to take a look. Important to know this, the compatibility of these two products is only possible with the Podium Hub sold separately by Fanatec.
The DD2 is compatible with PC and Xbox systems. It is available for $1,499.95, you can read more details about the base on the official Fanatec site, while the GT Pro starts at $711.97 and will be only compatible with PC, read more about the product on the official site.
Features
- 25Nm of torque power
- Custom-designed motor
- Wireless Power and Communication
- Great quality construction
| Pros | Cons |
| Kill switch included | Potentially pricey although justified |
| A good number of inputs | Almost the same features as the DD1 |
| Durable design | Not compatible with PlayStation Systems |
Where to buy the components for the custom racing wheel?
- Buy on Fanatec Podium Wheel Base DD2
- Buy on Advance Simracing Cube Controls GT Pro Wired
- Buy on Fanatec Podium Hub
Our Thoughts
So what is the best sim racing wheel for 2022 ?
We select one of the best, either used by professional racers or recommended by enthusiast-grade users, the racing wheels we brought you here are an absolute shot to start upgrading your setup to the highest standards in the industry.
Our personal recommendation is the Podium Racing Wheel F1®, not only because it is the most complete system for the price, But because it is a high-end technology piece that not only delivers all the necessary power of torque on the track, but a solid construction and peripherals that delivery a seamless sim racing experience, it also comes with an ecosystem-ready platform, where you can easily select your platform of choice.
We have a full review of the Podium Racing Wheel F1 in our blog if you want to check for more information.
If you really need a set of pedals in your life then the Thrustmaster T-GT II is a very good option for you, We like Thrustmaster products a lot, they are built with good quality in mind, good force feedback, and a really nice price for a wheelbase, a steering wheel and a nice pair of pedals.
What is your favorite on the list? Which one will you recommend or start with if you could buy them right now? Have you tried any of these wheels before? Let us know and share your experiences with the simracing community.
