The best steering wheel peripherals for racing games for the PS4 and PS5 in 2022, including Fanatec, Thrustmaster and Logitech devices.
Picture the scene: You have a PlayStation 4 or PlayStation 5, you started racing games, and now you’re ready to step it up a notch. It’s time to buy a steering wheel peripheral.
Or you already have an entry-level device, but now you want to take it up a notch Gran Turismo 7 apices and take your Assetto Corsa Competizione experience online. You need to know if the investment in a more expensive wheel is worth it.
Don’t worry, in this guide we’ll explain the best sim racing steering wheels for PS4 and PS5, highlight their best and worst features and it’s all classified from the top end to the more affordable beginner setups.
Ultimately, whether it’s GRID Legends or F1 22, an add-on on the wheel will make you faster and more involved once you’ve learned the ropes.
The crème de la crème – Fanatec Gran Turismo DD Pro
The Fanatec Gran Turismo DD Pro is without a doubt the best wheel for sim racing on PlayStation right now.
It uses direct drive technology – no belts or sprockets here, just pure, unadulterated feedback with standard 5Nm of torque, or 8Nm of force with an optional Boost Kit 180. Direct drive was until now reserved for professional quality Only PC wheelbases that exceed the £1,000/$1,000 mark.
Despite generating more power than other PlayStation compatible wheels, you can still mount this on a desk, and the Premium bundle comes with the wheelbase, Gran Turismo themed steering wheel, the Boost Kit and some load cell pedals. . If you want to pick and mix the wheel add-on and pedals, the wheelbase is also available as a standalone unit.
It can also be used on a PC and, if you buy an Xbox compatible steering wheel, also on Microsoft’s devices. Speaking of which, this also opens you up to the incredible Fanatec wheel ecosystem. NASCAR, WRC, Formula 1, GT – there are specific wheels that are compatible with this system.
Oh, and while the included wheel is Gran Turismo themed, it can be used in all racing games compatible with the wheel. In case you didn’t know.
While there are many more affordable devices out there, this is the pinnacle of force feedback on PlayStation today. No doubt. No arguments. Provided money is of little importance of course…
- Fanatec Gran Turismo DD Pro Premium Bundle: €969.85/$969.85*
- Fanatec Gran Turismo DD Pro (8Nm): €849.90/$849.90*
- Fanatec Gran Turismo DD Pro (5Nm): €699.95/$699.95*
- Fanatec Gran Turismo DD Pro Wheelbase (8Nm) only: €599.95/$599.95*
- Fanatec CSL DD Table Clamp: €29.95/$29.95*
- Fanatec Boost Kit 180 (to go from 5 Nm to 8 Nm of feedback force): €149.95/$149.95*
- Recommended Optional Wheel – Fanatec CSL Elite Wheel McLaren GT3 V2: €199.95/$199.95*
*If purchased in the UK, an additional import/taxation fee may be charged after Brexit. Fanatec does not list prices in GBP, but does ship to the UK.
The Ultimate – Fanatec Podium Racing Wheel F1
This is the best of the best for PlayStation drivers. Fanatec’s officially Formula 1 licensed Podium set-up comes with an F1-themed racing wheel and a 20Nm direct drive wheelbase.
20Nm is more than double the power delivered by the Gran Turismo DD Pro mentioned above, which is already above everything else on this compendium. This unit is essentially a Podium DD1 wheelbase – which is professional PC grade equipment – with the F1 rim added to the package.
The reason it’s not quite our overall top pick is simply the price. Sure, the Gran Turismo DD Pro is pricey, but the Podium Racing Wheel F1 is another tier at nearly $2,000 (and for those in the UK, most likely in the £2,000 range when duties are added). Also keep in mind that such forces cannot be clipped onto a desk securely, so you will need a special cockpit to mount it on.
This really comes close to being the ultimate in feedback delivery (the PC-specific Fanatec DD2 wheelbase offers up to 25Nm, but that’s the highlight), but it’s just one for those looking to become a full-time sim racer pro. or a tub full of extra cash.
Fanatec Podium Racing Wheel F1: €1,779.95/$1,779.95*
*If purchased in the UK, an additional import/taxation fee may be charged after Brexit. Fanatec does not list prices in GBP, but it will ship to the UK.
Best Value – Thrustmaster T248
A relatively new competitor, the Thrustmaster T248 combines both traditional Thrustmaster belt-drive technology for smooth performance, with gear-driven feedback – something normally reserved for Logitech – for added power.
The result is a satisfying feeling. The sensations are generally a tad smoother than the Logitech G923 (below), but it delivers significantly more power than the entry-level T150 (also below).
In addition to the hybrid drive system, you receive a rim with a soft rim, click buttons, shift paddles and, as a bonus, three pedals with interchangeable springs. These change the pressure needed to slow down or accelerate, something you can switch between to suit your personal preference.
Those paddles are a source of dissatisfaction, though — they’re just too loud. If someone is in the same building, or in a party chat with you, there’s a good chance they hear your gear stick, especially at Formula 1 games.
There’s also a digital display on the handlebars that can cycle through game-specific telemetry – the problem is it’s low resolution and taller racers may not be able to read it. More useful, though, is the ability to increase or decrease the force feedback on-the-fly with a dedicated button – useful if you’re switching between something serious like Assetto Corsa Competizione, and then something a bit more accessible like GRID Legends.
The steering wheel doesn’t click off, so you can’t dive into Thrustmaster’s range of high-end steering wheel rims, but it does work on PC and has the PlayStation-appropriate buttons.
Thrustmaster T248 – Recommended Price: £299.99 / $399.99
Commonly found for: £279.99 / $349.99
Best Shift Paddles – Logitech G923 TRUEFORCE
This is a rather thin category, admittedly. The point is that splitting these with the Thrustmaster T248 is more difficult than developing the Large Hadron Collider. Both work within a similar price range, can be desk-mounted, contain three pedals and have no removable rims.
In short, the ideal package to get started with sim racing.
The metal paddles used for gear selection are some of the most satisfying around, both in terms of material quality and action. The G923 is a gear-driven unit, which Logitech refers to as TRUEFORCE. It’s heavy enough but makes strange noises at times and if you focus you can feel the gears clicking into place by the palm of your hands.
Like all the wheels on this list, it works on PC and has the PlayStation-appropriate buttons.
If you see a deal on the Logitech or Thrustmaster, buying one of these will give you a brilliant feedback experience that can be used in any PlayStation wheel compatible game or simulation.
Logitech G293 TRUEFORCE – List Price £349.99 / $399.99
Best Budget Buy – Logitech G29
Aha, you thought the G923 replaced the venerable G29. You would be right. But oddly enough, the OG is still in production and readily available.
For example, during the 2022 Amazon Prime Day, it was 43 percent off its original list price in both the UK and US. Though the design is older than the dinosaurs, it’s something essentially the same as today’s G923, but with a less subtle force feedback system – some games deliver an audible chatter through the chassis – for under £200 / $200 is sometimes a bargain.
Thanks to the long sales time, there are also plenty of working examples available. Be aware that the pedals get clogged with dust – eventually they may stop working. The rim material is resilient, but also a little rough on the inside of your thumbs after long racing sessions.
The G29 is affordable, delivers snappy feedback, features industry-leading shift paddles and is compatible with an optional h-pattern shifter. There’s a reason many full-time sim racers used a Logitech to get started…
Logitech G29 – Recommended Price: £299.99 / $399.99
Commonly found for: £239.99 / $299.99
Sometimes found for: £169.99 / $190.00
Second Best Bargain – Thrustmaster T150
Okay, there are cheaper options on the market, like the Hori Wireless RWA Racing Wheel Apex, but the T150 elevates itself above such devices because we know it’s universally supported – something that’s not necessarily true for some brands.
This model is centuries old, the plastics used are shop-worthy, and the belt-pulley-gear force feedback system is barely arm-wringing. But it works and works well, including the PlayStation buttons, PC compatibility and two pedals.
You know when a device has been around for a while when the spec sheet offers PlayStation 3 compatibility…
The Thrustmaster T150 Pro kit adds an upgraded T3PA pedal set with a silver metal finish and a clutch pedal – the basic level bundled pedals are rudimentary to say the least. There is also the Ferrari edition, pictured below. This is the same unit, except for the rim itself, and is no longer directly listed by Thrustmaster, but some outlets still have new stock.
The colored design elements of the rim can make your palms sweaty, even clammy, as if you were clinging too hard to the handlebars of an Amsterdam rental bike to avoid trams. Gloves are recommended for longer sessions.
The Logitech G29 is sometimes reduced to around this price, but then the T150 in turn is sometimes offered as well. Depending on what deal is available at the time, if the Logitech is within range, you’ll have to be hefty for that. However, if the Thrustmaster is in stock at a reasonable price, this is a nice entry-level wheel for those just starting out.
Thrustmaster T150 – Recommended Price: £189.99/$249.99
Offensive found for: £165/$220
Thrustmaster T150 Pro – Recommended Price: £199.99
That’s it for our best steering wheels for PS4 and PS5 in 2022 – we’ll update this article as more suitable wheels become available.
If you end up buying a Thrustmaster TGT II, Thrustmaster T300 and Hori Wireless RWA Racing Wheel Apex, know that you have a perfectly playable device, but it didn’t make it to this list for several reasons. Also note that the Fanatec CSL Elite is now discontinued.
0 Comments