Best PC steering wheel 2023

Are you looking for the best PC steering wheel? Let’s face it – the best gaming keyboard just doesn’t cut it when it comes to racing games such as Forza Horizon 5, even if you get your hands on one with swanky analogue switches. Picking up the best PC controller helps in simcade titles, but you can’t beat the accuracy of a dedicated racing wheel – especially in more sim-focused titles that are often near-unplayable on a standard gamepad.

Selecting the right model for you can be confusing, with such a wide range of features and price brackets to choose from – but if you’ve got the best gaming PC, you’ll want to grab a racing wheel so that you can have the best experience in racing games too, and we’ve picked out a number of options for you.

Here are the best PC steering wheels in 2023:

• Logitech G923 – best overall
• Hori Racing Wheel Apex – budget option
• Thrustmaster TS-XW Racer Sparco – best sim wheel
• Thrustmaster TMX – budget force feedback choice
• Playseat Challenge – best racing chair
• Universal PC handbrake – best handbrake

1. Logitech G923

The best PC steering wheel is the Logitech G923.

Logitech G923 racing wheel specs:

Pros:

• Fantastic force feedback
• Comfortable to hold
• Comes with fantastic pedals

Cons:

• Could improve more over predecessors
• Slightly pricier option
• Force feedback not widely compatible

The best all-round model combining good value, reliability, and great realism is Logitech’s latest force-feedback G923. It’s an iteration of Logitech’s already-brilliant G29, which is one of the most popular choices – and it’s not hard to see why. With 900-degree rotation, a hand-stitched leather rim, and stainless steel shift paddles and pedals, it gives an immersive driving experience in games without breaking the bank.

Priced similarly to its predecessor, the G923 improves upon the G29 with a new FFB system. This has a 1000Hz polling rate for fast feedback on what’s happening in game, helping you feel every rumble strip and tyre losing grip. Supported games such as Assetto Corsa Competitizione are specially tuned to take full advantage of that force feedback system, too.

Three pedals mean you’ve got a clutch spare if you want to add Logitech’s gear shifter to your setup later on down the line. There’s also a small LED rev counter, which helps you know when it’s time to change gear in games that support the feature. Whether you go for the Xbox or PlayStation-compatible model, both are certified to work on the best gaming PC.

2. Hori Racing Wheel Apex

The best cheap steering wheel for PC is the Hori Racing Wheel APEX.

Hori Racing Wheel Apex specs:

Pros:

• Affordably priced
• Lots of customization

Cons:

• No force feedback
• Pedals could be better

Want to make that upgrade from a controller, but can’t justify dropping hundreds on a wheel? Hori’s Racing Wheel APEX just about dodges a triple-figure price tag and has most core features covered bar force feedback. 270 degrees of rotation may be less than the pricier models here, but that still gives you another world of turning accuracy when compared to your controller or keyboard.

The rim and pedals are made of plastic instead of metal, but the strong suction mounts help it stay sturdy in the heat of a race. There are rubber grips to keep you at the helm too, so don’t worry about your hands slipping as you steer. You’ve also got paddle shifters on the rear if you want to change gears manually, too. And as an added bonus, it’s compatible with PlayStation consoles, helping you win your Gran Turismo races.

3. Thrustmaster TS-XW Racer Sparco

The best sim racing wheel is the Thrustmaster TS-XW Racer Sparco.

Thrustmaster TS-XW Racer Sparco specs:

Pros:

• Brilliant force feedback
• High-quality build

Cons:

• Expensive
• Fiddly screw for fast release

Thrustmaster’s TS-XW is a great choice for the most hardcore sim players, giving you the closest experience to a real-life car. The belt-driven FFB motor gives the smoothest, most realistic force feedback you’ll find on a PC wheel, and every part of this setup is high quality. You’ll find something identical in some actual race cars, as it’s an exact replica of Sparco’s suede-covered P310 – which means you get the same ultra-grippy material that gives you great control.

With sims like iRacing having online 24-hour endurance races, FFB motors in some models can succumb to overheating. Thrustmaster’s embedded cooling solution should prevent any loss in force feedback performance, even in extended play sessions. There are quality medal pedals with adjustability for height and spacing – the clutch pedal comes in handy if you add Thrustmaster’s TH8A shifter, although that’s sold separately.

The modularity is a welcome addition too – get bored of your setup, and you can swap it out for a number of standalone rims in Thrustmaster’s ecosystem, such as its F1-style wheel, which is perfect for F1 2020.

4. Thrustmaster TMX

The cheapest force feedback wheel is the Thrustmaster TMX.

Thrustmaster TMX specs:

Pros:

• Superb force feedback
• Excellent value for money

Cons:

• Pedals rather lacking
• Occasional rotational issues

If you want a model with full rotation and force feedback for competitive online games such as iRacing but don’t want to break the bank, Thrustmaster’s TMX is the best choice. It uses a superb belt-driven FFB motor with 900 degrees of rotation, which is similar to what you’ll find in Thrustmaster’s much more expensive models.

Of course, because it’s a little cheaper, you’ll notice that it is weaker in certain ways. For example, the pedals don’t feel very durable and seem rather cheaply made, and occasionally you’ll find that the wheel doesn’t turn as smoothly as it should, or indeed, as smoothly as a real car would. These are both pretty minor points, but they will niggle anyone who wants something perfect.

Nonetheless, it still manages to deliver on the force feedback front, which gives you a really fantastic in-game experience – and at a fraction of the cost you’d pay for most other wheels as good as this. Always nice to have a bit of extra cash left over for more games.

5. Playseat Challenge

The best sim racing seat is the Playseat Challenge.

Playseat Challenge specs:

Pros:

• Perfect for a wheel and pedals combo
• Reasonably priced

Cons:

• Less comfortable than a regular gaming chair
• Won’t fit with every type of wheel

Ditching the best gaming chair and opting for a standalone racing seat complete with mounts for your steering wheel and pedals, can help further immerse yourself within a racing simulator, giving you the seating position of a proper car. Sim racing cockpits take up a lot of space, which is why we’ve picked out the Playseat Challenge.

Unlike some other models, it’s foldable, with your wheel attached too, so when you’d rather be playing the best open-world games, your racing setup can be neatly stored out of sight.

The metal construction means your setup stays rock solid even in the most intense races, without any flexing to ruin the immersion. The racing car-style bucket seat is comfortable for long racing sessions, too, with lots of adjustability.

6. Universal PC Handbrake

The best PC handbrake is the Roeam PC Handbrake.

Universal PC handbrake specs:

Adding one of these handbrakes to your setup is great for helping you attack corners in rally games like Dirt Rally 2, or drifting in titles like Assetto Corsa. It’s pretty reasonably priced too.

These handbrakes come in a range of colors, allowing you to choose one which best suits the decor of your gaming space. (Who wants an ugly handbrake in the middle of their room?) and gives users the option to mount it in a number of different ways (depending on your wheel, chair, etc.).

It’s possible to get much fancier PC handbrakes, but we reckon this one will be the best for most readers. It’s very easy to plug and play with this, so you’ll have no problem getting it set up and taking it for a spin. Although you’ll want to double-check compatibility with your steering wheel of choice.

How we chose the best PC steering wheels

When putting this list together, there were several key aspects that helped us determine what was worth including and what wasn’t. These will also serve as important guidelines for anyone looking to buy one:

• Brands: There are countless businesses out there selling PC racing wheels, and many of them are really tacky and will give you a subpar experience. You’re always much safer going with big names like Hori, Thrustmaster, and Logitech if you want to ensure you get a quality piece of hardware.
• Force feedback: This feature will help give you a much more immersive driving experience, as it means that the wheel reacts to the different surfaces you drive across in-game. We’ve included a cheaper model without force feedback here and it’s worth thinking about whether this is something you want to pay a little more for.
• Rotation: Some PC steering wheels will offer you a degree of rotation that’s comparable to an actual car, whereas others are much more limited. You’ll have a much better experience if you get one that can go to at least 900°, but like most things, the cheaper ones will likely have a much lower degree of rotation, so it’s important to question how important this will be for you specifically.
• Further accessories: A racing wheel does a lot to improve your experience in racing games, but it can only go so far. Many gamers like to buy PC handbrakes or even chairs made especially for racing wheels. We’ve included a couple of these on the list for good measure.

Which racing games you’re playing should influence your decision too. Games like Forza Horizon 5 actively benefit from a wheel, but we’d stick with a gamepad when playing Burnout Paradise Remastered because of its arcade-y approach. That’s not to say you can’t have some fun with a dedicated wheel at your fingertips in any racing game, but they don’t justify the cost in the same way.

For more about how we put these lists together, read our how we test page. If you still have any questions, read the FAQs below:

Are steering wheels for PC worth it?

We’d say that if you’re a gamer who loves racing games and spends a lot of time playing them, a PC steering wheel is a very worthwhile investment. If you go for a top-notch wheel with force feedback and pedals in particular, it’ll really enhance your gameplay experience.

Why are PC steering wheels so expensive?

Each of the wheels on this list is a pretty sophisticated piece of hardware – especially those that have force feedback. Because of all the work that goes into them (including internal motors) they’re not cheap to make, and consequently, not cheap to buy, either.

Is a steering wheel easier than a controller?

The answer to this question will vary depending on the wheel you use, and, of course, your own personal preferences. We would say that someone who has spent a lifetime using a controller will probably find a wheel a bit hard to use at first, but will eventually get the hang of it, and then appreciate the extra level of control and precision that they provide.

If you enjoyed this article, you might also want to read the story of how a PC steering wheel saved somebody’s life. For more guidance on building out your setup, read our guides on the best gaming mouse or the best gaming monitor –  each component plays its part in creating the perfect gaming experience.