9 Cheapest Sim Racing Wheels to get you Started!

This one is for the makers, sim racers, and players who love building their own gear for the satisfaction. DIY Sim Studio sells downloadable 3D plans for sim racing equipment, including pedals, steering wheels, shifters, and other accessories. You can get the sim racing DIY Button Plate, which is easy to build and doesn’t require expensive tools.

You don’t even have to be a professional at making such gear or have any extra knowledge. If you go with this option, you get complete freedom to build the steering wheel of your choice. You can choose what the front looks like and if it should have more buttons, a screen, LEDs, etc. You can also cover it with carbon and then choose the material you want for the handles.

Article to read: Benefits of DIY: Build Confidence, Boost Creativity, Save Money

Many racers also prefer getting their steering wheels built because it costs less and allows for plenty of customisation. The DIY Aston Martin GTE Vantage is designed to be easily built with no expensive tools or advanced knowledge required. Not only this, but this steering wheel is also highly customizable, so you can choose the material you want to cover the handles with.

Racers can choose from leather, rubber, and alcantra, so choose the one that works well with your racing style. You won’t need a massive budget to build this steering wheel. It can be done in a small amount, depending on the parameters you plan to use, such as the materials, USB board, etc. It also depends on the equipment you already have with you, i.e., the 3D printer.

If you’re new to the sim racing experience, the Thrustmaster T300RS/TX will help you settle in nicely. It’s compatible with PC, PlayStation, and Xbox. It comes with a dual-belt force feedback system and a three-pedal set, alongside a removable wheel for you to make upgrades within your ecosystem. Swapping out your wheel at any point ensures that it’s here to stay for a while.

While the steering wheel is ideal for beginners, it also works for players who are accustomed to the sim racing experience. You won’t have to worry about changing your setup once you come a bit farther in your journey. The Thrustmaster T300RS/TX is also known to come on top against some of its rivals, owing to its dual-belt-driven force feedback and budget-friendly nature.

This butterfly-shaped beast is absolutely perfect for your GT sim racing needs. GT Neo steering wheels come in many sizes and styles, but the most common ones are either a D-shaped circular wheel or a butterfly-style wheel. The GT Neo is among some of the cheapest sim racing wheels that players can purchase and brings plenty of functionality within its exceptional design.

It features enough inputs to help you control your car easily in the middle of a race. Not only this, but you’ll see six encoders, two joysticks, a set of dual-clutch pedals, and ten push buttons on the SIMAGIC GT NEO. It’s truly one of a kind, which helps you handle your car well while looking like a professional. Its sleek design and compatibility will help you throughout the race.

If you’re more into formula racing, then this is the best pick for you due to its budget-friendly nature and functionality. Most times, cheap steering wheels struggle hard when it comes to ergonomics, but you’ll be thrilled to know that that’s not the case with the MOZA Racing KS. It features properly designed grooves within the rubber grips to help you race comfortably.

On the wheel’s rear, you’ll find a data port and the MOZA quick release to help you hardwire the device to your PC with the help of the Universal Hub. Doing so opens up compatibility with nearly every third-party wheel base. It also features a wide range of push buttons and encoders, making it easy to work well with your car. This wheel offers the whole package on a budget.

The Fanatec CSL DD WRC is compatible with PC and Xbox, with its wheel base designed to produce 8Nm of torque. It’s ideal for beginners because of its smooth nature and direct drive technology that offers an immersive racing experience. It picks the faintest of details in the surface feel and the car’s weight, making the driving experience a whole lot more natural.

Its wheelbase doesn’t have any fans to cool it, as cooling is passive, which is perfect for night racers. Its noise won’t disturb the people around the gamer. Its alcantra rim has a large diameter with an orange and black rim to make sure that it fits in all racing rigs. It’s an excellent product that works well for both beginners and players already been racing for some time.

This is THE steering wheel for beginners or casual Sim Racing players. The G29 is compatible with PC and PS, whereas the G920 is compatible with PC and Xbox. However, both wheels offer the same experience, with the only difference being in their compatibility. They’re fixed to their wheel bases, offering dual-motor, gear-driven force feedback.

It features two paddle shifters on the wheel’s rear and a small RPM light at the front of the G29. The buttons are designed based on their consoles and are conveniently placed to help during races. While you can notice the force feedback, it isn’t as smooth as that of the belt-driven Thrustmaster T300RS/TX. Regardless, it’s still an excellent option for new sim wheel racers.

If you prefer the traditional round steering wheel experience, then the Thrustmaster Evo 32R should be your go-to option. If you’re not into formula or GT wheels, you can rely on this round wheel to offer a more versatile racing experience. It features nine push buttons, four rotary encoders, one joystick, and seven rev lights to enhance your racing and keep you hooked.

You can program and map them in the game. The most exciting thing about this wheel is that it’s completely compatible with PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Xbox. It also comes with leather hand grips and a metal chassis that feels premium quality. Its high-quality materials, excellent cost, compatibility, and functionality set it apart from the rest of the racing wheels on this list.

The Logitech G923 is the upgrade from the G29/G920, and comes with the popular Trueforce technology. This tech is mainly designed to replicate the experience one gets in an actual car by sending vibrations via the wheel rim. It works well with the game’s built-in physics and audio, so driving with a loud engine and good physics will make the vibrations feel more powerful.

It makes the entire experience seem a whole more immersive and realistic, but the downside is that the Trueforce technology isn’t supported by every game on every platform. Therefore, it’s best to make sure your beloved titles work with this technology before you purchase the Logitech G923. This steering wheel also uses gear-driven technology with upgraded motors.

While the motors are upgraded, there’s still less you can achieve with the gear-driven force feedback. You’ll find yourself missing the belt-driven force feedback. If you’re just starting out, the G923 is an excellent option, but the G29/G920 is also an equally great option.