Guide to Choosing the Best Racing Wheels and Pedals for Your Setup

The best racing wheel and pedals for your simulator setup all come down to your budget and needs. There are many popular choices for the best racing wheels and the best racing pedals in every category. However, I will only focus on those that deliver the absolute best in their respective categories.

From torque power and rotation limit to button layout and paddle shifters, I’ve considered every aspect while picking out the best racing wheel for sim racers. Similarly, when it comes to pedals, I’ve gone through their pedal layout, type of brake technology applied, and durability among many other things before finalizing my pick for the best racing pedals.

As such, this article is your ultimate guide to choosing the best racing wheels and pedals for your setup, whether it is low-end, mid-range, or top-tier. Without further ado, let’s get started!

Best Budget Racing Wheel: Thrustmaster T128

I’ve tried a fair few budget wheels over the years, and the Thrustmaster T128 honestly surprised me with what it delivers at this price point. It runs on a Hybrid Drive system — a mix of gear and belt — and while it's not the most powerful out there, the force feedback feels impressively refined for the money. I could clearly feel subtle road textures, resistance in corners, and even the jolt when hitting a curb. Not bad for an entry-level setup.

That said, the build quality definitely reminds you it’s a budget wheel. The plastic buttons feel cheap, and the wheel itself doesn’t have much grip, which isn’t ideal during long, sweaty sessions. It’s also a fixed rim, so don’t expect any modular flexibility.

Now let’s talk pedals, the T2PM set that comes bundled in is easily the weakest link. They’re super lightweight, tend to slide around, and don’t offer much in terms of feedback. If I were to upgrade anything first, it’d be the pedals, probably to the T3PMs, which are a noticeable step up.

Still, for anyone dipping their toes into sim racing, the T128 earns its spot among the best racing wheels and pedals in the budget tier.

Best Budget Racing Pedal: Fanatec CSL Pedals

When I first got my hands (well, feet) on the Fanatec CSL Pedals, I immediately noticed how no-nonsense they were in both design and feel. They’re minimal, solid, and don’t try to overdo anything, which, honestly, I appreciate in a budget setup.

The base kit includes just two pedals, but you can easily upgrade to a three-pedal layout, which is something I always recommend if you’re into driving a manual with an H-pattern shifter.

Although the default brake pedal works fine, I’ll be honest — it’s on the softer side. It doesn’t feel all that different from a regular road car, which might be okay for beginners. But once I swapped in the load cell brake (sold separately), that’s when things really clicked. The stiffness made it feel so much more like a real race car. It definitely took a few sessions to adjust, but the added precision was worth it.

One thing to keep in mind is that if you don’t plan to upgrade, the stock version might feel a bit underwhelming. Still, for anyone looking to ease into the world of sim racing without spending too much, this is a strong contender for the best racing pedals on a budget.

Now let’s move on to mid-range best racing wheels and pedals.

Best Mid-Range Racing Wheel: Thrustmaster T248

The Thrustmaster T248 was one of those wheels I didn’t expect to enjoy as much as I did, but after spending some serious time with it, I can see why it’s a go-to for many mid-range sim racers. It runs on a hybrid force feedback system (belt and gear combo), which honestly feels like a smart middle ground. You get more smoothness than gear-only systems and better responsiveness without the steep price of direct drive setups.

What stood out to me most was how powerful the feedback felt for the price. You really get a decent sense of the road, and while it doesn’t match direct drive detail, it still delivers plenty of resistance when cornering hard. The T3PM pedals included in the package are magnetic and actually feel great underfoot.

Now, the downsides — and yeah, they’re worth mentioning. The build quality looks and feels a bit plasticky. The paddle shifters, while super responsive, are loud… like really loud. And while the wheel is accurate, it can feel heavy in certain sim titles if you don’t fine-tune the settings.

Still, for what it offers, it’s earned its place among the best racing wheels in the mid-tier segment.

Best Mid-Range Racing Pedal: Fanatec ClubSport V3

I’ve spent a good amount of time with the Fanatec ClubSport V3 pedals, and I’ve got to say — they feel like a big step up from most mid-range options. Right off the bat, the 90kg load cell on the brake pedal gives you the kind of resistance that actually mimics a real racing car. It forces you to apply pressure rather than rely on pedal travel, which definitely sharpened up my braking over time.

But what really makes the V3s stand out for me are the vibration motors built into both the brake and throttle pedals. It’s subtle, but incredibly useful. If you lock the brakes or start losing grip under throttle, you’ll feel it, like getting tactile feedback from a controller, but directly through your feet. I found this especially helpful in games like ACC where ABS and traction control can really change the way your car behaves.

You’ve also got customization options here, including an inverted pedal layout if you want something closer to a real-world setup. The build quality’s solid, and it’s nice to see compatibility across PC, Xbox, and PlayStation.

For the mid-range price, these land comfortably among the best racing pedals for sim racers looking to level up their feel and feedback.

With that said, we now move into the premium territory of the best racing wheels and pedals.

Best High-End Racing Wheel: Logitech G Pro

I wasn’t sure what to expect jumping into Logitech’s G Pro Racing Wheel, especially since their older gear-driven wheels never really stood out to me. But this one’s a different beast entirely — it’s full direct drive, pushing 11Nm of torque, and the jump in realism is immediate. The force feedback is intense and clean, and if you like to feel every bump, slide, and weight transfer, this wheel absolutely delivers.

The wheelbase itself is massive, so be prepared to make space. The build is rock solid, and the layout is simple, which I appreciated. The dual-clutch paddles are fully programmable, which I found really useful in F1-style launches, but you can customize them however you like.

Now, here’s where it stings: the pedals aren’t included. You’ll need to buy them separately, and yeah, they’re pricey, but to be fair, they’re excellent. The load-cell brake is especially good, giving a progressive, pressure-based response that feels incredibly close to the real thing.

If you’re going all-in on sim racing and want something that can keep up, the Logitech G Pro absolutely belongs on the shortlist of best racing wheels. Just know you're paying a premium for the full package.

Best High-End Racing Pedal: Logitech Pro Pedals

I spent a fair bit of time with the Logitech Pro Pedals, and right from the first few laps, the build quality and adjustability stood out. This is a three-pedal setup with a solid baseplate that gives you a ton of mounting options — whether you're slotting it into a full rig or tweaking individual pedal positions to suit your style. You can even detach the pedals from the base and mount them separately, which I found super useful for dialing in a more personal feel.

The star here is the 100kg load cell on the brake. That thing is strong. If you’re used to lighter brakes, it takes a few sessions to adjust — but once you get the feel for it, the braking precision is on another level. You can even tweak the feel through physical adjustments or Logitech’s G Hub software, which lets you play around with preload and stiffness to really dial things in.

Performance-wise, everything feels smooth and predictable, with no dead zones or weird inconsistencies. Plus, these pedals are fully console-compatible when paired with the Logitech G Pro wheel, which is a nice bonus if you're switching between platforms.

As such, if you’re chasing high-end responsiveness with the flexibility to tweak things to your liking, this set easily holds its ground among the best racing pedals on the market.

And that wraps up my in-depth guide to choosing the best racing wheels and pedals for your setup. What do you think? Share your thoughts with us and let us know in the comments down below!