The Best Racing Simulators for Beginners for Every Budget

Figure 1: A Sim Racing Centre in Belgium
Being a beginner does not necessarily mean you should always go for a budget build. If your wallet permits, we strongly recommend you start with a high-quality premium setup. However, this is not to say that budget sim builds are bad. They also provide an exceptional experience although at a reduced immersion and realism.
But don’t worry, whether you wish to dive into sim racing for fun or look forward to developing a professional career in this lucrative field, we’ve got you covered with this guide on the best racing simulators for beginners.
Best Budget Sim Racing Setup
After going through numerous budget products in the sim racing market, we finally zeroed in on a rig featuring the Logitech G29 racing wheel bundle and the Playseat Challenge cockpit. This is an excellent starting point for budget-conscious sim racers as it is designed to bring the thrill of racing into your home without breaking the bank.
Figure 2: Logitech G290 Steering Wheel and Pedal Set
The Logitech G29 racing wheel package comes with the steering wheel (attached to the wheelbase) and the pedal set (gas, brake, clutch). The Playseat Challenge cockpit is a folding, adjustable racing chair that provides a realistic driving angle for enhancing immersion. This estimated total cost for this budget build comes to roughly $430 which makes it one of the best racing simulators for beginners.
On Amazon, many buyers reviewed this product as “very pleased”, “super fun”, and “fun to play with”.

From the get-go, the Logitech G29 bundle is designed for beginners and casual sim racers in mind who desire a realistic driving experience at an affordable price. It is compatible with a wide range of platforms such as PS5, PS4, PS3, and PC.
As for specs alone, the steering wheel is 10.24 inches with a leather grip and hand stitching and a 900-degree lock-to-lock range, meaning 2.5 turns just like a real car steering wheel. The G29 also has dual-motor gear-driven force feedback which registers tire slip, weight transfer, and road feel with precision to deliver realistic sensations. As for the button layout, the wheel has push-button game controls like a D-Pad, console buttons, and paddle shifters; all within easy reach. The included pedal set has a nonlinear brake pedal for a realistic feel with stainless steel pedal faces and an adjustable pedal face.

Figure 4: Playseat Challenge Cockpik
Given the budget build, the Playseat Challenge takes racing immersion to the next level with its strategic racing seat positioning to mimic the seat angle in a real-life car. And because it is foldable, I highly suggest this cockpit for anyone looking to have a racing experience without the entire configuration as it can be stored away easily. This makes it one of the best budget racing setups for someone with little room to spare.
Best Mid-Range Sim Racing Setup
But if you have a bit more to spend and seek to upgrade the sim racing experience beyond the Logitech setup we made above, check out this best sim racing setup build comprising Moza DD R5 wheelbase, CS V2P Steering Wheel, CSL Pedals LC, GT Omega ART racing cockpit.The Moza R5 bundle, as we call it, includes four components: a direct drive DD R5 wheelbase, which translates to powerful force feedback; a professional CS V2P racing wheel, composed of high-end materials for feel and subtleties; CSL LC pedals, a Fanatec pedal set that employs load cell technology to provide a true-to-life braking experience; and finally, a racing cockpit composed of a heavy-duty adjustable GT Omega ART, which should further provide a realistic experience in-game. The estimated $800 total cost for this setup offers substantial upgrades over entry-level options.

Figure 5: Moza DD R5 Wheelbase
The Moza DD R5 is a direct drive wheelbase that delivers 5.5 Nm of peak torque, providing a realistic driving experience. The wheelbase is constructed from aviation-grade aluminum, which means that it's super durable and visually appealing. It's a direct drive, meaning it has the most dependable and accurate Force Feedback, giving you the sensation of every little bump in the road and adjustment made to dynamic in-car performance.

Figure 6: Moza CS V2P steering wheel
The CS V2P steering wheel further complements the R5 wheelbase. In that, it features a 13-inch diameter with a microfiber leather grip for comfort and an aluminum faceplate and forged carbon fiber shifters for durability. It has six mechanical key buttons, two joysticks, and two rotary encoders for its input. It comes equipped with six mechanical key buttons, two joysticks, and two rotary encoders for versatile input options.

Figure 7: Fanatec CSL Pedals LC
The Fanatec CSL Pedals LC set includes accelerator, brake, and clutch pedals. Each is made with quality and care in construction. The brake pedal is a load cell setup, which essentially means it reads pressure (not its distance traveled) to deliver a better braking response.

Figure 8: GT Omega ART Racing Cockpit
When it comes to the GT Omega ART racing cockpit, the sim racing seat provides a solid foundation for the racing setup. Made of heavy-duty steel and finished with a black powder coat, the cockpit comes with an adjustable wheel platform height, an adjustable pedal platform angle, an adjustable gear mount height, and an adjustable seat for any body type and preference for comfort. It also easily assembles/disassembles for those who may not have space. Pre-drilled mounts exist for all hardware from major brands, such as Logitech, Thrustmaster, Fanatec, etc.
Best High-End Sim Racing Setup
If you see yourself as a pro sim racer in the near future then a high-end setup featuring the Fanatec ClubSport DD Wheel Base, ClubSport Steering Wheel, ClubSport Pedals V3, and Sim-Lab GT1 Pro Sim Racing Cockpit would do wonders for you. This is the ultimate package for home sim racing immersion and quality which can be built for approximately $2100, up or down depending on various editions, but for this quality, it's a price that won't matter.
Figure 9: ClubSport DD wheelbase
What's inside this beast? The Fanatec ClubSport DD wheelbase is a direct-drive racing system that delivers 12 Nm of torque in force feedback that is both precise and powerful. From turning forces to road bumps, Fanatec wants you in the racing world as much as possible. Unlike gear or belt-driven systems, the direct drive mechanism eliminates mechanical losses, ensuring you feel everything as it's meant to be felt on the simulated pavement. This feature alone makes it one of the best sim racing setups out there. Furthermore, a passive cooling system allows for productive operation during extended racing periods.

Figure 10: ClubSport Steering Wheel Formula V2.5 X
Even the ClubSport steering wheel Formula V2.5 X is just as durable and resourceful. Designed for feel and functionality, it comes with a fully programmable button array that can be configured for any racing situation. Should one need to adjust brake bias on the go or switch between in-depth telemetry, the buttons, and paddle positioning feel natural in your hand to give you full access. In addition, the steering wheel features Fanatec's quick-release option, allowing for easy swapping for those racers who want different wheels for different cars and applications, whether it be GT, rally, or Formula.

Figure 11: ClubSport Pedals V3
Precision is further elevated by the ClubSport Pedals V3. This pedal set is constructed of anodized aluminum for a powerful yet sleek, visually appealing, and durable performance. The gas and brake pedals are outfitted with load cell technology for ultra-high resolution precision that mimics real-world braking pressure. The configuration of these pedals is adjustable where height, spacing, and resistance can be tailored to suit your driving style. Moreover, a hallmark feature of the Pedals V3 is the inclusion of vibration motors, which deliver subtle cues to enhance realism, such as feedback for locking tires during heavy braking.

Figure 12: Sim-Lab GT1 Pro Cockpit
Completing this champion bundle is the Sim-Lab GT1 Pro sim racing cockpit, a chassis designed for a more professional setup. Constructed of extruded aluminum, it boasts insane rigidity and zero flex when stressed by high-torque direct drive systems. The sim chassis is fully adjustable for the best ergonomic configuration. It's also modular with the potential for adding aftermarket expansion down the line like a shifter or handbrake.
Conclusion
We understand that while it may be your first step into the world of sim racing, remember that first impressions are everything. You never get a second chance to make another first impression.In this article, we’ve presented you with some of the best racing simulators for beginners for all budget ranges. Therefore, analyze how you want to racing simulator to be and invest accordingly. A poor investment will not only lead to regret or money wastage but also leave a negative impression on you toward sim racing.