What to Buy for Sim Racing on Black Friday 2026: Buying Guide
If you're thinking of upgrading your wheel, replacing your pedals or building a cockpit, the biggest saving isn't necessarily the best upgrade: first work out which part of your sim racing setup is holding you back.
Black Friday and Black SimuDays are a great opportunity to make that upgrade. The key is to prioritise your needs and check the details before you buy.
At a glance
At a glance
What to buy for sim racing on Black Friday 2026: the essentials
- Just getting started? A bundle with a Direct Drive wheelbase, steering wheel and pedals is one of the easiest routes into sim racing.
- Already have a wheel? Before upgrading it, consider whether your pedals or driving position need attention first.
- Want more consistent braking? Load cell pedals can make a real difference, especially when moving from position-based pedals.
- Is your rig moving or flexing? Put a rigid cockpit first. It's one of the components that can last through several upgrades.
- Running a high-end setup? Consider active pedals, specialised wheels, more powerful wheelbases or accessories that deliver extra feedback.
- Before you buy: check compatibility, required accessories, availability and the final cost of the whole setup.
What sim racing gear is worth buying on Black Friday?
There's no single upgrade order that works for everyone. It depends on the rig you already own, the cars you usually drive and what you want to improve.
For example, a driver using an entry-level wheelbase and basic pedals may get a significant improvement from a new pedal set. But if your pedals are already good and your office chair keeps sliding whenever you brake or turn, a proper cockpit is probably the smarter investment.
Before browsing the deals, ask yourself three questions:
- What's holding me back? It could be inconsistent braking, vague force feedback or a frame that flexes.
- What do I want to gain? More precision, immersion, comfort or better equipment for a particular racing category.
- What else will I need? Some upgrades require additional mounts, cables or compatible components.
Once you've answered these questions, it's much easier to make a worthwhile choice.
In what order should I upgrade my sim racing setup?
If you're using Black Friday to improve your rig, here's the order we'd generally recommend:
Cockpit
Start with a rigid frame and a comfortable driving position. This gives your other hardware a stable foundation.
Direct Drive wheelbase or pedals
It depends on what you already own. If your wheelbase is good, look at load cell pedals. If your pedals are already strong, consider improving the force feedback instead.
Steering wheel rim
Choose a rim that suits the cars you drive most often, paying attention to diameter, ergonomics and available controls.
Accessories
Complete your setup for the disciplines you enjoy: shifters, handbrakes, haptic feedback devices or displays such as monitors.
What are the best Black Friday sim racing upgrades for your experience level?
If you're new to sim racing
If you're still using a belt-driven wheel, Black Friday is a good time to move to Direct Drive.
A Direct Drive wheelbase transfers force directly from the motor to the steering shaft, without intermediate belts or gears. The result can be more defined force feedback and clearer information when you're out on track.
You don't need a high-torque wheelbase to begin with. An entry-level Direct Drive base, paired with a suitable wheel and pedals, can already deliver an excellent experience.
Bundles are worth a close look at this level: they simplify the buying decision and take much of the guesswork out of compatibility.
If you have a mid-range rig
I'd start by identifying the component that's affecting your driving the most.
If your wheel already communicates enough information, replacing it with a more powerful one might not be the best investment. A load cell pedal set or a more stable cockpit could make a bigger difference.
Aim for a balanced rig. There's little point in a powerful wheelbase if the wheel mount flexes or your pedals slide away every time you brake.
Also think ahead. A cockpit with room for future upgrades lets you fit more powerful hardware later without replacing the whole frame.
If you already have a high-end simulator
With advanced equipment, the next upgrades are less obvious and often come down to personal preference.
Look for hardware that solves a specific need: more control over brake feel, a more precise driving position, extra wheelbase torque, a rim better suited to your cars or another source of driving feedback.
For example, active pedals let you adjust pedal resistance and response through software. Haptic devices can also add another layer of information about what's happening on track.
What to check before buying sim racing hardware on Black Friday
Once you know your priorities, compare the key features of each product. These are the things I'd check before choosing a deal.
Where can you find the best sim racing Black Friday deals in 2026?
During Black SimuDays 2026, Simufy brings together offers from different sim racing manufacturers across Direct Drive wheelbases, pedals, cockpits, wheels, bundles and accessories.
Dates and discounts can vary by brand, so check the relevant collections to see which promotions are available when you're ready to buy.
FAQ: what should you buy for sim racing on Black Friday?
What should I upgrade first on my sim racing rig?
I'd start with a stable cockpit, then move on to the Direct Drive wheelbase or pedals depending on your current equipment. Once the setup is balanced, you can add specialised wheel rims and accessories.
Should I upgrade my pedals or steering wheel first?
If you already have a good Direct Drive wheelbase, load cell pedals could be the better upgrade. If you're still using a basic wheel and your pedals are suitable, moving to Direct Drive may come first.
Is it better to buy a bundle or separate components?
Bundles make choosing easier and can offer good value as a package. Buying separately gives you more freedom to customise. Always compare what's included, compatibility and total cost.
Do I need a cockpit to use a Direct Drive wheelbase?
Not necessarily, although it's the better long-term choice. Some bases support compatible desk clamps, but a rigid cockpit provides a more stable driving position and helps you get the most from the hardware.
Written by Simufy Team
The technical and editorial team at Simufy, a sim racing and flight simulation distributor in Spain and Europe. Everything we write about goes through our workshop in Orpí first: it is assembled, tested and installed before we recommend it.