Best PS5 and PS4 racing wheels in 2026 by experience level
If you're looking for a PS5 racing wheel, the Thrustmaster T598 and Fanatec Gran Turismo DD Pro both offer good value for money. Your choice depends on your budget, the platform you play on and how far you want to upgrade your setup in the future.
Which PS5 racing wheel should you buy? Quick summary
QUICK SUMMARY
PS5 and PS4 racing wheels: the essentials
- Best affordable force feedback option: Thrustmaster T128, with force feedback and official PS5 and PS4 compatibility.
- Good value for money: Thrustmaster T248R, with 3.1 Nm, a three-pedal set and competitive pricing.
- Accessible Direct Drive: Thrustmaster T598 or Fanatec Gran Turismo DD Pro, with more realistic feedback and complete bundles.
- High end: Fanatec ClubSport Racing Wheel F1, with a Direct Drive wheelbase delivering up to 18 Nm.
- Important: not every PS4-compatible wheel works on PS5. Always check the exact product version.
Comparison of the best racing wheels for PS5 and PS4
Which PS5 racing wheel offers the best value for money?
The Thrustmaster T248R is a strong choice, particularly if you want to move up to a force-feedback wheel without investing in Direct Drive just yet.
With 3.1 Nm of force feedback, three pedals and a small built-in display, it offers a balanced setup for Gran Turismo 7, F1 and other racing games.
What is the best Direct Drive racing wheel for PS5?
The Fanatec Gran Turismo DD Pro 5 Nm or 8 Nm is one of my recommendations for anyone seeking a complete Direct Drive (DD) bundle. It provides more faithful driving feedback and leaves room to upgrade the pedals, wheel rim or wheelbase later on.
The main benefit of the 8 Nm version over the 5 Nm model is the extra torque headroom, giving you more scope to feel the information coming from the simulator.
What is the best beginner racing wheel for PS5?
The Thrustmaster T128 is the most affordable option with force feedback and includes everything you need to get started.
On an even tighter budget, the HORI Apex includes a wheel and pedals, but it has no force feedback. That means losing a substantial amount of information about what the car is doing on track.
Best PS5 and PS4 racing wheels by experience level
These are the options I would recommend for different types of drivers.
For beginners: Thrustmaster T128, HORI Apex and PXN V99
Thrustmaster T128: get started with force feedback
Product at SimufyThe Thrustmaster T128 is one of the most interesting ways to move from a controller to a racing wheel.
It uses a hybrid belt-and-gear system to transmit in-game feedback. You can start feeling steering weight, grip changes and the car's reactions, among other things.
It also includes a pedal set and desk clamp, so you have what you need to start driving.
Who do I recommend it for? Beginners looking for their first force-feedback wheel that works with PS5, PS4 and PC.
View Thrustmaster T128
HORI Racing Wheel Apex: the most affordable alternative
Product at SimufyThe HORI Racing Wheel Apex stands out for its price and official PlayStation licence.
It includes a wheel and pedals, adjustable 180°–270° steering rotation and configurable sensitivity and controls.
Its main drawback is the lack of force feedback. This is a significant limitation in games where feeling what's happening on track through the steering wheel is essential.
Who do I recommend it for? Casual PS5 players looking for a budget option rather than a simulation-focused setup.
View HORI Racing Wheel Apex
PXN V99: a complete bundle, but for PS4 only
Product at SimufyThe PXN V99 is an interesting alternative for PS4 players looking for a bundle with more equipment included.
It offers dual-motor force feedback rated at 3.2 Nm, a 300 mm wheel, three pedals and an H-pattern shifter.
The advantage is getting a complete setup without buying every peripheral separately.
Important: the PXN V99 does not have native PS5 compatibility. I would therefore not recommend it to someone specifically shopping for the newer console.
Who do I recommend it for? PS4 drivers who want pedals and an H-pattern shifter in one bundle.
View PXN V99If you want to explore your first upgrades, read our guide to choosing your first sim racing wheel.
Mid-range: Thrustmaster T248R and T-GT II
Thrustmaster T248R: best value choice
Product at SimufyThe Thrustmaster T248R uses a 3.1 Nm T-HD hybrid drive system combining belts and gears.
Compared with an entry-level wheel, it delivers stronger force feedback, a colour LCD screen and T3PM pedals with throttle, brake and clutch.
Its biggest appeal is a fairly comprehensive package without the cost of Direct Drive.
Who do I recommend it for? PS5 and PS4 sim racers moving from a controller to a force-feedback wheel on a controlled budget.
View Thrustmaster T248R
Thrustmaster T-GT II: a dual-belt alternative
Product at SimufyThe Thrustmaster T-GT II combines a brushless motor with a dual-belt drive to deliver smooth, detailed force feedback.
It is a Gran Turismo-licensed wheel with dedicated controls and a T3PA GT II three-pedal set.
Although it isn't Direct Drive, it remains an interesting choice for drivers who prefer the Thrustmaster ecosystem.
Who do I recommend it for? PlayStation drivers who want an advanced belt-driven wheel and upgrade options within Thrustmaster.
View Thrustmaster T-GT IIEntry-level Direct Drive: Thrustmaster T598 and Fanatec Gran Turismo DD Pro 5 Nm
Thrustmaster T598: accessible Direct Drive
Product at SimufyThe Thrustmaster T598 uses an axial-flux Direct Axial Drive motor with 5 Nm of constant torque.
Unlike belt- or gear-driven designs, it transmits torque directly from the motor to the steering shaft.
The bundle includes a 300 mm wheel, two pedals and a desk mounting solution. Selected components can also be upgraded within the Thrustmaster ecosystem.
Who do I recommend it for? PlayStation users looking to enter Direct Drive with a complete bundle and a moderate budget.
View Thrustmaster T598
The Fanatec Gran Turismo DD Pro 5 Nm is one of the best-known officially licensed PlayStation Direct Drive options.
It includes the wheelbase, a 280 mm Gran Turismo wheel, pedals and a desk clamp.
Upgradeability is a key advantage: the Boost Kit 180 can increase output to 8 Nm, the pedals can be improved with a compatible load-cell kit, and Fanatec offers interchangeable rims.
Who do I recommend it for? PlayStation users who want to begin with realistic Direct Drive feedback and improve their rig over time.
View Fanatec Gran Turismo DD Pro 5 NmAdvanced Direct Drive: Fanatec Gran Turismo DD Pro 8 Nm
Fanatec Gran Turismo DD Pro 8 Nm
Product at SimufyThe Fanatec Gran Turismo DD Pro 8 Nm shares the same Direct Drive platform as the 5 Nm model but comes with the Boost Kit 180 included.
The extra torque headroom gives you more force available to convey force-feedback details.
It comes with a Gran Turismo wheel, a two-pedal set and a desk mount.
It is one of the most balanced configurations for anyone who wants a PlayStation-licensed Direct Drive wheel without stepping up to a high-end wheelbase.
Who do I recommend it for? PlayStation racers who regularly play Gran Turismo, F1 or GT simulators and want a realistic, upgradeable bundle.
View Fanatec GT DD Pro 8 NmIf you're unsure how much torque you need, read our Fanatec 5 Nm vs 8 Nm comparison.
High end: Fanatec ClubSport Racing Wheel F1
Fanatec ClubSport Racing Wheel F1
Product at SimufyThe Fanatec ClubSport Racing Wheel F1 is aimed at demanding drivers who want a more powerful Direct Drive wheelbase and greater setup flexibility.
It combines the ClubSport DD+ wheelbase delivering up to 18 Nm with a 270 mm Formula-style wheel, forged-carbon front plate, OLED display and numerous on-wheel controls.
Unlike other bundles in this guide, this package does not include pedals. I would also recommend mounting it to a sufficiently rigid cockpit to make the most of its performance without unwanted vibration or movement. See our cockpit buying guide.
Who do I recommend it for? Advanced PlayStation drivers seeking a high-end setup with maximum realism.
View Fanatec ClubSport Racing Wheel F1 18 NmDirect Drive for PS5: when is it worth upgrading?
Direct Drive is particularly worthwhile when you want more accurate information from the simulator, more tuning options and a setup that can grow with you.
However, more Nm do not automatically make you faster. Feedback quality, force-feedback settings and driving technique matter just as much.
Direct Drive vs gears and belts
The main difference is how the motor's force reaches the wheel rim.
If you want a more realistic steering feel, Direct Drive is a major step forward. Before investing in a powerful wheelbase, though, make sure your pedals and driving position are correctly adjusted.
You can browse Direct Drive wheelbases and sim racing bundles at Simufy.
Which Direct Drive wheelbases work on PS5, and which don't?
PlayStation compatibility doesn't depend solely on whether a wheelbase has a USB port.
To use a wheel natively on PS5, you need a console-compatible configuration supported by the game.
Options in this article include the Thrustmaster T598, Fanatec Gran Turismo DD Pro bundles and Fanatec ClubSport Racing Wheel F1.
You should never assume that a wheelbase built for PC will work directly on PS5.
More brands are entering the console market, however. MOZA, for example, has announced upcoming PS5 support with the R5S Pro and R16S Pro.
If you're an Xbox user, read our guide to sim racing wheels for PlayStation and Xbox.
What to check before buying a PS5 racing wheel
Before choosing a wheel, look beyond price and torque. These are the four points I consider most important.
Official PlayStation licensing and PS4 compatibility
Check that the product explicitly lists PS5 compatibility, as some models support PS4 only.
Some PS4 wheels also work in PS5 games, but not all of them. The PXN V99 and V9 Gen2, for instance, should not be treated as native PS5 wheels.
Pedals included or sold separately
Not all bundles include the same hardware.
Some include two pedals, others provide throttle, brake and clutch, and some high-end options are sold without a pedal set.
Pay particular attention to the brake. A load-cell pedal set can help improve braking consistency.
See our guide to choosing a sim racing bundle if you want to compare configurations.
Where to mount it: desk, wheel stand or cockpit
You don't need a cockpit to get started. Many wheels include clamps for desk mounting.
As force-feedback strength increases, or you move to stiffer pedals, a stable support becomes more important.
A wheel stand or folding cockpit, such as the GT Lite PlayStation Edition or Next Level Racing Wheel Stand Lite 2.0, can be an intermediate solution. Ideally, choose a cockpit that lets you upgrade your simulator over time.
For more demanding setups, a rigid cockpit gives you greater mounting and adjustment options. Read our beginner cockpit guide or explore cockpits at Simufy.
If you prefer a ready-made setup, we also offer complete PlayStation racing simulators.
PS5 racing games to play with a wheel
One of the most important checks is whether your chosen games actually support the wheel.
Games that make particularly good use of force feedback include Gran Turismo 7, F1 titles, Assetto Corsa Competizione and EA Sports WRC.
Discover more options in our guide to the best PS5 racing games.
Choosing a PS5 racing wheel isn't just about picking the most powerful model. Think about how often you'll use it, the games you enjoy and how you want your simulator to evolve.
A force-feedback wheel like the T128 can be enough to get started. For greater precision and upgrade potential, Direct Drive models such as the T598 and Fanatec Gran Turismo DD Pro represent a meaningful step forward.
Explore racing wheels and sim racing bundles at Simufy ↗Frequently asked questions about PS5 racing wheels
Which PS5 racing wheel offers the best value for money?
The Thrustmaster T248R is a balanced choice thanks to its hybrid force feedback, three-pedal set and price. For Direct Drive, the Thrustmaster T598 offers a complete 5 Nm bundle.
Do PS4 racing wheels work on PS5?
Some do, but not all. Compatibility depends on the model and the game. Always check that the manufacturer explicitly confirms PS5 support.
Which Direct Drive racing wheels are compatible with PS5?
Compatible models include the Thrustmaster T598, Fanatec Gran Turismo DD Pro 5 Nm and 8 Nm, and Fanatec ClubSport Racing Wheel F1 18 Nm.
Do I need a cockpit for a PS5 racing wheel?
No. You can start with a wheel attached to a stable desk. A wheel stand or cockpit is recommended when you want a more consistent driving position or use a more powerful wheelbase. You can always upgrade later.
Written by Salva Talens
Professional esports driver and coach, co-founder of Simufy Academy
Engineer and professional esports driver, co-founder of Simufy Academy. He races in the iRacing top split with over 9,000 iRating and has qualified for the Porsche TAG Heuer Esports Supercup. He knows hardware from the only place that matters: lap pace.
