The best gaming wheels

Video games have been immensely popular for decades. Against the background of technological changes, new devices began to be developed for a comfortable pastime for such an activity. The steering wheel is a great addition for the gamer, especially when it comes to racing. The possibilities of the accessory are constantly expanding, new modifications and brands appear on sale. Experts analyzed the most popular and in-demand models, after which they named the best gaming wheels of 2024, manufacturers' leaders, and most importantly, the criteria for the correct selection of such a device.

Which firm's game wheel is better to choose

It is difficult to buy a PC gaming wheel from the first visit to the store due to the abundance of brands and models, therefore, in order to narrow your search, you should first decide on the manufacturer. Which brand is reliable and time-tested? Which young companies can become an alternative to high-value brands? Experts analyzed the products of leading manufacturers, the best products, as well as customer reviews, and then identified the following leaders:

• Defender Is an international company that offers the widest range of products. These are high-tech products for work, entertainment and home. Each unit meets European standards and innovations. Representative offices are located in different countries of the world, including Russia.
• Hori Is a Japanese company operating since 1969. Today it is one of the first manufacturers of various licensed game consoles. The largest branches operate in China, Great Britain, and the USA. The best deal today is considered to be the Tactical Assault Commander keyboard / mouse hybrid.
• Thrustmaster - an American company offering impeccable gaming accessories and equipment. From its founding in 1992 until today, it is considered a know-how provider worldwide. Steering wheels with this name are inexpensive, but rich in functionality.
• Sven - Russian manufacturer of computer peripherals, acoustics and non-professional audio equipment, various PC accessories. The brand was founded in 1991 by young professionals, today it is officially registered in Finland. For many products, the emphasis is on design.
• Artplays - new trademark owned by Cartridge Center. Today it is the best domestic brand for the price of the offered goods. Accessories for portable consoles and set-top boxes are especially in demand.
• Trust - Dutch brand founded in 1983. Today, most of the products are presented in the form of digital technology, accessories for gadgets and PCs, power supplies. It is aimed at the middle and high price segment of the market. Manufactured in China.
• Logitech - a large Swiss brand operating since 1981. The activity is aimed at the development, production of computer peripherals, various devices for the comfortable operation of a PC, innovative devices for professional gamers and amateurs. The main task of the company is to improve the quality of everyday life of a person, constantly changing the "landscape" of technologies.

Rating of game wheels

Having familiarized yourself with the main criteria by which the best gaming wheels of 2024 were selected, you will be able to choose the right device from the huge variety of proposed brands and models in the future. This will allow you to weed out outdated and unsuitable options, so as not to make a mistake on the purchase.

In addition to the ratio of quality and price, experts took into account the following characteristics:

• Vibration feedback for a realistic picture;
• Steering angle, responsiveness and control sensitivity;
• Body cover;
• Additional equipment - gearbox with speeds, pedal block;
• Advanced features, compatibility, wireless connectivity, and more.

The main parameter is the correspondence of the accessory with the software on the computer. Most of the new offers from the announced brands are universal steering wheels, they can be connected to a PC, different set-top boxes. In compiling the list, reviews from both professional gamers and amateurs also played an important role.

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Best Pedal Gaming Wheels

Initially, the steering wheels were produced in a small size without additional devices and functions. Today they are used for racing games, and to make the process as realistic as possible, a unit with pedals is attached to the device. They are made of plastic, durable metal, in the form of a brake, gas, clutch, some of them require a gearbox. After analyzing the technical and operational features of the best offers on the market, the experts named the leaders of this rating group.

Defender Challenge Mini LE

The gaming wheel is no longer an outlandish device, but a natural addition to a gaming PC or console. Defender Challenge Mini LE for 2000-2500 rubles is a modern and multifunctional device, in which there is perhaps only no feedback. If in the game the car will fly on trampolines, complex arcades, this defect will not affect the realistic sensations in any way. The quality is more than good, the unit fits well in the palm of your hand, the rubberized case with a diameter of 20 cm protects against slipping, and in order to accurately control the virtual transport, gas / brake pedals made of durable plastic are attached. A USB cable is provided for synchronization with consoles. The angle of rotation here can reach 180 degrees.

Advantages

• The price matches the quality;
• There is no dead zone;
• Good control sensitivity;
• Compact size;
• Easy to connect and configure;
• Comparable to many PCs and laptops.

disadvantages

• Small size of pedals;
• Lack of gearbox.

For the money, the Defender USB gaming wheel is good for amateur racing. There are drawbacks: the location, the size of the pedals for an adult may not be entirely comfortable. During an active race, the steering wheel may slip slightly due to weak suction cups. Build quality is generally good when used carefully without jerking or jerking.

Hori Racing Wheel Apex

You can enjoy racing games using the modern Hori Racing Wheel Apex device for 7000-8000 rubles. Such a gaming wheel with pedals is suitable for a computer and PlayStation versions 3, 4. To activate it, you need to connect it to a PC using a USB cable, and then test all the buttons presented, a block with pedals. The angle of rotation is much steeper here - 270 degrees, in addition there is vibration feedback for realistic sensations. The rubberized body with a diameter of 25 cm allows you to clearly fix the accessory in your hands, there will be a realistic pedal set under your feet.

Advantages

• Ergonomic design
• Programmable buttons;
• Adjustable angle of inclination of the pedals;
• Footrest;
• Variable steering sensitivity;
• Attractive design;
• Low price.

disadvantages

• Feedback (kickback) is not provided;
• Noisy paddle shifters.

This is a great offer for any beginner from a good manufacturer. Other well-known brands with the same functionality can inflate the price many times more. Due to the plastic fastening, it is recommended to take care of the device, to transfer it less from one place to another.

Thrustmaster T150 Force Feedback

This steering wheel is also comparable to a laptop / computer, the latest PlayStation consoles, only the price tag will show an average of 19,000-20,000 rubles.This is due to several advanced features, technologies - the steering wheel angle up to 1080 degrees, high-quality plastic, minimum weight, belt recoil, metal pedal block and 3 pedals at once, wheel diameter 28 cm. As you use, you can adjust the angle of inclination of the pedals, for 14 buttons are offered for comfortable control.

Advantages

• Feedback;
• Durable pedals
• High swing angle;
• Brake stop / shock absorber included;
• Pedals with adjustable stiffness, location;
• Metal switching petals;
• Built-in power supply.

disadvantages

• Noise during operation;
• Price.

When connecting to a computer for the first time, it may be difficult to configure, further control. If you have experience in using such devices, everything is done on an intuitive level. Further, we can note the absence of a dead zone, good stability of the pedals, resistance to overheating, heat can be felt only from the power supply unit during recharging.

Sven GC-W800

The Sven brand has developed a whole series of Gaming Wheels game wheels, one of which is the GC-W800 model for 4000-5000 rubles. A USB cable is used to connect to a computer. Such a device is as realistic as possible in comparison with the steering wheel of a real racing car. The case with rubberized inserts allows you to fix the steering wheel in your hands as clearly as possible without sliding. The angle of rotation is 180 degrees, in addition to the pedals, there is a built-in convenient gearbox. 12 keys are installed for control, 2 steering column connections, there is a "cross" button.

Advantages

• Accurate transmission of the smallest movements;
• Strong fixation of the steering wheel, pedals;
• Similarity to a real racing wheel;
• Inexpensive cost.

disadvantages

• Brittle plastic;
• No feedback.

At first, when testing the pedals, it is better to use traction control, and when the gas, the brake will respond well to control, it can be turned off.

The steering wheel is light in weight as it is made of soft plastic. The high vibration makes the race feel realistic.

Artplays Street Racing Wheel Turbo C900

The universal model Street Racing Wheel Turbo C900 from the renowned manufacturer Artplays with a price tag of only 5000-6000 rubles closes the subgroup of devices with a pedal unit. It is compatible not only with modern PC operating systems, but the latest versions of the Xbox, PlayStation, provided that the original gamepad is available. The model offers 15 buttons for comfortable control, a sensitivity control in the front panel, a lever for changing speeds. The steering angle here reaches 270 degrees, there is a vibration response, and the pedal unit is equipped with an anti-slip retractable system.

Advantages

• Budget model;
• Compatibility with modern devices, platforms;
• Fastening with clamps;
• Vibration motors;
• Stable pedals;
• Gear change lever included.

disadvantages

• Connection is possible through the original controller;
• There is no force return for realistic sensations.

Such an accessory can be supplemented with a computer for a child or an adult. Smooth movements, vibrations, the presence of pedals, a gear lever replicate the driving process in real life as much as possible. At first, during active use, you may smell rubber. It is advisable to tighten the clamps before each game, as they tend to weaken the fixation.

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The best gaming wheels with pedals and gearbox

Another popular type of such accessories is a gaming steering wheel with a gearbox. If it is not included in the kit, many gamers prefer to buy it separately, but today you can see cool devices on sale with all the necessary additions. The difference can be in the type of box - mechanical or sequential. The first completely copies the box of a real car, the second maintains a consistent increase, reduction of gears. Experts studied several dozen brands, models, after which the best gaming steering wheels with a gearbox were named.

Trust GXT 288 Racing Wheel

With such an extensive functionality, this accessory will cost relatively inexpensively, about 5000-7000 rubles. The rubberized wheel with a diameter of 24.5 cm, a rotation angle of 270 degrees, can be connected to a computer or Sony Playstation 3 via a USB cable. For realistic sensations, vibration, a block with a gearbox, and another block with gas / brake pedals are provided. The device is firmly fixed, does not dangle during the race, is easy to set up, demonstrates good responsiveness.

Advantages

• Good viewing angle;
• Rubberized body;
• Affordable price;
• D-pad included;
• Pedal pair, transmission;
• Rigid mount included.

disadvantages

• During the connection phase, there may be difficulties with configuration;
• Suction cups without attachment weakly hold the accessory.

This is a cheap, solid steering wheel for those who like to drive a sports car. The kit contains everything you need for a strong attachment, access to all functions and capabilities. With prolonged use, reviews confirm that there are no problems with fidgeting on the table. The installation drivers can only be "capricious", but they can be reinstalled at any time.

Defender Forsage Drift GT

This accessory can be connected with a wire to a computer or PlayStation version 3. Its feature is considered to be a low price of only 3000-4000 rubles, subject to the availability of a digital format gearbox and pedals. The angle of rotation is 270 degrees, and vibration feedback is provided for a realistic feeling. The 20 cm case has a special sensitivity control, the D-pad system controls movements. Thanks to the clamping method of fastening, the steering wheel will not stagger or slip during an active race.

Advantages

• Good build quality
• Large angle;
• The presence of a digital gearbox, pedal unit included;
• Strong attachment to the table;
• Many buttons for configuration, control;
• Low price.

disadvantages

• Light weight pedals, they slide;
• Bad suction cups, weak fixation.

This is a great option for a beginner, as it is equipped with all the necessary options and add-ons, but it is inexpensive.

It is advisable to install the drivers before the accessory is connected to the PC. In order for the zero position to be determined correctly, at the time of connection it is better not to touch it with your hands.

Artplays Street Racing Wheel Turbo C900 4.0

The last PC gaming wheel with gearbox presented in this category is Street Racing Wheel Turbo C900 4.0 from a domestic manufacturer with a price tag of only 5000-6000 rubles. The pedals are made of durable plastic - gas with more travel than a hard-pressed brake. The wheel with a diameter of 27.5 cm is also made of plastic, and you can see the rubber sheath on top of it. It has cutouts to fit your thumbs. Most of the details, and these are 16 buttons for comfortable control are located in the center. On the right is the gearbox, on its lever you can see pictograms with directions how to increase-decrease gears. The fixation is done with two clamps.

Advantages

• Smooth movements when driving;
• The steering wheel is realistic;
• High build quality;
• Different force of pressing the gas / brake;
• Compatible with different consoles.

disadvantages

• The smell of rubber, plastic;
• Over time, it starts to dangle.

After connecting to such a device, it will take some time to get used to, as it is especially sensitive. The fact that the pedals provide for a different degree of pressure can be observed only in expensive premium models. Outwardly, it feels like a solid steering wheel for a beginner, the best option for an experienced gamer.

Best 900 Degree Gaming Wheels

One of the most important parameters that determine the quality of the game is the steering angle. Therefore, gaming wheels for PCs of 900 degrees are in the greatest demand, popularity, as this is the best indicator for today. It allows you to practice on simulators in a realistic mode, just like on real sports cars. You need to understand that the management will be impressive, but difficult. Experts have studied, compared the nominees with an angle of 900 degrees, the best price-quality ratio, and then named two leaders.

Logitech G G920 Driving Force

A unique device for a realistic immersion in the racing process - Logitech gaming wheel with 900 degrees of rotation for 25,000 rubles. Initially, the manufacturer developed this unit for the Xbox console, but many users connect it to the computer too. It has 3 pedals - clutch, gas, brake. It is also possible to select speeds as close as possible to those of a real driver. The ergonomic shape of the wheel with a diameter of 26 cm allows it to be rotated up to 900 degrees, a vibration option is added.

Advantages

• Convenient use;
• Feedback;
• Petals on the body for changing speeds;
• Easy to connect, customize;
• Thoughtful organization of wires.

disadvantages

• There is no box for speed control;
• Tight brake when applied.

The increased functionality and capabilities can seem daunting on the first try. You just need to get used to such a device. Reviews note a good degree of fixation on the floor, the pedals are almost impossible to move. And the presence of the disadvantages of Logitek can be easily removed by disassembling the brake pedal, by purchasing additional elements.

Thrustmaster TMX Force Feedback

The most affordable device with such a large rotation angle for the newfangled Xbox One consoles is the Thrustmaster TMX Force Feedback for 16,000 rubles. Its feature is considered to be a hybrid recoil system, that is, a belt and gear mechanism. Other "older" models of this brand have a much lower return at a high price. In addition to the 28 cm diameter steering wheel, there is a plastic block with two pedals, and the brake has a built-in progressive resistance system. The steering wheel has an optical reading system for the most precise control.

Advantages

• Official firmware recognizing Xbox One;
• Adjustable pedal tilt;
• Strong attachment system;
• Large swing angle range;
• PC compatibility;
• High sensitivity parameter;
• Combined recoil.

disadvantages

• Fragile plastic of the case;
• No grip.

Before buying such a gaming device, you should make sure of the list of games and devices with which it "cooperates". Experienced gamers may not be as interested in driving without a clutch pedal. The package is ideal for arcade racing, if you do not buy other accessories.

Which game wheel is better to buy

The days when a joystick was used to control games are long gone. If the gamer devotes most of his time to racing, a modern functional steering wheel gamepad for PC and simulations will become an excellent assistant. You can choose it according to the parameters declared by experts, as well as the final conclusions of the review:

• Best Budget Gaming Wheel - Defender Challenge Mini LE
• Best value proposition for a decent quality price - Thrustmaster T150 Force Feedback;
• Best premium wheel - Logitech G G920 Driving Force

Which manufacturer you can trust is a purely individual question. The presented TOP with pros and cons will help you narrow your search and decide what to buy, which option to choose. Much depends on the console, the games being played, and the needs of the gamer.