Many people get into sim racing after watching YouTubers or streamers play. But you may be left wondering what equipment they use, and in particular what sim racing wheels the top YouTubers and streamers use.
The top 6 sim racing wheels used by YouTubers & streamers are:
- Fanatec Podium F1
- Thrustmaster TS-XW Sparco P310 Competition Mod
- MOMO x Ascher Racing x MiGE C26s
- Thrustmaster T150/TMX
- Thrustmaster T300/TX
- Logitech G29/G920
Below, we go through each of these wheels in more detail so that you can decide which one is best for you. The YouTube and streaming landscape is constantly changing, but these are some of the most popular wheels used by the biggest names in the space.
- • Powerful force feedback
- • Excellent wheel rim
- • Highly compatible
- • Great for beginners
- • Decent build quality
- • Pedals included
Top 6 Sim Racing Wheels Used By YouTubers & Streamers
1. Fanatec Podium F1
Fanatec’s Podium lineup of wheels and wheel bases is a popular one on the YouTube and streaming scene. This section would be too long to go into all the different options used by various YouTubers, so our pick for the best one used by YouTubers and streamers is the Podium F1 wheel. It has sadly been discontinued though, so you can only pick it up second hand.
There are still lots of options to choose from, with the following wheel bases/bundles available in the lineup:
There are also plenty of Podium-compatible rims available, whether you want to go down the formula racing route or if you want to buy a rim separately they have options for endurance racing fans, NASCAR racers, and everyone in between.
One notable YouTuber that uses the Podium wheel base and an assortment of wheels is Super GT. With more than 750,000 subscribers, he’s one of the most popular sim racers on the platform. He particularly likes the F1 Podium wheel base (no longer available) combined with the McLaren GT3 rim.
2. Thrustmaster TS-XW Sparco P310 Competition Mod
There is no getting away from the quality built into this machine. Tiametmarduk (PC version), AR12Gaming, TC9700Gaming, TmarTn2 and HenrikM to name just a few choose to use this piece of equipment while they are driving, so you know that it has the YouTube community seal of approval.
A real premium product, it uses brushed steel and aluminum, comprehensive force feedback technology, and it offers a huge range of rotation. Everything about this product screams premium, but with a premium product comes a premium price.
There are much more affordable and better value options available should you just be getting started in sim racing, but the Thrustmaster TS-XW Racer with Sparco P310 mod is up there with some of the best non-direct drive wheels on the market.
3. MOMO x Ascher Racing x MiGE C26s
This is part of Jimmy Broadbent’s semi-custom setup. A part of the joy of sim racing is being able to break down a lot of the equipment that you use, design some of your own combinations, and have complete control over every aspect.
A simple old style MOMO wheel has been given a C26S button plate from a company called Ascher Racing. This transforms the cheap and not the most appealing wheel into one that now has a sequential flappy paddle option, as well as more buttons on the wheel so you can race more cleanly with more control.
The real heart of this setup though comes from what this wheel is attached to. The OSW MiGE is a motor that you can attach to your wheel that offers some of the most astonishing performance you can buy. This is a serious bit of kit for those beyond even the world of YouTube. Of course, you can expect all the best features with regard to control and performance with this setup.
4. Thrustmaster T150/TMX
Next is an offering that is also seen on one of the most popular YouTuber’s channels: the Thrustmaster T150 used by BlackPanthaa.
The T150 is available for PlayStation and PC while the TMX is available for Xbox. You get great force feedback along with some rumble, which is enough for any beginner sim racer. It also comes with 900 degrees lock-to-lock turning and some pedals.
A problem with wheels at this price is compromise, and the included pedals aren’t the best quality, feel a little plasticky, and don’t offer great resistance. The wheel itself is also made from steel and plastic and doesn’t feel as well made as other options on the market. However, for beginners on a budget, this is a great starting point.
5. ThrustMaster T300/TX
Previously used by the likes of Tiametmarduk, this wheel is for sure a step up in quality. The T300 or TX (depending on your system) is a great mid-range sim racing wheel, usable by beginners and more advanced racers too.
Compatible with both PC and Xbox, this is a hand-stitched leather beauty. It offers smooth, ultrafast and realistic force feedback. It also has a metal, 3-pedal setup that not only gives you the best driving experience, but it looks amazing as well. Also, with 900 degrees of rotation lock-to-lock, this wheel offers you great control for a pretty reasonable price.
This wheel sits firmly in the mid-range category and is a good choice for those who want something that looks and races a little better than the T150.
6. Logitech G29/G920
Used most notably by Xpertgamingtech, the Logitech G29/G920 offers a great range of specs at relatively competitive price. It’s also one of the most popular beginner sim racing setups, so it’s worth checking out if you’re just getting started.
This wheel comes with decent force feedback and a great overall feel, and you get some pedals included too. The Logitech G29 is compatible with PC and PlayStation, while the G920 is available for the PC and Xbox.
Both models come with a 3-pedal set, and the wheel itself is made from steel and aluminum, with a hand-stitched leather cover. It also comes with paddles on the back for shifting gears, but should you prefer a stick shifter, there is a clutch pedal that can work in conjunction with the Logitech Driving Force Shifter. Overall, it’s one of the best beginner sim racing wheels around.
Final Thoughts
The best sim racing wheel used by YouTubers and streamers is the Fanatec Podium F1, but it is no longer available from Fanatec. There are lots of other popular options, and as new wheels come on the market – and as new sim racers break out onto the scene – the variety of wheels being used only increases further.
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