The 10 Best Sim Racing Pedals (Ultimate Buyer’s Guide)

Choosing the right set of sim racing pedals for your rig can be tough, as there are so many brands and options to choose from. However, once you know what to look for, it’s much easier to pick the best sim racing pedal set.

The 10 best sim racing pedals sets are:

1. Heusinkveld Ultimate+ Pedals
2. Fanatec Clubsport V3 Pedals
3. Simtrecs ProPedal GT
4. Heusinkveld Sprint Pedals
5. Asetek Invicta Pedals
6. MOZA CRP Pedals
7. Fanatec CSL Elite V2 Pedals
8. Logitech Pro Pedals
9. Thrustmaster T-LCM Pedals
10. MOZA SR-P Pedals

As well as revealing why each of the above pedal sets are ranked as they are, this article will explore the best ways to choose a sim racing pedal set, what to look for when buying one, and much more.

Note: Our list is structured roughly in terms of overall quality, but it's very difficult to separate some of these options, and everyone needs different things from their sim racing gear. We've based our ranking on many different factors, so there are some options for beginners, more experienced racers, and competitive drivers too.

The 10 Best Sim Racing Pedal Sets

1. Heusinkveld Ultimate+ Pedals

Mechanism: Load Cells + Hydraulic Dampers | Compatibility: PC

Our list begins with one of the most renowned manufacturers in the sim racing space. Heusinkveld’s Ultimate+ pedals are trusted by professional racers and amateurs alike, and they provide some of the highest levels of immersion possible. While they are not aimed at beginners, they are worth checking out for anyone that is looking for the ultimate (pun intended) racing experience.

Incredible Build Quality

What sets these pedals apart from many other options on the market is their solid build quality. They’re made from precision laser cut steel, and this means they offer a durable construction with zero flex. Not only do they offer reliability over time, but they also look amazing too!

The functionality of these pedals is also ahead of most of the competition, thanks to the triple load cell setup paired with hydraulic damping. Starting with the load cells, you get one on each pedal. While definitely not necessary, we’re not complaining about some additional accuracy on the gas and clutch pedals.

Great Adjustability

They’re custom-built load cells, and they offer 12-bit resolution for a responsive experience on every pedal. The brake pedal features a 200 kg load cell capable of handling up to 140 kg of force – more than enough for most people. You can adjust the feel of the brake pedal using the various injection molded elastomers.

This allows you to customize your racing experience very easily to replicate any kind of braking feel you can imagine. The hydraulic dampers on each pedal add a new layer of immersion, helping to simulate the finer details of braking that you would feel in a real car. They’re also present on the throttle and clutch pedals too, offering resistance at the ingoing and outgoing stroke of the pedal.

No Maintenance Required

Because these pedals aren’t fully hydraulic – as the hydraulic dampers don’t interact with the sensors in any way – they don’t require any additional maintenance that some hydraulic sets do. This makes them easier to use and somewhat beginner friendly, although again we must note that these pedals are not aimed at the beginner market (and they’re expensive too).

Aside from the hardware, you also get access to Heusinkveld’s Smart Control software for making even more adjustments to how the pedals feel to use. You can save your settings to various profiles, making for a very customizable and easy to use experience.

Overall, these pedals are the ideal choice for sim racers at the top of their game, and for those that want to race competitively. They’re not cheap, and beginners likely wouldn’t be able to get the most out of them anyway, and so the Heusinkveld Sprint pedals would be a better choice. But the Ultimate+ pedals are still some of the best around!

PROS:

• Incredible build quality
• Hydraulic damping for excellent feel
• Very adjustable hardware and software

CONS:

• Very expensive
• Caters to a more competitive/advanced market

2. Fanatec ClubSport V3 Pedals

Mechanism: Load Cell Brake | Compatibility: PC / PlayStation / Xbox

Now it’s time to discuss the best set of pedals for console racers, the Fanatec ClubSport V3 Pedals. Among the sim racing manufacturers out there, Fanatec offers some of the best product innovation and build quality out there, and these pedals are no exception to that rule.

Excellent Build Quality

They come in sleek, CNC-machined black aluminum, which makes the pedal set the right mixture of sturdy and lightweight. The base is weighted and can be mounted with compatible wheel stands or cockpits, or it will sit without moving on hardwood or carpeted floors. However, we always recommend you hard mount your pedals for the best experience.

The accelerator and clutch come equipped with magnetic and contactless sensors for both a long life and maximum performance (although some users have reported sensor issues after years of heavy use). You’ll also find a load cell on the brake, which can take up to 90 kg of braking pressure.

Note: There is also an inverted set of these pedals for those that prefer this aesthetic and level of immersion

Tool-Free Adjustments

Perhaps the biggest benefit of all is the fact that you can adjust the brake without tools! You can achieve this by going into the Fanatec tuning menu, accessible through a Fanatec wheel or by plugging them into a PC, and you can tweak the preload easily with the built-in screw.

You can also make physical adjustments to all the pedals so that they can be reached comfortably, and you can even swap out the current pedals faces for different styles as you see fit.

Vibration Functionality

What I find very compelling about these pedals are the vibration motors on the accelerator and brake pedals. For the accelerator, the motor will vibrate to indicate wheelspin, and the motor on the brake will replicate ABS and tire lockups.

The ClubSport V3 pedals are compatible with PC and consoles, and thanks to Fanatec’s future-proof engineering, they won’t be going out of date any time soon! By updating the firmware, you can guarantee that the pedals will keep functioning with all new racing games that release for all systems.

Easy To Set Up

They also boast a very easy set-up, with plug-and-play available with all Fanatec wheels that are compatible with each respective system. You need to ensure that you have a wheelbase and racing wheel that will support the pedals if you’re on console, but PC users can obviously mix and match.

With these pedals, you’ll be buying an advanced addition for your sim racing rig that will enhance your driving and overall experience with its various realistic features and exceptional build quality. They’re a great balance of quality and cost, and their console compatibility played a big part in earning their spot so high up on our list.

PROS:

• Compatible with PlayStation & Xbox
• Great load cell brake
• Additional immersive vibration functionality

CONS:

• Some sensor issues after many years of heavy use

3. Simtrecs ProPedal GT

Mechanism: Load Cell Brake + Hydraulic Damping | Compatibility: PC

Up next we have a pedal set that offers an incredible amount of adjustability and an overall construction that is up there with the very best. The ProPedal GT set from Simtrecs is one of the sleekest looking products on the sim racing market, and they have performance levels to go along with that slick look.

Immense Adjustability

We’ll start with the adjustability of these pedals, as there are a lot of options at your disposal! First let’s consider the software, which is Simtrecs’ SmartDrive software, allowing you to fully customize all aspects of how your pedals behave. You can create custom profiles and curves for each pedal to tweak your deadzones and braking force to your liking.

You can choose between linear, exponential, one point and multi-point pedal characteristics, which is beyond what most beginners and even experienced sim racers will need. However, for those that want the ultimate level of control over every aspect of pedal behavior, this is a truly excellent feature.

Physical Adjustments

When it comes to making physical adjustments, it’s very easy with these pedals. You can tweak the distances between each pedal, the positions of the pedal facings on the brake and the clutch, and also the heights of these two pedals as well. You can also tweak the pedal angles of the throttle, brake and clutch.

Note: While you can't tweak much of the throttle pedal's physical setup as the pedal's face is attached directly to the pedal arm, the large pedal design means it will likely suit most driving styles anyway.

Each pedal also features hydraulic damping (like the Heusinkveld Ultimate+ pedals), and this helps to offer a very smooth pedal feel for easier modulation. The brake pedal’s damper features a resistance adjuster screw, allowing you to tweak the feel as precisely as you could ever need!

You can also swap out nuts and washers to change the preload behavior of the brake, and you can sub in lots of different elastomers to tweak the feel even further. There is plenty of adjustment on the clutch pedal too for those that need it, and it naturally feels firmer at the start of the pedal travel, before getting softer at the end, simulating a real clutch’s feel.

Build Quality

These pedals are exceptionally well made, with CNC machined billet aluminum making up the bulk of the pedal design. There is no wobble or flex with the Simtrecs ProPedal GT set, and the build quality continues in the electronics within the pedals themselves, including the use of Vishay potentiometers, which outperform (by a long way) standard potentiometers found on cheap pedal sets.

These are an expensive choice, and they’re aimed at those looking for premium sim racing pedals that offer a huge range of customization options. The video below shows these pedals in action, and you’ll see why we find them so impressive!

PROS:

• Unbelievable build quality
• A huge range of adjustability
• Very immersive feel

CONS:

• An expensive choice
• Can be hard to find

4. Heusinkveld Sprint Pedals

Mechanism: Load Cells | Compatibility: PC

For many years, Heusinkveld has been purpose-building pedal sets and other high-quality sim racing gear specifically made for excellence, especially since real race drivers the world over use their products to stay at the top of their game. This set of pedals is designed for esports professionals and casual racers alike, offering consistency and realism in equal measure.

Build Quality

This pedal set is made with absolute precision, composed of laser-cut steel for both lightweight responsiveness and that coveted sturdy feel. The manufacturer went above and beyond normal testing procedures and used complex mathematical models to calculate how the pedals would travel and with how much force. This leads to a very accurate set of pedals at your feet.

Loads cells can be found on all three pedals, which is a very premium feature indeed at this price point. While there are no hydraulic dampers like we saw on the Ultimate+ pedals from Heusinkveld, they still provide excellent feel and this significantly reduces the price too.

Lots Of Adjustability

You can adjust each pedal’s physical position, and you can also program each pedal’s resistance and loads of other variables on your PC. Being able to configure deadzones and output curves to suit your needs allows for lots of customization over your sim racing experience.

But don’t let that put you off, casual PC sim racers! The pedals are also user-friendly, and you can start using them straight away. It’s just nice to have all of those customization options available, especially when you start to get competitive.

Reliable & Durable

If you buy these pedals, you’ll be buying a set that will last and evolve with the rest of your sim racing rig. And as you progress as a racer, you can accurately adjust this pedal set for continued improvement. Just note that you’ll need to pick up a pedal baseplate separately (as is common with high end pedal sets).

The limiting factor is, of course, the lack of compatibility with consoles. This is due to the high processing power required to run these pedals, along with licensing hoops manufacturers need to jump through to make them compatible with PlayStation and Xbox. But if you own a PC, the Sprint pedals are an excellent choice!

PROS:

• Very reliable pedals
• Ability to be customized to precise levels
• Superior build quality

CONS:

• Only compatible with PC
• A fair bit more expensive than the Fanatec V3s

5. Asetek Invicta Pedals

Mechanism: Hydraulic Brake | Compatibility: PC

Up next we have the Invicta pedals from Asetek, and these are another great looking set of pedals with performance chops to boot. They’re a mid range pedal set, but they perform like some of the more expensive options too. They feature a brilliant hydraulic brake, and this makes them ideal for advanced racers that put a focus on immersion.

Great Looking Pedals

It’s worth noting right off the bat that these pedals look great. The exact color scheme might not be to everyone’s tastes, but there’s no doubt that they stand out from the others that go for a plain and simple machined aluminum look. These pedals are still made from CNC machined parts, but Asetek went the extra mile in making these pedals a true work of sim racing art!

But the real selling point of the Asetek Invictas is their hydraulic brake. Well, to be more specific, the T.H.O.R.P. system that Asetek came up with that utilizes Twin Hydraulic Opposing Rapid Pistons. Essentially, this makes for a very realistic feeling brake pedal that allows you to really dial in your muscle memory for maximum consistency.

You can adjust the feel further by swapping out the elastomer inside the brake component, and this will affect the level of play you get in the pedal before the hydraulics kick in. This is responsible for the ‘dual stage’ braking in these pedals, and whether or not this suits your racing style will really come down to personal preference.

Note: The brake pedal on the Invictas is very stiff. This will take some getting used to, and it may not suit every sim racer, but it can allow you to really dial in your muscle memory over time.

Adjustability

You’ll see a lot of different knobs and dials on these pedals that you can use to adjust various aspects of them, with the accelerator and clutch for example featuring a dial that allows you to adjust the end stop of the pedals. This tweaks how far the pedal itself can travel.

You can also adjust the feel of the throttle by swapping out the standard spring, and you can change the pedal angles as well. You can also adjust the pedal facings too, so you can position them to suit your racing style.

Note: There are two versions available, and the 'S' version is the one to go for if you want to be able to adjust the spacing between the gas and clutch pedals. You might also want to pick up their separate pedal facings if you race in socks, as the standard metal facings are a little rough!

Other Points To Note

If you use a shifter, you’ll be able to benefit from the clutch pedal’s bite point feel (the clutch is sold separately). You can adjust the physical bite point of the pedal with what you feel in-game, and this is really useful for getting the perfect launch in games that rely on manual transmission use.

Overall, these pedals go above and beyond what many sim racers will ever need, but they do offer some of the most immersive feel that you’ll find. They’re not the most expensive options out there either, so they’re definitely worth checking out if you’re looking for a hydraulic brake.

PROS:

• Incredibly immersive brake
• Excellent build quality
• Designed to emulate a real race car’s pedals

CONS:

• Brake pedal feel may not be for everyone

6. MOZA CRP Pedals

Mechanism: Load Cell Brake | Compatibility: PC

Up next we have a Fanatec competitor in the brand MOZA, and their CRP pedals are currently the best they have to offer. These advanced load cell pedals are truly impressive, but they are a bit more expensive than Fanatec’s ClubSport offering, which is why they’re lower down on our list. However, they are still a very good choice for those looking to take their sim racing up a level.

Pure Immersion

These pedals offer some incredible immersion, in large part thanks to the high-quality load cell sensor in the brake pedal. This provides realistic braking feel, and of course it’s highly adjustable via springs and damper blocks, and you can tweak things further using MOZA’s Pit House app right from your phone.

The brake pedal is what most sim racers will be looking at when comparing pedal sets of course, but another unique feature of these pedals that adds to the immersion is the 3-stage clutch. This offers three levels of resistance to better emulate how it feels to press a real clutch pedal, and this can also help you nail those launches at the start of races too.

Note: Obviously this won't be much of a selling point if you don't race manual cars, but it's worth considering if you plan to upgrade your rig with a shifter in the future.

Excellent Design

The overall look of the pedals is striking, with the black and gold color scheme sure to add a premium aesthetic to your rig. The long, organ-style throttle pedal is certainly eye-catching, but it can also allow for more consistency and comfort if that’s the style of pedal you prefer.

You can easily adjust the travel of each pedal, and you can change their positions too, for easy optimization of your sim racing setup. You can tweak the angles of the pedals as well, and their CNC aluminum design makes them look, feel, and perform at a premium level.

High-Quality Kit

The load cell is a 100 kg sensor, which is more than enough for most people’s braking needs. It’s designed for consistency and precision, and it helps make this pedal set one of the best on the market. However, another reason these are marked lower than the similarly priced ClubSports is that they are not compatible with console, which is a shame for those on PlayStation or Xbox.

However, if you’re on PC and are looking for a premium load cell pedal set, this is definitely one to consider. MOZA are also constantly expanding and improving their ecosystem of products – these pedals in particular have been updated several times using feedback from real sim racers.

PROS:

• Excellent build quality
• Immersive load cell brake
• 3-stage clutch

CONS:

• Quite expensive
• Only compatible with PC

7. Fanatec CSL Elite V2 Pedals

Mechanism: Load Cell Brake | Compatibility: PC / PlayStation / Xbox

The CSL Elite V2 set is part of Fanatec’s CSL Elite line of sim racing products, described to be best for entry-level racers without compromising on quality. If you’ve got a Fanatec wheel and base but can’t stretch to the ClubSport set, these pedals will definitely be the ones for you.

Durable Pedals

The whole set of these matte black pedals is made of metal and then coated with a matte metal powder, guaranteeing long life. They also come with detachable rubber pedal sleeves that you can easily put on or take off, giving you more control over the specific feel of the pedal facings themselves.

The pedal set’s base is weighty and has anti-slip pads underneath, meaning that if you don’t mount it into a wheel stand or cockpit, they still won’t be going anywhere under hard braking (although we always recommend hard mounting your pedals if possible). Its brake has a load cell installed, and this means you can apply up to 90 kg (200 lbs) of force to the pedal.

Each pedal in the set can be individually adjusted in both height and spacing to make driving as comfortable as possible. You also have the option to use the Fanatec tuning menu to adjust your brake settings, or tweak it physically with the elastomers at the back of it.

More Flexibility

If you already have an installed pedal mount and can’t have a free-standing base, don’t worry! You can remove all of the pedals from their base and mount them separately into your cockpit.

The pedals are a pretty nice mixture of technical and simplistic, with the ability to be used easily by casual racers and more experienced racers alike. For their price, you’ll be getting a set of pedals that will last for a long time and grow with you, thanks to the adjustable brake pedal.

They do fall short compared to the ClubSport V3 pedals of course, because they lack vibration motors that add an extra bit of immersion to your rig and they’re not the most adjustable. But they’re still a solid set, especially if you’re looking for something competitive on the cheaper side.

PROS:

• Excellent load cell brake
• Interchangeable pedal covers
• Simple racing aesthetic

CONS:

• Not as feature-rich as the ClubSport pedals
• Not the most adjustable

8. Logitech Pro Pedals

Mechanism: Load Cell Brake | Compatibility: PC / PlayStation / Xbox

Next up we have the Pro pedals from Logitech, which are the newest addition to the brand’s sim racing pedal lineup. These are also the first pedals you can pick up separately, with the only other pedals from Logitech being bundled with everyone’s favorite entry level wheel – the G29/G920 (although there are G923 pedals too now).

A True Upgrade

The Pro pedals really are an upgrade over the standard pedals that come with Logitech’s entry level wheels, and that’s down to the fact that they use load cell technology rather than potentiometers for the brake pedal. This offers a far more accurate and immersive racing experience.

The pedals came out alongside Logitech’s Pro wheel, and they’re designed specifically for that. They’re a fairly budget friendly set, being much cheaper than most of the sets we’ve discussed above, which makes them a good choice for beginners. If you’re on console (which is a large part of Logitech’s market), you can of course only use these with a Logitech wheel base.

Note: If you plan to use these pedals with a Logitech G29 or G920 wheel, you will need to purchase Logitech's separate adapter.  

As is to be expected from Logitech, you get a solid build here, although there is a fair bit of plastic involved. This helps keep the price down, but it does mean they’re mostly targeted at beginners looking to upgrade from their potentiometer pedals, as they’re not a high-end set.

Adjustability

You get a reasonable amount of adjustability with the Pro pedals, as they feature a modular design that allows you to move each pedal to your preferred position. However, there’s not as much adjustment as with other pedals on this list, although you can tweak the facing positions as well, or remove the pedals entirely and add them to your own mount.

You can also swap out the springs on the clutch and accelerator pedals if you want to tweak their feel, and for the brake pedal you get some elastomers to adjust its behavior as well.

Overall, the lack of any standout features and relatively weak adjustability, combined with the use of plastic, leaves us feeling that these pedals are a bit overpriced. They’re a good upgrade for those coming from G29/G920/G923 pedals, but realistically, if you’re a beginner looking for your first load cell pedals, consider the final two options on our list instead.

PROS:

• Ideal for those in the Logitech ecosystem
• Very beginner friendly
• Sleek look

CONS:

• A bit overpriced
• Not much adjustability

9. Thrustmaster T-LCM Pedals

Mechanism: Load Cell Brake | Compatibility: PC / PlayStation / Xbox

Next we have the T-LCM pedals from Thrustmaster. These are some of the best pedals for beginner and intermediate sim racers thanks to their reasonable price point and excellent feel. Offering a load cell brake, this is a great value for money set for those in the Thrustmaster ecosystem.

Excellent Build Quality

They’re a fairly bulky and heavy set of pedals, but that just reminds you of the solid construction and high-quality that you can expect from a brand like Thrustmaster. With three pedals, you can make full use of your gear shifter and handbrake setup, making these and ideal set for fans of rally racing.

The real star of the show is the load cell brake pedal, which can take up to 100 kg of force (220 lbs) and offers a highly realistic feel. There are a few different springs included here too, so you can adjust the brake to feel just as you need it to, allowing for a fully customizable sim racing experience.

Speaking of customization, you can also adjust the pedals using the 9 different adjustment holes on each one. This allows you to tweak the height, inclination and positioning of your pedals with ease. Adjustability continues into the software you can use to fine-tune things like dead zones and braking force.

Ideal For Beginners

If you’re an absolute beginner, this might all seem a bit complex. However, you don’t need to touch any of these adjustments if you don’t want to, making these an ideal pedal set that works perfectly right out of the box. As they’re a load cell set, you’ll want to ensure you can secure them into your rig, but once you do, you’ll be in for an excellent sim racing experience!

PROS:

• Ideal for beginners and intermediate racers
• Load cell for excellent feel
• Good value for money

CONS:

• Quite heavy
• Fair bit of plastic in their construction

10. MOZA SR-P Pedals

Mechanism: Load Cell Brake | Compatibility: PC

Finally we have another entry from MOZA, and this time it’s their cheaper load cell offering in the SR-P pedals. These offer a great sim racing experience for beginners and more advanced racers too, and they’re cheaper than the CSL Elite V2 pedals from Fanatec.

Great Set Of Pedals

These pedals are aimed at the beginner to intermediate level of sim racers, with the load cell brake pedal offering a decent level of immersion, and the relatively low price point catering to those on a bit of a tighter budget. The pedals don’t suffer much in terms of build quality as a result of being cheaper though, and their all-metal construction reflects that.

They’re made from high-strength steel, which adds a bit of weight, but it ensures they’re built to last, rather than featuring any plastic components. They’re fairly easy to mount to your rig, and they can connect to your PC via USB port, which means you can use these pedals alongside other manufacturers’ equipment.

The 75 kg load cell is impressive at this price point, and it offers plenty of immersion that you can customize from your phone with MOZA’s Pit House app. The brake pedal uses both the load cell and an angle sensor to allow fine-tuning of your braking experience, and while there are more customizable options out there, this strikes a good balance between price and performance.

Why They’re Lower Down On The List

The cheaper price point for much of the same immersion level as the CSL Elites might leave you wondering why these pedals sit so low on our list. There are two main reasons for this, with the first being that these pedals are not console compatible. Secondly, you need to pick up an accessory kit separately if you want maximum adjustability.

While this accessory kit isn’t going to break the bank, we’d have liked to see it included here. The kit comes with a few extra springs and damper blocks to give you additional customization over your braking experience. Again, it’s quite cheap, but given it’s not included, and the fact these pedals can’t be used on console, we had to bump them down a bit.

Overall, for the price, you get an excellent set of pedals that would do well as anyone’s first introduction to load cell technology. These would serve as the ideal starting point for someone in the MOZA ecosystem, with the CRP pedals we discussed earlier serving as the natural next step once you improve your racing skills and start wanting more!

PROS:

• Excellent value for money
• Strong 75 kg load cell
• Solid beginner choice

CONS:

• Not console compatible
• You need to buy a separate accessory kit for more adjustability

Summary Of The Best Sim Racing Pedals

Pedals	Notes
Heusinkveld Ultimate Pedals	Incredible build quality Immersive feel thanks to hydraulic damping Very expensive
Fanatec Clubsport V3 Pedals	Console compatible pedals Vibration functionality for extra immersion Some sensor issues after many years of use
Simtrecs ProPedal GT	Excellent construction Huge amount of adjustability Can be hard to find, and they’re a bit pricey
Heusinkveld Sim Pedals Sprint	Great middle ground option Load cells on all three pedals More expensive alternative to the Fanatec V3s
Asetek Invicta Pedals	Very immersive hydraulic brake They look fantastic The very stiff brake can be tough to get used to
MOZA CRP Pedals	A good (but more expensive) Fanatec V3 competitor But they won’t work on console Unique 3-stage clutch
Fanatec CSL Elite V2 Pedals	Simple but brilliant design Good entry-level load cell pedals Not the most adjustable
Logitech Pro Pedals	Great upgrade from the G29/G920/G923 pedals Very beginner friendly A bit overpriced for what you get
Thrustmaster T-LCM Pedals	Ideal choice for beginners/console racers Decent amount of adjustability Quite heavy considering there’s some plastic in there
MOZA SR-P Pedals	Brilliant value for money Great for beginners Not console compatible

Other Sim Racing Pedals Worth Checking Out

The sim racing pedal market is growing rapidly, with new entrants seeming to appear on a monthly basis at times. Below are some honorable mentions that didn’t make our list of the absolute best sim racing pedals, but that are still worth checking out. We’ll mention who they might be best suited for too so you can quickly gauge if they’re the ideal choice for you.

In most cases this is going to be a personal preference thing, as many of these are priced around the same and their main differences lie in the aesthetics or specific functionality. The big exception to that is the Simucube Active Pedal, which is a whole different beast!

Simagic P2000 Pedals

The Simagic P2000 pedals are some of the coolest looking pedals on the market, and they’re some of the most adjustable too. There are lots of options available, with 100 kg and 200 kg load cell versions (220 and 440 lbs). They are a hydraulic set, so they’re not designed for beginners, but given they’re hydraulics their price isn’t too astronomical.

The video below goes through these pedals in immense detail, so you will definitely be able to gauge if these are a good option for you.

Meca Evo1 Pedals

The Meca EVO1 pedals are another exciting looking product that just oozes quality. They’re made from 4 mm thick steel, with the build quality present on the exterior and in the electronics that make these pedals work. They use a load cell brake, and along with adjusting how the pedal behaves, you can also adjust the facings and positions to suit your preferences.

There’s also a load cell on the throttle pedal for improved accuracy, and overall these pedals are a great choice for PC racers that play a lot of GT and F1 racing games. There is also a hydraulic version of these pedals too, but the load cell variant is going to be adequate for most racers.

ImSim Talento Pedals

The ImSim Talentos offer a simple racing aesthetic, but the real magic is in the performance of these pedals. You get a 160 kg (350 lb) load cell brake pedal that can be adjusted using various elastomers, and the gas and clutch pedal (should you opt for one) also offer a realistic experience that can be tweaked very easily.

While these aren’t the flashiest pedals on the sim racing market, they are worth checking out if you’re looking for an adjustable, high-quality load cell set.

Venym Atrax Pedals

Venym are a fairly new entrant in the world of sim racing, but their Atrax pedals are getting a lot of attention. Endorsed by Former F1 driver and current IndyCar driver Romain Grosjean, these pedals look amazing. They’re available in a wide array of colors, and their sheer build quality and performance is truly impressive for their price point.

These aren’t cheap by any means, but if you’re in the market for a set of high performing load cell sim racing pedals, they’re definitely an option to consider. See the video below for a whistle-stop tour of why they’re so exciting!

Simtag Hydraulic Pedals

If you’re in the market for a set of hydraulic pedals, this option from Simtag is worth checking out. They’re tough to get your hands on, but they are some of the most well-built (and expensive) pedals on the market. They feature a modified Tilton 600 Series assembly, so they’re built to last and perform at the highest level.

They’re fully hydraulic, meaning they’re beyond what most sim racers will ever need, and they do require a bit of maintenance. However, they’re still one of the best hydraulic pedal sets around.

Simucube Active Pedals

Finally, we have the Simucube Active Pedals. These are arguably the most exciting development in the sim racing space, as they are a force feedback pedal set – well, actually you buy the pedals individually, so ‘set’ isn’t the right word. You can buy an individual pedal and use it as a brake, gas or even a clutch pedal.

But at the high price point, you’re unlikely to be getting more than one of these at a time! They aim to provide the most immersive racing experience on the market thanks to their unique ABS and traction control-replicating force feedback, and so these are really only for the most dedicated sim racers with the biggest budgets!

How To Choose A Sim Racing Pedal Set

How Often Do You Race?

Think about how much time you spend sim racing. Are you hoping to compete in esports competitions, topping leaderboards consistently on most days of the week? Or are you an amateur enthusiast just looking for a bit of extra realism when you have the chance to sit down and race on the weekends?

Do you need a load cell brake, or will potentiometers be enough for you? How often you plan to race and what you want from the experience will be a huge deciding factor in how you go on to pick a set of sim racing pedals, because it has a lot to do with budget, and what kind of mechanism you want in the pedals.

Mechanisms

By mechanism I’m usually referring to the technology within the brake pedal as it’s the most important one, but this is something to consider on all pedals, including the gas and the clutch. As a beginner, you might be familiar with potentiometer pedals, which use mechanical sensors to measure pedal travel distance.

These are now largely being replaced by Hall effect sensors, which are more reliable than potentiometers as they work using a contactless system. These are fine for the gas and clutch, as while you want a load cell on the brake (see below), you don’t typically need it on the other pedals.

Note: All of the options on our list use either a load cell or a hydraulic brake, but many of them feature Hall effect sensors on the gas and clutch pedals.

The best option for the brake pedal for most sim racers is the load cell. These measure pressure – how hard you press the pedal – rather than travel distance – how far you press it. Not only are load cells more reliable than potentiometers as well, but they’re also far more accurate and better replicate how it feels to brake in a real car, boosting the immersion factor.

Lastly, you have hydraulic pedals, which use hydraulic fluid to measure braking force. Some pedals are fully hydraulic, while others just feature hydraulic dampers to offer better feel without affecting the sensor input. These are the most expensive, and definitely not a must-have – especially for beginners!

As a summary:

• Potentiometers, while now rare on new pedals, are the most basic pedal mechanism
• Hall effect sensors are a step up, but they’re still not that immersive (but they’re fine for the gas and clutch)
• Load cells are the ideal choice for most sim racers, balancing price, ease of use, and performance
• Fully hydraulic pedals are above what most racers need, but hydraulic damping can boost immersion

Your Budget

If you like to race competitively, you’ll need to be comfortable with spending a bit more cash. And if you’re a more casual enthusiast, you should probably consider cheaper pedal sets without compromising on features and longevity. If you want to see the cheapest options on this list, check out the Thrustmaster T-LCMs or the MOZA SR-P pedals.

Compatibility

Aside from budget, there’s another very practical factor to think about before committing to a particular pedal set. You need to consider what gear you already have and whether it will be compatible with the pedal set of your dreams!

PC gamers will be able to mix and match their sim racing gear to make a rig, so it isn’t as crucial for them to think about. But for console gamers, a Thrustmaster pedal set will only work with Thrustmaster racing wheels, and Fanatec pedals will only work with Fanatec racing wheels. Many pedal sets simply aren’t compatible with consoles at all, so bear that in mind when browsing for your next set.

The best pedals for console racers are the Fanatec ClubSport V3s (or the CSL Elite V2s if you’re on a tighter budget), although the T-LCMs from Thrustmaster are also a good choice.

The Features

You should also be looking at what’s offered in terms of features when browsing for pedals. This includes things like brake technology, extra features like rumble for ABS and traction control, and adjustability. One of the most unique pedal sets on the market is the ClubSport V3 set from Fanatec, which features vibration motors on the gas and brake pedals.

Build Quality

The materials they’re built from and the overall build quality are also very important to consider. Plastic just won’t cut it when looking for realism and longevity, as it’ll feel too flimsy and generally won’t last as long as metal will. The best materials for pedal sets are metal-based, even the lightweight kinds, because it feels closer to a real car.

Some of the best build quality can be seen in Heusinkveld’s Sprint and Ultimate+ pedals.

Stability

Another key feature to look for is stability. The last thing you want is a pedal set that shoots out from under you in heavy braking zones. A large part of a set’s stability comes from the materials used to build it, and of course heavier sets made of metal will help with this aspect a lot. Always opt for pedals that can be hard mounted to your rig.

Note: All of the pedals on our list can be hard mounted to your rig

Adjustability

Finally, I’d always recommend looking for plenty of adjustability in your sim racing pedals. In a physical sense, it’s a no-brainer for the comfort factor to have pedals that you can move to different positions so you can press on them properly and without straining yourself.

And when looking at racing ability, pedal sets that come with adjustable sensitivity and dead zones etc on a per-pedal basis are the gold standard. There’s nothing more satisfying than slamming on the brakes to the effect of realistic resistance pushing back against you. You’ll feel like you’re in a real race car’s cockpit, not in front of a screen!

KEY POINTS

• Always opt for the best set of pedals you can afford

• Choose a set that’s durable and stable

• Adjustability and other unique features will also come into play

Final Thoughts

There’s a lot to think about when choosing your next sim racing pedal set, but the main things to focus on are build quality, the level of immersion offered, and compatibility with the rest of your rig. If you want the very best option, then you should opt for the Heusinkveld Sprint pedals, but the Thrustmaster T-LCM pedals are a good choice for beginner and intermediate racers.