The 7 Best Sim Racing Wheels For The Xbox – Ultimate Guide

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Finding a great sim racing wheel for your Xbox, whether you’ve got an Xbox One or a Series X/S, is a tough task. There are so many great options on the market, so we’ve put together a list of the best Xbox sim racing wheels to help you decide.

The 7 best sim racing wheels for the Xbox are are:

1. Fanatec Podium Formula Racing Wheel
2. Thrustmaster TX Leather Edition Racing Wheel
3. Fanatec ClubSport V2 GT Forza Motorsport Wheel
4. Logitech G923 Driving Force Racing Wheel
5. Fanatec ClubSport Drift V2
6. Logitech G920 Driving Force Racing Wheel
7. Thrustmaster TMX Force Feedback Racing Wheel

Below, we go through each of these wheels in more detail, and then we’ll discuss the kinds of things you need to bear in mind when choosing a sim racing wheel for your Xbox.

Note: If you want to check out the cheapest option on our list, see the Thrustmaster TMX wheel

The 7 Best Sim Racing Wheels For The Xbox

1. Fanatec Podium Formula Racing Wheel

Wheel Base Included: Yes | Pedals Included: No | Buttons: 20

The absolutely elite Podium Formula Racing Wheel bundle made by Fanatec is one of the only direct drive wheels currently on the market that caters to console, something previously unheard of in sim racing. But not only is it direct drive, but it’s also just an incredibly functional racing wheel too.

Direct Drive Experience

This highly sophisticated wheel offers direct drive, which offers the most immersive racing experience possible with a wheel. A lot of the drivers actually use this bit of kit in the off-season to train and prepare for races in the run-up to the season starting again!

If that doesn’t speak volumes about its absolute quality and immersion, I don’t know what does. The wheel base’s components are contained within the sleek, stylish box, with no USBs or wires causing havoc if you try and take a sharp turn. This is achieved with a cutting-edge level of wireless data transfer, all without delay.

Note: Fanatec do have a cheaper DD wheel base for those looking for Xbox-compatible direct drive on a budget.

You’ll be transported straight into an F1 cockpit with this wheel’s looks alone, and that doesn’t even begin to cover the innovative, exciting tech that’s put into it!

Lots Of Functionality

There are 20 buttons and switches, all with functionality you can program to personalize your drive, and a whole host of toggle switches, thumb encoders and rocker switches, all included where they can be operated without taking your hands off the compact wheel. It’s simply the best for simulating all things Formula 1 while also remaining highly competitive for other sim titles too.

Its direct drive honestly made me question whether I was in a racing car or sat in front of my rig, and it was like I was living out my dream of being an F1 driver! All of the info you could ever need scrolls across a little LED screen, and you can feel exactly how your car is performing simply by holding the wheel.

The Best Wheel For Xbox Racers

You get up to 20 Nm of peak torque at your disposal with the included DD1 wheel base, but it’s worth noting that you can pick up the Formula wheel rim on its own if you think the force feedback may be too strong for you and would prefer to combine it with a different wheel base (just make sure to get the Xbox compatible “V2.5 X” model). It’s also very expensive, so it might not be the best beginner choice!

However, for more advanced sim racers, or simply for those of all experience levels that have the budget for this racing wheel, you really won’t be disappointed with what it has to offer!

PROS:

• Incredibly immersive direct drive
• Perfect for fans of Formula 1
• It’s built to last

CONS:

• Specialized for F1 racing sims

2. Thrustmaster TX Leather Edition Racing Wheel

Wheel Base Included: Yes | Pedals Included: Yes | Buttons: 6

Thrustmaster never ceases to amaze me with their range of amazing products, so of course I’d include one of their best-sellers in this list of the best wheels for Xbox. The TX wheel isn’t just a great looking piece of kit, as it’s also incredibly immersive too.

Great Look & Feel

Just one glance at this wheel and you’ll agree that its looks are top-notch, with the brushed black metal front plate and complete leather covering. Unlike some other wheels out there, the face of the wheel is also lacking a lot of complicated-looking buttons, keeping everything simple for an immersive driving experience without any hassle.

All of the seams are hand-stitched, which minimizes the chunky stitching you can come across when a machine has done the work. Smaller stitches mean less discomfort for the driver, and it just points to the dedication of the manufacturer.

Brilliant Force Feedback

Now, looking at the tech offered inside the TX base, its force feedback is pretty fantastic. The wheel base offers industrial-grade brushless servo motors, which allow for smooth belt-driven force feedback that’s some of the best there is without going for direct drive.

You won’t be encountering any latency or delay in your inputs thanks to the contactless magnetic sensors that are powering the wheel base as well, which cements the long-lasting durability of this wheel. A nice little boon is the fact that everything works without friction, which means that the wheel base is positively silent, unlike other options that use gears for their force feedback.

Adjustable Force Feedback

Unlike many wheels that Fanatec offer, you can’t create numerous wheel profiles using the wheel itself. However, if you hook it up to a PC, you can program different levels of force feedback without spending ages tweaking it in-game. You can also upgrade firmware free of charge by doing this, and it’ll keep your wheel running seamlessly with new Xbox games further down the line.

A Decent Bundle

You’ll be able to buy the TX Leather Edition bundle, which includes the wheel, wheel base and T3PA pedal set. In short, you’ll be getting a whole sim racing setup for one relatively affordable. However, the pedals are a little lacking compared to the wheel itself, so we recommend upgrading these to the T-LCMs, as they’re some of the best sim racing pedals for Xbox.

Unlike some of the other wheels that Thrustmaster offers, the TX wheel rim is entirely made out of metal and covered with slick leather, so the whole thing just feels weighty and satisfying to drive with, and it’s suitable for beginners and more advanced racers alike.

PROS:

• Great bundle
• Amazing force feedback
• Sleek racing aesthetic

CONS:

• Not many buttons

3. Fanatec ClubSport V2 GT Forza Motorsport Wheel

Wheel Base Included: No | Pedals Included: No | Buttons: 16

The GT Forza Motorsport Racing Wheel is a real triumph of Fanatec’s sim racing excellence. Not only is this wheel directly sponsored by and developed in partnership with Microsoft and the makers of Forza, but it benefits hugely from Fanatec’s innovations in the sim racing world.

Realistic Racing Aesthetic

Unlike a lot of wheels, the GT Forza model boasts a highly realistic diameter of 33 cm, putting it close if not identical to that of many real racing cars. It feels weighty to the touch yet not overbearing, nor does it feel like a chore to get any wheel lock due to the lightweight aluminum rim.

I’ve found in sim racing that anything made of metal replicates the feeling of race cars far better than hard plastics, so that gives the GT Forza wheel a huge thumbs up from me!

Excellent Feel

It’s covered in genuine leather, which is very smooth to the touch and completed with stylish white stitching for a means to contrast the sleek black colors elsewhere. Normally I’d see the visible stitching as a turn-off because, sometimes, that stitching is raised and can cause more discomfort than it’s worth.

However, the stitches in the leather are rounded and softened, adding to the wheel aesthetics without negatively affecting your driving experience. Standard-issue shifter paddles can also be another issue when buying a wheel, because they might not fit your driving style.

Swappable Paddles

However, this wheel comes with both regular-sized and long shifter paddles that can be switched out at your leisure, allowing for yet more personalization for the driver.

A Great Racing Experience

You can adjust force feedback, range of rotation and more before saving up to five distinctly different wheel settings that you can choose at will (you’ll of course need to buy a wheel base separately).

The Forza wheel comes with Fanatec’s Universal Hub, which adds a host of buttons and functionality to an already brilliant wheel. While this wheel rim doesn’t come with a base, it’s compatible with Fanatec’s line of excellent wheel bases. This makes it a great choice for those already in the Fanatec ecosystem.

PROS:

• Highly compatible wheel
• Brilliant racing aesthetic
• Perfect for Forza fans

CONS:

• No wheel base included

4. Logitech G923 Driving Force Racing Wheel

Wheel Base Included: Yes | Pedals Included: Yes | Buttons: 10

The G923 isn’t Logitech’s newest offering, but it is their most recent in the beginner market (their most recent product is their direct drive Pro racing wheel). With this one, you get an upgrade over the ever popular G920 (see below) in a few key departments.

Trueforce Experience

The G923 looks very similar to the G920 (again, we’ll talk about that one below). However, the key difference between them is the addition of Logitech’s TrueForce feedback system. This goes above and beyond what the force feedback motor does, to offer a more immersive racing experience.

Essentially, it allows you to feel more of the nuances of the car, from bumps in the road to the varying engine tones. It does this through vibration motors in the wheel that emulate the kinds of things you’d feel in a real race car. It doesn’t bring the force feedback up to direct drive level, but it adds a new layer of immersion other wheels at this price point lack.

Improved Force Feedback

On top of the TrueForce addition, Logitech also upgraded the force feedback of this wheel over the predecessor, the G920. This means that, while it still uses gear technology, you do get an immersive force feedback experience for the price. All in all, you’ll get about 2 Nm of peak torque.

This means it’s really only going to be suitable for casual sim racers that want something a little bit extra (thanks to TrueForce), or beginners looking for a mid-range wheel to start their sim racing career with. It’s just going to leave more advanced racers wanting more!

A Great Looking Wheel

While the G923 looks very similar to the G920, that’s not necessarily a bad thing. You still get the sleek racing aesthetic and simple but effective button layout, which adds to the beginner friendly nature of this setup.

You get all the usual buttons, along with a handy dial that you can use to adjust things like traction control and brake bias when you’re racing. You even get a programmable dual clutch system, which can make it an ideal choice for those that need the perfect start in games like F1 2022.

A Great Beginner Choice

The plastic construction can make this wheel feel cheaper than it is, and the gear driven force feedback is going to leave many wanting more. However, if you’re a beginner looking for a decent bundle with included pedals, then this is a great option!

PROS:

• Dual-motor force feedback feels great
• TrueForce offers additional immersion
• Buttons are easy to reach

CONS:

• Plastic composition can make it feel cheap
• Gear-driven force feedback can be clunky at times

5. Fanatec ClubSport Drift V2

Wheel Base Included: No | Pedals Included: No | Buttons: 12

The ClubSport Drift Racing Wheel offered by Fanatec is the perfect choice for those that love a bit of rally racing or drifting. This wheel looks and feels amazing, and is the perfect addition to any setup out there. The wheel rim does require a compatible wheel base for it to work, but Fanatec has a good range to choose from.

Rally Style

The first thing you’ll notice when looking at this wheel is the ‘deep dish’ style it has, and this was specifically designed to assist sim racers who spend a lot of time on rally sims.

That isn’t to say it won’t be good for other sim racing games, but it’s certainly designed with rallying in mind. The whole wheel is made of brushed aluminum, with the front plate showing as a bright, bold red color, and the rim is covered with genuine leather for a smooth feel.

Great Compatibility

Like a lot of other Fanatec wheels, this beauty’s diameter is 32 cm, making it a better match for real racing car steering wheels out there. With this specific product, you’ll receive the wheel itself plus the ClubSport Steering Wheel Universal Hub for Xbox, which is a neat bit of kit that attaches to the back and allows all Fanatec wheels to become compatible with your Xbox One or Series X/S.

Highly Customizable

The biggest selling point of this wheel is how you can customize and personalize the whole setup to the extreme. If you don’t like seeing clutter all over your wheel, you can just keep the rim clean and drive without interference, using the buttons on top of the Universal Hub for controls instead.

Or if you’re somebody who likes to have every control within easy reach, you can attach up to four separate button boxes, each containing space for three buttons, so that they’re all floating around the wheel itself! This wheel in particular allows you to easily change the shifter paddles you want to include too, or you can even race without them.

Highly Compatible

The Universal Hub can be programmed and updated on your PC at any time you wish, and with all of the Xbox-specific controls/functions implemented within that Hub and the wheel itself, you’ll find that every new sim racing game that is released should be compatible with this wheel.

Overall, if you’re a rally fan, this is a no brainer to go for. However, if you want a rally wheel that comes with an included direct drive wheel base, and you have the budget for it, we recommend checking out this CSL DD bundle.

PROS:

• Perfect for rally driving/drifting
• Wide wheel rim
• Simple but excellent look and feel

CONS:

• Doesn’t include a wheel base
• Not the most suited to other racing styles

6. Logitech G920 Driving Force Racing Wheel

Wheel Base Included: Yes | Pedals Included: Yes | Buttons: 10

I can’t help loving Logitech products. They’re always there no matter where you search for sim racing gear, or even general tech items. And up next, we have one of the most popular beginner sim racing setups on the market.

A Brilliant Beginner Choice

The G920 Driving Force wheel specifically is the Xbox compatible answer to the hugely popular PlayStation variation, the G29. It certainly falls into the beginner category of racing wheels, but don’t discount it based on that classification! It’s a fun and powerful wheel that packs a punch.

Probably the most integral part of this Logitech wheel is the fact that it offers dual-motor force feedback. It’s not necessarily as fresh as that of the newer G923 discussed earlier, but it still stands up against some of the best beginner wheels that Thrustmaster has to offer. However, it is gear-driven, so it can sound and feel a bit clunky at times.

All The Essentials

Looks-wise, you don’t have as many buttons on this wheel as some of the others on this list, but you have all of the ones that count. You know, an Xbox home button, bumpers, triggers, and the A, X, Y and B buttons. They’re all located on the front panel of the wheel with a few being raised from those spokes, meaning that they’re all easy to reach.

On a lot of wheels, no matter the price point, the buttons are all found on the central panel, which can result in some finagling to try and hit the control you want – no such issues here! The gear shifting paddles are pretty long too, allowing for some flexibility in how you hold the wheel, whether it be at 3 and 9 or 10-to-2. They’re also made of stainless steel, so they feel realistic and satisfying to use.

Mounting & Build Quality

The wheel base itself is easily mountable to a racing cockpit, wheel mount, or even a desk using the built-in clamps, or it allows for you to use screw mounting points for extra stability (which we always recommend). For one of the more budget-friendly options on this list, you get incredible build quality. It features a hand-stitched leather wheel cover, meaning it’s not only comfortable to race with but it feels like it’ll last too.

Cheaper Build Materials

The Logitech G920 comes with the wheel base and a set of fully metal pedals at the lower end of the budget range. It follows the trend of mid-range wheels of being around 28 cm in diameter, which can be a negative for those of us out there who want absolute realism in our sim racing rigs.

And unlike the other wheels on this list, the G920 wheel rim is actually made of plastic. It’s sturdy, long-lasting plastic, but it definitely lacks a lot of the weight and oomph of metal-based wheels.

A Great Starting Point

It’s a huge shame because the brushed metal front plate of the wheel is deceptive in this way, and the wheel base is also very plastic-feeling. It isn’t a bad wheel by any means, and you’ll be getting amazing force feedback for a reasonable price, but the other wheels on this list simply have the edge over the G920. If you’re just getting into sim racing on Xbox, the G920 is still a great place to start!

PROS:

• Brilliant wheel for beginners
• Fairly budget friendly
• Decent force feedback

CONS:

• Plastic build materials
• Gear-driven force feedback

7. Thrustmaster TMX Force Feedback

Wheel Base Included: Yes | Pedals Included: Yes | Buttons: 12

Thrustmaster always manages to strike a balance between price and performance in the beginner to intermediate category, by offering all of the tech that we need for a great racing wheel and also offering their products at the lower end of the budget range. The TMX wheel is the perfect example of this.

Excellent Value For Money

While price is definitely a factor when selecting your sim racing gear in terms of budget, I’d really recommend you don’t look at price alone. You might end up missing out on things that you loved in more expensive bits of kit. But when looking at entry-to-mid-range wheels for the Xbox, the Thrustmaster TMX really does tick all the boxes.

First of all, the wheel looks pretty slick. If you’re going to spend time in a sim racing environment, whether it be a full cockpit or a wheel stand setup, you have to enjoy looking at your rig! The TMX definitely has the looks department covered.

The wheel is made out of a metal compound that’s brushed and painted dark all around. It also comes with rubber grips on the side, designed for driver comfort during long race sessions. The grips on the TMX specifically actually afford a more flexible way of holding the wheel, meaning you don’t have to stick to the rigid 9 and 3 hand positions if you don’t want to.

Reasonable Force Feedback

The base level of force feedback is pretty fantastic, made better by the adjustable nature of it. You can crank it up to max, or tone it down to minimal, whatever suits you best. This is delivered by a mixed system of belt-pulleys and gears, which gives an overall smoother, less noisy driving experience than gears alone.

You can attach the wheel straight to compatible wheel mounts, cockpits and even desks, allowing for flexibility in how and where you want to race. In spite of the versatility, there’s no compromise on sturdiness. The whole mounting attachment feels robust, so you don’t need to hold back when putting on that wheel lock.

Small Wheel Rim

The wheel’s diameter is 28 cm, which is smaller than a lot of Fanatec’s wheels, and this can be a positive or negative depending on what you’re looking for. The smaller size definitely makes it easier to make rapid turns, but it can make the rig feel a bit toy-like on sims like F1 2022 or iRacing.

Plug & Play

A nice boon of the TMX is the plug and play ability with your Xbox – there’s no need to program anything on your PC before using it. Every game that’s currently available, and even in future, is likely to be compatible with this wheel.

The TMX racing wheel plus a set of Thrustmaster pedals (namely the wide pedal set, not as good as the T3PAs) sits at the lower end of the budget range, making it great value for money.

A Great Budget Bundle

Sure, the pedals you’ll get are pretty lacking when compared to other pedal sets out there, but the wheel itself is worth the price. The biggest boon for me personally is the full metal composition, putting some real weight and oomph behind the wheel. Overall, it’s a great choice for beginners on a budget.

PROS:

• Simple setup
• Smooth, noiseless force feedback
• Great beginner bundle

CONS:

• Smaller wheel size isn’t great for full immersion
• Included pedals are pretty poor

Summary Of The Best Xbox Sim Racing Wheels

Wheel	Best For
Fanatec Podium Formula Racing Wheel	Those looking for the best force feedback on Xbox (and F1 fans)
Thrustmaster TX Leather Edition Racing Wheel	Those seeking powerful belt-driven force feedback
Fanatec ClubSport V2 GT Forza Motorsport Wheel	Forza fans in the Fanatec ecosystem
Logitech G923 Driving Force Racing Wheel	Absolute beginners looking for an alternative to the G920
Fanatec ClubSport Drift V2	Drift fans that already have a Fanatec wheel base
Logitech G920 Driving Force Racing Wheel	Beginners looking for one of the most popular choices
Thrustmaster TMX Force Feedback Racing Wheel	Those on a tight budget that still want force feedback

What To Look For In A Good Sim Racing Wheel For Xbox

Build Quality

The overall build quality of the wheel is very important to consider. Usually, cheaper wheels feature more plastic and less metal, which as a general rule isn’t what you want in a good sim racing wheel. Better build quality means higher prices and heavier equipment, but you really do get what you pay for.

Design

This is another factor that is very much based on personal preference. If you’re after a specific manufacturer’s badge to appear in the middle of your wheel, that can sometimes come with an extra price tag attached. The same goes for whether you want a traditional round wheel, or a more rectangular, formula-style wheel.

Force Feedback

A wheel without force feedback or with weak force feedback won’t feel satisfying to drive, and you’ll actually be at a disadvantage when feeling how much wheel input is required. Not all of the options on our list come with an included wheel base, meaning the force feedback will depend on the base you choose to buy separately. We’ve made it clear underneath each one if it comes with a base or not.

Price

Price should never be the main driving force behind your purchases, as getting the best sim racing product you can afford is far better than opting for a cheaper option that won’t offer enough immersion or last as long as a premium wheel. Use the price as more of a tie-breaker if there are two wheels that provide everything above in good measure, and you’re simply stuck on which one to buy.

Compatibility

This one might seem obvious at first, but compatibility with your Xbox, whether it’s an Xbox One or Series X/S, is obviously key when choosing a sim racing wheel. Many of the high end, more expensive sim racing manufacturers don’t produce options for console, so when you’re looking for a new wheel, make sure it – and any peripheral you’re looking to combine it with – is Xbox compatible.

What It Comes With

Finally, you may also want to consider what you get with your wheel when choosing the best one for your Xbox. We’ve already mentioned that some come with a wheel base, but others may come with pedals as well. If you’re starting from scratch, you’ll want to get a wheel base along with your wheel rim, and pedals may be a useful addition too, although bundles tend to include lower-quality pedals.

KEY POINTS

• Ensure the wheel you opt for is compatible with the rest of your rig

• Pay attention to build quality and whether it has force feedback

• Make sure to check if your chosen wheel comes with a wheel base

Final Thoughts

The best sim racing wheel for Xbox players is undoubtedly the Podium Formula wheel from Fanatec, given its incredible functionality and sleek racing aesthetic. However, options for those with a lower budget that don’t want to compromise on quality include the Thrustmaster TX wheel and the Logitech G923.