Prices from Amazon AU, updated daily. Swipe or use the arrows for more.
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Quick summary8 picks
- Entry PickThrustmaster T98 Ferrari 296 GTS about$1921.8" screen.
- Thrustmaster T80 Ferrari 488 GTB Edition… about$240
- HORI Wireless Racing Wheel APEX for… about$311
- Logitech G29 Driving Force Racing Wheel and… about$350
- Logitech G920 Driving Force Racing Wheel… about$350
- PXN V99 PC Racing Wheel with Pedals and… about$369
- Thrustmaster T128 Force Feedback Racing… about$400
- Most PremiumLogitech G923 Racing Wheel and Pedals about$450
What under $500 buys you in a racing wheel
Under $500 is where most people buy their first wheel, and it's a good place to start. For that money you get a proper force feedback wheel with floor pedals from Logitech or Thrustmaster, or a lighter wheel without force feedback for younger kids and casual racing. What you don't get is direct drive, which starts around the top of this range and climbs fast from there.
The wheels here are the ones most people learn on, and plenty of drivers never feel the need to go further. A Logitech G29 or a Thrustmaster T128 bolted to a decent stand will run every popular racing game on PlayStation, Xbox or PC, and they're common enough that parts, mounts and advice are easy to find. That counts for more than a spec sheet when something needs replacing.
If you've already outgrown this range, or you're shopping for direct drive from the start, our main racing wheel guide covers the Logitech RS50, Thrustmaster T598, Fanatec and MOZA bases. This guide is for the first wheel, the kid's wheel and the casual racer who wants something better than a controller without spending close to a thousand dollars.
All five picks are sold by Amazon AU, from $193 to $450. Three have force feedback, and two don't state it on their listings, which I've flagged clearly because it's the biggest single difference between wheels at this price.
Force feedback is the line to draw
Force feedback is a motor in the wheel base that pushes back against your hands. It's how the wheel tells you the front tyres are losing grip, the car is sliding, or you've clipped a kerb. Without it, a wheel is mostly a big analogue stick with a spring that pulls it back to centre. That's fine for younger kids and arcade games, but it's a different thing to drive.
The Logitech G29, Logitech G923 and Thrustmaster T128 all state force feedback in their titles. The Thrustmaster T98 uses what Thrustmaster calls bungee cord technology, which is a spring system that recentres the wheel with linear resistance. The HORI Wireless Racing Wheel APEX listing doesn't mention force feedback at all, so I'd treat it as a wheel without it. Read the title and features for the words force feedback before you buy anything at this price.
For anyone who wants to get better at driving in games, I'd stretch to a force feedback wheel. It's the thing that makes a wheel worth having over a controller, and it's the reason lap times come down. For a young kid or a casual party game setup, the spring wheels make sense, because they're lighter, quieter and harder to damage.
Force feedback wheels are louder and draw more power, because there's a motor working against you. They also need a firmer mount, because the motor will rock a wheel that's loosely clamped to a light table. Plan for a solid desk or a folding wheel stand if you're buying one.
Gears, belts and what the motor drives
Force feedback wheels at this price use either gears or belts between the motor and the wheel. Gear driven wheels are simple and tough but can feel a bit notchy, because you feel the gear teeth as the wheel turns. Belt driven wheels are smoother and quieter. Both are a long way from direct drive, where the wheel bolts straight onto the motor shaft, but both are good enough to learn on.
Logitech's listings for the G29 and G923 say they use helical gearing for smooth, quiet steering. Helical gears have angled teeth that mesh more gradually than straight-cut gears, which takes some of the notchiness out. The Thrustmaster T128 listing doesn't say how its force feedback is driven, so I won't guess. The T98 and HORI APEX don't have force feedback, so there's no drive to worry about.
Whatever the drive, force feedback strength at this price is modest. That's no bad thing for a first wheel, because it's enough to feel grip and slides without wearing your arms out. If you turn it all the way up, you mostly get clipping, where the motor runs out of strength and fine detail disappears. Somewhere around the middle of the range usually feels best.
Gear driven wheels also make more noise. The motor and gears whirr and click under load, and in a quiet house at night that carries further than you'd think. If the wheel lives near a bedroom, a rubber pad under the stand and sensible force feedback levels help, and so does a belt driven or direct drive wheel later on.
PlayStation, Xbox or PC
Racing wheels are platform locked. A wheel built for PlayStation won't work on an Xbox, and the other way around, because each console needs its own licensed controller chip. Most wheels also work on PC, so the console version you buy decides what else you can use it with. Check the listing title for PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S and PC before you order.
That's why the same wheel often appears twice on Amazon AU at different prices. The Logitech G29 is the PlayStation and PC version, and the G920 is the same wheel for Xbox and PC, both $350 at time of writing. The Thrustmaster T128 is $400 for PlayStation and PC and $365 for Xbox and PC. The G923 listing I've picked is the PlayStation and PC version, and Logitech sells an Xbox version separately.
If you play on PC only, either version usually works, so buy whichever is lower priced on the day. If you own both consoles, pick the one you race on most. Selling a wheel to switch platforms costs more than people expect, so it's worth getting right the first time.
PC players get the widest choice of games and settings, and the most control over force feedback through each maker's software. Logitech uses G Hub, and Thrustmaster has its own control panel. Console players get fewer settings, but the wheels are set up to work straight out of the box with the big racing games.
The pedals in the box, and upgrading them later
Every pick here comes with pedals, but they vary a lot. The Logitech G29 and G920 come with floor pedals, and the listings say the brake is pressure-sensitive and nonlinear with adjustable pedal faces. The G923 listing mentions a progressive brake spring and polished metal pedals. The T128 comes with what Thrustmaster calls magnetic pedals. The T98 and HORI APEX include pedals too, but their listings say little about them.
Pedals are usually the first thing serious drivers upgrade, because consistent braking matters more than the wheel. Logitech sells its RS Pedals for about $232 on Amazon AU, and Fanatec's CSL Elite Pedals V2 are about $399. Check that any upgrade pedals work with your wheel base before buying, because some connect through the wheel and some plug into a PC by USB, and console support varies.
Whatever pedals you have, mount them properly. Pedals sitting loose on carpet or a hard floor slide away under braking, and you lose consistency every lap. A stand or cockpit with a pedal plate fixes that, and so does a rubber mat with a heavy chair against the base.
Desks, stands and cockpits
All of these wheels clamp to a desk or table. The T98 listing says its clamp suits desks and tables up to 4.5cm thick, and the HORI APEX comes with a sturdy clamp for a desk, table or wheel stand. The Logitech wheels and T128 can also be bolted to a stand or cockpit, which holds them far better than a clamp once the force feedback is working.
Desk clamps work loose. Force feedback slowly rocks the wheel, and you end up tightening it every session. The desk also shakes, which knocks drinks over and makes monitors wobble. It's fine to start on a desk, but most people move to a proper wheel stand or a full cockpit within a few months. A stand costs less than the wheel and makes it feel better straight away.
If you do use a desk, put a thin rubber pad under the clamp jaws to protect the desk and stop the wheel creeping, and check the desk can take the load. Glass desks and thin flat-pack tops aren't good homes for a force feedback wheel. Pedals still need something to stop them sliding, which is the other reason a stand helps.
If you share the wheel, set the pedal faces and spring feel to suit the main driver and leave a note of the settings. Kids and adults usually want very different brake pressure, and swapping back and forth every session wears the adjusters.
Rotation, buttons and the small stuff
Rotation is how far the wheel turns from lock to lock. The Logitech G29 and the Thrustmaster T128 list 900 degrees, which is about two and a half turns, like a road car. The T98 lists 240 degrees, which is more like an arcade or kart wheel. The HORI APEX listing doesn't give a rotation figure. For most games, more rotation is better, because the game can set it lower for cars that need less.
Buttons and extras matter less than people think, but a few are handy. The G923 has a programmable dual clutch for launches in supported games, an LED RPM indicator and a 24-point selector. The T128 has engine speed LEDs, magnetic paddle shifters and handbrake buttons on the wheel. The T98 has a Ferrari-style Manettino dial with three profiles. The HORI APEX is wireless, with a battery life of up to 10 hours and a receiver that plugs into the console.
Sound matters too. A decent gaming headset tells you a lot about grip from the tyre noise, and it keeps the motor noise from force feedback wheels out of the rest of the house. That's worth thinking about if the wheel lives in a lounge room.
Cables and power are simple here. The force feedback wheels run from a power brick, and none of them come close to stretching a 10A power point. Keep the brick off the carpet, plug it into the wall or a decent powerboard, and use the supplied USB cable rather than a long extension, because low-quality extensions cause dropouts.
How I picked these five
I searched Amazon AU for racing wheels with pedals between about $150 and $700, kept new listings sold by Amazon AU, and sorted them by sales rank. I left out direct drive wheels, which have their own guide, and the Thrustmaster T248R, which sits just above $500 and is already covered in the main wheel guide. I also left out a G29 bundle listing whose features still talked about a game pre-order, and a G923 and shifter listing whose title mixed up model numbers.
The five I picked from the best-ranked of those are the Logitech G29 and G923, the Thrustmaster T128 and T98, and HORI's wireless APEX. The Logitech G29 and its Xbox twin, the G920, are the best-ranked wheels in this range on Amazon AU, which says a lot about how many first wheels they've become. A few close contenders are in the extras below the picks.
Prices move week to week, and wheels in particular get discounted around sales and before Christmas. Check the current price, and check the platform in the title, before you buy.
I also weighed how easy each wheel is to repair and add to later. The Logitech and Thrustmaster wheels have the widest range of shifters, stands and replacement parts, which is a big part of why I'd lean toward them for a first force feedback wheel.
The 5 picks, $193 to $450
Prices are Amazon AU at time of writing (2026-11-06) and move week to week. Ranks are Amazon AU category sales ranks, checked the same day.
Logitech G29 Driving Force Racing Wheel and Floor Pedals (PS5, PS4, PC)
ASIN B076P3QK6K • $349.95 • Ships from Amazon AU
The G29 is the wheel I'd point most first-time buyers to, and Amazon AU's ranks say plenty of people agree. It's #59 across the whole of Amazon AU, the best overall rank of any pick here. It has force feedback through helical gearing, which the listing says gives smooth, quiet steering, plus 900 degrees of rotation and a hand-stitched leather cover. The floor pedals are sold on braking feel, and the listing says the brake is pressure-sensitive and nonlinear with adjustable pedal faces. It's also been around long enough that every major racing game on PlayStation and PC supports it properly, which isn't always true of newer or less common wheels. That counts for a lot on a first wheel.
It's sold by Amazon AU at $350, and the model code is 941-000115. It ranks #4 in Amazon AU's PlayStation 4 Controllers category, and it works on PS5, PS4, PC and Mac. If you're on Xbox, the G920 (941-000126) is the same wheel for Xbox and PC, also $350 at time of writing, and its listing states a two year limited hardware warranty. The paddle shifters are stainless steel, and Logitech sells a Driving Force Shifter that adds an H-pattern gear stick. The wheel and pedals are built mostly from plastic, and the listing says 52% of the plastic parts are certified post-consumer recycled plastic. It's one of the easiest wheels to find mounts, cockpits and spare parts for.
For a first force feedback wheel, it's hard to go past. Bolt it to a stand rather than clamping it to a desk if you can. Keep the force feedback around the middle of its range. Mounts, shifters and spare parts for it are easy to find, which matters if something wears out in a few years. Wipe the leather cover with a damp cloth now and then, because sweat and sunscreen dry it out. Store it away from a sunny window. It's the wheel I'd buy first, and the one most people keep using even after they upgrade the pedals.
Honest caveats: It's gear driven, so it can feel a little notchy next to belt or direct drive wheels. The brake pedal is a spring-and-rubber design rather than load cell. It's a PlayStation and PC wheel, so Xbox owners need the G920. The G29 listing data doesn't state a warranty, though the G920's does.
Best for: First-time buyers on PlayStation or PC who want force feedback, floor pedals and easy upgrades.
Price: $350 • Seller: Amazon AU • Model: 941-000115 (G920 Xbox: 941-000126) • Platform: PS5, PS4, PC, Mac • Force feedback: Yes, helical gearing • Rotation: 900 degrees • Pedals: Floor pedals, pressure-sensitive brake • Shifters: Stainless steel paddles • Rank: #4 in PlayStation 4 Controllers (Amazon AU)
View on Amazon AU
Logitech G923 Racing Wheel and Pedals with TRUEFORCE (PS5, PS4, PC)
ASIN B08GYQX1YH • $449.95 • Ships from Amazon AU
The G923 is the step up from the G29, and the main difference is TRUEFORCE. Logitech says TRUEFORCE connects to game engines for high-definition force feedback, processing at 4,000 times per second, so supported games can pass engine and tyre detail through the wheel. It adds a programmable dual clutch for launches, a built-in LED RPM indicator, a 24-point selector and a progressive brake spring. The wheel cover is hand-stitched black leather and the pedals are polished metal. In games that support it, TRUEFORCE is the clearest upgrade over the G29 under $500, and in games that don't, you still get the extra buttons and metal pedals. It's a noticeably better finished wheel.
It's sold by Amazon AU at $450, and the model code is 941-000152. Its title and features list PS5, PS4 and PC controls, although Amazon AU ranks the listing #1 in its Xbox One Accessories category, so read the title carefully and buy the right version for your console. It's #107 across the whole of Amazon AU. It's the only pick here with a two year warranty stated on its own listing, and force feedback, sensitivity and button settings can be changed through Logitech G Hub on PC. The extra $100 over the G29 mostly buys TRUEFORCE, the dual clutch, the RPM lights and the warranty, so weigh those against a wheel stand, which you could buy with the difference.
If you want the best feel you can get under $500 and you play games that support TRUEFORCE, this is the one. Check your main games support it before paying the extra over the G29. Mount it firmly, because the stronger detail rocks a loose clamp. Keep the G Hub software updated on PC. Wipe the leather and metal pedals down now and then. Don't leave it clamped to a desk long term, because the stronger feedback works clamps loose faster. If you're on Xbox, buy the Xbox version rather than trying to make this one work.
Honest caveats: TRUEFORCE only works in supported games, and in others it behaves much like a G29. It's still gear driven. Amazon AU ranks this listing under Xbox accessories while its title and features say PlayStation and PC, so confirm the platform on the listing before you order.
Best for: Racers who want Logitech's best force feedback under $500 and play games that support TRUEFORCE.
Price: $450 • Seller: Amazon AU • Model: 941-000152 • Platform: PS5, PS4, PC (title) • Force feedback: Yes, TRUEFORCE • Extras: Dual clutch, RPM LEDs, 24-point selector • Pedals: Polished metal, progressive brake spring • Warranty: 2 years (listing) • Rank: #1 in Xbox One Accessories (Amazon AU)
View on Amazon AU
Thrustmaster T128 Force Feedback Racing Wheel and Magnetic Pedals (PS5, PS4, PC)
ASIN B0BFQFHYHB • $399.95 • Ships from Amazon AU
The T128 is Thrustmaster's entry force feedback wheel, and it's the alternative to the G29 for people who want a different feel or a different upgrade path. The listing says the force feedback lets you feel speed, surfaces, bumps, impacts and loss of tyre grip. It has 900 degrees of rotation, engine speed LEDs to help with gear changes, and magnetic paddle shifters using what Thrustmaster calls its patented H.E.A.R.T technology. There are handbrake buttons on the wheel for rally and drift games. It's a tidy package, and the magnetic paddles and wheel-mounted handbrake buttons are things you'd normally pay more for. It's a solid first step into Thrustmaster's range, which goes all the way up to direct drive.
The PlayStation and PC version is sold by Amazon AU at $400, model code 4160860, and it ranks #64 in Amazon AU's PlayStation Accessories category. The Xbox and PC version is $365 at time of writing, model code 4460250, ranked #160 in Xbox One Accessories. That price gap is worth checking on the day, because it moves around. The pedals are sold as magnetic pedals, which Thrustmaster uses to avoid the wear of a traditional potentiometer, although the listing doesn't explain the details. It ranks well below the G29 on Amazon AU, so it's the less common choice, but that's no bad thing if you prefer Thrustmaster's feel or already own Thrustmaster gear.
For a first Thrustmaster wheel, it's a sensible place to start. Pick the version that matches your console. Bolt it down rather than clamping it if you can. Keep the force feedback strength sensible at first, and turn it up once you know how the wheel behaves. Check the firmware is up to date through Thrustmaster's software on PC, because updates often fix force feedback or pedal quirks. Keep the pedals on a mat or plate so they don't slide. If you outgrow it, the T248R and T598 are the next steps up in the same family.
Honest caveats: The listing doesn't say whether the force feedback is gear or belt driven, and it doesn't give a pedal count or a warranty. It ranks well below the Logitech wheels on Amazon AU. The PlayStation and Xbox versions are priced differently, so check both before you buy.
Best for: First-time buyers who want force feedback, magnetic paddles and a Thrustmaster upgrade path.
Price: $400 (Xbox version $365) • Seller: Amazon AU • Model: 4160860 (Xbox: 4460250) • Platform: PS5, PS4, PC • Force feedback: Yes • Rotation: 900 degrees • Shifters: Magnetic paddles (H.E.A.R.T) • Extras: Engine speed LEDs, handbrake buttons • Rank: #64 in PlayStation Accessories (Amazon AU)
View on Amazon AU
HORI Wireless Racing Wheel APEX for PlayStation and PC (SPF-022U)
ASIN B0DCCZCR26 • $311.16 • Ships from Amazon AU
The HORI APEX is the wireless option, and it suits a lounge room where you don't want a cable across the floor. The listing says the battery lasts up to 10 hours, and it comes with a 6.6 foot charging cable, about two metres, so you can play wired while it charges. A wireless receiver plugs into the console, with a listed range of up to 32 feet, around ten metres. It's officially licensed by Sony and works on PS5, PS4 and Windows 11 and 10. It's a different kind of wheel from the Logitech and Thrustmaster picks, and it's here because wireless is a real advantage in a shared lounge room. Nothing else here offers it.
It's sold by Amazon AU at $311, and the model code is SPF-022U. It ranks #23 in Amazon AU's PlayStation 5 Controllers category and #1,284 overall. It comes with pedals and a sturdy clamp for a desk, table or wheel stand. The listing doesn't mention force feedback anywhere, so treat it as a wheel without it, which is the biggest thing to know before you buy. It also doesn't give a rotation figure. That's a trade-off rather than a flaw, because no force feedback means no motor, no power brick and less noise, which suits a family lounge room. The listing doesn't give the pedal count or describe the brake either, so check the current product page if that matters.
For a family lounge room setup or a younger driver on PlayStation, wireless is genuinely handy. Charge it fully before the first session. Keep the receiver plugged in and the wheel within range. If force feedback matters to you, the G29 costs about the same and has it. Turn the wheel off after a session so the battery isn't drained for next time. Don't leave it charging in a hot car or a sunny window. Keep the clamp pad clean so it grips the table properly, and recheck it before each session. It's a simple, tidy wheel.
Honest caveats: Force feedback isn't mentioned on the listing, so don't expect the wheel to push back. The rotation angle, pedal details and battery type aren't stated. It's a PlayStation and PC wheel only. At about the same price as a G29, it's a choice of wireless over force feedback.
Best for: PlayStation families who want a wireless wheel for the lounge room and don't need force feedback.
Price: $311 • Seller: Amazon AU • Model: SPF-022U • Platform: PS5, PS4, Windows 11/10 • Force feedback: Not stated on the listing • Wireless: Yes, receiver up to about 10m • Battery: Up to 10 hours (listing) • Mount: Clamp included • Rank: #23 in PlayStation 5 Controllers (Amazon AU)
View on Amazon AU
Thrustmaster T98 Ferrari 296 GTS Racing Wheel (Xbox, PC)
ASIN B0F2FSXBJK • $192.50 • Ships from Amazon AU
The T98 is the entry wheel here, and it's built for younger kids and casual racing rather than serious driving. It doesn't have force feedback. Instead it uses Thrustmaster's bungee cord technology, a spring system with automatic recentring and linear resistance. It has 240 degrees of rotation, which suits arcade and kart style games, and a Manettino dial with three profiles, with or without driving support. It's officially licensed by Ferrari and styled on the 296 GTS. It's the lowest priced pick by a fair way, and it's the right kind of wheel for a young driver who'll be rough with it and won't miss force feedback. Ferrari styling goes down well with kids.
It's sold by Amazon AU at $193, and the model code is 4460297. It ranks #38 in Amazon AU's PC Controllers & Gamepads category and #956 overall. It works on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One and PC on Windows 10 and 11, and it comes with a pedal set. The quick clamping system suits desks and tables up to 4.5cm thick, so check your table edge before you order, because a thick table top won't fit the clamp. It ranks #956 across the whole of Amazon AU, the third-best overall rank of the five, so it's a popular choice for exactly this job. The listing doesn't say how many pedals are in the set, or give a warranty.
For a kid's first wheel on Xbox, it's a lot more fun than a controller and much less to lose if it gets knocked around. Show them how to clamp it properly. Keep the cable clear of chair wheels. When they're ready for force feedback, a G920 or the Xbox T128 is the next step. Teach them to wind the clamp in firmly but not crank it. Keep drinks off the table it's clamped to. It packs away in a cupboard after each session, which helps if it shares the lounge room with the TV.
Honest caveats: There's no force feedback, and 240 degrees of rotation is a long way short of a road car. It's Xbox and PC only. The listing says little about the pedals. It's a wheel for fun and younger drivers, not one to learn proper car control on.
Best for: Younger kids and casual racers on Xbox or PC who want a wheel without the cost of force feedback.
Price: $193 • Seller: Amazon AU • Model: 4460297 • Platform: Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC • Force feedback: No (bungee cord recentring) • Rotation: 240 degrees • Extras: Manettino dial, 3 profiles • Clamp: Desks up to 4.5cm thick • Rank: #38 in PC Controllers & Gamepads (Amazon AU)
View on Amazon AUSide-by-side comparison
What we see fail in the workshop: entry racing wheels
Entry wheels are tough, but they get a hard life on desks, floors and lounge rooms, and a few faults come up again and again. Most of them aren't the motor or the electronics at all. These are the three I'd check first before deciding a wheel is dead, and the first two are often quick fixes.
Pedals that read wrong or spike
Pedals that read partly pressed when they're not, or jump around mid-race, are the most common entry wheel fault. Many entry pedal sets use potentiometers, which wear and pick up dust over time, and the result is a jumpy reading. A loose or damaged pedal cable causes the same symptoms. Check the cable and connector first, recalibrate in the game or software, and clean the pedal mechanism gently. If a potentiometer is worn, it can usually be replaced, which costs far less than a new pedal set.
Force feedback that rattles or cuts out
A force feedback wheel that rattles, clunks or loses its feedback has usually got a mechanical or power problem rather than a dead motor. Gear driven wheels can develop a rattle when the gears wear or something works loose inside. A wheel that cuts out under strong feedback is often a power brick or lead issue. Check the brick, its lead and the wall socket, and try the wheel on another USB port. If it still cuts out, it's worth having it opened up and checked.
Clamps, mounts and USB ports
Desk clamps strip, crack and work loose, and a loose wheel strains its own mounting points and USB cable every time the force feedback kicks. Worn USB ports on the wheel or console also cause dropouts that look like a faulty wheel. Mount the wheel firmly, use the supplied cable, and don't leave weight hanging off the connector. A worn port can usually be repaired, which costs less than replacing the wheel.
Decision tree: which one should you actually buy?
- It's your first force feedback wheel on PlayStation or PC? → The Logitech G29 at $350 is the best-ranked wheel here, with floor pedals and 900 degrees of rotation.
- You're on Xbox? → The Logitech G920 is the Xbox version of the G29 at $350, or the Xbox T128 is $365.
- You want the best force feedback under $500? → The Logitech G923 at $450 adds TRUEFORCE, a dual clutch and RPM lights, with a stated two year warranty.
- You want a wireless wheel for the lounge room? → The HORI Wireless Racing Wheel APEX at $311 runs up to 10 hours on battery, but doesn't state force feedback.
- It's for a young kid on Xbox? → The Thrustmaster T98 Ferrari 296 GTS at $193 is a simple spring wheel with pedals.
- Your wheel or pedals are playing up? → Bring them into our Erina workshop. We'll find the fault and tell you what it'll cost to fix before you spend anything.
Frequently asked questions
What's the best racing wheel for a beginner?
For most beginners, a force feedback wheel like the Logitech G29 on PlayStation or PC, or the G920 on Xbox, is the safe choice. It has force feedback, 900 degrees of rotation and a floor pedal set, and it's the best-ranked wheel in this range on Amazon AU. The Thrustmaster T128 is a good alternative. For young kids, a simpler spring wheel like the Thrustmaster T98 costs less and is harder to damage.
Do I need force feedback on a racing wheel?
If you want to get better at driving in games, yes. Force feedback pushes back through the wheel so you can feel grip, slides and kerbs, which is what makes a wheel worth having over a controller. Spring wheels without it, like the Thrustmaster T98, recentre but don't tell you what the car is doing. They're fine for young kids and casual arcade racing. Check the listing for the words force feedback before you buy.
Will a PlayStation racing wheel work on Xbox?
No. Racing wheels are platform locked, because each console needs its own licensed controller chip. A PlayStation wheel works on PlayStation and usually PC, and an Xbox wheel works on Xbox and usually PC. That's why the Logitech G29 (PlayStation) and G920 (Xbox) are listed separately, and why the Thrustmaster T128 has a PlayStation version and an Xbox version at different prices. Check the title before you buy. PC players can usually use either version.
Is the Logitech G923 worth it over the G29?
It depends on your games. The G923 adds TRUEFORCE, which uses game engine data for more detailed force feedback in supported games, plus a dual clutch, RPM lights and a stated two year warranty. In games that don't support TRUEFORCE, it feels much like a G29. At $450 against $350, check that the games you play most support it. If they don't, the G29 and a wheel stand is the better spend.
Can I clamp a racing wheel to my desk?
Yes, all five picks clamp to a desk or table. The Thrustmaster T98 clamp suits desks up to 4.5cm thick, and the HORI APEX includes a clamp. Force feedback wheels slowly work clamps loose and shake the desk, so most people move to a stand or cockpit before long. Avoid glass desks and thin flat-pack tops, and put a thin rubber pad under the clamp jaws to protect the desk and stop the wheel creeping.
Should I upgrade the pedals or the wheel first?
For most people, the pedals. Consistent braking is where most lap time is found, and a better brake pedal helps more than a stronger wheel. Logitech's RS Pedals are about $232 and Fanatec's CSL Elite Pedals V2 about $399 on Amazon AU at time of writing. Check that any upgrade pedals work with your wheel base and console, because some connect through the wheel and others plug into a PC by USB.
Related buying guides
Wheel rattling, pedals spiking or USB dropping out?
Most entry wheel faults we see come down to worn pedal sensors, loose or damaged cables, tired power bricks or worn USB ports. Bring the wheel and pedals into our Erina workshop and we'll find the actual fault and tell you what it'll cost to fix before you spend anything.
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