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If you’re into gaming and love the automotive world as we do here at The Drive, you’re a prime candidate for a PS4 steering wheel. No matter how advanced DualShock controllers get, they’ll never come close to the immersive experience a racing wheel creates. Feel the front left locking up as you go a little too hard on the brakes, and each rumble of the strip as you nail an apex – that’s racing. How real the experience feels will come down to the racing wheel you choose, and there are tons on offer. So, I’ve created a guide to help you know what matters when choosing a racing wheel. I’ve also included some of the best PS4 racing wheels on the market and ranked them under various categories below.
Our Methodology
To choose the best PS4 racing wheels on the market, I employed The Drive’s comprehensive research methodology and evaluated dozens of wheels before choosing the top contenders. Although I haven’t personally tested these products, my selection is informed by consumer testimonials, expert reviews, discussions on relevant online forums, and my institutional knowledge of the automotive industry.
I visited the SimRacing subreddit to get a more informed opinion of what sim racing enthusiasts feel about the products on the market.
Some brands are already well-established in this niche, and priority was given to their products. However, other lesser-known brands were also evaluated. The main features taken into consideration were force feedback, drive system, Newton meters of torque available, degree of rotation, pedal setup, materials used in construction, and action buttons available. Racing wheels were immediately disqualified from consideration if they lacked and in-game feedback or were unreliable.
Best PS4 Steering Wheels Reviews & Recommendations 2021
Best Overall
Thrustmaster T300RS
Best Value
Hori Racing Wheel Apex
Honorable Mention
Logitech G923
Premium Wheel
Fanatec Gran Turismo DD Pro
Best PS5 Wheel
Thrustmaster T248
Our Verdict on PS4 Steering Wheels
I’ve chosen the Thrustmaster T300RS as the best overall racing wheel for the PS4. The realistic force feedback, 3.9-Newton meters of resistance, and belt-drive system create an immersive experience for a fair price. If you want to test the waters or are on a tight budget, check out my value pick, the Hori Racing Wheel Apex.
What to Consider When Buying a PS4 Steering Wheel
Look online and you’ll find a PS4 racing wheel at just about any price point you can think of. Some wheels look flashier or more premium on the surface, but it’s what’s happening behind the wheel that separates the good from the bad. I’ve put together a buying guide detailing the different types, features, and brands to consider before making your purchase. Keep reading to know what to look out for before making your purchase.
Types of PS4 Steering Wheels
Direct Drive
Direct drive steering wheels have a steering wheel that’s directly coupled to the motor shaft, meaning there are no belts or gears. The benefit of using a direct drive system is that there’s no loss of driver input detail, allowing you to transmit an extremely high level of detail. Owners of these racing wheels also don’t need to worry about maintaining belts or gears. The downside to direct drive systems is that they usually use large motors to compensate for the lack of belts. They’re also considerably more expensive than any other type of racing wheel.
Servo And Belt Drive
A servo and belt drive system is the next best type of steering wheel after a direct drive model. These wheels use belts and pulleys, which work with a motor. The belts and pulleys generate more torque, which means these systems can use smaller motors. The benefit of using a system like this is that you can get a high level of input detail for a relatively low cost. Racing wheels using these systems also feel smooth, thanks to the use of one or more belts. The downside of using a servo and belt drive system is that the belt absorbs some of the force feedback, so the driver receives less information. The belt will also absorb some of the driver input, so you won’t have the same level of input detail that you would with a direct drive racing wheel.
Servo And Gear Drive
A servo and gear drive system works much like a servo and belt drive system. Instead of belts and pulleys, these units generate more torque by using multiple gears with a servo motor. So servo and gear drive systems can use relatively small motors, which keeps the unit light and costs down. The only issue people have with gear-driven systems is that they’re noisier than their belt-driven counterparts. They can also feel slightly clunky at times, especially when compared to a belt-driven or direct drive system.
Key Features
Drive Type
As mentioned above, the drive system a steering wheel uses makes a significant impact on how it performs. If you’re a serious enthusiast or even thinking of taking your sim racing career to the next level, then you’ll want a direct drive system. Amateur racers who still want a great experience but don’t want to break the bank should consider a servo and belt-drive system. A servo and gear system sits marginally behind a belt-drive system in terms of performance, but if you can find one from Logitech that’s on sale, you could save a few bucks without sacrificing too much performance.
Force Feedback
Force feedback is one of the main reasons people make the jump from a controller to a steering wheel. This dictates how every bump, loss of grip, and feeling of traction is related to the driver through the wheel. On the lower end of the scale, wheels will have a vibration system located at the center of the wheel, which is basically a step up from the haptic feedback you get from a controller. On the opposite end of the spectrum, wheels will have sensors that monitor the interaction between you and the game over 4,000 times per second. High-end systems will give you a much better feel of when you’re about to lock up the brakes upon entry or lose the rear on the exit of a corner.
Newton Meters of Torque
Apart from feeling the strips as you run through the apex of a corner, another aspect that fully immerses you in a game is the resistance from the steering wheel. The maximum resistance on tap is determined by the power of the motor and the system it works with. You can get a decent feeling of realism from a wheel that provides around 3.5-Netwon meters of torque. But, the more torque that’s on offer, the more realistic the experience will feel. The maximum amount of torque any console racing wheel currently produces is 8-Newton meters, but with that much torque, you should fit it to a rig rather than a desk for stability.
Turning Radius
Different steering wheels have different turning radii, and the radius you’ll need depends on the type of games you play. The lowest turning radius you’ll see is 180-degrees, which works well for arcade-style games but isn’t suitable for simulation racing games. If you’re interested in sim racing, then you should look for a wheel that has a 900-degree turning radius, which allows you to make two and a half turns. Anyone who plays truck simulation games should look for a wheel with a 1080-degree turning radius.
Pedals
The quality of your pedal will also determine how immersive your driving experience is. The first thing you’ll need to decide is whether you want two or three pedals. If using the clutch is a big part of your gameplay, then you’ll need three pedals. Ideally, you’d get pedals that use magnetic sensors to determine driver input, as these are highly accurate and don’t lose accuracy over time due to wear and tear. You should also look out for pedals that have appropriate springs to emulate pressure, this is especially important for the brake pedal. A good brake pedal will have a stiff spring and PU foam damper to provide progressive resistance like you would feel in the real world.
You should try to get a relatively heavy set of metal pedals, as the added weight will make them feel more secure. You’ll also want an adjustable set, but the degree of adjustability varies from set to set, so check this out before buying.
Quality of Materials
One of the first things you’ll notice when you start playing with a racing wheel is how it feels, and if it’s made from high-quality materials, your experience will probably be more enjoyable. Look for wheels that are mainly made of metal and leather, as these will feel most like the real thing. High-quality rubberized grips can feel fine too, as can high-quality ABS plastic. But try to avoid racing wheels that use low-quality plastics and ones that have hard rubber grips.
Top Brands
Logitech
Founded in Lausanne, Switzerland, in 1981, Logitech is well-known for creating innovative and user-friendly tech gadgets and accessories. Although most Logitech products are designed for PCs, the brand is also has a good reputation in the world of console gaming. Logitech users benefit from the premium feel of the brand’s steering wheels, thanks to the hand-stitched leather and brushed metal used in the construction.
Thrustmaster
Since 1990, Thrustmaster has sold high-end controllers that help gamers reach new heights. The brand has historically focused on controllers for flight simulation games. It’s taken the high precision technology used in these controllers and used it to provide an excellent range of steering wheels. Thrustmaster’s high-end models use a belt-drive system, which makes them one of the best options for gamers who aren’t going to pay a premium for a direct drive system.
Fanatec
In the world of sim racing, no name shines brighter than Fanatec. The company was founded in 1997 and has its headquarters in Landshut / Bavaria. The brand has only recently entered the world of console sim racing, and until now, was reserved for PC racing enthusiasts. All of Fanatec’s offerings for the PS4 use a direct drive system, meaning they’re a cut above the competition. There’s also more feedback and Newton-meters of torque on offer from Fanatec units, but you’ll need to pay a premium to own one.
Tips and Tricks
As with something you do for decades upon decades, you pick up a few tips and tricks along the way in terms of selecting the right product, and/or using it. That’s the case with us and PS4 steering wheels. To help you bridge the information gap, here’s a selection of what we’ve learned along the way.
- If you want to future-proof the progression of your sim racing journey or think you’re close to making the jump to PC gaming, a direct drive system might be the best option.
- Before buying anything, make sure you have a suitable desk, or rig, to fit a steering wheel and something to stop your pedals from sliding back.
- Check console compatibility before buying. For example, if you’re currently using a PS4 but might upgrade to a PS5 soon, make sure the steering wheel is compatible with a PS5.
FAQs
You’ve got questions. The Drive has answers!
Q: Are PS4 steering wheels worth it?
A: Whether a racing wheel is worth it or not depends on you. If you’re a racing enthusiast and want to get the most from the games on offer, then yes. You will have a better experience playing racing games if you use a good racing wheel, and your lap times should also improve. If you only enter a vehicle when you play GTA, a racing wheel might not be worth the extra expense.
Q: Will the PS5 support PS4 racing wheels?
A: Any racing wheel that works on the PS4 should also work on the PS5. However, not all racing wheels will fully support all of the features available on the PS5.
Q: How long does a sim racing wheel last?
A: A number of factors influence the lifespan of a sim racing wheel, but the main one is how often you use it. With that said, you should expect a sim racing wheel to last for at least three years.
