The great guide to Shifter Simracing
And there you have it. After plying the virtual trails in search of pleasure and/or pure performance, you know you’re missing “something”. And that something is a good simracing shifter! But depending on your budget and expectations, you can quickly get lost in the dozens of models currently on the market.
In this guide, I’d like to take you through the different models of simulation gearboxes. We’ll find out what questions you should ask yourself before buying. False barg ains and real bargains. And then, of course, we’ll take a look at the very top-of-the-range gearboxes. Even if it’s out of your budget, you’ve got the right to dream, don’t you? Let’s get started!
Questions to ask before choosing a simracing shifter
To avoid ending up with a disappointing model or, on the contrary, drooling over an inaccessible shifter, it’s important to know what you’re actually looking for. The first question is budget. How much money can you allocate to a gearbox for your simracing setup? Grab a piece of paper and a pen and write down your budget (yes, go ahead and write it down!)
Second crucial question: where are you going to install the shifter? On a coffee table, a desk, the armrest of your office chair? Or on the arm of your chassis, or even on an aluminum profile? Depending on the answer to this question, you’ll already be able to make a good selection. So once again, take two seconds to think about it and note down on your piece of paper where the box will be placed.
The third question may seem silly, but it’s also going to make a big sort. Do you want an H-box, a sequential gearbox or a shifter that does both? We’ll see that on this point, not all products are created equal. So, in concrete terms, what do you want to use it for?
Write down your answer and we’ll move on. We’ll now take a look at the different shifter models, and build up to a crescendo in terms of price. As soon as you start to feel that the banker is going to ask you to mortgage the house, you can stop and go up a model or two to find the one you need ^^
Logitech Driving Force (H) shifter
Let’s start with the inexpensive mass-market shifters par excellence. An undisputed commercial success since the dawn of time (yes, 2015). Depending on the season, you’ll find them for between €35 and €60. So yes, it’s really cheap, but obviously you pay for what you get.
- Compatible with PC, X Box, Playstation
- H Box only
- Connects directly to a Logitech flywheel base – USB adapter optional
- 6 reversespeeds
Thrustmaster TH8A shifter (H S)
The Thrustmaster shifter is a step up in quality of finish, feel and settings. The TH8A is probably the most popular shifter among simracers worldwide. And that’s no accident. The quality of its design makes it a model that will stand up to years of use.
It can be used in either H or sequential mode, but you need 3 minutes to switch from one mode to the other, and an Allen key. Surprisingly, this is a model that doesn’t depreciate too much. It’s always sold new for around €160 to €180, depending on the time of year.
- Compatible with PC, X Box, Playstation
- H Sequential
- Supplied with USB adapter
- 7 reversespeeds
- Gearhardness adjustment
Fanatec Clubsport SQ V1.5 shifter (H S)
The Fanatec shifter offers superior design and feel to Thrustmaster. The price naturally climbs to around €260. In terms of feel, Fanatec gives the TH8a a slap in the face, and switching from H to sequential mode takes barely 3 seconds. If you have a fixed chassis and a Fanatec base, you’ll be delighted. If not, you’ll be frustrated by having to buy the table clamp andUSB adapter separately.
- Compatible with PC, X Box, Playstation
- H Sequential
- Supplied with 2 knobs (long round)
- 7 reversespeeds
- Shifthardness adjustment
Heusinkveld Sim Shifter Sequential (S)
This is a sequential shifter only. And even if the Heusinkveld shifter is one of the most popular among simracers, it’s still expensive enough to be elitist. They can be found for between €200 and €230, depending on the dealer and the time of year. The gearshift mechanism incorporates a ball which gives a very interesting feel. Far superior to the models we’ve seen previously in this guide.
It’s a sure bet adopted by many racing enthusiasts. It combines robustness and precision in a very compact package that can be fitted anywhere on your setup.
What’s more, this simracing shifter comes with a host of levers and knobs to help you find the configuration that suits you best. And everything you need to mount it on your setup, whatever it may be.
- PC compatible only
- Sequential
- Delivered with 3 levers, 3 knobs, a table clamp, a fixed mounting plate and all the necessary hardware for chassis mounting. In short, it’s complete.
VNM Shifter (H S)
The simracing shifter from VNM Simulation isn’t well known to the general public, yet it’s got a few trump cards up its sleeve. H-box and sequential, it comes with 4 different H-grids to match the different vehicle styles you like. An interesting quality/price ratio, since it’s generally available for around €280.
- PC compatible only
- H Sequential
- Supplied with 2 knobs, 4 H grids, 1 sequential grid
Lebois Racing SRT shifter NSH (H S) version
Some consider it the best H shifter in the world. And let me tell you, I’m one of them. At the heart of this simracing shifter is a system of interchangeable tracks that allow you to switch from one feel to another in 2-3 minutes.
It’s also the very first shifter to feature the E-Clutch system. In short, if you don’t engage the clutch, the H-gate is locked and the gear won’t shift. A system that quickly becomes indispensable once you’ve tested it.
And to make matters worse, this shifter model can also switch to sequential mode in 1 second. Priced at around €650, it’s a real slap in the face to top-of-the-range models, which tend to run from €1,000 to €1,500.
For do-it-yourselfers with a 3D printer, this shifter can also be built for less than 200€, thanks to plans made available by designer Lebois.
- PC compatible only
- H Sequential
- Comes with 2 knobs, lever extension, 5 tracks for changing shifting feel.
MME Motorsport Shifter (H S)
At MME Motorsport, we make gear for real racing cars, but also simracing accessories. And their range includes an H and Sequential shifter which, from the outset, ranks in the high-end category. Impeccable finish, well reproduced feel… In short, a fine tool. But we’d expect nothing less for the almost €900 needed to add it to your racing cockpit.
- PC compatible only
- H Sequential
- Supplied with 2 knobs, 1 mounting plate
- Lifetime warranty!
Pro-Sim H Shifter (H)
Car simulation is all very well, but do you have an itch for a shifter? Thrustmaster, Logitech, Fanatec, they’re all long gone. You want to go beyond the limits. In fact, you want a shifter that makes your cockpit infinitely sexier? Have you always thought that reading the price tag was for losers? Fortunately, there’s Pro-Sim!
It goes without saying that you’ll need a stable, perfectly rigid cockpit. But this shifter is one of the few capable of reproducing convincing racing sensations. With a price tag of around €1,400, it’s by no means accessible to the general public. But as the saying goes, if you love it, don’t count it.
- PC compatible only
- H 6 speeds 2 reverse gears
Have you found your next simracing shifter?
We’ve just taken a good look at the iconic products of the shifter world. I hope you’ve found what you’re looking for! In any case, we’ll be continuing our tests to bring you even more shifters to discover over time 🙂