The best steering wheels for PS5 [UPDATED October 2023]
Whether you’re a seasoned sim-racer or a newcomer to the world of SimRacing, you know that a good steering wheel changes everything! Not only in terms of racing immersion but also in terms of sheer pleasure! It’s impossible to reach nirvana when you’re stuck with a simple joystick… So, let’s take a look at the PS5 steering wheel models!
We’re going to sort Playstation-compatible steering wheels by price range. The aim is to find the model that’s right for you! Whether in terms of performance or driving pleasure, without having to mortgage the house. Because while the sim-racing offer has grown considerably in recent years, there’s still an abysmal gap between the brands’ marketing promises and the reality on the ground..
Ready to find your ideal steering wheel? Let’s get started!
Flo (my partner) and I have shared all our hardware tests over the years. But also articles about the games we spend time on or the mods we discover. You can also find us on video on our YouTube channel, Sam et Flo. Here, we share our tests, experiences, and travels around the world of sim racing.
If you have any doubts or need more info about a model, don’t hesitate to contact us in the comments or via the site’s contact page 😉
Find an inexpensive PS5 steering wheel (between €150 and €350)
Let’s start with low-budget steering wheels. In this product segment, you’ll find only Thrustmaster steering wheels. The brand has specialized in consumer steering wheels for three decades. It has just launched the new T248 and T128, which replace the T150 and T300. Unfortunately, these two wheels have not brought any positive evolution to the range. They represent a step backward compared to their predecessors. I can only advise you to go for the safe bet of the T150 and T300.
More expensive than the T150, it’s no more and no less than a regression from its predecessor.
The plastics are cheesy, and the quality of the pedals plunges us straight back into the 90s.
The review is here
Low power
Anecdotal pedalboard
Range Regression
It’s an entry-level model, so you can’t expect miracles, but it’s hard to beat for the price.
It’s cheaper than the new T128; I’d recommend the T150 if you’re hesitating.
Read the review
Value for money
Read the review
Nice force feedback
Small screen on the steering wheel
Impossible to change the steering wheel, at this price it’s a shame.
Before going any further, I know what you’re going to say:
“I’ve seen other cheap brands! Like that Chinese thing there with the logo and all…”
To clarify, we’re talking about sim racing here. We’re not looking for a toy without force feedback that will end up in grandma’s cellar after 30 minutes. What you’ll find here are only wheels that are worth talking about. At the very least, you need force feedback to feel the track and what your vehicle is doing. Forget the no-name, no-feedback 60-80-buck stuff. It’s money down the drain.
As you’ll have seen from the comparison table, the only one I can recommend in this price range is the T150. You can find it new for less than the other models, and even second-hand for sometimes less than €100!
Mid-range PS5 steering wheels (from 350€)
This is a quantum leap forward in terms of feel and quality of finish compared with the entry-level models! Regarding technology, we’re sticking with steering wheels that operate on belt-and-gear-only power transmissions. They work very well. It’s less precise and fluid than the Direct Drive models we’ll see later. Direct Drives have been proliferating in the sim racing world since 2020.
This is the range if you’re looking for a low-cost start with good-quality equipment. It’s not for nothing that you’ll find the two best-selling console-compatible steering wheels here!
Once again, we find the French company Thrustmaster with two models. The T300RS is the smartest choice in this price range. Thanks to the host of modifications you can make to it over time. The T-GT 2, which, unfortunately, is far too expensive for a belt-driven model. And from competitor Logitech, we find the G923. It’s another best-seller that does the job but hasn’t transcended anyone’s expectations.
My advice: in this range, if you want excellent value for money and versatility with the possibility of changing the steering wheel, for example… the T300 will do the job.
Relatively neat finish
Impossible to change anything on it, it remains equipment only designed for beginners
Discover the model in detail here!
Force feedback controlled
3 pedals
Full review here!
Force feedback controlled
A belt-driven steering wheel at this price is NOT justified today.
PS5 Direct Drive steering wheels (from €600)
We now move on to a category once reserved exclusively for wealthy gamers: Direct Drives.
It’s how power is transmitted from the motor to the steering wheel and your hands.
On a gear-driven or belt-driven motor, the motor is connected to mechanisms that reduce its force and drive the steering shaft.
The main advantage is that it’s cheaper to build, as the motors need less torque. On the other hand, precision and responsiveness suffer.
In a DD (Direct Drive), the motor is directly connected to the steering shaft. There’s no intermediary. Reactions are much quicker, more precise, and more direct. On the other hand, since there’s no mechanism to reduce the motor’s force, you need bigger motors… And inevitably more expensive ones.
Since the arrival of the Fanatec GT DD Pro, PlayStation sim racers have finally been able to afford a Direct Drive. Since then, the range has gradually expanded with the arrival of Logitech on the DD market!
Discover this model!
Impossible to make fine force feedback adjustments
Toy pedal board
Steering wheel not up to standard at this price
Aberrant price..
Discover this model in detail here!
Fanatec force feedback, a safe bet
3 pedals
Very vast and qualitative ecosystem
A real Direct Drive for the price of a belt drive.
Unfortunately it is no longer available new on the Fanatec website but you may be able to find a used one on the networks 😉
The best force feedback available on console today
About console steering wheel adapters
Some adapters promise to make almost all console steering wheel models compatible. We’ve tried them, and while they do “just about work,” they’re far from a miracle solution. The only option I can advise you to take is if you ride mostly on PC and occasionally want to ride on console. But if you only drive on the console, get a steering wheel that’s already compatible. These adapters add Lag input to the steering wheel and degrade the force feedback signal.
Drivehub
Ras1ution 2
What is the best value on the PS5 market?
To date, our best choice is the Fanatec GT DD Pro. The value for money is simply light years ahead of other Playstation-compatible models. The brand’s ecosystem makes it possible to enjoy all categories of vehicles. The powerful integrated software enables you to make precisely the force feedback settings you want. In short, it is a good model with unrivaled value for money.
Regarding accessories, with Fanatec, you can create a complete chassis, even on consoles! Whether it’s buying several steering wheels, changing pedals, or adding a handbrake or gearbox. All these accessories can be plugged directly into the motor base, so there’s just one USB to the console. Perfect.
I hope this selection has helped you choose the model that suits you best from the PS5 steering wheels on offer! Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions. I’m always happy to talk sim racing with other enthusiasts 😉
See you soon!