The processing power and graphical output of the Xbox Series X | S combine to make amazing realistic video game experiences. Gamers that are looking to take racing games to the next level of immersion can add a steering wheel and pedals as controllers to their console. These racing wheels with pedals are designed to transport drivers into the car by providing realistic force feedback that mimics the feel of the car and tires underneath.
Best Racing Wheel for Microsoft XBox Series X | S
Gamers that want to add a racing wheel to their console have a few different options available. The simulation industry has a lot of high end rigs available for serious drivers. More casual gamers just looking to add a racing wheel need to primarily decide on how much they want to invest in creating immersive racing through force feedback. Spending more money mostly translates into having components that shake and react to the road with more force and torque.
1. Logitech G920 Racing Wheel with Pedals – Realistic Feel
The best racing wheel gamers can buy for their Xbox Series X | S is the Logitech 920. This racing wheel is attractive and feels great when gaming with its stitched leather exterior wrap. The racing wheel feels very solid in your hands and is a big step up from the cheap, plastic steering wheels that gamers used in the past. The included floor pedal unit also looks great with a black base and silver pedals.
The main attraction on the Logitech 920 is the force feedback that it delivers through a dual motor setup. Gamers are able to sense the car generating understeer or oversteer similar to how a real car would provide feedback to the driver. Moving your race car over different terrain also delivers jolts to the wheel similar to what a real driver would encounter.
Xbox gamers will be familiar with the buttons in the middle of the Logitech 920, including the home button and a d-pad. The steering wheel also has a paddle shifter located in the rear of it to change gears. If you enjoy gaming with this steering wheel then the next step up is an investment in adding a gear shifter!
- Attractive, Leather Wheel
- Familiar Xbox Button Layout
- Realistic Floor Pedal Unit
- Expensive Controller
- Mechanical Force Feedback
- Unadjustable
2. Thrustmaster TMX Racing Wheel – Best Force Feedback
A great alternative to the Logitech 920 is the TMX Force Feedback Racing Wheel from Thrustmaster. This racing wheel is extremely popular with PC gamers and console gamers can quickly see why with its strong force feedback and unique belt-pulley system. The wheel delivers feedback that does a great job of mimicking the experience driving in a real car.
This racing wheel from Thrustmaster does not have the same thick, leather feel as the Logitech controller. Instead the racing wheel is a bit thinner and has a slightly more plastic feel to the touch. Since this wheel is also heavily targeted at PC gamers the buttons do not exactly mimic the xBox controllers placement. For instance, the colored buttons are separated along the top of this racing wheel instead of placed near each other.
The Thrustmaster has an adjustable rotation angle so that gamers can customize how much their wheel can turn – from 270 degrees to 900 degrees (the same as a race car). The wheel has an 11 inch diameter. The floor pedals on the Thrustmaster have good resistance and adjust easily but the pedal set does not include a clutch pedal. Thrustmaster produces an entire suite of products and they have add-on pedal sets that cost a bit more money but introduce a clutch pedal and other features like metal pads and individual pressure settings.
- Strong Force Feedback
- Great Wheel Action
- Compatible with PC
- Unfamiliar Button Placement
- Plastic Wheel
- No Clutch Pedal
3. PXN V3II PC Racing Wheel – Fast and Fitted
Gamers looking for a less expensive racing wheel option for their Xbox should consider the V3II Racing Wheel from PXN. This wheel is not as cheap as a regular video game controller but it does cost nearly half as much as the competitors. However, the racing wheels world is a pay for what you get type of place and gamers will feel the difference between the feel and force feedback on this racing wheel versus one of the more expensive options.
The racing wheel on the PXN V3II is just over 10 inches in diameter and it has a nice rubber grip that makes it easy to hold. The wheel has a dual vibration motor to provide decent force feedback and help gamers feel the car underneath them. The wheel mounts using either suction cups or a c-type clamp. This kit includes a floor pedal set and a shifter so gamers are getting a lot of value for the price of this starter wheel.
- Budget Price
- Rubberized Grip
- Multi-Platform Support
- Stiff Brakes
- No Clutch Pedal
- Questionable Durability
Buying Guide: Video Game Steering Wheels
Video game steering wheels are commonly called racing wheels and they are available at several different price points. Some gamers and race car enthusiasts spend a lot of money trying to simulate the race car experience so the high end of the industry has shockingly expensive rigs with shockingly extensive feature sets. For enjoying racing games on the Xbox Series X, gamers want to find a good quality racing wheel that duplicates the feel of the open road but doesn’t cost too much.
Racing wheel kits cost more than regular video game controllers. The racing wheels have to be durable enough to stand up to regular racing while also delivering the motion and force feedback necessary to recreate the driving experience. Gamers want to find a wheel that feels comfortable in their hands so instead of plastic exteriors the wheels often have leather covers. Also these kits include floor pedals so that drivers can slam on the gas and hit the brakes. All of this adds up so the quality racing wheels for Xbox can easily cost several hundred dollars.
Racing Wheel Manufacturers
Some of the major manufacturers in the industry are Logitech, Thrustmaster, and PXN. Logitech enters the industry from the perspective of an accessories manufacturer. The benefits of that is the Logitech controllers are not only high quality and highly manufactured but also tend to duplicate the look and feel of other standard non racing wheel controllers. Thrustmaster enters the industry with more a focus on racing and an entire suite of customizable racing wheel products. They have a number of steering wheel options with prices up into the high end. Thrustmaster also has some exciting partnerships with Ferrari to create expensive branded wheels for gamers. They are a reliable brand with a good history. PXN gives gamers a bit of an alternative option with some smart choices on their budget steering wheels so that gamers can have the experience without paying such high prices. This produces some tradeoffs in quality and experience.
Conclusion: Best Racing Wheel for Xbox Series X | S
Gamers looking to add a racing wheel to their controller setup have some great options available to them. However these gaming steering wheels are expensive and frequently cost several times what regular video game controllers cost. Race car video games are a lot more fun with racing wheels and gamers that do invest in them get a lot in return. The best racing wheels for Xbox provide strong force feedback, floor pedal sets, and great grip. In our ratings and reviews above we focused on the Logitech racing wheel, but the entire family of Thrustmaster products is worth considering. Budget shoppers have some less expensive options for starter wheels but ultimately give back a bit in quality and force feedback experience. If you invest in a great gaming wheel please share your experience with us below and let us know what you chose and how you like it so far.
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