Sim Racing Gear

Getting into sim racing is exciting, but be careful because buying and upgrading your gear can quickly become an expensive rabbit hole! With so many wheels, pedals, and accessories available, it’s easy to keep chasing the next best thing. Before you start investing, it’s important to understand which gear truly improves your experience and performance.

Wheel and Pedals Set

A good sim racing setup often starts with wheel and pedals. Whether you’re a beginner or a hardcore racer, having quality wheel and pedals can completely change the way you experience racing games. A controller might get you around the track, but the wheel and pedals give you precision, control, and immersion that just can’t be matched. Read more about wheel and pedals sets.

Pedals

High-quality pedals are the most important upgrade in sim racing. Load cell or hydraulic pedals improve braking precision, leading to better lap times and consistency. A good pedal set can make a bigger difference than upgrading your wheel. Read more about pedals.

Wheel Bases

Unlike a complete racing wheel (which includes a rim), the wheel base itself is just the unit that provides force feedback and rotation. Many high-end wheel bases are designed to be compatible with detachable steering wheels, allowing users to swap rims based on their preferences or specific racing disciplines. Read more about wheel bases.

Shifters

When building your sim racing setup, a sim racing shifter can take immersion to the next level. A dedicated shifter provides a more tactile and realistic experience, allowing you to engage more with the driving process rather than relying on automatic shifting or paddle shifters. Read more about shifters.

Handbrakes

If you’re into rally, drifting, or off-road racing, a handbrake can take your experience to the next level. While a basic button press might get the job done, nothing beats the precision and control of a dedicated handbrake for sim racing – especially when you’re throwing a car sideways into a tight corner. Read more about handbrakes.

Seats

A comfortable and supportive sim racing seat is a crucial part of any immersive racing setup. The right seat enhances comfort, stability, and realism, allowing you to race for extended periods without fatigue. Read more about seats.

What Sim Racing Gear Do You Need for Sim Racing?

To get into sim racing, you don’t need a full setup right away – a regular controller is totally fine for beginners. Plenty of people start with one and still have a great time. But if you’re looking for more immersion and control, the first real investment is usually a wheel and pedals set. This is where sim racing really starts to feel like the real thing.

When choosing a wheel, there are three main types: gear-driven, belt-driven, and direct drive. Gear-driven wheels (like the Logitech G29/G920) are the most affordable but can feel notchy and less precise. Belt-driven wheels (such as the Thrustmaster T248) offer smoother force feedback and a more refined experience. Direct drive wheels (like the Moza R5) provide the most realistic and powerful force feedback by connecting the wheel directly to the motor, but they come at a higher price. The choice depends on your budget and how much realism you want.

That said, the most important upgrade you can make isn’t the wheel – it’s the pedals. High-quality load cell or hydraulic pedals give you better control, especially when braking, which is the trickiest part of sim racing. A good set of pedals can massively improve lap times and consistency, even more than upgrading your wheel.

Other optional gear includes a shifter (great for rally and classic cars), a handbrake (important for drifting and rally), and a rig or cockpit for added stability. But to start, a solid wheel and pedal set is the best entry point into sim racing.