Best Sim Racing Wheels: Every Wheel Base Ranked

The best sim racing wheel base on our scoring is the Fanatec Podium DD. It pairs 25 Nm of holding torque (33 Nm peak overshoot) with PC and Xbox support and pedal, shifter and handbrake ports on the base, which earns it an 8.7 out of 10. That’s the top score among all 38 bases we track. Below are the best picks by tier, platform and budget.

How we score wheel bases

Every base gets the same five-metric score, built only from published specifications. Drive type carries the most weight (3), then peak torque (2, scaled from 2 Nm to 25 Nm), platform support (1.5), mounting options (0.5) and whether the base has its own pedal port (0.5). The full method, including how each metric maps to points, is on our how we evaluate page.

Two quirks of that rubric are worth knowing before you read the list:

• Drive type only separates the budget end. 31 of the 38 bases are direct drive and get full marks on the heaviest metric, so among them torque and platform support do the real sorting. The other seven are Thrustmaster’s belt-driven T300 RS GT, TX and T-GT II, its hybrid-drive T248 and T128, and Logitech’s gear-driven G29 and G920, and they score lower on drive type. Our direct drive vs belt vs gear explainer covers how those designs compare.
• Torque credit stops at 25 Nm. The 35 Nm Simucube 3 Ultimate gets the same torque points as the 25 Nm Podium DD. Past 25 Nm you’re paying for headroom our score treats as surplus.

The score can’t capture force feedback feel, software quality or long-term reliability, because spec sheets don’t publish them. Treat it as a filter that tells you what a base can physically do and where it can run.

Best picks by tier: entry, mid-range and high-end

We split the field by peak torque: entry is under 10 Nm, mid-range is 10 to 16 Nm and high-end is 18 Nm and up. “Best overall” is simply the top score in the whole database.

Best overall: Fanatec Podium DD

#1

Best overall

Fanatec Podium DD (25 Nm)

8.7Pitwall Gear Score

Drive type

direct-drive

Peak torque

25 Nm

Platform support

pc, xbox

Mounting options

bottom, desk-clamp

Fanatec's top direct-drive base, rated at 25 Nm holding torque with 33 Nm peak overshoot and a QR2 base-side, for PC and Xbox drivers.

Strengths

• 25 Nm holding torque with 33 Nm peak overshoot
• Preinstalled QR2 base-side (Type-F); 10 cm shaft extension included
• Cooling fins double as T-nut rails on the sides and bottom
• Pedal, shifter, handbrake and CAN ports

Watch out for

• Not compatible with any PlayStation console and cannot be upgraded for it
• Xbox use requires an Xbox-licensed Fanatec steering wheel
• Older wheels list compatibility with Podium DD1/DD2 but not always this base; check the wheel page

The Podium DD is Fanatec’s flagship: 25 Nm of holding torque with 33 Nm of peak overshoot, a preinstalled QR2 base-side (Type-F) and a 10 cm shaft extension in the box. Its cooling fins double as T-nut rails on the sides and bottom, and the base carries pedal, shifter, handbrake and CAN ports, so a Fanatec pedal set plugs straight in.

Platform support is the catch. Fanatec states it isn’t compatible with any PlayStation console and can’t be upgraded to be. Xbox works only with an Xbox-licensed Fanatec steering wheel. Fanatec also warns that older wheels list the Podium DD1/DD2 but not always this base. In our database only the ClubSport Formula V3 explicitly names it, so check the wheel’s page first. The full list is on the Podium DD compatibility panel.

Best mid-range: Logitech G PRO Racing Wheel

#2

Best mid-range (10–16 Nm)

Logitech G PRO Racing Wheel

8.0Pitwall Gear Score

Drive type

direct-drive

Peak torque

11 Nm

Platform support

pc, playstation, xbox

Mounting options

bottom, desk-clamp

An 11 Nm direct drive wheel with TRUEFORCE sold with its PRO wheel, in PlayStation/PC and Xbox/PC versions, for console racers who want a higher-torque Logitech setup.

Strengths

• 11 Nm direct drive with TRUEFORCE
• Magnetic hall-effect shift paddles plus dual clutch paddles usable as handbrake or extra axes
• RPM LED display and 5 onboard profiles
• Takes RS Series wheels via the RS Wheel Hub quick release

Watch out for

• PlayStation and Xbox are separate versions
• PRO Racing Pedals are sold separately

The G PRO scores 8.0, the highest of any base under 18 Nm. Logitech is the only brand we track whose bases list PC, PlayStation and Xbox, and the G PRO adds 11 Nm where the RS50 stops at 8. You buy one version, though: Logitech sells PlayStation/PC, Xbox/PC and PC-only models.

It’s 11 Nm direct drive with Logitech’s TRUEFORCE, and the bundled wheel has magnetic hall-effect shift paddles plus dual clutch paddles you can map as a handbrake or extra axes. An RPM LED display and five onboard profiles round it out. It launched at $999.99, and the PRO Racing Pedals are sold separately. RS Series wheels fit through the RS Wheel Hub quick release.

Best entry direct drive: Logitech G RS50 System

#3

Best entry direct drive (under 10 Nm)

Logitech G RS50 System

7.7Pitwall Gear Score

Drive type

direct-drive

Peak torque

8 Nm

Platform support

pc, playstation, xbox

Mounting options

bottom, desk-clamp

A bundle of the 8 Nm RS50 direct drive base with the RS Wheel Hub and RS Round Wheel pre-assembled, plus a table clamp, for PC, PlayStation or Xbox depending on version.

Strengths

• Up to 8 Nm peak torque with TRUEFORCE
• Ships with RS50 Base, Wheel Hub and Round Wheel pre-assembled
• Integrated quick release
• Table clamp and four T-nuts with bolts included

Watch out for

• Platform depends on version: PC only, PS/PC or Xbox/PC
• RS Pedals are sold separately

The RS50 System and the RS50 Base tie at 7.7, the top score under 10 Nm. We pick the System because it’s ready to race: it ships with the RS50 Base, Wheel Hub and Round Wheel pre-assembled, plus a table clamp and four T-nuts with bolts. The base-only version needs all of that bought separately.

You get up to 8 Nm with TRUEFORCE. It comes in PC-only, PS/PC and Xbox/PC versions, and Logitech says pairing a PlayStation base with the Xbox wheel hub covers all three platforms. RS Pedals aren’t included. That’s the trade-off at this tier: 8 Nm is less than half the torque of the high-end picks, but the RS50 clamps to a desk and runs on any console.

Best PlayStation base: Fanatec ClubSport DD+

#4

Best PlayStation base (sold without a wheel)

Fanatec ClubSport DD+ (18 Nm)

7.9Pitwall Gear Score

Drive type

direct-drive

Peak torque

18 Nm

Platform support

pc, playstation

Mounting options

bottom, desk-clamp

A PlayStation-licensed direct-drive base rated at 18 Nm holding torque with a QR2 base-side, for PS5, PS4 and PC drivers.

Strengths

• Officially licensed for PS5 and PS4; works on Windows PC
• Holding torque raised from 15 Nm to 18 Nm via firmware V1.4.2.3 or later
• Preinstalled QR2 base-side (Type-F)
• Pedal, shifter, handbrake and CAN ports

Watch out for

• Xbox is not listed among supported platforms
• Table clamp and mounting brackets are sold separately

This is the top score among PlayStation-licensed bases sold without a wheel (7.9, ahead of the RS50 Base at 7.7). The ClubSport DD+ is officially licensed for PS5 and PS4 and works on PC. Firmware V1.4.2.3 or later raised its holding torque from 15 Nm to 18 Nm, the highest published figure of any PlayStation base we track. For the belt-driven T300 RS GT and T-GT II, Thrustmaster doesn’t publish a torque figure.

It uses the full QR2 base-side and has pedal, shifter, handbrake and CAN ports. Xbox isn’t supported, and the table clamp and mounting brackets are sold separately. In our data seven Fanatec rims fit it outright, and Fanatec’s charts leave two others, the GT V2 and R330 V2, unconfirmed.

Best PC-only base: Asetek SimSports Invicta

#5

Best PC-only base

Asetek SimSports Invicta Direct Drive Wheelbase

7.7Pitwall Gear Score

Drive type

direct-drive

Peak torque

27 Nm

Platform support

pc

Mounting options

front, bottom, desk-clamp

Asetek's flagship 27 Nm direct drive wheelbase with a 22-bit encoder and Asetek's cable-free quick release, aimed at PC sim racers who want high torque.

Strengths

• 27 Nm peak torque from a 22-bit encoder
• Asetek quick release passes power and data with no cables, batteries or wireless link
• Pre-installed T-nuts allow front, bottom, side or table-clamp mounting
• 400 W power supply included

Watch out for

• PC only (Windows 10/11); not compatible with consoles
• Weighs 11.3 kg, so a rigid cockpit is needed at full torque

The Invicta, the MOZA R25 Ultra and the Simagic Alpha EVO Ultra tie at 7.7 among bases that run on PC alone. We pick the Invicta because its pre-installed T-nuts allow front, bottom, side or table-clamp mounting with no strings attached. The R25 Ultra lists no desk clamp, and Simagic warns that front plates on the EVO Ultra block its magnetic quick-release interface.

By the numbers it’s 27 Nm peak from a 22-bit encoder, with a 400 W power supply included. Asetek’s quick release passes power and data with no cables, batteries or wireless link. At 11.3 kg it needs a rigid cockpit at full torque. It launched at $1,199.99 and runs on Windows 10/11 only.

Best 20 Nm+ under $1,000: MOZA R25 Ultra

#6

Best 20 Nm+ under $1,000 at launch

MOZA R25 Ultra

7.7Pitwall Gear Score

Drive type

direct-drive

Peak torque

25 Nm

Platform support

pc

Mounting options

front, bottom

Moza's 25 Nm True Torque direct-drive base, with 25 Nm sustained torque, 9.1 kg weight and front, side and bottom mounting, aimed at PC drivers in a rigid cockpit.

Strengths

• 25 Nm maximum and sustained torque, 378 W rated power
• Front, side and bottom mounting
• Ports for pedals, dash, shifter, handbrake and E-stop

Watch out for

• 9.1 kg base needs a rigid cockpit mount
• No desk clamp listed
• Moza lists PC as the platform; no PlayStation support

Among bases with at least 20 Nm and a launch MSRP under $1,000, the R25 Ultra scores highest (7.7, ahead of the R21 Ultra at 7.2). It launched at $899, about $300 less than the Invicta, for 25 Nm that Moza states as both maximum and sustained torque, from 378 W of rated power.

Front, side and bottom mounting are supported, and there are ports for pedals, dash, shifter, handbrake and an E-stop. It weighs 9.1 kg and no desk clamp is listed, so plan on a rig. Moza lists PC as the platform. Its FAQ says a Moza base can’t run on Xbox by itself, though the Xbox-licensed ESX wheel can be used with one. All nine Moza rims in our database fit it.

Best budget bundle: MOZA R3 Racing Bundle

#7

Best budget bundle (launch MSRP $500 or less)

MOZA R3 Racing Bundle for Xbox & PC

6.2Pitwall Gear Score

Drive type

direct-drive

Peak torque

3.9 Nm

Platform support

pc, xbox

Mounting options

bottom, desk-clamp

An entry-level 3.9 Nm direct-drive bundle with the Xbox-licensed ESX wheel, SR-P Lite pedals and a table clamp, aimed at Xbox and PC drivers starting out.

Strengths

• Includes R3 base, 280 mm ESX wheel, SR-P Lite pedals and table clamp
• Supports Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One and Windows 10/11 PCs
• Base has pedal, USB and dash ports

Watch out for

• 3.9 Nm peak torque is the lowest in the Moza range
• SR-P Lite pedals in this bundle have no clutch
• Moza states its products do not support PS4 or PS5

Among complete bundles with a wheel and pedals that launched at $500 or less, the R3 scores highest at 6.2, ahead of the Thrustmaster T248 (5.9) and T128 (5.6). It launched at $399 with the R3 base, a 280 mm ESX wheel, SR-P Lite pedals and a table clamp. Base-only options score higher at this price: the Fanatec CSL DD (8 Nm) reaches 6.7 at a $479.95 launch MSRP, and the R12 V2 matches the R3’s 6.2 at $469, but both still need a rim and pedals.

The R3 supports Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One and Windows PCs through the bundled Xbox-licensed wheel, though Moza says some buttons and telemetry are unavailable in Xbox mode. Its 3.9 Nm is the lowest in Moza’s range and the pedals have no clutch. If you want a clutch, the Logitech G29 (PlayStation/PC) and G920 (Xbox/PC) launched at $399 with three pedals, though their 2.3 Nm gear drive scores just 2.8. The Thrustmaster T248 also ships with three pedals in PlayStation and Xbox versions, and Thrustmaster doesn’t publish a torque figure. Our best budget sim racing wheels guide covers the trade-offs in detail.

Wheel base comparison table

Here are the seven picks side by side on the rubric’s metrics.

And here’s every base we track, ranked. Launch MSRP shows only where we have a verified figure, and a dash under torque means Thrustmaster doesn’t publish a torque figure.

#	Wheel base	Score	Peak torque (Nm)	Drive	Platforms	Quick release	Launch MSRP
1	Fanatec Podium DD (25 Nm)	8.7	25	Direct drive	PC, Xbox	Fanatec QR2	$1,199.99
2	Logitech G PRO Racing Wheel	8.0	11	Direct drive	PC, PS, Xbox	Logitech QR	$999.99
3	Fanatec ClubSport DD+ (18 Nm)	7.9	18	Direct drive	PC, PS	Fanatec QR2	$999.95
4	Asetek Invicta	7.7	27	Direct drive	PC	Asetek QR	$1,199.99
5	Logitech G RS50 Base	7.7	8	Direct drive	PC, PS, Xbox	Logitech QR	—
6	Logitech G RS50 System	7.7	8	Direct drive	PC, PS, Xbox	Logitech QR	$699.99
7	MOZA R25 Ultra	7.7	25	Direct drive	PC	Moza QR	$899
8	Simagic Alpha EVO Ultra	7.7	28	Direct drive	PC	Simagic QR	—
9	Fanatec ClubSport DD (15 Nm)	7.5	15	Direct drive	PC, Xbox	Fanatec QR2	$699.95
10	Simucube 3 Pro	7.3	25	Direct drive	PC	70 mm PCD hub	$1,599
11	Simucube 3 Ultimate	7.3	35	Direct drive	PC	70 mm PCD hub	$3,299
12	MOZA R21 Ultra	7.2	21	Direct drive	PC	Moza QR	$699
13	Simucube 2 Pro	7.0	25	Direct drive	PC	Simucube SQR	—
14	Asetek Forte	6.9	18	Direct drive	PC	Asetek QR	$799.99
15	Simagic Alpha EVO Pro	6.9	18	Direct drive	PC	Simagic QR	$699
16	Fanatec CSL DD (8 Nm)	6.7	8	Direct drive	PC, Xbox	Fanatec QR2 Lite	$479.95
17	Fanatec Gran Turismo DD Pro	6.7	8	Direct drive	PC, PS	Fanatec QR2 Lite	$599.95
18	MOZA R16 Ultra	6.6	16	Direct drive	PC	Moza QR	$529
19	Conspit Ares 20 Platinum	6.4	20	Direct drive	PC	Conspit CDR	—
20	Fanatec CSL DD (5 Nm)	6.3	5	Direct drive	PC, Xbox	Fanatec QR2 Lite	$349.95
21	Asetek La Prima	6.2	12	Direct drive	PC	Asetek QR	—
22	MOZA R12 V2	6.2	12	Direct drive	PC	Moza QR	$469
23	MOZA R3 Racing Bundle	6.2	3.9	Direct drive	PC, Xbox	Moza QR	$399
24	Simagic Alpha EVO	6.2	12	Direct drive	PC	Simagic QR	$549
25	Simucube 3 Sport	6.2	15	Direct drive	PC	70 mm PCD hub	$1,399
26	Thrustmaster T598	6.0	5	Direct drive	PC, PS	Thrustmaster QR	$599.99
27	Thrustmaster T248	5.9	—	Hybrid	PC, PS, Xbox	Fixed rim	$399.99
28	Thrustmaster T818 Black Edition	5.9	10	Direct drive	PC	Thrustmaster QR	—
29	MOZA R9 V3	5.8	9	Direct drive	PC	Moza QR	$349
30	Simagic Alpha EVO Sport	5.8	9	Direct drive	PC	Simagic QR	$399
31	Thrustmaster T128	5.6	—	Hybrid	PC, PS, Xbox	Fixed rim	$199.99
32	Conspit Ares 12	5.5	12	Direct drive	PC	Conspit CDR	—
33	MOZA R5 Racing Bundle	5.4	5.5	Direct drive	PC	Moza QR	$439
34	Thrustmaster T-GT II	5.3	—	Belt	PC, PS	Thrustmaster QR	$799.99
35	Thrustmaster T300 RS GT Edition	5.3	—	Belt	PC, PS	Thrustmaster QR	$399.99
36	Thrustmaster TX Racing Wheel Leather Edition	5.3	—	Belt	PC, Xbox	Thrustmaster QR	$469.99
37	Logitech G29 Driving Force	2.8	2.3	Gear	PC, PS	Fixed rim	$399
38	Logitech G920 Driving Force	2.8	2.3	Gear	PC, Xbox	Fixed rim	$399

Three patterns stand out. First, console support moves a base up the list more than raw torque does: the 8 Nm RS50 sits level with the 25 Nm R25 Ultra because it runs on three platforms instead of one. If you’re on PC only, mentally discount the platform points and the PC-only bases close the gap. Our best sim racing wheels for PC ranking does exactly that.

Second, scores bunch tightly between 7.0 and 8.0. Inside that band, the quick release and platform matter more than a tenth of a point. Pick the ecosystem first, then the torque.

Third, the bottom of the table is where most beginners shop. The belt and hybrid Thrustmaster wheels score 5.3 to 5.9 and the gear-driven Logitech G29 and G920 score 2.8, but every one of them ships with a wheel and pedals and runs on a console.

Console vs PC: which bases work where

Every one of the 38 bases works on PC. Consoles are where the field shrinks fast.

Platform	Bases that list it	What decides it
PC	All 38	Nothing; any base runs on Windows
Xbox	12: Podium DD, ClubSport DD, CSL DD 5 Nm and 8 Nm, G PRO, G920, RS50 Base, RS50 System, MOZA R3 bundle, Thrustmaster T248, T128 and TX	An Xbox-licensed wheel (Fanatec, Moza, RS50 Base), the Xbox version (G PRO, RS50 System, T248, T128) or an Xbox model (G920, TX)
PlayStation	11: ClubSport DD+, Gran Turismo DD Pro, G PRO, G29, RS50 Base, RS50 System, Thrustmaster T598, T248, T128, T300 RS GT and T-GT II	A PlayStation-licensed base; Fanatec, Logitech and Thrustmaster sell these as separate models or versions

Xbox runs on the rim. Fanatec’s Xbox-capable bases only work on Xbox with an Xbox-licensed Fanatec steering wheel fitted. Moza bases don’t support Xbox on their own, and the R3 bundle gets there through its bundled ESX wheel.

PlayStation runs on the base. Fanatec splits its line: the ClubSport DD+ and Gran Turismo DD Pro are PlayStation-licensed, while Fanatec states the CSL DD, ClubSport DD and Podium DD aren’t compatible with any PlayStation console. Thrustmaster sells the T598, T248 and T128 in PlayStation/PC and separate Xbox/PC versions, while the T300 RS GT and T-GT II are PlayStation/PC only and the TX is Xbox/PC only. Logitech’s G29 is the PlayStation/PC twin of the Xbox/PC G920. Moza states its products don’t support PS4 or PS5.

Our platform compatibility matrix shows every base against every console, and our console compatibility guide explains the licensing rules. The platform roundups go deeper: best sim racing wheels for Xbox and best sim racing wheels for PS5.

How much torque do you actually need?

The 33 bases with a published torque figure span 2.3 Nm (Logitech G29 and G920) to 35 Nm (Simucube 3 Ultimate). For the other five, Thrustmaster’s belt and hybrid wheels, Thrustmaster doesn’t publish a torque figure. The 33 fall into three groups:

• Under 10 Nm (12 bases): enough to feel grip and weight transfer clearly. All twelve list a desk-clamp option, and six of the seven wheel-included packages with a published figure sit here.
• 10 to 16 Nm (9 bases): the upgrade band. There’s room to run strong forces without the base hitting its limit and flattening detail, which is called clipping.
• 18 Nm and up (12 bases): headroom for heavy cars and stiff settings. These bases weigh 7.9 to 13 kg where published, and several, including the MOZA R21 and R25 Ultra and the Conspit Ares 20 Platinum, don’t list a desk clamp at all.

Our how much torque do you need guide breaks each band down in more detail. Whichever band you land in, don’t compare headline numbers blindly. Fanatec quotes holding torque, with the Podium DD adding 33 Nm of peak overshoot on top of its 25 Nm. Moza quotes sustained torque for the R21 and R25 Ultra. Thrustmaster rates the T598 at 5 Nm constant torque with +100% overshoot capability. A 5 Nm Thrustmaster figure and a 5 Nm Fanatec figure aren’t measuring the same thing.

The other limit is your mount. A desk clamp suits the lower bands. Foldable rigs such as the Next Level Racing GTLite Pro are rated to 13 Nm, and tube cockpits such as the Next Level Racing F-GT Pro to 25 Nm. Match the frame’s rating to your base’s peak. Our best sim racing cockpits and best wheel stands for direct drive rankings list every published rating. For a narrower look at the high end, see the best direct drive wheel bases.

What else you need: rims, pedals and a rig

A base is rarely the whole bill. Plan for three more pieces.

A rim that fits the quick release. Twelve bases ship with a wheel: the G PRO, RS50 System, G29 and G920, the MOZA R3 and R5 bundles, and Thrustmaster’s T598, T248, T128, T300 RS GT, TX and T-GT II. On the G29, G920, T248 and T128 the rim is fixed to the base, so there’s no swapping later. Everything else needs a rim, and the quick release decides which brands fit:

• Moza: all nine Moza rims in our database fit every Moza base.
• Simagic and Asetek: seven Simagic rims fit the Alpha EVO family, and two Asetek rims fit all three Asetek bases.
• Thrustmaster: the T818 and T598 take Thrustmaster add-on rims, though the SF1000 needs a quick release upgrade and adapter, sold separately, on those two bases.
• Fanatec: QR2 and QR2 Lite are related but not identical. QR2 Lite wheel-sides are limited to 8 Nm on the ClubSport DD.
• Simucube 3: the base takes 70 mm hole-pattern rims, but needs a Simucube Link Hub that isn’t included in the base-only price.

Our sim racing quick release standards explainer maps every family, and the best sim racing steering wheels ranking shows which bases each rim fits.

Pedals that connect where you play. On PC, any USB pedal set works with any base. On console, pedals must plug into the base, which means the same brand. Fanatec pedals on a Fanatec base, Logitech on Logitech. MOZA’s CRP2 and SRP2 pedals connect over USB or through a MOZA base, so on Xbox they need an Xbox-capable MOZA base, which in our database means the R3 bundle. See the best load cell pedals for sets ranked on brake force and connectivity.

Something rigid to mount it on. A desk clamp works into the low teens of Nm. Beyond that, a cockpit’s rated torque and its front or bottom mounting need to match your base.

Before you buy, run the full combination through our compatibility checker. It flags rims that need an adapter, pedals that won’t work on console and cockpits rated below your base’s torque. You can also browse every base on the wheel bases hub.