Best PS4 Steering Wheel: Buying Guide
If you are an avid gamer of PlayStation titles and spend hours with car simulations, I guarantee that the choice of a steering wheel for PS4 will pay you back in full. And, if you ended up on this page, I bet you already knew. Although the gaming experience with the gamepad is already at excellent levels, thanks to the presence of Dual Shock 4 technology, a steering wheel is capable of offering an unparalleled level of identification.
But that’s not all: some of the best racing wheels for PlayStation 4 are capable of offering precision in controls and maneuvers, such as counter steering, that you will never get with a gamepad. In addition, the steering wheels allow you to simulate in great detail the same mode of interaction that the pilots have with their vehicle, offering the player the possibility of having a virtual connection with the simulated vehicle. Almost all steering wheels then have force feedback, which is a technology that allows you to transfer all the driving sensations, the load of the car’s weights and the roughness of the terrain on the steering wheel, which a gamepad cannot do.
In short, as you have already understood, a steering wheel is a whole other thing compared to traditional gaming peripherals and, if you are ready to take this big step or you just want to change your steering wheel for a higher quality model, you are in the right place! In fact, in this guide I’ll explain everything you need to know to buy the best PS4 wheel for your needs. But first I suggest you get comfortable and read the next lines, so you know everything there is to know in this area of the gaming sector.
Index
- How to choose a PS4 wheel
- Base, crown and pedal board
- Materials
- Turning radius
- Force Feedback
- Exchange
- Other functions and accessories
- Which PS4 steering wheel to buy
- Best cheap PS4 steering wheel (less than 150 €)
- Best mid-range PS4 wheel (up to 350 €)
- Best high-end PS4 steering wheel (over € 350)
- Best seats for PS4 steering wheel
How to choose a PS4 wheel
Choosing a PS4 wheel isn’t as simple as you think. It is a complex and articulated peripheral, made up of several separate pieces that have a fundamental utility. If on the one hand it is true that many kits sold on the market are ready for use and perfectly calibrated, on the other hand it is also true that there are more particular and very expensive solutions that require a certain experience in order to be configured and chosen, in order to have a consistent result.
But stop the chatter and move on to serious things. Before you come across the choice of the best PS4 wheel, you need to learn the difference between simulations and arcade car games: the former are games that are very similar to real life, capable of following the physical rules with some precision. They are more difficult to master and for some players a little less fun, but they are also the ones that give the most satisfaction in the long run. Arcade driving games have simpler driving behavior and different aids in the most sudden maneuvers.
For simulations (which in any case also have simplified driving modes, often) I suggest medium-high quality steering wheels, while for arcades you can also settle for inexpensive models. Among the most famous simulations on PlayStation 4, there are Assetto Corsa Competizione, Project CARS 3, F1 2020, while among the arcade driving games we have The Crew 2, Dirt 5, Dirt Rally 2.0, Wreckfest, Driveclub, and the various Need for Speed. I certainly haven’t forgotten about Gran Turismo Sport, a legend in the Sony gaming world. It is a car game suitable for everyone, an exemplary middle ground between pure simulation and arcade.
Base, crown and pedal board
Let’s start with three terms you’ll hear a lot about, especially if you’re looking for an advanced PS4 wheel. The kits you find on the market for the PS4 are usually ready to use, but they too are made up of three main components.
The base is the central body where all the electronic components, the force feedback motor and the connectors reside. Inside, to establish the position of the crown (in English rim ), it can have sensors of different types (optical or magnetic, for example) and of different precision. The base is the most important part of the steering wheel, of course, since it establishes the force it can impart to the vibration effects and general steering precision, as well as the turning radius (we will see later what exactly we are talking about).
We talked about the crown: it is the actual steering wheel, and like on a car (racing or not), it can have a different diameter, from just over 20cm up to over 30cm. Inside the steering wheel, but also on the base, you can find different buttons and triggers, the same ones that are usually found on the official gamepads of the Sony console.
The pedal set is another fundamental component of a PS4 wheel, and can have two configurations: two pedals with accelerator and brake and three pedals with also the clutch. In the very high-end models you can also find load cell pedals for the brake, which can offer a pressure resistance of 80 or 90Kg, as in real racing cars.
The steering wheel and pedal board receive analog inputs , so based on pressure or rotation they give a more or less strong command in the simulation, while the buttons are usually digital, so they can only be activated or deactivated. In PS4 racing wheels with force feedback, you will always find an external power supply, which therefore requires connection to an electrical outlet.
Materials
In the cheaper PS4 wheels you will find a lot of plastic, even for the internal gears of the base or for the pedal set, while in the more advanced ones you will see a lot of metal, such as aluminum or even steel for the internal components. It is clear that the steering wheel was born to be “mistreated”, so I advise you to evaluate the materials with which it was made very well. However, be aware that steering wheels with metal parts are much more expensive than those with polycarbonate parts.
The crown is often made of rubber, harder in the center and with a soft finish on the outside. The more expensive models can make use of alcantara and even leather, and it is sometimes not uncommon to find full-scale replicas of real racing or sports car steering wheels.
Turning radius
One of the features that you will often read in the technical specification lists of the various models is the turning radius, which indicates how much the steering wheel can actually be turned until it reaches the end of its travel. The cheapest models do not even reach 300 °, while the norm for the most interesting models is 900 ° or 1050 ° (so they are able to make several full rotations before reaching the bottom, as in real cars).
Having a wide range of rotation allows you to simulate the behavior of homologated cars on the road, however it is very difficult for racing cars to reach such large turning radii. Having this option, however, adds a lot of versatility and allows you to play more titles without restrictions.
Force Feedback
If you’ve never heard of Force Feedback, sit back and read these lines, as it’s one of the main reasons why you should prefer a PS4 wheel to a gamepad. It is a technology that simulates all kinds of forces that the car transmits to the steering wheel while driving.
The force feedback therefore allows you to hear curbs, holes, any bumpy asphalts or dirt, but not only, since it also allows you to perceive – in the more expensive models – even the forces transmitted to the steering wheel during oversteer or understeer phenomena, and all changes load of the car during maneuvers.
It is not a simple vibration like Sony’s Dual Shock 4, but a real ecosystem of effects that allows you to connect the player to the asphalt and the virtual car he is driving. Furthermore, the more precise the force feedback, the more precise the “racer” guidance can be.
There are several technologies used for the mechanisms that transmit the effects of force feedback to the steering wheel: belt (or double belt) are the most silent and precise, but sometimes they may require maintenance and recalibration; the most common steering wheels, however, are geared, quite precise but rougher and less fluid in rotation. They are also noisier. There are products on the market that use both technologies.
Exchange
The PS4 steering wheels almost always make use of the paddles on the steering wheel, which can be used as a sequential gearbox, that is, which allows you to change gears progressively, one after the other, both uphill and downshifted. This type of gearbox can satisfy all your needs, especially if you like to play arcade titles or titles that simulate Formula 1 cars, GT championships, or racing cars in general.
There are also shift levers, both sequential and H-shift. The latter give you the ability to shift as you would any car with a manual gearbox, and are fully exploited with simulators and a pedals with integrated clutch.
Other functions and accessories
Before we dive into choosing the best PS4 wheel, here are the last things to know. One of the most important is the coupling system, which often makes use of one or more clamps to make the base of the steering wheel adhere perfectly to the desk, keeping it as stable as possible. Always check if the coupling system is compatible with your desk, and also check if it is present: not all models integrate it, and it is necessary to buy it separately.
There are situations where you don’t need a docking system, such as when you want to buy a gaming station to install your next PS4 wheel. The gaming station is a kind of architecture that allows you to fix, in a more or less stable way, the base, pedals and any changes (or even external hand brakes), also simulating the seat of a sports or racing car. Many workstations also have a racing seat and hooks for one or more monitors.
The PS4 steering wheel gaming station is the solution that I suggest to you if you have ample spending possibilities, but you must know that the best stations can cost, on their own, like a high-end steering wheel or more.
Which PS4 steering wheel to buy
Now that you know all about PS4 wheels, here is a list of the best models you can buy in this model, broken down by price range. Remember: there isn’t the best PS4 wheel ever, so get comfortable and see what your next controller can be according to your needs.
Best cheap PS4 steering wheel (less than 150 €)
Speedlink Trailblazer Racing Wheel
The cheapest of the selection is the Speedlink Trailblazer Racing Wheel, compatible with various consoles and of course also with PlayStation 4. This model enjoys reduced response times thanks to an excellent arrangement of elements and buttons (12), a coupling system with suction cups to facilitate positioning and support for force feedback. The rotation angle is instead 180 °, so only 90 ° per side. The pedal board is included in the price.
Serafim R1
Strongly inexpensive but with some interesting features. I’m talking about the Serafim R1 that is the racing wheel that also sees the presence of a responsive pedal capable of allowing the game on PS4. What is it equipped with? Meanwhile, in addition to the steering wheel itself, there is also a double pedal with a positioning base and a gear knob. It is comfortable in its ergonomics as regards the setting of the hands and the buttons that allow you to interact with the various games on the console are also clearly present.
Thrustmaster T80 RW
It goes up slightly with the price for one of the most popular wheels for PS4, which offers great quality while remaining very economical. The Thrustmaster T80 RW has force feedback support, two paddles on the steering wheel to manage the gears, several buttons, including four in the crown and a directional pad, and a wide pedal board (of not excellent quality, but at this price it is difficult to find better). The brake pedal offers progressive resistance, with a patented “bungee cord” system.
Thrustmaster T80 Ferrari 488
This steering wheel with an excellent quality-price ratio is designed for those who do not have great needs. It costs less than 100 euros and has the same shape as the Ferrari 488 GTB steering wheel, but with a slightly reduced scale in size. The Thrustmaster T80 Ferrari 488 is compatible with the PlayStation 4 (and more), and can be used with different types of games. It also offers paddles on the steering wheel and a rotation angle of 240 °, and is sold with a two-pedal pedal set.
Hori RWA Racing Wheel Apex
Hori RWA Racing Wheel Apex is a good quality PS4 wheel among the cheaper ones, and features a force feedback system called TouchSense. It can also be connected to the PS3 or to the PC and is sold with a large pedal set with two pedals, accelerator and brake. It uses a clamp system to hook onto the desk, while the rotation angle is 270 °, which is lower than the cheaper models.
There is also a completely wireless version, ie wireless. In this case it is offered with an internal rechargeable battery that will allow you to have more than 10 hours of play with a single charge. The game and technical characteristics, on the other hand, remain unchanged.
Best mid-range PS4 wheel (up to 350 €)
Thrustmaster T150 Ferrari
With the Thrustmaster T150 Ferrari you can start doing things seriously. It is officially licensed by Ferrari (but there is also a more sober version with PS4 design) and is fully compatible with the Sony console even at the button level. It offers excellent accuracy thanks to 12-bit optical reading, using a mixed belt and gear system. The paddles on the steering wheel are included, along with a pedals of not very high quality. However, you can mount the T3PA and T3PA Pro pedals, as well as the TH8 external H gearbox. The rotation angle is over 1000 °.
Logitech G29
The Logitech G29 is the successor to the glorious G25 and G27, and improves on the latter mainly for the pedalboard, which has a stroke with progressive resistance, and for the smoother and less noisy force feedback. It is compatible with PC, PS3 and PS4 and offers a rotation range of approximately 900 °. Then we have the stainless steel shift paddles, a two-motor force feedback system, a lever and a whole series of buttons to better manage each simulation. This version uses a three-pedal pedal set, but the H-shifter is to be purchased separately.
Thrustmaster Racing Wheel T300 RS
Slightly more expensive than the Logitech G29, the Thrustmaster Racing Wheel T300 RS is one of the most popular products among PS4 wheels thanks to its excellent value for money. It uses an industrial-class brushless motor to provide as smooth and smooth force feedback as possible. It is quieter than the G29 thanks to the double belt mechanism, and also offers a proprietary HEART reading so as to give good precision in the controls, with 16-bit resolution. The rotation angle can be set up to 1080 °, while the supplied pedal is the weak point of this product, with only two pedals. However, you can combine it with the excellent Thrustmaster T3PA Pro if you want a more “professional” experience. In addition, this steering wheel is also available with a Ferrari Alcantara edition, licensed by the famous brand, and a Gran Turismo edition to satisfy even fans of the Playstation series of games.
Thrustmaster Ferrari F1
If you are truly passionate about Formula 1 and Ferrari, you cannot fail to take a look at the Trustmaster Ferrari F1 wheel which faithfully replicates the design of an old Formula 1 Ferrari steering wheel from 2011. A faithful replica licensed by Ferrari that will allow you to have every type of lever, button, wheel just like that of a Formula 1 driver. In this case there are the “Push & Pull” gearshift levers in brushed metal just like those of Formula 1 and the surface of the entire steering wheel is reinforced, also in brushed metal, to ensure maximum solidity.
Best high-end PS4 steering wheel (over € 350)
Logitech G923 TRUEFORCE
The Logitech G923 TRUEFORCE opens the high end, a sort of evolved model of the Logitech G29 seen previously. It included in the price a pedal board with 3 pedals and a non-slip rubber base. All pedal surfaces are also adjustable for added comfort and the brake pedal supports progressive braking. The TRUEFORCE technology of this wheel offers a high-level driving experience by connecting directly to simulated motors to provide you with real-time feedback with a very high level of precision. Among the steering wheels it is perhaps the most beautiful to look at and comfortable to handle, with a customized 24-point control to easily manage all settings without distracting you from driving.
Also available is the version with the 6-speed shift knob and reverse which completes the set and offers crazy fluidity on both straights and hairpin bends.
Thrustmaster T300 Ferrari GTE / T300 Ferrari Integral RW
If you want an even more simulation experience, I suggest some modified versions of the famous T300 seen in the mid-range. In fact, this product can be customized with different crowns capable of simulating even more precisely the steering wheels that you find on sports and racing cars. A very popular model is the T300 Ferrari GTE Wheel, with rubber coating for the crown and keys found on GTE cars. The pedal board, unfortunately, is the usual two-pedal from the T300 family, but you can of course connect the excellent T3PA Pro with three pedals. In any case, the pedal set supplied with this steering wheel makes use of customizable metal pedals.
An even higher-end version is the T300 Ferrari Integral RW Alcantara Edition, which uses the Ferrari 599XX Evo Alcantara crown. The base is the same as the T300, therefore fully compatible with the PlayStation 4, however the pedal board changes, which is the T3PA (the Pro version is still the best of Thrustmaster in this price range). For the rest, all the qualities of the T300 steering wheel remain.
Thrustmaster T-GT
Excluding the Fanatec models, the best PS4 wheel is the Thrustmaster T-GT. This is a very high-end model, designed for the most demanding racers and to offer maximum compatibility with the Gran Turismo Sport game. It uses T-DFB technology, calibrated exclusively for GT Sport, which uses two brushless motors to perform force feedback effects. The Thrustmaster T-GT Servo base draws an impressive 40W of power using industrial technologies. The crown features all the keys needed for simulations and four rotary selectors, 12 positions, 2 mini-sticks and the shift paddles are made of metal. The pedal set has three metal pedals, with the accelerator and clutch pedals that can be adjusted in height and distance. It costs a little, but I recommend it if you are a true sim racing fan.
Fanatec CSL Elite Starter Kit
With Fanatec products you enter an esoteric world, and are usually only recommended for PC gaming. However, in recent years the company has also expanded into the console market, even on PS4. After all, the real simulations have also landed on the Sony console (think of Assetto Corsa), so it no longer makes sense to think that professional steering wheels are useless on PS4. Fanatec CSL Elite Starter Kit it is the entry-level proposal of the manufacturer, but in fact it is better than all the other products that I have proposed to you so far. It is very expensive, but this kit works perfectly on both PS4 and PS4 Pro and also includes the pedal board in the price, with an aluminum design and Snapdrome technology that increases the feeling of reality while driving. The motor that moves the whole is instead the brushless with a twisting technology that brings the steering angle up to 1080 ° and can be adjusted via the tuning menu of the steering wheel. While the multicolored LEDs take care of embellishing the steering wheel rim, the RevStripe technology provides telemetry data instead. This Fanatec product is truly the perfect racing wheel for car simulation, great even if you are considering pursuing a career in eSports. Find it on the official site.
Fanatec Podium Racing Wheel F1
This wheel is an exaggeration in all terms, a pure exercise in style that only the most experienced sim racers can understand. The Fanatec Podium Racing Wheel F1 is a bundle proposed by Fanatec, fully compatible with PS4 and licensed for PS4 and Formula 1. It is designed for simulations and I highly recommend using it in conjunction with a high-end racing station: this model makes use of of a crown that resembles the steering wheel of a Formula 1 single-seater, and at the level of force feedback it uses Direct Drive technology, extremely powerful and with a fluidity not reachable by other lower-end systems. It is the maximum you can aspire to right now, excluding much more niche custom products, and the pedalboard is to be purchased separately. You can only buy it on the official website, where you can also find more information.
Best PS4 steering wheel seats
I told you about racing stations for PS4 steering wheels , below you will find a selection of some universal models or for specific PS4 steering wheels . It is true that they require a bit of space in the environment, but especially on the more expensive wheels they are essential in terms of immersion and gaming experience, also allowing you to express yourself at your best on the track.