The Best F1 Wheels for Sim Racing: Buyer’s Guide

Featured image: Cube Controls F-Pro

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If you mostly race open-wheelers – the F1 games, or formula cars in iRacing – a proper F1 rim is the single upgrade that changes how the car feels in your hands. Round GT wheels work, but they leave a lot of the cockpit on the table.

There are a lot of F1 wheels out there now, and if you’re new to this, picking the right one is genuinely hard. So I’ve laid out the ones I rate, cheapest first, with what each one is good for.

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Beginner bundles | What to look for | Simagic GT NEO (budget) | Fanatec ClubSport Formula V3 | Cube Controls F-Core | Simagic FX Pro | Moza FSR2 | Cube Controls F-Pro | Grid Engineering MPX | GSI Formula Pro Elite | Ascher Artura Pro | Cube Controls CSX3 | PSE GPX

What are the best sim racing wheels for F1? Here are my top formula picks, cheapest to dearest – all proper open-wheel rims rather than round GT wheels dressed up, and all buyable right now:

We’ve covered our favourite sim racing wheels here, but, if you’re building an F1 cockpit, you may very well be looking for something more specific.

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Games like F1 2021/2 and more complex simulations like the Mercedes W12 and W13 in iRacing require more complicated controllers if you’re going to extract a truly competitive laptime. An F1 driver’s workload during a lap is very, very high. Brake bias, diff entry and exit settings, “strat” mode, engine settings, shift cues – and that’s barely scratching the surface!

This video from Mercedes AMG Petronas is worth a watch if you want to understand just how much an F1 driver is doing during a single lap:

I’ve laid these out cheapest first, because that’s how most people should shop for one. If you’re new to this, start at the top – you do not need to spend four figures to get a proper F1 feel, and the budget routes below get you most of the way there. If you’re upgrading and already know what you want, skip down to the premium end. Either way the aim is the same: help you order the right bits the first time.

If you’re on a tight budget and running a Logitech G29, G920 or G923, it’s worth knowing that Acelith make some brilliant formula-style rim mods that bolt straight onto your existing base. The Ace Morph G30 (around GBP 148) is a proper modular system, and the F27 formula rim (around GBP 69) is a solid entry point if you just want that open-wheel feel without spending a fortune.

One 2026 option to know about, but not get caught out by: Logitech’s McLaren Racing Edition RS Formula Wheel. It’s a lovely F1-style rim for around GBP 100, but it is just a rim – it needs Logitech’s RS Wheel Hub (about GBP 140) and a Logitech PRO or RS50 direct drive base under it to do anything. So it’s a great swap if you already own that Logitech setup, not a cheap way in for a first wheel. Don’t buy the rim on its own expecting it to work.

Best F1 beginner bundles

If you’re starting from nothing, buying a wheel and base together as a bundle is the cheapest way into formula sim racing, and both Moza and Fanatec do proper F1-style ones. Moza pair their FSR2 formula wheel with an R9 or R12 direct drive base, which is a genuinely strong first setup you won’t outgrow in a hurry. That’s the route I’d point most newcomers at – you get a real formula rim with a display and a direct drive base for close to what a plastic gear-driven wheel used to cost.

Fanatec’s formula bundles are the other one to look at, especially if you want console compatibility and a big ecosystem to grow into later. They pair a CSL DD base with a ClubSport formula wheel, so you get the OLED and the magnetic paddles from day one. Still running a Logitech G29, G920 or G923 on a tight budget? An Acelith formula rim mod bolted to your existing base is the cheapest formula-style route of all.

What to look for in an F1 wheel

Four things decide whether a wheel suits you. Get these right and the rest is personal taste.

• Rim size. A true F1 feel is 270-280mm – small enough to catch a slide without crossing your arms. 290-300mm wheels (like the Simagic GT NEO) are formula/GT crossovers, better if you race more than just open-wheelers.
• Inputs. F1 sims want constant mid-lap changes – brake bias, diff, ERS. Thumb rotary encoders and a 7-way funky switch let you do that without taking your hands off the grips. Plain buttons don’t cut it.
• Display, or not. A built-in OLED is lovely on a screen setup. But if you race in VR – which honestly I’d take over triple monitors most days – a wheel screen is money down the drain, because you’ll never see it. Don’t pay GBP 300 extra for one you can’t look at. New to VR? Our VR headset guide covers it.
• Dual-clutch paddles. If you care about race starts, twin clutch paddles with an adjustable bite point are how you nail the getaway off the grid.

Whatever you pick needs a wheelbase under it and a sim to drive – the F1 games, iRacing and the rest all reward a proper formula wheel.

Simagic GT NEO

The Simagic GT NEO is genuinely the best budget F1 wheel I’ve used. Not even close. $269 / GBP 246 gets you a 300mm formula wheel that feels like it should cost twice that. It’s one of the bigger formula rims on this list, so if you’ve got larger hands or just prefer more leverage, it works well.

Carbon fibre body, rubberised grips that don’t get slippery after an hour. Bigger hands? You’ll like the extra room. I’ve done 90-minute stints without cramping, which is more than I can say for some 280mm wheels.

10 RGB-lit buttons with short travel, funky switches, rotaries, knobs. More inputs than the price suggests. RevLEDs and QR kit are pre-installed – no extras to buy. I did a full review of the GT NEO and came away properly impressed.

Key features of the Simagic GT NEO include:

• 300mm diameter
• Carbon fibre build
• 10 buttons – tactile and clicky
• RGB-lit buttons
• RevLEDs
• QR kit
• Joystick (Funky-switch)
• Wide compatibility
• Easy configuration with SIMPRO Manager
• 4x paddle shifters

Fanatec ClubSport Formula V3

If you’re already in the Fanatec ecosystem – or buying into it – this is the obvious F1 wheel to reach for, and for a lot of people it’s the one to just buy and stop agonising over. The ClubSport Formula V3 is the latest version of Fanatec’s long-running formula wheel: a 290mm rim with a 2.7-inch OLED display, magnetic paddles, and the spread of buttons, rotaries and a funky switch you actually need for mid-race changes. It clicks straight onto any current Fanatec base – CSL DD, ClubSport DD, Podium – with no faff.

What makes it the safe pick is the balance – you get the display, the magnetic shift feel and proper build quality without stepping up to four figures, and because it’s Fanatec it just works across the range. The OLED is properly handy if you’re on a screen rather than in VR: gear, speed, lap delta, all on the rim.

Key features of the Fanatec ClubSport Formula V3 include:

• 290mm diameter
• 2.7-inch white OLED display
• Magnetic paddle shifters
• Funky switch, rotaries and backlit buttons
• Works across the Fanatec range (CSL DD, ClubSport DD, Podium)
• Carbon-look faceplate

It lands at around GBP 330 / $350, which for what you get is a sensible place to stop looking. Check the current price of the ClubSport Formula V3 at Fanatec.

Cube Controls F-Core

The F-Core is Cube Controls’ entry-level formula wheel, and honestly it punches well above its weight. If you want the Cube Controls build quality but can’t stretch to the F-Pro or CSX3, this is where to look. I reviewed the F-Core in full, and it earned its keep.

The die-cast aluminium body doesn’t flex. I’ve had it on an Alpha Mini pushing 10Nm and it stayed completely solid. The carbon fibre reinforced front plate looks right, and the magnetic paddle shifters click properly – none of that mushy feel you get on cheaper wheels.

You get 10 precision-click buttons, 2 rotary encoders, and 2 multi-directional joysticks for menu navigation. It’s a stripped-back approach compared to the CSX3’s feature overload, but that’s the point – everything on the F-Core serves a purpose and nothing feels like filler.

You can connect via Q-CONN magnetic mount, USB, or Bluetooth – your call. There’s a 2000mAh LiPo battery inside that Cube Controls say lasts 40 hours on wireless. I haven’t tested that claim but it certainly doesn’t run out quickly. At around $938 it’s crept up from its launch price and now sits above the Moza FSR2, so these days you’re paying for the Cube Controls build and feel rather than undercutting on price.

Key features of the Cube Controls F-Core include:

• Die-cast aluminium body with carbon fibre front plate
• Magnetic paddle shifters (optional clutch paddles)
• 10 precision-click buttons
• 2 rotary encoders
• 2 multi-directional joysticks
• Q-CONN magnetic connection
• USB / Bluetooth dual mode
• 2000mAh LiPo battery (up to 40 hours)
• 6x70mm bolt pattern
• SimHub compatible

Simagic FX Pro Formula Wheel

Simagic’s FX Pro is the mid-range formula wheel that the Simagic ecosystem has been missing. At $549, it sits between the budget GT NEO and the pricier options further up this list, and the spec sheet reads like something that should cost more. The 290mm carbon fibre body keeps weight down to 1700g, and the grips feel properly considered rather than an afterthought.

Controls-wise, it’s packed. 12 RGB buttons, 5 rotary encoders, 4 thumb knobs, a 7-way switch. For under $550 that’s genuinely hard to fault. The 6 paddles mix standard and Hall Effect sensors, so you get proper analogue clutch control out of the box – no separate paddle kit needed.

The Sumo S-ray RGB strip that wraps around the rim is the bit that catches your eye first. Rev lights, flag warnings, status feedback – it does all of it depending on which sim you’re running. Looks great and it’s actually functional, which is rare for RGB stuff. One caveat though: Simagic bases only. No USB mode, no third-party compatibility.

Key features of the Simagic FX Pro include:

• 290mm diameter, carbon fibre construction
• 12 RGB buttons with short travel
• 5 rotary encoders + 4 thumb knobs
• 7-way multi-directional switch
• 6 paddles (Standard + Hall Effect)
• Sumo S-ray RGB light strip
• 1700g total weight
• Simagic wheelbase compatible only

The FX Pro is available at Apex Sim Racing.

Moza FSR2 Formula Wheel

The Moza FSR2 is a seriously capable formula wheel that goes toe-to-toe with offerings from Fanatec and Cube Controls at a lower price point. At around $649, you’re getting a 5mm carbon fibre faceplate, a 4.3-inch touchscreen (480p), and a level of build quality that had me doing a double-take when I first picked it up.

The rear paddle setup is where it gets interesting – six paddles in total, with magnetic shifters that have a crisp, predictable action. You also get 10 backlit buttons, 5 rotary encoders, and 2 thumb encoders, which gives you more than enough inputs to map everything you need for an F1 car without hunting through menus mid-race.

If you’re already in the Moza ecosystem with an R9, R12, or R16 base, the FSR2 is a natural upgrade path. I covered it in detail in the FSR2 review – well worth a read if you’re considering it.

Key features of the Moza FSR2 include:

• 5mm carbon fibre faceplate
• 4.3-inch touchscreen display (480p)
• 6-paddle rear configuration
• Magnetic shifters
• 10 backlit buttons
• 5 rotary encoders
• 2 thumb encoders
• Compatible with Moza wheelbases

Cube Controls F-Pro

This is my favourite wheel on the list, and it’s the versatility that does it. It’s a cracking F1 wheel, but I’ve run it on GT cars and classics just as happily – it never feels out of place.

On a budget, this is about the best F1 sim racing wheel you can buy, on balance – there’s no DDU which really isn’t necessary (and anyway you can choose your own DDU!) and the switches, rotaries, funky switches – are all of a very high quality.

The wheel build is of a very high standard overall and performed well in the review.

Key features of the Cube Controls F-Pro include:

• 285mm Diameter
• Carbon Fibre face plate
• Dual connections – USB or Bluetooth
• Ball bearing paddle shift mechanism
• Dual-clutch paddles
• Compatible with 70mm PCD QR Hubs
• 1100g weight
• 12 backlit momentary buttons 
• 2 Funky switches, 2 front rotatory encoders and 4 thumb rotary encoders

Grid Engineering MPX

The GRID MPX Sim Racing Steering Wheel is a strong option in this category – proper craftsmanship combined with modern features at a price that won’t make your eyes water (compared to some of the wheels on this page, anyway). I also like having the option of a no-display (DDU) wheel so that I can choose my own.

The wheel is crafted with a durable 5mm carbon fibre front and complemented by uniquely designed PU, anti-static grips, Grid’s MPX offers a comfortable grip for those marathon racing sessions.

As you chase the leaderboards, the feedback from the paddle shifters – augmented by extra magnets – makes every shift feel impeccably timed.

A major highlight of the MPX is its carefully crafted design features. Many, including me, are blown away by the 87 telemetry-driven RGB LEDs. They’re not just for show; they deliver crucial real-time data, ensuring you’re always in tune with the race. The wheel’s array of controls, from the responsive APEM buttons to the precise ELMA encoders, are ergonomically placed, making every interaction instinctual.

Setting up the GRID MPX is straightforward – universal PC compatibility via USB, and it plays nicely with SimHub or GRID’s own RaceDirector software for LED and display customisation.

The GRID MPX is genuinely one of the better F1 wheels I’ve used. The build quality, the feedback through the paddles, the attention to detail across the whole thing – it all adds up.

Grid Engineering seriously upped their game after being acquired by Sim-Lab, and the MPX is a good example of that – read the Grid MPX review here.

Key features of the Grid Engineering MPX include:

• 295mm diameter
• Carbon Fibre face plate
• Back-lit buttons and encoders
• 87 telemetry controllable RGB LEDs
• Full aluminium construction
• Rear Otto P9 Buttons
• 4 paddles
• 2 x 7-way Funky switches
• Support RaceDirector Software
• Custom over-molded PU grips with an anti-static mixture
• 2 x 7-way Funky switches

GOMEZ SIM INDUSTRIES: Formula Pro Elite

The Formula Pro Elite by Gomez Sim Industries sits firmly in the premium bracket. The build is very solid – zero flex in the chassis, which is exactly what you want when you’re pushing hard through fast corners.

The LCD touchscreen is a nice touch for telemetry, and the carbon fibre faceplate gives it a proper race-car feel. The 6061 aluminium chassis paired with direct-injection silicone rubber handles works well – the grip is genuinely comfortable over longer sessions.

You get customisable RGB LED rev lights that work with all the popular sim software. There’s a decent spread of buttons, knobs, and rotary encoders on the face, plus paddle shifters on the rear.

The current model is the Formula Pro Elite V2 – a ground-up redesign that kept the price the same, added thumb encoders for the first time and moved to 66 addressable RGB LEDs. You’re looking at around $1,500 (roughly £1,180) for the Blackout, which is steep but not unreasonable for what you get. GSI build these by hand to order. If you’re building a proper F1 rig and want a wheel that matches, this fits the bill.

Key features of the Formula Pro Elite include:

• High-resolution 4.3″ LCD touchscreen
• 7-way multi-switch
• RGB LED rev lights
• “CEMS N52” V3 shifters
• 5mm carbon fiber faceplate
• Optional dual clutches
• Direct-injection silicone handles
• “Spec 3” coiled cable
• 6061 aluminium components
• 300mm diameter
• 10 momentary buttons
• 70mm threaded bolt pattern
• 5 push-button rotary encoders
• Extra label sheets

Ascher Racing McLaren Artura Pro

The McLaren Artura Pro USB represents Ascher Racing’s collaboration with McLaren and Renvale, bringing genuine motorsport DNA to sim racing. This wheel shares actual components with the real McLaren Artura GT4 racing wheel, making it a compelling choice for those seeking authentic track-inspired hardware.

At 300mm diameter, it strikes a balance between GT and formula-style wheels, lending itself to both aggressive sprint racing and smoother endurance driving styles. The build quality is excellent – solid aluminium chassis with machined textures and proper motorsport-grade construction throughout.

Here it is:

What sets this wheel apart is the sheer level of customisation and control. The 14 RGB-illuminated push buttons feature automotive-grade quality with 16 million colour options, individually adjustable and focused through custom caps that prevent any light bleed. The Gen 6 magnetic shifters are sublime – silky smooth with predictable action and quiet operation.

Here’s the rear:

Key features of the McLaren Artura Pro USB include:

• 300mm diameter with 6x70mm PCD mounting
• Over 100 programmable inputs total
• 14 RGB illuminated push buttons (16 million colours)
• 4 thumb encoders
• 2 multifunctional 7-way joysticks (4 directions plus rotate CW/CCW)
• Gen 6 magnetic paddle shifters with clutch paddles
• Multiple rotary encoders
• Bite point calibration in 0.1% and 1.0% steps
• USB-C pass-through for compatible wheelbases
• Freely configurable button mapping
• Low power consumption (max 500mA)
• 1.5m coiled USB cable (extends to 2m)

One practical note: the McLaren Artura Pro is sold direct through Ascher and Renvale – I don’t have an affiliate route to it. If you want something close in the Ascher catalogue that I can point you to with a working link, the F64-USB V3 and F64-SC V3 Wireless are the formula wheels I’d look at – same Ascher build quality, similar input count, and the wireless F64-SC pairs cleanly with a Simucube base.

Cube Controls CSX3

The Cube Controls CSX3 sim racing wheel is the flagship sim racing wheel from our friends at Cube Controls, with the CSX3 built around a glossy carbon fibre faceplate and the signature Cube Controls hand-painted logo.

The grip is sculpted well – feels natural in the hand – and the button layout is positioned so you can hit inputs quickly without losing grip stability mid-corner.

The CSX-3 utilises Cubeset, Cube Controls‘ configuration and calibration software, which provides a straightforward setup without requiring installation. Calibration and RGB setting customisation are straightforward, yet attention to paddle calibration is emphasised in CubeSet.

You can update the device firmware and calibrate the paddles in CubeSet and then just add the CSX-3 as a device in SimHub. The SimHub compatibility allows very easy updates for the DDU (dash display unit).

The buttons on the CSX-3 are properly tactile – you get a satisfying click with each press, which is something that’s often missing from F1 racing wheels. There are 17 programmable RGB LED rev/flag lights and 12 backlit momentary buttons, plus two toggle switches and multiple rotary encoders that give you fine control over in-game settings like brake bias and TC levels – all handy when you’re deep into a race stint.

The CSX-3 was a joy to have at the office, and difficult to return (I didn’t want to remove it from the hub!) – here’s the CSX-3 review; read that and you’ll understand why.

Key features of the Cube Controls CSX3 include:

• 282mm diameter
• 4-inch LED touchscreen
• Carbon fibre face plate
• Customisable LED Buttons
• Up to 6 paddles 
• 1143g weight
• 12 momentary buttons
• 2 on/off toggle switches
• 8 rotary encoders
• 2 funky switches

Precision Sim Engineering GPX

The GPX by Precision Sim Engineering is a 290mm F1 / Formula wheel that was actually developed with input from real Formula One drivers. That pedigree shows in the layout and the control placement – it feels like it was designed by someone who’s had to use these controls at 200mph.

You get 9 rotary dials and 12 push buttons – more than enough to map every setting you’d need mid-race. There’s a full-colour LCD display too, and the polyurethane grips hold up well over long stints.

If you want dual-clutch paddles with an adjustable bite point, that’s an option here too. They pair with PSE’s magnetic gear shifters and carbon fibre paddles – the shift feel is very satisfying.

The GPX Steering Wheel by Precision Sim Engineering is for “high-end enthusiasts” looking to get an F1 racing experience without leaving their homes. Overall, a pretty decent F1 wheel, and if you don’t mind spending a whopping $3699 for an F1 wheel, this is a mighty good option.

Key features of the GPX Steering Wheel include:

• 290mm diameter
• Injection moulded polyurethane grips
• 9 rotary dial controls
• 12 high-quality push buttons
• PSE magnetic gear shifters with carbon fibre paddles
• Optional dual-clutch paddles with adjustable bite-point
• Full-colour LCD data display
• Replaceable industrial-grade coiled USB cable

That’s the lot. The GT NEO is still the one I’d point people to on a budget, and the F-Pro remains my personal favourite for sheer versatility. Got questions about any of these? Comments are open below.

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Build the rest of the rig

An F1 wheel is one part of the F1 sim racing setup – the wheelbase and PC sitting under it matter just as much: the direct drive wheels buyer’s guide, the GPU buyer’s guide for sim racing, the gaming PC buyer’s guide for sim racing, and iRacing promo codes – the F1 series runs on iRacing now too.

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Topic: Sim Racing Wheels