If you've ever been shopping around for a sim racing wheel, or even just looking to get into the hobby, you've most likely heard the term "force feedback" thrown around over and over again. But what does it mean, and is it even important? Let's find out.

What is Force Feedback?

When referring to sim racing, force feedback is a feature within certain wheels that tries to simulate the feel of a real car by making the wheel react with force and resistance. The problem is that it's extremely tricky to explain to someone who has never actually experienced it.

Essentially, when driving a real car, the driver can sense the vehicle's grip, any bumps or curbs hit, and the feeling of the road, etc., by using all their senses. For example, you know you hit a pothole because your body can literally feel the car as it goes through it. But in the virtual world, there's no real way of feeling that. As a result, a force feedback wheel can react in order to appeal to your sense of touch and give you more awareness of the virtual car.

A force feedback wheel will, for example, give counter-resistance when turning into a tight corner at high speeds, shake and rumble when your virtual car hits a curb, goes off-road, hits gravel or sand, among many other things, for example. All of this is done not only to increase realism and immersion but, most importantly, to give essential cues to the driver, which would otherwise be impossible to feel.

My recommendations for force feedback sim racing wheels:

What’s the catch?

With all great things, however, there seems to always be a catch. The catch with force feedback wheels for sim racing is that they will inevitably be pricier than those without it. That's why, when looking to buy a racing wheel, there seems to be so many options under $100, and then the price suddenly jumps to around the $200 mark for certain wheels. At the moment, the most budget-friendly wheels with force feedback, both of which I’ve used and highly recommend by the way, are the Logitech G29 and G920, and the Thrustmaster TMX and T150, which can range anywhere from the low to mid 200's if you’re buying them new.

Affordable FFB sim racing wheels:

Is a Force Feedback Wheel Worth it?

Absolutely, 100%. I would even go as far as to say that wheels without force feedback shouldn't even be considered for 99% of people who are seriously looking to begin driving in the virtual world. This is because, without force feedback, you literally have little to no feel of how the car is behaving, making it nearly impossible to drive on the limit, or even close to the limit, if I'm being honest. The only decent reason someone might have for purchasing a non-force feedback wheel is if you're buying it for a young kid who has never in their life driven a car and just wants to start experiencing the feel of holding a wheel. And I guess if you just want to play games like Mario Kart and other arcade games, a force feedback wheel won't be necessary. But chances are, you're looking to play games like Forza, Gran Turismo, or The Crew, which, even though they aren't the most realistic, will still require a force feedback wheel for anyone who wants to take the driving seriously.

Different Types of Force Feedback Wheels

Once you're in the market for a force feedback wheel, you'll start hearing terms like "gear-driven," "direct-drive," and "belt-driven." These are just used to refer to different mechanisms within wheels that produce the force feedback. Gear-driven wheels, like the Logitech G29 and G920, are on the lower end of the spectrum because they can't produce too much force, are a little noisy, and are slower to react. But don't get me wrong, even these low-end gear-driven wheels are miles superior to those without force feedback.

Belt-driven wheels have a good reputation because they offer a very solid amount of performance without being excessively expensive. Thrustmaster, a sim racing hardware manufacturer, is best known for producing belt-driven wheels because they make most of them. For example, the T300, TS-XW, T-GT, among many others.

At the highest end of the spectrum are the direct-drive wheels. Although they've been becoming more accessible lately, these are still on the highest end of the price range. Direct-drive wheels connect a motor directly to the wheel. As a result, they are able to give off the most force, at faster speeds, and with more precision than belt-driven and gear-driven offerings.

If you’re interested in learning more about this subject and know my recommendations for direct-drive, belt-driven, and gear-driven wheels, read my guide here.

FAQs

What is force feedback in sim racing wheels?
Force feedback is a feature in certain sim racing wheels that simulates the feel of driving a real car by providing force and resistance. It aims to give drivers a more realistic and immersive driving experience by mimicking the sensations of grip, road textures, and vehicle behavior.

Why is force feedback important in sim racing?
Force feedback is crucial for providing a realistic driving experience. It gives essential cues about the vehicle's behavior and conditions on the virtual road, which would be impossible to feel otherwise. This includes sensing grip levels, responding to bumps, and feeling the resistance when taking tight corners.

Are force feedback wheels more expensive than non-force feedback wheels?
Yes, force feedback wheels are generally pricier due to the technology and mechanisms involved. Non-force feedback wheels can be found under $100, while force feedback models typically start around the $200 mark.

What are some budget-friendly force feedback wheels recommended for beginners?
The Logitech G29 and G920, along with the Thrustmaster TMX and T150, are highly recommended budget-friendly options for beginners. They offer a good balance between cost and performance, providing a solid force feedback experience.

Is a force feedback wheel worth the investment?
Absolutely. For anyone serious about sim racing, a force feedback wheel is considered essential for experiencing realistic driving dynamics. It significantly enhances realism and immersion, making it nearly indispensable for learning and enjoying sim racing.

What are the different types of force feedback mechanisms?
The main types are gear-driven, belt-driven, and direct-drive. Gear-driven wheels are more affordable but can be noisier and less responsive. Belt-driven wheels offer a good performance-to-cost ratio, with smoother and quieter operation. Direct-drive wheels, the most premium option, provide the most force, speed, and precision but are also the most expensive.

Why might someone choose a non-force feedback wheel?
Non-force feedback wheels might be suitable for very young children who are new to driving games and have no prior experience with real cars, or for those who primarily play arcade-style racing games where realistic driving dynamics are less critical.

How do direct-drive wheels differ from gear-driven and belt-driven wheels?
Direct-drive wheels connect the motor directly to the steering wheel, offering the highest level of force, speed, and precision. Gear-driven and belt-driven wheels use gears and belts, respectively, to transmit force from the motor to the wheel, with direct-drive wheels providing a more immediate and realistic experience.