Sim Racing as CHEAP as Possible in 2023!
So, for whatever reason, you're interested in diving into the rabbit hole that is sim racing. A quick Google search might make you realize that it's not as "accessible" as you initially thought. Don't worry, though because in this article, I'll guide you and provide several suggestions on how you can start sim racing as cheaply as possible. And for your convenience, all products and gear mentioned are linked below.
Mounting
To begin with, we need to figure out where you'll be doing your racing. There are three main options. The first, and the cheapest, is your existing desk or table. Many budget wheels, which I'll cover shortly, come with table clamps and mounting solutions for users who don't have access to a dedicated sim racing cockpit or wheel stand. This could be a great option if you're tight on budget and space, but keep in mind that consistently removing and reinstalling the wheel on your desk could become annoying if you do it frequently.
A wheel stand is another common option for beginners. They take up less space than a full-fledged cockpit but do a good job of holding up your entry-to-mid-level wheel and pedals. Wheel stands usually fall within the $150-250 price range and provide a good middle ground for those who want to start racing without worrying too much about the aesthetics of their setup.
A sim racing cockpit is usually the preferred option for most enthusiasts. While high-end models can easily surpass the $1,000 mark, there are now many solid options available for far less. For example, the Next Level Racing GTLite Pro, which I recently reviewed, offers a good-looking and comfortable seat, as well as mounts for your wheel, pedals, and shifter. It's also fully retractable for those tight on space. This one retails for $300 new, but there are slightly cheaper options linked at the bottom of this article.
Keep in mind that websites like Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist offer a lot of great sim racing gear at far cheaper prices. So if you can't find anything within your budget or want to save on taxes and shipping, buying second-hand could be an excellent option for you.
Now that you know where you'll place your gear, it's time to discuss the star of the show:
Wheel + Pedals
For complete novices on a tight budget, options include the Logitech G29 and G920, as well as the Thrustmaster T128, T248, T150, and TMX. While these are the most affordable in sim racing, they're quickly outclassed if you spend a bit more. But before diving into that, let's talk about these options.
The Thrustmaster T128 is the cheapest and newest force-feedback wheel offered by Thrustmaster, often retailing for $150. However, with a plastic wheel, low levels of force, and subpar pedals, I unfortunately wouldn't recommend it unless you're buying it for a child.
The T248 is a more robust option with higher-quality wheel and pedals but is significantly more expensive, ranging from $300 to $400. At that price point, you could find better options for just a little more. That's why, at its $400 retail price, I wouldn't recommend it. However, if you find it for $200-300, it's a solid choice.
*Both the T248 and T128 are compatible with consoles, but pay special attention to the version you buy, as they will only work with either Xbox or PlayStation, not both. All the wheels I mention in this article are also compatible with PCs*
Thrustmaster's now-discontinued T150, which works for PlayStation, and the TMX, which works for Xbox, are very solid options still available new for around $150. Simply put, they're good choices in the $150-200 price range and can often be found used for less.
Direct-Drive
If I were making this video about a year ago, I would have been moving on to talking about something else. However, in 2023, approaching 2024, the landscape of entry-level sim racing wheels has changed dramatically. All the aforementioned wheels are simply fading out of existence and being replaced by far superior direct-drive systems which provide a night and day experience when it comes to realism, performance, and in-game immersion. So what am I talking about? Well closer to the $300-500 price tag, entry level direct-drive systems which are often bundled with wheels and pedals come into the mix and blow everything below it out of the water
The Moza Racing R5 bundle offered new with a synthetic leather wheel, pedals, table clamp, and 5nm direct-drive wheelbase all for $500. This is an extremely solid package all at a competitive price but will only work on PC, not on consoles.
The Fanatec CSL DD Ready2Race bundle which also offers a 5nm direct-drive wheel with solid pedals and a wheel for only $400. This one will work on Xbox, does not come with a table clamp, and allows you to upgrade to a much more powerful 8nm direct-drive wheelbase if you purchase the boost kit power supply separately later down the road.
In at only around $250, the Cammus C5 direct-drive wheelbase is unique in that the wheel is integrated into the wheelbase itself but ultimately, it provides a decent direct-drive experience for a very compelling price.
All of the wheels I mentioned come with some type of bundle that includes the pedals, wheelbase, and steering wheel, meaning that alongside having somewhere to place them on to, you should be good to go.
Other considerations regarding monitors, shifters, handbrakes, and other accessories really come down to your preferences. Ultimately, if you are looking to start out for as cheap as possible, one monitor is fine, the paddle shifters included with every wheel will not necessitate a separate shifter, and regardless of being on PC, PlayStation or Xbox, there are decent sim racing titles for each.
I’ve covered a lot of different hardware options in this article which definitely can get confusing but hopefully this served as a good introduction of what’s out there in the entry-level range. Remember, I have far more in-depth reviews on all the hardware mentioned if you are interested in learning more. With all that being said, let me know your thoughts down in the comments, did I miss anything which you would consider important for entry-level sim racers to know about?
All Gear Mentioned
Daily Sim Racing Deals: https://www.simspots.com/
Sim Racing Discounts & Affiliate links: https://www.ocsimracing.com/discount-codes
🟢 Budget Cockpits 🟢
$300 Next Level Racing GT-Elite Lite: https://nextlevelracing.com/https://nexproducts/gtlite-pro/?ref=ocracing
Amazon: https://geni.us/F70y | Review: https://youtu.be/Nzwje8StBIM
$250 NLR Wheelstand: https://nextlevelracing.com/products/racing-wheel-stand-2-0/?ref=ocracing
Amazon: https://geni.us/j5n0 | Review: https://youtu.be/fXRm3xwwQB4
$250 NLR Cockpit: https://nextlevelracing.com/products/gt-lite/?ref=ocracing
Amazon: https://geni.us/QrQRa | Review: https://youtu.be/isr77JSIOL0
Trak Racer Wheelstand: https://trakracer.com/collections/simulators/products/fs3-steering-wheel-stand-simulator?ref=ocracing
F-GT Cockpit: https://nextlevelracing.com/products/next-level-racing-f1gt-formula-1-and-gt-simulator-cockpit/?ref=ocracing | Review: https://youtu.be/MFPoa1hTw3Q
🟢 Budget Wheels / Pedals 🟢
Thrustmaster T128: https://geni.us/WEcOaG8 | Review https://youtu.be/Tdw3NT2FLhs
Thrustmaster T248: https://geni.us/EIQquQC | Review https://youtu.be/gr_PHV11enI
Thrustmaster T150/TMX: https://geni.us/AAi8A | Review https://youtu.be/SvrefWQxROA
Logitech G29/G920: https://geni.us/OdRaQ4 | Review https://youtu.be/UhHiVFc4CQA
Logitech G923: https://geni.us/Jtirdvq | Review https://youtu.be/-zpZPF3s_N8
Moza Racing R5 Bundle: https://mozaracing.com/product/r5-bundle?ref=ocracing | Review https://youtu.be/bgUnvz1CBhY
Moza Racing R3 Bundle: https://mozaracing.com/r3-racing-wheel-and-pedals?ref=ocracing
Fanatec CSL DD Bundle: https://fanatec.com/us-en/ready-to-race/?utm_medium=FAP+Banner&utm_source=OCRacing&utm_campaign=General+Links&a_aid=OCRacing | Review https://youtu.be/Rb0WX9XZ6LI
Cammus C5: Review https://youtu.be/S9uCaVcqXGw
