Sim racing has grown massively in recent years, offering players a realistic motorsport experience from the comfort of their homes. Popular titles like Gran Turismo 7, F1 25, and Forza Horizon 5 have helped bring both casual players and dedicated racing fans into the world of virtual racing.

If you're new to sim racing, one of the first questions you might ask is:

Should you play with a controller, or invest in a racing wheel?

Let’s break down the differences and help you decide which option is right for you.

Starting with a Controller

For many players, sim racing starts with a standard console controller. It’s the most accessible way to jump into racing games and requires no additional hardware.

A controller such as the Oniverse Aura is a great option for players who want a simple and comfortable way to enjoy racing games without investing in additional hardware. Modern racing games such as Gran Turismo 7, Forza Horizon 5 and F1 25 are well optimized for controller gameplay and still offer a great racing experience.

Advantages

• No extra equipment needed
• Easy to learn
• Great for casual racing

Limitations

• Less precise steering inputs
• Lower level of immersion
• Harder to maintain consistent lap times in competitive races

For casual players or those just exploring the genre, a controller is a perfectly fine starting point.

Why a Racing Wheel Changes the Experience

If you find yourself spending more time racing, upgrading to a racing wheel can dramatically change the experience.

Brands like Thrustmaster offer racing wheels with force feedback, allowing you to feel road surfaces, tire grip, and weight transfer through the wheel. This adds a new level of realism and control that controllers simply can't replicate.

Benefits of using a racing wheel

• More precise steering
• Greater immersion
• Better control during cornering
• More consistent lap times

Building Your First Sim Racing Setup

When moving from controller to racing wheel, you don’t need a complicated setup right away. Many players start simple and upgrade gradually over time.

Racing Wheel

A racing wheel from brands like Thrustmaster is often the first step into sim racing hardware and immediately improves both control and immersion.

Pedals

Most racing wheels include dedicated pedals, giving you much better control over acceleration and braking compared to controller triggers.

Entry-Level Racing Wheel

For players who want to take their first step into sim racing hardware, an entry-level wheel can make a big difference.

A wheel and padel set like the Thrustmaster T128 is designed specifically for beginners. It uses Thrustmaster’s Hybrid Drive system, which combines belts and gears to deliver responsive force feedback. This allows players to feel road surfaces, bumps, and loss of grip while driving, creating a much more immersive racing experience.

For players looking for a more advanced option Thrustmaster T248R Shifter Pack offers a more powerful hybrid force feedback system, a built-in LCD display that can show real-time racing data such as speed and lap times, and a more advanced three-pedal set.

The addition of a gear shifter also adds another layer of realism, allowing players to experience more traditional manual gear changes while racing.

Optional Upgrade: Racing Stand or Cockpit

When you start racing more frequently, stability and comfort can become more important. At that point, a racing stand or cockpit from Next Level Racing can provide a more stable setup and a more immersive driving position.

However, many players begin with their wheel mounted to a desk or table and only consider a cockpit later once they know sim racing is something they want to invest more time in.

For players looking to take things a step further, a more advanced racing wheel such as the Thrustmaster T598 can be a great option when paired with a racing stand or cockpit. Unlike entry-level wheels that use belt or gear systems, the T598 uses direct drive technology, where the motor is connected directly to the wheel. This delivers stronger and more precise force feedback, allowing players to feel subtle details such as tire grip, road texture, and weight transfer during cornering.

Because direct drive wheels produce more torque and stronger feedback, they often benefit from being mounted to a dedicated stand or cockpit rather than a standard desk. This helps keep the setup stable and ensures a more consistent and immersive racing experience.

If space or portability is a concern, the Next Level Racing GT Lite Pro is an excellent choice. Its foldable design makes it easier to store when not in use, while still supporting wheel bases up to 13 Nm of torque, so you can run high-end wheels safely and stably. This makes it ideal for players who want a powerful racing experience without committing to a permanent setup.

Controller vs Racing Wheel: Which Should You Choose?

Choose a controller if you:

• Play racing games occasionally
• Want a simple and affordable setup
• Are just getting started

Choose a racing wheel if you:

• Want a more realistic driving experience
• Plan to spend more time sim racing
• Want improved precision and control

Final Thoughts

Sim racing can be as simple or as advanced as you want it to be. Starting with a controller is a great way to enjoy racing games like Gran Turismo 7, Forza Horizon 5 or F1 25.

But if you’re looking for a more immersive experience and better control on the track, upgrading to a racing wheel from Thrustmaster can make a huge difference. And if your passion for sim racing continues to grow, adding a dedicated racing setup from Next Level Racing is always an option later on.