If you want the short answer: iRacing is PC only and rewards consistency, so nearly every serious setup starts with direct drive. The Logitech G PRO Racing Wheel is the wheel we point most competitive drivers toward, with 11 Nm of torque and a low latency direct drive motor. If the price of a flagship base is out of reach, the Moza R5 is the value pick, an entry direct drive bundle that includes pedals and still delivers the consistency iRacing rewards. And if you want the widest aftermarket rim selection, the Fanatec CSL DD QR2 plugs into Fanatec’s large ClubSport and Podium ecosystem.
iRacing runs on Windows PC only, with no console version, so every wheel here is a PC product, and several are sold as a base only, which we call out for each one. We compared seven wheels drawn from our wheels category, from an entry direct drive bundle to an 11 Nm flagship base, judging manufacturer specifications and recurring owner feedback, and we explain how we review below. If you are new to the hobby, the Getting Started section explains the terms used here.
Comparison at a Glance
| Wheel | Drive type | Torque (manufacturer) | Platforms | Pedals in box | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Logitech G PRO Racing Wheel (DD) | Direct drive | 11 Nm | PS5, PS4, PC | None (sold separately) | Maximum torque for competitive iRacing |
| Thrustmaster T818 | Direct drive | 10 Nm | PC | None (base only) | High torque PC direct drive |
| Moza R9 V3 (base) | Direct drive | 9 Nm | PC | None (base only) | Mid-range torque with a modular ecosystem |
| Moza R5 Bundle | Direct drive | 5.5 Nm peak | PC | 2 (SR-P Lite) | Best value way into direct drive with pedals |
| Fanatec CSL DD QR2 (5 Nm) | Direct drive | 5 Nm (8 Nm with Boost Kit 180) | PC (Xbox with a licensed wheel) | None (base only) | Entry into Fanatec’s large rim ecosystem |
| Thrustmaster T598 | Direct drive | 5 Nm constant | PS5, PS4, PC | 2 (Raceline Pedals LTE) | Direct drive with pedals in the box |
| Logitech G RS50 (PlayStation) | Direct drive | 8 Nm peak | PS5, PS4, PC | None (sold separately) | Direct drive with TRUEFORCE, pedals separate |
Torque figures come from each manufacturer’s product listing. Where a maker does not publish peak torque, the table says so rather than repeating a number from a forum.
How We Picked
We limited the list to wheels currently sold new in the United States that work on Windows PC, since iRacing has no console version. Because iRacing rewards precise, repeatable inputs at speed, in a field of drivers often separated by hundredths of a second, we weighted drive type and torque more heavily than we would for a more arcade-focused title, and we judged each wheel on published torque, what is actually included in the box, the depth of its ecosystem for rims and pedals, and the patterns that repeat in owner feedback such as latency, USB polling behavior, or clamp stability.
Each product’s WSR Score comes from verified buyer feedback, normalized to our 10-point scale. Read more about how we review.
Logitech G PRO Racing Wheel (DD)
The G PRO Racing Wheel is Logitech’s flagship direct drive base, delivering 11 Nm of peak torque, the highest figure on this list. It is licensed for PlayStation as well as PC, but for iRacing the relevant details are its low latency direct drive motor and its quick release hub, which is compatible with Logitech’s RS, PRO, and MOMO wheel lineup. Pedals are sold separately, so most iRacing drivers pair it with a dedicated pedal set; the box includes the base and the PRO wheel, and other rims from Logitech’s catalog can be swapped in to suit your car preference.
- Pro: 11 Nm of torque, the highest peak figure on this list
- Pro: low latency direct drive suited to competitive online racing
- Pro: quick release hub compatible with a growing Logitech wheel lineup
- Con: no pedals included; budget for a separate load cell set
- Con: 11 Nm needs a sturdy mount or cockpit; a weak desk clamp will flex under load
Competitive iRacing drivers who want maximum torque and are ready to build the rest of the rig.
You want a complete kit in one purchase, or 11 Nm is more torque than your mount can handle.
Thrustmaster T818
The T818 is Thrustmaster’s PC-only direct drive base, rated at 10 Nm, just below the G PRO Racing Wheel. It ships as a base only, so both a wheel rim and pedals are separate purchases, and it uses Thrustmaster’s quick release to connect to the brand’s wheel and add-on ecosystem. Because it is designed specifically for PC, it skips the console licensing overhead of the G PRO Racing Wheel and focuses entirely on the sim racing feature set.
- Pro: 10 Nm of torque, close to the highest figure here
- Pro: designed specifically for PC with no console feature overhead
- Pro: access to Thrustmaster’s wheel rim and pedal ecosystem
- Con: base only; both a rim and pedals are separate purchases
- Con: PC only, so it has no path to console use if you add one later
PC-focused iRacing drivers who want high torque without console features they will not use.
You might add a console later, or you want a bundle with pedals included.
Moza R9 V3 (base)
The R9 V3 is Moza’s mid-range direct drive base, rated at 9 Nm, sitting between the brand’s entry R5 and its higher torque options. It ships as a base only, using Moza’s quick release system, which is compatible with the brand’s growing range of wheel rims, pedal sets, and handbrakes. For iRacing, the appeal is a strong torque figure paired with Moza’s modular ecosystem, letting you start with the base and add a rim and pedals that match your budget over time.
- Pro: 9 Nm of torque with room to grow into Moza’s wider ecosystem
- Pro: quick release compatible with Moza’s rims, pedals, and handbrakes
- Pro: PC-focused base with no console licensing to pay for
- Con: base only; rim and pedals are separate purchases
- Con: sits in an unusual middle ground between Moza’s cheaper R5 and its higher torque bases
iRacing drivers who want more torque than an entry base and plan to build out Moza’s ecosystem.
You want a complete kit; the R5 bundle includes pedals for less total assembly.
Moza R5 Bundle
The R5 bundle pairs a 5.5 Nm direct drive base with Moza’s SR-P Lite two pedal set, making it a complete kit rather than a bare base. For iRacing, 5.5 Nm is enough to feel the low latency and detail direct drive brings over a belt or gear driven wheel, even if it trails the flagship bases in outright torque. It uses the same Moza quick release as the brand’s higher end bases, so a driver can start here and move up to a stronger base later without replacing the rim.
- Pro: complete direct drive bundle with pedals included, at a lower total cost than a bare flagship base plus pedals
- Pro: same quick release platform as Moza’s higher torque bases, so upgrading later does not mean starting over
- Pro: strong balance of performance, build, and value
- Con: 5.5 Nm trails the flagship bases by a wide margin
- Con: two pedal set has no clutch, which some sim racers still want
Drivers who want to get onto direct drive in iRacing with pedals included and a clear upgrade path.
You already know you want top tier torque; the T818 or G PRO Racing Wheel will get there faster.
Fanatec CSL DD QR2 (5 Nm)
The CSL DD QR2 is Fanatec’s entry direct drive base, rated at 5 Nm and expandable to 8 Nm with the separately sold Boost Kit 180. It ships as a base only and uses Fanatec’s QR2 quick release, opening access to the brand’s large ClubSport, Podium, and McLaren wheel lineup, one of the widest aftermarket ecosystems in sim racing. It is a PC product for iRacing purposes, though it can also work with Xbox if paired with a licensed wheel.
- Pro: access to Fanatec’s wide ClubSport and Podium wheel ecosystem through the QR2 quick release
- Pro: upgradeable to 8 Nm with the Boost Kit 180 as your budget allows
- Pro: entry price point into a brand with a long track record in sim racing
- Con: base only; both a rim and pedals are separate purchases
- Con: full 8 Nm requires buying the Boost Kit separately
iRacing drivers who want Fanatec’s aftermarket rim ecosystem and plan to upgrade torque over time.
You want maximum torque on day one without a second purchase.
Thrustmaster T598
The T598 is a direct drive base rated at 5 Nm constant torque, and unlike most of the other direct drive options here it ships with a two pedal set, making it a complete kit out of the box. It is licensed for PlayStation as well as PC, but the relevant point for iRacing is that a driver gets a wheel, base, and pedals in one purchase, at a lower torque figure than the PC-only flagship bases.
- Pro: complete kit with pedals included, unusual among direct drive bases
- Pro: direct drive feel at an accessible entry point
- Pro: also licensed for PlayStation if you play console titles as well as iRacing
- Con: 5 Nm constant torque is the lowest figure among the direct drive bases here
- Con: console licensing adds cost that iRacing-only drivers will not use
Drivers who want a complete direct drive kit with pedals in one box.
You want the highest possible torque; several bases here offer roughly double.
Logitech G RS50 (PlayStation)
The RS50 is Logitech’s direct drive system built around a base, a wheel hub, and a rim, producing 8 Nm of peak torque with TRUEFORCE support. It is licensed for PlayStation, but it also works on PC, which is what matters for iRacing. Pedals are not included, and the quick release hub connects to Logitech’s RS, PRO, and MOMO wheel lineup, the same ecosystem the flagship G PRO Racing Wheel uses.
- Pro: 8 Nm of torque with TRUEFORCE and a modular quick release ecosystem
- Pro: works on PC for iRacing despite its PlayStation licensing
- Pro: shares a wheel ecosystem with Logitech’s higher end G PRO base
- Con: no pedals included
- Con: paying for PlayStation licensing you will not use if iRacing is your only sim
Drivers who want solid mid to high torque and may also use the wheel on PlayStation.
iRacing is your only use case; the PC-only T818 offers more torque for a comparable role.
Buying Guide
Why direct drive matters in iRacing
iRacing is built around consistent, repeatable inputs at racing speed, in a field of drivers who are often within hundredths of a second of each other. Direct drive removes the backlash and slack that a gear or belt driven wheel introduces, so the same input produces the same result lap after lap, which is a big part of why every wheel on this list is direct drive. Torque matters less for consistency than for detail and resistance under load; see How Much Torque Do You Need for Sim Racing for a breakdown of what different torque figures actually feel like.
Base-only bases and pedals
Most of the wheels here ship without pedals: the T818, R9 V3, and CSL DD QR2 are a base only, with the rim and pedals sold separately, while the G PRO Racing Wheel and RS50 include a wheel but no pedals. Only the R5 bundle and the T598 include pedals in the box. Budget for a dedicated pedal set, ideally one with a load cell brake, since braking consistency matters as much as steering feel in iRacing; our sim racing pedals roundup covers the options.
Matching torque to your mount
A base rated at 9 to 11 Nm needs a rigid mount, whether that is a heavy desk, a bolted cockpit, or a dedicated wheel stand rated for direct drive. A lighter mount will flex under load and undo the consistency direct drive is supposed to add. If you are starting with the R5’s 5.5 Nm or the CSL DD QR2’s base 5 Nm, a well braced desk clamp is usually enough.
Who Should Not Buy
If you are still deciding whether iRacing’s subscription and steep learning curve are for you, do not start with a flagship 10 or 11 Nm base; the R5 bundle or the CSL DD QR2 will teach you the same skills for less money and less desk hardware. If you split time between iRacing and console racing games, remember that a PC-only base like the T818 or R9 V3 will not work on a console at all, so a console-compatible base like the RS50 or T598 is the more flexible choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need direct drive for iRacing?
Direct drive is strongly recommended rather than strictly required. iRacing will accept a gear or belt driven wheel, but the notch and backlash in those systems make it harder to hold a consistent line at the limit, which matters more in iRacing’s competitive racing than in most other titles.
Which of these wheels include pedals?
Only the Moza R5 bundle and the Thrustmaster T598 include pedals in the box. The G PRO Racing Wheel, T818, R9 V3, CSL DD QR2, and RS50 are all sold without pedals, so factor a pedal set into your total budget.
How much torque is enough for iRacing?
There is no single right answer. Roughly 5 to 6 Nm is enough to feel direct drive’s consistency benefit, while 9 Nm and up adds detail and resistance that some drivers value in higher downforce cars. See our torque guide for a fuller explanation before choosing a base.
Can I use a PlayStation licensed wheel with iRacing?
Yes, if it also lists PC support, like the RS50 and T598 here. iRacing runs on Windows PC only, so console licensing is irrelevant; what matters is whether the wheel has PC drivers and iRacing support, which all seven wheels on this list do.
Sources
- Logitech G product listings for the G PRO Racing Wheel and RS50 Racing Wheel System
- Thrustmaster product listings for the T818 and T598
- Moza product listings for the R9 V3 and R5 Bundle
- Fanatec product listing for the CSL DD QR2
- September 2026: first published with seven PC direct drive wheels for iRacing.
