Last updated: October 1st, 2023
Featured image: Still the king of direct-drive wheels, the Simucube 2 Pro
High-end direct drive wheels intended for sim racing were once priced upwards of £1000 for a complete kit, but times have definitely changed, particularly in the last year. So now we’re a few years on from the very first wheel intended for sim racing, direct drive wheels are getting cheaper in 2023, with Fanatec’s CSL DD and Moza’s R5 being, price-wise, extremely accessible.
So, what’s on the market, and what’s the best direct drive wheel for your level of skill, budget, and experience?
What are the best-rated direct-drive wheels for sim racing?
Skip to the wheelbases in the list below (in approximate order of budget) or read on to learn more about how direct drive wheels actually work. Our “daily driver” is the Simucube 2 Pro, which remains priced at the top of the range. With that being said there are plenty of options to get into the direct drive universe:
- Fanatec CSL DD
- Moza R5
- Fanatec GT DD Pro (Playstation)
- Fanatec DD2
- Simagic Alpha Mini
- Simagic Alpha
- Simagic Alpha-U
- VRS DirectForce Pro Wheel Base
- MOZA Racing R12 Direct Drive Wheelbase
- MOZA Racing R16 Direct Drive Wheelbase
- Simucube 2: Sport / Pro / Ultimate
Today, we’re taking a deep dive into the subject of all-things direct drive sim racing wheels.
What direct drive wheel is best for sim racers?
Before I get started, I’d like to tackle the default discussion among sim racers. If you ask for a recommendation in the majority of the forums, you will end up with a bit of a competition amongst owners to declare their wheel the best.
The truth is that with the force feedback properly set up, there is rarely any significant difference between wheels that would fundamentally affect your enjoyment or performance in the simulator. That’s not to say those different manufacturers have their own characteristics, but they’re such subtle differences that few of even the most professional and particular drivers would actually be bothered by them.
If you want to skip straight to the wheels, use the links directly below. Otherwise, read on!
Much of the development in the wheel technology is actually in the drivers and onboard DSP algorithms – the technology that interprets the output from the simulation package into force feedback, and the inputs coming from the driver’s actions.
This is a fluid thing, software and drivers are updated all the time.
So, there’s no such thing as a “best” DD wheel for sim racing. You could waste a lot of time trying to decide in fact. You could be singularly unimpressed by a wheel because it wasn’t set up by the owner correctly. You could waste more time lusting after a “better” wheel which would be time better spent on your own technique and tuning setup.
I’ve compared (extensively) the Simplicity SW20 vs the Fanatec DD2 vs the Simucube 2 Pro (the DD2 and SC2 I own). I can honestly say that the strengths and weaknesses in each product are more driven by external factors like the hub, wheel compatibility, driver software, and tuning menu intuitiveness.
Factors that are important to the typical sim racer
Critically, I want my DD wheel to work! If you’ve spent enough time in the sim, you’ll know that from time to time, things can go wrong.
If you’re quite technically inclined (perhaps you build your own OSW wheels or you’re just interested in the software and technology), then occasional problems aren’t a big deal. But if something stops working just before qualifying, it can be frustrating.
Mainstream equipment providers like Fanatec and Simucube are well-developed and ultra-reliable.
That’s because they’re not, particularly niche and offer good support. They’ve sold enough volume to iron out the problems. By comparison, we’ve found it difficult in the past to get support for lesser-known / smaller manufacturers, although some smaller manufacturers have better customer service out of the whole lot.
Hub compatibility might be an issue, too. As I own several Fanatec wheels, they’re only compatible with Fanatec wheelbases. My Simucube Formula Sport wheel is wireless, which is only supported by the Simucube 2. In particular, the stiffness of the Fanatec hubs bothers me when I compare them to the Simucube SQR hub. So much so that I found a modification for the Fanatec hub, called the Z-Ring, that fixes this problem.
What is a direct drive wheel?
A direct drive wheel is a sim racing wheel where the wheel itself is directly mounted onto the motor via a quick-release hub.
This is unlike belt and gear-driven systems where invariably there is a mechanism between you and the motor.
Belt and gear-driven systems generally have lower quality parts and don’t have the ability to deliver the same forces (some up to 30nm) that direct-drive systems do. In fact, the lowest budget systems barely have any force feedback at all.
Direct drive is simpler, mechanically, but the wheels have far more complexity in their electronics. They tend to be heavier, and built from what often feels like industrial-grade metalwork. They’re more expensive but offer advantages over low-budget systems.
Why is direct drive better?
Direct Drive wheel motors have no lash…. that momentary, if subtle relaxing and tensioning on a belt within most conventional belt-driven sim steering systems. The absence of lash in a direct drive wheel results in the ability to crank the steering weight up without losing any of the feedback quality. With sufficient time we can fine-tune the steering to achieve any level of expected feel.
To understand why direct-drive wheels are potentially better for sim racing, it’s a good idea to look at what makes a sim racing wheelbase, good.
Precision
All of the wheel movement is as intended by the simulation software. There’s less lag in the system and no mechanical play. The speed that a direct drive wheel can deliver feedback means you can respond more quickly to slides, so you’ll feel like you can handle slides and sudden events quickly and competently. Once you’re used to the forces involved with a DD sim wheel, you’ll likely feel more confident, make fewer mistakes and eventually find a sweet spot where you’re really enjoying the driving.
Rotation
All wheels go beyond 900° of rotation which means that your steering input matches the simulated wheel rotation precisely. This has been a feature for a long time now.
Force Feedback strength and Force Feedback effects
Direct-drive wheels can deliver higher peak and nominal (holding) torque levels. The Fanatec DD2, for example, has a holding torque of 20 Newton meters (Nm) and a peak torque of 25 Nm. That peak figure is a lot – almost 5 times higher than the belt-driven Fanatec CSL Elite.
The availability of torque does open the opportunity to give more concise force feedback effects (see: what is FFB?) – as a driver, I like to feel when the car is losing its available grip, and I like that sensation to manifest itself through an opposing force, especially in the mid-corner. Direct-drive wheels do this exceptionally well, whereas something like a Logitech G29 would barely let you know you were sliding by comparison.
Detail at high frequencies
I absolutely love feeling the track detail as I’m driving. Kerbs and rumble strips are there to tell you you’re on the track limit with your car. To feel the vibration through the wheel is great. By their nature, the motor and motor control electronics can operate the motor at very high frequencies. High enough, in fact, that the Simucube 2 Pro can beep at you simply by sending a high frequency through the motor.
This availability means saw effects like vibrations and track detail are reproduced in exquisite detail.
Rigidity and build quality
High torque loads and heat mean plastics are more or less out of the question. A proper direct-drive sim wheel will have at least 4 M6 threads for mounting into an aluminium cockpit. Everything has to be strong and tight to deal with 25nm peak torque.
Most DD wheels feel heavy, industrial by design, and as a result, feel like they’ll stand the rigours of time.
Defining Torque Characteristics
Torque is the most important aspect when it comes to direct drive systems. Manufacturers tend to talk about two types of torque values:
- Peak torque
- Holding or constant torque
“Peak torque” refers to the maximum output of the wheel motor in short bursts. You might experience peak torque when you drive over a high curb, during a high-speed direction change, or in a crash.
“Holding torque” refers to the strength of the motor in resisting rotation.
In sim racing the driver is regularly resisting the car’s self-aligning torque through a corner, causing the motor to heat up. High holding torque performance is crucial to a consistent driving experience.
“Torque ripple” is a very subtle vibration you would feel in the steering wheel during constant rotation
What’s inside a Direct Drive Wheelbase?
Most of us would never dream of unscrewing our wheelbase cases to find out what’s inside. Fortunately, YouTubers like Barry Rowlands at Sim Racing Garage do regularly! Here he is taking a Fanatec DD2 apart.
In any DD wheelbase, fundamentally, you have a motor, a power supply, a motherboard, a digital motor drive and a USB converter:
Types of motor
You’ll encounter a few different types, arrangements, and manufacturers of the motor in a DD wheelbase. Here’s what you’ll commonly come across.
Inrunner motors
Conventional in-runner motors have stator coils on the inside of the case, and the magnets are attached to a rotor in the centre. The shaft rotates with the magnets. This is a typical motor arrangement found in a DD wheel.
Outrunner motors
Outrunner motors have their magnets attached to an outer casing that rotates around the stator.
The motor shaft when spun would also spin the outer motor case. The permanent magnets on the outrunner are placed on the rotor and the rotor spins on the outside case. On the inside of the motor are the stator windings which do not rotate, they are fixed in position.
Outrunners can produce more torque but have a lower RPM per volt. The Fanatec DD1 and DD2s use outrunner motors as their preferred component choice as they feel the outrunner can deliver more torque at low RPMs.
Stepper Motor
Stepper motors are DC motors that move in discrete steps. They have multiple coils that are organized in groups called “phases”. By energizing each phase in sequence, the motor will rotate, one step at a time. The advantages of step motors are low cost, high reliability, high torque at low speeds and simple, rugged construction that operates in almost any environment. The main disadvantages of using a stepper motor are the resonance effect often exhibited at low speeds and decreasing torque with increasing speed. (source)
Servo motor
A servo motor is not a motor type per se, but a motor that has an encoder built into its casing to measure position, torque and rotation. This is critical for fine control of the output rotation and sensing the driver’s inputs (resisting forces, steering inputs and so on) through the digital motor drive.
MiGE Motors
MiGE is a popular servo manufacturer in the sim racing community, and their products tend to form the basis of most OSW wheel kits. This particular item comes with an optional Fanatec hub adapter meaning that with a USB conversion board like this you could make a start on building your own direct-drive sim wheel quite cheaply.
So, if you have the right motor to hand, what would you need to build a direct drive wheel for your sim?
Digital Motor Drives
A digital motor drive is designed for driving servo motors and stepper motors. This product from IONI allows controlling motors with position control, velocity control, and force/torque control which makes it an ideal component for a self-build project.
Motherboard with a built-in Force Feedback controller
Simucube Once offered a motherboard (to seat the digital motor drive board) with a combined force feedback controller for the Simucube 1:
The Simucube board provided a slot for the digital motor drive, connectors for motor power, I/O, and USB adapter. With this device, you’ve got almost everything you need, except a power supply and a USB converter called a SimpleMotion V2. While this hardware is now sadly obsolete, it is how direct drive wheels first became more available to consumers and therefore it’s an important bit of history.
So, now we know how direct drive wheels work, let’s take a look at what’s available on the market today…
Fanatec CSL DD
Fanatec rocked the sim racing industry just a few years ago with their new CSL DD wheelbase. As a sub $500 / 500EUR device, it plays directly in the usual stomping grounds of Logitech and Thrustmaster. As the CSL DD was launched, so was the Clubsport and CSL Elite range of belt drive wheelbases made obsolete.
Fanatec, rightly staked its future on direct drive-only equipment:
Fanatec is cleverly making direct-drive wheels more affordable, and, by getting to market earlier than its competition, there’s a good chance this little direct-drive unit will become the entry-level unit. If I were building a budget sim rig, I’d choose this wheelbase and a SimLab GT1 Evo sim racing rig making a strong starting point for barely more than $1000!
The idea of a $1000 wheelbase and cockpit would have been pure fantasy just a year ago. Yet, here we are. But, is the CSL DD any good? I had my doubts, but when I tried it I found it very smooth and surprisingly detailed for an 8Nm peak torque wheelbase. The new QR system “QR2” is really solid and a huge improvement over the original.
This is a brilliant starter wheelbase – and comes recommended by me. If you’re on a budget but want (rightly!) the direct drive experience, this is a fantastic and very low-budget entry point to serious sim racing.
Moza R5
The MOZA Racing R5 Wheel Base is a new direct-drive wheelbase that provides a PEAK torque of 5.5 Nm. It is MOZA’s latest entry-level model, complementing the R9, which offers a peak of 9 Nm torque. It’s compact and an excellent starter choice. We’ve recently had the R5 in for review and for the money, it’s another great way to start sim racing.
While the R9 costs $439 for the wheelbase alone, the R5 is available as a complete bundle for $499. The R5 is built similarly to the R9, with an aviation-grade aluminium shell and plastic rear housing. The R5 is smaller than the R9, which is a plus, as it allows for easy positioning of the screen near the wheel, especially when using the included table clamp.
The R5 features a surprisingly high-quality quick release, the same as on more expensive units from MOZA, Simagic, and Immsource. We believe this quick release to be the best currently offered by a wheelbase manufacturer, as it is of high quality, easy to use, and has no flex or play, outside of aftermarket options.
One thing worth pointing out, firstly that all Moza products feature on our Moza Buyer’s guide, and that given the R9 compares well to the CSL DD, the R9 would in our view be a good buy, but Fanatec do have the edge on FFB quality and software.
Fanatec GT DD Pro (Playstation)
Just in time for the commercially busiest time of the year, our friends at Fanatec have released a complete direct drive system, CSL pedals included, for Playstation 4 and Playstation 5. It’s called the GT DD Pro:
This launch will be a game-changer for our console racing friends because it’s the first direct-drive wheel on the market that is less than £1500 (The Fanatec DD1 is also PS compatible but carries a higher price tag). It comes with a button layout on the steering wheel that will feel very familiar to Playstation owners – and it has been specifically developed with the developers of Gran Turismo, so it’s going to feel great out of the box with that software.
Fanatec DD1 and DD2
When I owned one, I was a huge fan of my Fanatec DD2. The DD2 is extremely easy to install and set up making it ideal for the first-time DD wheel user. In fact, I upgraded from a CSL Elite to the DD2 and have always felt that this was a good choice.
The DD1 is pretty much exactly the same device but de-tuned to deliver a peak torque of 20nm. It’s also console-compatible.
Fanatec’s outrunner-style motor is unique in sim racing and allows for a really convincing torque delivery throughout the torque range.
I think their drivers, in particular, are very strong too. There’s a sense of realism I get from my DD2 which I find hard (not impossible!) to replicate in other wheels, especially in the MX5 and Ferrari GT3.
If you’re new to sim racing and want simplicity and a high-quality experience overall, this is a great wheel.
Simagic Alpha Mini
Hot on the heels of the CSL DD release is another circa £600/$650 direct drive wheelbase: the Simagic Alpha Mini. The Alpha mini is the “baby” of the Simagic family, who, throughout 2022 has been extremely busy improving and developing their ecosystem. They now offer wheels, steering wheels, handbrakes and sequential shifters. This is the Alpha Mini:
The Alpha Mini offers a CSL DD beating peak torque of 10Nm and offers wireless functionality through a 2.4 GHz WLAN connection. As with most direct drive wheelbases, the Alpha Mini relies on a servo motor. The case dimensions are pretty tiny at 110mm x 167mm!
Simagic claim to have developed their already excellent physics models to improve the authenticity of their Force Feedback including an AI (artificial intelligence) feature for force feedback optimisation! This might be the go-to choice for those interested in drift racing too as Simagic provide “Exclusive settings for drift and rally mode”.
Technically speaking, for the money I think the Alpha Mini is one of the best budget direct-drive wheels you can buy for sim racing. And, there are plenty of bundles available now for you to choose a wheel you like and still get a slight discount.
Simagic Alpha DD Wheelbase
At the slightly higher price range of £865.00 – £920.00 (approx $1000) Simagic’s Alpha is quite a favourite and definitely a good competitor to the Simucube 2 Sport with a 15Nm peak torque output.
This DD unit is obviously larger than the Mini and offers an additional 5Nm of torque. Again, it’s configurable via Alpha Manager, so firmware updates and tuning settings shouldn’t be too much of an issue.
There are some advanced electronics inside this Aluminium cased direct drive unit: a “3 CPU” tri-core acceleration smart base, Simagic’s own 3-phase servo motor, and a rapid refresh rate of 1000 Hz (or, 1kHz) for buttons and 40,000 Hz (40kHz) for force feedback. A high-performing unit, priced reasonably and a very nice thing to own indeed!
Simagic Alpha-U Wheelbase
This is Simagic’s flagship direct drive wheel, the Simagic Alpha-U. This is a feature-rich competitor to the best direct-drive wheels money can buy:
Technically, the Alpha-U is very impressive. 1 23nM peak torque, <1ms response time and an encoder resolution of 262144ppr. I don’t think you’ll miss much while you’re driving this thing!
The Alpha-U’s direct drive servo motor is a custom 5-pole item with virtually zero latency. It features a CNC-machined aluminum housing, which is polished using sandblasting and anodized black.
The Force Feedback electronics themselves are also very impressive, with Simagic’s own CPU architecture, 262144 ppr encoder resolution, 40Khz response rate and a “3rd gen” filter with optimized algorithms. It supports wireless wheels and can be optimised in SimPro Manager.
Just to show you how good Simagic stuff looks, here’s one with the FX Pro wheel attached:
VRS DirectForce Pro Wheel Base
The new VRS DirectForce Pro Wheel Base consists of the VRS controller, a 20Nm Small MiGE motor, 3m motor cables, a high-quality USB cable and an AC power cord.
The VRS DirectForce Pro is a high-end, competitively-priced 20Nm sim racing DD wheelbase and has so far received strong reviews.
The unit is available to order here (UK) and via Advanced Sim Racing in the USA / Canada) and, I suspect this will be one of the most popular direct-drive MiGE-based wheels on the market over time. Since its original launch (now some 2 years ago) VRS has been working on improving the hardware and software thoroughly.
There is now also a VRS steering wheel which was released in mid-2023.
MOZA Racing R12 DD Wheelbase
Just released, the Moza R12 Direct Drive Wheelbase carves out a niche for itself by offering a balance of power, performance, and price. Engineered with a peak torque of 12Nm running at a peak power load of 216W, it provides the force feedback detail and smoothness of a higher budget wheelbase.
The R12 stands out due to its high-quality design, housed in aluminium, and an impressive set of features such as a limitless max wheel rotation, a USB refresh rate of 1000Hz, and online firmware update support via their Pit House software.
Notably, the R12 is enhanced by Moza’s “New generation force feedback filtering algorithm”, a testament to Moza’s attention to detail and commitment to advancing the direct drive wheel technology. This technology offers the user a significantly improved force feedback feeling, putting it at par with some of the best in its price range. Furthermore, it also features a high compatibility range with many popular sim racing titles, making it a versatile choice for those looking to upgrade their sim racing experience.
Technically speaking, the R12 is closer to the R21 than the R5 and R9. That’s because the R12 motor employs a “slanted-pole” design. With the rotor thoughtfully divided into three sections, each set at carefully determined angles, the motor’s design greatly mitigates cogging torque, torque ripple, electromagnetic (EM) disturbance, and noise levels in contrast to traditional motors. Check out the technical specs on the Moza website.
If you’re in the market for a mid-range direct drive wheel that delivers excellent performance, detailed force feedback, and high compatibility, the Moza R12 Direct Drive Wheelbase is a strong contender. Its solid design, coupled with thoughtful technical specifications, make it a noteworthy choice for both seasoned and newer sim racing enthusiasts seeking an upgrade from their current wheel setups.
MOZA Racing R16 Direct Drive Wheelbase
The R16 Racing is an aluminium alloy direct drive wheelbase from MOZA that delivers an impressive 16Nm of torque, making it a formidable piece of kit. Overall, it has a rock-solid build quality, and all of the materials used combine to give the wheelbase a sturdy yet well-refined finish.
The sleek design of the R16 is inspired by modern supercars, and the outer shell features a two-tone paint finish with stylish MOZA branding on the sides and front of the base. In addition, an advanced cooling system provides temperature control throughout the unit, ensuring all the components do not overheat, even after prolonged use.
One of the best aspects of the R16 is its zero-latency wireless technology which allows you to connect a wheel rim to the base without having any annoying or troublesome cables getting in the way. It also speeds things up when you want to change to an alternative rim for different motorsport disciplines.
Another state-of-the-art feature which makes the MOZA R16 stand out from its competitors is its ability to support mobile cloud-based commands. This lets you make on-the-fly adjustments to things like your force feedback or pedal settings through the MOZA mobile app, making it simpler than ever to fine-tune your wheelbase.
Simucube 2: Sport / Pro / Ultimate
And finally: If you can afford a Simucube 2 Sport, Pro, or Ultimate, this is the direct-drive wheelbase to own.
I’m a very happy owner of a Simucube 2 Pro, It’s my “daily driver” and I see no reason to change that anytime soon.
Simucube’s Direct Drive brushless torque motor is super smooth, and you can absolutely tell that the build quality and componentry in this wheel are of an exceptionally high standard. Driving it with the many profiles available in TrueDrive Paddock is a breeze, so setting the FFB up for your sim software is completely painless.
The SQR hub leaves absolutely no flex on the table, and there are just a bunch of amazing features including their latest ARM CPU and motor control electronics that make this thing so fast and responsive, it’s a surprise when you first start using it.
I use my Simucube as my only wheelbase after having sold the DD2. It just outperforms the other direct drive wheels I’ve tested on both the detail and smoothness of the FFB (Force Feedback).
Personally, it’s the SQR hub that does it for me. I’ve always found the Fanatec hub lacking in stiffness – there’s always a tiny bit of play between the wheel and the hub. The SQR quick-release system is literally rock solid, and I love it for that.
For more information on the Simucube 2 family, I’ve written a guide to this favourite direct drive unit including installation and setup. If you can afford one, a Simucube is still *the* DD wheelbase to own.