The Thrustmaster VG Ferrari 458 Racing Wheel is our best Xbox steering wheel and it comes with two paddle shifters that have a Ferrari GT design and are made from high quality metal. Its resistance gives a lot of realism to its performance, making it a very reliable steering wheel for the Xbox and it is a replica of the Ferrari 458 Italia’s racing wheel which is the icon of the Forza Motorsport 4 so you can truly live your dream of being in a Ferrari without actually buying one other than this versatile Xbox steering wheel. An officially licensed Xbox steering wheel by Microsoft Xbox 360 as well as Ferrari for high quality realism and serious racing gamers, the rubber texture of the steering wheel ensures that you definitely hold on to the wheel better and control the game in a more realistic way. An ideal steering wheel for the Xbox 360 due to its great handling capabilities, it comes with a switch with a dial that allows you to position it in two ways for changing views.
Our step-up pick is the Thrustmaster TMX Force Feedback Racing Wheel and is applicable racing wheel for the Xbox One as well as for Windows PCs from Vista up to Windows 10. It supports each and every racing game available for the Xbox One and for PC games and its base has a force feedback of 900 degrees so you can do power steering as much as you like or as much as needed. Its adaptability is thanks to its ergonomic and comfortable design that will leave you playing for hours without getting as much as user fatigue. The ball bearing axle has a tough metal construction which adds to the durability of the steering wheel. With an Xbox One certified embedded software alongside it, the wheel measures a standard 11 inches or 28 cm in its diameter and the wide foot rest also provides comfort for hours of gaming and the pedals have a great adjustability due to their individual angles of inclination, all of which are customizable.
The budget pick is the Microsoft Xbox 360 Wireless Speed Wheel and as the official wireless steering wheel meant for the Xbox 360 as a steering wheel for racing games, it is highly compatible with each and every Xbox 360 racing title that there is. The gas and brake functions have trigger buttons each for easier access. It comes with high quality and intuitive motion sensors for high quality and realistic steering and also has a rumble feedback for a more realistic game play.
A Little Background
While racing games such as Gran Turismo are on the Playstation consoles, the Xbox consoles have Forza Motorsport, in which you will also have to depend on a reliable Xbox steering wheel to have a realistic driving experience and racing practice within the game itself. If you are shooting to be a full-fledged driver or even racer one day then you can train as a kid with a proper gaming steering wheel. Besides, steering wheels can also be partnered with or also come with foot pedals to give you a fully realistic driving experience and a sense of independence and responsibility for your actions on the road.
How We Picked
In choosing the best Xbox steering wheel, the following factors were considered at the most:
Responsiveness – the Xbox steering wheel must be highly reliable and trustworthy such that there are little delays between the device and the game itself as a driving simulator.
Realistic factor – the pedals and the wheel must have realistic factors such as resistance and the like.
Durability – of course, steering wheels get broken with every use so you should choose a good Xbox steering wheel that can withstand the test of many races.
Our Pick
Thrustmaster VG Ferrari 458 Racing Wheel
Our best Xbox steering wheel is the Thrustmaster VG Ferrari 458 Racing Wheel and it is an officially licensed Xbox steering wheel by Microsoft Xbox 360 as well as Ferrari for high quality realism and serious racing gamers. Moreover, it is a replica of the Ferrari 458 Italia’s racing wheel which is the icon of the Forza Motorsport 4 so you can truly live your dream of being in a Ferrari without actually buying one other than this versatile Xbox steering wheel.
A great starter wheel for the Xbox or the PC, the Thrustmaster 458 Racing Wheel can be played for hours without fail due to its durability. In fact, you can make perfect turns and angles using this awesome Xbox steering wheel. What’s more, its resistance gives a lot of realism to its performance, making it a very reliable steering wheel for the Xbox. The wheel has a size of 11 inches which is an XXL and comes with two paddle shifters that have a Ferrari GT design and are made from high quality metal.
An ideal steering wheel for the Xbox 360 due to its great handling capabilities, the rubber texture of the steering wheel ensures that you definitely hold on to the wheel better and control the game in a more realistic way. The travel range of the pedal set is very precise and reliable so you can play racing games on the Xbox with no trouble at all. It comes with a switch with a dial that allows you to position it in two ways for changing views and your gaming connection is very safe due to its 3-meter cable that is powered by USB 2.0 with full speed capability for a faster driving response time.
It is also compatible with the PC for various racing games and there are a total of eight actions buttons that are relatively easy to access. There is also an Engine Start button that makes the Xbox steering wheel super sleek and very straightforward in its design. Ergonomically designed and tailored to mimic racing realism, the controls are very easy to use and handle so you can focus more on racing rather than on the steering wheel. There is also a centering mechanism to allow the wheel to return to a neutral position. Moreover, its brake pedal has good resistance so it is quite realistic and the foot rest is also quite wide in its design for comfort while racing. Also, the accelerator pedal has a long stroke design and the built-in metal gear shifters of this Xbox steering wheel provide racing realism to the player.
Flaws but Not Dealbrakers
The Thrustmaster VG Ferrari 458 Racing Wheel may look perfect but it does have a few shortcomings. However, they are not very threatening and so it is still or top pick as the best Xbox steering wheel. Nonetheless, its flaws include the fact that it lacks force feedback and rumble features.
Step-up Pick
Thrustmaster TMX Force Feedback Racing Wheel
An applicable racing wheel for the Xbox One as well as for Windows PCs from Vista up to Windows 10, the Thrustmaster TMX Force Feedback Racing Wheel is our step-up pick in which the ball bearing axle has a tough metal construction which adds to the durability of the steering wheel. The system of the gears uses a mixed belt pulley system for reliability as well as for a good mechanism.
Its base has a force feedback of 900 degrees so you can do power steering as much as you like or as much as needed and the wheel measures a standard 11 inches or 28 cm in its diameter. It supports each and every racing game available for the Xbox One and for PC games and it also has an Xbox One certified embedded software alongside it. The adaptability is thanks to its ergonomic and comfortable design that will leave you playing for hours without getting as much as user fatigue. The wide foot rest also provides comfort for hours of gaming and the pedals have a great adjustability due to their individual angles of inclination, all of which are customizable.
The resistance of the brake pedal is quite progressive and realistic so it will act like a real driving simulator for the Xbox One. Its rotational angle has the option to be adjusted from 270 degrees up to 900 degrees. Whether you are a beginner at racing games or an expert, you will feel at ease with this Xbox steering wheel and keep your eyes on the road better.
The pedal set is also quite large to give you comfort on the go and the force feedback makes this Xbox steering wheel highly realistic for impacts and bumps on the road. In fact, you can also use it alongside other Thrustmaster gear such as pedal sets and shifters. It works well on a wide range of racing circuits.
Budget Pick
Microsoft Xbox 360 Wireless Speed Wheel
Our budget pick is the Microsoft Xbox 360 Wireless Speed Wheel and is the official wireless steering wheel meant for the Xbox 360 as a steering wheel for racing games. It comes with high quality and intuitive motion sensors for high quality and realistic steering and also has a rumble feedback for a more realistic game play. The gas and brake functions have trigger buttons each for easier access and there are also various buttons you can use for different functions in the games you play on the Xbox 360. It is highly compatible with each and every Xbox 360 racing title that there is.
Ideal Xbox Steering Wheel for the Xbox 360
HORI Xbox 360 Racing Wheel EX2
The HORI Xbox 360 Racing Wheel EX2 has been built for use on the Xbox 360 as a great Xbox racing wheel and steering wheel for most Xbox 360 racing game titles and its stability is at its finest with this racing wheel controller due to its sturdy and intuitive build. In fact, you will achieve the most realistic kind of experience while driving and simulating a racing game due to the fact that its inputs are very sensitive and feel like the real thing.
With the HORI Xbox Wheel EX2, its foot pedals are analog and are highly responsive to your every command. And moreover, the grip of the steering wheel is quite good for an Xbox racing wheel and gives you the best kind of comfort. The racing wheel also has a rumble feature to make your driving experience more realistic while playing racing games and it also comes in a combo of a steering wheel plus a foot pedal controller.
Moreover, its rubber material on the racing wheel provides traction and a better grip while playing racing games and the foot pedal and the button controls can be interchanged depending on your needs and preferences if you need to use buttons instead of the foot pedals to accelerate or brake. Conveniently, the racing wheel can be mounted onto any surface that is flat with the use of the included suction cups or a locking belt so you can play your Xbox racing games anytime and anywhere.
The HORI Xbox Racing Wheel comes with all of the control buttons of an Xbox 360 controller and you can also program some of its buttons for your convenience and measures 10 inches in its diameter. It has a rotational angle of up to 180 degrees and the foot pedal comes along with a 5-foot cable. The racing wheel is super lightweight at less than 1 pound and its racing wheel cable length is at 10 feet.
Setting it up is a breeze without the need for remapping buttons. Also, the paddle shifters are strategically placed behind the wheel. The vibration is very realistic and you can also use it on some PC games by configuring it well.
Ideal Xbox Steering Wheel for the Xbox One
Thrustmaster Xbox One Ferrari F1 Wheel
An ideal Xbox racing wheel for steering video games for the Xbox One, the Thrustmaster Xbox One Ferrari F1 Wheel is also usable for the Playstation 3, Playstation 4 and PC games and it can replace any racing wheel set up that you may have so you get a fully customized gaming experience. It is a must-have for people who are Ferrari F1 or racing enthusiasts and it is also under license by Ferrari as an official Formula 1 Ferrari 2011 racing wheel full sized replica for realism and control.
A comfortable grip will be ensured with the use of this awesome racing wheel for the Xbox One and the heavier grip makes it more realistic, challenging, grounded and true to its performance. Moreover, its grip also gives you a long line of inertia, stability and realism in the long run and the materials that make up this Xbox steering wheel include a metal face that has been scratch brushed and reinforced for high durability and long lasting gaming in mind.
Its wheel grip is coated with an ergonomic rubber texture that prevents slipping and gives you a highly comfortable grip on the Xbox steering wheel. The Thrustmaster Ferrari F1 Wheel works for the T500RS, T300RS and the TX Wheel models of Thrustmaster as a great Xbox racing wheel. Moreover, it has two modes: a normal mode with 13 action buttons and 3 D-pads plus an advanced mode with 1 D-pad and up to 25 action buttons.
Adding to that, its normal mode is for the Xbox One as well as the PS3 and PC games but the advanced mode is more for the PC games and its intuitive controls give you the realism that you need for racing. It has a total of 3 metal switches at 4.5 N which can be positioned up to 3 different positions and it has a total of 8 push buttons, all equipped with a dual detent pressure of 6.5 N. And also, its racing wheel has an automatic centering feature for those who like to do power steering. The Thrustmaster Xbox F1 Wheel also comes with two up and down shifters and has 2 directional D-pads, each at 2.5 N of force.
Best Force Feedback Xbox Steering Wheel
Megadream Video Racing Games Steering Wheel
The Megadream Video Racing Games Steering Wheel is highly compatible for the Xbox One and can be used for the PC for operating systems from Windows 7 up to Windows 10 and it easily connects via standard USB wired connection. It has a force feedback vibration feature which makes the driving simulation very realistic in its build and in its function and can also work for the Playstation 3 as a driving simulator so whether you’re playing Forza Motorsport or Gran Turismo games, you can definitely depend on this Xbox steering wheel.
Its brake pedals are highly durable and comfortable and the metal gas pedal provides a wide amount of realism for a truly rewarding racing experience. Also, depending on your game settings, you can definitely feel the vibration using its forced feedback. What’s more, the foot rest of the pedal set is quite wide for you to experience comfort on the go and its angle of inclination on each pedal on the set can be easily adjusted to your preferences.
In addition to that, the progressive resistance provided by the high quality brake pedal from the pedal provides unparalleled realism. In fact, there is also a quite build present in the Xbox steering wheel which causes a smooth and progressive gameplay using its dual motor force feedback feature as the metal gas pedal is sure to bring realism into the driving simulator and its paddle shifters that are gear sequential can also give you the best kind of driving experience while gaming. Likewise, the brake pedals are highly reliable.
The steering wheel’s cable spans at a length of 190 cm and the cable for the foot pedal spans at 165 cm. Also, it is highly compatible with Xbox One, PC games and the Playstation 3 and supports DirectX as well as X-Input on PC Games. Its steering wheel can be rotated up to 270 degrees for a full gaming and power steering experience. Likewise, the steering wheel is also equipped with an ergonomically designed rubberized texture for a better grip while playing. It easily connects via any USB port, where in the white color is for the Xbox and the black color is for the PS3 and for the PC and it is also compatible with Windows 10 operating systems. The Megadream Games Steering Wheel comes with a user’s manual.
Ideal Xbox Steering Wheel with 240 Degrees Rotation
Logitech MOMO Force Feedback Racing Wheel
With the Logitech MOMO Force Feedback Racing Wheel, you can rotate this highly responsive Xbox steering wheel for up to 240 degrees of rotation with ease. It comes with two paddle shifters for a highly realistic and intuitive gameplay and driving simulation experience. The gas and brake pedals provide an ample amount of realism to the player and its sequential stick shifter feels like the real thing when you use it and it has a total of 6 buttons, all of which can be easily programmed and set to your liking.
The Logitech MOMO Racing Wheel can also work for PC games and the like and the force feedback effects on this Xbox steering wheel are superb in quality. You can enjoy a fully rubberized wheel that coats the steering wheel to provide you with a great amount of traction, ergonomic feel and proper wheel handling in times of need. It also works for Windows 10 and Windows XP and below and you can also clamp this Xbox steering wheel to the edge of a desk.
Likewise, its form factor is great and does not take too much space on your desk. It includes the foot pedals as well as the necessary installation software, power supply and a set up guide and is backed by a warranty of 1 year.
Ideal Xbox Steering Wheel with Sturdy Aluminum Build
Fanatec Forza Motorsport CSR Wheel
With the Fanatec Forza Motorsport CSR Wheel, its dead zone can be easily adjusted to your preference and its turning angle goes from 90 degrees up to 900 degrees for that epic power steering experience and realistic driving simulation. Highly applicable for Xbox 360 and the Playstation 3 so it’s a good buy whether you’re a fan of Forza Motorsport or Gran Turismo games, it also works for PC racing games.
It uses an Alcantara grip on its deluxe steering wheel build that is also faced with an aluminum dashboard to provide you with space saving yet lightweight and straightforward controls for an Xbox steering wheel. In fact, both Turn 10 Studios and Microsoft officially licensed this CSR wheel for the Forza Motorsport. Also, it has 5 presets to choose from so you can switch between them in different games and game settings and the force feedback can be easily set up to your liking and its vibration can also be manipulated. Its sensitivity can also be adjusted as well.
Fully equipped with a great calibration as well as an intuitive responsiveness, it is a greatly designed Xbox steering wheel the mimics the standard motorsport designs. Its Linearity is also customizable and the damper and spring settings can also be tweaked on the force feedback feature. An LED mini screen display helps players adjust the steering wheel turning angle. The on the fly adjustments makes gaming and racing a breeze.
Best Wireless Controlled Xbox Steering Wheel
Excel Xbox 360 Wireless Racing Wheel
You can mount the Excel Xbox 360 Wireless Racing Wheel onto any desk or lap much like a laptop and it also has the option for a detachable desk mount as it comes with a fully functional force feedback feature that simulates the bumpiness of a real road and driving simulation is also improved using its rumble feedback. It comes with a port for headsets so you can feel and hear the engine sounds as you race and know on which side the competitor cars are coming from and its wireless technology is at a standard 2.4 GHz so it acts like a regular wireless optical mouse or wireless keyboard which effectively eliminates cluttering and messy wires in your gaming rig.
The wireless technology of this unique and innovative racing wheel has an effective range of up to 30 feet away or 9 meters away and the steering wheel itself measures a standard 10 inches so it is a good training wheel for aspiring racers. The sleek design of this amazing Xbox steering wheel will leave you breathless and wanting more action and intuitive gameplay with just about any racing game for the Xbox 360 and its dual rumble motors also add realistic gameplay to your racing experience. it works on just about any variant of the Xbox 360, including the slim versions and can also work for some PC games like Grand Theft Auto.
Ideal Xbox Steering Wheel with a Clean White Design
MicroCon Xbox 360 MC2 Racing Wheel
The MicroCon Xbox 360 MC2 Racing Wheel works effectively on the Xbox 360 as a sleek, intuitive and cleverly designed steering wheel for a great racing experience and is a complete set with the steering wheel and the foot pedals. You can get an awesome control with this Xbox steering wheel using its wide range of buttons to choose from – you can use 10 action buttons, all of which can be programmed and set to your gaming preferences.
The pedal board has realistic and wide designs for the gas and the brake pedals as well as gear shifting dual paddles. Vibration and forced feedback are not a problem at all due to its high quality steering wheel build and advanced technology. Throttling up is a breeze due to the vertical vector design of this Xbox steering wheel which also ensures that the pedals will not take off. The rubber coating that surrounds the steering wheel gives you a better grip of the racing experience like a real racing simulator. Also, the steering wheel is also double injected with high quality materials for stability and smooth turning actions.
In fact, you can also use the Xbox Guide button for operating your Xbox 360 dashboard and powering up or shutting down your console so you can just race on the go without having to reach for the regular Xbox controller. It has a wheel rotation of up to 270 degrees and the brake pedal and the gas pedal both possess great responsiveness.
The Competition
Other Xbox steering wheels did not match our criteria because they were not very responsive as Xbox steering wheels and were not very compatible with all of its noted games. It is important for an Xbox steering wheel to have less delay in its response time to get a realistic steering experience.
Other Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are some of the tips for setting up steering wheels for racing games?
A: According to the guide posted in Forza Motorsport Forums , consider a higher rotational setting if you’d like to play casual street car games like GTA (Grand Theft Auto) but if you’re looking forward to play Forza Motorsport and Gran Turismo games and other serious racing games then you’d better set the degree of rotation to a lower setting.
Q: What advantages do gaming steering wheels provide?
A: According to Stack Exchange , it depends on what you want to achieve. As a driving simulator, a racing wheel can help you improve your driving skills because of the realistic approach of both the wheels and the pedals. If your controls also have a gear shifter then it becomes all the more realistic.
Gaming wheels also add fun and excitement to the virtual racing experience and lets people experience first-hand what it feels like to race in a car in your dreams. While gamepads make it easier for making turns in racing and driving games, adding a steering wheel to the mix makes it more challenging and realistic in the long run.
Wrapping It Up
To top it off, the Thrustmaster VG Ferrari 458 Racing Wheel is our best Xbox steering wheel and it is super reliable for achieving a truly rewarding gaming and racing experience for aspiring racers in the future.
Jen Miller is a former electrical engineer and product specialist with more than 20 years of product design and testing experience. She has designed more than 200 products for Fortune 500 companies, in fields ranging from home appliances to sports gear and outdoor equipment. She founded Jen Reviews to share her knowledge and critical eye for what makes consumers tick, and adopts a strict no-BS approach to help the reader filter through the maze of products and marketing hype out there. She writes regularly and has been featured on Forbes, Fast Company, The Muse, The Huffington Post, Tiny Buddha and MindBodyGreen.