We present a guide on No Direct Drive wheels compatible with PC and consoles, ordered according to their torque measured in Newton meters. All of them are currently available in the market and can be purchased in Europe through their official stores or distributors.
These bases have an outdated technology that consists of gears in some cases and belt-driven motors in others. Most of them fall more into the category of gaming peripherals rather than simulation equipment.
Force has never been one of their strong points (haha), and neither is responsiveness, but they were the best option available and continue to sell well in the entry-level range. They are often used for in-person events due to their low cost. The dominant brands are Logitech and Thrustmaster. The forces mentioned here are estimations based on user measurements, which may differ from the actual performance of the base or the conditions under which the measurement was taken.
One final note. It’s important to remember that, with the same amount of force, a Direct Drive base will always offer much better acceleration, lower input lag, less noise, and much greater durability and resistance than a belt-driven motor. It’s like comparing traveling 100 km at 80 km/h in a 1950s bus versus doing it in a brand new sedan, a similar comparison.
Based on measurements found on the internet, an older one but still applicable to this list could be the following:
- Logitech DFGT: less than 2.5 Nm
- Logitech G25: 2.5 Nm
- Logitech G27: 2.3 Nm
- Logitech G29: 2.1 Nm
- Logitech G920: 2.2 Nm
- Fanatec GT3 v2: 2.6 Nm
- Thrustmaster Tx: 3.9 Nm
- Thrustmaster T500: 4.4 Nm
- Fanatec CSW v1: 4.8 Nm
- Fanatec CSW v2: 7.1 Nm
Let’s see what they currently offer:
1 Nm
Thrustmaster T80 Ferrari 488 GTB Edition
Let’s start with something that’s not just a toy that will last us two weeks. This Ferrari 488 GTB Edition T80 doesn’t have FFB (Force Feedback), but it does have a linear resistance and centering method so that we at least don’t feel like we’re turning something randomly. It’s lightweight, a good size, and offers 240 degrees of rotation to start in a very basic way in some car games. Some Playstation 5 games also recognize it.
Force: We’ll give it a generic rating of 1 since it doesn’t have FFB.
Its price is 128 euros and you can buy it here.
2 Nm
Thrustmaster T128
Thrustmaster offers options for all budgets in the entry-level range, and this is one of their latest releases aiming to raise the quality standards of entry-level bases. With 250mm, FFB, magnetic pedals and shifters, a wheel with 13 buttons, and compatibility with Playstation 5
or Xbox Series X
, it presents itself as an option to consider.
Force: Possibly a little over 2 Nm.
Its price is 181 euros and you can buy it here.
Logitech G29
A classic among classics. What can we say about this veteran whose latest iteration, with hardly any modifications, has made its way into 90% of sim racing enthusiasts’ homes. Most of you know it for being super reliable and lasting for years and years. Highly moddable pedals complete what is a balanced set, offering a gear-driven motor inherited from the original G25 from 2005. In versions for Xbox Series X
and Playstation 5
.
Strength: Just over 2Nm
Its price is 285 euros and can be purchased here.
Logitech G923
The evolution of the G29 to introduce a complementary telemetry FFB system. The TrueForce that Logitech added as a curiosity to this model has proved to be truly useful in the company’s Direct Drive range. This is possibly the last installment of this model that is still being sold at a fairly significant price. In versions for Xbox Series X
and Playstation 5
.
Strength: Just over 2Nm
Its price is 327 euros and can be purchased here.
Thrustmaster TMX
An already amortized model from Thrustmaster that was released to compete with Logitech and the Xbox-compatible G920. In this case, we find something similar with versions with 3 metal pedals or two plastic ones. We analyzed it many years ago and it was even better than the G29. Available in Xbox Series X
version.
Strength: Just over 2Nm
Its price is 204 euros and can be purchased here.
Thrustmaster T150RS
An already amortized model from Thrustmaster that was released to compete with Logitech and the Playstation-compatible G29. In this case, we find something similar with versions with 3 metal pedals or two plastic ones. We analyzed it many years ago and it was even better than the G29. Available in Playstation 5
version.
Strength: Just over 2Nm
Its price is 185 euros and can be purchased here.
3Nm
Thrustmaster T248
The latest from Thrustmaster with the intention of taking over the entry-level range completely. Everything is better than the competition, and that’s how we have described it in our reviews. More force feedback, better pedals, better materials, better sensations, and better performance. Available in Xbox Series X and Playstation 5 versions.
Strength: Approximately 3Nm
Its price is 316 euros and can be purchased here.
4Nm
Thrustmaster T300
Another model that has been with us for 10 years. When I saw it, I didn’t even think it was still on sale, but here it is, and it still has good sales figures, so it seems sensible to keep it. Available in Playstation 5 version.
Strength: Approximately 4Nm
Its price is 400 euros and can be purchased here.
Thrustmaster TX
Very similar to what we have just mentioned above. The PC and Xbox version of the T300 that has been with us for a trillion years. In this case, it adds more appealing pedals for a slightly higher price, although it is also possible to purchase the base alone for 253 euros. Available in Xbox Series X version.
Strength: Approximately 4Nm
Its price is 423 euros and can be purchased here.
5Nm
Thrustmaster TS-PC
One of Thrustmaster’s best bases, according to the comments we read on social media, and one that has been widely used by PC gamers in recent years. Compatible only with this platform, it seems to offer a good balance between price and performance and can be purchased in various bundles with different prices according to our needs and preferences.
Strength: Approximately 5Nm
Its price is 488 euros and can be purchased here.
6Nm
Thrustmaster TS-XW
Thrustmaster partnered with Sparco to incorporate iconic racing materials into their peripherals, and this is one of their most celebrated collaborations. This P310 replica, along with this powerful base compatible with PC and Xbox, is also one of their best-selling products despite the high price. The base can be purchased alone for 400 euros in Xbox Series X version.
Strength: Approximately 6Nm
Its price is 631 euros and can be purchased here.
7Nm
Thrustmaster T-GT II
Thrustmaster’s latest release before transitioning to Direct Drive technology was the second iteration of the 2017 T-GT base. In this second installment, there are few changes compared to the first version, but we already covered it in our reviews. It was to meant the official wheel of Gran Turismo 7 but Faantec got its place instead. Available in Playstation 5 versions, and the base can be purchased separately for 453 euros.
Strength: Approximately 7Nm
Its price is 720 euros and can be purchased here.
We still believe that it is much better to opt for Direct Drive bases.
Do you have any evidence or details on the input lag you speak of? How much lag?
More mechanical pieces (pulley, belt, gears, etc), more lag. It is simple.
Point of correction. The T-GT Ii is NOT the official wheel of GT7. It is the official wheel of GT Sport. The Fanatec DD GT Pro is the official wheel of GT7.
fixed