Gran Turismo 7 launched in March 2022 and remains a popular racing title for PlayStation 5 owners. And now with the game set to receive an update for the release of PlayStation VR 2, it’s sure to jump back up to the top of playlists for a number of people. And while using a controller is all well and good for games like Gran Turismo 7, those who want the best experience often look to PC racing wheels for the total package.
The question is, where do you begin? There are a number of options for players to choose from ranging from cheap and reliable to top-of-the-line setups. But what are the best of the best when it comes to PC racing wheels that you can use for Gran Turismo 7?
Best PC racing wheels for Gran Turismo 7
HORI Racing Wheel Apex
Starting off with an entry-level option, the HORI Racing Wheel Apex is a solid choice for those who want to dip their toes in the water to see how it feels. For less than $100 USD on average, the wheel boasts solid quality for the price you pay. The wheel is a plug-and-play experience, leaving you with zero extra setup outside of taking it out of the box and mounting it.
The only gripe I have with it is that the two-pedal setup feels a bit cramped for my fit. It’s not a big deal not having a clutch pedal, but they could’ve been spaced out a bit better. It’s likely one of the best PC racing wheels for Gran Turismo 7 while still safe for your wallet.
Logitech G923
Moving on to the mid-range, let’s talk about the Logitech G923. The successor to the Logitech G29 and G920, this wheel has been my daily driver — pun intended — since its release, and I don’t think that’s going to change. The wheel is comfortable to hold as it’s bound in real leather and features a 900-degree rotation. There are plenty of dials and button options to map to your liking as well. The wheel also features Logitech’s “TrueForce” technology that utilizes a game’s physics to provide more accurate feedback through the wheel where you’ll feel the struggle of fighting a tight turn or rough terrain more than ever.
With the pedals, you get a three-pedal system that feels great, though some may have issues with the toughness of the brake pedal. Luckily, that can be adjusted to make it easier to press down if need be.
The Logitech G923 costs $399.99 USD. If you want to go one step further, you can pick up the Logitech G Driving Force Shifter for a stick-shift experience.
Thrustmaster T248
A wheel that’s around the same price range as the Logitech G923, the Thrustmaster T248 is a solid choice in its own right. Arguably its biggest selling point is the on-wheel display that is compatible with a number of games and will show you things like position, lap time, and more.
The wheel itself is quite comfortable, features force feedback, and has 25 programmable buttons to use as you see fit. Thrustmaster even has a custom mapping template you can apply specifically for Gran Turismo 7.Â
The pedals are magnetic, which gives it a completely different feel than that of the aforementioned G923. It takes a bit to get used to, but once you do, it feels a lot more comfortable than other mid-range pedals you’ll find.
My biggest complaint comes in two areas. The first is that the display is tough to see and pretty much irrelevant when actually racing. Second, the paddle shifts are way too loud. Still, it’s a solid wheel if the loud clicking of magnets doesn’t bother you. And like other wheels on this list, the Thrustmaster T248 is completely plug-and-play right out of the box on your PlayStation 5.
The Thrustmaster T248 costs $399.99 USD.
Logitech G Pro Racing Wheel and Pedals
Moving on to the high-end, true sim wheels, it’s time to go back to Logitech with the Logitech G Pro Racing Wheel and Pedals. Launched in 2022, the Logitech G Pro Racing Wheel is a Direct Drive wheel, the first Logitech has released, and features 11 Newton-meters (Nm) of torque.
The wheel features an aluminum-brushed faceplate and is wrapped in leather like other Logitech offerings. The wheel features analog dual clutch paddles which come in handy for things like rally racing if you decide to go that route down the line. Button-wise, it’s a simplified layout featuring two dials and button locations designed to let you press what you need without taking your eyes off the road.
The pedals come fully adjustable via hex bolts for a more comfortable and custom experience. With a load brake cell, you will get a more natural feel when braking in your turns than any of Logitech’s past racing pedals. Lastly, the pedals also utilize Logitech’s “True Force” feedback system.
As said these are on the high end, so getting both the wheel and pedals is going to set you back about $1,400 USD. But if you got the scratch, it’s one of the best PC racing wheels for Gran Turismo 7.
Fanatec Gran Turismo DD Pro
The last set on the list is also on the high end, but it’s one that comes officially licensed for Gran Turismo 7. Another Direct Drive wheelset, you can buy the Fanatec Gran Turismo DD Pro with either 8Nm or 5Nm of torque.
The wheel itself features a rubber grip for comfort and comes with a number of on-wheel controls designed specifically with Gran Turismo in mind. There are four 5-way directional sticks on the face of the wheel that are fully customizable to your liking. In addition, there’s a while OLED display for tuning access as well as telemetry output while on track.
Both sets come with CSL pedals that are made from steel and feature magnetic precision censors. It’s only a dual-pedal setup so those of you who want to use a clutch will have to use a paddle shifter, but they are still solid pedals in their own right. You can even buy upgrade kits for them down the line if that’s a route you’d like to go down
The Fanatec Gran Turismo DD Pro set starts at $699.95 USD for the 5Nm version or $849.90 for 8Nm.
Hopefully, this list of various options can help you find the best PC racing wheel for your needs in Gran Turismo 7. There are more out there from a number of companies, but these five are the ones that I find to be the best no matter your budget. That said, the best piece of advice that I can offer you is to make sure you are ready to make the leap to racing wheels. Know what your personal preferences are and what you can reasonably afford.
Related:Â How to Make Money Fast in Gran Turismo 7 on Operation Sports
Published: Feb 3, 2023 11:28 am