Best Xbox One Steering Wheels With Clutch, Shifter and Handbrake

When I got tired of playing Dirt Rally 2.0 with a controller, I looked into buying a racing wheel and pedals for my Xbox One. As I kept doing more research to find the best setup for myself, I figured, for rally games I would also need a shifter and a handbrake.

To enjoy sim racing with the most immersion, you should definately invest in a good racing wheel and pedals to begin with. Adding a shifter and handbrake to the mix can also add a lot to the realism.

Additional accessories like an H pattern or sequential shifter and a handbrake can take your racing to the next level. Although it is not a requirement. If your racing style is highly dependent on a shifter or a handbrake, like mine, you should definately pull the trigger.

Best Xbox One Steering Wheels With Clutch, Shifter and Handbrake

With respect to steering wheel quality, pedals quality, force feedback, shifter and handbrake add-on options, here’s the list of the best racings setups for Xbox One:

For the enthusiasts: Fanatec CSL Elite

Check Price US: Wheel base | Steering Wheel | Pedals | Shifter | Handbrake
Check Price EU: Wheel base | Steering Wheel | Pedals | Shifter | Handbrake

The most affordable Fanatec racing wheel setup in the market. Fanatec offers modular wheel bases with wheel rims and other add-ons which unlock plenty of customisation options. This configuration includes a complete Fanatec sim racing rig including a Fanatec steering wheel, wheel base, pedals, shifter and handbrake, everything for close to $1000. If you’re willing to spend that kind of cash, this is the best Xbox One steering wheel you can buy.

Steering Wheel: Fanatec CSL Elite P1 with CSL Elite Wheelbase V1.1

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Look and feel: Right off the bat, the Fanatec CSL Elite Steering Wheel P1 feels extraordinarily lightweight compared to any other steering wheel I’ve ever used. In my view, being lightweight is a feature as it allows for better handling. It’s a subjective matter though, your mileage may vary. The metal wheel rim wrapped in Alcantara feels nice to touch. The distinguishing aspect about this wheel is the LED display up top which can display data like speed or gears. With this wheel, you also get changeable keycaps for on-wheel buttons including keycaps for headlamps and turn signals which adds a touch of realism. You may also choose any steering wheel of your liking from a variety of Fanatec Xbox One steering wheels including GT and Drift wheels.

Force feedback: The Fanatec CSL Elite Wheel Base V1.1 enters the high end territory suggested by the steep price tag. For the most part, the price is justified. Force feedback response feels super smooth. The attention to detail is exceptional. After trying the Thrustmaster TX and Logitech G920, drifting in iRacing was way more enjoyable on the Fanatec steering wheel. If you’re more than a casual gamer and interested in full sims like Assetto Corsa, this wheel is the one to get. The CSL Elite wheel base works with the Xbox One as long as you choose a wheel from the variety of Xbox One compatible steering wheels, the CSL Elite P1, for instance.

Pedals: Fanatec CSL Elite Pedals LC

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The CSL Elite Pedals LC is a set of 3 adjustable pedals. The throttle and clutch pedals have 12-bit resolution whereas the brake pedal offers higher 16-bit resolution for extra precision. LC stands for load cell which is essentially a device that can convert force like pressure or tension into electrical signals that can be measured. The brake uses load cell technology with adjustable tension. This is as good as it gets for a set of pedals that cost less than $200. To take full advantage of the braking mechanism, we recommend hard mounting the pedals for stable operation.

Shifter: Fanatec ClubSport Shifter SQ V1.5

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The Fanatec ClubSport Shifter SQ V1.5 can be used as an H-pattern shifter (7 speed + R) and sequential (+/-) shifter for the Xbox One. Full metal construction combined with strong haptic feedback makes the shifting unbelievably realistic at times. The gear stick knob is detachable and can be replaced by universal ones from real cars. Unlike the Thrustmaster shifter, changing from H-pattern mode to sequential mode does not require replacing the shift gate. It can be done with the flip of a switch. The best thing I like about this gearbox is adjustable resistance which can make or break the shifting experience. The only shortcoming I could find was the lack of a handbrake mode.

Handbrake: Fanatec ClubSport Handbrake V1.5

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The Fanatec ClubSport Handbrake V1.5 is a purchase you’re going to have to make if you’re a fan of drifting. There are a lot of handbrake mods available for PC but you’re limited to only the ClubSport Handbrake on Fanatec wheels for Xbox One. It can be mounted vertically or horizontally to replicate street or race cars as required. The resistance feels strong but once it activates the function, the response is really quick which might take some getting used to. Highly recommended if you’re into drifting or rallying.

For the pro racers: Fanatec Forza Motorsport Wheel Bundle

Check Price US – Bundle: Wheel base + Steering wheel + Pedals + Shifter | Handbrake
Check Price EU- Bundle: Wheel base + Steering wheel + Pedals + Shifter | Handbrake

The Fanatec Forza Motorsport Wheel Bundle is essentially a bundle of Fanatec ClubSport sim racing gear. It includes a Fanatec wheel base, steering wheel, pedals and shifter. It also includes the Fanatec ClubSport Steering Wheel Universal Hub for Xbox One to make the whole setup Xbox One compatible. If you’re looking for a high end steering wheel for Xbox One and money is not an issue, this Fanatec wheel is the one you should be looking at.

Steering Wheel: Fanatec ClubSport GT with ClubSport Wheelbase V2.5

Look and feel: The Fanatec Forza Motorsport Bundle includes the Fanatec ClubSport Steering Wheel GT Forza Motorsport along with the Fanatec Universal Hub for Xbox One for compatibility. The leather GT wheel rim feels solid and has an ergonomic design. The buttons for navigation are situated on the hub and not the wheel rim unlike other wheels. The wheel rims are interchangeable and you can choose from a wide range of Fanatec wheels if you’re not into the GT style. Fanatec offers wheel rims in various shapes and sizes including BMW or Porsche branded ones.

Force feedback: The Fanatec ClubSport Wheel Base V2.5 is included in this bundle. Force feedback from this one blew me away. After having tried all the wheels on this list, none comes close to this one. The response is so quick yet so detailed, I could feel every bump in the road. Compared to the Fanatec CSL Elite, this one feels much stronger and precise. Is it worth a few hundred dollars more? Yes. If you’re passionate about sim racing and play more than 5 hours a day, it’s likely you’re going to appreciate the attention to detail.

Pedals Bundled: Fanatec ClubSport V3

The bundle includes the Fanatec ClubSport Pedals V3, definitely the most premium looking set of pedals you can get for the Xbox One. All three pedals are fully adjustable and support 12-bit resolution. The brake pedal features a load cell sensor and a vibration motor for ABS simulation. The degressive clutch pedal feels very natural and takes the simulation factor to a whole new level. It’s a must have when you’re spending over a grand on a sim racing setup. Comfortability is the best thing about the Fanatec ClubSport Pedals V3, pedal height and spacing can be easily adjusted to your liking.

Shifter Bundled: Fanatec ClubSport Shifter SQ V1.5

The Fanatec ClubSport Shifter SQ V1.5 is included with the Fanatec Forza Motorsport Wheel Bundle. It supports both H-pattern (7 speed + R) shifting and sequential (+/-) shifting and the mode can be changed by flipping a switch. Resistance is higher in sequential mode by default and can be adjusted. The shifter lever is standard size and knobs can be interchanged with universal ones. Build quality feels solid for the most part. We recommend hard mounting the shifter for the best experience but you can also clamp mount if you wish to do so.

Handbrake Add-on: Fanatec ClubSport Handbrake V1.5

The Fanatec Forza Motorsport Wheel Bundle does not include a handbrake. Fanatec’s professional grade ClubSport Handbrake V1.5 is a must buy if you’re trying to build a complete sim racing setup. A dedicated handbrake can be very helpful as the buttons on the steering wheel can sometimes be hard to hit. The lever supports 45° pull and the resistance feels strong. The ClubSport Handbrake can be mounted horizontally or vertically as you please. Overall, a really nice add-on for a Fanatec racing wheel to achieve an immersive experience.

Right on the money: Thrustmaster TX Leather Edition

Check Price: Steering wheel and Pedals | Shifter | Handbrake

First Impressions

The Thrustmaster TX Leather Edition Racing Wheel sits a notch above the basic offerings. It’s not a crazy expensive wheel either, it sits right at the sweet spot in between. It brings some high end features to the table, like interchangeable wheel rims and a belt driven design. With the Thrustmaster TX you get a wheelbase, steering wheel and pedals. It is compatible with both shifter and handbrake add-ons which makes it an affordable entry into no-compromise sim racing.

Steering Wheel

Look and feel: The Thrustmaster TX Leather Edition is undoubtedly the best looking wheel at this price. The metal construction provides a solid feel to it without forgetting the paddle shifters are also made out of metal. I’m not a huge fan of leather but the 11” leather wrapped steering wheel does come close to replicating the feel of a real one. The button layout is similar to other Thrustmaster wheels, i.e. the buttons are a little hard to reach while driving but it’s not a deal breaker in any way.

Force feedback: The force feedback from the Thrustmaster TX feels swift and pleasant. It’s more precise than the Thrustmaster TMX or the Logitech G920. Controlled and crisp ffb makes drifting on corners feel real. It’s closer to a high end wheel than it is to a cheaper one. The brushless motor is quiet and has active cooling so heat is never going to be an issue with this one.

Pedals Bundled: Thrustmaster T3PA

The Thrustmaster TX comes bundled with the T3PA pedals which include throttle, brake and clutch. The metal pedals are adjustable to your liking. These pedals lack a progressive brake but thankfully they come with the conical mod to adjust resistance on the brake pedal. The mod is not close to the real thing but does the job. The TX wheel is a huge step above the TMX series but both include the same set of pedals. Bundling the T3PA Pro would have made more sense with the TX as they add spring resistance and can be inverted. You can still upgrade to the T3PA Pro pedals with this wheel if you choose to.

Shifter Add-on: Thrustmaster TH8A

The Thrustmaster TH8A shifter add-on is a must buy with this wheel. Apart from the H-pattern (7 speed + R) shifting, it can also be used as a sequential (+/-) shifter which is an added bonus for rally sessions. The 13 cm gear stick feels sturdy and lives up to the price tag. The knob on the gear stick is detachable and can be replaced with universal knobs made for real cars. Shifting mechanism has a “snap” into the gear feeling which most sim racers will appreciate.

Handbrake Add-on: Thrustmaster TSS

The Thrustmaster TSS Handbrake Sparco Mod + add-on is a dedicated handbrake for the TX wheel. It’s a handbrake that doubles as a sequential shifter. I tend to rely heavily on paddle shifters for fast shifting in Dirt Rally so I use it as a handbrake. While cruising on a freeway in Project Cars 2, I prefer using it as a shifter. So if you don’t use the shifter and the handbrake simultaneously, you can get this mod and skip the TH8A shifter altogether. Having said that, if you plan on getting both the add-ons, the TH8A shifter and the TSS Handbrake, you will need to buy a Thrustmaster TM Sim Hub to plug them simultaneously as the TX wheel base accepts only one add-on at a time.

Best seller: Logitech G920

Check Price: Steering wheel and Pedals | Shifter

The Logitech G920 is a great steering wheel for racers on a budget. As a bundle including a steering wheel, a set of 3 pedals and a shifter, all for under $300, no wonder it’s a bestseller. It is not the cheapest steering wheel for Xbox One but truly the most affordable wheel worth buying. The addition of a clutch pedal is one of its major selling points. If you’re looking to enter the world of sim racing without burning a hole in your pocket, the Logitech G920 is the one to go for.

Steering wheel

Look and feel: Logitech G920’s 11” metal wheel rim wrapped in leather is a treat. For an entry level steering wheel, it is without a question, light years ahead of a controller. The logitech G920 (Xbox One) and G29 (PS4) are basically the same wheel for different platforms. There are 8 buttons and a d-pad to eliminate the need of picking up a controller or keyboard. The steering wheel feels satisfying to turn and makes tight corners without breaking a sweat.

Force feedback: I’m not a fan of the Logitech G920’s gear driven mechanism, but when price is put into the picture it feels justified. Force feedback is great, feels nice and smooth. But you can notice some cogging and roughness at times due to the gear design. Although I must say, I have been spoiled by high end racing setups so I might be nitpicking. It’s a good wheel to start with, nonetheless. If you’ve never tried a racing wheel before, you’re definitely going to enjoy the experience.

Pedals

The bundled pedals are beginner friendly and easy to get used to. The clutch pedal is nice to have. Combined with the shifter, the Logitech G920 makes for the most affordable sim racing setup. The pedals are great for a casual gamer looking to have some fun time at the wheel, but they won’t please everyone. They’ll feel great when they’re shiny new, but when the time comes for an upgrade you’ll be locked out. While every brand offers pedal upgrades for their Xbox One steering wheels, Logitech only makes one set and those are the ones already bundled. Being a fairly popular wheel among the budget buyers, there are a lot of DIY mods available for the pedals that can enhance the braking and acceleration.

Shifter Add-on

To make the most out of the steering wheel, you should buy the G920 bundle with the Logitech G Driving Force Shifter. The shifter is only sub par compared to the Thrustmaster TH8A, but only costs a fraction of it’s price. As an H-pattern (6 speed + R) shifter, it impresses me for how cheap it is. It does not work as a sequential shifter though. It connects directly to the Logitech base and it is mostly plug and play. If you’re getting a set of pedals with a clutch, it is highly recommended to get a shifter as it adds a lot to the whole experience.

Handbrake Add-on

Unfortunately, Logitech does not make a handbrake add-on for the G920. The best workaround for this is DriveHub. With DriveHub, you can make the Fanatec or Thrustmaster handbrake work with the Logitech G920 on Xbox One. Check out our handbrake compatibility guide to know more.

Best for beginners: Thrustmaster TMX Pro

Check Price – Steering wheel and Pedals | Shifter

Thrustmaster’s entry level force feedback wheel for Xbox One, the TMX Pro delivers a smooth sim racing experience without costing a fortune. It comes with Xbox One certified software which makes for a beginner friendly pairing process. If you’re coming from a controller, wanting to enter the world of realistic driving/racing, this wheel is the one to get. With the Thrustmaster TMX Pro you get a wheelbase, steering wheel and pedals.

Steering Wheel

Look and feel: The Thrustmaster TMX Pro steering wheel has a plastic frame with rubber grips for comfort. The 11” (28cm) size is perfect and resembles a real steering wheel. It comes with wheel mounted metal paddle shifters. The layout is similar to higher end Thrustmaster wheels with 10 buttons and a d-pad for browsing through menus. This isn’t a serious racing wheel by any means, neither is it for rookies. It is targeted at the casual racers and for the price, it doesn’t fail to impress.

Force feedback: The Thrustmaster TMX Pro wheel base provides smooth and quick force feedback, the strength of which can be adjusted through the software. It doesn’t make you feel as on-the-road as the expensive fanatec equipment but it’s sweet for the price. The wheel rims are not interchangeable which is a bummer in terms of upgrade options. Nonetheless, if you’re just starting out, the TMX Pro is a value for money option which makes it easy to recommend.

Pedals Bundled: Thrustmaster T3PA

The TMX Pro is bundled with the same Thrustmaster T3PA pedals. There is a clutch pedal which is a rarity in budget sim racing gear. The pedals are made out of metal but the base is plastic. The pedals offer 10-bit resolution. However, there is no sign of a degressive clutch or progressive brake. The included conical brake mod can be used to virtually replicate a progressive brake but it was a little too stiff for my liking.

Shifter Add-on: Thrustmaster TH8A

The TMX Pro can be complemented with a Thrustmaster TH8A shifter which connects directly to the wheel base. The gear stick is made out of metal which gives it a sturdy feel. It has a detachable knob that can be replaced with universal knobs made for real cars. The package includes two shift plates, for H-pattern (7 speed + R) and sequential (+/-) shifting. The TH8A shifter doubles as a handbrake on PC but that feature does not work on Xbox One, unfortunately. Paying extra for a clutch pedal makes no sense with paddle shifters. Make sure you get a shifter if you’re buying a set of pedals with a clutch.

Handbrake Add-on

Thrustmaster does not support handbrake add-ons on the TMX Pro natively. However, you can use DriveHub to extend support for add-ons. With DriveHub, you can use any handbrake, from Fanatec or Thrustmaster with the TMX Pro racing wheel on Xbox One. Check out our handbrake compatibility guide to know more.

Buying Guide: How to choose the right steering wheel, pedals, shifter and handbrake for Xbox One

We have scored the racing wheels in this list based on an average of their scores in the following tests:

1. Steering wheel

• Force feedback – The single most important factor that can make or break the experience. Force feedback is the soul of your racing wheel. The quality of the force feedback motor inside your racing wheel decides how realistic your racing will be.
• Build quality – A good racing wheel should last longer than your Xbox. Except the very cheap ones, most racing wheels are built using high grade materials. Build quality of the internal hardware is far more important than what you can see from the outside.
• Comfort – It’s not so much about sizes as it’s about the grip. Leather and rubber are the most common types of grips found on steering wheels. The choice of material is completely subjective, however the quality and longevity of the material is something you should look out for.
• Upgradeable rims – Some mid tier and high end wheels support interchangebale wheel rims that connect to the wheel base. Fanatec and Thrustmaster have a wide ecosystem of wheel rims for different titles like F1 and GT rims.

2. Pedals

• Clutch pedal – If you’re planning on getting a shifter, you should not skip a clutch pedal. All setups in this list come with a clutch pedal because I believe it is essential for a good driving experience.
• Tension – To make pedals feel true to life, different types of tension mechanisms are used. For example, pedals with load cell tension can replicate a progressive brake. You should look into these high end options if you’re in the pursuit for a reastic experience.
• Upgradeability – Some brands offer pedal upgrade options while some don’t. If you buy into an ecosystem with zero upgrade options (read: Logitech), you’re going to be stuck with the same hardware forever.

3. Add-on accessories

• Shifter – A shifter is the best addition you can make to your racing setup. The feeling of snapping into gears with a physical gear stick adds a great amount of immersion.
• Handbrake – A handbrake or e brake, although not necessary for every racing title, is very important for drifting or rallying.
• Compatibility – Unlike PC, you can’t plug anything on Xbox and expect it to work as intended. For add-ons like shifters and handbrakes, your racing wheel manufacturer should support it.