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After comparing 5 of the latest racing wheels from top manufacturers, I found the best racing wheel for Forza Horizon 4 on Xbox One is the ClubSport Steering Wheel Formula V2.5 X.
I did extensive research for hours, surfed reddit and facebook groups to see what most people use and what the pros recommend.
In this article, I’m going to compare the different racing wheels and pedals on the basis of several factors like build quality, comfort, force feedback performance, upgradability etc.
There are many good racing wheels but the best one for you will depend on your style of playing and budget, so keep reading to find out which one you should choose.
Top Rated Racing Wheels for Forza Horizon 4
According to our extensive research, the best racing wheels for Forza Horizon 4 are:
Imagine | Name | Our Rating | Price & More Details |
Best Choice in 2021 | |||
Best high-end wheel: Fanatec CSL Elite
For the ones looking for a high end racing wheel for Forza Horizon 4, Fanatec CSL Elite is the best option under $1000. That price tag is a little too expensive for most people. But if you truly appreciate each and every small detail in force feedback and are willing to go all out, the Fanatec CSL Elite is no less than a beast.
The Steering Wheel P1 is made out of metal (mostly) and has a premium look and feel. I would grade it a notch above all the other steering wheels on this list. The CSL Elite Pedals LC are not the best looking piece of sim racing hardware but the performance is great. The brake pedal uses load cell technology which adds resistance for precise braking.
I have always loved the way Fanatec wheels drive, the force feedback is accurate and detailed. The feel of driving a high end wheel is unmatched. That said, the CSL Elite is slightly overpriced and it’s needless to say it’s not for everyone. If you’re a beginner, the wiser option is to invest in a mid-range racing wheel and upgrade later if and when you feel the need for it.
Note: To use the Fanatec CSL Elite racing with Xbox One, you will need to buy either an Xbox compatible steering wheel (wheel rim) or the Fanatec Xbox One universal hub.
Best overall: Thrustmaster TX Leather Edition
The Thrustmaster TX provides the best bang for the buck in my opinion. It isn’t too expensive and does much more than the cheaper options. It sits right at the sweet spot in between. Without spending a fortune, you get an entry into the Thrustmaster ecosystem of interchangeable wheel-rims. It is also compatible with shifter and handbrake add-ons which can make drifting in Forza Horizon 4 much more precise and enjoyable.
I really like the look and feel of the TX leather edition steering wheel. Thrustmaster has done a great job in build quality with the 11” metal frame. For the price, I believe this is the best looking wheel you can complement your setup with. The bundled pedals are the Thrustmaster T3PA, including a clutch pedal. The pedals fall slightly short of my expectations, as these are the same as the one with the TMX Pro.
Force feedback on the Thrustmaster TX is great. Cruising in Forza Horizon 4 was a very pleasant experience. Compared to the TMX or the G920, the TX racing wheel takes the win. Feedback is quick and smooth, I love the way this wheel drives.
Most affordable wheel: Thrustmaster Ferrari 458 Spider
The Thrustmaster Ferrari 458 Spider is a basic racing wheel that can be had for very cheap during sales. It’s cheap because there is no form of force feedback whatsoever. For sim racing, it’s a big compromise. However, if you’re coming from a controller and the only game you intend on playing is Forza Horizon 4, you won’t be disappointed with the performance.
The Ferrari red on the steering wheel looks very pleasing. It is made completely out of plastic, Thrustmaster had to make some compromises with materials to achieve the price point. Even with limited rotation, the steering wheel is fine for the most part but the pedals ruined the whole experience for me. There are only 2 pedals (no clutch) which is acceptable for the price but the base is so light it kept tipping forward while braking.
Without any force feedback, there’s not much to judge in terms of performance. I had a raw experience racing on the Ferrari 458 spider. Making turns on this wheel is definitely more precise than using analog sticks but it is nowhere near the experience I had with a real force feedback wheel like the TMX.
Best wheel for beginners: Logitech G920
A great racing wheel for racers on a budget. This best selling racing wheel can often be found on sale for under $300. At that price, it’s a no brainer for casual forza racers. The racing experience on this wheel isn’t groundbreaking in any way but for that price, can’t complain much. If you’re just starting out in sim racing and looking for a beginner friendly, affordable racing wheel, the Logitech G920 is the right one for you.
The steering wheel is wrapped in leather and feels great to touch. It adds a layer of luxury which isn’t offered by any other budget wheel. There are plenty of buttons on the wheel to browse through menus and stuff. The bundled pedals are definitely not the best, but they’re good enough for beginners. A clutch pedal is also included which is a great bonus if you’re going to add a shifter later.
Force feedback from the wheel feels responsive but lacks the kind of detail I expect from a wheel at this price. The Logitech G920 uses a gear driven motor for force feedback which makes the steering wheel feel notchy at times. Don’t get me wrong, if you’ve never driven a racing wheel, you’re probably going to love it. But having driven a lot of belt drives, I feel the force feedback is a bit lackluster.
While it is a good wheel for beginners, we do not recommend it for enthusiasts. Here are 10 reasons not to buy Logitech G920 in 2020.
Best value for money: Thrustmaster TMX
Thrustmaster’s entry level racing wheel, the TMX offers the best price to performance ratio in the market. This is the only cheap racing wheel I can comfortably recommend. It does exactly what is expected of it, without any compromises or gimmicks. If you’re on a budget and looking for the best steering wheel for Forza Horizon 4 that doesn’t hurt your wallet, the Thrustmaster TMX will not disappoint you.
The wheel is made of plastic and comes with a rubber grip as opposed to leather on the G920. Rubber vs leather is a subjective choice, I personally prefer the feel of leather but rubber tends to hold up much better over time. The layout includes 10 buttons and a d-pad which is good enough for the price. There is a pro variant with upgraded T3PA pedals that includes a clutch. I suggest getting the pro variant if you plan on adding a shifter to your setup.
Force feedback is where this wheel shines. While other affordable wheels either have no force feedback or use outdated technology like the G920, the TMX runs on a belt and gear hybrid motor which powers much smoother and significantly more detailed force feedback.
Which wheel should you buy?
For the sub $100 section, the Thrustmaster Ferrari 458 Spider is the only wheel worth buying for Forza Horizon 4. It lacks force feedback and is not the best for serious racing. However, for casual racers or people just looking to have fun cruising, or for kids, it is adequate for an enjoyable experience.
In the $200-$400 section, the Thrustmaster TMX is the entry level option whereas Logitech G920 and the Thrustmaster TX are slightly more expensive. I would recommend picking up the TX if you have the budget for it. Nothing beats a belt drive, at this price it’s a great deal.
Upwards of $400 leaves us with only one option, the Fanatec CSL Elite. The load cell pedals and excellent force feedback performance take the CSL Elite miles ahead of the budget options. It’s a luxury racing wheel which opens a lot of upgrade options that you can choose from the Fanatec ecosystem, like wheel-rims, pedals, shifter and handbrake add-ons.
FAQ
You can play Forza Horizon 4 with a steering wheel. It supports almost all modern racing wheels from Logitech, Thrustmaster and Fanatec on both Xbox One and PC. It also supports other sim racing hardware like pedals, shifters, handbrakes and other accessories.
Forza Horizon 4 works well with a steering wheel. The game is essentially designed to work with a controller, but it supports most racing wheels. A steering wheel is always better as it gives you extra precision while driving.
A steering wheel is not a requirement to play Forza Horizon 4. You can also play it with a controller comfortably. But to make the most out of Forza Horizon 4, a steering wheel is the best accessory to add immersion.