Best Racing Wheels in 2021: The best steering wheels for your gaming needs!

Sometimes, when you’re gaming, you want the most realistic experience you can get. That can be especially true for the racing genre, with series like Gran Turismo and Forza Motorsport offering mechanics and physics that replicate how cars actually drive. You can make the experience even better with a great racing wheel! There’s a lot to look out for, though, so we’ve rounded up the best racing wheels for any of your gaming consoles below.

Are you a PC gamer? You’re in luck because all of these racing wheels can be used with PC! Just pick your favorite from the list and you’re good to go.

Table of Contents:

• What do I need in a racing wheel?
• Best overall: Logitech G920 Racing Wheel
• Best premium option: Fanatec CSL Elite Starter Bundle
• Best budget option: HORI Racing Wheel Overdrive
• Best wheel for PS5: Thrustmaster T300RS GT Racing Wheel
• Best wheel for Xbox Series X: Thrustmaster TMX Force Feedback Racing Wheel
• Best wheel for Switch: HORI Mario Kart Racing Wheel

What Do I Need in a Racing Wheel?

When you buy a racing wheel, you’ll want something that feels as close to being behind the wheel of an actual car as possible. So, with each pick, we’ve included five specifications that are important to your experience.

Weight – Weight may be more important than you think when it comes to picking out a wheel. Wheels that are too light will feel cheap and are a little more difficult to keep mounted on a table if you’re turning the wheel a lot or abruptly. Heavier racing wheels will feel studier!

Dimensions – A small wheel size will feel like you’re playing with a toy. A wheel size closer to the wheel of an actual car will always feel better.

Wheel Rotation – How far can you turn the wheel in each direction before it locks? This is important to know for your gaming experience!

Force Feedback – Force feedback will replicate the feel of driving a car just as much as the wheel itself will. Some of the best racing wheels will have force feedback!

Built-in Shifters – Most of the time, shifting sticks are sold separately. Unless you’re planning on buying one, make sure your racing wheel will have some sort of shifter that you can use!

Best Racing Wheel Overall: Logitech G920 Racing Wheel

Weight	Dimensions	Wheel Rotation	Force Feedback?	Built-in Shifter?
4.96 lbs	10.24 x 10.94 x 10.63 inches	1080 degrees	Yes	Yes

When it comes to the best racing wheel, it’s honestly harder to balance what the best is overall over a lot of other products. The absolute best brand of racing wheels, Fanatec, is cost-prohibitive to the average buyer. If you pick one up, it’ll definitely feel like you’re in a race car, but unless realistic racers are all you’re playing, it can be hard to justify that $1,000+ price tag. But, even for more consumer-friendly options, you still want a nice feeling experience. The wheel that best walks that tightrope is the Logitech G920.

Available in both Xbox/PC and PlayStation/PC options, the Logitech G930 is the best racing wheel you can get without dropping big bucks on it. The wheel features force feedback, which goes a long way in making the experience feel authentic. The dimensions are also pretty solid, and you also get the foot pedals and the option to bundle a separate shifter in. All and all, this is a pretty solid experience and one of the lower-priced wheels on this list!

Logitech G920 Force Feedback Racing Wheel

The Logitech G920 is one of the few racing wheels on the market that walks the tightrope between function and price. Get force feedback without forcing all the money out of your wallet.

Buy from Amazon

Best Premium Option: Fanatec CSL Elite Racing Wheel

Wheel Weight	Wheel Size	Wheel Rotation	Force Feedback?	Built-in Shifter?
2.14 lbs	11.81 inches	1080 degrees	Yes	Yes

Is money no object? You want the best racing game experience money can buy? Then you want to go with Fanatec. Fanatec has the best racing wheels on the market hands down, but you’re going to have to pay a pretty penny for them. Depending on what you’re grabbing and what all you’re bundling together, the price will easily go above a thousand dollars! For this list, however, we recommend the CSL Elite Starter Kit and then you can go from there.

The CSL Elite racing wheel and pedals are the only set on this list that works with all three major consoles (PC, PS5, and XSX–sorry Switch). The special Clubsport technology takes Fanatec’s force feedback to another level, and the wheel size and weight are the most realistic on the list. There’s even an LED display on the wheel that shows important race data with compatible games! It’s really cool. With it normally retailing at $600 and not including a separate shifter, though, this wheel definitely falls into the premium realm.

Fanatec CSL Elite Starter Kit

Won't settle for anything less than the best? Then you'll want to head to Fanatec's website and pick out your racing wheel bundle! It'll set you back a lot, but you'll also get the absolute best experience around.

Buy from Fanatec

Best Budget Option: HORI Racing Wheel Overdrive

Weight	Dimensions	Wheel Rotation	Force Feedback?	Built-in Shifter?
7 lbs	12.6 x 11.42 x 11.61 inches	270 degrees	No	Yes

Just looking to try a racing wheel out and a little overwhelmed with the prices? HORI has you covered with the HORI Racing Wheel Overdrive. This is an Xbox Series S/X and PC compatible controller that gets the job done. It doesn’t have force feedback, nor can the wheel turn 1080 degrees, but the build quality is still sturdy and you’ll get a good feel if playing with a racing wheel is right for you. There is also the PlayStation equivalent with the HORI Racing Wheel Apex–it’s effectively the same wheel, just with PlayStation compatibility!

HORI Racing Wheel Overdrive

If you're looking for a budget racing wheel experience, the HORI Racing Wheel Overdrive is your best choice. You won't get all the bells and whistles of the other wheels on this list, but it's a good introduction to the specialty controllers.

Buy from Amazon

Best Racing Wheel for the PlayStation 5: Thrustmaster T300RS GT Racing Wheel

Weight	Wheel Size	Wheel Rotation	Force Feedback?	Built-in Shifter?
22.4 lbs	11 inches	1080 degrees	Yes	Yes

If you’ve been a racing game fan for a while now, you may know about the Thrustmaster brand. They’re a great mid-range brand–generally better than Logitech and HORI, but not quite up there with the ultra-premium Fenetec brands. So, if you’re looking to race on your PlayStation 5, you’ll want to go with a Thrustmaster wheel! In this case, you’ll be looking to pick up the Thrustmaster T300RS GT Racing Wheel. While originally made for the PlayStation 4, it works just fine with your PS5 titles!

The T300RS GT wheel features force feedback and the full 1080 wheel rotation, and the Gran Turismo branding won’t affect you playing other games! The wheel is even detachable! I’m not sure why it’s detachable, I assume it’s for easy maintenance when needed. But the important part is that this wheel and pedal set feels great.

Thrustmaster T300RS GT Racing Wheel

Looking for a nice quality racing wheel that will work with the PlayStation 5? You'll want the Thrustmaster T300RS GT racing wheel! This looks and feels better than the budget options, but doesn't break the bank.

Buy from Amazon

Best Racing Wheel for the Xbox Series X|S: Thrustmaster TMX Force Feedback Racing Wheel

Wheel Weight	Wheel Size	Wheel Rotation	Force Feedback?	Built-In Shifter?
11.25 lbs	11 inches	1080 degrees	Yes	Yes

Like the PlayStation 5 pick above, if you’re looking to race on your Xbox Series console, you’ll want to go with Thrustmaster. The Thrustmaster TMX Force Feedback Racing Wheel is actually very similar to the T300RS GT above, just compatible with the Microsoft consoles instead. That means you’ll get the force feedback and the 1080 degree wheel rotation, but also a mid-range price point between the budget and premium picks. It’s a pretty great option!

Thrustmaster TMX Force Feedback Racing Wheel

If you're playing primarily on a console, go with Thrustmaster. The TMX Force Feedback wheel provides all you want with a racing wheel at a mid-range price point.

Buy from Amazon

Best Racing Wheel for the Nintendo Switch: HORI Mario Kart Racing Wheel Pro

Weight	Dimensions	Wheel Rotation	Force Feedback?	Built-in Shifter?
7 lbs	11.57 x 13.19 x 11.81 inches	270 degrees	No	Yes

Let’s be honest– if you’re looking for a racing wheel for the Switch, you’re a bit limited on options. While there are plenty of racing wheel molds to slot one of your Joy-Cons into, the Joy-Con gyro by no means replicates the feeling of a wheel. Thankfully, there is the HORI Mario Kart Racing Wheel Pro.

If you’re thinking that this looks like another wheel on our list, you wouldn’t be far off–it’s just a differently-skinned version of the HORI Racing Wheel Overdrive and HORI Racing Wheel Apex. That’s great because the price point is more reasonable, but you’ll also be getting a more budget experience overall. But, well, the Switch isn’t really known for its realistic racers after all, is it?

HORI Mario Kart Racing Wheel Pro

You don't have a lot of choices for a Nintendo Switch racing wheel, but you can grab the HORI Mario Kart Racing Wheel Pro for a similar experience to our budget pick.

Buy from Amazon

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Even beyond the six racing wheels above, there are plenty of other racing wheels on the market to try out! What is your favorite? Let us know in the comments!

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Latest Galaxy A52 leak reveals pricing and availability information

Over the last few months, we’ve seen plenty of leaks about the upcoming Galaxy A52 and Galaxy A72. The leaks have revealed almost all key details about the devices, including the fact that Samsung will offer both 4G and 5G variants of both phones. Although Samsung still hasn’t released any official information, pricing and availability details of both the Galaxy A52 variants have now surfaced online.

According to a recent report from TechnikNews, the Galaxy A52 4G and Galaxy A52 5G will go on sale before mid-March. The devices will be available in two RAM/storage configurations — 6GB/128GB and 8GB/256GB. The report claims that the LTE version of the Galaxy A52 will go on sale at a starting price of €349 (~$423), while the 5G capable version will go on sale at a starting price of €449 (~$545). It further adds that both models will be available in four colorways — blue, white, black, and purple. Although the report doesn’t include pricing for the 8GB/256GB variants of the Galaxy A52, it speculates that the premium version may be priced at a €50 premium.

As far as the other specifications are concerned, the Galaxy A52 5G is expected to feature a 6.5-inch Super AMOLED display with an FHD+ resolution and a peak refresh rate of 120Hz. The device will reportedly pack Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 750G chipset, a 4,500mAh battery, and 25W fast charging support. In the camera department, the device will sport a quad-camera setup on the back, with a 64MP primary camera, a 12MP ultra-wide camera, a 5MP depth sensor, and a 5MP macro sensor. Over on the front, it will feature a single 32MP primary camera.

The LTE variant will likely share most of its hardware with the 5G variant. However, it may include a 90Hz refresh rate panel and a lower-end chipset, just like the Galaxy A72 4G. We’ll update this post as soon as we receive more information about the Galaxy A52 4G.

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Google Stadia to offer over 100 games this year, including FIFA 21, Far Cry 6 and more

Google has promised that it is working on bringing a library of over 100 games this year to Stadia, the company’s cloud-based game streaming platform. The announcement comes only a couple of weeks after it was confirmed that the company is shutting down its in-house Stadia game studio division responsible for developing exclusive games for the platform. The good news, however, is that users will continue to enjoy new games on the platform throughout the course of 2021.

As per a blog post announcement, “Over the next few weeks and months, players can expect to see everything from action-filled RPGs to competitive co-op titles and nimble platformers.” Google has revealed a handful of titles that will be coming to the platform although only a few of them have a launch date at the moment.

Here are all the games coming to Stadia as confirmed by Google:

• Shantae: Half-Genie Hero Ultimate Edition – February 23
• Shantae: Risky’s Revenge – Director’s Cut – February 23
• It came from space and ate our brains – March 2
• FIFA 21 – March 17
• Kaze and the Wild Masks – March 26
• Judgment – April 23
• Killer Queen Black – Coming soon
• Street Power Football – Coming soon
• Hellpoint – Coming soon

Google also says that it is planning to release Far Cry 6, Riders Republic, Hello Engineer, and more games in 2021. As of now, Stadia offers some really interesting and new titles that you can enjoy including the likes of Cyberpunk 2077, Destiny 2, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds, and many more. Stadia is currently available in select regions at $9.99 a month allowing gamers to stream games from a browser, Chromecast Ultra, or mobile device. Additionally, gamers can also purchase games through the service. Just a few days back, we reported that Google has started pre-installing Google Stadia on all-new Chromebooks.

Do you use Google Stadia for streaming games? How has your experience been so far?

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Bootloader unlock method has been found for the Nokia 8.3 5G

HMD Global’s bootloader unlocking policy isn’t favorable to users interesting in modding or rooting Nokia smartphones. The company still hasn’t provided a bootloader unlock method for any of its devices (except the Nokia 8) even after initially promising they would allow for unlocking devices “one at a time”, leaving users at the mercy of unofficial tactics. Fortunately, every once in a while, developers figure out something really innovative that allows us to unlock the bootloader of select Nokia devices. That’s exactly what happened with the Nokia 8.3 5G, as XDA Senior Member hikari_calyx has discovered an unofficial method to unlock its bootloader — although there is a catch.

Nokia 8.3 5G XDA Forums

The catch is that unlocking Nokia 8.3 5G’s bootloader involves a prototype firmware, which requires a certain Android version being installed on the device. To be precise, the process is not at all compatible with the Android 11 update that rolled out a few days ago. Currently, you are only able to flash the prototype bootloader if you’re running an Android 10-based build on your Nokia 8.3 5G. Another peculiarity with this method is that it does not let users relock the bootloader.

If you own either the TA-1243 or the TA-1251 variant of the Nokia 8.3 5G running software version 00WW_1_150-B01 or lower, and wish to unlock the bootloader, you can head over to the thread linked below and follow the steps listed on the first post. You will be required to flash the ABL binary taken from the prototype firmware using Fastboot, so make sure you have the latest Android Platform Tools installed on your PC.

How to unlock the Nokia 8.3 5G’s bootloader

Users are advised to treat the whole procedure with discretion, as there is no guarantee that things won’t go wrong. It is worth mentioning that the Verizon-exclusive Nokia 8 V 5G UW might also be compatible with the unofficial bootloader unlock method, though this has yet to be demonstrated.

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Latest NewPipe update brings YouTube Chapter support, UI improvements and more

NewPipe, a popular, open-source YouTube client, has just been updated to v0.20.10, bringing several new features, UI improvements, and bug fixes. For those not in the loop, NewPipe serves itself as an alternative for users who either dislike the official app or do not have Google Play Services installed on their device. In a nutshell, NewPipe parses the YouTube website to extract data and play videos, without restrictions and ads.

One of the main highlights of NewPipe’s new update is support for YouTube Chapters, a feature that Google unveiled in May last year. Chapters let users quickly jump to specific sections of a given video without having to fiddle with the seek bar. With this latest update, NewPipe now also supports this new feature, and the user can click on the Chapter button in the video player to open up the list of Chapters selected by the content creator.

Another notable change is the addition of two new buttons to the button row that allows users to open a video in the browser or share it with other apps. You can also add a third “Play with Kodi” button to stream a video directly to Kodi. There’s also a new tab layout at the bottom now, which lets you easily jump between Comments, Related Videos, and the Video Description.

Finally, the update also adds a new search engine called Sepia Seach for PeerTube. The Sepia Search can be accessed by clicking on the three-dot menu located on the right side of the search bar and makes it easier to discover videos published on PeerTube, a free and decentralized video-sharing platform.

Those already using the NewPipe app on their Android device should receive an update prompt telling them to download this latest version. In case you haven’t received the prompt yet or are a new user, you can download the latest version from the Team NewPipe’s Github page here.

Here’s the full changelog for NewPipe o.20.10:

• New 
  • [YouTube] Added support for chapters in player controls
  • Added a secondary control panel and tabs to video detail fragment
  • [PeerTube] Added sepia search
• Improved
  • Disable restoring brightness if brightness gesture is disabled
  • Update displayed licenses
  • Disable sending metrics to Google when using Android System WebView
  • Toggle play/pause with hardware space button in the fullscreen player
  • Add list item to play video on Kodi.
  • VideoDetailFragment: Don’t exit fullscreen on rotation in tablet UI
  • Updated invidious instances list
  • Reduce API requests for NewPipe update checks
• Fixed
  • Fixed URLs with timestamps not being played
  • Fixed null pointer exception in play button method
  • Dynamically get package name, fixing issues with multiple NewPipes installed.
  • Fixed wrong speed indicator in queue activity
  • Fixed crash when no default browser is set and improve share dialogs (on some devices)

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Where to buy the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra in the US for February 2021: Amazon, Best Buy, Verizon, and More!

The Galaxy Note 20 Ultra has been around for a while now, and as you might expect, a flagship specs list means a premium price tag. The Galaxy Note 20 launched at $999 in the US, while the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra launched at $1,399. But, different retailers want to get your money for this premium device, and that means you can save big, depending on where you go! We’ve rounded up all the best deals for the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra, including hefty trade-in bonuses and ways to save on multiple devices.

Where to buy the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra in the US

One of the biggest phones of the year is going to be available through every major carrier and most major retailers across the world. In the US, the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra is available at the three biggest carriers (Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile), and available unlocked from Samsung, Amazon, and Best Buy. If you’re interested in the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra but live in India, you can check our round-up for the region!

Best Unlocked Galaxy Note 20 Ultra Deals in the US

If you don’t want to be tied to a particular carrier, you can pick up the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra from three major retailers: Amazon, the Samsung Store, and Best Buy. As time goes on, you should see the Note 20 Ultra start to become available at other retailers, too!

Amazon

If you want the most purchasing ease, then Amazon is the way to go. Right now, you can save $200 on the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra with them, and pay for it over 18 months if you have the Prime Rewards Visa. It’s also available for Prime Shipping, and if you want, you can bundle your Note 20 Ultra with a Galaxy Watch Active2 for a little extra savings.

Galaxy Note 20 Ultra at Amazon

Looking for the easiest way to buy the unlocked Galaxy Note 20 Ultra? Look no further than Amazon, with two-day Prime shipping and a financing option for Prime Rewards Visa cardholders.

Buy From Amazon

Samsung

Of the unlocked phone options, the Samsung Store has the best deals. You can get up to $550 in trade-in credit with an eligible phone. Also, with Samsung Financing, you can finance the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra over 36 months at 0% APR, giving by far the lowest monthly payments out of all the retailers. It’s a good option if you plan to hold onto the phone for a while!

Galaxy Note 20 Ultra at Samsung

You know what will take the sting of a $1,300 Ultra pricetag? Up to $550 off in trade-in value! Samsung has the best of the trade-in deals around, so if you have a relatively new phone, they're your best bet.

Get $550 off at Samsung

Best Buy

If you activate your Galaxy Note 20 Ultra with Best Buy, you can save big if you activate today. If you want an unlocked phone, you can save $250. The carrier-locked versions of the phone don’t have any sort of discount–not even the usual $50 if you activate today! So, you might as well go with an unlocked Note 20 Ultra if you’re going with Best Buy.

Galaxy Note 20 Ultra at Best Buy

If you want to save on the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra and don't have a trade-in, Best Buy will give you $250 off an unlocked phone!

Save $250 at Best Buy

Best Carrier Galaxy Note 20 Ultra Deals in the US

If you have a US carrier in mind for your phone, you can get some great Galaxy Note 20 Ultra deals from Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile. Some of these deals are even better than the unlocked Galaxy Note 20 Ultra deals, depending on what you’re looking for!

Verizon

Verizon, as usual, has a whole slew of deals you may (or may not) be able to take advantage of, including trade-in credit, gift cards, and more. Here’s the breakdown:

• Buy one Note 20 Ultra, get one free with a new line
• Get up to $7500 off with trade-in value with a new line, or $440 off otherwise
• Enjoy Verizon Stream TV for free

If you’re switching to Verizon, you’ll get the best deals, but there is something there for even current Verizon customers to take advantage of!

Stack up the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra deals at Verizon

Get the full power of Verizon's 5G mmWave network with the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra, and there are a variety of discounts to take advantage of. Expect great coverage and blazing fast speeds when you're in a mmWave 5G area!

$43.33 per month at Verizon

AT&T

For AT&T, both new and existing customers can get up to $700 in trade-in value if they pick an Unlimited data plan. Samsung’s trade-in program comes close, but AT&T wins for the best trade-in deal for the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra!

Galaxy Note 20 Ultra from $43.34 per month at AT&T

AT&T's $700 in trade-in credit beats even Samsung's trade-in values. If you're looking to change or sign up with a new carrier, AT&T may be your best choice!

Get $700 trade-in credit at AT&T

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No matter where you end up going, after all, we can be sure that you’ll enjoy the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra. We enjoyed the phone in our review, and our long-term camera review also gave the Note 20 Ultra a good score. While the Galaxy S21 Ultra has taken over the reins as Samsung’s top dog, the Note 20 Ultra is still a good flagship option.

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Sideloading apps on Wear OS will soon get a lot more complicated

Currently, if you wish to sideload an app that’s not available on the Google Play Store on a Wear OS device, you can head over to the Apps on your phone section of the on-watch Play Store and install apps that are already available on your phone. However, starting from March 10, Google is getting rid of this functionality. This will limit users to developer tools like the Android Debug Bridge (ADB) to sideload apps on their smartwatch, making the process much more complicated.

According to a recent post from Reddit user u/malbry (via Android Police), Google has started sending out emails to app developers, alerting them of this change. The email states:

“Starting from Mar 10, Wear OS apps using the legacy embedded app model will no longer show up in the “Apps on your phone” section and will effectively be undiscoverable inside the on-watch Play Store. We encourage developers to migrate to the newer multi-APK model to make their app discoverable on the watches, and to reduce the size of their phone APKs.”

For the unaware, the legacy embedded app model allows developers to add Wear OS code to Android apps. This, in effect, lets users sideload apps on their Wear OS devices from the Apps on your phone section. However, Google intends to get rid of this distribution model to make phone apps smaller for everyone. While this move will benefit users who don’t have a Wear OS device, it will make sideloading apps using the aforementioned method impossible. Users will then have to rely on developer tools to push such apps to their Wear OS devices via ADB.

As Android Police explains, the main idea behind this move is to decouple Wear OS apps from Android apps, and it shouldn’t affect many users as most developers who publish their apps on the Play Store have already switched over to the new app distribution model. It will predominantly affect apps that aren’t distributed via the Play Store.

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