My conclusion is simple: these five entry-level racing wheels are neatly separated by budget and whether they have force feedback, from ¥16,000 to ¥55,000. If you simply want to try a wheel as cheaply as possible, choose the HORI Apex (no FFB, ¥16,000). If you want the lowest-cost route into FFB, choose the Thrustmaster T150 (¥32,000). If you also want a shifter, the Logitech G29 bundle (¥60,000) is the clear option. This guide is designed to help complete beginners choose their first wheel.
- 1. My verdict in 30 seconds
- 2. The five-wheel price ladder: the most important overview
- 3. FFB or no FFB: the first decision you need to make
- 4. How I rank them
- 5. The deciding factor for each wheel: choose based on this
- 6. Quick recommendations by use case
- 7. Upgrade paths: moving on from entry level
- 8. The “spend a little more for DD” barrier
- 9. Related videos
- 10. FAQ
- 11. Read next
My verdict in 30 seconds
Here is the simple conclusion from comparing all five models:
- If you are a complete beginner with ¥16,000 to spend → HORI Apex (no FFB, but a fully valid first step away from a controller)
- The cheapest FFB option in the ¥30,000 range → T150 (or look for a T300RS sale)
- A ¥60,000 wheel-and-shifter package → G29 shifter bundle (H-pattern shifting)
- The newer-generation Logitech option → G923 (an evolution of the G29 with TRUEFORCE)
- Display plus well-tuned FFB → T248 (¥55,000, with a more premium feel)
Please see the individual articles for a closer look at each wheel.
- HORI Racing Wheel Apex Review: Can ¥16,000 Deliver the First Step Beyond a Controller?
- Thrustmaster T150 Review: Is This ¥32,000 Entry-Level FFB Wheel Still Worth Buying?
- Logitech G29 Review: A ¥60,000 Bundle With a Shifter—Is This Classic Racing Wheel Still Worth Buying?
- Logitech G923 Review: Has the G29 Successor Improved With TRUEFORCE?
- Thrustmaster T248 Review: Is This Premium Entry-Level FFB Wheel Worth Buying Before the CSL DD Pro?
The five-wheel price ladder: the most important overview
| Model | Price | FFB | Pedals | Shifter | Positioning |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HORI Racing Wheel Apex | Approx. ¥16,000 | No | 2 pedals (angle sensing) | — | The lowest-cost way to simply try a wheel |
| Thrustmaster T150 | Approx. ¥32,000 | Yes (belt) | 2 pedals | — | The lowest-cost FFB option |
| Logitech G29 | From approx. ¥40,000 | Yes (gear, 2.2 N·m) | 3 pedals (including clutch) | Sold separately / ¥60,000 bundle | The classic choice, with H-pattern shifter support |
| Logitech G923 | Approx. ¥50,000 | Yes (gear + TRUEFORCE) | 3 pedals | Sold separately (compatible with the G29 shifter) | G29 successor with enhanced vibration detail |
| Thrustmaster T248 | Approx. ¥55,000 | Yes (hybrid) | 3 pedals | Sold separately | Built-in display and a more premium feel |
If you want to consider a broader range of options, also see this detailed comparison of PS5-compatible DD racing wheels, including the DD Pro, DD Extreme, and G PRO Racing Wheel and this official-specification guide to the Logicool G RS50, covering 8 N·m and PS5/PC compatibility.
FFB or no FFB: the first decision you need to make
Want to try a racing wheel as cheaply as possible? The HORI PS5-compatible wheel (around ¥12,000) is for people who want to experience driving with a wheel first, even without force feedback. Want force feedback but need to keep the budget down? The Thrustmaster T150 (around ¥32,000) is the least expensive model with force feedback. That said, compare it with the T300RS when it is on sale.
— From my video, Reviewing All 9 GT7-Compatible Racing Wheels
The presence or absence of FFB is the key split at ¥16,000. For those wondering whether a wheel without FFB is viable, this is how I see it:
It is a good option for anyone who simply wants to experience a racing wheel as cheaply as possible. Even in an ordinary road car, you do not necessarily feel force feedback that strongly, so once you get used to it, you can play perfectly well. Still, the lack of force feedback may leave you wanting more.
— From the same video
The reasoning behind the HORI Apex is that you do not feel extremely strong FFB even in a real car with power steering. As a first step beyond a controller, it is absolutely a valid choice.
How I rank them
In terms of performance, my impression is T300 > G923 > G29. I would say the G923 gets quite close to the T300 in performance.
— From my video, Re-testing the G923 in GT7
Based on my videos, this is how I would arrange the five wheels by performance:
T248 ≧ G923 > G29 > T150 > HORI Apex
That is not an absolute ranking, though. The order changes when you judge by other factors, such as total cost, shifter inclusion, or PS5 compatibility.
The deciding factor for each wheel: choose based on this
HORI Racing Wheel Apex (¥16,000): start at the lowest price
As the first step beyond a controller, it offers the analog precision needed for WRC10, ACC, and F1 2021 for ¥16,000. If you buy it understanding the limitation of no FFB, it is an outstanding beginner wheel.
Thrustmaster T150 (¥32,000): the cheapest FFB option and the gateway to the Thrustmaster ecosystem
This is the classic wheel for experiencing FFB at the lowest possible price. However, you must compare it with the T300RS when that wheel is discounted into the ¥30,000 range. Thrustmaster pedals use a common standard, so the fact that you can continue using them if you later upgrade to a T300RS, T-GT II, or T598 is also a point in its favor.
Logitech G29 (from ¥40,000 / ¥60,000 shifter bundle): the established classic
As you would expect from a Logitech product, it is very well balanced. It is better suited to people who want to enjoy steering in games than to those seeking a full-on simulator. However, the brake pedal is very light, so I recommend improving the more realistic pedal feel with a modification such as adding rubber inside.
— From my video, Reviewing 9 GT7-Compatible Racing Wheels
It is the only option that lets you assemble a ¥60,000 package for that satisfying, click-clack H-pattern shifting experience. The usual caveat, however, is that the pedal is light and modifications are effectively part of the standard setup.
Logitech G923 (¥50,000): G29 successor with TRUEFORCE
Less play around center and more linear response: the G923 substantially improves the loose, dead-zone-like feeling found on the G29. …This makes it easier to sense how much grip the tires have left and where peak grip is.
— From my video, Re-testing the G923 in GT7
If you are buying new, the G923 has more long-term appeal than the G29. At its current price of around ¥50,000, though, you should compare it with a discounted T300RS.
Thrustmaster T248 (¥55,000): built-in display and excellent FFB tuning
Its strengths are the quality of its FFB tuning, pedals improved from the T300RS, and the display built into the wheel. The issue is its price: spend a little more and you run into the CSL DD Pro (¥90,000, PS5-compatible DD).
Quick recommendations by use case
| Your situation | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| You want to play GT7 with family or children | HORI Apex |
| You want the cheapest possible entry into FFB | T150 (or a T300RS when on sale) |
| You want an H-pattern experience with a shifter | G29 shifter bundle (¥60,000) |
| You want the current Logitech generation for long-term use | G923 |
| You value a built-in display and FFB tuning | T248 |
| You can spend more for a DD racing wheel | (Moving beyond entry level) CSL DD Pro (¥90,000) |
Upgrade paths: moving on from entry level
| Current entry-level wheel | Natural upgrade path |
|---|---|
| HORI Apex | → T150 (your first FFB experience) or T300RS (a more serious option in the ¥50,000 range) |
| T150 | → T300RS (reuse Thrustmaster hardware) or T598 (move to DD) |
| G29 / G923 | → G PRO Racing Wheel (Logitech DD) or T300RS |
| T248 | → CSL DD Pro / T598 (move to DD) |
The “spend a little more for DD” barrier
The issue shared by all five wheels is the DD barrier between the ¥50,000-range T248/G923 and the ¥90,000 CSL DD Pro / DD Pro. My consistent view is that if you find yourself wanting stronger FFB or clearer information about tire grip, it is ultimately wiser to jump straight to a DD wheel, such as the CSL DD / DD Pro, rather than settling for the limits of the T248 or G923.
Related videos
- Reviewing All 9 GT7-Compatible Racing Wheels
- Re-testing the G923 in GT7: The Evolution From the G29
- My No-Sponsorship T248 Review: I Bought It Myself—and Honestly, It Is Expensive
FAQ
Q1. Is it worth moving from the non-FFB HORI Apex to an FFB wheel?
A. Most people feel, the moment they experience FFB, “So this is what real immersion feels like.” The ¥16,000 difference between the HORI and T150 is an investment that makes sense for the step up in simulator experience.
Q2. Is the G923 worth ¥10,000 more than the G29?
A. The improvements are clear: less play around center and TRUEFORCE. If you are buying new, the G923 is the sensible choice. But if you can get a G29 used at a good price, it remains more than adequate.
Q3. Which should I choose in the ¥50,000 range: T248 or G923?
A. Choose the G923 if you prefer Logitech, or the T248 if you prefer Thrustmaster. Choose the G923 if you want to keep the total cost of adding a shifter down, since it is compatible with the G29 shifter; choose the T248 if you want a display.
Q4. What should I buy if I can spend more than ¥50,000?
A. The T300RS is the strongest candidate (¥50,000, or in the ¥30,000 range on sale). It is regarded as the standard wheel in the ¥50,000 range, bridging entry-level wheels and DD. At ¥90,000, the CSL DD Pro is your entry point to DD.
Q5. Do all of these work on PS5?
A. All five models support PS5. However, the HORI Apex is not officially supported by GT7 (there is no practical issue, but you need to set it to STEERING mode).
