In short, the HORI Racing Wheel Apex remains a perfectly viable first step from controller to racing wheel in 2026. It typically sells for around ¥12,000–¥16,000, supports PlayStation 5, and is a PlayStation licensed product for Gran Turismo 7. It does not include force feedback (FFB), but it has clear value for anyone who simply wants to try a wheel as cheaply as possible, does not mind going without FFB, or wants to enjoy GT7 with their children.
In this article, I will organize what I have covered across 50 Picar Channel videos on the HORI Racing Wheel Apex, primarily for complete beginners moving from a controller to their first wheel. I will cover the practical reality of no FFB, how it feels across multiple titles, and where to go next.
- 1. My verdict in 30 seconds
- 2. What is the HORI Racing Wheel Apex? An entry-level wheel for those who simply want to try one cheaply
- 3. What no FFB means in practice
- 4. Real-world use and feel: organizing impressions from 50 videos
- 5. Where it sits against the competition
- 6. The next step: looking toward the T150 / T300RS
- 7. Who it is—and is not—for
- 8. Related videos
- 9. Frequently asked questions
- 10. Read next
My verdict in 30 seconds
The conclusion from my coverage across 50 Picar Channel videos is that the HORI Racing Wheel Apex is still a genuinely viable first step away from a controller in 2026. It has no FFB, but I found its analog-input precision comparable to much more expensive wheels, and it has the fundamentals to work across titles from GT7 and WRC 10 to ACC and F1 2021. At ¥16,000, it sets the lowest possible psychological barrier to entering the world of racing wheels. If spending ¥50,000 on a wheel right away feels intimidating, starting with the HORI Apex is the sensible move.
What is the HORI Racing Wheel Apex? An entry-level wheel for those who simply want to try one cheaply
The HORI Racing Wheel Apex is one of the least expensive PS5-compatible models in the racing-wheel market. It is not listed on GT7's official compatibility list, but it works without practical issues.
For a wider look at the available options, also see my Assetto Corsa EVO Review: Tire Model, GT7 Comparison and PS5 Possibilities and Logitech G RS50 Official Specifications Guide: 8 N·m, PS5 and PC Compatibility.
1. Want to try a wheel easily? An entry-level PS5-compatible HORI racing wheel. First up is HORI's PS5-compatible racing wheel. It is not officially supported by GT7, but it can be used in practice. Its biggest characteristic is the lack of force feedback. Force feedback is the vibration and resistance that communicate road conditions and vehicle behavior through the wheel, giving you a more realistic driving sensation. This HORI wheel does not have it. Its pedals detect pedal “angle” through a system called a potentiometer or Hall sensor. Price: approximately ¥12,000, which is extremely affordable.
— From Picar Channel's “Gran Turismo 7: I review all nine compatible racing wheels”
Key specifications
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | HORI |
| FFB | None |
| Pedals | Angle-sensing (Hall sensor) |
| Typical retail price | Approximately ¥12,000–¥16,000 (varies by period) |
| Supported platforms | PlayStation 5 / PC |
| Licensing | PlayStation licensed product (manufacturer information) |
| GT7 support | Not officially supported, but usable in practice |
What no FFB means in practice
The most important point when discussing the HORI Apex is how you view the fact that it has no FFB. This is not merely a drawback; it should be understood as a clear design trade-off.
It is a good option for anyone who wants to experience a racing wheel as cheaply as possible. Even in a normal passenger car, you do not feel force feedback that strongly, so once you get used to it, it is playable. Still, the lack of force feedback may leave you wanting more. It can also be used with PC games, which gives it a place as an entry-level option.
— From the same video
The observation that “you do not feel FFB that strongly even in a normal passenger car” is an important perspective for understanding a no-FFB wheel. In a real road car with power steering, it is rare for road information to come violently through the wheel. FFB is overwhelmingly effective in the special circumstances of race cars and track driving; if you are driving GT7 road cars, the experience can still stand up perfectly well without it.
Real-world use and feel: organizing impressions from 50 videos
WRC 10 / ACC / F1 2021: hands-on testing in multiple titles
The practical usability of the HORI Apex has been demonstrated not only in GT7 but through testing in multiple titles.
How capable is the most affordable PS5-compatible racing wheel? Hello, everyone! This time, I am thoroughly testing one of the cheapest racing wheels compatible with PS5: HORI's wheel controller. At around ¥16,800, this is an affordable model, and its defining feature is that it does not include force feedback, or FFB. Force feedback recreates a more realistic driving sensation by transmitting resistance and vibration through the wheel in response to road bumps and vehicle behavior. How far can a wheel without it really go? When I tried it in Gran Turismo 7 before, I came away feeling that “it works for what it is.” This time, I am exploring its capabilities in three more serious PS5 racing games: WRC 10, Assetto Corsa Competizione (ACC), and F1 2021.
— From Picar Channel's “I test HORI, the most affordable PS5-compatible racing wheel, in three serious racing games”
My casual phrase, “it works for what it is,” sums up the essence of the HORI Apex. Being able to call it usable across three completely different types of games—WRC 10 rallying, ACC circuit racing, and F1 2021 formula racing—is proof that its basic functionality as a racing wheel is solid.
Analog-input precision is comparable to much more expensive wheels
The absence of FFB is a separate matter from analog-input precision. In terms of how accurately it reads steering, throttle, and brake inputs, the HORI Apex performs better than you might expect.
Without force feedback, road feedback is not transmitted directly, so you need to judge the car's behavior through visual information, sound, and experience. However, the precision of the analog controls themselves is high, and fine throttle and brake control is comparable to that of expensive racing wheels. As my WRC 10 test showed, handling improves dramatically when you correctly dial in detailed in-game settings such as dead zone and gamma. In some cases, such as F1 2021, the physical steering angle of the wheel does not match the in-game setting, but you simply have to adapt with the mindset of making the best of the environment you have. This wheel is a very good option for users who want a more realistic driving experience than a controller can offer, but cannot stretch to an expensive force-feedback model.
— From the same video
“The precision of the analog controls is comparable to expensive wheels” is actually the HORI Apex's biggest selling point. The moment you move from a controller stick to a wheel, the improvement in fine throttle and brake control is decisive, regardless of whether the wheel has FFB.
A larger steering wheel for a more road-car-like feel
One underappreciated strength of HORI products is the size of their steering wheels.
HORI: As a slightly different option, I would also like to introduce HORI racing wheels. In particular, if you play American Truck Simulator or Euro Truck Simulator, I strongly recommend HORI's large steering wheel. It has plenty of switches and gives you the feeling of operating a real vehicle cockpit. Considering that a real Porsche steering wheel is surprisingly large, HORI's large steering wheel may actually offer a more road-car-like sensation. If your budget allows, this is a product I would like you to try at least once.
— From Picar Channel's “Recommended! Complete Racing Wheel Guide: GT7, PC and Real Cars”
My point that “a real Porsche steering wheel is surprisingly large” comes from my own experience owning a 997 GT3 RS. Modern premium direct-drive wheels tend to use compact 280–320 mm rims, but if you want to recreate the larger steering wheel of a road car, HORI's larger format can sometimes feel more authentic.
Switching to STEERING mode is essential
An important practical point when using the HORI Apex in GT7 is switching it to STEERING mode.
It may not work as expected on its default setting, so I recommend checking this before launching the game. My video also explains the STEERING mode switching procedure, so if this is your first wheel, make sure you confirm it immediately after connecting it.
Using it as an input-conversion attachment
HORI products can also be used in an unconventional way: as an attachment that converts gamepad inputs to a racing wheel for games that do not natively support wheels.
So what I prepared this time is HORI's ¥16,800 attachment. This is an excellent device that lets you play games that do not normally support racing wheels as though you were using one, by mapping gamepad inputs to the wheel. With it, I can replace my normal gamepad controls with a wheel and take on a motorcycle game.
— From Picar Channel's “This Is the Motorcycle Game to Play! It Is Extremely Difficult with a Racing Wheel”
This is an unexpected use case, but it makes the most of the design that lets HORI racing wheels handle the same inputs as a gamepad as PlayStation licensed products. It can also serve niche uses where you want analog inputs in a game that does not support racing wheels.
Where it sits against the competition
| Product | Price | FFB | Positioning |
|---|---|---|---|
| HORI Racing Wheel Apex | Approximately ¥12,000–¥16,000 | None | The focus of this article (most affordable PS5 option) |
| Thrustmaster T150 | Approximately ¥32,000 | Yes (most affordable FFB) | FFB entry point |
| Logitech G29 | Approximately ¥40,000 and up | Yes (2.2 N·m gear drive) | Established entry-level choice; ¥60,000 bundle with shifter |
| Thrustmaster T300RS | Approximately ¥50,000 (in the ¥30,000 range on sale) | Yes (belt drive) | The standard option in the ¥50,000 range |
The HORI Apex costs less than half the price of an entry-level wheel with FFB, the T150. Giving up FFB lowers the psychological barrier to graduating from a controller.
The next step: looking toward the T150 / T300RS
Once you have experienced the enjoyment of wheel control with the HORI Apex, moving to the next step for FFB is a natural progression.
Want to try a wheel as cheaply as possible? HORI PS5-compatible racing wheel (approximately ¥12,000): for anyone who wants to experience wheel control first, even without force feedback. Want FFB but need to keep the budget down? Thrustmaster T150 (approximately ¥32,000): the most affordable model with force feedback. However, compare it against a T300RS when that wheel is on sale. Prioritizing value but also want a serious experience? Thrustmaster T300RS (approximately ¥50,000, in the ¥30,000 range on sale): the standard option in the ¥50,000 range. It handles serious simulation and lets you swap wheel rims.
— From Picar Channel's “GT7-Compatible Racing Wheel Review: Nine Models”
In other words: learn the fundamentals of wheel control with the HORI Apex for ¥16,000, then move to a T150 (¥32,000) or a T300RS when it drops into the ¥30,000 range if you find yourself wanting FFB. That is the classic upgrade route. The HORI Apex fully serves its role as that first step.
Who it is—and is not—for
✅ Recommended for
- Complete beginners trying a racing wheel for the first time
- Anyone still unsure whether FFB matters to them
- Families who want to play GT7 with their children
- Anyone who wants to experience graduating from a controller on a budget below ¥20,000
- Drivers who enjoy road-car-style driving and do not mind the lack of FFB
- Anyone whose goal is simply a usable wheel in serious racing games such as WRC 10, ACC, and F1 2021
- PC users who want to try games without native wheel support through this attachment-style use
❌ Not recommended for
- Anyone who specifically wants to experience FFB → the Thrustmaster T150 is the next step
- Anyone aiming for serious PC sims such as iRacing → consider a Fanatec CSL DD or higher
- Anyone who wants to read the car at the real limit on track → a direct-drive wheel or higher is essential
- Anyone looking to develop braking precision through long time-attack sessions → equipment with load-cell pedals
Related videos
- Gran Turismo 7: I review all nine compatible racing wheels
- I test HORI, the most affordable PS5-compatible racing wheel, in three serious racing games
- Recommended! Complete Racing Wheel Guide: GT7, PC and Real Cars
- This Is the Motorcycle Game to Play! It Is Extremely Difficult with a Racing Wheel
- HORI Racing Wheel Apex: Detailed GT7 Testing
Frequently asked questions
Q1. Is it really a racing-wheel experience without FFB?
A. Yes. Compared with using a controller stick, the analog precision of the steering wheel, throttle, and brake improves dramatically. The analog-input precision itself has been evaluated as comparable to expensive wheels. FFB is nice to have, but the basic racing-wheel experience works without it.
Q2. Does it work in GT7?
A. Yes. It is not on GT7's official compatibility list, but it is a PlayStation licensed product and works without practical problems. Just make sure you switch it to STEERING mode before launching the game.
Q3. Should I buy this or the T150?
A. Choose the T150 (¥32,000) if you want to experience FFB; choose the HORI Apex (¥16,000) if you simply want to try a racing wheel as cheaply as possible. The approximately ¥16,000 difference is what you pay for FFB. If you are unsure, it is reasonable to start with the HORI Apex and move to a T150 or T300RS once it no longer feels sufficient.
Q4. Can I use it with PC racing games?
A. Yes. It supports PC connection, and my tests found it practical in serious racing games including WRC 10, ACC, and F1 2021. Adjusting detailed in-game settings such as dead zone and gamma can greatly improve how it drives.
Q5. Is it suitable for using with children?
A. Yes. Because it has no FFB, there is no concern about a child losing control due to heavy resistance through the wheel. At ¥16,000, it is also within reach for a home setup. It is an excellent first piece of equipment for enjoying GT7 as a family.
