As the end of 2025 comes into view, we look back on a revolutionary year for sim racing. The market has literally exploded with affordable, high-quality hardware that was previously out of reach for hobbyists.
Direct drive steering wheels have dropped from €1,000+ to just €399, and load-cell pedals – once exclusive to professionals – now cost between €160-220. Chinese brands like MOZA and Simagic forced established names like Fanatec and Logitech to price more sharply and become more innovative.
The result? The best sim racing equipment ever, for a fraction of what it used to cost. These are the products that dominated 2025.
Direct Drive Becomes the New Norm
What was once exclusive to professionals is now mainstream. The MOZA R3 and R5 make direct drive affordable for beginners, while Fanatec and Logitech defend their market share.
- Fanatec remains interesting for console users
- Logitech maintains its lead in stores thanks to brand trust and low prices
Best Steering Wheels of 2025
Under €400 – Logitech Remains King
The Logitech G923 TRUEFORCE (€299-399) remains the undisputed number 1 for beginners in 2025. With ~2.0 Nm force from a helical gear system and a complete 3-pedal set, it’s plug-and-play on PlayStation, Xbox and PC.
Why so popular? Reliability, real leather steering wheel and proven durability. Paired with a Playseat Challenge you have a complete sim rig under €500.
Downsides: The gear-driven mechanism is noisy and the force feedback feels somewhat “notchy” compared to belt or direct drive systems.
Alternative: Thrustmaster T128 (€199) – quieter, more modern, and surprisingly good for beginners with a hybrid belt+gear system.
Mid-Range (€400-1,000) – MOZA Shakes Up the Market
The MOZA R5 Bundle (€439) is a gamechanger: one of the only complete direct drive bundles under €500. With 5.5Nm force, aluminum finish, LED shift lights and a modern mobile app for tuning, it delivers “punchy performance” that far exceeds gear-driven wheels.
Weakness: PC-only (no console support) and the basic 2-pedal set is simple (no clutch, no load cell). But MOZA sells a load-cell brake upgrade for ~€30.
For console: The Fanatec CSL DD (from €499) remains the best choice with support for PlayStation via the GT DD Pro variant. Upgrade to 8Nm with the Boost Kit.
Want more force? The MOZA R9 (9Nm) or Simagic Alpha EVO (12Nm) deliver pro-level feedback without spending €2,000+.
Best Pedals in 2025
Load-cell brakes – which measure pressure instead of movement – have become the new standard in 2025, even in mid-range sets. Good pedals often improve your lap times more than a more expensive steering wheel.
Entry Load Cell (~€200) – The Sweet Spot
Thrustmaster T-LCM (~€199) Adjustable load cell brake up to 100kg force, all-metal construction, and 6 different brake springs to adjust stiffness. Reviewers struggled to find downsides: “For €180 it’s just perfect… a must-have for any configuration.”
Fanatec CSL Pedals LC (~€199) 3-pedal set of solid aluminum with 90kg load cell brake and horizontally adjustable pedals (rare at this price point). The best value-for-money pedal set of 2025 according to many experts.
Weakness in both: Small deadzone at the start of travel and flat metal pedals (no rubber grip pads).
Mid-Range (€200-600) – Dutch Top Quality
Heusinkveld Sprint (~€600) The Dutch flagship from Groningen. 100kg load cell, extremely precise Hall-effect sensors, and zero flex. Used by professional sim racers worldwide.
Fanatec ClubSport V3 (~€350) The classic with vibration motors that simulate ABS and wheelspin in the pedals themselves – a unique feature you won’t find anywhere else at this price level.
High-End (> €600) – Active Feedback
Heusinkveld Ultimate+ (€1,200+) 200kg load cell and F1-level realism. This is what professionals train on.
Simucube ActivePedal (€1,500+) Electromagnetic feedback that moves itself based on slip, brake temperature and road surface.
MOZA mBooster (< €1,000) MOZA’s answer to active pedals for under €1,000 – the cheapest way to experience this next-gen technology.
Where to Buy in the Netherlands?
- bol.com – cheap and fast delivery
- Coolblue – expert selection and stores in major cities
- SimRaceWebshop – specialist with full MOZA, Fanatec and Sim-Lab range
The Netherlands also has its own pride:
- Heusinkveld (Groningen) – world-famous pedals
- Sim-Lab – aluminum rigs used by Mercedes-AMG F1
What 2025 Taught Us
The sim racing market matured in 2025. Where direct drive and load-cell used to be premium features for €3,000+ setups, they’re now accessible from €600-800 for a complete setup.
The biggest shifts:
- Direct drive democracy: From €1,000+ to €399 (MOZA R3, Fanatec CSL DD)
- Load-cell standard: Even €200 pedal sets now have pressure-sensitive brakes
- Chinese brands gain ground: MOZA and Simagic force Fanatec and Logitech to better prices
- Console lags behind: The best deals are PC-only; console gamers pay a premium
The next wave: Active pedals (like MOZA mBooster and Simucube ActivePedal) that give feedback themselves, and AI coaches that coach you in real-time based on telemetry. Sim racing is getting smarter, faster and more personal.
Conclusion: Your Perfect Setup in 2025
Budget Starter (€500): Logitech G923 + Playseat Challenge Perfect for beginners, fully plug-and-play, foldable for small spaces.
Best Price/Performance (€800): MOZA R5 Bundle + Thrustmaster T-LCM pedals Direct drive + load-cell pedals for less than €1,000. Impossible in 2024.
Enthusiast Setup (€1,500): Fanatec CSL DD + Fanatec CSL Pedals + Sim-Lab GT1 Evo Professional-grade hardware that “realistically never needs to be replaced.”
2025 is the year sim racing came of age. The technology is better, more affordable and more accessible than ever.
So… when will you start?