The biggest decision when assembling your sim racing setup? Choosing between a traditional belt-driven wheelbase or a modern direct-drive motor. In 2025 the price difference is smaller than ever, but the experience still differs drastically. We’ll guide you through the technology, practice and best buying scenarios.
How do the systems work?
Belt-driven (Logitech, Thrustmaster)
With a belt-driven base, a motor drives a belt or gear transmission. The belt acts as a damper: shocks are smoothed, but detail is also lost. Think of models like the Logitech G29/Logitech G923 (gears) and the Thrustmaster T300 RS (belt). They’re affordable, broadly compatible and ideal for beginners.
Direct drive (Fanatec, Moza, Simucube)
A direct-drive base couples the wheel directly to the motor shaft. No belts, no gears – every nuance is immediately transmitted. The Fanatec CSL DD, Moza R5/R9 and Simucube Sport are popular examples. It feels like your wheel sits directly on the car’s front axle.
Four major differences in practice
1. Force feedback and detail
Belt-driven bases deliver a solid kick, but the belt creates a minimal delay. Subtle vibrations or losing grip you notice slightly later. Direct drive gives almost instant feedback. Kerbs, steering corrections and the first moment of oversteer are clearly felt, giving confidence, especially in GT and open-wheel racing.
2. Force (Newton meter)
The force of a wheelbase is expressed in Nm. A Logitech G923 delivers about 2.5 Nm, the Thrustmaster T300 RS nearly 4 Nm. Popular entry-level DD bases sit between 5 and 6 Nm, while a Moza R9 or Fanatec ClubSport DD+ goes towards 9–12 Nm. Above 20 Nm you enter professional territory. Important: a 6 Nm direct drive feels more powerful than a 6 Nm belt-driven, because there’s no loss via belts.
3. Noise level and maintenance
Belt-driven sets use moving parts that can wear and sometimes make noise; especially Logitech’s gear bases are recognizable by their hum. Direct-drive motors are almost silent and low-maintenance. Ideal if you race late at night or don’t want to disturb housemates.
4. Price and bundles
A complete belt-driven package (wheel + pedals) costs around €350–€400. Entry to direct drive starts at €349 for a Fanatec CSL DD wheelbase (without pedals) or €499 for the complete Moza R5 bundle. So count on about €100–€150 extra for direct drive – much less than a few years ago.
For whom is belt-driven still logical?
Belt-driven remains relevant when:
- You want to spend maximum €400 and still want a complete set.
- Console support is a must (Logitech and Thrustmaster work without workarounds on PS5/Xbox).
- You mainly want to test if sim racing suits you without going all-in immediately.
Recommendations in 2025:
- Thrustmaster T300 RS GT – best belt-driven wheel for PS/PC, around €399.
- Logitech G923 – robust, works on all platforms, often on sale around €349.
When do you go full direct drive?
Direct drive gets the maximum out of your steering feel and is ideal when:
- You can invest at least €500 or already own pedals.
- You want to drive serious league or endurance races.
- You race on PC (Moza, Simucube) or bring console support home via Fanatec.
- You want peace while racing: DD bases are whisper-quiet.
Strong DD choices:
- Moza R5 Bundle – €499 for base, wheel and pedals; the best price-performance on PC.
- Fanatec CSL DD Ready2Race – around €699, including load-cell pedals and PS5 compatibility.
- Moza R9 + GS V3 – for racers who immediately want 9 Nm and a premium wheel.
Misconceptions explained
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“Direct drive is too powerful for my desk.” Not true. Set the force lower and use a decent clamp or wheel stand. 5–6 Nm DD works fine on a solid desk.
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“Belt-driven is sufficient, I’ll upgrade later.” Many racers upgrade to DD within a year. If your budget allows, skip that intermediate step and ultimately save money.
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“I need to drive DD at 100%.” Definitely not. Adjust the force to your comfort. It’s about detail, not brute force.
Our final verdict for 2025
| Budget | Best choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| €300–€400 | Thrustmaster T300 RS GT | Solid belt-driven all-rounder with console support |
| €500 | Moza R5 Bundle (PC) / Fanatec CSL DD 5Nm (PS/PC) | Direct drive for the price of high-end belt-driven |
| €700+ | Fanatec Ready2Race or Moza R9 setup | Complete DD experience with load-cell pedals and growth margin |
The trend is clear: direct drive is becoming the norm. Belt-driven systems are still a fine entry point, especially for console users or those wanting to stay under €400. But if you want to race seriously and plan ahead, a direct-drive base simply delivers a much higher quality experience.
Choose what fits your situation, mount it firmly, and enjoy every lap. Have questions about the switch? Let us know – we’re happy to help you along. ❤️