The Dirt Rally games are undoubtedly the best rally games out there today, especially if you are into VR. Dirt Rally 2.0 provides the perfect combination of skill-based gameplay, realism, immersion and credibility. Personally, I prefer rally over track racing so there’s that too.
In order to be even remotely competitive though, you should think about getting a quality steering/ racing wheel. This sim is not meant to be played with a gamepad or keyboard. Those devices just don’t provide the type of analog, granular input that is necessary to make perfect turns in Dirt Rally and Dirt Rally 2.0.
What matters for rally steering/ racing wheels?
Most of the factors are what you would expect – build quality, durability, smoothness of the controls etc. But for rally games, force feedback plays a major role. More so than for other driving sims. You really need to be able to feel the gravel or the turn in order to execute a perfect maneuver. So that will a be major consideration in the following reviews.
1. Best Mid-Range
- REALISTIC RACING SIMULATION DUO: Feel what is like to drive a real race car with G920 Driving Force...
- PAIRED FOR PRECISION: Take full control of the race with G920 Driving Force Racing Wheel & Pedals...
There is a lot of competition in the mid-range but the Logitech G920 blows everyone out of the water. I have owned my G920 for five years now and it just keeps on giving. It still looks brand new! In fact, I even have a 20-year-old Logitech MOMO that is still in perfect condition. Yes, I take care of my peripherals but credit where credit is due!
The wheel feels premium with smooth leather and a very satisfying grip. It also uses other high quality materials like Anodized Aluminium, Leather, Steel, Glass-Filled Nylon, Polyoxymethylene Thermoplastic. The wheel is very accurate with precise movement control. The force feedback is pretty good and only the very expensive wheels that quite twice as much beat it in that category. The clamps are super solid – just make sure you have a sturdy enough desk or other mounting option.
The pedals are decent with good resistance as you would expect form each pedal. They do require some support if you plan to use them on a non-carpeted surface as they tend to slip. But that happens with every single pedal set out there.
Overall, the G920 is definitely my top recommendation for the Dirt Rally 2.0 unless you have cash to burn.
2. Best Budget/ Entry Level
- Built-in "PS", "SHARE" and "OPTIONS" buttons for easy navigation within the PS4, PS5 system and...
- Ergonomically-designed wheel, optimized for all types of racing games on the PlayStation 4,...
The Thrustmaster T80 is the best budget racing/ steering wheel out there. Don’t expect it to beat the more expensive ones in build quality or force feedback, but it is better than everything else in this price range.
The wheel is rubber coated and has a decent feel to it. It is smooth and provides for accurate control. It uses a bungee cord for providing force feedback which is decent considering other wheels at this price point don’t even have force feedback.
It comes with a two-pedal set. The pedals are pretty decent, no noticeable squeaking or anything. They are comfortable with a footrest and the brake does have progressively increasing resistance like it should. All in all, a pretty decent entry in the entry level segment. Perfect for first timers or if you just want to test things out.
3. Best Premium
- The TS-XW Racer is a 1:1 scale replica of the Sparco P310 Competition wheel, and is officially...
- Works on Xbox Series X/S, XBOX One and PC
The Thrustmaster TS-XW is one of the best premium racing wheels that you can buy. That is not surprising considering it is indeed a scale replica of an actual Sparco wheel that is used in competitive motorsport. Thrustmaster have done their best to staying true to the original inspiration behind this wheel, and it shows.
The best feature of this wheel is the solid force feedback mechanism. A meaty 40-watt brushless motor delivers enough torque to make your arm sore. I hit some pretty heavy weights every day and I can tell you, this baby’s got some kick! As I said earlier, that is an important factor for rally sims since you need the force feedback to guide your response. It becomes an additional sensory input in addition to your eyes.
The build quality of the wheel is superb. There really isn’t much else to say about that – it’s just better than anything else I have tested. You really need to hold it in your hands to experience it. The pedals have metal construction and quite a weight to them. They are responsive and fully adjustable.
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