So, you've set your sights on getting into the exciting world of sim racing? Well, you've made a great choice as there are some amazing deals available right now on racing wheels and other related accessories. Sim racing gear also makes for an excellent gift for PC gamers who have already sorted out their rig and peripherals. I myself got hooked on this as a kid when my parents bought me a racing wheel for my Gamecube and a copy of Need for Speed Underground 2 - and I've never looked back.

We're Curating the Best Cyber Monday PC Gaming Deals Right Here

If you're new to sim racing, the essential starting point is a wheel and pedals. Once you have those, a good mount to prevent slippage and help you achieve better track times is a great addition.

Beginner Set-up

This is the racing wheel that I highly recommend for complete beginners. It's affordable, cheerful, and an effective way to learn the ropes of racing. I reviewed the T128 back in May 2023, which seems like an eternity ago. But I still vividly remember its positive aspects... The hybrid force feedback may not be extremely powerful, but it gives you a good sense of where you're getting grip and when you're about to lose the rear and spin out. Moreover, the resistance through the wheel as you turn is much better for refining your racing lines compared to some less precise options. However, the build quality of the T128 leaves a bit to be desired with an all-plastic wheel and springy buttons. But it is sturdy enough and comes with flappy paddles for gear shifts. Pedals are also included - a set of Thrustmaster's T2PM. This includes just the accelerator (gas) and brake pedals, and it's nothing overly fancy. Just a basic 'press and it'll go' lever. If you want more, you'll need to purchase a new set. I'd suggest the T3PM set for an upgrade. It's worth noting that these pedals come with the Thrustmaster T248, which I've also reviewed and is an overall improvement and currently on sale during Cyber Monday for $290.

Intermediate Set-up

Here's a set that my colleague and fellow sim racing enthusiast Andy Edser simply can't stop raving about. I think I might have to steal his Moza kit just to give it a try myself. It's a more advanced set than the Thrustmaster - a significant step up in terms of performance. It comes with a direct drive wheel base, which means the force feedback is more powerful, more direct (obviously), and feels amazing for racing. The Moza is an upgradeable set, similar to something from Fanatec. You can buy the base and then add additional components as your budget allows. It's very handy if you have budget constraints at the moment. The 'Performance Kit' is definitely the upgrade to go for first. This is a load-cell brake kit that makes the brake feel more realistic underfoot. For a load-cell brake, it's actually a great deal too. Considering our pick for the best racing wheel, the Logitech G Pro Racing Wheel and Pedals, costs more than double. Sure, the power of the Logitech base is excellent, and the pedals are some of the smartest around, but the Moza stands out as a clever choice. Although the Moza was cheaper at launch and when we reviewed it, its price has since gone up. This Cyber Monday deal brings the price back down to the MSRP we noted when we first looked at it. So, in terms of savings, it's not a huge amount if you don't consider inflation, but who can really ignore that these days?

Racing Stand

I absolutely hate pedal slippage - you know, when your pedals keep sliding beneath your feet during heavy braking zones? That's not just me; that's why these types of stands exist. Or at least partially. They effectively stop the slippage. I feel quite strongly about this issue, which is why I once created a video for the PC Gamer TikTok all about it. In that video, I essentially compared different options for reducing pedal slippage, including a stand similar to this one. The stand I reviewed was the Monoprice Dark Matter GT, but it's basically the same principle as the one offered during Cyber Monday by GTPlayer. You attach your wheel on the top, pedals on the bottom, and a shifter if you have one on the side, and then you race like there's no tomorrow. No more having to stuff old pieces of wood between your pedals and the wall like I used to do before getting a better solution. If you really want to go all out, I regularly use a Playseat Trophy Logitech G Edition. It's absolutely awesome, but it can't be folded up and neatly stored like the Monoprice or similar stands. However, it's also on sale for $499, which is a reasonable price considering its pricing history.