From €500 to €10,000+ — sim racing can be as cheap or expensive as you want. But where do you start? And more importantly: where do you spend your money most wisely? In this guide we take you through three price ranges with concrete products that really make the difference. No theory — just the best choices for your budget.
The Basics: What Do You Need?
Every sim rig consists roughly of:
- Steering wheel + wheelbase — the beating heart of your setup
- Pedals — throttle, brake (and clutch for the purists)
- Cockpit/frame — solid platform to mount everything
- Screen(s) or VR — your window to the virtual racing world
- Accessories — shifter, handbrake, racing seat, button box
- Motion platform — ultimate realism (optional, pricey)
The art is balance: an expensive wheel on a wobbly desk is a waste; a budget wheel on a professional frame too. Build smart and phased.
Budget: €500-€1,000 — Serious Fun Without Bankruptcy
Steering Wheel: Logitech G923 TRUEFORCE (€259)
The Logitech G923 TRUEFORCE is the standard for beginners. Complete package with wheel and pedals, solid build and surprisingly good force feedback for this price.
Pro tip: the included pedals are basic. Have some stretch? Upgrade to Thrustmaster T3PA Pro (~€150) for a 3-pedal set with metal construction.
Cockpit: Next Level Racing F-GT Lite (€330)
The Next Level Racing F-GT Lite is foldable, affordable and surprisingly sturdy. Switches between formula and GT position — perfect if you drive both. Alternative: Playseat Trophy (~€550) for a more premium look & feel.
Screen: 27-32” gaming monitor (€150-€250)
A good 1080p or 1440p monitor with 144Hz is more than enough. Example: MSI MAG27CQ6F (27”). Curved helps for extra immersion.
VR option: Meta Quest 3 (~€550-€600). Note: your PC must be powerful enough for PC VR.
Accessory: Logitech Driving Force Shifter (€60)
Simple, works directly with the G923. Check the Logitech Driving Force Shifter.
Total budget setup: ~€650-€900.
Mid-Range: €1,500-€4,000 — Where Serious Sim Racers Come Home
Here you make the jump to direct drive and load-cell pedals — upgrades you feel immediately.
Wheelbase/bundle
- MOZA R3 Bundle — 3.9 Nm DD + metal pedals, incredible value (~€399)
- Fanatec CSL DD — 5 Nm (upgradeable to 8 Nm), large ecosystem (~€499)
Pedals
- Fanatec ClubSport V3 (~€350): excellent load-cell brake
- Heusinkveld Sprint (~€700): the golden standard in this segment
Cockpit
- Sim-Lab P1-X (~€800): sturdy 80/20 frame that lasts years
- Alternative: Next Level Racing F-GT 160 V3 (~€1,500)
Screens
- Triple 27” 1440p: three times MSI MAG27CQ6F (~€150/piece)
- Or an ultrawide: Samsung Odyssey G9
VR options: HP Reverb G2 or Meta Quest 3 (~€600).
Motion & accessories
- Motion: DOF Reality T3 (3DOF, €1,000-€1,500)
- Shifter: Fanatec ClubSport Shifter SQ V1.5 (~€300)
- Handbrake: Thrustmaster TSS Handbrake (~€199)
Total mid-range setup: ~€2,500-€4,000.
High-End: €5,000+ — When Money Is No Object
Welcome to the world of professional sim racers and maximum immersion.
Wheelbases
- Fanatec Podium DD2 (25 Nm)
- Simucube 2 Pro (25 Nm)
Pedals
Cockpits
Display
- Triple 4K or 49” OLED ultrawide
- VR: Valve Index or Varjo Aero
Motion
Total high-end setup: €10,000-€15,000+.
Smart Upgrade Route
You don’t have to buy everything at once. Build up like this:
- Start: Logitech G923 + F-GT Lite + 1 monitor (~€650)
- Upgrade pedals: ClubSport V3 — directly noticeable (~€350)
- Direct drive: MOZA R3 or CSL DD (~€400-€500)
- Sturdy 80/20 frame: P1-X or F-GT 160 V3
- Immersion: triple monitors or VR (~€450-€600)
- Motion: DOF T3 — luxury upgrade
Golden Tips
- Invest first in pedals — better brake control makes you faster than a more expensive wheel
- Buy a sturdy frame — a wobbly rig destroys all realism
- Direct drive pays off — the jump from belt to direct-drive is huge
- Buy used where you can — sim racers upgrade often, there’s lots of good stuff
- VR or triple? Try both — what works for one doesn’t always work for another
Sim racing doesn’t have to be very expensive to be fun. A well-built €1,000 setup can give more pleasure than a bad €5,000 setup. Know where your money has the most impact — and build smart, step by step. The best sim rig is the one where you’re fastest.
All prices are indicative and may vary per shop and season.
