Controller vs Wheel: Which Do You Need to Set the Best F1 24 Lap Times?

Controller vs Wheel: Which Do You Need to Set the Best F1 24 Lap Times?

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  Sony PlayStation DualSense Controller

  The Most Immersive F1 24 Controller

  Sony's DualSense controller is the simplest way to experience the thrills of F1 racing without complex and expensive sim gear. Groundbreaking controller features like adaptive triggers and haptic feedback will make virtual racers feel like they are part of the action. The DualSense maintains a reliable, low-latency wireless connection to PS5s and is compatible with many PC titles. However, the controller doesn't offer the precision of a racing wheel, and its analog sticks are prone to stick drift.

  Pros

  • Haptic feedback convincingly represents car handling
  • No hassle wireless connectivity to PlayStation consoles
  • Far more affordable than racing wheels and pedals
  • EA's F1 titles take advantage of built-in controller speaker

  Cons

  • Analog sticks aren't as precise as wheels
  • Some features not supported by all PC titles

  $80 at Walmart$70 at Best Buy$70 at Amazon$75 at GameStop$75 at Target

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  Logitech G923 Racing Wheel and Pedals

  Practical Upgrade from Controllers

  $300 $400 Save $100

  Without the extreme cost of some direct drive wheels, the Logitech G923 is a sensible way to transition from controllers. The G923 is compatible with F1 24 and many other PC, PlayStation, and Xbox racing games. Trueforce adds new dimensions to typical force feedback effects, allowing racers to feel surfaces more precisely. With Progressive Brake Pedals included, racers can brake and accelerate accurately enough to hold tight racing lines. However, this gear-driven wheel can be quite noisy, and F1 24 is currently experiencing some issues with its force feedback.

  Pros

  • Works with F1 24 across many platforms
  • Trueforce provides more nuanced force feedback
  • Excellent build quality and leather wheel cover
  • Well-designed pressure-sensitive pedals

  Cons

  • A bit bulky and gears can be very loud
  • Some force feedback issues with F1 24

  $300 at Amazon$300 at Best Buy$300 at Logitech$300 at Newegg$330 at Walmart

• Racing wheels offer precision in F1 24 gameplay, enhancing control and accuracy compared to gaming controllers.
• Controllers now use advanced technology to bridge the gap, but still struggle to replicate the realism of wheels.
• The decision between using a controller or a racing wheel in F1 24 boils down to personal preference and budget constraints.

Racing titles like EA's F1 24 are at the forefront of esports, accurately simulating the sport's breakneck speeds. While not nearly as expensive as owning and operating a Formula 1 car, the gear these players use can cost several thousand dollars. Racing wheels and pedals vary considerably in price, but they are generally far more expensive than gaming controllers. Since many F1 24 gamers find controllers more convenient, players may wonder if they can post competitive lap times compared to racing sim enthusiasts.

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Factors like precision of movements and force feedback accuracy are critical when comparing the potential of controllers and wheels. Other qualities, such as ease of setup and connectivity, can also influence buying decisions. Complicating matters, EA has significantly changed the physics model used in F1 24, affecting how cars respond to controller and wheel inputs. Ultimately, there is a clear first-place winner, but the answer is not as clear-cut as it may seem.

Precision

One of the main advantages of racing wheels and pedals is the high degree of accuracy possible with inputs. With steering, the top F1 24 racers apply exact movement and force to stay on tight racing lines. In Formula 1 racing games, quick and precise movements are critical even though there isn't as much wheel rotation as in rally titles like EA Sports WRC. When moving at 200 mph+, a few degrees in rotation can make the difference between maintaining traction or spinning out and crashing.

The same principles apply to braking and accelerating, where reaching and maintaining a certain speed using pedals is much easier. Sharply accelerating or braking at the wrong times can result in a loss of control, but the best pedals allow racers to adjust the speed of F1 cars more gradually.

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Despite a victory when it comes to precision, controllers have advanced in recent years to close the gap somewhat. Many controllers now employ Hall Effect technology, where magnets and electrical conduction combine for smoother and more precise movements. Older peripherals rely on mechanical components making contact, which can eventually wear down and lead to dreaded stick drift. The consequences of this drift for racing sim enthusiasts are severe, with it becoming impossible to control cars properly.

Thrustmaster eSwap XR Pro Controller

$165 $179 Save $14

The Thrustmaster eSwap XR Pro Controller is the ultimate handheld gaming peripheral for racing fans. This wired controller features T-MOD technology with several installation points for swappable analog sticks and a D-pad. The racing wheel module sets the eSwap XR Pro apart from other controllers, allowing for a 95-degree rotation with a re-centering mechanism. Four programmable rear buttons allow gamers to easily shift gears or access other vital commands without using triggers or bumpers.

BrandThrustmasterPlatformXbox, PCConnectivityWired, USBHeadset SupportYesProgrammableYesExtra ButtonsYesCable Length10 feet Expand $180 at Dell$165 at Amazon$165 at Best Buy$179 at Walmart$180 at GameStop

Other controllers, like the Thrustmaster eSwap XR Pro, showcase innovations that better replicate wheel movements. This modular wired controller includes a snap-on wheel module that can be used instead of an analog stick. The small wheel is turned in a circular motion but excels more in arcade racing titles like Forza Horizon. F1 24 players may find the controller more realistic than the alternatives but will struggle to make ultra-fine movements with its 95 degrees of rotation.

Even though using a racing wheel and pedals has a much higher learning curve, F1 24 racers will find that more control leads to improved lap times after some practice.

Realism

For some gamers, ditching controllers is a decision made for more reasons than just to improve performance. Novice virtual racers are attracted to racing wheels because they want to experience what it's like to sit in a Formula 1 car. The market for racing sim gear has exploded, with many gamers adding cockpits to their setups. These cockpits allow gamers to attach wheels, pedals, and monitors in a more true-to-life orientation than possible with a gaming desk.

MOZA R5 Bundle

The MOZA R5 bundle includes a steering wheel, a two-pedal set, and a direct drive wheel base. The wheel base can deliver 5.5 Nm of torque for more accurate simulation. The metal construction makes the package feel premium and there is an app to control the settings on the steering wheel and wheel base.

BrandMOZACompatibilityPCForced Feedback5.5 Nm Direct DriveWheel Size11 inchesPedalsTwo pedal setPaddlesYesStick ShifterNo Expand $520 at Amazon$476 at Newegg

Budget and mid-range racing wheels like the Moza R5 ship with clamps, enabling them to attach to desktops without pricey cockpits or stands. Gamers don't necessarily need the most expensive setups to simulate driving F1 24 cars accurately. The Moza R5 also has a direct drive wheelbase that allows racers to use other wheels. Most wheel and pedal sets come with round wheels by default, but the R5 is compatible with the FSR Formula Wheel add-on.

Wheels like the FSR include many of the same physical buttons and controls in an F1 car. However, this wheel's LCD screen is the center of attention, providing critical information about a car's status and events during a race. F1 24 PC players can even connect to software telemetry tools that show more data on the screen than displayed by the game's HUD. The advantages over a controller are obvious, with gamers not having to look at separate screens or devices to evaluate their performance in real time.

Sadly, for controller users, a compact handheld device is a poor substitute for a realistically designed wheel and pedal set. Just as flight sim fans prefer joysticks and throttles, upgrading to a wheel makes racing in F1 24 a far more authentic experience.

Force Feedback

Controllers with vibrating rumble motors often enhance gaming excitement by reacting to explosions and gunfire. However, these effects in FPS titles aren't as essential to gaming performance as they can be in racing games. In F1 24, force feedback racing wheels provide vital cues when a car is about to lose traction or signal when driving on the edge of a rumble strip.

Logitech G Pro Racing Wheel

TheLogitech G Pro Racing Wheel is a premium offering from Logitech, and it brings the latest and greatest technologies that the company has to offer. The design for the steering wheel has been developed in collaboration with pro sim drivers. It brings TRUEFORCE force feedback through its direct drive system with 11 Nm of torque. It uses a thumb sweep orientation for the buttons and dials, making them easily accessible without having to take the hands off the wheel.

BrandLogitechCompatibilityPlayStation/PCForced FeedbackTRUEFORCEWheel Size11 inchPedalsThree-pedal set $800 at Amazon$800 at Best Buy$981 at Walmart$1000 at Logitech$800 at Newegg

While some racing wheels utilize gears and belts, more premium direct drive options provide the most instant and convincing force feedback. The Logitech G Pro Racing Wheel boasts Trueforce technology, tightly integrated with racing titles like EA's F1 series. Even the most subtle movements on a track are reflected on this wheel, and racers feel resistance when making high-speed turns. There might not be the same variety of road surfaces in F1 24 as found in rally racing titles, but force feedback is essential for realism and maintaining a physical connection to a virtual car.

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Buyers don't have to spend $1000 or more on a racing wheel to enjoy the immersive nature of force feedback. The more affordable Thrustmaster T128 benefits from belts and gears working together to give a less detailed but still noticeable response to steering in F1 24.

Even many budget controllers include rumble motors, so gamers won't feel they are always driving on smooth ice. The DualSense, included with PS5 consoles, features innovations like haptic feedback and adaptive triggers that are especially beneficial in racing games. Haptic feedback sends shockwaves through a controller far more varied and nuanced than typical vibrating effects. In F1 24, gamers will even sense slight differences in grip as tires gradually wear down. Although triggers will never have the travel distance of pedals, adaptive triggers change tension levels when a racer accelerates out of a corner or slams on the brakes.

If price is an obstacle, some controllers are a reasonable gateway into the world of force feedback. Still, the technology inside these devices can't compare to the large, complex motors of racing wheels, which are more powerful and sensitive.

Learning Curve

The top sim racers spend thousands of hours learning every corner and chicane of an F1 track. Knowing how to approach a turn on a raceway can gain valuable seconds during racing action. These competitors have already mastered the basics of using a wheel and pedals, which usually causes gamers growing pains when transitioning from a controller.

Gamers who drive daily might think they can control a Formula 1 car more easily with a PC or console racing setup. However, the precision required when cars move at such high speed while weaving around opponents is simply on another level. Controllers are peripherals that most gamers have used since they were young and now feel second nature in many different genres.

Racers who use controllers often struggle to post consistent lap times in F1 24. Without the precision of a large rotating wheel, these gamers may fail to hold the same lines around a lap. It's also difficult because slight movements can shift the weight balance of these light vehicles.

Fanatec ClubSport Racing Wheel F1

The Fanatec ClubSport Racing Wheel F1 is the most realistic way to simulate Formula 1 racing action. Bundled with the15 Nm ClubSport DD+ wheel base, the ClubSport F1 delivers convincing and precise force feedback through direct drive technology. The ClubSport Formula wheel can withstand the most grueling races with a carbon construction and breathable leather grips. Fully compatible with PlayStation consoles and PCs, the wheel features 11 buttons, and multi-position switches for an authentic experience. A built-in OLED display allows gamers to adjust force feedback and other settings without pausing a race.

BrandFanatecCompatibilityPS5, PS4, PCForced FeedbackDirect DriveConnectionWiredWheel Size270 mmPedalsNot included Expand $1300 at Fanatec

Assembling a racing sim setup with wheels and pedals introduces more complexity. Clamping a wheel on a surface and sliding pedals underneath a desk is simple enough, but some of the most advanced wheelbases require purchasing clamp kits. With high-end wheels like the Fanatec ClubSport F1, many buyers will want to purchase a cockpit instead of a conventional gaming chair and desk. Also, the ClubSport F1 doesn't come with pedals, so gamers will need to select a compatible option. The Fanatec hardware ecosystem is vast, and gamers may wish to add shifters and other accessories if they play more than F1 24.

Since sim racing setups are usually constructed piece by piece, designing a dream configuration can be time-consuming. When combined with learning to control sensitive F1 24 cars with this gear, casual players may find that a premium controller is the better option.

Connectivity

In many ways, racing sim setups contradict the trend of PC peripherals like small esports mice that are wireless and downsized. Despite some wheelbases becoming more compact, there is no way to avoid the space wheels and pedals take up in a gaming room. Also, wireless options are nearly non-existent, and gamers must contend with numerous cords connecting each component before routing them to PCs and consoles.

Microsoft Xbox Controller

$50 $60 Save $10

The Xbox Wireless Controller has a modernized design that enhances the gaming experience. With sculpted surfaces and refined geometry, it offers effortless control and enhanced comfort during gameplay. It can run for up to 30 hours without needing to recharge thanks to its long battery life.

The hybrid D-pad and textured grip on the triggers, bumpers, and back-case help players stay on target. The controller includes a 3.5 mm audio headset jack for any compatible headset, and users can connect it to console or PC using the USB-C port.

Number of Colors10+Control Types1Wireless?YesCompatible SystemsXbox, PCBrandMicrosoftColor OptionsWhiteProgrammable ButtonsYes Expand $50 at Amazon$54 at Walmart$60 at Best Buy$49 at Newegg$55 at GameStop

With wireless controllers, the setup process is nearly instantaneous, and these cordless devices can now match the low-latency connectivity of wired alternatives. Microsoft's Official Xbox Controller pairs with almost any source besides PlayStation consoles and is far more portable for traveling than lugging around a wheel and pedals. F1 24 racers won't find themselves at a complete disadvantage using Microsoft's controller, with a durable construction and adequate rumble effects.

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Racing wheels generally are less versatile with platform compatibility, with some standout choices like the Moza R5 meant only for PCs. Companies often release Xbox or PlayStation-specific versions of their products to appeal to console gamers. However, some features don't match their PC counterparts, and even worse, not all racing titles are fully compatible at launch. Other games lack satisfactory force feedback without detailed changes in both the wheel's software and the game's settings.

Considering the ease of setup, compatibility with F1 24 and other games, and simple cable management, controllers notch a victory over wheels and pedals.

Verdict

Logitech G923 Racing Wheel and Pedals

Truly a Force on F1 24 Tracks

$325 $400 Save $75

When F1 24 players find their lap times lacking, the Logitech G923 demonstrates why so many gamers switch to wheels and pedals. Like most wheels, the G923 gives racers finer control over their incredibly powerful machines. Trueforce exhibits the most advanced force feedback with any option in this price range, warning drivers before disaster strikes. Unfortunately, it's also bulky and noisy, requiring significant practice time to learn how to control Formula 1 cars.

$325 at Amazon$350 at Best Buy$350 at Logitech$350 at Newegg$330 at Walmart

Racing wheels and pedals are undoubtedly the best choice for precision, realism, and authentic force feedback. F1 24 requires tremendous skill from drivers, and wheels allow competitive gamers to reach their full potential. Wheels respond to subtle movements, enabling racers to react instantly to avoid collisions and spinouts.

Despite their many advantages, wheels are significantly more costly than controllers. Requiring several different components, the financial strain of building a complete racing setup can become overwhelming. Also, racing gear demands considerable space in gaming rooms and can create chaos without intelligent cable management.

Sony PlayStation DualSense Controller

A Convenient Controller That Shines in F1 24

Not all F1 24 gamers have the space and funds for an ultra-realistic racing sim setup. Sony's DualSense controller has features like haptic feedback and adaptive triggers that thrive during racing titles. Platform compatibility continues to improve, and gamers are spared the hassle of setting up wheels and pedals. Unfortunately, the controller's analog sticks tend to wear down after heavy usage and struggle to match the precision of wheels.

$80 at Walmart$70 at Best Buy$75 at Amazon$75 at GameStop$75 at Target

With small analog sticks and short triggers, controllers can't match the range of motion of wheels and pedals. That said, reasonably priced controllers like the Sony DualSense boast significant advancements in force feedback with more accurate vibrating effects. Other options employ Hall Effect technology to ensure more consistent directional movements.

In the end, there is nothing wrong with using a controller in F1 24, and many gamers win races using these peripherals. However, if budget, space, and time allow, racers should strongly consider upgrading to the sensibly priced Logitech G923.

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FAQ

Q: Is it worth getting a steering wheel for Xbox?

Many Xbox racing titles, like Forza Motorsport, Assetto Corsa Competizione, and F1 24, feel more realistic with wheels. Also, Xbox-compatible wheels and pedals typically also work on PCs, giving owners access to a wider variety of racing titles.

Q: What is the best racing wheel for beginners?

If budget is a concern, the basic Hori Racing Wheel Apex demonstrates how steering with a wheel is more precise than using a controller. For slightly more money, the Thrustmaster T128 has surprisingly impactful force feedback and is simple to set up.

Q: Is the Logitech G29 or G923 better?

Both are excellent mid-range wheel and pedal sets, but the Logitech G923 exhibits several improvements, like more responsive pedals. Also, Trueforce adds new dimensions to force feedback, allowing gamers to detect minor differences in road surfaces and traction.