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There is no single best racing controller for every local multiplayer setup. For most couch sessions, compatible gamepads are the practical starting point: they are easy to add for several players and usually avoid desk or cockpit setup. A steering wheel can make driving more immersive, but only after you verify the exact game, platform, wheel model, local mode, player count, and whether a second wheel keeps all of its functions.
Choose in this order: identify the game and platform, distinguish split-screen from local wireless, count players in that mode, confirm the input devices the game accepts, then decide whether wheel immersion justifies the extra compatibility and setup work.
What to buy first: gamepads or wheels?
Start with ordinary gamepads unless you already know that the specific title supports the wheel arrangement you want. A pad normally needs no table space, works from a sofa, and lets you add players without mounting hardware. It is also the safer choice when one session may switch between racing games with different wheel support.
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Wheels are an optional upgrade rather than a universal replacement for pads. A wheel may add force feedback, a wider steering range, separate pedals, and a more convincing driving position. Those benefits matter most when everyone has a stable place to mount a wheel and the game exposes the wheel’s functions. They matter less for a short party race, a title designed around quick controller inputs, or a room where several desks cannot be arranged.
#1 Best Overall
- Immersive Gaming Experience: Perfect for PlayStation 5, PS4 and PC gaming titles, the Driving Force simulates the feeling of driving a real car with precision steering and pressure-sensitive pedals
- Premium Control: The Driving Force feedback racing wheel provides a detailed simulation of driving a real car, with helical gearing delivering smooth, quiet steering and a hand-stitched leather cover
- Customizable Pedals: These pressure-sensitive nonlinear brake pedals provide a responsive, accurate braking feel on a sturdy base - with adjustable pedal faces for finer control
- 900-Degree Rotation: Lock-to-lock rotation of the Driving Force means you can turn the wheel around two and a half times, hand over hand on wide turns - just like a real F1 race car
- Up Your Game: Take your racing simulation to the next level with Driving Force accessories like the Driving Force Shifter or desk and rig mounts
Do not treat a console logo on a wheel’s packaging as proof that it will work in every racing game. Official support is usually listed by game, platform, wheel family, and sometimes exact revision. The safest purchase is the one that matches a confirmed game-and-platform combination, not the one with the longest feature list.
Step 1: identify the exact game, platform and edition
Compatibility begins with the title, not the controller. Write down the exact game, edition and platform before shopping. A PS5 version, Xbox Series version, PC release and Switch release can expose different device support even when they share a name. Patches and platform updates can also change the behavior described in older guides.
Use official support lists as the authority
Electronic Arts’ F1 25 help page is a useful example of the level of detail to look for. It separates supported devices for PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC. In its PS5 section it names DualSense and DualSense Edge controllers, Logitech G29 and G923 wheels, HORI Racing Wheel Apex, and several Thrustmaster models. That list establishes support for F1 25 on the named platforms; it is not a universal compatibility list for other racing games.
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A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11For another title, open the publisher’s current controller or wheel support page and search for the exact platform. Then check the wheel manufacturer’s compatibility table for the same game. If either side omits your model, treat the setup as unconfirmed rather than assuming that a similar model will behave identically.
Record the details before you compare hardware
- Game title and edition, including whether it is a native current-generation release or a backward-compatible version.
- Platform: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC or Switch.
- Local mode offered by the game: split-screen, shared-screen, or local wireless.
- Maximum players in that particular mode.
- Whether the game accepts gamepads, wheels, or both at the same time.
- Whether the wheel’s pedals, shifter, force feedback and button mapping are supported.
Step 2: distinguish split-screen, shared-screen and local wireless
“Local multiplayer” is not one technical mode. A game may support several people over a local network while allowing fewer people on one screen, or it may put every player on the same camera view. Buy enough controllers for the mode you will actually use.
GRID Autosport on Switch shows why the distinction matters
Nintendo’s Switch listing for GRID Autosport describes eight-player online or local wireless races and, separately, two-player split-screen. Eight people can therefore race locally through the wireless mode, while only two share one Switch display in split-screen. Those numbers must not be combined into an eight-player split-screen claim.
Rank #2
- Immersive Gaming Experience: Perfect for Xbox and PC gaming titles, the Driving Force simulates the feeling of driving a real car with precision steering and pressure-sensitive pedals
- Premium Control: The Driving Force feedback racing wheel provides a detailed simulation of driving a real car, with helical gearing delivering smooth, quiet steering and a hand-stitched leather cover
- Customizable Pedals: These pressure-sensitive nonlinear brake pedals provide a responsive, accurate braking feel on a sturdy base - with adjustable pedal faces for finer control
- 900-Degree Rotation: Lock-to-lock rotation of the Driving Force means you can turn the wheel around two and a half times, hand over hand on wide turns - just like a real F1 race car
- Up Your Game: Take your racing simulation to the next level with Driving Force accessories like the Driving Force Shifter or desk and rig mounts
The same listing says multiplayer requires one compatible controller per player. It names the HORI Pro Deluxe wheel, HORI Pro Mini wheel and Nintendo Labo Toy-Con 03 Vehicle Kit as steering options for this game. The listing is specific to GRID Autosport on Switch; it does not guarantee that those wheels work across every Switch racer.
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- Select the exact local mode from the game’s multiplayer menu or support documentation.
- Write down the player limit for that mode, not the game’s headline online limit.
- Provide one compatible controller for each player unless the game explicitly supports a shared input.
- For local wireless, verify whether every player needs a separate console or whether the game supports multiple controllers on one console; the game’s instructions should state this.
- For split-screen, confirm that the game recognizes the intended mixture of pads and wheels before buying duplicates.
Step 3: choose the input plan for each player
A local session does not have to use identical hardware, but mixed-input support is game-specific. One player may use a pad while another uses a wheel, yet neither the publisher lists nor a wheel’s console compatibility badge proves that combination will work in a particular race.
All-gamepad sessions
For two or more players, all-gamepad setups are normally the least complicated. Match the number of pads to the confirmed local player limit, pair or cable them before launching the game, and assign each pad to a player in the title’s multiplayer menu. If a game supports both wired and wireless pads, follow its stated pairing limits rather than relying on the console’s theoretical maximum.
One wheel plus gamepads
This arrangement can be attractive when only one person wants a driving rig. Confirm three separate points: the game accepts a wheel in local mode, it still accepts pads for the other seats, and the wheel is recognized as a separate player rather than replacing the first pad. The evidence available for specific games does not establish mixed wheel-and-pad behavior universally, so look for an explicit statement in the game’s support material or a manufacturer table.
Several wheels
Multiple wheels require the most caution. Check whether the game can assign each wheel to a different local player, whether the console exposes each wheel independently, and whether every wheel retains pedals, buttons, mapping and force feedback. A setup that lets two wheels steer does not automatically provide identical feedback or accessory support to both drivers.
What the second-wheel caveat means
Fanatec’s support article for PlayStation and Xbox split-screen states: “However, when using two Fanatec racing wheels in split-screen mode, the second racing wheel will not provide force feedback (FFB).” Fanatec attributes this to technical limitations in how games and platforms implement split-screen, rather than to a hardware or software defect.
Rank #3
- REALISTIC RACING SIMULATION DUO: Feel what is like to drive a real race car with G920 Driving Force Racing Wheel & Pedals and Driving Force Shifter
- PAIRED FOR PRECISION: Take full control of the race with G920 Driving Force Racing Wheel & Pedals and Driving Force Shifter
- PRECISE CONTROL: Helical transmission gears reduce noise and vibration with anti-backlash keeping wheel and pedals tight. The six-speed “H” shifter helps you execute smooth, accurate gear transitions
- FORCE FEEDBACK: The dual motor force-feedback realistically simulates the feel of tires on a turn, understeer, oversteer, drifting and more
- PREMIUM BUILD: Look, feel and durability of a real race car wheel, pedals and shifter. Wheel cover, knob and boot are covered in high-quality, hand-stitched leather with a solid steel gear shaft and polished metal pedals
This is a specific warning about two Fanatec wheels in the named PlayStation and Xbox circumstances. It is not proof that every brand loses force feedback, and it does not establish how two wheels behave on PC. Before buying a second wheel, find a statement covering your exact wheel family, platform and game. If no such statement exists, plan for the possibility that one wheel may have reduced functionality.
Wheel compatibility checks that prevent expensive mistakes
Check the exact wheel version
Manufacturers often sell platform-specific variants that look similar. Thrustmaster’s compatibility information separates wheel families by platform; for example, T128 and T248 appear in distinct PlayStation/PC and Xbox/PC variants. Verify the suffix and connection type on the box, not just the family name.
Check game-by-game mappings
HORI’s Racing Wheel Apex compatibility page is organized as a per-game table. Its entries include operational notes such as remapping requirements or functions that are unavailable in a particular title. This demonstrates why “works on PS5” is too broad a test: a wheel can connect to a platform while still needing a different button layout or lacking a feature in one game.
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Check the wheel base before adding pedals or a shifter
Thrustmaster’s add-on documentation identifies which pedals and shifters connect to specific bases and explains that PC connection methods can affect function. If you already own a base, validate the exact accessory pairing first. A pedal set that fits physically may still be unsupported electrically or may require a different connection path.
Check every function you care about
- Steering input: the wheel is assigned to the intended local player.
- Pedals: accelerator and brake are detected separately and can be calibrated.
- Force feedback: the title and platform support it for every wheel you plan to use.
- Buttons and mapping: menus, handbrake, look controls and menu navigation are available or remappable.
- Shifter and accessories: the base and game support the specific add-on, not merely the brand.
Wheel options by use case
The following examples are documented in official listings or current editorial guides. They illustrate selection criteria, not a guarantee of two-player split-screen support.
| Example | Platform or game context | Documented characteristics | What still needs checking |
|---|---|---|---|
| DualSense / DualSense Edge | PS5; listed by EA for F1 25 | Gamepad support in the F1 25 PS5 device list | Player count and local mode in your chosen game |
| Logitech G29 / G923 | PS5 F1 25 list; G923 also described in a 2026 wheel guide | Listed as supported wheels for F1 25 on PS5; G923 characterized as a plug-and-play mid-range option by TechRadar | Exact platform variant, local assignment and behavior of a second wheel |
| HORI Racing Wheel Apex | PS5 F1 25 list; HORI publishes a game-by-game table | Compatibility entries can include remapping or unavailable functions | Entry for your game and exact wheel revision |
| Thrustmaster T128 | Platform-specific PlayStation/PC and Xbox/PC families | GamesRadar characterizes it as a budget beginner option | Correct platform variant, local mode and accessory compatibility |
| Thrustmaster T248 | Platform-specific PlayStation/PC and Xbox/PC families | TechRadar characterizes it as a plug-and-play mid-range option | Exact game support and two-player behavior |
| HORI Mario Kart Racing Wheel Pro Deluxe | Switch/PC in GamesRadar’s 2026 guide | Pedals included; no force feedback | Support in the particular Switch game and local mode |
| HORI Pro Deluxe / Pro Mini wheels | GRID Autosport on Switch | Named by Nintendo as steering options | Whether the same model works in another Switch racer |
No current price comparison is established here. Prices, bundles and stock change by region, so check a live retailer listing after you have confirmed compatibility.
Rank #4
- REALISTIC FERRARI DRIVING EXPERIENCE - Drive like a real race driver with this officially licensed sim racing wheel, inspired by the Ferrari 296 GTB. The 10″ steering wheel with paddle shifters delivers a more immersive driving sim experience than a standard controller, bringing authentic racing feel to your setup.
- SMOOTH, PRECISE CONTROL FOR BETTER LAPS - This gaming steering wheel uses bungee cord technology for smooth resistance and automatic centering, combined with a wider 240° rotation for more precise steering. The result is cleaner lines, better control, and a more engaging race sim experience.
- ADAPTS TO EVERY DRIVER - The Ferrari-inspired Manettino selector lets you switch between three driving profiles, making this sim wheel easy to enjoy for beginners while still rewarding more experienced players. Ideal for solo play or sharing the fun with friends and family.
- EASY SETUP & READY TO DRIVE - Designed for convenience, this gaming wheel installs quickly with a tool-free clamp system for desks and tables up to 1.8″ thick. Just plug and play with no additional software required. A great fit for home setups, bedrooms, or shared spaces.
- COMPLETE WHEEL & PEDAL SET FOR PC & PLAYSTATION – Includes a compact wheel and pedal set with Hall Effect sensor technology for smooth, consistent input. Designed for PC, PS5, and PS4, it delivers a more immersive and controlled driving experience right out of the box.
How to compare a wheel beyond its brand name
Pedal count
A two-pedal set is usually enough for automatic or casual racing. A three-pedal set matters if you plan to use a clutch and manual shifting, but it also adds floor space and another component to troubleshoot. GamesRadar specifically recommends considering pedal count as part of wheel selection.
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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsModularity
A modular wheelbase can let you replace the rim, pedals or shifter later. That flexibility costs more and creates more compatibility combinations. If you want a simple couch setup, an integrated wheel-and-pedal package may be easier; if you already have a compatible base, a validated add-on can be more economical.
Force-feedback strength and mounting
Force feedback is useful only when the game and platform support it and the mounting surface can hold the wheel securely. GamesRadar advises matching feedback strength to the desk setup. A strong motor on a lightweight table can move the table, while a wheel with no force feedback may be preferable for a compact Switch setup or a beginner who wants minimal hardware.
Footprint and storage
Measure the desk or stand, pedal clearance and cable route before ordering. For local multiplayer, multiply that footprint by the number of wheels. If two drivers cannot sit in stable positions with pedals safely placed, gamepads may deliver a better session even when wheels are technically supported.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Platform-specific buying guidance
PS5
Use the game’s PS5 support list first. For F1 25, EA names DualSense and DualSense Edge and lists Logitech G29, G923, HORI Racing Wheel Apex and several Thrustmaster wheels. That evidence supports those devices for that title’s PS5 version only. For split-screen with two wheels, add the platform’s multi-wheel behavior to your checklist; the Fanatec second-wheel force-feedback limitation is a concrete example of why.
Xbox Series X|S
Confirm that the wheel is the Xbox variant and that the game lists it for Xbox Series X|S. Do not substitute a PlayStation/PC model because the wheel family name is similar. If using two wheels, seek a statement covering Xbox split-screen and the exact manufacturer; a single-player compatibility badge is insufficient.
Best Value
- TRUEFORCE: Next-gen TRUEFORCE technology connects to game engines for high-definition feedback; experience the ultimate driving experience with processing at 4000 times per second
- Programmable dual clutch: Get off the starting line cleaner and faster; a programmable dual clutch simulates real race car launch assist right from the controller, when playing supported games
- Control your game: Fine-tune your speed with a built-in LED RPM indicator; integrated PlayStation 5, PS4, PC game controls, a 24-point selector and progressive brake spring keep steering under control
- Premium Racing Design: Refreshed Logitech G gear design includes premium materials like a hand-stitched black leather wheel cover and polished metal pedals; experience the pleasure of driving at home
- On-wheel game controls: Take charge of wheel sensitivity, force feedback levels and simulated steering; Logitech G Hub Gaming software enable button customisation right from the controller
PC
PC offers more connection choices but not universal compatibility. A game’s input layer, wheel drivers, USB connection method and local-player assignment all matter. Thrustmaster’s documentation notes that PC connection methods can affect accessory function. Verify drivers and the game’s supported device list, then test both wheels in the local lobby rather than only in a solo time trial.
Switch
Switch racing games often list wheel support separately from their controller requirements. GRID Autosport is the clearest documented example: Nintendo names the HORI Pro Deluxe, HORI Pro Mini and Labo Toy-Con 03 Vehicle Kit, while distinguishing eight-player local wireless from two-player split-screen. Treat those details as title-specific and confirm the exact wheel model before buying for another game.
Pre-purchase checklist for a local session
- Write the target setup: game, edition, platform, local mode and number of players.
- Read the publisher’s device list: record the exact controller and wheel names, not just the brand.
- Read the manufacturer’s game table: note remapping, missing functions and platform-specific variants.
- Plan each seat: identify which player uses a pad, wheel, pedals or shifter.
- Validate mixed inputs: look for explicit support for a wheel plus pads or multiple wheels.
- Validate feedback: confirm force feedback for each wheel, especially the second wheel in console split-screen.
- Check the room: measure mounting surfaces, pedal room, cable length and storage.
- Buy only after the checks match: if one requirement is unconfirmed, choose a gamepad or a configuration with fewer hardware dependencies.
Setup procedure on race day
- Update the console or PC and install the game’s current patch.
- Connect wired wheels and pedals directly as the manufacturer specifies; pair wireless pads before launching the game.
- Open the game’s controller settings and confirm every device appears separately.
- Assign each device to a local player in the multiplayer lobby.
- Calibrate steering and pedals, then test accelerator, brake, buttons and any shifter.
- Run a short practice race with the intended number of players.
- Check force feedback on every wheel before starting a full event.
- Save the game’s control profile if it supports profiles, so the next session does not overwrite assignments.
Troubleshooting common local-multiplayer failures
A controller is connected but the second player cannot join
Return to the game’s local-player assignment screen and look for an explicit “join” action. Confirm that the mode supports the number of players you are trying to add; a wireless player limit cannot be inferred from the split-screen limit. Re-pair or reconnect the device before launching the race if the game only scans inputs at startup.
The wheel works in menus but not in the race
Check the game’s per-game compatibility entry and control mapping. HORI’s table demonstrates that remapping or unavailable functions can be title-specific. Reassign steering and pedals in the race profile, then test calibration in a practice session.
The second wheel steers but has no force feedback
Check the manufacturer’s support notice for your exact platform and wheel family. Fanatec explicitly documents this behavior for two Fanatec wheels in PlayStation or Xbox split-screen. Do not assume changing cables will restore feedback if the limitation is imposed by the game’s split-screen implementation.
An accessory is not detected on PC
Verify that the pedal or shifter is connected to a compatible base and that you are using the connection method described for that base. Thrustmaster notes that PC connection methods can affect function. Test the base alone, then add one accessory at a time.
The setup is uncomfortable or unstable
Reduce the wheel count, use a firmer mounting surface, or switch some players to gamepads. A technically supported wheel is not a successful local setup if pedals slide, cables cross walking paths or players cannot reach the controls safely.
Decision guide: which configuration fits?
| Your situation | Practical starting point | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Two to four people, short couch sessions | Compatible gamepads for every player | Minimal setup and the fewest game-specific wheel checks |
| One dedicated driver, others want simple controls | One confirmed wheel plus gamepads | Preserves wheel immersion for one seat while limiting hardware |
| Two drivers want wheels on a console | Buy only after confirming separate-player assignment and feedback behavior | Second-wheel functions can differ; Fanatec documents a no-FFB case for PlayStation/Xbox split-screen |
| Switch GRID Autosport session | Gamepads for the required seats, or a Nintendo-listed wheel option | Nintendo documents one compatible controller per player and distinguishes two-player split-screen from eight-player local wireless |
| PC enthusiast setup | Wheels with validated base, pedal and shifter combinations | Driver, connection and accessory compatibility require explicit checking |
| Mixed library of racing games | Gamepads as the shared baseline; add a wheel for titles with confirmed support | Wheel support varies by title and platform |
Bottom line for buyers
Choose the game and local mode first, then buy the simplest controller that the game explicitly supports. Gamepads are the dependable baseline for most same-room races. Add a wheel when you have a stable mounting position and a confirmed compatibility path for the exact title, platform and player arrangement. If you want two wheels, verify separate-player recognition and force feedback for the second wheel instead of assuming both seats will behave alike.
Quick Recap
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