Top Sim Racing Brands You Need to Know for the Ultimate Virtual Experience

Sim racing, a thrilling virtual motorsport experience, continues to captivate enthusiasts around the world. As this competitive scene grows, so does the demand for high-quality equipment that can replicate the thrill of real racing. From precision steering wheels to realistic pedal sets and advanced simulation software, choosing the right gear is crucial to enhancing your racing experience. Below, we present a curated list of the best brands dominating the sim racing industry today, each renowned for their commitment to performance and innovation.

Illustration of sim racing

Best brands of sim racing in 2025

Fanatec

Fanatec, under the parent company Endor AG, has been a leading brand in the sim racing industry, renowned for its high-quality force-feedback steering wheels, pedals, and other accessories. The brand gained significant acclaim for its Direct Drive technology, which provided a new level of precision and immersion for sim racers. Fanatec's products were highly regarded for their realism and durability, making them a favorite among both professional and amateur sim racers. Despite its success, Fanatec faced financial troubles and was acquired by Corsair in 2024, with Fanatec's product sales reaching approximately $110 million in 2023. For more details on this acquisition, visit the official announcement.

Thrustmaster

Thrustmaster is a leading brand in the sim racing industry, known for its high-quality and innovative products. The company's T300RS GT Edition features advanced force feedback technology, a brushless servomotor, and a dual-belt system, enhancing the realism and immersion of sim racing experiences. Thrustmaster's products are officially licensed for games like Gran Turismo, and their steering wheels, such as the T-GT II, are designed to provide unparalleled sim racing sensations. The brand's commitment to innovation and precision has made it a favorite among professional sim racers and enthusiasts alike. In the racing simulator market, Thrustmaster, along with other major players like Logitech, holds a significant market share of over 65%.

Logitech

Logitech is a leading producer in the sim racing industry, holding over 65% of the market share along with Endor Ag. Known for its high-quality products, Logitech dominates the market with innovative offerings such as the G29 and G920 Driving Force racing wheels, which feature dual-motor force feedback and 900-degree lock-to-lock rotation. In 2023, Logitech launched the Playseat Challenge X - Logitech G Edition, an affordable and foldable racing cockpit priced at $299. The company's products are engineered for immersive driving experiences and are compatible with various gaming platforms, including PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Logitech's strategic partnerships and continuous innovations in simulator technology further solidify its position in the market.

Simucube

Simucube, owned by Granite Devices, is a leading brand in the sim racing industry, renowned for its Direct Drive force feedback technology. The Simucube 2 range, including the Sport, Pro, and Ultimate models, sets the global standard for motorsport professionals. These wheelbases have gained significant traction, with Simucube owners estimated to make up around 16% of the active wheelbase market. The brand's products are highly polished and offer a plug-and-play solution, eliminating the need for DIY setups. This has contributed to the strong growth of the sim racing market, which is expected to reach $1.17 billion by 2028. For an in-depth review of the Simucube SC2 Pro, visit the Digital Motorsports website.

Heusinkveld

Heusinkveld is a leading manufacturer of advanced sim racing products, founded in 2013 by Niels Heusinkveld and Svend van der Vlugt, with a mission to provide realistic driving experiences. Their products, such as the Sim Pedals Ultimate and Sim Pedals Sprint, are designed and assembled in the Netherlands, ensuring high performance and durability. Heusinkveld's products are used by professionals and enthusiasts worldwide, including teams in series like Formula 1, Formula 2, and Indycar. The company emphasizes innovation, development, and high-quality materials, with a focus on local production and rigorous testing. Heusinkveld's commitment to detail and customer satisfaction has made it a pioneer in the sim racing market.

Next Level Racing

Next Level Racing is a leading brand in the sim racing industry, known for its high-quality and immersive racing simulators. The market for racing simulators, which includes brands like Next Level Racing, is projected to grow from USD 0.5 billion in 2024 to USD 1.1 billion by 2030 at a CAGR of 15.6%, driven by the rising popularity of virtual sim racing events and the increasing use of simulators for professional training. The compact simulator segment, which Next Level Racing is a part of, is estimated to lead the market due to its growing application for personal use and cost competitiveness. The Asia Pacific region, where Next Level Racing has a significant presence, is expected to be the fastest-growing market, with a CAGR of 7.6% from 2024 to 2031. The brand's focus on advanced simulation technology and user experience contributes to the overall growth of the sim racing market.

MSI

MSI is renowned as one of the top producers for sim racing equipment, particularly with their MSI Codex R model, which offers high-performance specifications at an affordable price point of around $1000. This PC features an Intel Core i5-13400F processor, an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 GPU, and 32GB of DDR5 memory, making it ideal for 1080p and 1440p gaming setups. MSI's commitment to providing cutting-edge technology has contributed to the growing popularity of sim racing, with the global market projected to expand at a CAGR of 15.6% from 2024 to 2030. The inclusion of advanced components like the RTX 40 series GPUs and high-capacity storage options, such as a 2TB M.2 drive, enhances the overall sim racing experience. MSI's products are favored by sim racers due to their balance of performance and affordability. For more insights on building an optimal gaming PC for sim racing, visit the sim racing PC guide.

Asus

Asus, particularly through its Republic of Gamers (ROG) brand, is renowned for producing high-performance hardware ideal for sim racing. In 2016, ASUS held a 40% global market share in gaming laptops, surpassing its competitors combined, and has continued to dominate with innovative products like the ROG Strix XG43UQ monitor and GA35 gaming desktops. Their hardware is favored by sim racers for its leading performance, premium features, and stylish design. Asus's commitment to innovation, such as developing the first commercially available dual-screen laptop, further solidifies its position as a leader in the gaming and sim racing markets. With a significant global PC market share of 6.5% in 2023, Asus remains a major player in the industry.

Playseat

Playseat is a leading brand in the sim racing industry, known for its innovative and user-friendly products. The Playseat Challenge, for example, holds a significant market share and is valued as part of the entry-level simulators segment, which accounted for over 42% of the racing simulator market in 2023. This foldable and adjustable racing cockpit is praised for its comfort, stability, and compatibility with various steering wheels and pedals. It is particularly popular for its space-saving design and ease of assembly, making it an excellent choice for both novice and experienced sim racers. The Playseat Challenge is also notable for its affordability, such as the Logitech G Edition launched in September 2023, priced at USD 299.

OpenWheeler

OpenWheeler is a prominent brand in the sim racing industry, known for its high-quality and versatile sim racing cockpits. The brand is part of the broader market that is experiencing significant growth, with the global Sim Wheel Stand market projected to grow at a CAGR of 8.5% from 2023 to 2030, and the Sim Racing Cockpit Market expected to reach USD 1.95 billion by 2032 with a CAGR of 16% from 2024 to 2032. OpenWheeler's products, such as their modular racing sim cockpits, cater to both professional and casual gamers, offering features like adjustable and ergonomic designs. The brand's focus on compatibility with various controllers and its boutique production approach ensure a premium user experience. As sim racing continues to gain popularity, especially in regions like North America and Asia, brands like OpenWheeler are at the forefront of meeting the increasing demand for immersive and realistic racing experiences.