If you want to make the jump away from using a trigger and buttons on your racing game, you will need a proper sim racing setup complete with some sim racing pedals.
Whether investing in a shiny, advanced set of sim racing pedals is very relative to the individual. A decent set of simulator pedals will help you modulate the accelerator and the brake pedals giving you more feedback from the game as to what your car is doing.
You’ll want something to feel as intuitive as the sim racing wheel. Something that has resistance behind the pedal and not just on a spring-loaded rocker – this will give you the best feel and allow you not to put the amount of accelerator or brake you want in.
The best sim racing pedals at a glance:
Editor's pick: Thrustmaster T-LCM Loadcell Pedal Set - buy from Amazon.
Best for adjustability: Logitech Pro Racing Pedals - buy from Amazon.
Most advanced: Heunsinkveld Engineering Sim Pedals Ultimate+ Black - buy from Demon Tweeks.
For exactly the same reason that we yearn after sim racing gear levers, they give you a better feel. And due to the more natural driving feel, it’s a much more immersive feel. Will they increase your lap times? Once you get used to using them and driving them, probably.
The best sim racing pedals
Editor's pick
Via ThrustmasterYou will always see us mention Thrustmaster when it comes to driving and racing simulators, mainly because they’re a well-trusted brand that has been dominating the sim world for a while.
These pedals use Thrustmaster’s well-renowned HEART (HallEffect AccuRate Technology) system using magnets for ultra-precise braking in racing games. It can also be highly adjusted with six sets of springs and a nonslip plate, so it doesn’t affect your driving.
Pros
- Adjustable feel and force
- Respected brand
- Compatible with most casual sim setups
Cons
- Not many alternatives on this end of the price spectrum
The best adjustable sim racing pedals
Via Logitechwww.logitechg.com
These Pro Racing Pedals from Logitech follow a similar vein to the Thrustmaster pedals above. You can adjust the accelerator and brake pedals by changing out the springs.
The brake is also adjustable on swappable elastomers to make it stiffer or softer. You can also adjust the pedals horizontally to have the perfect spacing between the pedals for a little bit of heel and toe.
Pros
- Highly adjustable
- Respected brand
- Removable pedal modules
Cons
- Pricey when bought in conjunction with the steering wheel
The best sim racing pedal upgrade
Via Heusinkveld Engineeringwww.demon-tweeks.com
Made with CNC laser-cut steel, these are just the pedals with no base plate. They will give you up to 64kg of braking force with its 2-stage braking system, which simulates the gap between the brake pad and brake disc. When driving a car in real life, the clutch feels lighter after the biting point – the same is valid here. That’s how realistic these pedals are.
They’re also hugely adjustable for different driving positions. Available in a three-pedal set, two-pedal set or as a clutch only if you want to upgrade later.
Pros
- Very realistic feel
- Fantastic for braking
- Very adjustable
Cons
- No pedal plate included
The best professional sim racing pedals
Via OBPwww.demon-tweeks.com
A hydraulic pedal system designed and developed by OBP, using the brand's knowledge of creating racing pedal boxes and applying that to simulator driving.
Constructed from aircraft grade T6061 aluminium on the pedals and a steel cradle, these pedals offer adjustable pedal ratios, meaning they’re just like what a real racing driver might use.
Pros
- Very realistic pedal feel
- Durable build quality
- Simple to install
Cons
- Overkill for most
The most advanced sim pedals
Via Heusinkveld Engineeringwww.demon-tweeks.com
This version of Heusinkveld Engineering's sim pedals are slightly upgraded over the sprint pedals. There are extra mounts with spring braces on each individual pedal and each one comes with hydraulic damping - akin to an actual car.
You get a 200kg loadcell on the brake pedal as well as smart control which can allow you to adjust the forces of each pedal without having to recalibrate them. The clutch gets a real biting point and becomes lighter as you lift off, and the throttle is carefully designed to allow a gradual push. Again, very akin to what the throttle of cars is like in real life. It's a mightily expensive upgrade, but the sense of realism is second-to-none.
Pros
- Amazingly advanced and realistic feeling pedals
- Great build quality
- Hydraulic damping on the brakes
Cons
- No pedal plate included
- Very overkill for most gamers
Best sim pedal stand
Via GT OmegaOf course, no sim pedals are complete without a proper sim racing stand. One of the best value out there that caters for both pedals, wheel and gear lever is the GT Omega Apex stand. It's built in an X shape which allows for greater sturdiness when you're really putting pressure on your driving.
It features three slots where you can adjust the pedal distance, a platform for pretty much whatever wheel you desire from the likes of Logitech and Thrustmaster. Next to it, there is plenty of room for for a quality gear lever.
Pros
- Adaptable stand with room for many accessories
- Sturdy and sits tight on the ground
- Doesn't take up too much room
Cons
- Position might be a little lower than some desire
- Can be tricky to store
What to look for in sim racing pedals
As we’ve said, you want something which has a bit of resistance behind the pedal with feedback. Cheaper pedals generally have a spring which pulls them back into place, which can make driving on a sim racing game fairly underwhelming if you're keen on driving.. A heavier spring, the harder they are to push, but this isn’t the same as a brake pedal resisting the force you put into it because the brakes are not quite in the right temperature bracket.
You’ll want a brake pedal that can withstand the force you’ll put through. You’ll be surprised that some can withstand up to 140kg of energy, which is essential. The initial pressure on the pedals can be great, and with the game providing feedback through the pedal, a high force can be pushed through it. Make sure your pedals are from a respected brand that will withstand all you put through them. And ensure you get the full immersive experience with a proper audio setup for your rig, too.
Look at your rig and see what you have or want to build towards and also what games you already play. Do you have a wheel with sequential shifters on it already? Then you’ll likely only need two pedals. Does your most popular game require a shifter with a clutch? Get three pedals. Like drifting? Get a sim racing handbrake. Your sim rig is specific to you, not everyone else.
Aaron Hussain is a commercial content writer at Bauer Media writing for Parkers and CAR. He is obsessed with classic cars and anything with a fascinating story to tell.