Steering Wheels for ETS 2

In this guide we explain the most common differences as well as pros and cons regarding periphery devices and report about steering wheels that we personally use.

Also available in: Deutsch

In addition to the conventional controls of Euro Truck Simulator 2, consisting of mouse and keyboard, the controller and finally steering wheels can be used. There are different models that offer different features and therefore cost different amounts of money. From low-cost versions under 50 Euros to luxury models for several hundred - From the casual gaming to a realistic gaming experience, everything is possible!

We from the German Review Group would like to introduce our peripherals and offer you a little orientation. We use Ref-Links. Further recommendations from other community members are welcome and can be added to the guide if you provide us a good review! The guide is therefore not finished and will be continuously updated!

Mouse, Keyboard & Controller

By default you play and start with mouse and keyboard. These have the advantage that you have multiple, nearly unlimited, possibilities to bind all your keys that you need to play properly. Besides the things you can do while driving (blinking, etc), there are also different camera options, changeable mirror settings, the photo mode and more.

The most basic disadvantage of these devices is the imprecise control when cornering. This manifests itself in the fact that extended curves cannot be driven constantly and in tight curves the control does not follow fast enough. This is a bit annoying and reduces the fun of driving, especially if you are used to other peripherals.

With the controller (Xbox 360 Wireless), this overall problem is exactly the opposite. The small number of buttons or keys that have to be assigned here can be disturbing, so that you have to use the keyboard after all. But the control reacts better and the vibration can be adjusted, for example, when you drive over boundary strips. This automatically increases the driving feeling and the immersion.

Low-Class

Low-class steering wheels with prices up to 50 Euro. Most commonly beginner models: Missing functions (e.g. vibration) or extra parts (e.g. pedals).

Trust - GM 3200 - Predator - (rated by 🐺-Wolferatus-🐺)

The Trust - Predator steering wheel is suitable for PS2 and PC and was sufficient for the games at that time, especially for a price of less than 30 Euro including pedals and stable mounting. If you want to play without knick knack you are in good hands with the Trust-steering wheels in the price range of 30 Euro, but of course you should not expect much. Because of the small steering wheel it is not only suitable for adults but also for children.

The Trust Steering Wheel is connected to the PC via USB and is easily recognized under Windows 10 without extra drivers. The acceleration and brake pedals work fine with ETS2 and also with many other games. The vibration feedback can be deactivated, which I would recommend. Because as soon as you operate the steering wheel or the pedals everything starts to vibrate. The steering wheel offers no force feedback. But if you are looking for cheap steering wheels, you are in good hands with Trust. For a low price you get good steering wheels and a very good support.
⠀

Middle-Class

Middle-class steering wheels in the range between 50 and 150 Euro, where essential functions (e.g. vibrations) and additional pedals and gearshift knobs are already available. Overall, the processing is often better and the number of keys or their possible assignment is more mature.

Speedlink Trailblazer - (rated by Xeeran)

The Speedlink Trailblazer[amzn.to] costs 80 Euro regularly, but can also be purchased used for about 50 Euro. This makes it a mid-range steering wheel, not least because of the included equipment. The workmanship of the materials is very nice on this model and it looks very valuable. The rubberized steering wheel feels good, lies well in the hand and prevents slipping. Moreover, it looks quite noble at first sight - even if it is only an optical illusion. For tall people with big hands it might be a little small. Thanks to the rocker switches on the back, however, it can be switched very comfortably, so that even the implemented gear knob further back is not needed, because to reach it is a bit annoying. The steering wheel is attached to the table with suction cups, which also works with the thick wooden plate on my table, but not on a cloth pad like my mouse pad.

The steering wheel itself has several buttons, a gear knob and also separately connectable pedals. The keys can be programmed (see instructions[supportfiles.speedlink.com]) and individually assigned, combinations are also possible! Unfortunately a more detailed manual is missing here, so it is more learning by doing. While the assignment of the normal keys is still quite easy, the setting of combinations is really a bit tricky. For beginners or people who have no patience a real challenge! Windows 10 recognized the steering wheel including pedals without grumbling. As already said, the pedals can be connected optionally. So if you don't have room under the table, you could just use the steering wheel - but who wants to?


Besides programming, the Trailblazer also offers a vibration function, whenever you drive over bumps. In the ETS 2 this would be the boundary strips. Unfortunately, the joint has a small resistance, so minimal steering movements are difficult to achieve and if too much force is applied a tearing occurs. Apart from that, this model already offers the essentials for an immersive driving experience, especially if you also use the pedals. However, you will need a bit of time to get used to it, just like with a new car.
⠀

High-Class

These steering wheels range from 200 Euro or more and offer a lot extras. Vibration effects are standard as well as pedals and often gear knobs. If these things are not included, they can be bought as a supplement, so that you get a more or less realistic reproduction of a cockpit.

Logitech G27 Racing - (rated by 𝕻𝖊𝖐𝖐𝖆)

The Logitech G27[amzn.to] costs around 250 Euro. Since it was replaced some time ago by its successor model G29 or G920, it is now almost only available in used state. The G27 is very well made, with high quality materials, such as leather and stainless steel. Even after more than four years these materials are still very impressive. On the steering wheel itself, you will find six assignable buttons and two rocker switches made of steel. This may sound a bit small at first, but if you look at the included gear shift, you can see that there are another eight buttons, a panorama switch and of course the six gears plus reverse gear. The G27 also contains the pedal unit, with clutch, brake and gas. Here you can clearly see that the brake is harder to pedal than the gas or clutch, just like in a real car.

Further functions of the G27 are very good force feedback, with a lot of adjustment possibilities from turning range (40°-900°) to centering spring and a LED unit, with which you can see when to shift gears in some games. I have noticed the following disadvantages in over four years of use: The pedals should be placed on a carpet, because it will slip away immediately when placed on laminate or similar. The gearshift is a bit too smooth and the shifting travel is too short. Apart from that the G27 offers an incredibly realistic gaming experience, both in simulations like ETS2, LS19 or Bus Simulator, and in racing games. A little tip from me, if you should get the G27: Spray the gearwheels and springs of the pedals with silicon spray every few months (you can easily get it without disassembling it), then they won't start to crunch.
⠀

Thrustmaster TX Racing Wheel Leather Edition - (rated by Munin)

The Thrustmaster TX Racing Wheel Leather Edition[www.amazon.de] obviously is a Edition consisting of several parts: The TM Leather 28 GT Wheel, the TX Racing Wheel Servo Base and the T3PA Add-On 3 Pedal Set.

So why buy an edition? Probably the biggest factor is the price. For the edition the price is between 350 and 400 Euro, if you buy these parts separately the price is much higher. After meanwhile about 100 hours all parts still perform the usual very well.

With the TX Racing Wheel Leather Edition you can't go wrong. The steering wheel has a very high quality finish (even hand-sewn) and not only because of this, also because of the shape, a very good grip. With 15 different buttons (including shift paddles), which can all be freely assigned, it is guaranteed that you can operate all important functions directly on the steering wheel. For example, you don't have to get up to pause the game, switch to the map, etc.

The Servo Base offers the latest technology: A brushless industrial servo motor provides super smooth and extremely realistic force feedback, a very fast response without delay. As in real life, the steering wheel is never "quiet", but in addition it always vibrates slightly, which further increases the realism. The angle of rotation is max. 900°. As a criticism I have to mention that the servo base starts to smell a bit after a longer gaming session (> seven hours). I haven't read this in other reviews yet and maybe it's because I always have the force feedback set at 100%.

The edition also includes the pedals, they are very robust and non-slip. The best thing about them is the (conical) Rubber Brake Mod, so you can feel progressive pressure force, so you don't step into the void. All three pedals are freely adjustable, so you can adjust them according to your feeling.



All-in-all I can only speak of an excellent product, great for any car simulator (ETS, ATS, Project Cars, ACC, iRacing, etc.).

Great without "Wheel Stand" too? All parts can be attached to the table or anchored to the floor, extra parts are included. But I pers. recommend to buy a Wheel Stand, currently I use the T300-TX Deluxe for about 110 Euro. Why? Wheel Stands allow each person to set up everything the way he/she wants, just like in a real car or truck, no matter of inclination, height, distance, etc. - everything is adjustable.
If you want to shift by hand you can also anchor the gear knob on the Wheel Stand. As a gearbox/shifter I pers. can recommend the TH8A Shifter (160 Euro), but currently I don't use it myself.
⠀

Logitech G923 TRUEFORCE[amzn.to] (rated by Ratea xDark)

Logitech has released a new steering wheel at the end of 2020. It is the G923 Trueforce, which is supposed to replace its predecessor and freshen up Force Feedback with a new technology called "Trueforce". Currently not many games support this new technology, including ETS2. So the question is whether to already buy the new steering wheel. It looks almost like its predecessor and the workmanship is okay for the price range. The leather steering wheel has a good grip, the wheel base is made of steel, aluminium and covered with plastic. The pedals are also made of steel and are very robust. You need the "Logitech Hub" to setup the components, it's easy to handle and you can choose many different settings. I like using this software, even if it has its uirks from time to time.

Above the Logitech symbol is a display of the speed. The pedal unit is large and is quite heavy, so to prevent it from slipping, the base has an anti-slip rubber. This is not necessarily the case with most steering wheel bundles. Unfortunately the resistance of each pedal cannot be adjusted, but you will get used to it over time. At least you can interchange them.

The controls have no delay, you notice nearly none input-lag. With Trueforce the immersive feeling raise because you can feel the collisions, surfaces, wheelspin and other driving characteristics through the wheel in a very realistic way. Like previously mentioned, unfortunately Trueforce is not yet supported for ETS2. Logitech sets a RRP of 399 €, but you can buy this steering wheel for around 300 € from retailers. The negative aspect is of course that you have to buy the gear lever separately, and sometimes it isn't available for purchase. The gear lever's RRP is 59.99 €, but again you can save a bit money by buying from retailers. You should, if you also have a console, pay attention on which version you buy! There is a Playstation and Xbox version, you should buy the Xbox version if you want to use the wheel for your PC.

Overall I rate the steering wheel as very good and good for its price. There are of course better and more expensive products, but it definitely is more than sufficient for the average player.

Pro:	Contra:
Good workmanship Anti-slip pedals Many buttons Steering without delay Speed indicator Steering angle up to 900° Force feedback is very good Wheel has good grip Good software Good quality/price ratio	Pedal resistance not adjustable 2 versions for Xbox and Playstation Lots of plastic Hardly any difference to the predecessor very few games support Trueforce

Closing Words

If you find the guide helpful please rate it. We try to include everything relevant in our evaluations and evaluate the products objectively but critically based on our experiences. Just like you are used to from our curator reviews.

If you want to criticize us, please do so right away, because we are open for objective criticism and are happy about it! This is the only way to create a lively discussion and a constructive exchange. However, please also allow us to have our own opinion!

Otherwise, the reports and experiences refer exclusively to the use of the steering wheels in Euro Truck Simulator 2, but we are happy to answer questions about other games, especially racing games.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀My Euro Truck Simulator 2 review

⠀You find this guide helpful? Please upvote it or give an award.

[ChonkoTonko]

I have aps4 steering wheel, insteanded for racing games but works with ETS2, it did... Today ETS2 doesn't wanna accept the steering wheel, I got ETS2 yesterday and it worked fine, can someone Please help me, I spent over 2 hours trying to fix it but nothing worked

[amirzaim]

Speedlink Trailblazer steering wheel also known as "PXN V3 Pro" in some markets. By default, this steering wheel mimics x360 controller so useful to use it as an alternative for x360 controllers. However, you must set the controller option to "gamepad/joystick" only. Setting the controller option to "wheel" will make your driving going crazy.

It is best to get a better steering wheel that have 900 degrees turning support like PXN V900 or equivalent steering wheel sets. j

[gordie239]

I like your good feed back on the controls, I just new to the simulation games, But I am a ex trucker to, I trucked in the states from coast to coast for 4 years, and trucked all over Europe for over 20 + yrs,I was wondering what is the best steering wheel to buy to, thank you for the info,

[💗Blaaashyyy💗]

And G29 (since 27 is unaviable tbh) and even Thrustmaster T300 RS GT are MID class not highclass lol. Theyu would have a looong way to go to be a high class wheels bro.

[💗Blaaashyyy💗]

I ment this looks widely outdated. I did make sugestions lmao.

[Munin]

Multiple steering wheels are missing. Right now this Guide contains 4 steering wheels. If you want to give feedback to the Logitech DF GT be sure to let us know, then we will add your review to the Guide.

[Zwiadek]

The Logitech Driving Force GT steering wheel was missing in the middle class

[Munin]

If you think the guide looks like 2010/2015, why don't you make any suggestions to improve it?

[💗Blaaashyyy💗]

Just go with Logitech G29 (g27 imposible to get) or even better Thrustmaster T300 RS (BUT ONLY IN:) GT Edition and save urself from crappy expirience with lower end wheels. Never buy "low end" anything, it aint worth it. PS: This guide looks like something from 2010/2015 lol.