If you already have a sim wheel then setting it up to use on Forza is an ok way to play the game. However, if you are looking to buy a wheel only to use for Forza then a steering wheel is not worth it and you should stick to a controller.

Can I Use a Wheel With Forza?

Before we go any further, can you even use a wheel on Forza? Of course, you can! There are compatible wheels from all the major manufacturers including Logitech, Thrustmaster, and Fanatec. Not all wheels within these brands are compatible though, so make sure to do your homework and check out which wheels are compatible before you go and buy one.

I can’t say I would recommend buying a top-of-the-line sim racing wheel if all you’re going to play is Forza, however an introductory level Logitech wheel, such as the Logitech G920 which you can buy off amazon is going to be a great start. In fact, to this day, I still use its predecessor, the G27, even though I’ve upgraded literally every other part of my rig, from load cell pedals to a VR headset. Logitech makes a really good introductory sim racing wheel.

Is it Better to Play Forza with a Controller or Wheel?

In my opinion, and it’s just that, an opinion, I much prefer playing Forza with a controller instead of a wheel.

The main reason is that when I’m playing Forza, I’m playing it just for fun. To build and modify whatever car I want, and drive it around. I’m not playing Forza to compete with the best of the best, where every millisecond of lap time counts. I’ve seen very very little difference between racers using a wheel versus those using a controller. A lot of the time, I’ve actually seen the exact opposite, where the racers who are using a controller have actually done better.

The above video from Will over at Boosted Media echos what we have discussed in this article so far. You can see the drawbacks that using a wheel on Forza presents first hand. Keep in mind that this is a top-of-the-line rig that Will is using as well, so you’re not going to get a better experience.

For the reasons discussed, I will keep Forza a game that I only play with a controller.

Why is Forza Not Good With a Wheel?

Forza is one of those games that you just want to have fun with. Cruising with a few friends in some R34’s, listening to music, drifting. You know how it is. What it is not though, is a racing sim. It’s not even close to a simulation as far as the physics of the game goes, and it’s not trying to be.

To me, there is no real need or want to get into the sim rig and set it all up, just to drive around in a sim-cade style game. The other reason is that when I play Forza, I’m using the chase cam 99% of the time. It doesn’t matter what the game is, to me using a wheel on any game where you’re in chase cam is just not a fun experience.

As mentioned previously, Forza is not a game where I’m going for pinpoint accuracy into corners, and being ultra-competitive against the top racers in the world. It’s the sort of game that I want to build stupid cars in and drift them down mountains, jump them off cliffs, and just do dumb stuff. For that reason, I don’t think that a steering wheel is worth it for Forza.

Wrap Up

If you already have a sim racing wheel, then there is no reason that you shouldn’t set it up with Forza. However, if you are buying a wheel, and you are only going to use it for Forza, then I would strongly recommend against it as Forza does not present enough of an opportunity to take advantage of the edge that a sim racing wheel brings.

If you are looking to get a sim racing wheel for Forza, and plan on using it for other games, then this is a good idea, and there are plenty of compatible wheels available from all major manufacturers.

Personally, Forza is (and probably always will be) a game that I will be reaching for a controller 100% of the times that I fire it up to play. It’s a superior experience to a sim racing wheel and makes the game more fun.