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Buyer’s guides · 37 guides
Sim Racing and Track Day Gear
Buyer's guides for sim racing and track days, head-to-head comparisons, an FOV calculator and gift guides, with every pick labelled by where its evidence comes from.
We can’t test everything, so each pick says whether it was tested by us, is owner-reported or is spec-checked. How we research and test.
Sim racing buyer’s guides
- 4 picks · updated 19 October 2026
Best Sim Racing Button Boxes
In-stock button boxes for sim racing in the US: the Apex Race Deck XL and three Elgato Stream Decks. All PC only, with prices, specs and owner notes.
Read the guide → - 8 picks · updated 19 October 2026
Best Sim Racing Cockpits
Eight sim racing cockpits compared, from folding frames to aluminium rigs: direct drive ratings, seat or no seat, footprint and what owners report.
Read the guide → - 4 picks · updated 19 October 2026
Best Sim Racing Gloves
Four sim racing gloves on sale in the US now: Sparco Hypergrip+, two Alpinestars Sim Gloves and Simagic. Prices, sizes and what to know before buying.
Read the guide → - 6 picks · updated 19 October 2026
Best Sim Racing Monitor Stands
Sim racing monitor stands in stock now: GT Omega, Trak Racer and Next Level Racing. Single vs triple, freestanding vs cockpit-mounted, with owner reports.
Read the guide → - 6 picks · updated 19 October 2026
Best Sim Racing Pedals
Sim racing pedals compared: load cell sets from Moza, Fanatec, Thrustmaster, Logitech and Simagic, with US prices and what owners report.
Read the guide → - 6 picks · updated 19 October 2026
Best Sim Racing Seats
Six sim racing seats compared: fixed bucket and reclining options with US prices, sizing, mounting needs and what GTPlanet owners report.
Read the guide → - 6 picks · updated 19 October 2026
Best Sim Racing Shifters and Handbrakes
Six sim racing shifters and a handbrake on sale now: Thrustmaster TH8A and TH8S, Fanatec, Moza HGP, Logitech and Moza HBP. Patterns and compatibility.
Read the guide → - 6 picks · updated 19 October 2026
Best Sim Racing Wheel Stands
Six sim racing wheel stands compared: torque ratings, folding, chair links and what owners report with direct drive wheels and load cell pedals.
Read the guide → - 8 picks · updated 19 October 2026
Best Sim Racing Wheels
Sim racing wheels compared for PC, PlayStation and Xbox: gear, belt and direct drive picks with US prices, torque and what owners report.
Read the guide → - 4 picks · updated 19 October 2026
Sim Racing Setup
How to build a sim racing setup: four example builds from $279 to about $3,000, the upgrade order owners suggest, mounts, screens and FOV.
Read the guide →
Track day gear
For car HPDE and motorcycle track days. New to it? Start with the track day guides, including First Track Day Checklist and HPDE.
- 7 picks · updated 19 October 2026
Best Head and Neck Restraints
HANS, Simpson Hybrid, NecksGen, Schroth Flex, Stand 21 and Zamp compared. SFI 38.1 and FIA 8858 labels, sizing, tether expiry and organiser rules.
Read the guide → - 7 picks · updated 19 October 2026
Best Lap Timers
Seven lap timers for car and bike track days: AiM Solo 2 and Solo 2 DL, RaceBox Mini, Garmin Catalyst 2 and phone apps. Hz, data, video and prices.
Read the guide → - 6 picks · updated 19 October 2026
Best Motorcycle Airbag Vests for Track Days
Airbag vests and suits that list a track or race mode, compared on price, servicing, standards and owner reviews. Tech-Air, In&motion and more.
Read the guide → - 7 picks · updated 19 October 2026
Best Motorcycle Hitch Carriers
Seven motorcycle hitch carriers compared on weight rating, tire fit and price, plus a plain guide to tongue weight, Class III/IV hitches and plate laws.
Read the guide → - 7 picks · updated 19 October 2026
Best Motorcycle Paddock Stands
Seven motorcycle stands compared: spool rear, front fork and headlift, single-sided swingarm. Prices and what owners report, checked October 2026.
Read the guide → - 7 picks · updated 19 October 2026
Best Motorcycle Race Suits for Track Days
Motorcycle leathers for track days compared on price, EN 17092 class, airbag compatibility and organiser rules, from budget to premium.
Read the guide → - 7 picks · updated 19 October 2026
Best Motorcycle Ramps and Tie-Downs
Seven motorcycle ramps, tie-downs and a wheel chock compared on rating, length and price, with plain notes on working load limit and how to strap a bike.
Read the guide → - 6 picks · updated 19 October 2026
Best Motorcycle Tire Warmers
Six motorcycle tire warmers compared: fixed, dual-temp and digital sets, sizes, power draw from makers' specs, and what tire makers say about warmers.
Read the guide → - 6 picks · updated 19 October 2026
Best Racing Gloves
Six racing gloves with SFI 3.3 or FIA 8856-2018 labels from $74.95. Outer vs inner seams, grip, sizing and what track day organisers require.
Read the guide → - 8 picks · updated 19 October 2026
Best Racing Helmets
Eight SA2025 and FIA 8859-2024 auto racing helmets compared, plus Snell SA vs M, which track days accept motorcycle helmets, and UK and AU rules.
Read the guide → - 6 picks · updated 19 October 2026
Best Racing Shoes
Six racing shoes with SFI 3.3/5 or FIA 8856-2018 labels, from $109.95. Sole feel, sizing and what track day organisers actually require.
Read the guide → - 8 picks · updated 19 October 2026
Best Racing Suits
Eight fire suits from single-layer to 3-layer, with SFI 3.2A/1, /5, /15 and FIA 8856-2018 explained and track day organiser rules checked.
Read the guide → - 5 picks · updated 19 October 2026
Best Track Day Cameras
Five track day cameras compared on mounting, data overlays, battery, heat and audio, with the camera rules published by real organisers.
Read the guide →
Head-to-head comparisons
Fanatec CSL DD vs Moza R9 V3
Fanatec CSL DD ($399.99, 5 Nm) against Moza R9 V3 ($299, 9 Nm): price with wheel and pedals, platforms, firmware reports and ecosystem, from owner posts.
Read the guide →Fanatec CSL Pedals LC vs Moza CRP2
Spec-checked comparison of the $240 Fanatec CSL Pedals LC and the $369 Moza CRP2: load cell range, pedal count, platforms, mounting and price.
Read the guide →GT Omega Prime Lite vs Trak Racer TR80S
Comparison of two 80x40 aluminium profile rigs: GT Omega PRIME Lite ($720) and Trak Racer TR80S ($499). Torque ratings, shifter mounts, shipping, reviews.
Read the guide →Logitech RS50 vs Moza R9 V3
Logitech RS50 System ($699.99, 8 Nm) against Moza R9 V3 ($299 base, 9 Nm): platforms, full-kit cost, force feedback and reliability reports from owners.
Read the guide →Moza R3 vs Logitech G29
Moza R3 bundle ($339, Xbox and PC) vs Logitech G29 ($229.99, PlayStation and PC): platforms, setup, force feedback and pedals from owner reports.
Read the guide →Moza R5 vs Logitech G29
Moza R5 Racing Bundle ($379, PC) vs Logitech G29 ($229.99, PlayStation and PC): platforms, force feedback, pedals and upgrades from owner reports.
Read the guide →Next Level Racing F-GT Lite vs Playseat Challenge X
Spec-checked comparison of two folding sim cockpits at about $300: size, weight, driver limits, seating positions, shifter mounts and current stock.
Read the guide →Next Level Racing GTLite Pro vs Playseat Trophy
Comparison of the $299 GTLite Pro folding cockpit and the $600 Playseat Trophy: torque ratings, folding, size, driver limits and customer reviews.
Read the guide →Thrustmaster Raceline Pedals III LC vs Fanatec CSL Pedals LC
Spec-checked comparison of two three-pedal load cell sets: Thrustmaster Raceline Pedals III LC ($270) and Fanatec CSL Pedals LC ($240). Specs, platforms.
Read the guide →Thrustmaster T248 vs Logitech G29
Thrustmaster T248 ($399.99) vs Logitech G29 ($229.99) for PS5 and PC, plus the T248R at $349.99: price, pedals, paddles and noise from forum posts.
Read the guide →Thrustmaster T598 vs Fanatec Gran Turismo DD Pro
Thrustmaster T598 ($499.99) vs Fanatec Gran Turismo DD Pro ($799.99) for PS5 and PC: torque, pedals, firmware issues and upgrades from owner reports.
Read the guide →Trak Racer TR8 Pro vs Sim-Lab P1X Pro
Comparison of the Trak Racer TR8 Pro V2 steel tube rig and the Sim-Lab P1X Pro aluminium rig: frame, footprint, torque ratings, price and stock.
Read the guide →
Tools
Gift guides
- 22 picks · updated 18 October 2026
Sim Racing Gifts
Gift ideas for sim racers at every budget, from gloves and iRacing gift cards to direct drive wheels and cockpits, with console compatibility checked.
Read the guide → - 26 picks · updated 18 October 2026
F1 Gifts
Gift ideas for Formula 1 fans at every budget: LEGO F1 sets, 2026 team kit, scale models, books, the official game and streaming, checked for the 2026 season.
Read the guide →
Looking for motorcycle kit? See our motorcycle gear reviews.