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Best Sim Racing Shifters and Handbrakes

6 picksUpdated 19 October 2026Based on 17 owner posts and reviews

A shifter or handbrake adds a second input to your rig. The choice is mostly about three things: the gear pattern you want, whether you also need a handbrake, and whether the unit works with your wheel base and platform. This guide covers six units that are on sale in the US today: five shifters and one handbrake.

One pick, the Thrustmaster TH8A, is owner-reported. It is built from 17 owner posts in a long-running GTPlanet thread. Most of those posts date from 2014 to 2019, so they describe a design that Thrustmaster still sells, but they are older than we would like. The other five picks are spec-checked: price, stock, specs and compatibility come from brand and retailer pages, with no owner evidence behind them.

We dropped the Thrustmaster TSS Handbrake Sparco Mod+, which showed as no longer available at B&H, and for which we could not find a current Thrustmaster price. We left out the Moza SGP sequential shifter ($129 on mozaracing.com, available) to keep the list short; it is mentioned under sequential shifters below.

Quick picks

Jump to any pick. Every price links to the shop we saw it at.

NumberPickProductPriceEvidence
Best H-pattern and sequential in one boxThrustmaster TH8A Shifter Add-On$149.99Owner-reported
Best premium H-pattern and sequentialFanatec ClubSport Shifter SQ V1.5$299.99Spec-checked
Best H-pattern for Moza and PCMOZA HGP Shifter$149Spec-checked
Best budget metal H-patternThrustmaster TH8S Shifter Add-On$79.99Spec-checked
Cheapest, for Logitech wheelsLogitech G Driving Force Shifter$49.99Spec-checked
HandbrakeMOZA HBP Handbrake$99Spec-checked

The 6 picks

1. Best H-pattern and sequential in one box

Thrustmaster TH8A Shifter Add-On

Owner-reportedPC (any wheel); PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S with compatible Thrustmaster wheels
$149.99

The TH8A is the only pick here that does both H-pattern and sequential. Owners in the GTPlanet thread mostly like the solid metal feel and the way it plugs into a Thrustmaster wheel or a PC. Their complaints are consistent too: a long stock throw, a stock sequential plate with little click, and some units going gritty until re-greased. There is a large mod scene, with short-throw plates and shafts the most common fix.

What owners report · from 17 owner posts and reviews we read

  • Solid metal feel and a satisfying H-pattern action (several owners)
  • Plug and play on PC, and on console with a compatible Thrustmaster wheel (several owners)
  • Plenty of upgrade parts: short-throw plates, shafts, knobs and resistance mods (many owners)
  • Long stock throw; owners fit short-throw plates or custom shafts (several owners)
  • Stock sequential action has little click (two owners)
  • Some units turned notchy or gritty and needed re-greasing (two owners)
  • Clamp opinions are mixed: one owner calls it very good, another says it is not a perfect fit and the knob gets hard to tighten
  • Console hookup can be fussy: owners report dropped inputs through a USB extension cable, and Thrustmaster's advice to connect directly, not through a hub (two owners)

TH8A is a lovely bit of kit.

I would also recommend a short throw plate as the throw is originally a bit long.

Owner threads we read (1)
Best for
Thrustmaster wheel owners on console or PC, and PC users who want one shifter for road cars and sequential cars.
Worth knowing
The stock throw is long and the stock sequential action is not very tactile, so many owners buy short-throw plates or mods.

Specs

Patterns
Two shift plates in the box: H-pattern (7+1) and sequential (+/-)
Build
Metal internal mechanism, clamp and gear stick; 13 cm high
Sensors
Contactless magnetic Hall-effect
Adjustments
Shift travel and resistance adjustable; firmware upgradable
Mounting
Clamp for tables 1 to 55 mm thick, or cockpits with the removable clamp
Connection
USB and/or DIN
Knob
Detachable, takes universal shifter knobs

Price seen at eshop.thrustmaster.com, 19 Oct 2026.

Check price at eshop.thrustmaster.com

2. Best premium H-pattern and sequential

Fanatec ClubSport Shifter SQ V1.5

Spec-checkedPC and consoles through a Fanatec wheel base or racing wheel; ClubSport USB adapter listed as included
$299.99

Fanatec's full-metal shifter does both patterns and switches between them with a flip of a switch. The US page shows it available at $299.99 and shipping in one to three business days. It connects through a Fanatec wheel base or racing wheel, or by USB with the adapter. We have no owner reports for this pick.

Best for
Fanatec wheel owners who want one shifter for both patterns and are happy to pay for it.
Worth knowing
The most expensive pick here. On console it works only through a Fanatec wheel base or racing wheel, and only in games that support shifters.

Specs

Patterns
7-speed H-pattern with locked reverse and 7th; sequential mode by switch
Build
Full metal construction
Knobs
Two titan grey anodised knobs, one for H and one for sequential
Mode change
No tool, unplugging or rebooting needed
Compatibility
All Fanatec wheel bases and racing wheels; exchangeable knob to automotive standards
Stock on 19 Oct
Shown as Available, usually ships within 1 to 3 business days

Price seen at fanatec.com, 19 Oct 2026.

Check price at fanatec.com

3. Best H-pattern for Moza and PC

MOZA HGP Shifter

Spec-checkedPC via USB; Moza wheelbases with a compatible shifter port (RJ11)
$149

Moza's H-pattern shifter is the one to look at if you already run Moza gear, since it connects through the wheelbase port or by USB. It is an all-aluminium unit with a throttle-blip downshift mode set in Pit House. Moza's page shows it available with dispatch within three business days. We have no owner reports behind this pick.

Best for
Moza owners and PC users who want a metal H-pattern shifter.
Worth knowing
Listed as H-pattern only, with no sequential option. The product page contradicts itself on warranty length, and Moza does not state console support.

Specs

Gears
7 forward + reverse
Body
CNC-machined anodised aluminium
Sensor
15-bit non-contact angle sensor
Downshift
Throttle-blip mode, adjustable in Moza Pit House
Size and weight
100 x 140 x 250 mm, 1.8 kg
Mounting
M6 threaded holes
Connection
USB-B to USB-A (1.8 m) and RJ11 (1.5 m)
Knob
Replaceable, standard thread
Warranty
Page says 12 months in the FAQ and up to 24 months in the product section

Price seen at mozaracing.com, 19 Oct 2026.

Check price at mozaracing.com

4. Best budget metal H-pattern

Thrustmaster TH8S Shifter Add-On

Spec-checkedPC (all wheels); PS5, PS4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S with Thrustmaster force feedback wheel bases
$79.99

A cheaper H-pattern sibling to the TH8A. Thrustmaster says it uses the same H.E.A.R.T mechanism and ships with both USB and DIN cables. It lists PC use with any wheel and console use with its own force feedback bases. There is no owner evidence behind this pick, and we did not assume TH8A owner comments apply to it.

Best for
Thrustmaster wheel owners who only want an H-pattern shifter.
Worth knowing
No sequential plate in the box, unlike the TH8A. Consoles need a Thrustmaster force feedback base.

Specs

Pattern
H-pattern plate, 7 gears + reverse
Mechanism
Frictionless H.E.A.R.T technology from the TH8A
Lever
Metal, with a sport-style knob
Connection
Dual USB and DIN, both cables included
Mounting
Tool-free clamp for surfaces 0.1 to 4 cm thick

Price seen at eshop.thrustmaster.com, 19 Oct 2026.

Check price at eshop.thrustmaster.com

5. Cheapest, for Logitech wheels

Logitech G Driving Force Shifter

Spec-checkedWith G29 (PlayStation, PC), G920 (Xbox, PC); G923 also listed
$49.99

The lowest-priced shifter here, listed at $49.99 against a $59.99 list price, and in stock. It is made for Logitech's G29, G920 and G923 wheels, with a steel shaft and a leather-wrapped knob. Logitech's page lists 319 reviews, but the text did not load, so we cannot report what owners say.

Best for
Logitech G29, G920 or G923 owners who want an H-pattern shifter at the lowest price.
Worth knowing
Six gears and H-pattern only, built for Logitech wheels. The page does not list platforms for the G923.

Specs

Gears
6-speed H-pattern, push-down reverse
Build
Solid steel gear shaft, leather knob and boot
Mounting
Built-in clamps for a table or rig
Page review count
319 reviews listed (content did not load for us)

Price seen at logitechg.com, 19 Oct 2026.

Check price at logitechg.com

6. Handbrake

MOZA HBP Handbrake

Spec-checkedPC via USB
$99

A rally and drift style handbrake with a vertical or horizontal lever and a spring swap for a firmer feel. It connects to a PC over USB and works with Moza's Pit House software. Apex Sim Racing shows six short reviews averaging 4.17 out of 5, with one buyer reporting a stripped fastener while swapping springs. That is too little to call owner-reported.

Best for
PC drivers in rally, drift or dirt sims.
Worth knowing
PC only. Spring changes need tools, and one Apex buyer said a fastener stripped during the swap.

Specs

Modes
Dual mode: classic road-car and competition/rally
Sensor
15-bit non-contact position sensor
Adjustment
Pressure and travel; spring swap changes rebound and travel
Body
CNC-machined anodised aluminium, 0.7 kg
Size
153 x 68.3 x 365.5 mm
Mounting
M6 bolt pattern; side-mount optional; horizontal or vertical lever
Included
Base, lever, toolkit

Price seen at mozaracing.com, 19 Oct 2026.

Check price at mozaracing.com

How to choose

H-pattern, sequential or handbrake

An H-pattern shifter has a gate with up to seven forward gears and reverse. The Moza HGP, Thrustmaster TH8S and Logitech shifter are listed as H-pattern only. A sequential shifter moves forward and back for up and down shifts. Moza also sells the SGP, a sequential-only shifter at $129 on mozaracing.com. The TH8A and the Fanatec ClubSport Shifter SQ do both, the TH8A with two swappable plates and the Fanatec with a switch.

A handbrake is a separate input for rally, drift and some road-car driving. The Moza HBP is a dedicated handbrake. Thrustmaster's TSS unit combines handbrake and sequential shifter, but we dropped it because we could not confirm it is on sale.

Brand and console compatibility

Logitech's shifter is built for Logitech wheels. Its page names the G29, G920 and G923. Fanatec's shifter connects through a Fanatec wheel base or racing wheel, on PC and console, or by USB with its adapter. Thrustmaster's TH8S and TH8A work on PC with any wheel, according to Thrustmaster. On consoles, the TH8S needs a Thrustmaster force feedback base. The TH8A page lists PS4 with T150 Force Feedback, T300 Series and T-GT, and Xbox One with TMX Force Feedback, TX Series and TS-XW.

Moza's HGP, SGP and HBP connect by USB to a PC, and the HGP and SGP can also use a wheelbase's shifter port. Moza's pages do not name console support. Check your wheel's own compatibility list before you order.

Mounting and cables

Thrustmaster's TH8A clamps to tables 1 to 55 mm thick or mounts on a cockpit with its removable clamp. Owners in the GTPlanet thread report mixed results with the clamp. The Moza HGP uses M6 threaded holes, and the HBP uses an M6 bolt pattern. The Fanatec shifter takes an exchangeable knob to automotive standards.

Two TH8A owners report trouble on console when the shifter ran through a USB extension or a hub. If you can, plug the shifter in directly or into the wheel.

Mods and feel

If you buy the TH8A, expect to see short-throw plates, shafts and resistance mods in owner threads. They exist because the stock throw is long and the stock sequential action is soft. The Moza HGP is an all-metal unit, but we have no owner reports on how it feels.

Questions buyers ask

Which sim racing shifter is cheapest?

The Logitech G Driving Force Shifter at $49.99 on logitechg.com, with a $59.99 list price. It is built for Logitech wheels. The Thrustmaster TH8S is next at $79.99.

Does the Thrustmaster TH8A work on PS5 and Xbox?

Thrustmaster lists PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S. On consoles it works with compatible Thrustmaster wheels. On PC it works with all racing wheels, according to the page.

What is the difference between the TH8S and TH8A?

The TH8A ships with two shift plates, H-pattern and sequential, and costs $149.99. The TH8S has an H-pattern plate only, at $79.99. Thrustmaster says the TH8S uses the H.E.A.R.T technology taken from the TH8A. Both list USB and DIN connections.

Can I use a Moza shifter with a non-Moza wheel?

Moza lists a direct USB connection to a PC for the HGP, and says the HGP is compatible with most major sim racing platforms. It does not name console support. Check with Moza before buying for a console.

Is the Moza HBP handbrake PC only?

Moza's page lists a USB connection to PC and does not name console support.

Should I buy an H-pattern or sequential shifter?

Pick the one that matches the cars you drive. H-pattern suits road cars and trucks. Sequential suits cars with a sequential gearbox, such as many rally and GT cars. The TH8A and the Fanatec ClubSport Shifter SQ cover both.

Is there a shifter for Fanatec wheels?

Yes. The Fanatec ClubSport Shifter SQ V1.5 is $299.99 and listed as available. Fanatec says it is compatible with all Fanatec wheel bases and racing wheels, and that on console it works through the wheel base in games that support shifters.