PXN V10 Ultra review: The best budget direct drive wheel?

The PXN V10 Ultra promises direct drive fidelity at just £270/$260/€289. Entry-level money for mid-tier tech, then, but does it deliver? Time for a review.

Regulars of A Tribe Called Cars will know I have reviewed and compared a number of steering wheels. The latest is the PXN V10 Ultra, a modestly priced direct drive offering that hopes to tempt you away from the likes of Cammus, Fanatec, Moza and Simucube.

Is it good and what do you get for your money? Allow me to enlighten you – but before that, be sure to like and subscribe to the Tribe.

Disclaimer: PXN paid me to make a video but, as with all my other PXN reviews, these words are entirely my own and that of a jaded motoring, tech and gaming journalist. Feel free to use my PXN V10 Ultra referral link to purchase and help the channel.

Please note: These are the subtitles from my YouTube video, click play above or go here.

PXN V10 Ultra unboxing

Unlike the standard V10 and other PXN wheels, the V10 Ultra does not include a six-speed shifter or a clutch pedal. The latter will be available separately from October 2025 for US$50 or equivalent. No doubt these admissions help cut costs for that fancy direct drive motor, which I shall discuss later.

What you do get is a 270mm PU leather steering wheel with a plastic mount and 17 programmable buttons, which are Xbox-inspired but with a more vertical arrangement that takes a little getting used to. Behind are twin metal paddle shifters, the upper of which are clicky.

Unlike the budget-friendly direct drive Cammus C5, the PXN V10 Ultra is compatible with not just PC but also Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 4. Not PlayStation 5 though – at least, not at the time of making this video.

The PXN V10 Ultra also includes a mount with two plastic clamps that can open suitably wide and grip hard when tightened by an included Allen key.

Yes, you get all tools for adjustment as well as the necessary USB Type-C power and connector cables, which all plug in behind the V10-inspired wheelbase. Plus a yellow and black spring for the pedals.

A multitude of short and long mounting screws, meanwhile, let you attach to the likes of the PlaySeat Challenge and anything else beyond a table or desk.

The setup

Setup is a doddle even for newbies, with handily labelled hardware connections found on the back of the wheelbase for connecting to PC or console as well as for a shifter, pedals and one extra (all type-C USB). Plus there is a power input for electricity, E-stop ethernet for other peripherals and a standard USB for controller, which is necessary on console.

Just watch out that having a GameSir Xbox controller connected (and maybe other third-party devices) meant my Windows 10 PC did not recognise the V10 Ultra. As soon as I disconnected it from the wheelbase, all was fine.

You will usually need to use game-specific menus and setup wizards to ensure the V10 ultra works properly and that all relevant inputs are assigned, particularly on PC. Also be sure to enable force feedback if necessary such as on BeamNG or you will feel nothing from the wheel.

The pedals

Underfoot are aluminium alloy pedals with hall sensors, meaning no flexible plastic as seen on the V10 Pro and improved accuracy and reliability over potentiometers. Think of them as closer to Fanatec’s CSL pedals than Logitech’s plastic G923 alternatives.

Both pedals require reasonable force to move, especially when you add the included yellow and black metal spring. This is a great addition for heavy-footed drivers, progressive braking and muscle memory.

Though less advisable, you could fit the spring under the accelerator or potentially even the optional clutch pedal as the metal cutout is present on all pedals.

Pre-drilled holes let you move the pedals horizontally for custom spacing and adjust the tilt angle. Only the one hole in the pedal plate, however, means they cannot be shifted left or right. Fortunately, the lower section is wider for heel-and-toe users.

Screw holes at the back and front of the pedal base allow you to lock the pedals down to a rig or stand. Those same holes could be used to add carpet spikes or similar for further slip-prevention.

Pedal to metal

With metal used throughout, the pedal quality is much improved over your typical PXN budget equivalents. So while the lack of a clutch pedal is a shame, it is not a deal-breaker. Especially if you never planned to use a manual clutch and shifter.

What is a potential issue is that the extra leg power needed to compress the pedals, especially with the spring fitted, means you will need to stop them from sliding around if your floor is wood or laminate. Fine if you have a sim rig or stand, not so fine for space-saving casual desk setups.

On a similar note, the moveable pedals feature a floor-touching rubber pad and are the lowest point. So, without mounting, the whole pedal baseplate will wobble if you move the brake or accelerator inward and put weight on the edge.

Having just four mounting points in the pedal base seems like a design oversight too. Attaching them to my GT Omega Racing stand was tedious and a bit of a bodge. Drilling some holes would save the day.

The wheelbase

The PXN V10 Ultra design is sturdy, pleasant albeit familiar to anyone who has owned or seen the previous V10 and should survive spirited driving. If not, hopefully the included 12-month warranty and 30-day returns policy can save the day. Not that any of my four PXN wheels have developed a fault.

As with the standard PXN V10, it is possible to raise the angle of the wheelbase from horizontal to tilted upward, thanks to four holes on either side underneath the shiny plastic cover.

Not that it matters as much for a wheelbase, but there is more plastic than on the pedals including for the wheel locking mechanism. Fortunately, everything feels robust. Overall, the build quality and sturdiness are up there with similarly priced rivals.

Before powering up the wheel, rotation rewards you with a smooth, ungranular feel. It is not entirely silent, but far quieter and smoother than the V10, Logitech G923 and Thrustmaster T300.

What about stick-shifters? The rear connections of the wheelbase let you connect the six-speed A7 shifter via the USB to aviation cable (not USB to ethernet) and the forthcoming SF series, but not the V9.

Good news for those who like a bit of manual gear action, though those playing on console will need to buy a USB type-B to type-C adapter as a controller will be taking up the one-and-only USB type-B slot on the wheelbase.

The direct drive motor

Having spoken to PXN, I can confirm that the direct drive servo motor is entirely new and therefore not found in any other products from its ever-growing range. Torque is 3.2Nm, surpassing that of the V12 and V12 Lite, while the motor resolution is 15-bit.

What that means is there is no gear or belt-driven system to hamper steering feel and add mechanical lag. Negatives of the entry-level Logitech G923, G920, G29, Thrustmaster T300, T248 and others to name a few.

It also means that wheel rotation is infinite, so you can set it to whatever you want using the PXN Nexus Android and iOS apps or the PC PXN SimRacing software depending on the game, situation or your preferred driving style.

To ensure the V10 Ultra does not overheat during long driving sessions, there is an in-built temperature sensor. An aerospace-grade slip ring also features to ensure consistent power delivery.

Compared with other low-end direct drive wheels, that torque figure is a little puny. But then so is the price. Whether it matters in reality is what I shall explain after I talk about the software.

PXN Nexus & PXN SimRacing

Is the accompanying mobile and PC software any good? In short, yes. PXN Nexus on mobile and PXN SimRacing on PC are miles ahead of earlier software and essential to get the best out of the V10 Ultra.

Both let you connect to the steering wheel and make adjustments on-the-fly. You can even apply game-specific presets with just a couple of convenient clicks.

You can also install firmware updates for all connected peripherals and adjust numerous settings including the level of force feedback and wheel lock, test inputs are working and make accessory-specific adjustments.

Said presets really do make life easier. EA Sports WRC and Dirt Rally 2.0 are set to 540 degrees of lock angle, F1 24 at 360 degrees and Euro Truck Simulator 2 at 1,080-degrees. You can of course fine-tune things if unhappy.

Updating the pedals, wheelbase, shifter and other PXN accessories is a case of clicking the update button under the ‘update’ tab then wait. Same goes for the software update under settings, which did its thing without issue.

How does the PXN V10 Ultra handle?

Now it is time to answer the mother of all PXN V10 Ultra review questions, does the direct drive motor make a difference when playing your favourite driving games?

WRC Generations

WRC Generations. Snow can be unforgivingly slidey, but the V10 Ultra at 100 force feedback gives a generous dollop of surface information to keep you on track and add to the immersion.

There is not quite as much detail by default as the Fanatec CSL DD, even in its weaker 5Nm version, but things are much more realistic and communicative than something belt or gear driven.

It is at this point I realise that the wheelbase can work when attached to a desk. But there is too much force needed for the pedals to stay still. Secure mounting is therefore recommended.

EA Sports WRC

EA Sports WRC may have its flaws, but it is a fun rally racer and a great way to test a steering wheel. Blitzing along in snowy Sweden, there is not a huge amount of force feedback. But the smooth steering of the V10 Ultra helps you accurately change direction between corners, while the heavy brake pedal ensures you avoid locking-up the wheels.

On gravel in Estonia, it is once again satisfying and intuitive to push a full-blown WRC rally car hard. The V10 Ultra brings rallying to life as well as the steep difficulty curve.

Euro Truck Simulator 2

Okay, so the 270mm wheel is a bit small for proper on-road trucking. Yet there is a whole lot of enjoyment to be had in Euro Truck Simulator 2 as you navigate busy highways and deliver goods. The default preset seems to work well once all buttons have been assigned.

There is not bags of force feedback as you would expect from mostly smooth tarmac. But then, as a slow-paced game with tens of tons behind you, driving precision and predictability are key and you will certainly feel when you mess up. Things the V10 Ultra can easily manage.

Assetto Corsa

It may not be the latest Assetto Corsa game, but it is a great way to enjoy racing some epic cars at epic circuits. The Nurburgring being one of the most epic and the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio a personal favourite of mine.

Of all the games I tested, it is here that the V10 Ultra shines brightest. The force feedback is strong but not overbearing, giving you plenty of hints about grip and the surface beneath your tyres.

The lack of input delay also ensures you can survive oversteer and avoid over-correcting. The adjustable level of rotation also means you can be precise with the wheel, while the brake pedal is similarly intuitive.

Assetto Corsa Evo

Following on from Corsa and Competizione, we have Assetto Corsa Evo. I decided to take out some high and low-power machinery to see whether anything phases the V10 Ultra.

As it turns out, steering and braking are handled well in both cases. The Maserati GT2 racer snakes confidently down the legendary downward section of Laguna Seca. Despite this being my first go and not having any engine audio. The spring-equipped brake ensuring accurate heavy braking.

From green, white and red to blue collar, I then go for a spin in the Ford Escort RS Cosworth. Once again, minimal input delay and that compact steering wheel ensure I save all lairy oversteer. Mega fun though not the most lap-time efficient.

Lastly, I drive a race-tuned Mazda MX-5 and am really impressed at the accuracy of the steering and level of force feedback. I am able to sneak through a gap without crashing. Being able to modulate the brake, meanwhile, allows me to slipstream for speed without fusing the two cars.

F1 24

Upping the tempo, it is time for F1 24. This is a game that works well for most steering wheels as downforce keeps you pinned to the tarmac and the degree of rotation is typically quite small. 360 to 540 degrees though some players use even less.

This is a game where I am tempted to dial down the force feedback to help with long races as there is plenty of motor oomph to contend with while pushing my luck around the legendary Spa circuit.

Wreckfest 2

Carnage aplenty in Wreckfest 2. Cranking up the force feedback level helps bring the metal-on-metal collisions to life. Carving in and out of traffic, the V10 Ultra once again feels up to the job.

What about RoadCraft and SnowRunner?

Unfortunately, due to PXN making the V10 Ultra D-input only, games that would require X-input do not work without developer involvement. That is why I did not and could not showcase RoadCraft or SnowRunner.

PXN has allegedly approached Saber Interactive to get the steering wheel supported, but for now it will not even let you steer.

PXN V10 Ultra: Worth buying then?

The V10 Ultra is arguably PXN’s best wheel yet and one of the most affordable ways into true direct drive. You are getting smoother, quieter and more detailed steering than belt or gear-driven rivals, cross-platform support and hall-effect pedals that feel a step above the competition.

Downsides? Torque tops out at 3.2Nm, so it does not match a 5Nm Fanatec CSL DD or Thrustmaster T598 Direct Drive for outright punch. There is also no clutch pedal or shifter included, the base and pedals need bolting down to shine and PS5 users miss out for now.

But if you are upgrading from a budget Logitech, Thrustmaster or PXN V10 and want the benefits of direct drive without a big bill, the V10 Ultra makes a compelling case. It feels like PXN’s coming of age wheel – solid hardware, decent software and a price that is hard to argue with.