PXN V10 vs V9 review: Which is better?

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In my PXN V10 vs V9 review, two entry-level steering wheels with H-pattern gear shifters go head-to-head in a variety of racing games.

Being a race driver is an expensive hobby. So, unless you were born into royalty or recently robbed a bank, racing games will be the next best thing.

Fortunately, there are many accessories to make these games more realistic. The most obvious example being a steering wheel.

So, here we are with the Chinese-built PXN V10 and V9. Two entry-level steering wheels with prices that put them in the highly competitive entry-level market, where we see the Logitech G29, G92, G923, Thrustmaster T300, T248, T150 and more.

Which steering wheel of the two will emerge victorious? It is time to find out. But first, allow me to unbox both steering wheels to show what you get and the setup process.

Please note: This is the script from my YouTube video, click play above to watch or go here.

PXN V10 unboxing & setup

First up, the PXN V10 Force Feedback Racing Wheel includes the wheelbase, compatible with PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S. But not yet PS5.

Then we have the wheel itself, which is attached by lining up the lug of the steering wheel with the groove of the wheelbase and then tightening the locking ring anti-clockwise. Rotate the wheel to find the groove.

According to the marketing, this ability to detach the wheel can, “activate the racing genes to release the passion of the track”. This is why I don’t write my scripts when drunk.

Anyway, you also get a plug and power adapter, which attaches to the wheelbase at one end and the wall at the other. There is also a variety of cables for connecting to your console, the 6-speed manual shifter, the three-pedal set and a controller.

Yes, the PXN V10 includes a proper gear shifter and a clutch for getting the most out of manual cars. Just connect them to the back of the wheelbase and then setup in game. More on that later.

PXN also includes a clamp for desks, tables and other flat surfaces. Or you can attach it to a wheel mount such as the PlaySeat Challenge using various holes although you may have to get the drill out if these do not line up.

Use the included Allen key to tighten the bolts on top of the two clamps for a sturdy grip. Be careful not to overtighten as this may damage the surface and/or split the ABS plastic.

Then use the same Allen key to unscrew the two front bolts if you wish to raise the angle up. There are four holes – make sure the bolt goes through the movable plastic cover, hole and wheelbase hole.

Attach all accessories to the wheelbase, then connect to the wall and your controller if on Xbox as I am. There is a paper and digital manual with instructions for each platform and images next to each socket on the rear of the wheelbase. Note that you may need to restart some games to recognise the new device.

PXN V9 unboxing and setup

And now we have the PXN V9. As you can see, it has a different design and does not need to be plugged into the wall. You get fewer cables too, but you do not need them.

As with the V10, the V9 also uses plastic clamps that attach to the base. Put the two connectors in the two holes, then push them towards the steering wheel and you should hear a click. Then slide the base onto a flat surface and tighten.

Now connect the gear shifter and pedals to the wheelbase. You may also need to connect a controller. A 3.5mm input can be used for audio devices such as headphones. However, it stops working when the shifter is attached.

Power for the V9 comes via USB so connect to the device you want to use. It can be a PC on Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10 and Windows 11 as well as Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X and Series S. But no PS5 – at least, not officially.

Quick tip: Hold down the Program button until the red light flashes, then press up on the D-pad for ‘high’ steering wheel sensitivity, left for ‘medium’ or down for ‘low’. High works best generally, especially in faster-paced games.

Certain games just not playing ball? Hold down the mode buttons to switch between D-input, which offers force feedback on the V10, or X-input. Usually, one of these will work.

PXN V10 vs V9: What are the differences?

With the PXN V9 costing £180 and the V10 at £330 (RRP), what are the differences? Well, most noticeable is that the V9 only has vibration and is generally of lower quality. For example, only the V10 gets fancier suede and a nicer design.

While the V9 rumbles as you drive into or over things, enhancing the realism, there is none of the force feedback you get with the V10. So you lose out on more true-to-life handling sensations that can improve immersion, driving control and consistency.

Instead, the V9 has a springy mechanism that returns the wheel to centre rather excitedly if you let go. It too helps with realism, admittedly, but it is not the most subtle method.

Now if PXN V10 looks familiar, that is because it is based on the Mad Catz Pro Force Feedback from 2014. PXN paid to use it as a basis hence why it shares the same design and the same removable steering wheel feature – something missing from the V9.

Where the V10 differs from the Mad Catz Pro is that it has L3, R3 and share buttons, USB connectivity on the rear and new graphics on A, B, X and Y. You also do not get the ugly two-pedal set with those weird plastic wing things.

PXN says the internal motor, which delivers a respectable 3.2Nm of torque, is different from what was used in the original Mad Catz Pro. The V10 is of the helical gear-driven type, as commonly used by Logitech whereas Thrustmaster tends to favour belt-driven.

As for maximum wheel rotation, the V10 and V9 manage 900 degrees. Enough for most games but slightly less than some of their rivals.

The H-pattern gear shifters

In terms of gears, meanwhile, both the V10 and V9 get an H-pattern six-speed, press-down-for-reverse manual shifter although they are not identical aesthetically or mechanically.

Okay, so both feature two buttons that do the same thing – high and low gear swap for going from gear 1 to six to 7 to 12 and beyond while the other is for the handbrake. It is just that the V9 uses switches instead of the V10’s buttons.

If you would rather change gear with paddle shifters, as is more common in race cars, you can do that too. However, only the V10 has the split-paddle design for added button assignment versatility.

The V9 does have a front-facing button for quick changes between 270 and 900 degrees of rotation though, which can be useful for swapping between games with different steering requirements. On the V10 you need to reach around the back.

The pedals

The V10 and V9 also include three-pedals, allowing you to select manual clutch in games that support it. Forza Horizon 5 being one of them – just enable it in the relevant options menu.

The V10 uses hall sensors as opposed to potentially less reliable potentiometers, which can get dirty and become less effective or break.

Something else missing from the V9 are those adjustable V10 pedals. Yes, those coloured springs can be made harder or easier to compress by twisting the lower plastic nuts. Like in a real car, each pedal requires different pressures to use whereas the V9 pedals all feel as equally springy and spongey.

Those V10 pedals can also be shifted left or right using the three screw holes for greater comfort and practicality. Particularly for the heel-and-toe crew. And there are three screw holes on the pedal arms for changing the angle. Meanwhile, four underside screw holes let you attach the pedal base to a mount.

Unique to the V9 is a textured footplate that folds out from underneath. It feels plasticy, but does provide more surface area and added grip.

The clamps

Now you may have noticed that the V10 clamps are slim and sleek, while the V9 equivalent hangs down and takes up space. Long-legged folk and space-limited setups may experience discomfort. The PlaySeat Challenge included.

In terms of build quality, both pairs of clamps could feature more metal for peace of mind as you can see flex. However, thanks to underside padding or suction cups, neither slips around and nothing creaks or flexes when in use.

The steering wheels

Going back to the wheel, both are comfortable and ergonomically sensible. Some may prefer the bigger, chunkier nature of the V9 but I like the smaller style of the V10. Overall, more generous use of metal would have been nice but it is by no means a deal-breaker and is a common criticism among rival offerings.

Side note: The suede material is softer than on the far pricier Thrustmaster TS-XW, so less need to wear gloves. Great news for longer races, hotter climates and those without air-conditioning.

V9 Tools & PXN Wheel app

Now before I get to driving impressions, I would recommend you download the free PXN Wheel app on Android and iOS. Here you can adjust all three steering wheels in the range from the comfort of your smart device.

Yes, that includes the V9, V10 and direct-drive V12. Simply install and run the app, accept the terms and conditions and location stuff then hit ‘go’ on the relevant steering wheel when it is on. Connection is usually speedy.

The V9 Tools app, meanwhile, does the same job but for the V9 only. All settings are the same in PXN Wheel, hence why it is recommended by PXN itself.

Using the app, initial setup is easier as you can assign buttons on-the-fly and even load pre-made game profiles although the default list is not what you would call extensive. PXN Wheel also makes fine-tuning easier, thanks to those wheel rotation and force feedback sliders.

PXN V10 vs V9 Driving impressions

Forza Horizon 5

So how do the V10 and V9 handle? Loading up Forza Horizon 5, both wheels work with no setup effort and the H-shifter with manual clutch proves satisfying. The V10 does it better though, thanks to a more precise shift movement and a click as each gear is achieved.

The lack of vibration and force feedback for the V9 is noticeable, emphasising the need to control the car using visual and audio cues. But that springy return-to-centre action does help with realism to an extent.

Both wheels are happy at full rotation, but despite steering wheel improvements over Forza Horizon 4, Forza Horizon 5 still works best with smaller angles to help correct moments of enthusiastic oversteer.

The experience is a far cry from the V10 though, which uses that 3.2Nm motor to give more realistic resistance in corners and suspension feedback on off-road trails as you drive over lumps and bumps. At the maximum 100 setting, the wheel shakes your hands violently.

Personally and despite the sim racing ‘more is better’ mantra, I prefer force feedback dialled down for realism. Especially as the higher the amount, the more you can feel the granular nature of the V10’s motor and gearing.

Your feet benefit from the V10 too, as the stiffer brake pedal and accelerator allow for more precision when it comes to corner entry and maintaining a constant speed until the exit.

FIA European Truck Racing Championship

Given the reduced feedback and precision of the V9, I decided to try FIA European Truck Racing Championship. Steering delicately through busy traffic is not a problem with either wheel. It is just that the V9 brake pedal is a bit on and off, causing you to lock the wheels more easily.

SnowRunner

SnowRunner, meanwhile, works right away with the V9 and soon I am trundling up a steep muddy trail, weaving between rocks. This is not the best game for a wheel on a good day, but despite the lack of vibration or force feedback the drive is satisfying.

The same can be said of the V10, although I had to faff with the settings. The ‘pedal paired’ option needed to be switched off so I could actually accelerate and brake properly. In addition, I could not easily switch to the cockpit view without having to unplug the controller and press the joystick, which meant having to restart the game.

Not only that, SnowRunner would not let me load a save with the V10 as my main device. So, I had to load my game save and then plug the wheel into the controller. Tedious, yes, but all was fine after that. Though no force feedback or vibration here either.

Grid Legends

Grid Legends, meanwhile, offers an arcadey drive and here the V9 does okay-ish once you adjust to the input delay and rotation deadzone that causes you to steer faster and more than you need to. With the V10, you can chuck cars around hyper-aggressively and survive.

Making my way up through the pack like a nutter, the V10 really is fun, and it is easy to initiate a drift and not overdo it. I score first place using far less effort than with the V9.

Dirt Rally 2.0

Moving to Dirt Rally 2.0 from Codemasters, it is here the V9 shows its limitations. Even with practice, the lack of feedback, and reduced steering and pedal precision makes it all too easy to smack into the barriers, drive over the edge and end up in uncontrollable oversteer.

It is clear the V10 makes life easier, adding a much-needed level of intuitiveness and precision. However, it is not enough to make life especially enjoyable.

WRC 10

WRC 10 from Kylotonn proves better suited to both wheels, thanks to a more forgiving and intuitive drive. Though again the V10 raises the biggest smile thanks to greater steering accuracy.

F1 2022

Now that cars are less prone to sudden traction loss in F1 22, the V9 does a surprisingly good job. I manage first place without trying too hard – those high downforce cars playing nice with the 270-degree steering mode.

Once again though, it is the V10 that lets me save seconds a lap because I trust the braking more and it is easier to place the car where I want in a corner. That extra force feedback information also helps me nudge closer to the edge of grip.

Assetto Corsa Competizione

Surprisingly, to me at least, Assetto Corsa Competizione on Xbox is another good fit for the V9 and I can get round the track in surprisingly rapid fashion. This is the opposite of the V10, which provides plenty of steering weight, but I am unable to get the pedals working and I remain stuck in the pit lane.

What about the alternatives?

For those happy with two plastic pedals and no separate shifter, the Thrustmaster T150 includes force feedback and a greater maximum rotation of 1,080 degrees. However, it does not officially support Nintendo Switch – only PC, PS3, PS4 and PS5.

There is also the Thrustmaster TMX Force Feedback, which works with Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Series S and PC. This can go for cheaper than the V9 and has the same 900 degrees of rotation. But like the T150, there is no H-pattern shifter or a clutch pedal.

At the V10 price, competition is even greater although the included H-pattern shifter does level the playing field. For instance, the T300RS is a lot of steering wheel for the money, as is the newer Logitech G923 TrueForce and older G920 and G29.

PXN V10 vs V9: The winner

What I like about the V10 and V9 is that they support multiple consoles and PC while having all the equipment to get more from your racing games. With other brands, you typically need multiple wheels if you play across the gaming spectrum – and that is before you consider older consoles or computer operating systems. Even if PS5 support is an issue.

Undeniably, the V9 is the inferior product compared with the V10. But then it is basically half the price and can still provide a more immersive experience than controller. Most of the time anyway. If you are happy plodding around in more relaxed driving games, the V9 is okay.

It is just that the V10 looks better, feels better, handles better and the pedals do a better job of helping you achieve faster lap times. I would even say it looks better and can rival most entry-level wheels for steering feel. What my comparison highlights is that it is worth spending more for force feedback as the driving experience is noticeably superior.

Of course, it all boils down to the price at the time of purchase and where you live. Steering wheel prices fluctuate so much that the V10 or V9 could be a steal one minute and made to look weaker value by Logitech and Thrustmaster the next. Always shop around.

Even at unfavourable prices though, the competition usually has weaker pedals, no standalone shifter and fewer supported platforms, making both PXN steering wheels worth considering.

And on that note, let me know what you think about the V10 and V9 in the comments and subscribe and like for more videos.

PXN V10 images

PXN V9 images