The 7 Best Sim Racing Load Cell Pedals in 2024

The 7 Best Sim Racing Load Cell Pedals in 2024
Author Alessio Lorandi
Alessio Lorandi
November 15, 2021

Racing is not limited to skills because it’s an experience and the experience can be further improved by upgrading your setup, so it’s safe to say that sim racing is all about your racing setup.

The 7 Best Sim Racing Load Cell Pedals in 2024

However, talking about upgrades, people tend to neglect the importance of having a good set of pedals, they only focus on getting new steering wheels.

In case you didn’t know, there are two basic types of pedals. These are the Load Cell and the Potentiometer.

The 7 Best Sim Racing Load Cell Pedals in 2024

Potentiometer pedals are the ones most people, especially those who are starting out, are used to but we highly recommend load cell pedals for an overall improvement in sim racing.

Next up, we want to show you some of the best available load cell pedals on the sim racing market.

But before we continue, let us look at the difference between a load cell pedal and a potentiometer pedal.

Load Cell Pedal vs Potentiometer Pedal

Regardless of the type of pedal you have at the moment, the first and foremost goal is to invest in good quality pedals.

Looking at it differently, both load cell and traditional potentiometer pedals have their own advantages as well.

Before we delve deeper into the topic, let us discuss the main differences there are between a load cell pedal and a potentiometer pedal:

  • Measuring system

This is quite one of the most common distinctions grafted on the load cell pedal and a lever type which I shall refer later as a potentiometer pedal.

As both pedals are designed for simulation racing, they will function as a real accelerator of the car which you are simulating.

A potentiometer rotates or pushes the straddle that rests on a pedal, otherwise known as the pedal’s span, and straddles the inflater.

In simpler terms, a potentiometer pedal does exactly what its name suggests, and the entire pedal consists of multifaceted components with the single purpose of turning the entire rotation into a signal for the software to pick it up.

Oh, and another thing, it is so much less complicated that a table with a fully modified potentiometer that a beginner could easily handle.

A real gas pedal in the presence of a manual transmission excels in alternating the motion which is essential for a simulated version as well.

However, a load cell pedal has the same concept but has the measurement based on force rather than the distance.

Before this adjustment, I control the racing simulation by completely depressing the pedal and using the brake knob for simulation within the control set of the game.

Such loads allow sim racing pedal users with load cells to actually feel as if they are within a racing simulator because of the reality affecting their experience.

That last thing you want is your simulation to have load and throttle measurements due to speed related stress during the simulation to give a different experience instead.

  • Immersion

is achieved in using racing simulations, Everyone uses it for different purposes like some just want to do a fun simulation or some actually want to race using real life skills.

Either way, for a sim racing installation to work properly, it has to mimic real racing the best it can.

For instance, talking about controlling a load cell pedal, a potentiometer pedal is probably more easily controlled as they have smaller load cells, that is why they are more sensitive on pressure input.

A potentiometer do have the same concept as however it has a considerably more enjoyable aspect to it allowing use within more of a simulation set of racing cars.

Thank you for your support, however there is one downside to the immersion a potentiometer pedal can provide which is the brake.

In reality, racing makes it tough to manage braking due to the many precise details surrounding the use of the pedal while stepping on its switch.

While a potentiometer pedal does provide a realistic experience, the brake pedals are often not resolved enough to resemble the real life brake pedal.

On the other hand, a load cell pedal with more pressure will further improve the experience especially while using the brake pedal.

This is often the neglected factor while talking about the load cell pedal but is in fact a vital essence to be able to enhance the experience.

  • Customization

A pedal involves a variety of aspects starting from the tip to the base, the brake pedal, accelerator, and pressure. A regular that has only a potentiometer may be the most promising option when a single point lack of pivot pin is not altered during customization, which is rarely the case.

This does not mean that a potentiometer will not work well, but advanced sim racers often customize their pedals to the real fuselage, in this case a potentiometer is less advantageous, as they should be in the pedal load cell.

  • Price

Based on a load cell and a potentiometric pedal, which some can view as a low toggle switch budget variation, their costs should not differ greatly.

The cost difference between a potentiometer and a load cell should give one an edge over the other. Because in this case, the proportion of the cost difference will be supplemented by more versatility, precision, and quality.

Hence to sum up, it is safe to assert that a load cell pedal is in general better than a potentiometer pedal.

Of course, numerous components need to be improved. However, one can expect a considerable enhancement in verses when aimed at a maximum toggle switch pedal.

Indeed, for advanced sim racers, it is hard to believe using something else rather than load cell pedals.

That’s why you should think about switching to load cell pedals regardless of your level of expertise in sim racing.

Afterward, we will list for you the greatest seven sim racing load cell pedals available in the market today, so wait!

Fanatec ClubSport V3 

 

Price:

$599.95

Compatibility:

Pc, Xbox, Playstation

Buy here on Amazon:

Fanatec Clubsport Pedal System Inverted V3.0

Performance

The Fanatec ClubSport pedals are one of the most popular pedals known for its quality and top performance.

These pedals are available at a cheaper price when you opt for the standard configuration, but the inverted V3 model presents a much more realistic experience imitating a real life racing pedal.

The Fanatec ClubSport V3 inverted pedal has an outstanding braking force of 90kg/200lbs, while offering 12-bit resolution for a much more detail-oriented performance.

Extra features:

  • Magnetic and contactless sensor for long life maximum performance

  • Adjustable brake stiffness and sensitivity

  • Alternative D-shape race plates in curved design

  • Vibration motor on throttle pedal indicates rear wheel spin and oversteer

  • Pressure sensitive brake

 

Fanatec CSL Elite LC

Fanatec CSL Elite LC
Fanatec CSL Elite LC

Price:

$79.95

Compatibility:

Pc, Xbox, Playstation

Where to buy:

https://fanatec.com/us-en/pedals/csl-pedals

Performance

Created by Fanatec, the CSL Elite LC pedal possesses similar performance quality to any other Fanatec pedals. Available at a really affordable price, one could say that the Fanatec CSL Elite LC pedal has become a standard for a decent high performing pedal.

It has a maximum brake force at 90kg/200lbs followed by a 12-bit resolution on the clutch and gas pedals, with a higher 16-bit resolution on the brake pedal.

Extra features:

  • Upgradeable to three pedals

  • Optional anodised aluminium metal plates

  • Stiff brake pedal spring

  • Adjustable pedal position

 

Thrustmaster T-LCM

Price: $344.89

Compatibility: Pc, Xbox, Playstation

Check current prices here on Amazon

 

Performance

The Thrustmaster T-LCM is another affordable option for good quality load cell pedals. Popular amongst entry-level sim racers, this particular pedal offers a highly immersive experience and an extremely high braking force of 100kg/220lbs.

The brake pedals also offer a 16-bit resolution, which is really high for such an affordable pedal.

Extra features:

  • Magnetic sensor technology for longer lifespan

  • Adjustable mechanical brake force

  • Independently adjustable pedals

 

Thrustmaster T3PA

Price: $198.35

Compatibility: Pc, Xbox, Playstation

Check current prices here on Amazon

 

Performance

The Thrustmaster T3PA is a versatile option friendlier for beginners and entry-level racers. With a brake force of 15-25kg, this particular pedal is relatively easier to control compared with pedals with higher brake force.

Extra f

atures:

  • 3 wide pedal set

  • Fully adjustable

  • Individual pressure settings

  • Conical rubber brake mod

 

Heusinkveld Sim Pedals Sprint

Heusinkveld Sim Pedals Sprint
Heusinkveld Sim Pedals Sprint

Price: $661.28

Compatibility: Pc, Xbox, Playstation

Where to buy:

https://heusinkveld.com/shop/sim-pedals/sim-pedals-sprint/

Performance

Heusinkveld is one of the world’s premiere sim pedals producers, with an outstanding sim pedals sprint that has a brake pedal of 65kg/143lbs.

In terms of racing performance, the sim pedal sprint by Heusinkveld offers high sensitivity to keep you racing at the highest level of precision.

Extra features:

  • Smooth and adjustable throttle

  • Dual stage brake system

  • Regressive spring clutch

Thrustmaster T-3PM Racing Pedals

Price: $129.99

Compatibility: Pc, Xbox, Playstation

Check current prices here on Amazon

 

Performance

Available at an incredibly affordable price, the Thrustmaster T-3PM racing pedals are suitable for racers of every level.

With an accuracy of 12-bit resolution and a pressure resistance of 200kg/440lbs, this is definitely one of the best sim racing load cell pedals that you can get.

Extra features:

  • 4 distinct pressure modes

  • 100% metal pedal heads

  • Stable pedal set base

 

Heusinkveld Sim Pedals Ultimate 3 Pedal Set

Price: $1257.257

Compatibility: Pc, Xbox, Playstation

Where to buy:

https://digital-motorsports.com/products/heusinkveld-sim-pedals-ultimate?variant=19118510407753

Performance

For any sim racers looking to up their game, we highly recommend getting this 3 pedal set by Heusinkveld.

Heusinkveld has a unique electronic system that provides a highly sensitive full-range 12-bit resolution, adding ultimate precision into your racing simulation.

Extra features:

  • Progressive brake springs

  • Smartcontrol compatible controller

  • Hydraulic dampers

Wrap up:

That concludes our list of the 7 best sim racing load cell pedals you can buy to upgrade your sim racing setup.

Whichever you decide to buy, be assured that any of the load cell pedals above will upgrade your sim racing experience to a whole other level.

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About the autor

Alessio Lorandi

Alessio has been involved at the highest levels in racing since the age of 5 (2003). He won a CIK-FIA World Championship in 2013 and then raced in F3, F2, and finally GT3s before now dedicating himself to SOLOX. He’s now on a mission to help thousands of sim racers around the world achieve their fullest potential through his ACC setups.

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