If you‘re looking to elevate your racing game experience beyond a simple controller, a quality force feedback racing wheel is the way to go. It provides incredible immersion along with the precision needed to become truly competitive. Two of the leading options for anyone getting started in sim racing are Logitech‘s PlayStation-focused G29 wheel and its nearly identical Xbox-compatible twin, the G920.
These veteran wheels have been stalwarts in the entry-level bracket for over half a decade. They offer a fantastic mix of features and performance at a reasonable price point. In the past, choosing between them was as simple as picking the one that matches your console.
But with compatibility expanding to PCs and even across platforms, the lines aren‘t so clear cut anymore. Let‘s take a detailed look at how the G29 and G920 compare in over a dozen categories to help you decide which is the better choice for your needs.
Overview and History
The predecessors to the G29 and G920 were the immensely popular G27 wheels launched over a decade ago in 2010 and 2011. These already offered strong dual motor force feedback along with 3 pedals and H-shifter compatibility.
When the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One arrived in 2013, Logitech refreshed their wheel line accordingly. This led to the release of the G29 for PS4 in 2015, followed by the identically equipped G920 for Xbox One in 2016.
With a 1080 degree rotation mechanism, quality materials like hand-stitched leather, and helical geared dual motors, the G29 and G920 improved upon the G27 in nearly every area. The shifter and pedals remained similar but with aesthetic tweaks.
Over their 7 year lifespan so far, these wheels have proven to be workhorses in the mid-range bracket. They handle the abuse of daily use in long sim racing sessions without breaking the bank. For many, they represent the sweet spot before crossing into the $1,000+ direct drive elite models.
In 2021, Logitech launched the G923 wheels for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series consoles. But aside from minor tweaks like Trueforce feedback, these are nearly identical to the G29 and G920. With ongoing support and spare parts readily available, the G29/G920 remain popular choices today for both console and PC racing.
Now let‘s pit these veteran wheels head-to-head and see how they stack up.
Specifications Comparison
On paper, the Logitech G29 and G920 share virtually identical specs since they were engineered as sister products:
Aside from platform compatibility, the wheels are equivalent in most areas like size, rotation, materials, and force feedback components.
Both are natively compatible with PlayStation/Xbox consoles along with PC. Support for other platforms involves workaround adapters. One exception is the Nintendo Switch – neither wheel works due to the different USB protocol.
Now let‘s look closer at each spec and how they impact real world performance.
Size and Weight
With an 11 inch diameter wheel rim wrapped in stitched leather, the G29 and G920 strike a compromise between compactness and realism.
The 28 cm size sits in the ideal range accepted by most games. Significantly larger diameters become incompatible with some titles‘ steering animations. So Logitech chose versatile middle ground.
Larger pro wheels boasting 30+ cm diameters do offer enhanced realism and immersion. But the G29 and G920 are appropriately scaled for an authentic feel without monopolizing your rig space.
Their light 8 lb weight helps reduce fatigue over long races compared to bulkier direct drive models. The compact footprint is also ideal for gamers with limited rig space.
Rotation
A key factor for realism is the wheel‘s rotation range, which sets how many degrees you can turn through from lock to lock.
The stock 900 degrees on the G29 and G920 is ample for most cars. You can tweak this lower for faster rotation suitable to vehicles like open wheel F1.
For maximum versatility, higher end wheels offer unlimited rotation. This takes things to another level for slow cranking vehicles like big rigs or heavy equipment that turn almost 900 degrees.
So while 900 is great for general racing, unlimited wheels like the Logitech G Pro do have an edge for niche genres. Still, 900 degrees satisfies in the vast majority of games.
Pedals
The included pedal set is a major highlight. You get a realistic three pedal setup covering the accelerator, brake, and clutch.
Having an actual clutch pedal is rare below the high-end wheels. It massively enhances immersion when driving manual transmission race cars or road cars.
The faces have grippy rubber with underlying metal plates. While the bases are plastic, they have nice weight and stability. Adjustability allows customizing the spacing and angle.
The brake pedal is the weakest link with excessively soft engagement. But many owners upgrade the spring for a few dollars to improve brake modulation.
Shifter
The G29 and G920 don‘t include a shifter by default, but one is available. Logitech‘s Driving Force Shifter provides 6 speeds plus reverse gear engagement.
This greatly improves the manual transmission experience, especially when paired with the clutch pedal. The shifter securely clamps to your rig and feels satisfyingly mechanical without breaking the bank.
Force Feedback
Forza Feedback is the secret sauce giving racing wheels their immersive feel. Motors in the wheel base provide dynamic resistance while driving.
The G29 and G920 use Logitech‘s signature dual motor system. A geared motor handles strong forces like weight transfer and collisions. A second motor generates smooth road textures and steering feedback.
The dual motor combo achieves highly detailed effects and a massive upgrade over non-force feedback wheels. You feel moments like understeer as the wheel gently tugs against your inputs.
Compatibility
As covered earlier, console compatibility is the main differentiator. The G29 works with PlayStation 4 and 5 while the G920 pairs with Xbox One and Series consoles.
Both also work on PC, opening them up to a library of thousands of driving games. Compatibility with other platforms involves unofficial adapters.
One limitation is that neither wheel works with the Nintendo Switch due to the different USB communication protocol used.
Reliability
With mostly metal internal parts and quality materials on the wheel itself, the G29 and G920 are built to last. These wheels have proven reliable even under heavy daily use if maintained properly.
The main points of failure are buttons wearing out or connection issues at the USB cable or power plug. But overall, longevity is impressive for the price. Many owners happily use these wheels for 5+ years.
The included two year warranty provides added protection against early defects. Replacement parts are also readily available if repairs are needed down the road.
Performance and Feel
Spec sheets only reveal so much. We can learn more about these wheels by digging into feedback from sim racers on their performance after extended use.
Force Feedback Strength
A common consensus is that the G29 and G920 force feedback, while not on par with $1000+ direct drive wheels, conveys excellent detail and strength for the price.
The gear driven system avoids the numbness of cheaper belt driven wheels while avoiding the notchiness of cheaper gear models. The dual motor approach blends strong dynamic forces with subtle road feel.
Opinions vary on maximum force strength. Some find the standard settings too mild while others consider max strength overpowering. This likely depends on the rig‘s mounting stability – a wheel stand transmits more shake than a solid cockpit.
Overall, most agree the strength hits a good sweet spot for entry level force feedback. It brings games alive without risking injury even when cranked up.
Force Feedback Fidelity
The nuance of effects and how smoothly they blend is another strength. The G29 and G920 excel at creating a natural sense of weight shift and traction loss.
Racing sim fans praise how accurately the wheels convey details like curbs, bumps, surface changes, banking camber, tire slip, oversteer, and understeer.
One common criticism is a slight notchiness to the feedback under heavy load. This stems from the geared mechanism. But lubricating the gear teeth minimizes the issue without major disassembly.
Pedal Feel
Owners praise the smooth throttle pedal response. But the brake pedal feel is the most common complaint. Many consider the brake spongy with excessive travel before full engagement.
Thankfully, this is easily remedied with a simple mod. Swapping in a stiffer replacement spring costs under $10. This makes the brake more responsive with a progressive, simulated load cell effect.
Shifter Quality
The Driving Force Shifter earns acclaim for tremendously enhancing the manual transmission experience at a low cost. The H-pattern gate feels appropriately notchy moving between gears.
Some note a slightly plasticky feel, but the metal internal mechanism provides satisfying mechanical shifter engagement. The clamp also securely mounts to any rig.
Wheel Rim Design
The 11 inch diameter leather wrapped wheel rim earns praise forpremium aesthetics and comfort. The plastic underlying structure is light yet durably constructed.
Users particularly appreciate the grippy leather material that stays comfortable during long races without becoming overly slippery. The stitching and logo details add to the premium design.
The paddle shifters are made of sturdy, tactile metal. Some users upgrading from the G27 do wish the new rim retained its textured rubber grip area, but most welcome the upgraded materials.
Reliability
Overall, the G29 and G920 back up their solid construction with proven longevity. Despite heavy use for hours on end, they often keep performing for 5+ years before issues arise.
Potential problem points include wearing of the paddle shifters, flaky buttons, and cable connections. But preventative maintenance goes a long way. These wheels seem built to handle sim racingenthusiasts punishing them race after race.
Games Compatibility
A key factor for any wheel purchase is ensuring support for your favorite driving games. Thankfully, the G29 and G920 are compatible with just about any racing title you can throw at them.
The gold standard for support is the Gran Turismo series on PlayStation and the Forza Motorsport/Horizon games on Xbox. Their wheel integration sets the benchmark that other titles aspire to.
Notable supported franchises beyond first party games include:
- Need for Speed
- DIRT
- Project CARS
- Assetto Corsa
- iRacing
- F1 series
- WRC
- Truck Simulator
- Car Mechanic Simulator
And many more. Even most non-racing games with vehicle elements like GTA integrate wheel support.
The wide compatibility means you‘ll have no shortage of driving experiences to immerse yourself in. And PC support opens up thousands more titles.
As a bonus, Xbox players gain access to over a dozen quality racing games via Game Pass subscriptions. This includes the Forza Horizon and Motorsport franchises.
PlayStation‘s VR headset also takes immersion in compatible titles like Gran Turismo Sport to the next level. Expect Xbox to follow suit soon with upcoming VR headsets.
Customization and Mods
One benefit of the G29 and G920‘s longevity is years of accumulated tweaks and mods from the sim racing community. Here are some popular ways to tailor the wheels to your preferences:
Button Mapping
Logitech‘s G Hub software lets you reassign any wheel button function. This is great for optimizing controls for different games or your personal taste.
Force Feedback Adjustment
You can fine tune force feedback effects like reducing notching or improving road surface detail through G Hub settings.
Pedal Upgrades
Aftermarket brake pedal springs offer a major improvement in modulation. Load cell pedal mods take it even further.
Shifter Mods
Common shifter upgrades include short throw kits for quicker shifts and magnetic paddle mechanisms.
Wheel Add-Ons
Customizable rim covers, button boxes, and visual displays can attach to the wheel for added realism.
Suspension Bushings
Stiffer replacement bushings reduce flex in the wheel deck for improved force feedback precision.
So both beginners and veterans can dial these wheels in exactly to their liking with community-shared mods and accessories.
Value Comparison
With virtually identical specs and performance, the values of the G29 and G920 wheels remain closely matched after all these years. Let‘s break down their pricing and overall value metrics:
| Factor | G29 | G920 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $399.99 | $399.99 |
| Typical Street Price | $299 | $299 |
| Average Sale Price | $229 | $239 |
| Release Year | 2015 | 2016 |
| Hardware Value | 9/10 | 9/10 |
| Software Compatibility | 10/10 | 10/10 |
| Force Feedback Fidelity | 8/10 | 8/10 |
| Feature Set | 9/10 | 9/10 |
| Reliability | 8/10 | 8/10 |
| Overall Value | 9/10 | 9/10 |
The G29 seems to slightly edge the G920 on pricing with more routine sub-$200 sales. But performance and quality are too close to call. Both represent excellent bang for buck that punches far above their mid-range price.
These scores reflect just how impressively the G29 and G920 have maintained their value 5+ years after release. Their lasting quality and continual compatibility updates keep them competitive with many newer wheels.
For driving enthusiasts seeking strong force feedback, quality materials, and clutch/shifter support at a fair price, the G29 and G920 remain go-to recommendations. Their value only increases when found discounted under $250.
Bottom Line
The Logitech G29 and G920 may share far more similarities than differences, but they both excel in offering loads of features and performance for the money. Choosing between them ultimately comes down to your target platform:
- For PlayStation – The Logitech G29 is the clear choice if you own a PS4 or PS5 console. It‘s tailored specifically for Sony systems.
- For Xbox – Xbox One or Series X/S owners will want to grab the Logitech G920 for full native compatibility.
- For PC – On PC, it‘s a toss up – pick based on your controller preference or future console plans.
- For Multi-Platform – Using the wheels on both PC and console requires restrictive workarounds. Better to get both models for seamless switching.
- For Beginners – Novices can‘t go wrong with either wheel. The friendly pricing, broad support, and intuitive feel make them fantastic starter wheels.
- For Experts – Veteran sim racers may desire higher end options. But the G29/G920 still deliver responsive, immersive handling.
There‘s a reason these veteran wheels have enjoyed such long reign. Their blend of performance, depth, customizability, and reliability provides incredible immersion for the money.
For driving fans ready to elevate their games with serious yet affordable simulation, the Logitech G29 and G920 deliver the complete package. Whichever model fits your platform, they are sure to add a whole new dimension to your racing adventures.