Shift levers tend to be one of the most forgotten Sim Racing accessories for players, especially for beginners. And yet, in our opinion, this is an essential element if you want to immerse yourself in the race with much more realism.
There are many options, the competition on the market is tough and it is not always easy to know which model or brand to choose.
In order to help you make this choice, we have decided to write this guide for you, in which we will explain how to choose the model that best suits you and in which we will present you some best Sim-racing gearshifts that we believe you can find today.
How to choose your gearshift?
Knowing what you are looking for is of course the most important factor when considering a shifter, as you need to choose the features that will best suit your needs. This process is very personal, however, with the focus on the best of the best, we have a few things to consider when choosing a shifter that works for us.
The main factors to consider when looking for a shifter are the quality of the materials, the versatility of the model, the price and the level of realism it will bring you. Some shifter models can even do both handbrake and sequential shifter, a factor you should consider if you are trying to cut costs.
The difference between the H box and the sequential box
The gearshifts come in two forms: sequential and H-shaped.
H-Mode: The name refers to the way the gears are distributed at the base of the lever and how most of the changes are made in race cars.
These levers can have between 6 and 8 gears depending on the model you buy and can be very well coupled with the racing style of riding. This is the characteristic look of a classic car and is therefore ideal in racing simulations.
Sequential gearbox: Sequential gearboxes are a hybrid between the manual and automatic gearboxes, which makes it easier to shift gears with the clutch. It is a lever that moves up and down, making gear positioning more automatic. This means that it is fast and easy to use and therefore ideal when you are flying over a rally stage.
The best H-shaped gearshifts
It is time for you to know the best models available on the market. Here we will present you the best models of Sim-racing H-shift levers, to enhance the realism and immersion during the race.
Logitech G Driving Force Shifter
The Logitech G Driving Force Shifter is an ideal shifter to get started in the world of sim-racing without investing a lot of money.
If what you’re looking for is an economical, basic model to integrate with your steering wheel and Logitech ecosystem, this is the perfect Sim-racing shifter. It is a lever that incorporates its own clamps for safe and effortless installation.
It is made of steel and leather, which gives it great durability and precision in each of its movements. Its structure incorporates 6 speeds and a reverse gear in a pressure construction compatible with PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC that you can integrate into any simulator.
As we mentioned at the beginning, this is a cheap model, so it is mainly recommended for beginners and amateurs.
If you want to learn about Simracing and you don’t have a big budget, don’t hesitate and buy the Logitech G Driving Force Shifter, you won’t regret it!
Thrustmaster TH8A Shifter
The Thrustmaster TH8A Shifter is the best value shifter for Sim-racing in this guide.
It can be used either as a 7-speed (and reverse) open gate H-box or as a sequential shifter. Switching from one mode to the other is done by removing the H-shaped front plate and attaching the sequential plate or vice versa, which means that it is very easy to switch between them. So you can have the best of both worlds in one device.
It is manufactured with an internal mechanism totally metallic, it has a button and its anchors are adjustable to 360º. In addition, it incorporates a magnetic sensor that operates without using contacts and a potentiometer that promotes its durability.
The Thrustmaster TH8A Shifter is compatible with PlayStation 4, Xbox and PC. It is recommended for regular players who want to extend their gaming experience. The configurations it offers can also appeal to the most professional gamers who want to modify their cockpit.
Unlike many shifters on the market, the TH8A has a built-in clamp option, so for those playing on a desk or table, it’s the perfect sequential shifter because it’s easy to put on and take off as needed.
Thanks in part to its versatility, the Thrustmaster TH8A is one of the most popular shifters among simulation racers.
Fanatec Clubsport SQ V1.5 Shifter
We present you the shifter Fanatec Clubsport SQ V1.5 which we think is the best model in this guide.
It is made with a 100% metal structure to offer even more realism and of course quality. It can also be transformed into a gearshift for sequential simulation runs by simply changing the switch layout.
This is a 7 speed, 1 reverse model, available in a traditional H pattern and inspired by the Porsche 911 race car. The included knob is made of polished aluminum and can be replaced with real car knobs. It is fully adjustable in terms of feel and resistance.
The Fanatec ClubSport Shifter SQ V1.5 can be used when connected to a Fanatec wheel base on a PC using an adapter and can also be used on PlayStation or Xbox in games that support shifters, if connected via a Fanatec wheel base or racing wheel that is compatible with that platform.
In our opinion, it is a gearshift that is very suitable for experienced players but can also be suitable for less regular players who want to improve their racing performance.
We recommend the Fanatec ClubSport Shifter SQ V1.5 to anyone looking to expand their Fanatec simulation platform, no chance of being disappointed!
The best gearshifts with sequential transmission
The sequential gearbox system is a bit easier than the manual H mode. Here you will find the models that we think are the most outstanding in this range.
Thrustmaster TSS Handbrake Sparco Mod
We present you the Thrustmaster TSS Handbrake Sparco Mod the only sequential shifter for Sim-racing that you can turn into a handbrake in any racing car simulator. By simply changing the handle layout, the lever becomes a real handbrake.
The construction is of the highest quality and is Sparco approved, making it ideal for driving in rally and drift competitions. In addition, it incorporates new technology called Hall Effect AccuRate Technology to maximize its accuracy and life cycle.
This is an excellent model recommended for pilots with some experience who wish to upgrade their simulator hardware. What it has in its favor is that it can perform several functions and you can use it as you wish.
The Thrustmaster TSS Handbrake Sparco Mod is compatible with PlayStation 4, Xbox and PC.
This model offers incredible value for money and we recommend it with our eyes closed.
Heusinkveld Sim Sequential Shifter
The Heusinkveld Sim Sequential Shifter is a high-end shifter that, unlike other shifters in this guide, has no other sophisticated modes or settings. It can’t be used in H gearbox or handbrake, but this doesn’t prevent it from being a very good sequential shifter.
This shifter comes with three different types of gear levels and knobs. You can choose between a 30 mm straight lever or a 50 mm curved lever and between three different shapes of the gear knob.
It features a ball spring resistance system, which accurately simulates the feeling of actually engaging a gear in a real race car.
The shifter is intentionally quite compact, so it can be mounted on a range of racing cockpits.
Unfortunately, it only works on PCs , but it is compatible with all steering wheel models on the market.
We believe that simulation pilots who choose the Heusinkveld Sim Sequential will be very satisfied with their purchase.
In brief – Conclusion
We hope that our guide to the best Sim-racing shifters has given you some insight and that you will find the model that is right for you.
Now that you’ve got all the information you need, you should be able to make the right decision and equip yourself with a shifter that will enable you to enjoyincredible, realisticgaming sessions.
Fanatec Clubsport Shifter
The best shifter in 2024
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