Last updated: October 2026. Canadian prices checked on October 11, 2026, before tax.
A few years ago, direct drive started around a thousand dollars for the base alone. Today you can get a complete bundle (base, wheel and pedals) for under CA$700. It is the best time yet to move on from a belt or gear-driven wheel. But at this price, bundles are not all alike: torque, console support, pedal quality and upgrade paths change everything. Here are the five we sell and build, and which one to pick for your situation.
THE SHORT ANSWER
- On PS5: the Thrustmaster T598 (CA$699) is one of the only direct drive wheels that works on PlayStation. Easy call.
- On PC, on the tightest budget: the Cammus C5 (CA$390) or the Moza R3 (CA$399). The C5 has more torque; the R3 opens the door to the Moza ecosystem.
- On PC, the most torque for the money: the PXN VD6 bundle (CA$615), with 6 Nm continuous and a well-equipped wheel.
- All of these bundles use position-sensing pedals. Your real next upgrade is a load cell pedal set: keep room for it in your budget.
- If you can stretch to about CA$1,000, the Conspit APEX bundle (CA$979) moves up a class: 8 Nm and hydraulic pedals.
The five bundles compared
| Bundle | Torque | Platforms | Wheel | Pedals | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cammus C5 + CP5 | 5 Nm | PC | Motor built into the wheel, 12 buttons, 3 encoders | CP5, 2 pedals, Hall effect | CA$390 |
| Moza R3 Racing Bundle | 3.9 Nm | PC (Xbox + PC version at CA$549) | ESX, 22 buttons, magnetic paddles | SR-P Lite, Hall effect | CA$399 |
| PXN VD4 Bundle | 4 Nm | PC | W AS 280 mm | PD HM Gen2, Hall effect | CA$419 |
| PXN VD6 Bundle | 6 Nm (7 peak) | PC | W DS R2 280 mm, 13 buttons, LED bar | PD HM metal, Hall effect | CA$615 |
| Thrustmaster T598 | 5 Nm (up to +100% peak) | PC, PS4, PS5 | Detachable Sportcar, Race Dash screen | Raceline LTE metal, load cell upgradable | CA$699 |
Prices in Canadian dollars, before tax, checked on October 11, 2026. Each bundle's availability is shown on its product page.
Torque is not the only number that matters, but at this price it makes a real difference: between 4 and 6 Nm, force feedback goes from "informative" to a wheel that genuinely conveys weight transfer. Our guide to how many Nm you need explains what each step changes.
Cammus C5: the most compact
The Cammus C5 has a unique layout: the direct drive motor is built into the wheel. There is nothing to mount under the desk, and the included desk clamp is all you need. Its 5 Nm make it the strongest bundle under CA$400 in our catalog, with 12 assignable buttons, 3 encoders and CP5 Hall-sensor pedals.
Pros: the most torque at this price, a minimal footprint, ideal for apartments. Cons: PC only, and a smaller ecosystem than Moza or PXN if you want to swap wheels later.
Moza R3: the way into Moza (and Xbox)
The Moza R3 is the least powerful of the group at 3.9 Nm, but it is also the way into the broadest ecosystem: the base accepts Moza wheels, pedals, shifters and handbrakes, all set up in Moza Pit House. The bundle includes the ESX wheel (22 buttons, magnetic paddles), SR-P Lite Hall-sensor pedals and a table clamp.
What sets it apart: an Xbox + PC version (CA$549) with an Xbox-licensed wheel, one of the few ways to race direct drive on Xbox Series X|S. Our PS5, Xbox and PC compatibility guide explains why the licence matters.
PXN VD4 and VD6: torque for the money
PXN, which PassionSim distributes officially in Canada, is all about torque. The VD4 Bundle (CA$419) gives you 4 Nm, a 280 mm W AS wheel and PD HM Gen2 Hall-induction pedals. The VD6 Bundle (CA$615) steps up to 6 Nm continuous (7 peak) with a well-equipped W DS R2 wheel: 13 programmable buttons, encoders, a joystick, 4 aluminium paddles and a shift-light LED bar. A desk clamp is included.
The VD6 is the most balanced bundle for a PC driver who wants torque without changing rigs. And if you want more later, the VD10 base (CA$517, 10 Nm continuous) uses the same wheel ecosystem.
Thrustmaster T598: the PS5 pick
The T598 uses a Direct Axial Drive motor with 5 Nm constant, plus a torque reserve of up to +100% for short events: kerbs, contact, lock-ups. Rated latency is around 5 ms. The Sportcar wheel is detachable, with metal magnetic paddles and a Race Dash screen for profiles. The Raceline LTE pedals are metal and can be upgraded to a load cell brake.
Above all, it works on PS4 and PS5. If you race on PlayStation, this is the one. On PC only, the VD6 gives you more torque for less.
The pedal trap
Every one of these bundles uses position-sensing pedals (Hall effect): the pedal measures how far you press it, not how hard. That is fine for the throttle, but on the brake your brain remembers an effort, not a distance. That is why moving to a load cell pedal set often finds more lap time than a stronger base.
Our budget advice
If you are torn between two bundles, take the cheaper one and keep the difference for a load cell pedal set. Our pedal guide explains the jump.
Which one fits your situation
| Your situation | Our pick |
|---|---|
| You race on PS5 or PS4 | Thrustmaster T598 |
| You race on Xbox | The Xbox + PC version of the Moza R3, subject to availability |
| PC, tightest budget, small space | Cammus C5 |
| PC, you want to grow within a big ecosystem | Moza R3 |
| PC, the most torque for the money | PXN VD6 Bundle |
| You are aiming for online racing | Step up to the Conspit APEX bundle if you can |
What if you can spend a bit more?
Around CA$1,000, the Conspit APEX bundle (CA$979) moves up a class: an 8 Nm ARES APEX base with a 21-bit encoder, the 310 APEX wheel, the CDR quick release and, above all, hydraulic CPP APEX pedals. It is the bundle we recommend to drivers who already know they will race often. PassionSim is Conspit's official Canadian distributor.
To complete the setup, think about mounting: a desk clamp is fine to start, but a rigid cockpit keeps force feedback clean. Our cockpit guide compares the options.
Compare the bundles
Send us your console and your space, and we will tell you which bundle fits.
All bundles Contact usFrequently asked questions
What is the best budget direct drive wheel?
On PC, the PXN VD6 Bundle (CA$615) offers the most torque for the money, and the Cammus C5 (CA$390) is the most affordable. On PS5, the Thrustmaster T598 (CA$699) is the obvious choice.
Does the Thrustmaster T598 work on PS5?
Yes. The T598 works on PC, PS4 and PS5. It is one of the few direct drive bases compatible with PlayStation.
PXN VD6 or Moza R3: which should I choose?
The VD6 has more torque (6 Nm versus 3.9 Nm) and a better-equipped wheel. The R3 costs less, comes in an Xbox version and gives you access to the broad Moza ecosystem.
Is a 4 or 5 Nm direct drive wheel enough?
To start, yes: it is already far more precise than a belt-driven wheel. Beyond 6 to 8 Nm, the gain is mostly headroom and detail on big impacts.
Can these wheels be mounted on a desk?
Yes. The Cammus C5, Moza R3 and PXN VD6 come with a desk clamp. A rigid cockpit is still better as torque goes up.
Should I upgrade the pedals right away?
No, but it is the most worthwhile next purchase. Bundled pedals measure position; a load cell pedal set measures brake force, which makes your braking far more consistent.
Written by the PassionSim team, a Canadian sim racing store. We sell, build and drive this gear every day — send us your questions or come try a simulator in store.