Pedals make a bigger difference to lap times than most wheels, because a load cell brake lets you brake by pressure, like a real car. Here are six load cell sets, with which platforms and wheels each one works with.
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Every set here has a load cell brake. Brake force, sensors, connection and platforms come from each manufacturer or retailer spec page, linked as "Spec source".
1. Best budget load cell (all platforms)
Thrustmaster T-LCM
The cheapest proper load cell brake, with three pedals, that also works on console.
3 pedals
Brake up to 100 kg
Load cell
Price: $
Specs that matter
Sensors
Load cell brake; Hall-effect throttle and clutch
Connection
USB to PC; RJ12 to a compatible Thrustmaster wheel on PlayStation and Xbox
Platforms
PC, PlayStation (via Thrustmaster wheel), Xbox (via Thrustmaster wheel)
Pairs with
Thrustmaster wheels (T598, T300, TX, T-GT and others); any wheel on PC
Why it is here
Load cell brake up to 100 kg
Three pedals, including clutch
Works on PC with any wheel
Keep in mind
On console it must plug into a compatible Thrustmaster wheel
Most cheap pedals measure how far the brake pedal moves. A real car's brake works by pressure: the pedal barely moves, and you brake harder by pushing harder. A load cell measures that force, so you can build muscle memory for how hard to press, which is much easier to repeat lap after lap than a position.
That consistency is why drivers often say a load cell brake is the single biggest upgrade in sim racing, ahead of a stronger wheel. If your wheel came with basic pedals, such as the SR-P Lite in the MOZA R3 and R5 bundles, a load cell set is a natural next step.
More budget load cell pedals worth a look
Beyond the picks above, these newer sets bring load cell brakes to lower prices. They are popular in r/simracing and specialist reviews; check platform support before you buy.
Pedals
Brake
Pedals in the box
Connects to
Price
Simagic P500
100 kg load cell (or Hall sensor)
2, clutch optional
USB or Simagic base; PC only
$
SimNet SP Pro
Load cell, with optional per-pedal haptics
3
USB, or RJ12 to a Fanatec base (works on console through the base)
$
Simsonn Plus X
Load cell with hydraulic dampers and haptics
2 or 3
USB control box; PC
$ to $$
MOZA CRP2
200 kg load cell plus 15-bit angle sensor
2, clutch sold separately
USB; PC and Xbox
$$
Specs from Simagic (via Apex Sim Racing), OC Racing's SimNet SP Pro review, Simsonn and MOZA product pages, October 2026. Simsonn does not publish a kg rating for the Plus X.
Cheapest load cell on PC: Simagic P500, often on sale.
Fanatec owners on a budget, including console: SimNet SP Pro, which plugs straight into a Fanatec base.
MOZA owners wanting more than the SR-P2: MOZA CRP2, with a 200 kg load cell.
Haptics and hydraulic feel on a budget: Simsonn Plus X. For vibration through the whole pedal deck, add a bass shaker.
Pedals on PlayStation and Xbox
On console, pedals usually connect through the wheel base, not to the console. That means the pedals must match your wheel brand:
Thrustmaster T-LCM: plugs into a compatible Thrustmaster wheel on PlayStation and Xbox.
Fanatec CSL Elite V2: plugs into a Fanatec base; PlayStation needs a PS-licensed base, Xbox needs an Xbox-licensed Fanatec wheel.
MOZA SR-P2: works on Xbox through the MOZA ESX wheel; no PlayStation support.
Heusinkveld and Simagic: PC only.
Not sure which wheel to pair them with? See our best sim racing wheels, with platform support for each.
How much brake force do you need?
A higher maximum is not the goal. What matters is setting the brake to a force you can press repeatably without tiring. Most sets let you choose how much force reaches 100 percent brake. The ratings here, from 65 kg to 200 kg, mostly tell you how stiff the brake can be set.
On an office chair or wheel stand: keep the brake light, or you will push yourself backwards.
In a cockpit: you can set it firmer, closer to a real car.
Mounting: the rig matters
Load cell brakes push back hard. On a light stand the pedal plate flexes, and some of your effort goes into bending the frame instead of the sensor. If you plan to set the brake firm, use a rigid cockpit. Our budget sim rig guide compares wheel stands, foldables and aluminium profile rigs.
How we chose
We have not lab-tested these pedals. We picked load cell sets that sim racers commonly recommend at every budget, and took brake force, sensors, connection and platform support from manufacturer or retailer spec pages. Where a manufacturer does not list a detail, we say so.
FAQ
What are the best sim racing pedals?
For most people, a budget load cell set: the Thrustmaster T-LCM works on PC and, with a Thrustmaster wheel, on console. MOZA owners should look at the SR-P2 and Fanatec owners at the CSL Elite Pedals V2. On PC with a bigger budget, the Heusinkveld Sprint and Simagic P2000 are popular.
What are the best budget load cell pedals?
The Thrustmaster T-LCM (three pedals, 100 kg) and the MOZA SR-P2 (two pedals, 100 kg) are the best-known budget load cell sets. On PC, the Simagic P500 (100 kg) is often cheaper still; Fanatec owners can look at the SimNet SP Pro.
What are the best load cell pedals under $300?
The Thrustmaster T-LCM, MOZA SR-P2, Simagic P500, SimNet SP Pro and the two-pedal Simsonn Plus X are usually under $300; check current prices, as they change often.
Are load cell pedals worth it?
Yes. A load cell brake responds to pressure, like a real car, which makes braking more consistent. Many drivers find it improves lap times more than a stronger wheel.
Do I need a clutch pedal?
Only if you drive cars with a manual gearbox or enjoy using a clutch. Modern race cars use paddle shifters, so a two-pedal set is fine for most GT and formula racing.
Can I use load cell pedals on PS5?
Yes, through a compatible wheel: the Thrustmaster T-LCM with a Thrustmaster wheel, or Fanatec pedals with a PlayStation-licensed Fanatec base.
Can I use load cell pedals with an office chair?
Yes, but set the brake light, or the chair will roll back when you press hard. A cockpit lets you use a firmer brake.
Last reviewed October 2026. Prices change often, so check the current price on the retailer's page.