Simucube Wheelbase Review: Simucube 2 vs. Simucube 3 (2026)
Simucube gets named constantly as the no-compromise pick in F1 sim racing setups -- our own direct drive wheel guide calls the Simucube 2 Pro the "no-compromise choice for serious racers." But Simucube isn't one wheelbase, it's a six-model lineup spread across two active generations, and the model names alone don't tell you which one actually has more torque. Here's what each tier gets you, where the naming gets genuinely confusing, and which model is worth your money.
Simucube by the Numbers
- 2006: the year Granite Devices, Simucube's parent company, was founded in Finland -- originally building industrial servo motor controllers, not sim racing gear.
- 2016: Simucube 1 launched via Indiegogo and hit its funding goal in just three hours, according to Simucube's own company history.
- 17 Nm vs. 15 Nm: the peak torque of the Simucube 2 Sport versus the newer Simucube 3 Sport -- the older generation's entry model is actually stronger, per Simucube's spec pages for each product.
- 35 Nm: the peak torque of the Simucube 3 Ultimate, the highest figure in the entire lineup and 3 Nm above the Simucube 2 Ultimate's 32 Nm.
- $999: the Simucube 2 Sport's price -- still the cheapest way into the Simucube ecosystem, $400 less than the newer Simucube 3 Sport.
Simucube 2 vs. Simucube 3: Full Lineup Compared
| Model | Peak Torque | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simucube 2 Sport | 17 Nm | $999 | Best value entry point |
| Simucube 3 Sport | 15 Nm | $1,399 | Newer sensors/software, not more torque |
| Simucube 2 Pro | 25 Nm | $1,449 | Serious racers, proven benchmark |
| Simucube 3 Pro | 25 Nm | ~$1,599 | Same torque, newer tech at a premium |
| Simucube 2 Ultimate | 32 Nm | $3,099 | Sim centres, max torque on the older gen |
| Simucube 3 Ultimate | 35 Nm | $3,299 | Highest torque in the lineup |
Prices and torque figures are pulled directly from Simucube's own US product pages. Simucube keeps both generations for sale at once rather than retiring Simucube 2 when Simucube 3 launched, which is why you'll see all six models listed side by side at retailers like Advanced Sim Racing and Apevie.
The Naming Trap: Newer Generation, Lower Torque
Every other tier upgrade in this lineup behaves the way you'd expect -- Sport is weaker than Pro, Pro is weaker than Ultimate, and within a tier the Simucube 3 Pro and Simucube 3 Ultimate both match or beat their Simucube 2 equivalents on torque. The one exception is the entry tier. The Simucube 2 Sport is rated at 17 Nm of peak torque for $999; the Simucube 3 Sport, released later and priced nearly $400 higher at $1,399, is rated at 15 Nm. That's a 2 Nm drop in the number most buyers use to compare wheelbases, on the model that's supposed to represent the newer generation.
Simucube isn't hiding this -- it's on their own spec pages, and the Simucube 3 Sport is clearly positioned as a sensor and software upgrade rather than a torque upgrade. It ships with Simucube's newer 23-bit absolute angle sensor (versus 22-bit on the Simucube 2 Sport), telemetry-based effects like ABS and road-texture feedback, and the newer LightBridge quick-release connector that carries both power and data through one cable. Those are real improvements for racers who care about feedback detail. But if you're comparing spec sheets purely on the Nm number -- the figure most buying guides lead with -- the "3" doesn't automatically beat the "2" at this tier.
From Industrial Servo Drives to the Sim Racing Benchmark
Simucube's direct drive pedigree goes back further than most competitors. Parent company Granite Devices was founded in Finland in 2006, and spent its first eight years building industrial servo motor controllers with no connection to gaming -- DIY sim racers were early adopters of that hardware for homemade force feedback rigs. The sim racing community approached Granite Devices directly around 2015, and the resulting Simucube 1 launched via Indiegogo in March 2016, reaching its funding goal in just three hours. Simucube 2 arrived in 2019-2020 with the tiered Sport/Pro/Ultimate structure this lineup still uses today, and Granite Devices eventually rebranded its consumer-facing business as Simucube outright. The company remains based in Tampere, Finland.
Which Simucube Should You Actually Buy?
For most F1 fans building a home sim rig, the Simucube 2 Sport is the smartest entry point -- 17 Nm is already more torque than most players can hold consistently through a full race stint, and it's the cheapest way into Simucube's ecosystem at $999. Step up to the Simucube 2 Pro or Simucube 3 Pro (both 25 Nm) if you want the torque headroom serious league racers use, and only consider an Ultimate model if you specifically want the highest torque ceiling available or run a sim centre where multiple drivers share the same rig daily. Choose Simucube 3 over Simucube 2 at the Pro and Ultimate tiers for the newer sensor and LightBridge tech; at the Sport tier, check the torque number before assuming newer means stronger.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between Simucube 2 and Simucube 3?
Simucube 3 uses a redesigned motor and control algorithm, adds Simucube's LightBridge quick-release connector that carries both power and data, and extends the top-end torque ceiling to 35 Nm on the Ultimate. But it isn't a straight upgrade at every tier: the Simucube 3 Sport ships with 15 Nm of peak torque, slightly less than the older Simucube 2 Sport's 17 Nm, despite costing about $400 more.
Is Simucube 3 Sport better than Simucube 2 Sport?
Not on raw torque. Simucube's own spec pages list the Simucube 2 Sport at 17 Nm for $999 and the Simucube 3 Sport at 15 Nm for $1,399. The Simucube 3 Sport does add a 23-bit angle sensor, telemetry-based effects like ABS and road texture, and Simucube's newer LightBridge connector, but if peak torque is your main buying criterion, the older Simucube 2 Sport is both stronger and cheaper.
Which Simucube wheelbase is best for F1 sim racing?
For most F1 fans building a home rig, the Simucube 2 Sport or Simucube 3 Pro cover it well -- 17-25 Nm is more than enough torque for realistic force feedback without fatiguing your arms over a full race distance. The Simucube 2 Pro (25 Nm) remains the benchmark pick for serious racers who want maximum detail without the Ultimate tier's price jump; save the 32-35 Nm Ultimate models for sim centres or racers who specifically want maximum torque headroom.
Do Simucube wheelbases work with PS5 or Xbox?
No. Simucube wheelbases, like most enthusiast direct drive bases from Simagic and other specialist brands, are PC-only. If you need console compatibility, look at Fanatec's console-licensed bases or Moza's console-ready bundles instead.
The Bottom Line
Simucube earned its "no-compromise" reputation honestly -- a company with two decades of industrial servo experience before it ever built a sim racing product, and a lineup that still tops out at more torque than almost any home racer can use. But six models across two generations means the name on the box tells you less than the spec sheet does. Check the actual Nm figure before assuming "Simucube 3" beats "Simucube 2" at every price point, especially at the Sport tier where that assumption breaks. Pair whichever base you choose with a rigid sim racing cockpit so chassis flex isn't limiting the wheelbase's own precision, and see our direct drive wheel guide for how Simucube stacks up against Fanatec, Moza, and Simagic overall.