Is the Logitech G29 loud?

As a sim racing enthusiast and content creator, one of the most common questions I get asked about the super popular Logitech G29 racing wheel is whether or not it‘s loud during racing gameplay.

Well, I‘m here to give you the low down after hundreds of hours using the G29 myself across various racing sims. Let‘s dig in!

The Straight Answer

Yes, the G29 does tend to be quite loud compared to higher-end direct drive and belt-driven wheels. Independent tests have recorded noise levels between 60-75 decibels under force feedback load. That‘s about as loud as a busy office.

The noise comes mainly from the helical gear and dual motor force feedback system that drives the wheel‘s rotation and simulates steering resistance. Metal gears meshing together under torque create vibrations and audible clicking or rattling sounds.

Noise Level Examples

So while the G29 isn‘t whisper quiet, it‘s not overly loud compared to normal urban background noise. But it may stand out more late at night or annoy housemates.

What Causes the G29‘s Noise?

The G29 wheel base contains two motors with gear trains that provide torque for the force feedback resistance as you turn the wheel. This gear train is what produces most of the audible noise.

More expensive wheels use either belt drives or direct drive motors that have far less gear components, resulting in nearly silent operation. But they also cost 5-10X as much as the G29!

How Does The Noise Compare to Other Wheels?

Compared to Thrustmaster‘s gears wheels like the popular T150 and TMX models, the G29 runs a bit louder, especially when the force feedback is cranked up. Thosewheels use a hybrid gear/belt system and produce less noise.

However, Thrustmaster‘s high-end belt driven wheels like the T-GT II provide an almost eerily silent steering experience in comparison. You pay for that luxury though.

Overall, Logitech‘s G-series wheels are widely considered some of the loudest force feedback wheels you can buy before stepping up to direct drive systems costing $1,000+.

Does the Noise Bother Most Gamers?

Opinions definitely vary here. Some sim racers are far less sensitive to the audible gear noise than others. I‘ve read numerous forum posts from users who don‘t even notice the clicks and clacks unless specifically listening for it.

However, there‘s certainly a fair share of G29 owners who complain about irritating wheel noise spoiling an otherwise fantastic racing experience from Logitech. Noise levels can also spike unexpectedly during crashes or heavy wheel oscillation.

Tips to Quieten Down the G29

While living with some noise is the compromise for the G29‘s superb force feedback at its very wallet-friendly price, there are a few mods and tweaks you can do to reduce the noise:

• Lubricate the gears – Plastic-safe lithium grease can smooth gear movement
• Add sound dampening material – Foam and rubber pads absorb noise vibrations
• Lower force feedback settings – Less feedback intensity equals less gear noise
• Use headphones – Cancels wheel sounds so only you hear them
• Adjust wheel rotation settings – 900° rotation increases noise over 540°
• Update firmware – Latest firmware may improve noisy gear symptoms

Getting the rotation settings, force feedback strength, and assist options dialed in for your driving style and preference in each game can help minimize unnecessary gear chatter and friction too.

While these tips can help, don‘t expect to ever reduce noise down to the levels of a smooth and silent belt/direct drive wheel. The G29 will always produce some audible clicking and whirring sounds when the force feedback motors kick in.

My Own Experience with G29 Noise

I‘ve owned a Logitech G29 for over 2 years and have spent countless hours racing in titles like iRacing, Assetto Corsa, Project CARS 2, and F1 2022.

And yes, I definitely notice the gear-driven force feedback noise while driving! However, it‘s never been significant enough to spoil the experience for me personally. Once I get immersed in racing, I tune out the background wheel clicks just like you would ignore fan noise or other household sounds.

That said, there are certainly those noisy moments that temporarily grab my attention. Quickly cranking the wheel lock-to-lock, sudden crashes that cause heavy wheel oscillation, or gear shifts in an open wheeler can make the wheel scream louder than I‘d prefer late at night!

During intense races I will catch myself consciously avoiding overly aggressive inputs to keep noise lower and avoid annoying nearby people. But for casual hot lapping sessions I just put on headphones and press on.

One thing is certain…upgrading to a belt drive Thrustmaster wheel like the T-GT 2 or TS-XW would provide me a smoother and quieter steering experience. But I haven‘t been able to justify 4-5X the price tag yet for silence alone when the G29 meets my needs well.

The Verdict

At the end of day, gear noise from Logitech‘s G29 (and the very similar G920) wheel is simply the tradeoff for its stellar force feedback performance at a mid-tier price point. As long as you set your expectations accordingly and utilize some audio isolation methods, it likely won‘t be a deal breaker.

I wholeheartedly recommend the G29 to any new sim racer buying their first wheel. It nails the sweet spot between performance, realism, features, and affordability. I plan to enjoy many more years of racing with mine!

But for sim veterans wanting to eliminate all noise, it may be time to save up and splurge for a high-end direct drive upgrade. Just be prepared to spend big bucks for that blissful silence!

Hope this helps explain the G29‘s noise character. Let me know if you have any other wheel questions in the comments below!