Let’s be honest – sim racing gear isn’t cheap. Racing wheels can cost anywhere from $200 to $2000, and don’t even get me started on a full cockpit setup. But here’s the thing: prices fluctuate like crazy across different stores, and without keeping track, you’re probably overpaying.
I’ve been tracking sim racing deals for years now, and trust me, the savings add up fast. This guide will show you exactly how to never pay full price for your gear again.
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What is Sim Racing Price Tracking?
Think of price tracking as having a personal assistant who watches your wishlist 24/7. These tools constantly check retailers for price changes on stuff like the Logitech G923 or that Thrustmaster T300RS you’ve been eyeing.
Here’s how it works: the tracker visits stores like Amazon, Best Buy, and Newegg every few hours. When prices drop, boom – you get notified instantly.
Why bother with price tracking?
- I’ve saved over $300 on my current rig just by waiting for the right deals
- Flash sales happen more often than you think
- You can see if that “sale” price is actually good or just marketing BS
- Black Friday isn’t the only time to score deals
- Stop kicking yourself for buying something that went on sale the next week
Best Price Tracking Websites for Sim Racing
Not all price trackers are created equal, especially for sim racing stuff. Some focus on general electronics while others get the sim racing scene.
Sim Racing Deal is another solid option that focuses purely on sim racing discounts. This is our website so we may be a little biased, however, we update deals and discounts on a regular weekly basis to always ensure you’re looking at the latest price and the best deal. We cover all major brands and retailers, making it easy to spot genuine bargains without the noise of general electronics sales. View all of the latest sim racing deals here.
Sim Racing Setup Discount Tracker focuses exclusively on sim racing deals and price tracking. This website curates current discounts on racing wheels, pedals, cockpits, and accessories from all popular sim racing brands. The website includes regular updates and seasonal sales specific to the sim racing community. They even grab promo codes that work specifically for racing gear.
CamelCamelCamel is the old reliable for Amazon tracking. Just paste any Amazon link and you’ll see the price history going back months. Super useful for seeing if that current price is actually a deal or just normal pricing.
Keepa does the Amazon thing too but their browser extension is clutch. You’ll see price charts right on the product page without switching tabs.
Honey casts a wider net across different stores. Plus, it automatically tries coupon codes at checkout, which has saved me money more times than I can count.
What to look for in a price tracker:
- Actually covers sim racing retailers (not just Amazon)
- Shows you real price history, not fake “was $X, now $Y” nonsense
- Sends alerts that actually work
- Doesn’t spam you with junk notifications
- Works on mobile so you can catch deals anywhere
Using Browser Extensions for Sim Racing Price Alerts
Browser extensions are game-changers because they work while you’re already shopping. No extra steps, no switching between tabs – just automatic deal hunting.
Honey’s extension is probably on your browser already, but if not, get it. When you’re looking at any racing wheel, it shows recent price changes and finds coupon codes automatically. I’ve gotten surprise discounts on Fanatec gear just because Honey found a code I didn’t know existed.
Keepa’s extension only works with Amazon, but it’s incredibly detailed. You’ll see exactly when prices dropped, by how much, and for how long. Super helpful for timing your purchases.
InvisibleHand got bought by PayPal and rolled into Honey, but it still does its thing. If you’re checking out a wheel on one site, it’ll pop up and say “hey, it’s $50 cheaper over here.”
Extension pro tips:
- Install a few different ones – they catch different deals
- Turn on desktop notifications or you’ll miss stuff
- Don’t set your price alerts too aggressive (like 5% drops) or you’ll get annoyed with notifications
- Update them regularly because retailers try to block old versions
Mobile Apps for Sim Racing Deal Notifications
Your phone is perfect for catching deals because it’s always with you. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve scored a deal while waiting in line somewhere.
Flipp is great for checking store flyers and weekly ads. Best Buy and Target both sell racing gear, and their weekly sales show up here first. Not exclusively sim racing, but it works.
Shopkick is interesting because it actually pays you to visit stores and scan barcodes. Sometimes they have electronics deals that include our stuff, plus you earn points for gift cards.
Target and Best Buy apps are must-haves if you shop at these stores. They send push notifications for deals and let you price match other retailers right from the app.
Why mobile apps rock:
- Notifications hit your phone instantly
- You can check deals while you’re actually in stores
- Scan barcodes to compare prices on the spot
- Save your wishlist and get alerts anywhere
- Browse deals when you’re bored (dangerous for the wallet!)
Setting Up Automated Price Alerts
This is where the magic happens. Set it up once, then sit back and wait for the deals to come to you.
For Amazon stuff, CamelCamelCamel or Keepa are your go-to options. Create an account, find your dream wheel, and set your target price. I usually aim for about 20-30% off retail because anything less isn’t worth the wait.
Google Shopping alerts work across tons of stores. Just search for what you want, click the little bell icon, and Google watches everything for you. Works great for newer products that aren’t in other tracking systems yet.
IFTTT is for the tech-savvy folks who want custom alerts. You can set up crazy specific rules like “if the Fanatec CSL DD drops below $350 at any store, text me immediately.”
Alert setup tips that actually work:
- Check historical prices first so your target isn’t unrealistic
- Use multiple alert systems for expensive items (backup alerts save money)
- Set up both email and text alerts – email for FYI, text for urgent deals
- Test your alerts with cheaper items first to make sure they work
- Review your alerts monthly because your wants change
How to Read and Interpret Price History Charts
Price charts look complicated but they’re actually pretty simple once you know what to look for. This knowledge will save you from buying at the wrong time.
The basics: price goes up and down the left side, time goes across the bottom. Green usually means price drops, red means increases. Pretty straightforward.
Seasonal patterns are huge in sim racing. Wheels always drop during Black Friday, but they also dip during back-to-school season and when new models launch. Summer is usually expensive because everyone’s stuck inside gaming.
Volatility tells you how crazy the pricing gets. Stable products have gentle price changes over time. Volatile stuff bounces around weekly, which means if you wait, you’ll probably catch a deal soon.
Key Chart Indicators:
- Support Level: Lowest recorded price point
- Resistance Level: Highest typical price
- Trend Lines: Overall price direction
- Price Spikes: Temporary increases (often due to low stock)
- Baseline Price: Most common selling price
Advanced Tracking Techniques and Strategies
Once you get the hang of basic tracking, these advanced moves will maximize your savings. I use all of these and they’ve saved me serious cash.
Track everywhere, not just Amazon. The same wheel might be $400 on Amazon, $350 on Newegg, and $320 direct from the manufacturer. I’ve seen $150+ differences for the same exact product.
Watch stock levels because retailers often discount stuff when they have too much inventory. If Best Buy suddenly has tons of T300RS units, a sale is probably coming.
Follow the sim racing community on Reddit (r/simracing) and Twitter. People share discount codes and flash sales that tracking tools miss. Some of my best deals came from community tips.
Plan your purchases around predictable sales. New wheel announcements usually mean discounts on older models. End of fiscal quarters (March, June, September, December) often bring surprise sales.
Advanced Strategy Checklist:
- Track competitors’ pricing patterns
- Monitor manufacturer announcement schedules
- Set up Google Alerts for brand names + “sale”
- Join retailer email lists for exclusive offers
- Use price matching policies when possible
Troubleshooting Common Price Tracking Issues
Price tracking isn’t perfect, and you’ll run into some annoying issues. Here’s how to deal with the most common problems.
False alerts happen when systems glitch or misread temporary pricing errors. I once got an alert for a $2000 racing wheel “on sale” for $200 – obviously a mistake. Always double-check on the actual retailer website.
Slow notifications are the worst because you miss time-sensitive deals. This happens when tracking services get overloaded or have technical problems. Use multiple services and check manually during known sale periods like Black Friday.
Discontinued product weirdness occurs when old wheels show crazy high prices from third-party sellers. If your G27 tracker shows $800, that’s probably some random seller, not a real price. Remove old products from your lists.
Regional differences mess things up if you’re tracking US prices but live in Canada or Europe. Make sure your tools are set to your actual location and currency.
How to fix common problems:
- Always verify deals on the retailer’s actual website
- Use at least 2-3 different tracking services for important purchases
- Clear your browser cache if extensions start acting weird
- Make sure the product is actually in stock before celebrating a deal
- Update your location and currency settings regularly
Conclusion
Tracking sim racing prices isn’t rocket science, but it does take a little setup time upfront. The payoff is huge though – I’m talking hundreds of dollars in savings on a typical rig.
Start simple with Sim Racing Setup Discount tracker for curated deals and CamelCamelCamel for Amazon tracking. Add a browser extension like Honey for automatic coupon codes. Once you get comfortable, expand to multiple tracking services and advanced techniques.
The key is being patient and not buying impulsively. Good deals happen regularly if you’re watching for them. Set up your alerts, wait for the right price, and enjoy your new gear knowing you didn’t overpay for it.
View the latest sim racing deals this month
Below are a selection of the most recently found sim racing deals.
Frequently asked questions
Below are the most commonly asked questions about sim racing cockpit deals.
How accurate are price tracking tools for sim racing equipment?
Most reputable price tracking tools maintain 95% accuracy for major retailers. However, flash sales lasting under an hour might be missed. Always verify prices on retailer websites before purchasing, especially for deals that seem too good to be true.
What’s the best time of year to buy racing wheels and sim racing gear?
Black Friday and Cyber Monday offer the deepest discounts, typically 30-50% off retail prices. Back-to-school season (August-September) and post-holiday clearances (January) also provide significant savings. Avoid buying during summer months when demand peaks.
Can price tracking tools find deals on used sim racing equipment?
Limited options exist for used gear tracking. eBay alerts work for specific search terms, but most tracking tools focus on new retail products. Facebook Marketplace and local classifieds require manual monitoring.
Article written by Felix König
Felix König is the founder and CEO of SimRacingDeal.com, as well as a writer for SimRacingSetup.com and product reviewer for SimRaceReviews.com. Felix has be sim racing competitively for over 8 years, and has been sim racing for well over a decade. He has competed in sim racing esports competitions, and has been a writer for various sim racing websites and platforms. Felix has experience with a range of different sim racing hardware including racing wheels from Logitech, Fanatec, Thrustmaster, Asetek and more, and believes that buying and upgrading sim racing hardware shouldn't be as expensive as it currently can be. SimRacingDeal.com was founded thanks to this belief, with the goal of making sim racing more affordable.
View all articles written by Felix König
