Are Cheap Handbrakes and Sequential Gear Shifters Good for SIM Driving?

SIM racing used to mean spending big to get closer to real-world driving. But over the past few years, affordable gear has been flooding sites like AliExpress, Temu and more. Hobbyists and new drivers, spotting the chance to upgrade on the cheap, have snapped up these budget handbrakes and sequential shifters in droves.

If you’re curious about whether these budget-friendly products actually hold up, you’re in the right place. I took a closer look at two popular options:

• USB handbrake (AliExpress)
• USB sequential gear shifter (AliExpress)

The results? Surprisingly good — especially for new SIM racers. Here’s the full story, with an honest take on value, performance, and what you might miss out on compared to bigger brands.

First impressions

You open the box, and there’s always a bit of nerves. Did you just waste your money, or are you about to get a bargain? The handbrake and shifter from AliExpress both come with clear packaging and a USB cable. There’s no flashy branding or expensive extras. What you see is what you get.

Quick and easy setup

Getting started takes less than ten minutes. Both units are plug-and-play on Windows PCs. You just mount them onto your desk or rig, plug the USB in, and Windows picks them up as generic controllers without any fuss.

Most racing games (like Assetto Corsa and DiRT Rally) recognised them instantly. There’s no need to install special drivers or software, just the usual control bindings in the game’s settings menu.

Both the sequential shifter and the handbrake were stable when bolted down to the rig. For those just starting to build out their SIM rigs, a hassle-free installation is a huge win, and these cheap versions mount the same as the more expensive ones. However, be aware that if mounting to a desk, these did not come with any brackets, only pre-drilled holes for securing to a rig.

Build quality and feel

At this price, expectations aren’t high. They are nowhere near the quality that you will get from the likes of MOZA, but that’s no surprise.

Handbrake

The handbrake’s frame is all-metal, with a weight that keeps it from feeling like a toy. The handle is coated in foam, which feels decent (though it could wear down over time).

Shifter

The sequential shifter has a metallic main body too, with a notched mechanism that gives good (although loud) tactile feedback. Compared to premium options, you definitely lose the polish and smoothness, since the overall finish does feel a bit cheap, and you might notice a bit of play in the shifter.

Still, nothing about either product screams “these aren’t going to work” or “these aren’t going to last very long”. They both feel like good value for the money.

Performance for Drifting, Rally, and everyday SIM racing

Plug-and-play is great, but performance is what matters. I spent time using both products across different game scenarios, from tight rally stages to drifting and highway driving. Here’s how they stacked up:

Handbrake

In rally games and drifting, you want a handbrake that reacts quickly and feels progressive. This budget handbrake surprised me with its range of motion and response time.

Pulling the lever delivered strong resistance, avoiding that hollow, spongy feeling lower-end gear sometimes gets. The precision isn’t great, but it gives hobbyists real control at a price that’s easy to justify. One issue is that in every game, I need to set quite a high deadzone (20-30%) to stop the handbrake being on permanently.

For those worried about longevity, I have used it for several months and it’s still working without any issues.

Sequential gear shifter

The shifter adds a satisfying “thunk” with each gear change. Although it’s far from smooth like the more expensive models, each shift slot clicks home solidly. Paddle shifters on a steering wheel are great, but this tactile feel is hard to match.

In rally and track games, the consistency of the shifts makes for a more immersive experience. There’s a loud mechanical noise, but that just reinforces the sensation of real machinery at work. Is it a realistic sound? No, but it costs next to nothing, so I’m not going to complain!

I found the action reliable and responsive, supporting fast shifts without misfires. SIM racers used to premium shifters won’t like this one, but for first-timers, the realism boost is massive.

Where budget gear shines (and where it compromises)

You get what you pay for, but sometimes you get a bit more. Here’s where these AliExpress products hit the mark — and where they might fall short compared to pricier alternatives.

Unbeatable value for beginners

• Affordability: Both handbrake and shifter deliver impressive function for a fraction of the price.
• Performance: Core actions — pulling the handbrake and going through the gears — feel good and add a major realism boost.
• Accessibility: You don’t need to build a full racing rig or break the bank to enjoy the basics of SIM racing.

Trade-offs in build, longevity, and support

Here’s where the compromise happens:

• Finish and adjustability: The materials are solid, but not refined.
• Longevity: Daily, heavy-handed use may wear them down quicker than premium hardware. Light-to-medium use, especially by casual SIM drivers, should last a good while.
• No name support: There’s no branded customer service, and spare parts will be rare. Fixes may need DIY skills, or a second order down the line.
• Features: No extra software or advanced tuning — what you get is simple direct control.

These downsides matter if you’re planning on racing every day, or want the best possible tactile perfection. But if your goal is fun, immersion, or practice on a reasonable budget, it’s a smart compromise.

Should you buy?

Budget SIM gear often gets a bad rap, but these handbrake and sequential shifter models from AliExpress challenge that idea. The setup is simple, the feel and function outweigh their low price, and the fun factor is undeniable for casual and beginner SIM drivers.

If you’re after high-end build quality, adjustability, and guaranteed long-term support, these are not that. But for anyone looking to simply enhance their SIM racing without draining their wallet, these products deliver far more than expected.

For those weighing up whether cheap SIM gear is “worth it”, my first-hand experience has been mostly positive — simple and great value for money.

Will I keep using them?

For the time being, yes. But I do plan to upgrade in the near future to the MOZA handbrake and sequential shifter, or their new Active Shifter.