simucube activepedal review

Simucube ActivePedal Review: The Most Realistic Brake Pedal in Sim Racing?

In the world of sim racing, pedals (and especially your brake pedal) may be the most important part of any setup. So what if your pedals were just as advanced as your wheelbase? That’s where Simucube’s ActivePedal enters the conversation. These are not your standard load cell pedals—they’re a complete reimagination of what sim racing pedals can be.

In this review, I’ll break down the Simucube ActivePedal Ultimate and see how it scores across four core categories:

  • Design & Build Quality
  • Technology & Features
  • Driving Experience
  • Value

Whether you're a pro driver or a sim racing enthusiast chasing next-level immersion, this is the deep dive you’ve been waiting for. I'll also give you some info on how the Ultimate compares to its recently released (and more affordable) Simucube ActivePedal Pro.

👉 Watch the full video review below:

Design & Build Quality: Aluminum Brilliance

Simucube is known for its ultra-premium sim racing gear, and the ActivePedal Ultimate is no exception. Made entirely from CNC-machined aluminum, the build quality feels just as pro-grade as their wheelbases. Their Simucube 2 line is top notch, and I own the Simucube 2 Pro myself. The pedal is powered by a linear actuator instead of passive springs, allowing it to generate force dynamically, similar to force feedback in your steering wheel that comes through your wheelbase.

Simucube ActivePedal Ultimate review

Simucube ActivePedal Ultimate review

Compared to traditional pedals that degrade over time, ActivePedal has virtually no wear-and-tear components. That makes it a true long-term investment. And given the price point, that's probably a critical factor: pay once, and be set for years to come.

As soon as you hold one of these pedals in your hand, you can immediately feel why it's so expensive. It just oozes quality.

  • Aircraft-grade aluminum construction
  • Virtually no mechanical wear
  • 5-year warranty (Ultimate) / 3-year (Pro)

🔧 Design & Build Quality Score: 10/10


Technology & Features: Force Feedback for Your Feet

Forget springs and dampers—these pedals use force feedback motors to push back against your foot. That means you can adjust every detail of how the pedal feels: resistance, travel, braking curves, vibration effects, and more.

active pedal sim racing pedals

One of the biggest benefits of the Simucube ActivePedal is that you no longer have to get under your rig and take apart your pedals to, for example, add a stiffer spring or damping set. I've done that before on my Fanatec ClubSport V3s, and it's never a fun process. The fact that you can do all of that through the software is a big advancement in technology.

The best part? You can load multiple car profiles and switch between them instantly. Want the feel of an F1 car’s aggressive short-travel brake? Done. Prefer the longer, trail-brake-friendly feel of a GT car? Just a few clicks away. All of this is done by Simucube's proprietary software, aptly named 'Simucube Tuner'. Their latest version is extremely well done, and acts as a hub to manage all of your Simucube products. You can expect it to continue to improve over time, too: Simucube is always updating its software and firmware to keep up with the latest advancements. 

  • Fully programmable pedal curves and resistance
  • Dynamic brake feel based on car profile
  • Supports over 170kg of brake force (Ultimate)
  • Multiple modes (GT, F1, rally, etc.) switchable via software

Simucube ActivePedal profiles

Simucube Tuner software for activepedals

In addition to being able to adjust the damping and bump stop feel, there are a crazy number of effects that you can add and adjust to your liking, too. I especially liked the motor vibration effect. Being able to feel the rumble of the car as it comes to life through the pedal (just like you would in real life) is awesome. Other options such as adjusting how much the ABS vibrates, and at what percentage of brake force it does, is extremely helpful.

🧠 Technology & Features Score: 10/10


Driving Experience: Immersive & Adaptive

Let’s get real: these pedals don’t just feel different - they change your whole approach to racing. I think the main selling point for the ActivePedal is that of immersion. For example, using the F1 profile by ex-F1 driver Heikki Kovalainen, the brake force is set at 127kg. It's a full-body effort. The pedal responds to your pressure dynamically, just like a real race car.

By contrast, the Porsche GT4 profile offers longer travel and a softer, progressive feel - perfect for trail braking and managing ABS thresholds. Switching between these modes instantly transforms your experience. Therefore, I think that the ActivePedal is best suited to add onto a sim racing setup that is already built for immersion. For example, if you only have a wheelstand and are using a TV monitor to sim race, adding an ActivePedal to that setup just doesn't make sense. 

The ActivePedal is especially transformative on the brake, but for the throttle? Not so much. The built-in "graininess"” from the actuator makes throttle feel slightly unnatural, even at the lowest force settings. If you’re on a budget, use a passive throttle and save the active magic for the brake. The same can be said about the clutch pedal. There's no good reason (yet, at least) to use an ActivePedal for the clutch.

  • Ultra-realistic braking immersion
  • Quick profile swapping for different car types
  • Throttle and clutch pedal less ideal - better left passive

🧤 Driving Experience Score (Brake): 9.5/10

🧤 Driving Experience Score (Throttle/Clutch): 8/10


ActivePedal Ultimate vs ActivePedal Pro: What's the Difference?

Simucube recently introduced the ActivePedal Pro to offer similar tech at a more affordable price point (about $500 less expensive - which is a nice amount of cost savings). Here’s the quick breakdown:

  • Ultimate: 170kg max force, inverted mount support, adjustable pedal arms
  • Pro: 110kg max force, no inverted mounting, no arm adjustment
  • Ultimate: $2299 (includes the Link hub)
  • Pro: $1799 (includes the Link hub, or $1719 without the Link hub)
  • Ultimate powers multiple pedals from one supply; Pro needs one PSU per pedal

Simucube ActivePedal inputs

Both offer identical software functionality and immersion - the differences come down to peak force and physical adjustability. For most sim racers, the Pro is more than enough. And it's a good offering from Simucube. The ActivePedal has always been prohibitively expensive, and not many people have the capability to purchase it. Cutting the price by $500, although still an insanely expensive brake pedal, was a good response from Simucube.


Value: Not Cheap, But Justified

There’s no denying this is a luxury product. The ActivePedal Ultimate comes in at $2,299 USD, while the ActivePedal Pro is available at $1,799 (or $1,719 without the Link hub). That said, once you’ve used it, it’s nearly impossible to go back to a load cell setup.

Unboxing the Simucube ActivePedal

ActivePedal won’t make you faster overnight, but it will make you more consistent and more immersed. It’s not a need. It’s a want. And if your budget allows it, it’s an incredible one. 

Your investment should be protected for a long time. Thankfully, Simucube offers a 5-year warranty for the Ultimate and 3-year for the Pro. 

  • Ultimate: $2,299 with 5-year warranty
  • Pro: $1,799 with 3-year warranty
  • Unmatched adjustability and long-term durability

💰 Value Score: 9/10


Final Verdict: Next-Level Immersion (If You Can Afford It)

Simucube’s ActivePedal is the most advanced sim racing pedal I’ve tested. It redefines what pedals can be, using force feedback to deliver real-time adjustability and car-specific immersion. Whether you’re chasing consistent lap times or chasing realism, this is as good as it gets. 

If you’ve already invested in a high-end rig, this is the next logical upgrade. And for pro drivers or eSports competitors, it’s a no-brainer.

Don't get these thinking they're going to make you faster, though. Consistency? Yes. Faster? No. You'll still need to become a better driver to accomplish that.

🏆 Final Score: 9.6/10


Looking to buy the Simucube ActivePedal? Click here!.

For more sim racing gear reviews, setup guides, and immersive test drives, follow me on YouTube and Instagram.

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