Cube Controls ASTRA Review: A Premium Feel at an Accessible Price

With the release of the new Cube Controls ASTRA wheel, the Italian manufacturer is expanding its lineup into a more accessible segment of the sim racing market. In this review, I take a closer look at how Cube Controls, known for their premium wheels that typically retail well above $700, has entered the mid-range category with the ASTRA, a model priced at just $399 for the base version or $449 for the premium one.

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First Impressions

The ASTRA wheel caught my attention immediately because of its pricing. So when they sent one over to review, I was very excited. It’s rare to see Cube Controls enter this territory, and I was curious to find out whether it still carried the same design quality and feel that their higher-end models are known for.

I’ve been testing the ASTRA for several weeks now, and overall, it’s been an impressive experience. Despite the reduced price, the wheel retains many hallmarks of Cube Controls’ engineering and design philosophy.

Design and Build Quality

Visually, the ASTRA is clean and minimalist. Some might say it looks like it’s missing a display in the center—and that’s fair—but at this price, a full telemetry screen isn’t realistic. The overall look is sleek, purposeful, and surprisingly premium once you have it in your hands.

The faceplate and rear housing are both made from aluminum, giving the wheel a solid and refined feel. The clutch and paddle shifters are constructed from 5 mm carbon fiber and add a satisfying tactile quality. There are subtle carbon accents on the front, backlit buttons, and customizable RGB telemetry lights across the top.

Despite all these materials, the wheel weighs only 1.15 kg, which makes it one of the lightest I’ve tested. This low weight translates directly to sharper force feedback, as less mass between your hands and the motor means you feel more of what your wheelbase is doing.

When compared to similarly priced wheels like the Moza GS V2, Fanatec Formula V2.5, or Asetek Forte Formula, the ASTRA stands out for its build quality and materials. While Fanatec offers more integrated features such as small displays and console support, Cube Controls clearly focused on delivering a pure, uncompromised driving feel. The result is a wheel that may lack some software frills but feels more premium in hand than many of its direct competitors.

Ergonomics and Functionality

The 295 mm diameter and ergonomic rubber grips strike a great balance. They’re neither too hard nor too soft, offering excellent comfort for long sessions. The grip design also includes small indents that naturally position your hands—a small touch that works surprisingly well.

In terms of controls, the ASTRA offers plenty:

• 10 push buttons
• 2 toggle switches
• 2 thumb encoders
• 2 funky switches
• 2 rotary encoders at the bottom

Even in the base model, where the thumb and funky switches are plastic, they feel durable and pleasant to use. The encoders have a nice resistance, and all inputs are logically placed. The premium version upgrades those switches to aluminum and includes higher-quality button stickers, plus a 70 mm quick release adapter instead of the 50 mm one found here.

Shifters and Clutch Paddles

The rear of the wheel is equally refined. The carbon fiber clutch and paddle shifters feel excellent. The clutch paddles have solid resistance and smooth travel, while the magnetic shifters provide a precise and quiet click. You can even adjust the paddle position slightly to fit your preferences.

On-Track Performance

Out on track, the ASTRA feels fantastic. The wheel is extremely rigid with no detectable flex, and its lightweight design makes every movement and vibration from the wheelbase come through clearly. Every bump, kerb, and slip is transmitted in a very pure way.

Ergonomically, everything feels natural. The button placement is intuitive, and the grip shape feels comfortable over long sessions. The performance difference between this and higher-end Cube Controls models isn’t massive in terms of feedback clarity, which says a lot about how capable this more affordable wheel really is.

It’s not packed with advanced features like some high-end formula-style wheels that allow for complex button mapping or dynamic control layers, but it’s not trying to be. The ASTRA is a simple, high-quality, plug-and-play wheel that delivers strong fundamentals without unnecessary extras.

This simplicity makes it an especially good option for VR users, where visual displays are irrelevant, and tactile feedback and comfort matter most.

Final Thoughts: Amazing Value

At €400, the Cube Controls ASTRA is an impressive step toward making the brand’s craftsmanship more accessible. It may look modest, but in use, it performs exceptionally well. The build quality, light weight, and comfortable ergonomics make it one of the best mid-range wheels I’ve tried to date.

While it doesn’t revolutionize the category or introduce new technology, it succeeds in offering premium-level feel and performance at a much more attainable price. If you’re looking for a solid, reliable, and beautifully built formula-style wheel without the need for a screen or unnecessary extras, the Cube Controls ASTRA should be at the top of your list.

ABOUT THE REVIEWER

OC Racing

Sim racing hardware reviewer and creator. Every review on this site is hands-on tested across direct-drive wheelbases, pedals, cockpits, motion systems and accessories before a word is published.

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