The Best Cube Controls F-pro – Our Review Tested by Our Team

Cube Controls F-PRO – In-Depth Review

The Cube Controls F-PRO is a premium formula-style sim racing steering wheel designed for serious PC sim racers who want professional-grade ergonomics, materials, and customization right at their fingertips. Building on Cube Controls’ impressive reputation for high-quality hardware, the F-PRO offers a compact formula-oriented design with extensive controls, adjustable magnetic paddles, dual connectivity, and RGB lighting. This makes it a top choice for open-wheel and formula racing enthusiasts seeking a competitive edge.

Unboxing & First Impressions

Upon unboxing the F-PRO, the first thing that strikes you is its impressive build quality. The wheel feels substantial in hand, thanks to its carbon fiber front plate and die-cast aluminum body that exude a solid and premium aesthetic. The Q-Conn magnetic connection system is a thoughtful touch, ensuring a secure and effortless attachment to your racing rig.

The wheel’s compact size, measuring approximately 282 mm from grip to grip, combined with ergonomically shaped grips, provides comfort during long racing sessions. The intuitive access to buttons and encoders further enhances the overall user experience, making it evident that this wheel is designed with serious racers in mind.

Design & Build Quality

Materials & Construction

The Cube Controls F-PRO boasts a well-thought-out design, using materials that stand up to the rigors of intense sim racing:

• Carbon fiber front plate: Lightweight and stiff, providing a motorsport-inspired look and feel.
• Die-cast aluminum main body: A strong chassis that minimizes flex, ensuring durability.
• Ergonomic grips (rubber): Designed for comfort whether you wear gloves or not.
• Q-Conn magnetic connector: Facilitates easy attachment and detachment while reducing cable strain.
• USB + Bluetooth Dual-Mode connection: Offers both wired stability and wireless freedom powered by an internal battery.

The overall build quality is excellent, blending professional materials with robust engineering. This wheel is designed to endure the demands of serious sim racing without sacrificing comfort.

Controls & Interface

The F-PRO is packed with an impressive array of inputs and controls that cater to the needs of competitive racers:

• 12 programmable momentary buttons: Plenty of options for mapping in-game functions.
• 2 on/off toggle switches with status LEDs: Quick access switches that provide visual feedback.
• 4 front rotary encoders + 2 thumb encoders: Ideal for fast in-race adjustments like brake bias and traction control.
• 2 multi-directional joysticks with integrated encoders: Useful for menu navigation and additional inputs.
• Zero-play, short-throw magnetic switchless shifter paddles: These paddles feature adjustable stop ends for crisp and responsive shifts.
• Launch-control clutch system: Adds realism and depth to starts and clutch modulation.
• Individually configurable RGB buttons and dials: Tailor the lighting to fit your setup with compatible software.

This extensive control layout allows for nearly every in-game setting to be mapped directly to the wheel, minimizing the need for external button boxes or dashboards.

Connectivity & Software

The F-PRO offers flexible connectivity options that cater to different racing scenarios:

• USB with Q-Conn magnetic cable: Provides a reliable wired connection for serious racing.
• Bluetooth wireless mode: Powered by an internal battery (~2000 mAh) that can last up to ~40 hours, depending on LED usage.

This dual-mode approach gives users the flexibility to choose wired mode for competitive stability or wireless for casual sessions. For customization, the wheel is compatible with SimHub and Cube Controls’ own software (CubeSet), allowing for RGB lighting effects, button mapping, and paddle/clutch calibration.

Ergonomics & Driving Experience

The F-PRO’s compact size makes it ideal for open-wheel and formula sims, where quick hand movements and precision are paramount. The design features ensure that:

• Grips and buttons are within easy reach, enhancing comfort during extended racing sessions.
• Rotary encoders and joysticks allow for rapid setup changes mid-race, which can be crucial for performance.
• Shifter and clutch paddles provide solid, tactile feedback, enhancing the realism of gear changes.

While the Bluetooth connection is convenient for casual use, opting for a wired USB connection remains the most stable choice for competitive racing scenarios.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• ✔ Excellent build quality — carbon fiber and aluminum construction feels premium and durable.
• ✔ Rich control set — buttons, encoders, joysticks, and paddles cover most in-game needs.
• ✔ Dual-Mode connectivity — wired or wireless options, complemented by a long battery life.
• ✔ Highly customizable RGB inputs — tailor visuals to match your setup.

Cons

• ✘ Premium price tag — high-end positioning may be overkill for beginners.
• ✘ Complex for novices — the wide array of features can be overwhelming during initial setup.

Conclusion

The Cube Controls F-PRO is a top-tier formula-style sim racing steering wheel that blends premium materials, extensive controls, and versatile connectivity into one compelling package. Its robust ergonomics and customizable inputs cater to the needs of serious sim racers, particularly those focused on open-wheel and formula racing. While the premium price and learning curve may deter some beginners, the performance and immersive feel it delivers make it a worthy investment for racers aiming for a professional-grade wheel.