Fanatec

Fanatec is a German sim racing brand that makes steering wheels, wheelbases, pedals, shifters and accessories for PC, PlayStation and Xbox. The brand is known for its modular ecosystem - all components work seamlessly together and are interchangeable - and was one of the first to make Direct Drive technology affordable for home use. Fanatec has been part of hardware giant Corsair since 2024.

Fanatec divides its hardware into three series. The CSL series is the entry line: affordable, serious and an excellent starting point for the first Direct Drive setup. Wheelbases deliver 5 to 8 Nm of torque. The ClubSport series is the middle ground for riders who ride weekly and want more power, better materials and more customisability - wheelbases deliver 12 to 15 Nm. The Podium series is the flagship: pure Direct Drive, premium aluminium and carbon, and up to 25 Nm of continuous torque. This is the choice of professional sim racers and eSport drivers who don't compromise.

PlayStation compatibility on Fanatec is in the wheelbase, not the steering wheel. The following wheelbases are PS5-certified: the Gran Turismo DD Pro (the most popular choice for GT7), the CSL DD Pro, the ClubSport DD+ and the Podium DD. Combine any of these bases with any Fanatec steering wheel and you'll be driving on PS5. Note that some buttons on the steering wheel may not work in every game - this varies by title.

For most beginners, the CSL DD Ready2Race bundle is the best starting point. You get a Direct Drive wheelbase (5 Nm, optionally upgradable to 8 Nm with the Boost Kit), a steering wheel and pedals in one compatible package - ready to drive straight out of the box. PlayStation drivers choose the Gran Turismo DD Pro bundle, which is officially certified for PS5 and optimised for Gran Turismo 7.

With standard pedals, a spring measures how much the pedal is pressed down. With load cell pedals, a sensor measures how much force you actually apply. This gives a progressive, realistic braking feel much closer to a real race car. You learn to dose by feel, not by position. The Fanatec CSL Pedals LC (Load Cell) is considered by many riders and reviewers to be the best value for money in sim racing pedals right now.

QR stands for Quick Release - the system you use to quickly mount and change a steering wheel to the wheelbase. The QR1 is the older generation: reliable, but has slight play in the connection that can be felt at high torque. The QR2 is the new standard: backlash-free, stiffer and more accurate. All new Fanatec products come with QR2. If you combine an older QR1 wheel with a new base, you will need an adapter. This can be avoided by looking out for it at the time of purchase.

Fanatec's products are best placed directly on their own Fanatec website buy. For customers in Europe, Fanatec has several partner shops in Germany, Austria, France, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands and other European countries. For customers in the United States, Fanatec has several partner shops in California, Texas and New York state.

Yes - and that is exactly the great advantage of the Fanatec ecosystem. Start with a CSL DD and an entry-level wheel, and upgrade later to a ClubSport steering wheel without replacing the wheelbase. Add better pedals without repurchasing the rest. All Fanatec pedals work on all Fanatec wheelbases. The only concerns for upgrades are QR1/QR2 compatibility between wheel and base, and checking platform certification at console support.

Xbox compatibility with Fanatec is in the steering wheel, not the wheelbase. You can use any Fanatec wheelbase on Xbox, provided the steering wheel is Xbox-certified. Look for the Xbox logo on the product page. Popular Xbox-compatible wheels include the CSL GT3 and the ClubSport Formula V2.5X. Always check at the time of purchase, as not every Fanatec wheel carries Xbox certification.

FullForce is Fanatec's proprietary technology that adds high-frequency vibration effects on top of standard force feedback. Where normal FFB simulates forces on the steering wheel - understeer, oversteer, kerb bumps - FullForce adds more subtle details such as asphalt texture, tyre weartage and ABS vibration. The result is a driving experience with more information and more immersion. FullForce is actively supported in iRacing and is steadily growing in support in other simracing titles.

Fanatec offers a officially certified refurbished programme via its own webshop. Returned and repaired products are fully tested by Fanatec technicians before being resold. They come with a two-year warranty and a 30-day return policy - the same warranty period as new products. They may have slight cosmetic imperfections, but are functionally equivalent to new. Discounts run up to 40 per cent over the new price, making it a serious option for those who want premium hardware within a tighter budget.