Fanatec
If you’re new to the world of car simulation, you may never have heard of Fanatec. Once the preserve of big-budget gamers, the German brand is now titillating Thrustmaster and Logitech in the field of consumer steering wheels.
Tenfold sensations
Fanatec really gets the ball rolling by offering more choices for modest wallets while maintaining design quality and sensations that are simply insane compared to its direct competitors. Fanatec continues to push the boundaries of simulation. Simulation schools make no mistake in calling on the brand for their equipment. It’s the brand most used by the pros. And it aims to enable every driver to create a configuration that suits him, whatever his level.
Feel all the sensations of the road as close to reality as possible. Are you a seasoned rider who wants to increase your riding pleasure tenfold? Fanatec is for you. Or maybe you’re an enthusiast looking for a steering wheel of exceptional quality? Then, look at our Fanatec steering wheel tests to make a choice that will give you complete satisfaction!
A wheel for every profile
Fanatec CSL DD our favorite
Fanatec GT DD Pro Best seller
Fanatec Podium Racing Wheel F1
The top of the Fanatec range. Record power and great precision… It was the very first Playstation-compatible Direct Drive.
History of the brand
Thomas Jackermeier is CEO of the Endor brand, which he founded in 1997. As a PC gamer, he quickly realized he needed high-quality hardware to evolve. But at the time, the choice was very limited. So he decided to set up his own company under Endor and develop his products under the trade name Fanatec.
At first, the brand sold exclusively PC products such as the “Game Commander / Alpha Twin” joystick.
Then, steering wheels were developed. Following the success of the “La Mans” PC steering wheel, Fanatec created its first Playstation-licensed steering wheel, the “Speedster 2”.
For a long time, the “Porsche 911 Turbo S” and “Porsche 911 GT2” steering wheels were the only ones capable of using the Xbox 360’s force feedback function. They set the standard for performance, functionality, and compatibility.
In 2011, the first Forza Motorsport-licensed steering wheels, “CSR” and “CSR Elite”, were launched. The brand earns a solid reputation at Sony and Microsoft headquarters.
Fanatec signs major partnerships!
Car manufacturers also appreciate Fanatec’s way of working. Thanks to the brand’s hard work on the quality of its steering wheels, it obtained exclusive rights from Porsche to develop officially licensed steering wheels!
Fanatec Porsche 911 GT3 R
And that’s how Endor, better known as Fanatec, puts a little Porsche in every enthusiast’s living room.The German brand has also worked with BMW. Famous for its excellent quality, the “BMW GT2 V2” steering wheel is a faithful replica of the steering wheel on the real BMW M3 GT2.
Fanatec BMW GT2 V2
In July 2021, Fanatec and Polyphony Digital made a ground-breaking announcement that the company would continue to forge ahead and establish its reputation with the general public:
Fanatec and Polyphony Digital ( Gran Turismo‘s development studio) signed a partnership agreement. The aim is to create new gaming peripherals using the renown of the Gran Turismo series. I can only imagine how Thrustmaster’s teams felt when they realized their license with Polyphony was no longer exclusive!
All the more so, Fanatec was intent on burying the competition. Thrustmaster had just announced the release of the T-GT 2 when Fanatec announced the CSL DD. It is a steering wheel that surpasses its competitor in terms of feel and wallet!
From simulation to real racing
In this logic of developing major partnerships, Fanatec began by collaborating with Bentley to create a steering wheel that could be used not only on simulators but also on the real Bentley Continental GT3!
After this unusual but successful partnership, Fanatec joined forces with BMW Motorsport, creating a steering wheel that breaks boundaries again. The Fanatec BMW M4 GT3 steering wheel is the very first simulation steering wheel available to the general public, which you can also use on the real BMW M4 GT3 race car! Another master stroke from Fanatec, relegating its competitors to the status of toy manufacturers.
Fanatec Bentley Continental GT3 Wheel Top of the Top
Fanatec BMW M4 GT3 Top of the Top
Fanatec Ford Puma Hybrid Rally1 Top du Top
In 2022, we discovered that they have also collaborated on creating a HUB for the Ford Puma Hybrid Rally1 steering wheel. The M-Sport Ford World Rally Team car will compete in the 2022 WRC races with, among others, Sébastien Loeb at the wheel.
An incredible ecosystem!
Since its IPO in 2006, the company has been restructured. The Fanatec® brand now focuses exclusively on SimRacing.
It offers steering wheels, high-quality pedals, shifters, and handbrakes. In short, everything you need to feel at the heart of the track.
Fanatec ClubSport V3 our favourite
Today, Fanatec’s aim is to develop its collaborations with the leading brands to provide top-quality equipment and, above all, products that are as faithful as possible to reality, to push back the limits of simulation as far as possible!
How to choose Fanatec equipment?
Fanatec has divided its range of equipment into three distinct categories:
This line represents their “entry-level” options, although the products within it are still quite advanced compared to entry-level offerings from competitors such as Logitech and Thrustmaster.
It’s the brand’s mid-range, and it slaps all competing brands in the consumer segment!
The high-end models from Fanatec. For years it is on this range that the brand has focused. The bases like the DD1 or the DD2 and the steering wheels available are of very good quality, but no pedal is set in this range.
Fanatec has again opted for transparency and practicality for the user regarding compatibility between ranges. You can, for example, use a Clubsport steering wheel or a CSL base.
Throughout the Fanatec range, PS4 or PS5 compatibility is achieved via the steering wheel base. Whereas X box compatibility is achieved via the wheel you install on the base. So when you see “X box Ready” on a model, you must attach an X box-compatible wheel to the base to play on the Microsoft console.
Similarly, when you see “PS4 Ready”, you need to use the wheel with a Playstation-compatible base to work on the Sony console.
The Fanatec CSL range in detail
The CSL range shares much of its technology with the ClubSport range. In most cases, you’re not sacrificing anything in terms of functionality. On the other hand, the CSL range is more focused on value for money.
CSL products are made from inferior materials, and their force feedback motors are less powerful than those found in the Clubsport and Podium ranges.
CSL bases
There are currently two bases in the CSL range:
Fanatec CSL DD Break the game
Fanatec Gran Turismo DD Pro the first DD compatible with ps5!
Fanatec CSL Elite Best Seller
CSL Pedals
There are two pedal models available in the CSL range. CSL Pedals and CSL Elite Pedals.
An optional Load Cell kit is available for each. Good-quality pedals are the most important factor in improving your speed and consistency. So, this is the priority to remember if you want to budget for sim racing gear.
I know it’s counter-intuitive, but you need to consider having a good pedal set BEFORE you have a good wheelbase. The Load Cell CSL kit includes a module for direct USB compatibility with a PC. This means you can use these pedals even if you don’t own a Fanatec flywheel base.
CSL steering wheels
Fanatec has recently added some exciting new wheels to its CSL range. One of them is a beautiful reissue of their Best Seller, the McLaren GT3 wheel.
CSL Elite McLaren GT3 v2 low price
CSL Elite WRC
CSL BMW small price
CSL P1 V2 the cheapest
If you’re considering using other wheels, the CSL Universal Hub V2 is also an excellent gateway to the Fanatec ecosystem.
The Fanatec Clubsport range in detail
The Clubsport range is highly developed. It includes, among other things, a gearbox and a handbrake. Things not found in the CSL and Podium range. It’s probably the range most used by sim racing enthusiasts, thanks to its products’ quality and the ecosystem’s size.
Clubsport bases
Clubsport Wheel Base v2.5 Best Seller
Clubsport steering wheels
There’s plenty to choose from! Fanatec offers a wide variety of different wheels in the Clubsport range to suit your needs and budget.
The most important question to ask yourself here is which driving style you primarily intend to adopt. A round wheel is a must for drifting, off-roading, rallying, etc.. These are the only models you can slide easily between your hands.
A round wheel also offers the greatest diversity in the types of cars you can drive. There’s no problem driving a GT or Formula-style car with a round wheel, but if you’re trying to drift with a Formula wheel, it will be complicated. 😉
Clubsport BMW GT2 V2 Best Seller
Clubsport RS Best Seller
Clubsport Formula V2.5X et V2.5 our favourite
Clubsport Porsche 911 GT3 R
Clubsport pedals
The Clubsport pedal range consists of one main model, the ClubSport Pedals V3. This crankset is available in normal and “inverted” versions. In the inverted version, the brake and clutch pedals are suspended like on a GT. Both have a load-cell brake pedal with a capacity of 90 kg. The gas and clutch pedals have magnetic sensors for high precision and reliability.
Clubsport Pedals V3 our favourite
Clubsport Pedals V3 Inverted
In addition to the pedals, Fanatec offers a “Braking Performance Kit.” A Damper Kit (hydraulic piston) is also available for the gas pedal and/or brake.
The Brake Performance Kit is a very good choice. You’ll have access to a wide range of brake pedal optimizations for a relatively low price. As for the Damper Kit, it’s a matter of taste. Some love them, and others don’t see the point… Personally, I haven’t found that adding damper kits has really improved my sensations.
Clubsport paddles and gearbox
Clubsport Shifter SQ V1.5 Best seller
Clubsport Magnetic Paddle Module
Clubsport handbrake
Clubsport Handbrake V1.5
The Fanatec Podium range in detail
And here we are in the final part of our range review. The Fanatec Podium is simply the top of the range. They’ve put all their effort into creating some crazy products, and this is where you’ll find them. 🙂
Fanatec Podium bases
Fanatec offers two Direct Drive base models in the Podium range, the DD1 and DD2. There’s also a PS4-compatible version of the DD1, sold as a pack with a limited-edition Formula wheel.
Initially, the DD1 used a different motor from the DD2. But the design has been revised; both bases use the same motor today. However, the DD1 has less torque.
The DD1 offers a maximum torque of 20 NM, while the DD2 goes up to 25 NM. Beyond this difference in power, the only other differences are in force feedback and aesthetics.
Fanatec Podium DD2 Top of the top
The DD2 comes with a 5-year extended warranty, which is rare enough to mention. You’ll also find an external emergency stop switch in the box (which can be purchased separately for use with a DD1).
Most real race cars don’t exceed 12 to 14 NM of torque through the steering under normal (accident-free) driving conditions. If the extra warranty, torque, and emergency switch have convinced you, opt for the DD2; otherwise, the DD1 is more than sufficient.
Remember that you’ll need the PS4-compatible DD1 variant if you want to use it with a Playstation!
Fanatec Podium wheels
Currently, two wheels are available in the Podium range: the Podium Porsche 911 GT3 R Steering Wheel (available in leather or suede) and the Podium R300 Steering Wheel. Moreover, Fanatec also offers a Podium Hub, which allows you to connect additional 50.7mm or 70mm screw wheelbases.
Podium Porsche 911 GT3 R
And don’t forget that all Clubsport steering wheels are compatible with Podium bases! The choice of wheels on Podium bases is, therefore, very wide. That’s why I’ve put together a guide to help you choose THE wheel that’s right for you 🙂