Fanatec is a German sim racing hardware brand built up by Endor AG and acquired by Corsair in 2024. It is best known for direct drive bases such as the CSL DD and the Gran Turismo DD Pro, for the ClubSport and Podium product lines above them, and for the widest catalog of steering wheels, pedals, and accessories of any single brand. Since the acquisition, Fanatec products are also sold through Amazon in the United States.
Product lines
- CSL: the entry tier. CSL DD base (5 Nm, 8 Nm with the Boost Kit 180), CSL steering wheels, CSL Pedals and CSL Elite Pedals V2, CSL Cockpit.
- Gran Turismo DD Pro: a PlayStation licensed CSL DD base bundled with a wheel designed with Polyphony Digital and CSL Pedals.
- ClubSport: mid to high tier bases (ClubSport DD and DD+), wheels, shifter, handbrake, and pedals.
- Podium: the flagship direct drive bases and wheels.
How console licensing works
Unlike other brands, Fanatec puts the Xbox license in the steering wheel rather than the base. Any Fanatec base becomes Xbox compatible when an Xbox licensed Fanatec wheel is attached; PlayStation compatibility comes from a PlayStation licensed base such as the GT DD Pro. One base can therefore serve both consoles with two rims, which no other brand offers.
Strengths and limits
Strengths: the deepest ecosystem, three year warranties on current products, passive cooling, and the console flexibility above. Limits: bare bases require separate rims, pedals, and Boost Kits, which raises the real entry cost, and recent Amazon owner feedback on setup and support is mixed. Our direct drive guide and pedal guide place the current products against Moza, Logitech, and Thrustmaster.
Related
Moza Racing · Direct drive · Quick release · Guide: compatibility
