There are many big names in the sim-racing industry, including Fanatec and Thrustmaster. These two companies have been making peripherals for over 20 years, and are considered by some to be market leaders.

With their wide range of sim-racing peripherals, Fanatec and Thrustmaster are, to say the least, very similar in terms of products and quality. One brand focuses primarily on the high-end, while the other tries to appeal to all budgets. For fans of sim-racing, the choice is quickly made. As far as I’m concerned, I almost always go for Fanatec products, but that doesn’t mean I don’t appreciate Thrustmaster products. On the contrary, many of this brand’s steering wheels, pedalboards and bundles offer excellent value for money, something that can’t always be said of Fanatec, which focuses mainly on premium products.

It’s good to have competition in a market. It allows for innovation, new ideas and, above all, boldness. But for those who want to get into sim-racing, or those with a little experience, competition can quickly become a nightmare. It’s true that many of the products available on a segment will have a negative impact on an amateur who knows virtually nothing about it, increasing his chances of making the wrong choice.

To make it easier for you to spend even more time sim-racing, here’s a comparison between Fanatec and Thrustmaster, two of the leaders in the sim-racing field.

Fanatec vs Thrustmaster: build quality

I’ll start with Fanatec, a brand I really like. The German manufacturer of sim-racing peripherals has been on the market for over 20 years, and it has to be said that it has experience in this field. Offering a wide range of products (steering wheels, pedals, gearshifts, handbrakes, bases, etc.), Fanatec tries to appeal to all pockets, even if this isn’t always the case. Let me explain. For Fanatec, quality is paramount, which means that our peripherals are made from materials such as aluminum, Alcantara, leather and carbon fiber. If you know anything about industry and manufacturing, you know that these materials are expensive, which has an impact on the price of the finished product.

As far as Thrustmaster is concerned, the approach is a little different. Even though the manufacturer has high-end products that compete directly with Fanatec, it is known for offering inexpensive, entry-level peripherals to reach a wider customer base. And what do we get? The use of less premium materials on a large part of the range. It’s very easy to find Thrustmaster steering wheel + pedalboard bundles for under €200, whereas this is impossible at Fanatec. This approach has worked for the American manufacturer(Thrustmaster), and continues to do so, as the brand is one of the world’s top 5 manufacturers of sim-racing peripherals.

Fanatec vs Thrustmaster: diversity

To put it simply, the two brands are complete opposites. Thrustmaster, again, has a more generalist approach, with peripherals for sim-racing, flight sims, joysticks and so on. This brand touches on everything when it comes to gaming peripherals.

Fanatec is a brand that focuses on sim-racing peripherals and setups. In its admittedly wide range of products, you’ll find steering wheels, quick-releases, bases, hubs, pedals, cockpits, gearshifts and many other accessories exclusive to sim-racing.

Although both manufacturers offer products in various ranges (entry-level, mid-range and high-end), Thrustmaster is best known for offering affordable peripherals. At Fanatec, the watchwords are premium and quality, with noble materials such as leather, Alcantara, aluminum, carbon fiber and more.

Typically, or at least what I’ve seen among sim-racing fans, people who want to put together an excellent setup will turn to the products offered by Fanatec. This doesn’t necessarily mean that Thrustmaster’s products are of poor quality, on the contrary. Both manufacturers are equal at the top end of the market, and Fanatec specializes in this area.

Fanatec vs Thrustmaster: which to choose?

So, on this point, we need to distinguish between two groups of sim-racers: the casual and the hardcore. Even if both manufacturers offer products of excellent quality, it has to be said that Fanatec is always one or even two notches above Thrustmaster.

Basically, in terms of force feedback technology, it’s not the same philosophy, or even the best means put forward. For example, Fanatec‘s mid-range and high-end bases use Direct Drive technology for excellent, powerful force feedback, up to 20 nm. And it’s not uncommon to see entry-level Fanatec flywheels with plastic QRs, in order to have an aggressive selling price.

Thrustmaster offers belt-driven gears. The feel is fine, but nothing more. You’ll never get 20 nm force feedback with this kind of technology, and that’s one of the big differences between the two brands.

Although both manufacturers offer good-quality products, Fanatec still stands out at the top end of the market. Thrustmaster is more of a bundle with base, steering wheel and pedals, all at a very attractive price. However, in order to achieve prices below €200, compromises have to be made, particularly in terms of the materials used.

Fanatec has a different philosophy, with some steering wheels priced under €200. Like its competitor, low-cost peripherals often use plastic. But across the whole Fanatec range, this represents only a small proportion of peripherals, and that’s the German manufacturer’s strength.

I’ll now move on to the subject you’ve been waiting for: which brand to choose? Fanatec has always been a premium brand, even though Thrustmaster offers top-of-the-range products such as the TS-XW Servo Base. This is evident not only in the steering wheels, but also in the pedalboards.

For example, a Thrustmaster pedalboard won’t cost you an arm and a leg, even if it’s well-designed. However, and here’s where the difference widens, you’ll be limited in terms of functionality. Almost all Fanatec pedalboards are equipped with vibration motors to simulate the effect of ABS. You won’t find that with Thrustmaster. And it’s the same for force feedback: you’ll find it at the American manufacturer, but typically the torque is less than 10 nm, something that can reach 20 nm on Fanatec ‘s top-of-the-range models like the Podium F1. ( to be discovered here)

In terms of choice, here are my recommendations:

• Budget. If you’re looking for good peripherals for sim-racing as an amateur only, i.e. to spend a few hours a week on it, I recommend the Thrustmaster range. It’s extensive, of good quality and, above all, affordable. But if you’re a fan who spends several hours a day sim-racing, only Fanatec will satisfy you in terms of products, quality and above all functionality.
• Wide range of products. Fanatec has a product, or peripheral, for almost all sim-racing fans. If it exists, Fanatec makes it. You have customization possibilities that go right down to the steering wheel buttons you have. And that, among other things, is why I’m a fan of this brand.
• Availability. This is where Thrustmaster comes out on top, as the brand’s products are available in stores and online from major retailers such as Amazon. This is not the case with Fanatec, which only sells its products on its website, and this can pose a problem for some people who want to see and try out a peripheral before buying it, as with the ergonomics of a steering wheel, for example.
• Compatibility. Thrustmaster’s products are compatible with different platforms (PC and console), as are those of Fanatec. But I think that the American manufacturer is a little more present on consoles than is the German manufacturer. Again, this is due to Thrustmaster’s more generalist vision, which aims to be affordable to everyone.

Conclusion

There’s no denying that Fanatec and Thrustmaster are two brands that offer excellent peripherals, whether for PC or console. However, the former is aimed primarily at a professional clientele, seeking sensations and top-of-the-range products, while the latter is geared more towards the general public, with products that are suitable for beginners in terms of price and quality.