Fanatec is a major player in the sim-racing industry, and has been for many years. In fact, the brand has just celebrated its 25th anniversary, and is offering great promotions on some of its products.

The manufacturer offers a wide range of products: steering wheels, chainstays, pedals, shifters and handbrakes, all of the highest possible quality. To put it simply, Fanatec is all about premium and, above all, quality, and you’ll feel it right from the first time you use it.

Usually, the world of sim-racing is reserved exclusively for PC fans and enthusiasts. It has to be said that this platform is open and accessible to everyone, from peripheral manufacturers to developers. But this is slowly beginning to change, with the major brands of sim-racing peripherals now supporting consoles.

Recently, Fanatec partnered with Sony to release steering wheels that are compatible with both PS4 and PS4 Pro. As a PC sim-racing fan, I have to admit that I’m very happy for players on Sony consoles, because at least they’ll be able to experience the immersion that this discipline brings.

On the PC, sim-racing is quite simply an ocean of peripherals, and I’m only talking about those from Fanatec. In its 25 years of existence, the manufacturer has released dozens of models in different categories. I can fully understand why enthusiasts want to take the plunge, but can’t find their way around the myriad of peripherals available on the market, and only from Fanatec. Between bases and flywheels, it’s easy to get lost. I’m even getting lost today, even though I’ve been a Fanatec fan for quite some time.

Today I’m going to introduce you to the most popular steering wheels that are compatible with PS4/PS4 Pro. I hope this guide will help to clear up some of the fog that hangs over the world of sim-racing and Fanatec wheels.

CSL Elite

Benefits

• 6 nm strength
• Realistic feel
• Practical LED display
• Quick Release

Disadvantages

• Hardly any

First entry in this guide, I start with the Fanatec CSL Elite. This steering wheel is compatible with both Sony consoles and PCs. Compatibility with the PS4 is not simply at game level, but is native. This means you’ll find this wheel in the console menu, and it’s also visible on the Playstation button on the wheel.

With a diameter of 30 centimetres, the steering wheel is just perfect as far as I’m concerned. From the grip to the feel, everything is there to make me believe I’m driving a real car, with all the sensations.

The CSL Elite ‘s aluminum and leather construction enhances realism for my taste. It’s light years ahead of the plastic steering wheels I’ve tested, and Fanatec knows what it’s doing in this field. With its 12 racing-style buttons, including those on PS4 controllers, the steering wheel is accessible to everyone, and above all highly configurable.

A screen at the top of the wheel displays information such as the gear engaged. The paddles are also large and highly responsive, thanks to Fanatec ‘s Snapdome technology . As for force feedback, the base of the steering wheel incorporates technologies from the brand’s Clubsport range, with a force of 6 nm. This is fine, but nothing more. I’d have liked more nm, but for a price of just €400, that’s already a lot as far as I’m concerned.

If you’re a fan of sim-racing on consoles, I’d highly recommend the CSL Elite. It’s an excellent steering wheel for those who want to get started in this discipline. However, expect to pay more for a pedalboard, as the CSL Elite is sold on its own. But for this price, it’s perfectly understandable.

GT DD Pro

Advantages :

• Compatible with PS4/PS5, PC and Xbox
• A Direct Drive steering wheel
• Good in-game sensations

Disadvantages :

• Plastic construction
• Plastic QR

If you ask me, this bundle is pretty entry-level, even if its price certainly isn’t for some people. In this list, it’s the only one to include a Fanatec pedalboard, which isn’t bad at €699.95. The German brand’s products are expensive, and there’s nothing we can do about it.

In terms of design, this steering wheel is officially licensed by Gran Turismo, whose logo is placed in the center of the wheel. The only negative point is the use of plastic on this steering wheel. Admittedly, the price is high, but compromises had to be made to stay under the €700 mark.

The bundle includes a Direct Drive base with up to 8 nm maximum torque and a special performance-boosting kit (sold separately). In standard configuration, the torque is 5 nm, which is correct. There’s also a base mounting system so you can put it on your setup, the Gran Turismo steering wheel and a pedalboard.

The wheel is 280 nm long, a hair smaller than the one we’ve seen before, but very easy to handle. You have buttons (11 in all) on the steering wheel, with an OLED screen and a RevLED for the rpm counter. Since the base is a DD, you can change wheels as you please thanks to Fanatec‘s Quick Release system. However, it’s the QR 1 Lite, made of plastic, and it’s known to have a few degrees of play in the steering wheel. If I were you, I’d invest in an aluminum QR to put any play-related problems to one side.

The crankset is all-aluminum, with magnetic sensors on the brake and gas pedal. This device is designed to withstand shock and abuse without plugging in, and that’s worthy of Fanatec.

Separately, this bundle easily costs a further €200 if you’re tempted to buy the wheel, base and crankset. For this price (€700), I think it’s still a good investment for getting started in the world of sim-racing. You’ve got everything you need to play on PS4 or another platform, and you can even swap the wheel for an aluminum one later, without blowing your wallet.

Read my full review of the Fanatec GT DD Pro.

Podium Porsche 911 GT3 R

Advantages :

• Replica steering wheel Porsche 911 GT3 R
• Luxury materials
• Incredible feel in hand

Disadvantages :

• Sold alone
• Fairly high price

The two models we have seen are entry-level and mid-range. We now move on to Fanatec ‘s top-of-the-range Podium series, and more specifically the 911 GT3 R.

So, this steering wheel is, in reality, an amalgam of parts: you’ve got the flat-bottomed steering wheel, the hub or QR, the paddles and the button plate. Fanatec obliges, so you can buy these accessories separately, but it will cost you almost €80 more. When it comes to bundles, the German brand knows what it’s doing.

The paddles on the Podium Porsche GT3 R are simply sublime and, above all, configurable. You can use them in 4 different modes:

• ” Advanced Clutch Bite Point mode” to configure when gears change
• ” Clutch/Handbrake Mode” for drift fans
• ” Brake/Throttle mode” for those without pedals
• ” Mappable mode” to do what you want with it

The button plate features a 2.7″ OLED display for vital vehicle data, 10 buttons and 3 switches, as well as a RevLED. The wheel, or steering wheel, is 32 cm in diameter and made of high-quality aluminum and suede, worthy of a Porsche.

In terms of feel and handling, this steering wheel is simply excellent. Whether shifting gears with the paddles or changing parameters with the buttons, everything is perfect. The sensations are there, right from the first touch. You know it’s quality just by looking at it, and if you’re lucky enough to use it during a sim-racing session, you’ll know why Fanatec is among the leaders in this industry.

It’s compatible with PS4, as well as PC. Strangely enough, Podium Porsche GT3 R is not compatible with Xbox. PS4 fans must be over the moon with this information, but let me calm you down straight away. This steering wheel’s compatibility is certainly there, but it’s limited. This means that all its features, buttons and modes may not work on Sony’s console. Some games will natively support the Podium Porsche GT3 R, while others will not. And I’m not even talking about the OS versions of the PS4. Folks, on this point, it’s best to keep your console up to date.

Let me now turn to the price. At €649.95, this bundle is expensive, really expensive. And that price doesn’t include the base, which you’ll need to attach the steering wheel, or the pedalboard. Well, for the pedalboard, you have the option of using the paddles in ” Brake/Throttle ” mode, but this will depend on the game and the platform you’re on.

As far as I’m concerned, the Podium Porsche GT3 R is an excellent steering wheel for fans of both German brands, namely Fanatec and Porsche. The bar is so high on this device, it’s hard to believe that the manufacturer could come up with anything better. If you can afford this gem, I highly recommend it. You won’t regret it, believe me.

The Fanatec GT DD Extreme

Advantages :

• 15 nm of constant torque developed by the motor
• Excellent force feedback

Disadvantages :

• Sold alone
• Fairly high price

Fanatec’s catalog has just been enriched by the arrival of a new bundle for Gran Turismo fans: the GT DD Pro’s replacement, the GT DD Extreme. This bundle is based on the new ClubSport DD+ base recently released by Fanatec a few months ago, which develops 15 nm of constant torque, and goes hand in hand with a slightly reworked steering wheel from the old bundle.

As for the wheel, we’ve gone from a flat-bottomed one to a completely round one, with a screen on top of the faceplate. Basically, these steering wheels are the same, but you can see, and feel, a slight upscale on the GT DD Extreme, which now uses vegan leather (imitation leather) around the wheel. Honestly, it’s quite a change from the old GT DD with its plastic and rubber, which really gave the impression of having a toy in your hands, and not an €800 sim-racing setup.

As for the base, it’s the new ClubSport DD+ with its 15 nm of torque. In terms of feel and sensation, it’s really 2 notches above an 8 nm CSL DD. Details are finer, the base doesn’t clipping when you push it to its limits, and it’s also a well of sensations in sim-racing. Fanatec took its time developing this new base, and it has paid off.

You’ll find this bundle on the Fanatec website for €1,300. Stocks are said to be good, with shipping between 4 and 7 days.

The Clubsport Racing Wheel F1

Advantages :

• One of the best bundles from Fanatec
• Excellent build quality

Disadvantages :

• A high price
• Handling not easy for beginners

I’d now like to tell you about a nugget from Fanatec, the Clubsport Racing Wheel F1. As the name suggests, this wheel is directly inspired by official Formula 1 racing. This means that the FIA has given its authorization, as has Sony, for this Direct Drive Force wheel to run on PS4 and PS5, and that says a lot about Fanatec.

Its construction is just as premium as its looks. On the menu: the use of blue forged carbon. Yes, you read that right. On this sim-racing steering wheel, the manufacturer has used blue forged carbon to further enhance immersion, and it’s a real success. A masterpiece in fact.

The paddles offer a racing-car feel. There are 11 buttons, 3 switches and toggle switches, as well as a 128×64-pixel OLED display for vehicle telemetry, RevLEDs for rpm and shift points, and 2 thumb encoders.

The grip of this steering wheel is just perfect, as are its ergonomics. All buttons are ideally placed for ease of use and increased immersion during a sim-racing session. This is THE steering wheel to own for all hardcore fans of this discipline.

Compatibility-wise, we’ve got you covered. Clubsport Racing Wheel F1 will run on PS4, PS5 and PC.

As you can imagine, a Fanatec bundle like this comes at a price, and I’d advise you to hang on to your screen. The Clubsport Racing Wheel F1 costs no less than €1,300 ! For that price, it’s more than a premium. But when you want quality and immersion, I can guarantee that this bundle is worth the price.

Which one to choose?

Well, that’s up to you. In concrete terms, it depends on your budget and your willingness to spend money on a sim-racing setup. If I were in your shoes and looking for a good PS4-compatible Fanatec steering wheel, I’d go for the GT DD Pro. It’s an excellent bundle with steering wheel, base and pedals. Admittedly, the steering wheel is made of plastic, but it’s certainly not a shoddy product.

Now, if you have a bank account that can support you, I would personally take the Porsche 911 GT3 R and an 8 nm CSL DD base. Of course, if you’re looking for maximum thrills without the hassle, then I can wholeheartedly recommend the new GT DD Extreme bundle.

Bear in mind that if you pick up any Fanatec steering wheel, you won’t be disappointed with your purchase. This brand’s products are of excellent quality, and you’ll be able to enjoy them for many years to come.