The world of sim-racing has come a long way in recent years, especially with the advent of cutting-edge technologies such as Direct Driveflywheels, Load Cell pedals and even dynamic cockpits. It’s now very easy to set up a sim-racing setup, and the hardest part is finding the right peripherals.

Of course, not all racers are the same, even if we share a common passion: sim-racing. The most striking differences lie in the style of racing (F1, rally, GT, etc.), the budget allocated to sim-racing and the degree of importance we give to this discipline. For example, a streamer who specializes in motor racing will have more time for sim-racing than an employee who can only devote himself to it at weekends.

As I said earlier, technological advances have brought us increasingly realistic sim-racing peripherals, pushing immersion even further. One of these advances is the development of direct-drive steering wheels, or Direct Drive as they are commonly known. These wheels are becoming more and more widespread, and sometimes even affordable for certain setups. In what follows, I’ll introduce them to you and prepare a list of the 6 best, in my opinion, available on the market. This list will be divided into 3 categories: entry-level, mid-range and high-end.

The best entry-level Direct Drive wheels

Le Fanatec CSL DD 5 NM

Advantages :

• Excellent build quality
• Correct power for the price
• A complete, product-rich ecosystem
• Compatible with all platforms

Disadvantages :

• Compatible only with other brand peripherals

So, let’s start with a product that is famous and renowned in the industry: the Fanatec CSL DD 5 nm. German manufacturer Fanatec is a major player in the world of sim-racing, with a genesis in the 2000s that has led to the company becoming one of the market leaders. With over 20 years’ experience in the game, Fanatec has succeeded in developing its products and, above all, conquering the hearts of both amateur and professional sim racers.

The Fanatec CSL DD 5 nm is a rather simple base that serves as a gateway to the Fanatec ecosystem. The maximum torque developed by the motor reaches 5 nm, which isn’t bad at all. Speaking of the motor, it’s quite small, and housed in a beautiful metal case. It’s stylish, solid and also acts as a heat sink.

In play, the Fanatec CSL DD 5 nm is a peripheral that captures all the sensations of the car in front of you. The CSL DD is compatible with all the manufacturer’s peripherals, including steering wheels, pedals and gearshifts. In fact, if you’re interested, I’ve tested a few nuggets that you can find by clicking here.

The Fanatec CSL DD 5 nm is a high-performance base for very little money. Priced at €350, it’s a Direct Drive staple that I recommend to all sim-raceurs.

The Moza Racing R5

Advantages :

• Very good build quality
• Complete ecosystem
• Good return of strength

Disadvantages :

• Compatible only with PCs

Moza Racing is a rather young player in the world of sim-racing, as the brand was born in 2021. Honestly, that’s not many years in the game, but the brand is actually a division of a camera stabilizer manufacturer, with over 10 years’ experience.

The Moza R5 is based on a Direct Drive developing a maximum torque of 5.5 nm, and thus competes directly with Fanatec’s CSL DD 5 nm. Rather daring, but well executed nonetheless. The design of the R5 bears a striking resemblance to that of the CSL, but that’s a good thing as far as I’m concerned.

In terms of performance, the R5’s engine develops a maximum torque of 5.5 nm, which is decent for the segment it targets. Bear in mind, however, that this is a typical entry-level model, and sim-racers in this category don’t necessarily have the means to afford a more advanced setup.

In terms of feel, the engine communicates well with everything the car does in sim-racing. It’s precise, well-balanced and, above all, responsive. I really enjoyed my time on the Moza R5and find it an excellent alternative to the well-established brands in the segment. However, the R5 does have its shortcomings, notably its PC-only compatibility. It’s a real shame to limit it to just one platform, especially with a price tag of $319 before tax, which is equivalent to around €400 including VAT. And let’s not forget that the brand is young, and only time will tell if its products are made to last.

The best mid-range Direct Drive steering wheels

The Thrustmaster T818

Advantages :

• Good build quality
• Powerful, precise steering wheel
• Good value for money

Disadvantages :

• PC-compatible only
• Higher price than the competition

Thrustmaster is a major player in sim-racing peripherals, and has been for over 20 years. The brand is mainly present in 2 segments: entry-level and mid-range, with steering wheels that have always been geared and/or belt-driven. Both technologies are fine, but quickly show their limitations.

The T818 is the brand’s first Direct Drive base, and it must be said that it took them a long time to bring it out. Thrustmaster fans have been clamoring for a DD steering wheel for years, and the manufacturer certainly didn’t disappoint.

So, the T818. Its design is rather successful, with two predominant colors (black and blue) and a few red accents. It’s very handsome as far as I’m concerned, and will go wonderfully well with any set-up. The base includes an in-house QR system, which allows the manufacturer’s wheels to be attached without a hitch. Honestly, I was worried that Thrustmaster would come up with a QR that wasn’t compatible with its wheels, but that wasn’t the case.

In terms of power, the T818 develops a maximum torque of 10 nm, which is more than its main competitors, the Fanatec CSL DD Pro and Moza R9. It’s not that obvious, though, and only sim-racing pros will feel the difference.

In terms of feel, it’s realistic, even with the Force Feedback function and its settings. During my tests, I had no surprises, and the feel is truly realistic, worthy of the competition in this segment.

Another advantage that the T818 has over the competition is the Thrustmaster ecosystem, which is relatively inexpensive, especially when you consider that this base is sold at a higher price than others in its segment. Yes, there had to be a stain on an almost perfect picture. The T818 is priced at €650, €200 more than the CSL DD Pro and R9. Another negative point of this base is its unique compatibility with PCs, where Fanatec supports all platforms.

Apart from these two “minor” shortcomings, the T818 is still an excellent basic model to buy. If you’re a Thrustmaster fan, I can’t recommend it enough, even at its slightly higher price.

The Fanatec CSL DD Pro

Advantages :

• Excellent value for money
• Good driving feel
• Correct force feedback

Disadvantages :

• A rather expensive ecosystem

I’m not going to lie to you, Fanatec is a major player in the sim-racing peripherals game, especially in the Direct Drive base market. The CSL DD Pro is Fanatec’s answer to a hotly contested segment of DD bases, that of the over 5 nm and under 10 nm range.

This base develops 8 nm and is really just a boost kit for the standard CSL DD, which outputs 5 nm. The difference lies in the power supply box, which is now rated at 180 w in order to deliver the maximum 8 nm of torque. As a result, the design of the CSL DD Pro is identical to that of its less powerful sibling, and I won’t go into that here.

Let’s talk about engine power and feel. In terms of feel, it’s pure bliss. You feel everything the car does, with greater intensity this time. The force feedback is more subtle, yet more powerful in some cases, especially if you’re on a title like F1 24, Asseto Corsa, etc. By the way, Fanatec is clearly aiming the CSL DD Pro at sim-racers who love immersive racing, even if this base is still quite affordable for the average person.

In terms of build quality, nothing changes from the 5 nm version: it’s very well constructed and designed to last a long time, even if you don’t take care of it. What’s more, Fanatec products are renowned for keeping their shape after many years of use.

As for the ecosystem, virtually all the manufacturer’s products are compatible with this base, and that’s nothing new. The only problem is that the Fanatec ecosystem is rather expensive, especially if you opt for all the products in the catalog.

Let’s move on to the price. The CSL DD Pro sells for €450 on the Fanatec website, which is not bad for a base that develops 8 nm. The value for money is excellent as far as I’m concerned, and the brand is a safe bet if you’re going to shop with them. In any case, I recommend this base without the slightest hesitation.

The best high-end Direct Drive steering wheels

Fanatec Clubsport DD+

Advantages :

• Powerful force feedback with 15 Nm of torque
• Extended compatibility (PC, Xbox, PlayStation)
• Excellent precision and responsiveness

Disadvantages :

• Fairly high price

The Direct Drive sim-racing bases segment is highly competitive, with players who touch virtually everything. We have manufacturers who focus on the entry-level (Cammus), those in the mid-range (Logitech and Thrustmaster), those who touch the mid- to high-end (Simagic, Fanatec, Moza), and of course the premiums (Simucube).

This segment is divided into three sub-segments, mainly dictated by engine power. For the breakdown, we see a clear trend: less than 10 nm of torque, between 12 and 15 nm, and over 16 nm. Few brands manage to have a product for every sub-segment, and this is the case for Fanatec. With its CSL DD, ClubSport DD and Podium DD, the German brand has long been considered the Go-To for sim-racers looking for quality, high-performance peripherals.

A new addition to the Fanatec catalog is the ClubSport DD+, a latest-generation Direct Drive base developing 15 nm of continuous torque. It’s rare to see this in the segment, but with over 20 years’ experience in the game, Fanatec knows what it’s doing when it comes to engines and DD bases.

The ClubSport DD+ is compatible with PC and Playstation (4 and 5), has a minimalist design, works with the entire Fanatec ecosystem and features the new QR2. What’s more, in terms of performance and feel, it’s one of the best bases offered by Fanatec, making it a must-have in the segment for those looking for a high-performance product at a relatively affordable price (€999.95).

The Logitech G Pro Wheel

Advantages :

• Bundle with base and steering wheel
• Compatible with all platforms
• Premium materials used

Disadvantages :

• Virtually non-existent ecosystem
• Power limited to 11 nm
• Price a little high for the services

We’ve seen that Thrustmaster released its first DD base, the T818, and set its sights on the mid-range of sim-racing peripherals. Logitech has done the same, this time targeting the high-end with its G Pro Wheel.

So the G Pro Wheel is actually a bundle with base + Direct Drive steering wheel, or base + steering wheel + pedals, aimed at the top end of the segment, aiming to titillate the Moza R16 and Fanatec DD1. The design is a success, as are the materials. But performance-wise, it’s a bit of a miss, if you ask me. Unfortunately, the G Pro Wheel is less powerful than the two bases it was aimed at, with only 11 nm of maximum torque developed. As far as I’m concerned, this isn’t much, especially at the price this device is sold at, and I’ll come back to this point below.

Design-wise, it’s a success, even if the base is rather large for my taste. The steering wheel is sleek, in brushed aluminum, with leather all around and 4 aluminum paddles. It’s really beautiful, and follows Logitech’s style code.

In terms of feel, frankly, it’s great for a first foray into the world of Direct Drive basics. The steering wheel is precise, providing a ton of feedback on what the car is doing. What’s more, I didn’t notice a dead zone in the center or anything. All in all, the G Pro Wheel is a very good choice for sim-racing, but its price is premium at €1100…

The Fanatec Podium Wheel Base DD2

Advantages :

• Very high-end base with 20/25 nm torque
• Exemplary manufacturing quality
• Perfect for pro sim-raceurs
• Product-rich ecosystem

Disadvantages :

• Premium prices
• PC and Xbox compatible only

And finally, the Fanatec Podium Wheel Base DD2. This Direct Drive base is, in my opinion, the best on the market, both for the general public and for pro racers.

Depending on the version you buy, you get 20 or 25 nm of max torque developed by the powerful engine on this base. That’s just enormous, and you’ll need a good cockpit to be able to take advantage of it, and also a well-filled bank account. The good thing about the DD2 is that you can configure the max torque output (as a percentage), allowing you to tailor this base to your preferences.

As for the force feedback, it’s simply ultra-realistic. If you set the base at maximum power, you’ll need big muscles to use it, because it’s really hard. The sensations are so realistic that the line between sim-racing and reality becomes blurred. This base is precise, immersive and perfectly transcribes the various changes in trajectory, grip, bumps and all the rest of what the car in front of you is doing. It’s thrilling, and I can’t think of any other words to explain how I feel using DD2.

Obviously, not everything is perfect with this base, and among its shortcomings we find a compatibility that is limited solely to Microsoft platforms, namely PC (Windows) and Xbox. Another negative point is its price. Fanatec is a premium brand, and the Podium Wheel Base DD2 is priced at €1499.95, and you only get the base. That’s a steep price to pay, but on the other hand, it’s still by far the best Direct Drive base on the market, with no entry into the professional peripherals segment. Anyway, if this summary has made your mouth water, I’ve also written a more comprehensive review of this base, which you can find by clicking right here.

What is a Direct Drive steering wheel?

A Direct Drive steering wheel is a type of base or steering wheel that uses a powerful electric motor to transmit force feedback from the simu you’re facing. This is done by connecting the motor directly to the steering shaft, giving a better, more realistic feel and, above all, less blur.

This technology is rather reserved for a certain category of sim-raceurs for the simple reason that Direct Drive steering wheels are rather expensive, at least when compared to other technologies available in a more conservative segment for our wallets. For example, the most famous steering wheels currently on the market are the Logitech G29 and G920, (which you can discover right here) which are gear-driven products. This technology generally employs one motor, and in the case of the G29/920 two motors, which is connected to a series of gears to produce torque or force. The advantage of such a solution is cost, of course, since the whole system is not very complex with a small motor. But it also has its drawbacks, such as noise, reduced precision and power.