Sim-racing is a discipline that is attracting more and more gamers worldwide, with e-sport competitions organized by major industry players. On the PC, it’s a world in its own right, offering products for both Sunday drivers and professional racing teams.

In sim-racing, we have setups for all motorsport disciplines. Whether you like NASCAR, rallying, IndyCar or endurance racing, you’ll find what you’re looking for from sim-racing peripherals manufacturers.

On the PC, as I’ve just said, it’s a world unto itself, and a complete one at that. But with the popularity of home consoles from Sony and Microsoft, many brands have taken an interest in this market, especially to offer peripherals for Gran Turismo and Forza. In what follows, we’ll take a look at the pedalboards available for the PS5, and more specifically at the best available.

Cranksets under €200

Fanatec CSL Pedals

Fanatec is a major player in the sim-racing industry, particularly on home consoles. Some say that the German brand is the master of this segment, and I think they’re right.

For pedalboards, the CSL Pedals represent the least expensive option in the Fanatec catalog, at €80 for the standard version, and €200 for the Load Cell. Design-wise, it’s a mixed bag: the footrest is entirely black, and the pedals are gray with black pedal plates.

The CSL’s metal structure, with steel pedals, ensures great resistance to daily abuse in sim-racing. The stock version of the CSL comes with 2 pedals, adjustable in certain respects. You can add a clutch pedal if you wish, for an additional €40.

Let’s move on to racing feel. The CSL uses 12-bit magnetic sensors on its pedals. The throttle is very smooth, offering almost no resistance under your right foot, but still being precise. The same goes for the clutch, if you’ve opted for one. As for the brake, there’s a built-in resistance system, and it works well for the price and range. It’s not super-strong, but you can upgrade to the Load Cell kit for €140.

The Thrustmaster T3PM

We continue with a rather inexpensive pedalboard from Thrustmaster: the T3PM. This device is basically a revised version of the T3PA, the French brand’s most basic simulation device.

The design is sober, entirely in black with chrome on the pedal plates. Speaking of pedals, the T3PM has 3 with 10-bit magnetic sensors, a very basic resistance system for the clutch and throttle and a spring for the brake, which can be changed by the way.

The structure is made of plastic, which is also to be expected given the device’s price (€130), but also because it is intended for use by novice pilots or Sunday enthusiasts. As for compatibility, the T3PM will run on PC via USB and on PS5 via a base compatible with Sony’s console.

Let’s move on to the sensations. I warn you, it’s very basic. The gas pedal and clutch are very soft pedals, offering little resistance underfoot. On the other hand, it’s precise. For the brake, the spring is interchangeable to offer several levels of resistance. In absolute terms, it’s good enough for beginners, and better than a joystick or the T3PA. But nothing more.

Pedals between €200 and €300

Fanatec CSL Elite Pedals V2

Fanatec’s second entry, the CSL Elite V2. Think of this pedalboard as a big evolution of the CSL Pedals, with a standard 90 kg Load Cell and a powder-black finish.

The design of the Elite is much better than that of the standard CSL, I think, with identical pedals, all-black powder-coat paint and overall sobriety. The CSL Elite will go perfectly with any sim-racing setup, especially Simlab cockpits. By the way, this pedalboard must be used with a chassis for the simple reason that it’s a Load Cell.

Let’s move on to sensations. For the gas pedal and clutch, there’s nothing new: the pedals are smooth and precise, thanks in particular to 12-bit magnetic sensors. For the brake, it’s a two-stage LC: you have a small spring (swappable by the way) and 3 elastomers with different levels of resistance (also swappable). The spring takes care of the initial brake travel, but it’s short; think of it as light braking. The elastomers take over quickly afterwards, offering little pedal movement, but great braking precision.

The CSL Elite V2 retails for €300, and you’ll need a PS5-compatible base for it to work(GT DD, ClubSport DD+).

Thrustmaster T-LCM Pedals

Apparently, it’s not only Fanatec that knows how to do LC, as Thrustmaster is also looking to gain market share with its T-LCM. This Load Cell pedalboard is based on the T3PM. The design is the same, but with a lot more chrome this time.

The structure is made of metal to ensure rigidity due to the Load Cell. And as with the CSL Elite V2, a chassis is more than necessary with the T-LCM, as its LC rises to 100 kg of pressure. Speaking of rigidity, the pedals are also metal, for obvious reasons.

As for the feel under your feet, the T-LCM uses rather simple resistors for throttle and clutch, which are coupled to magnetic sensors of up to 16 bits on one pedal, and 12 on all three at the same time. As for the brake, the LC isn’t really two-stage, as the system incorporates 3 springs for resistance, and they can be changed on the fly. That said, the system provides good racing feel for a €230 device.

Cranksets over €300

The Fanatec ClubSport Pedals V3

Here, we’re talking about one of the best pedalboards on consoles: the Fanatec ClubSport Pedals V3. Not only is this device beautiful, with its full CNC-machined aluminum structure, gun metal color and red accents, but it also performs well with its Load Cell.

Like the CSL Elite, the ClubSport V3’s pedals are adjustable, but this time on several axes. The gas pedal and brake incorporate a spring resistance system to simulate real pedals. The brake is a fully adjustable 90 kg LC. What’s more, this crankset has 2 vibration motors (ABS and grip loss), increasing immersion in the race.

Feel is excellent on the ClubSport V3, especially on the brake. It’s two-stage, of course, precise and realistic in terms of feedback. What’s more, the LC is adjustable to suit your preferences.

Let’s talk price now. This crankset isn’t cheap: €400 for the standard version, and €600 for the Inverted version, just like a real racing car.

Logitech Pro Racing Pedals

Logitech has been slow to come up with an LC pedalboard, but it was worth the wait as far as I’m concerned. Not only does the Pro Racing Pedals look good, with its all-black exterior and electric blue accents, it also performs well.

The design is simple, I’d say minimalist: an all-black structure housing the 3 pedals. The design of the pedals is identical, with some changes to the pedal plates. The gas pedal and clutch incorporate springs to offer resistance, but remain supple and precise in full stroke.

For braking, the LC has two stages to simulate race car braking. I find the middle pedal stroke to be good, yet precise and responsive. There’s no haptic system (vibration) for the ABS, and that’s a shame, as it would add a layer of immersion, further reducing the gap between simulation and reality. But then, as far as I know, only a few sim-racing device manufacturers offer this, and I hope this technology will be adopted by the masses.

Now for the price. The Pro Racing Pedals retails for €389, and you’ll need a Pro Racing Wheel base to run it on PS5. Still an excellent option as far as I’m concerned, especially for a first LC pedalboard from Logitech.