PlayStation Entry Level Direct Drive
Our top pick for PlayStation racers who want the detail and precision of a direct drive wheelbase
For anyone looking to get into Sim Racing on PlayStation for the first time, or for those looking to upgrade to Direct Drive from their clunky old Logitech cog-driven racing wheel, this is a great place to start. The Fanatec GT DD Pro bundle will keep you satisfied with detailed force feedback, an ergonomic and versatile wheel design, and a two-pedal set that won’t skip a beat. Getting into the Fanatec ecosystem provides an excellent upgrade path with their extensive range of wheels, pedals, wheelbases, and accessories, as well as the ability to move to PC down the track without changing your Sim Racing gear.
wheelbase:
Fanatec GT DD Pro QR2
PlayStation compatibility within the Fanatec ecosystem comes from a security chip in the wheelbase. This means you must have a PlayStation-specific wheelbase for any of your Fanatec gear to work on PlayStation. Once you do, any Fanatec gear plugged into the wheelbase directly will become compatible with PlayStation. This limits options significantly, with only a small number of brands offering PlayStation-compatible Direct Drive wheelbases.
At 5Nm of peak torque, the Fanatec GT DD Pro provides enough detail and strength that you’ll need a different excuse for bad lap times. While you might find it is all you ever need for casual console racing, you may decide you want the added immersion and realism of more dynamic range as you become more experienced. This is where the Fanatec ecosystem excels and stands alone in its level of flexibility in upgrade options on PS5. You can keep your GT DD Pro and purchase the Boost Kit 180 power supply to unlock 8Nm of peak torque. This gives a significant boost in dynamic range for US$120 if you find 5Nm to be a bit lacklustre.
From there, you can move up to the ClubSport DD+ with 15Nm of torque, which I personally feel is overkill for console-only use. However, if you plan to drive on PC and PlayStation, it is a solid option for a massive upgrade without having to replace your collection of Fanatec wheels and pedals.
Fanatec GT DD Pro QR2
Current Price
- 5Nm Direct Drive Wheelbase
- PC and PlayStation Compatibility
- Upgradable to 8Nm
Pedals:
Fanatec CSL 2 Pedal Set (Bundled)
The Fanatec CSL pedals that are bundled with the GT DD Pro are good value, no-nonsense sim racing pedals. As standard with the bundle, you get a two-pedal set with steel construction and magnetic Hall Effect sensors on both the throttle and brake. The brake pedal comes with a stiffer spring than the throttle and a foam damper, which gives a slightly more progressive feel to help modulate your braking input. They are fine for casual console racers, but there is definitely value in upgrading to a load cell setup with a more elaborate spring stack to give maximum pedal feel for threshold braking, brake modulation, and trail braking.
Again, this is where the extensive Fanatec ecosystem is a strength. Your first option to upgrade is the CSL Pedal Clutch Kit, which gives you a third, very basic pedal to use as a clutch for US$64.99. A far better option, however, is the CSL Pedals Load Cell Kit for US$99.99. This gives you far superior control and feel for your brake pedal, and you can then use your old brake as a clutch. From there, you can step up to the Fanatec CSL Elite V2 pedal set, which has been one of the best value pedal sets on the market for a number of years, the ClubSport V3 pedal set, which offers even more adjustability and high-end fit and finish, or wait for the release of the Podium DD pedals, which will be the new flagship pedals in Fanatec’s range.
CSL Load Cell KIT
Current Price
- Upgrade to a Load Cell brake
- Use original brake as clutch
Steering Wheel:
Gran Turismo DD Pro (Bundled)
The Gran Turismo DD Pro steering wheel is designed specifically for Gran Turismo but offers all the versatility you need for any racing games on PlayStation. Build quality is good for this price range, with plastic but solid construction, comfortable rubber grips that have not shown unreasonable amounts of wear during our testing, and an impressive array of inputs tailored to Gran Turismo. It is well suited to a wheelbase with 5 or 8Nm of torque but will need to be upgraded if you move to the ClubSport DD+ at 15Nm.
It is a 280mm D-shaped wheel, which is a great size for GT and Formula cars. Ideally, it would be a round wheel to be better suited to drift and rally, and while those styles are possible with this wheel, it can be difficult having the D shape bump your hands around while catching a slide. There is, however, a huge range of Fanatec wheels available that will all work on PlayStation with your GT DD Pro wheelbase, such as the CSL P1 V2, which is a very versatile round wheel for US$169.99. In my opinion, this is a great place to start your collection.
CSL P1 V2 WHEEL
Current Price
- 300mm Round Wheel
- Great for Rally and Drift
COCKPIT Considerations:
The Fanatec ClubSport GT DD Pro bundle is suitable for use with anything from a desk or table, to a fold-out wheel stand, or a purpose-built cockpit.
Which cockpit or mounting solution you go for will depend on your personal situation significantly, and the best value option for you could be heavily influenced by shipping costs. So with that in mind, here are some consideration for making the decision.
Desk Mounting:
The included table clamp is rigid enough for 5 or 8Nm of torque, depending on how solid your desk is. Just be aware that any shaking or wobbling of your desk is directly proportional to the loss of energy and detail coming through to your hands. It is also very important for your pedals to be secured. With the standard CSL Pedals, you should not find too much movement on carpet or tiles, but once upgrading to a load cell, you will likely want to at least have your pedals up against a wall or some bricks to stop them sliding. Similarly, you will want to ensure your seat is not rolling away when you brake. Putting an office chair’s wheels inside a shoe is the quickest solution for this, but you may find a chair without wheels or a tilting function is better suited until you can upgrade to a cockpit.
COUCH / WHEELSTAND:
A sturdy wheel stand is a solid middle ground between desk mounting and a full cockpit and the most likely practical solution for casual console users racing in their lounge. For 5 or 8Nm, most quality wheel stands will handle the torque without issue, but rigidity is still key. Any flex in the stand will reduce detail and overall feel, especially once you upgrade to a load cell brake. If you are racing from a couch, pay attention to seating position and pedal support. You want your pedals secured firmly so they cannot slide under heavy braking. Consistent pedal position is critical once you start building muscle memory. A good wheel stand is a practical steppingstone, but if you plan to stay in the hobby long term, a full cockpit will always deliver the best overall experience at the cost of a much bigger footprint. At the end of the day, the best option is the one you are most likely to get out and use often, without having to jump through hoops to set it up for a quick drive.
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COCKPIT:
If you are serious about getting the most out of your gear, a proper cockpit is the single biggest upgrade you can make. Stability, seating position, and overall rigidity all directly affect how much detail you actually feel from your wheelbase and pedals.
There are three main categories to consider: fold-out rigs, tubular steel cockpits, and aluminium profile cockpits.
Fold-Out Cockpits
Fold-out cockpits are designed around convenience. They are ideal if space is limited and you need something that can be packed away when not in use. For lower torque wheelbases, they can work well, but once you move into stronger Direct Drive systems and load cell pedals, flex can become noticeable.
They are a clear step up from a desk or basic wheel stand in terms of driving position, but they are still a compromise. The main advantage is practicality. If it folds away easily and gets used more often, that matters.
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Tubular Steel Cockpits
Tubular rigs are generally the best balance between price, rigidity, and ease of setup. A well-designed tubular cockpit can comfortably handle 8Nm and beyond, along with load cell or even higher-end pedal sets.
They typically offer fixed mounting points with some adjustment for seating position, wheel height, and pedal angle. While not as infinitely adjustable as aluminium profile, they are far more rigid than fold-out options and are often the sweet spot for console racers who want a permanent setup without going full industrial.
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Aluminium Profile Cockpits
Aluminium profile rigs are the gold standard for rigidity and adjustability. Built from extruded aluminium sections, they allow near unlimited fine tuning of wheel position, pedal placement, seat mounting, shifter mounts, and accessories.
They are the most future-proof option. If you plan to move to higher torque wheelbases, motion systems, or heavy hydraulic pedals, this is the platform that will handle it without complaint.
The trade-off is size, cost, and permanence. They take up space and are not something you casually move around the house.
At the end of the day, the right cockpit is the one that matches your space, budget, and long-term plans. The more rigid the platform, the more performance you unlock from your hardware.
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