Just like the main sim-racing peripherals, there are numerous accessories for this discipline, designed to bridge the gap between reality and the virtual. From steering wheels and pedals to Direct Drive bases, there’s a vast choice to choose from, and with what the various sim-racing peripheral manufacturers have to offer, you’re sure to find what you’re looking for, whatever your level of driving ability.
For other products and equipment in a sim-racing setup, this also applies. We offer a whole range of products to complete your rig, whether you’re a drift, rally, F1 or endurance fan. In this accessory category, we have dashboards, shifters, RevLEDs, button boxes, handbrakes and more. It’s both comprehensive and, depending on the brand, very high quality.
Experienced drivers will always look for the setup closest to the cockpit of a racing car. And to achieve this, the leading names in the sim-racing industry offer a whole catalog of peripherals and accessories, including handbrakes.
While some racers may feel that such a device isn’t really necessary in sim-racing, its usefulness is more than proven in drifting and rallying. If you’ve got a good eye, you’ll certainly have noticed that drivers who are adept at slipping and going sideways all resort to locking the rear wheels in order to initiate and control the car during their feat.
But back to the heart of the matter: the best handbrakes, on PS5 this time. If you were on a PC, the list would have been longer, with many entries. On Sony’s console, and even on Microsoft’s, compatible, and above all quality, peripherals can be counted on the fingers of one hand. As far as I’m concerned, I think this is a pity, despite the fact that the Windows/PC platform is far more mature in terms of software support and peripheral customization, to the detriment of an often unaffordable price for virtual drivers, compared to home consoles.
That said, there are mainly three brands active in the Sony and Microsoft console segment, and all three offer handbrakes for the PS5.
# Le Fanatec ClubSport Handbrake V2
Let’s start directly with the best handbrake available for PS5s: Fanatec’s Handbrake V2. This new handbrake uses the same stylistic code as the Handbrake V1.5, but swaps the fairly straight angles for curves.
Design-wise, it’s even more beautiful than the device it replaces. The dress is a single color, with the emphasis on the resemblance to motorsport. The handle is much bigger this time, in aluminum and steel, as is the whole peripheral. It’s more premium than the V1.5, and that’s what we’re looking for in a product evolution.
As far as handbrake positioning is concerned, you can use this device either horizontally or vertically, just like the other two handbrakes on this list, so there’s no big advantage over the competition. But when it comes to feel, that’s another story altogether.
V1.5 used an analog sensor. The V2 swaps this for a Load Cell, which changes the game entirely. The V2 is now a braking beast, delivering sensations unequaled on home consoles and PC. Feedback is ultra-precise, immersive and, above all, enjoyable. What’s more, there are numerous settings available on the load cell, making this device highly customizable.
Finally, here’s the icing on the cake. Being a high-performance, premium device, and above all a modern one thanks to the adoption of Load Cell, the Handbrake V2 should come with a hefty price tag, don’t you think? Well, no! This Fanatec handbrake can be exchanged for €200, and is compatible with all current gaming platforms, making it the
# The Thrustmaster TSS Handbrake
Thrustmaster has been present in the gaming market for a very long time. Offering a range of flight and driving simulation peripherals, Thrustmaster covers a wider spectrum of virtual pilots, while offering a far more extensive catalog than that of its competitor Logitech.
As far as handbrakes are concerned, the French manufacturer (originally American) offers the TSS Handbrake, a quality peripheral much appreciated by fans of gliding and traversing. Opposite Logitech’s RS Shifter & Handbrake, which we’ll look at next, the TSS is identical in its operation. You have a sequential shifter mode with the “+” down, and an analog handbrake mode.
The TSS is an official replica of a Sparco handbrake, and the two manufacturers collaborate on many of the products in the Thrustmaster range. The housing is made entirely of metal, with good quality workmanship. Design-wise, the lines are nice, but I find the TSS rather busy in terms of logos and labels. As far as I’m concerned, it’s too much, and a silver dress would have been more than enough to make it a more attractive device.
Let’s move on to sensations. The analog sensor is precise, allowing you to fine-tune braking to your preferences, even on the PS5. Unlike Logitech’s RS, which has a progressive mode but is not supported by all racing titles on Sony’s console, leaving you with the On/Off mode, which does work, but without feedback, the TSS gives you feedback in the form of resistance. The harder you pull on the stick, the harder the race becomes, providing you with feedback. It’s rudimentary in design, but it works, and that’s what counts.
The TSS retails for €300 on the Thrustmaster store and is a good alternative to Logitech’s PS5 solution, which we’ll be looking at next.
# The Logitech RS Shifter & Handbrake
Logitech is one of the most popular brands in the gaming world, and for a very good reason: the Swiss manufacturer offers quality, high-performance peripherals that focus on gamers. For many years, Logitech has dominated the entry-level sim-racing segment with products such as the
Recently, Logitech set out to reach a different target audience: riders looking for high-performance sim-racing peripherals, something the competition was already offering. The result is the Pro range, with a Direct Drive base, steering wheels, Load Cell pedals and a brand-new shifter/handbrake combo. It’s the RS Shifter & Handbrake, and it’s on this list.
The RS Shifter & Handbrake is a hybrid device that integrates a sequential shifter and a handbrake. It’s rather atypical, I must say, as brands often offer a shifter with H Pattern and sequential mode. But on paper, it looks promising for rallying and drifting.
The design follows the stylistic code of the Pro range, with a black housing and an electric blue accent on the handle in the form of a ring. It’s handsome, discreet and minimalist, with only the Logitech logo on the top of the shifter/handbrake. Switching between sequential lever and handbrake is done by means of a switch at the bottom of the device.
For the feel, you have two modes: progressive, which I must say is convincing, with a resistance that rises with the angle of the stick, culminating in a firm end-of-stroke. Great for an analog handbrake, but not really compatible with PS5. Well, on paper it is, but few games support this mode.
The other mode is the classic On/Off, as if you were using a joystick button. And this mode is compatible with Sony consoles, except that the feel is kicked out. The reason is simple: there’s no feedback from the handbrake, which leaves you in the dark when activating the peripheral, and that’s a shame I think.
The RS Shifter & Handbrake retails for €159.99 on the Logitech store, making it the least expensive of the lot… but also the least convincing in terms of feel and compatibility on PS5.
Clubsport Handbrake V2
The best PS5 handbrake in 2025
0 Comments