Fanatec and Thrustmaster are both very famous brands in the world of Sim-racing. They both offer fairly high-end products for racing simulation players.

They have their similarities and differences, which does not allow us to define, at first glance, which of these two brands is the best.

The most important thing to determine, in our opinion, is which of these two brands is right for you. To do this, you’ll need to think about the essentials and do some research.

In this article, we are going to simplify the task for you. We will tell you here what are the criteria to be taken into account to determine which of the two brandsbetween Fanatec and Thrustmaster is best for youIn this section, we’ll tell you more about these two brands and we’ll also offer you a selection of the a selection of the 3 best steering wheels from each of them.

Fanatec vs Thrustmaster: criteria to consider

To help you decide which brand to choose choose between Fanatec and Thrustmasterwe advise you to take into account the criteria the following criteria:

Your budget and your gaming experience

It is important to think about your personal circumstances and take into account things like your own experience level and budget. If you’re looking to buy your very first shuttlecock, it’s bound to take a little longer to research and find equipment for beginners. These models are, of course, more affordable than those designed for more experienced players.

The quality of the material

The quality of the equipment you choose will determine its realism, as well as its reliability and durability. There are many options that can be very cheap on the market for players who are just looking for some fun from time to time. But the Thrustmaster and Fanatec brands are really not intended for this market. They both use high quality materials for superior products.

The return of force

Force feedback is an essential feature to ensure a good level of realism during the race. There are different types of force feedback, to be valued according to your level, your playing experience and also your budget. Direct Drive flywheels, for example, are more expensive but offer much more powerful force feedback than a flywheel with a geared or belt drive motor.

Your expectations

Your expectations are obviously important in the decision-making process. If you’re looking for a very realistic experience, you’ll probably want to spend a little more money to get a feature-rich piece of equipment. However, if you are more focused on the fun factor, a less expensive piece of equipment may be more suitable for you.

Fanatec vs. Thrustmaster: steering wheels

Which brand for which type of player?

As far as steering wheels are concerned, Thrustmaster is certainly the most affordable option in terms of budget. While the brand offers many intermediate racing wheels, we also find entry-level options for beginning sim racers. In terms of compatibility, their products can run on PC, Xbox and PlayStation, depending on the model, making them accessible to a very wide audience.

Thrustmaster also offers steering wheels designed in collaboration with brands such as Ferrariwhich can be a strong selling point. Their low-end options are ideal for casual players, and while they also offer high-end steering wheels, they are geared and belt-driven with decent force feedback, but unfortunately there are no Direct Drive models Thrustmaster available.

Fanatec also offers steering wheels for PC, Xbox and PlayStation, but the brand is definitely more geared towards experienced Sim-racing players, as their models are more expensive than most of Thrustmaster.

Many steering wheels from Fanatec require a separate base, which can make them even more expensive, but it allows for greater customization of your setup. Another big selling point of Fanatec is that the brand has a range of Direct Drive wheels. These models allow you to achieve even more realism with their much more detailed and powerful force feedback.

Price differences between Fanatec and Thrustmaster

The brand Thrustmaster offers more options for entry-level steering wheels. If you are a beginner or have a limited budget, we recommend you to turn to this range.

On the other hand, Fanatec is the best choice if you want the most realistic experience and have a bigger budget because you can choose from their direct drive models.

The 3 best Fanatec wheels

We offer you a selection of the 3 best Fanatec wheels.

The 3 best Thrustmaster steering wheels

Here is a selection of 3 Thrustmaster models which are, according to us, the best of the brand.

Fanatec VS Thrustmaster: Accessories

Concerning accessories and in particular pedalboards, Thrustmaster offers several products at a reasonable price for beginners. They are made from high quality materials and offer good compatibility. However, their pedalboards are more for amateurs, most of them being entry-level models.

Fanatec also offers several pedalboard options but at a higher price than the Thrustmaster. However, they come with additional features such as built-in pedal vibration, as well as many customization options. If you are looking for models that offer maximum realism and more settings, we recommend that you choose Fanatec.

Most of the equipment Fanatec and Thrustmaster can be upgraded with accessories. On the side of Fanatecyou can find ButtonBoxes, palette customization options, while Thrustmaster offers a range of controllers and adapters to enhance your equipment in different ways.

The accessories of Fanatec accessories are generally more expensive than those from Thrustmasterbut the difference in quality and especially in functionality is very noticeable. But no matter which brand you choose, you’ll have plenty of options for optional accessories.

In brief / Conclusion

We can all agree that Thrustmaster and Fanatec are both quality brands, even if there are subtle differences that distinguish one from the other.

To put it simply, Thrustmaster is best for beginnerswhile Fanatec is better for the more experienced Sim-racing player.