Fanatec GT DD Pro Review From Past Videos: 8 N·m and PS5 Support

My conclusion first: the Fanatec DD Pro remains a valid choice in 2026 as the standard entry point into direct-drive sim racing wheels. It sells in the ¥100,000–¥120,000 range in Japan. The arrival of the Logitech G PRO Racing Wheel means the DD Pro can fall a step behind in how realistically it conveys GT7’s feel, but its official PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, and PC support—plus Xbox mode when an Xbox-licensed Fanatec steering wheel or compatible hub is fitted—and the breadth of the Fanatec ecosystem keep it in the position of being the first wheel I would point to for experiencing direct-drive response.

In this article, I organize what I have said across 89 Picar Channel videos about the DD Pro, with readers upgrading from belt-driven or gear-driven wheels foremost in mind. I will cover its price-to-performance balance, how it compares with the Logitech G PRO, and its upgrade path.

My verdict in 30 seconds

Having consolidated 89 Picar Channel references, my conclusion is that the Fanatec DD Pro is still a strong option in 2026 as the standard entry-level direct-drive wheel. The Logitech G PRO Racing Wheel can be a step ahead in certain situations when it comes to GT7’s sense of realism, but the DD Pro’s official PS5, PS4, and PC support, Xbox support when—and only when—an Xbox-licensed Fanatec steering wheel or compatible hub is installed, and the expandability of the Fanatec ecosystem still make it the safest upgrade choice for intermediate users.

I wrapped up one of my wheel-buying videos with the following advice:

A racing wheel is an expensive purchase that you will use for a long time once you buy it. That is exactly why I want you to make a choice you will not regret. I do not accept money from manufacturers, and I aim to keep my reviews honest. Compare the different wheels carefully, then find the one that best suits your driving style and budget.

— From Picar Channel, “New DDPRO Racing Wheel Review Roundup”

What is the Fanatec DD Pro? Its place as an entry-level DD wheel

The DD Pro—officially named the Gran Turismo DD Pro—is a direct-drive racing wheel from Fanatec. Because its motor drives the steering wheel directly, it delivers substantially sharper response and higher-resolution force feedback than traditional gear-driven and belt-driven designs.

In my videos, I have explained the importance of this design as follows:

To explore the wider range of options, also see Fanatec ClubSport DD / DD+ guide: 12 N·m vs. 18 N·m and Fanatec CSL DD review: is ¥47,000 enough for a PC direct-drive starter wheel?.

Traditional racing wheels transmitted motor rotation to the wheel through gears or belts. With a direct-drive system, on the other hand, the motor is connected directly to the steering shaft. This creates extremely little delay, greatly improves force-feedback response, and allows more precise, more powerful behavior to be communicated through the wheel.

— Quoted from Picar Channel, “Reviewing all nine Gran Turismo 7-compatible racing wheels”

Core specifications

Separating official manufacturer information from my hands-on video assessment, these are the basic details.

In my video comparing nine GT7-compatible wheels, I summed up its position in this price bracket as follows:

If you are choosing a racing wheel with a budget in the ¥100,000 range, I absolutely and strongly recommend this CSL DD Pro. It is one of the best choices among PS5-compatible racing wheels. It lets you experience the true value of direct drive, and if you want to enjoy serious simulation racing, you cannot go wrong by choosing it.

— From Picar Channel, “GT7-compatible Racing Wheel Review: Nine Models”

PlayStation modes and real-world operation

An important practical point with the DD Pro is that the base has several operating modes, and you can identify the active mode by the power button’s color.

My videos also explain Fanatec’s distinctive design, where Xbox certification is determined not by the wheel base itself but by the IC chip in the steering wheel rim.

Whether a Fanatec product supports Xbox is determined by the IC chip installed in the steering wheel—the wheel rim itself. For example, the Fanatec McLaren GT3 steering wheel has an Xbox certification chip built in. Mounting it on the DD Pro makes the DD Pro light up green and become Xbox Ready.

— From Picar Channel, “New DDPRO Racing Wheel Review Roundup”

In other words, whether you will use it on PS5, PS4, and PC alone or also use it on Xbox with an Xbox-licensed Fanatec steering wheel or compatible hub determines which rim you need to buy. That is the key ownership consideration.

FFB character and recommended GT7 settings

When using the DD Pro in GT7, I have continued searching for the best settings across several videos. In a video where I also tested viewers’ suggested “ultimate settings,” I ultimately recommended the following values.

These recommendations are for testing with a BMW wheel, an N6 Type R (2020 model), and High Speed Ring. I also recommend adjusting the Force Feedback Maximum Torque setting in GT7 itself.

How it actually feels: consolidating impressions from 89 videos

Specifications and recommended settings alone cannot convey a racing wheel’s feel. I have repeatedly discussed the DD Pro’s character in terms of torque build-up, surface detail, gear operation, and its affinity with particular titles. Here, I organize those impressions through those four perspectives.

Torque build-up and steering response

The core of the DD Pro’s FFB is the speed of response created by the direct connection between its motor and steering shaft. For those moving up from a belt-driven or gear-driven wheel, this is the first point that stands out to me.

The DD Pro’s force feedback has the excellence you expect from direct drive. Torque builds extremely quickly. The response as you turn in, the light “whoosh” of the steering going unloaded, and the speed of the transition as grip returns all stand out. It reacts quickly when you hit a curb, and even fine road-surface irregularities or the feel of the tires passing over a drainage groove come through very realistically.

— From Picar Channel, “Thorough Testing of the Latest DD PRO, CSL DD, and DD1 PS4”

Descriptions such as “going light,” “the speed of the transition,” and “the feel of passing over drainage grooves” are the kind of information a specification sheet cannot capture. They succinctly show how the DD Pro actually comes alive in your hands, and they closely match the experience after purchase.

How road detail comes through: a dramatic change with the recommended settings

Out of the box, the DD Pro may not necessarily feel amazing straight away. In response to viewers who felt the FFB was fading away or lacked something, I described the difference before and after applying my recommended settings like this:

Once I applied the recommended settings, fine-tuned both the in-game and wheel-side settings, and began driving, the difference was unmistakable. My previous complaints disappeared, and it felt like an entirely different wheel. Information from the road surface came through clearly, and I could understand the car’s behavior as if I had it in my hand. The speed of response on turn-in and the force feedback that realistically reproduced road bumps and tire-grip conditions were so impressive that I could not help saying, “Amazing,” “That’s fast,” and “That feels real.”

— From Picar Channel, “Ultimate PS4/PS5 Racing Wheel Battle: DDPRO vs. DD1”

In short, getting the most from the DD Pro requires time spent dialing in the settings. The recommendations in the previous section are the result of that process; this is not a wheel whose full potential is automatically available the moment you take it out of the box.

What 8 N·m of torque feels like

At 8 N·m peak torque, the DD Pro sits in the entry-to-mid tier among direct-drive wheels on paper. But how does it feel in real use? My honest impression was surprisingly that it can sometimes be too strong.

Personally, there were times when the maximum 8 N·m torque felt too strong, and I thought, “Maybe even the 5 N·m power supply could be surprisingly good.” The DD Pro’s FFB is that delicate and powerful, delivering a high level of immersion.

— From Picar Channel, “Thorough Testing of the Latest DD PRO, CSL DD, and DD1 PS4”

For long sessions and hand fatigue, this shows that more maximum torque does not automatically mean more comfort. It is the same thinking behind reducing GT7’s maximum torque to around 5 N·m in the recommended settings.

Gear logic and the immersion of manual shifting

FFB is not the DD Pro’s only attraction. I particularly rate the way manual shifting is recreated when it is paired with the Gran Turismo series.

The realism of manual-shift operation is also noteworthy. The realistic behavior where a gear will not engage unless you depress the clutch is recreated perfectly, delivering the immersion of driving a real racing car. Pairing an H-pattern shifter and clutch pedal with it rather than using paddle shifts alone takes that immersion to another level.

— From Picar Channel, “Ultimate PS4/PS5 Racing Wheel Battle: DDPRO vs. DD1”

In my DD Pro review roundup, I concluded my discussion of the gear logic itself as follows:

Finally, let me touch on the DD Pro’s gear logic—its shift operation. Gran Turismo’s shift logic is truly excellent. The realistic behavior where the gear will not engage unless you properly depress the clutch is recreated perfectly, and I felt that immersion was world-class. This attention to detail makes the joy of sim racing even deeper.

— From Picar Channel, “New DDPRO Racing Wheel Review Roundup”

So, the overall experience of the DD Pro comes from the multiplication of its FFB character and Gran Turismo’s shift-logic implementation.

Different games, different feel: GT7, GT Sport, and WRC

Even with the same wheel base, the DD Pro’s feel changes substantially depending on the game. Across several videos, I have stressed how important this game-specific affinity is.

First, regarding Gran Turismo SPORT:

Because the DD Pro is direct drive, it should theoretically be able to provide better force feedback than the T-GT II. However, in Gran Turismo SPORT, I felt it was not as optimized for the game as the T-GT II. Road-surface information and the feeling of understeer were harder to grasp than with the T-GT II, and it took longer to completely understand the car’s behavior. I believe this is because Gran Turismo SPORT was optimized for Thrustmaster products.

— From Picar Channel, “What Is the Latest and Best Racing Wheel? T-GT2 vs. DDPRO on PlayStation 5”

In GT7, however, Fanatec gained official support, changing the situation substantially.

Official support for Fanatec direct-drive racing wheels has further improved the driving behavior. There was some support in the GT Sport era, but GT7 officially supports products from major brands including Fanatec’s DD Pro, Thrustmaster, and Logitech, giving drivers many more choices. As a result, handling when playing with high-spec wheels has improved dramatically, allowing a more immersive driving experience.

— From Picar Channel, “Gran Turismo 7 Would Be a Truly Great Game If It Fixed These Things”

The title I recommend for experiencing a DD Pro at its best is WRC (WRC Generations), which was developed in close collaboration with Fanatec.

If you want to fully experience what Fanatec racing wheels can do, I strongly recommend WRC Generations. WRC was developed in close collaboration with Fanatec and is designed to bring out the DD Pro’s performance to the fullest. If you buy this wheel, I want you to play WRC first and experience its overwhelming feel.

— From Picar Channel, “New DDPRO Racing Wheel Review Roundup”

That means the DD Pro is equipment you will be glad you bought for titles officially supported by Fanatec or developed in close collaboration with Fanatec. It shows its real value for players focused on GT7, WRC, and Fanatec-approved PC titles. In other games—especially older GT Sport or Thrustmaster-optimized titles—it may be good without being at its best.

The feel of the rims, shifters, and pedals

It is not just the base FFB: the tactile quality of the wider Fanatec ecosystem is something I have repeatedly praised.

Fanatec’s shifters have a very pleasing, clicky feel that makes them fun to operate. The V3 pedals also look and feel like real-car hardware, and they are very highly regarded. Fanatec has many collaborations with real automotive brands, making it an especially appealing option for users who prioritize realism.

— From Picar Channel, “Recommended Racing Wheel Guide: GT7, PC, and Real Cars”

Specific tactile observations such as the “clicky feel” and a “real-car-like appearance and operation” are valuable for buyers who cannot get their hands on the hardware in a showroom. The consistent quality throughout the peripherals, not just the wheel base, is one of the strengths of the Fanatec ecosystem.

Comparison with the Logitech G PRO Racing Wheel

Comparing the DD Pro with the Logitech G PRO Racing Wheel, which arrived in 2023, is unavoidable. After driving both in GT7 back-to-back, I assessed them as follows:

For richness of feel, expressiveness, and compatibility with GT7, the Logitech G PRO Racing Wheel has the edge. Logitech G PRO’s GT7 parameter settings are exceptionally well refined, and adjusting Force Feedback Maximum Torque to around 5 N·m as recommended enables a remarkably realistic driving experience. In particular, I felt the Logitech G PRO was superior at subtle details such as the graininess of the road surface and tire-grip conditions.

— From Picar Channel, “Which Is the Best Direct-Drive Wheel for Gran Turismo 7? Comparing Them With Optimal Settings”

That same video continues by noting that, although it is a step behind in expression, the DD Pro has strengths of its own.

On the other hand, once versatility, expandability, and value for money are factored in, the Fanatec DD Pro is appealing as well. Fanatec offers a rich selection of peripherals—various steering wheels, shifters, and pedals—giving users a great deal of freedom to build a system to their own preferences. And once you find the right settings, the Fanatec DD Pro can provide a very satisfying feel.

— From the same video

Different pedal-feel philosophies

The two systems differ not only in their wheel bases but also in the kind of realism their pedals pursue.

Fanatec’s V3 pedals feature a very hard brake pedal with very short travel, much like a real racing car. There is a little free play at the beginning, but after that it barely moves—it feels like stepping on a rock—and you control it with pedal force. This is a feel very close to a racing car’s brake system. It is ideal for anyone who likes the firm pedal feel of a supercar. Logitech G PRO’s pedals, on the other hand, are closer to the feel of a Japanese production car, particularly a Mazda Roadster.

— From the same video

In other words, choose Fanatec V3 if you prefer a firm, race-car-like pedal, while the Logitech G PRO pedals suit drivers who want to retain the more progressive feel of a production car.

So which should you choose?

The video’s final conclusion is that the deciding factor changes according to the quality of experience you want.

Ultimately, if you are pursuing the most realistic feeling in GT7, choose Logitech G PRO. If you want abundant options, expandability, and a race-car-like pedal feel, choose Fanatec DD Pro. Which one is right for you depends on your driving style and the experience you are looking for.

— From the same video

Price, value, and upgrade path

At a real-world price in the ¥100,000–¥120,000 range, the DD Pro is among the most accessible PS5-compatible direct-drive racing wheels. I illustrated the impact of its price bracket in a video with a conveyor-belt sushi analogy:

Until now, choosing a racing wheel was mostly like comparing different conveyor-belt sushi chains. Premium sushi was in another league and was not even part of the comparison. But the arrival of the CSL DD Pro brought premium sushi down to roughly the price range of a slightly more expensive conveyor-belt sushi restaurant. At that point, comparing the conveyor-belt sushi options no longer means much, and the CSL DD Pro emerges as the overwhelming choice.

— From Picar Channel, “The Racing Wheel You Can Simply Buy and Be Done With”

My videos also set out how to choose between it and the PC-only CSL DD—another Fanatec DD base, at roughly ¥47,000.

In short, the DD Pro is the realistically available top-tier option for users who play on both PS5 and PC but do not want to personally import hardware.

Who it is for—and who should skip it

✅ Recommended for

• Drivers considering an upgrade from a belt-driven or gear-driven wheel such as the Thrustmaster T300RS or Logitech G29
• People using both PlayStation 5 and PC who want to use one wheel across both platforms
• Drivers who want to expand later with Fanatec V3 pedals, different rims, and shifters
• Those who prefer a firm, race-car-like pedal feel

❌ Not ideal for

• Drivers whose absolute priority is the most realistic GT7 feel → the Logitech G PRO Racing Wheel is a step ahead
• People who only play on PC and want to start with DD as inexpensively as possible → the CSL DD offers better value
• Drivers who prefer the softer pedal feel of a production car → the Logitech G PRO pedal philosophy will suit you better
• Those spending more than ¥200,000 in pursuit of ultimate performance → DD1 PS4 (personal import) or DD2 (PC only)

Related videos

• New DDPRO Racing Wheel Review Roundup! Check the Chapters in the Description!
• Reviewing All Nine Gran Turismo 7-Compatible Racing Wheels
• Which Is the Best Direct-Drive Wheel for Gran Turismo 7? Comparing Them With Optimal Settings
• The Dark Side of Racing Wheels: Choosing a Wheel in 2023

Frequently asked questions

Q1. What is the difference between the DD Pro and CSL DD?

A. Their internal structure is nearly the same, but the DD Pro includes a PlayStation certification chip. It consequently works on PS5 and PS4 but costs more than the PC-only CSL DD. If PC-only use is enough for you, the CSL DD offers better value.

Q2. Is the DD Pro a sensible choice if I only use PS5?

A. Yes. It is in one of the most accessible price brackets for a PS5-compatible direct-drive wheel. In a comparison with the Logitech G PRO Racing Wheel, the DD Pro is a strong option if you value expandability and its particular pedal-feel philosophy. If the most realistic GT7 experience is your top priority, there is reason to consider the G PRO.

Q3. Do I have to replace the included pedals?

A. No, but the included pedals use angle detection (Hall sensors). If you want more precise braking, you can upgrade to pressure-sensing load-cell pedals, such as the V3 pedals. In my videos, I rated the V3 pedals’ firm, race-car-like feel highly.

Q4. Should I choose the Logitech G PRO Racing Wheel or DD Pro?

A. Choose Logitech G PRO if you want the most realistic feel in GT7. Choose DD Pro if you want the Fanatec ecosystem’s expandability and race-car-like pedal feel. My conclusion in the video was that the right choice depends on your driving style and the experience you want.

Q5. Can I use it on Xbox?

A. Fanatec Xbox compatibility is determined by the IC chip on the rim side. Fit an Xbox-licensed Fanatec steering wheel or compatible hub, such as the McLaren GT3, and the DD Pro lights up green and becomes Xbox Ready. The base will not work on Xbox by itself, so you need an Xbox-licensed Fanatec steering wheel or compatible hub if you plan to use Xbox.