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Thrustmaster T598 vs Fanatec GT DD Pro 5 – Which Direct Drive Wheel Wins in 2025?

ByNeo Sphinx

These two wheelbases target the same audience — console and PC sim racers who want a true direct drive experience under €1000 — but they go about it in very different ways. Let’s see which one really deserves a spot on your rig.

🕹 Background and Release Dates

The Fanatec GT DD Pro launched in November 2021, marking the first time a direct drive system dropped below the €1000 mark for the PlayStation platform.

For a while, it stood alone — until Thrustmaster entered the race in October 2024 with the T598, priced well under that same threshold.

That timing makes this comparison all the more interesting: a proven veteran vs a bold newcomer.

🏁 Steering Wheel Comparison

Both packages come with entry-level steering wheels, but they take very different design approaches.

Fanatec GT DD Pro Wheel

  • Higher perceived quality: full rubberized rim, clear-coated PlayStation buttons, rev bar, small OLED display, and the iconic GT logo.
  • Build quality feels more premium overall.
  • However, the layout is cluttered, with lots of joysticks and controls that may overwhelm new users.

Thrustmaster T598 Wheel

  • Simpler and cleaner layout, more intuitive for beginners.
  • Larger 30 cm diameter (vs 28 cm on the GT DD Pro).
  • Lighter and easier to handle during long sessions.
  • Feels very cheap due to used materials.

👉 Verdict: Quality goes to Fanatec, ergonomics to Thrustmaster. Both are decent starter wheels, but you’ll probably want to upgrade them soon.

🦶 Pedals – Comfort, Adjustability, and Feel

Both brands provide surprisingly capable pedal sets for entry-level packages, but the configuration flexibility differs.

Thrustmaster T598 Pedals

  • Adjustable travel distance.
  • Replaceable brake spring.
  • Compact pedal plate — great for tight rigs but limited for adding a clutch.

Fanatec GT DD Pro Pedals

  • Include a damper cone on the brake pedal, giving more progressive feedback.
  • Larger pedal plate allows easier customization and the addition of a third pedal.
  • On Gran Turismo 7, they feel more precise and responsive than the T598 pedals.

👉 Verdict: Close race. Configuration flexibility goes to Thrustmaster, but Fanatec’s pedals feel better in GT7 and more consistent overall.

⚙️ Wheelbase Design and Build Quality

Here’s where the two systems truly diverge.

Fanatec GT DD Pro Base

  • Fully metal construction including the quick-release shaft.
  • Feels solid and professional.
  • Minimalistic design — no onboard controls.

Thrustmaster T598 Base

  • Aluminum center with plastic front and back covers.
  • Includes on-base buttons and a small display for quick configuration — a very practical touch.
  • However, the visual design feels a bit “toy-like” next to Fanatec’s industrial finish.

👉 Verdict: Fanatec wins on materials and finish, but Thrustmaster offers more functionality right on the base.

🔌 Connectivity and Software

Tested on Gran Turismo (PlayStation) and Assetto Corsa Competizione (PC).

Both deliver smooth, detailed force feedback with minimal cogging. You can clearly feel the kerbs, road texture, and vehicle balance — but some key differences emerge:

Thrustmaster T598

  • Features Harmony technology — adds immersive gear-shift jolts and extra vibration detail.
  • Uses overshoot torque, making it feel like a much stronger 8 Nm base (despite being rated 5 Nm).
  • Feels more alive and animated, especially on less feedback-heavy games like GT7.

Fanatec GT DD Pro

  • Clean, precise, and consistent feedback.
  • Feels more clinical — excellent for realism but lacks the “fun factor” of Thrustmaster’s liveliness.

👉 Verdict: For pure feel and immersion, Thrustmaster T598 wins hands down.

⚠️ Reliability and Issues

Unfortunately, this is where Thrustmaster’s early hardware struggles show.

Fanatec GT DD Pro

  • Early units suffered from disconnecting issues caused by a misaligned clamp.
  • Fixed by tightening or realigning the driveshaft — newer models no longer affected.
  • Some minor pedal connector issues, but mostly user-related.

Thrustmaster T598

  • Widespread reports of disconnections and instability.
  • Possible causes include the PSU, USB cable, or even multi-socket power strips.
  • Feels like a hardware reliability issue rather than user error.

👉 Verdict: Fanatec is proven and stable, while Thrustmaster’s T598 needs a V2 revision to fix its flaws.

💶 Price and Availability

  • Fanatec GT DD Pro – €700
  • Thrustmaster T598 – €499

That’s a €200 difference, which is significant in this price range.

Both brands now offer wide availability:

  • Fanatec sells through dealers and Amazon.
  • Thrustmaster sells via their own site and major resellers.

👉 Verdict: Thrustmaster is the value champion, but reliability could make or break your decision.

💬 Final Thoughts

he T598 delivers the more exciting, powerful, and immersive driving experience — especially with Harmony enabled. It’s also €200 cheaper.

However, reliability issues make it a bit of a gamble right now. If Thrustmaster can fix these problems in a T598 V2, it could easily become the best value direct drive wheel on the market.

Meanwhile, the Fanatec GT DD Pro remains solid and dependable, but its age and lack of new features make it feel overpriced in 2025.

Fanatec’s promised FullForce support still hasn’t arrived — making it, as I like to call it, “vaporware FullForce.”

Both systems have their strengths.

Want more punch, emotion, and value? Go for Thrustmaster T598 (just be aware of its quirks).

Want peace of mind and reliability? Go for Fanatec GT DD Pro.

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