Asetek · handbrake · 2026
Asetek Racing Load Cell Handbrake
Load-cell handbrake at $179 with USB-C and switchable analog/digital modes
The Asetek Racing Load Cell Handbrake is a pressure-sensing handbrake launched in October 2026 at $179. It sits between the Simagic TB-1 ($139) and the Fanatec and Thrustmaster handbrakes on price, and well below the Heusinkveld.
AI rating
- Feel
- 7.5
- Build quality
- 7.5
- Compatibility
- 6.5
- Value
- 8.5
Who it suits
- First rig
- 6
- Console racing
- 3
- Competitive racing
- 6
- Small rooms
- 6
- Tight budgets
- 7
- Enthusiasts
- 7
Scores are AI analysis of public information (specs, manuals, published reviews and owner reports), not a hands-on test. How we rate
Pros and cons
- Load cell (reported 200 kg, 16-bit) senses force rather than lever travel, which is the main reason to choose a handbrake over a button
- $179 undercuts the $229.99 Fanatec and $249 Thrustmaster handbrakes, and costs $40 more than the $139 Simagic TB-1
- Reported analog or digital mode and adjustable resistance let you tune it for rally or drift setups
- Dimensions, weight and materials were not found on pages I could open, so the build rating is provisional
- Console support is unconfirmed, so treat it as PC-only until Asetek states otherwise
- The handbrake is new, so there are no long-term durability reports
Watch out: I could not confirm console support, the exact connection method or the dimensions. Check Asetek's US product page before buying, especially if you play on Xbox or PlayStation.
What the Load Cell Handbrake works with
- Connects to a PC by USB. It doesn't work on PS5 or Xbox.
- On PC it works next to any wheel base.
Wheel bases it plugs into
None: it only connects by USB.
Tech facts
| Sensor | Load cell (reported 200 kg), 16-bit resolution |
|---|---|
| Analog | Yes |
| Modes | Analog axis or digital button (reported) |
| Resistance | Adjustable (reported) |
| Interface | USB Type-C (reported by a retailer) |
| Warranty | 60 months (reported by a retailer) |
| Size (W × D × H) | 5 × 8 × 10 in (12 × 20 × 26 cm) |
| Weight | 6 lb (2.5 kg) |
| Materials | Aluminum, steel and plastic |
| Released | 2026 |