Fanatec · set of pedals · 2021
Fanatec CSL Pedals with Load Cell Kit
Fanatec's budget load-cell pedals: pressure-based brake, USB or RJ12, CSL Pedals LC bundle
The CSL Pedals plus Fanatec's Load Cell Kit, which swaps in a pressure-sensing brake and adds a clutch pedal. It's the cheapest load-cell set that plugs straight into a Fanatec base on PS5 and Xbox.
AI rating
- Brake feel
- 7
- Consistency
- 7
- Adjustability
- 6
- Build quality
- 6
- Value
- 8
Who it suits
- First rig
- 8
- Console racing
- 8
- Competitive racing
- 7
- Small rooms
- 7
- Tight budgets
- 8
- Enthusiasts
- 4
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 brake responds to pressure, so braking becomes repeatable
- Three pedals that plug into any Fanatec base and work on PS5 and Xbox through it
- Cheaper than most load-cell sets from other brands
- Light frame flexes or slides unless hard-mounted to a rig
- Brake feel tuning is limited to the supplied elastomers
Watch out: Bolt it to a cockpit or pedal plate: under hard braking a free-standing set walks away from you. PC use without a Fanatec base needs Fanatec's USB adapter.
What it feels like
- Stiffness
- Progression
- Damping
- Travel
- Noise
The brake resists with an elastomer-style cushion and responds to how hard you push, not how far.
The throttle is light and simple.
The compact frame needs a firm mount to stay put under hard braking.
A firm gym-bench pad that pushes back harder the more you lean on it.
What the CSL Pedals + Load Cell Kit works with
- Connects by USB on PC, or plugs into a Fanatec wheel base, which is how it works on console.
- On PC it works next to any wheel base.
Wheel bases it plugs into
Plugged into one of these, it works on the platforms shown.
| Part | Works on | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Fanatec ClubSport DD+ (15 Nm) | PS5XboxPC | 83 |
| Fanatec CSL DD (8 Nm) | PS5XboxPC | 81 |
| Fanatec Gran Turismo DD Pro (5 Nm bundle) | PS5XboxPC | 81 |
| Fanatec ClubSport DD (12 Nm) | PS5XboxPC | 79 |
| Fanatec CSL DD (5 Nm) | PS5XboxPC | 74 |
Rigs that use it
- Rosso GTPlayStation 5 · $3,056
- Stealth VRPC · $1,857
Tech facts
| Pedals | 3 |
|---|---|
| Brake sensor | Load cell |
| Throttle sensor | Hall |
| Connection | RJ12 to Fanatec wheel base, or USB (standalone PC) |
| Encoder | 12-bit |
| Software | Fanatec Control Panel / on-device Tuning Menu |
| Size (W × D × H) | 16 × 14 × 8 in (40 × 36 × 21 cm) |
| Weight | 8 lb (3.6 kg) |
| Materials | Steel, aluminum and plastic |
| Released | 2021 |
Our take
AI analysis of public information, not a hands-on review.
The CSL Pedals LC is Fanatec's entry point into load-cell braking. The base CSL Pedals use a hall-sensor throttle and a travel-based brake. The Load Cell Kit swaps in a 12-bit load cell that reads pressure instead of travel. That is what lets you build muscle memory for brake force, and it is the main reason to pick this set over a basic potentiometer or hall-sensor pedal. The brake sits on an elastomer stack (65 Shore), and the minimum sensitivity of roughly 10 kg can be adjusted in the Tuning Menu or Fanatec Control Panel. Construction is largely steel, with a height-adjustable pedal face. It connects by RJ12 to a Fanatec wheel base, or by USB, so it also works standalone on PC. Weaknesses: it is a compact, fairly light set, so it needs a solid mount or it can slide on a desk. The elastomers are tunable but have limits, and the clutch needs the separate Clutch Kit. Buy it if you are on, or heading toward, a Fanatec ecosystem. If you want stronger forces or a bigger platform, look at higher tiers.
Questions buyers ask
Does it work with non-Fanatec wheels and consoles?
On PC it works as a standalone USB device with any wheel, with manual min/max calibration. The RJ12 connection to a Fanatec base is how it works with consoles through that base. Check the console compatibility for your specific base before you buy.
Can I add a clutch later?
Yes. The CSL Pedals Clutch Kit adds a third pedal. After the Load Cell Kit upgrade, the original brake pedal can also serve as a clutch pedal, per Fanatec.
Can I make the brake stiffer?
Partly. The elastomer stack and the load cell sensitivity (about 10 kg minimum) can be adjusted in the Tuning Menu or Control Panel. The CSL Pedals Tuning Kit offers further adjustment.