Fanatec Podium DD1 vs. DD2 vs. Podium DD: Which One to Buy? (2026)
Our own CSL DD vs. GT DD Pro review covers Fanatec's entry-level direct drive tier, but Fanatec's actual flagship wheelbases live one step up in the Podium line -- and that line now has three products with almost-identical names: DD1, DD2, and the unnumbered Podium DD. If you're trying to figure out which one is current, which one has more torque, and which one is worth buying new versus secondhand, here's what Fanatec's own spec pages and launch materials actually say.
Fanatec Podium by the Numbers
- 20 Nm: the Podium DD1's peak torque, per Fanatec's own spec page -- still $999.95 and still in production.
- 25 Nm: the peak torque shared by both the outgoing Podium DD2 and its replacement, the new Podium DD.
- 33 Nm: the Podium DD's overshoot peak above its 25 Nm continuous rating, per Fanatec's launch coverage.
- $1,199.99: the Podium DD's launch price -- lower than the DD2's original list price of roughly $1,279.99, despite matching its torque.
- January 15, 2026: the Podium DD's launch date, positioned by Fanatec as the direct replacement for the DD2, which dates back to 2018.
- 8-15 Nm: per Fanatec's own buying guide, the torque range of "average forces in modern race cars" -- meaning even the cheapest Podium DD1 already out-torques what most real F1 cars produce.
Podium DD1 vs. DD2 vs. Podium DD: Full Comparison
| Model | Peak Torque | Price | Status | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Podium DD1 | 20 Nm | $999.95 | In production | Budget entry into Fanatec's flagship tier |
| Podium DD2 | 25 Nm | ~$1,279.99 (original) | Discontinued, secondhand only | Buyers who find a refurbished unit cheap |
| Podium DD | 25 Nm cont. / 33 Nm peak | $1,199.99 | Current flagship (Jan. 2026) | Most racers upgrading from CSL DD/GT DD Pro |
Torque and pricing figures are drawn from Fanatec's own product pages and its Podium DD launch materials. All three models share the same QR2 automotive-grade quick release, a 2.7-inch OLED display, a removable torque key for power limitation, and a 1000 Hz USB polling rate -- the differences come down to torque ceiling, chassis construction, and whether the model is still being manufactured.
The Naming Trap: Three Names, No DD3
If you search for Fanatec's flagship wheelbase, you'll find entire articles on other sim racing sites devoted to nothing but untangling DD1 from DD2 from Podium DD -- a strong signal that the naming itself causes real buyer confusion. The pattern you'd expect is DD1, then DD2, then DD3. Instead, Fanatec skipped straight from DD2 to an unnumbered "Podium DD," launched January 15, 2026 as the official replacement for the ageing DD2 (which first shipped back in 2018 and only recently picked up the newer QR2 quick release).
The bigger surprise is what that replacement actually costs. In most wheelbase lineups, the newer model costs more for the same or less performance -- that's exactly what happens on Simucube's own lineup, where the newer Simucube 3 Sport costs $400 more than the Simucube 2 Sport for less torque. Fanatec's Podium DD does the opposite: it matches the DD2's 25 Nm rating (with headroom up to a 33 Nm overshoot peak) in a more compact, fully aluminium chassis, and launched at $1,199.99 -- below the DD2's original list price of around $1,279.99. A newer flagship that's both cheaper and at least as strong as what it replaced is the exception, not the rule, in this part of the sim racing market.
Do You Actually Need 25 Nm?
Before paying extra for the DD2 or Podium DD's torque ceiling, it's worth sizing the problem correctly. Fanatec's own buying guide states that average forces in modern race cars usually range between 8 and 15 Nm, with 12-15 Nm covering most sim racers comfortably. The entry-level Podium DD1's 20 Nm peak torque already clears that range with room to spare, for $200-$300 less than either 25 Nm model. The extra torque on the DD2 and Podium DD mainly benefits racers who specifically want maximum force feedback detail and headroom, or who plan to run heavier third-party rims and add-ons that benefit from a stronger base.
Which Fanatec Podium Should You Buy?
For most F1 fans ready to step up from Fanatec's CSL DD or GT DD Pro, the Podium DD is the straightforward pick: it's the current, actively sold flagship, it matches the old DD2's torque at a lower price, and its more compact aluminium chassis is a genuine design improvement. If budget matters more than outright torque, the Podium DD1 is still a legitimate buy at $999.95 -- its 20 Nm ceiling already exceeds what real race cars produce, let alone what most home racers can sustain for a full stint. Only consider a Podium DD2 if you find one secondhand or refurbished at a meaningful discount versus the new Podium DD's price; buying one new at its original list price no longer makes sense now that its direct replacement costs less.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between the Fanatec Podium DD1 and DD2?
The Podium DD2 has more torque than the DD1 -- 25 Nm peak versus 20 Nm peak, and 20 Nm holding torque versus 15 Nm holding, per Fanatec's own spec pages. The DD2 also adds carbon-fibre cover plates (the DD1 uses brushed aluminium) and includes the Podium Kill Switch for emergency power cutoff. Both share the same QR2 quick release, 2.7-inch OLED display, and 1000 Hz USB polling rate.
Is the Fanatec Podium DD better than the Podium DD2?
On paper, yes. The Podium DD matches the DD2's 25 Nm continuous torque rating (with a 33 Nm overshoot peak) in a newer, more compact all-aluminium chassis, and launched at $1,199.99 -- below the DD2's original list price of around $1,279.99. Fanatec itself positions the Podium DD as the direct replacement for the ageing DD2, which first launched back in 2018.
Is Fanatec discontinuing the Podium DD2?
Yes. Multiple sim racing outlets confirm that the Podium DD, launched January 15, 2026, replaces the Podium DD2 as Fanatec's flagship wheelbase. The DD2 is showing as unavailable through Fanatec's own store and several authorized retailers, with remaining stock sold mostly as refurbished units.
How much torque do I actually need for F1 sim racing?
Less than you'd think. Fanatec's own buying guide notes that average forces in modern race cars usually range between 8 and 15 Nm, meaning even the entry-level Podium DD1's 20 Nm peak torque already exceeds what most home racers need or can comfortably hold through a full race stint. The higher-torque DD2 and Podium DD mainly matter for racers who specifically want maximum force feedback headroom.
Do Fanatec Podium wheelbases work with PlayStation?
Not the current lineup. A PlayStation-licensed Podium DD1 variant existed in the past under license from Sony Interactive Entertainment, but it has been discontinued and is no longer produced. Today's Podium DD1, DD2, and Podium DD are PC-focused (the Podium DD also supports Xbox with a compatible wheel); console racers on PlayStation should look at Fanatec's own Gran Turismo DD Pro instead.
The Bottom Line
Fanatec's Podium line now has three products crammed into two confusingly adjacent naming schemes, but the actual buying decision is simpler than the names suggest. The Podium DD1 remains the budget flagship at $999.95 and already out-torques real F1 cars. The Podium DD2 is on its way out and only makes sense secondhand. And the new Podium DD is the rare case of a flagship replacement that's both cheaper and at least as strong as the model it replaces, making it the default pick for most racers stepping up from Fanatec's CSL DD or GT DD Pro. Whichever base you choose, pair it with a rigid sim racing cockpit so chassis flex doesn't waste the extra torque, and see our direct drive wheel guide or Moza vs. Fanatec comparison for how Fanatec's flagship stacks up against the rest of the market.