Asetek now makes a shifter and a handbrake. Both launched on 6 October 2026: the Dual Mode Shifter at $219 and the Load Cell Handbrake at $179, before sales tax. Here is what they are, from Asetek's own product pages, and where they fit against what else you can buy.
For the full market, see my best sim racing shifters page. It has ten shifters with prices from the makers.
Price and availability
| Dual Mode Shifter | Load Cell Handbrake | |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $219 before sales tax | $179 before sales tax |
| EU price | 184.03 euros before VAT | 150.42 euros before VAT |
| US stock on 4 November | Low | In stock |
| Warranty | 60 months | 60 months |
The VAT you pay depends on your country, which is why Asetek's EU shop shows different totals. Asetek also made a numbered Signature Edition of each, 20 units, and the shifter one is sold out.
Dual Mode Shifter: the specs
From the Asetek product page:
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Modes | H pattern or sequential, integrated selector, no tools, LED shows the mode |
| Gears | 7 plus reverse |
| Gear detection | Hall effect sensors |
| Build | Machined aluminium and steel |
| Size and weight | 133 x 132 x 290 mm, 1.9 kg |
| Mounting | 4 x M6 T-nuts, left or right hand drive |
| Gate | 80 mm wide, length variable from 30 to 69 mm |
| Knob thread | M10 |
| Connection | USB-C to the PC, cables in the box |
| Tested | 300,000 shift cycles |
The adjustable gate length is the detail I like. A short throw feels like a race car, a long one like a road car. Being able to set it means one shifter works for both.
The M10 thread means you can fit an aftermarket knob.
Load Cell Handbrake: the specs
From the Asetek product page:
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Sensor | 200 kg load cell, 16 bit |
| Feel | Two stage resistance, interchangeable elastomers and springs |
| Modes | Analog or digital, switched with a button |
| Build | Aluminium and steel |
| Size and weight | 133 x 132 x 360 mm, 2.5 kg |
| Mounting | 4 x M6 T-nuts, left or right hand drive |
| Connection | USB-C to the PC |
| Tested | 1,000,000 brake cycles |
A load cell measures force. A cheap handbrake measures where the lever is. With force, you modulate by how hard you pull, like a hydraulic handbrake in a real rally car, and the input is the same every time. It is the same reason a load cell brake pedal beats a potentiometer one.
The digital mode turns it into an on and off switch. Some games treat the handbrake as a button, so that mode is there for them.
Which platforms?
- PC: both plug in directly by USB-C. You set them up in Asetek's RaceHub software, and the settings are saved in the unit.
- Xbox: only with an Asetek Xbox-ready wheel base and steering wheel.
- PlayStation: not listed on either page. Do not buy these for a PS5.
If you have a Fanatec or Thrustmaster base and play on console, buy that brand's shifter instead.
Are they worth it?
The shifter sits in a crowded price range. At $219 it costs more than the Thrustmaster TH8A at $149.99, which also does both modes, and less than the Fanatec ClubSport SQ V1.5 at $299.99. The Asetek is the better built of the cheaper two on paper: Hall sensors, aluminium and steel, and the gate length setting. If you are on PC, or already on an Asetek base, it is a good buy.
The handbrake is easier to recommend. At $179 a 200 kg load cell is good value, and the two stage spring and elastomer stack is what you want for rally. Pair it with a sequential shifter and you have a rally setup. My hydraulic handbrake guide covers the alternatives.
If you are new to Asetek, the Initium DD10 is their entry wheel base. Read the Xbox part of that page before you plan an Xbox setup around these two: on 27 October the US store listed no Xbox compatible Asetek wheel.
FAQ
How much is the Asetek Dual Mode Shifter?
$219 in the US before sales tax, and 184.03 euros before VAT in the EU, on Asetek's store on 4 November 2026.
How much is the Asetek Load Cell Handbrake?
$179 in the US before sales tax, and 150.42 euros before VAT in the EU.
Do the Asetek shifter and handbrake work on PS5?
PlayStation is not listed. Asetek lists PC, and Xbox through an Asetek Xbox-ready base and wheel.
Can I use the Asetek shifter with a Fanatec or MOZA wheel?
On PC, yes. It connects to the PC by USB-C, so it does not need an Asetek base.
When did the Asetek shifter and handbrake come out?
Asetek launched both on 6 October 2026.
Can the Asetek handbrake be mounted on the left?
Yes. Both units support left and right hand drive mounting with four M6 T-nuts.
Last checked on 4 November 2026 on Asetek's US and EU product pages. Launch date from Asetek's launch announcement as reported by Traxion and BoxThisLap.