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Many people love driving a car with a clutch because of how it makes them feel. Sure, the manual transmission does come with a learning curve. You have to master the clutch, time every shift just right, and stay fully alert once you’re behind the wheel. But with practice and a lot of patience, driving stick eventually gets easier. Once you get the hang of it, that feeling of being fully in control can be fun and deeply rewarding. For others, though, it just makes driving more exhausting than it needs to be.

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So, automakers came up with an alternative – the automatic transmission – to make gear changes easier, smoother, and less physically demanding. For a long time traditional automatics were good enough for most drivers. However, even when customers are happy, there is always an R&D team working hard to make driving easier, safer, and more comfortable. And we’re glad they do, because it means cars keep getting better. When you shop for a new vehicle these days, you have more choices than ever. Of course, having more options also makes choosing difficult.

It has you wondering whether the newer dual-clutch transmission (DCT), for instance, is really better than other options like the continuously variable transmission (CVT). Well, let’s break down how DCTs stack up against other automatic transmission types, so you have a better sense of what works best for you.

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A DCT works similarly to a manual transmission, except you don’t need to do all the work. Instead of one clutch you control with your foot, there are two clutches managed electronically by the car’s computer. One clutch controls the odd gears (1st, 3rd, 5th, and usually reverse), while the other handles the even gears (2nd, 4th, 6th). Inside, there’s a hollow shaft for even gears and a solid shaft for odd gears. One shaft powers the car while the other one lines up the next gear. For example, if you’re accelerating in 2nd gear, it’s already preparing 3rd gear.

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When it’s time to shift, one clutch disengages as the other engages in a matter of milliseconds. As a result, you almost never lose torque during gear changes. Shifting is significantly smoother and faster than what most humans can manage on their own with a traditional manual transmission. However, DCTs can sometimes feel less smooth in unpredictable stop-and-go situations, like when you slow for a red light but then decide to speed up again when it turns green. The transmission has to recalibrate to catch up to your sudden change.

Still, a DCT gives you manual-like speed without the elaborate footwork. You really get a sense of this when you’re on the track, which makes a lot of sense considering Porsche developed the first practical DCTs for its 962 race cars back in the 1980s. The teams needed ultra-fast shifts to stay competitive. Today, we get to enjoy the same racing technology in everyday cars.

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Broadly speaking, there are three types of automatic transmission: The traditional torque converter automatic, the automated manual (AMT), and the CVT. The biggest difference between a CVT and a DCT is how they feel behind the wheel, and that comes down to how they’re built. A CVT doesn’t use fixed gears. Instead, it relies on two cone-shaped pulleys connected by a belt or chain. These pulleys constantly adjust to create an infinite range of gear ratios. The car’s computer fine-tunes these changes as you drive, meaning you get smooth, steady acceleration without noticeable gear shifts.

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And that’s why CVTs have a bad rap with many gearheads. They don’t feel the car respond as much as they’d like. However, that’s because CVTs are built for efficiency, not excitement. They’re especially common in economy cars, maximizing fuel efficiency. In contrast, DCTs are designed for quicker acceleration and sharper throttle response. So, they’re more at home in sports cars and high-performance sedans.

Overall, choosing between a CVT and a DCT really comes down to how — and where — you drive. If you mostly commute through traffic and want the most fuel-efficient ride, a CVT makes a lot of sense. If you’re looking for a performance-oriented car, however, a DCT might be more your style. One thing to avoid with a DCT is creeping in traffic. That kind of low-speed inching can confuse the system and lead to jerky shifts or wear over time.

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An AMT, also known as a semi-automatic transmission, essentially features a regular manual gearbox. Instead of operating the clutch pedal and gear lever by yourself, computers and hydraulic actuators handle it for you. Mechanically, it’s still a manual transmission . It has the same single clutch and gearsets. Since AMTs are built on existing manual gearbox architecture — just with a few added components — they’re cheaper to produce, easier for manufacturers to install, and generally simpler to service. That’s why they’re a popular choice in the trucking industry.

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This cost advantage comes with trade-offs. AMTs don’t shift as smoothly or quickly as more advanced automatic transmissions. Drivers often experience a slight jerkiness, especially when driving at low speeds. Unlike conventional automatics or DCTs, AMTs don’t creep forward naturally when you lift off the brake, making them feel less intuitive in traffic or on inclines. Hill starts, in particular, can be tricky unless the car specifically includes a Hill Start Assist feature. And that’s part of why you don’t see a lot of AMTs in the U.S.

A DCT, on the other hand, addresses many of these drawbacks. The downside is that they’re more expensive to build and maintain, especially if the clutch packs or mechatronics system fail. Nonetheless, you can still find cheap, new dual-clutch transmission cars selling for under $40,000.

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When most people talk about an automatic car, they’re usually referring to a torque converter automatic transmission. This type of transmission uses hydraulic fluid to transfer power from the engine to the wheels. The fluid coupling naturally absorbs and softens torque, giving traditional automatics that smooth, gliding feel. Torque converters can also multiply torque at low speeds, giving you a helpful boost from a standstill without putting much strain on the engine. In a sense, they cushion the engine from sudden load changes. But that smoothness comes at a cost: slippage and energy loss.

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A dual-clutch transmission, on the other hand, connects the engine to the wheels much more directly. When a DCT engages, it delivers torque immediately and mechanically, much like how a manual gearbox works. This direct connection makes DCTs more efficient at transferring power, but it also means you lose out on the torque multiplication and smoothing benefits of a torque converter. At low speeds a DCT may need to slip the clutch more aggressively to avoid stalling or jerky movement.

At the end of the day, both systems have their perks. An automatic transmission, in prioritizing your comfort and ease, handles nearly everything for you. A DCT also takes away some of the heavy-duty work involved in manual driving, like the clutch pedal, but leaves you with every other thing that’s great about pushing a car for control, speed, and the sheer thrill of driving.

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