Thrustmaster Wheel Review: T128 vs. T248 vs. T300RS vs. TX vs. T-GT II vs. T818 (2026)
Thrustmaster comes up constantly on this site -- our Fanatec vs. Thrustmaster and Logitech vs. Thrustmaster breakdowns both lean on it as the budget-to-mid-range alternative, and our PS5 and Xbox wheel guides each recommend a different Thrustmaster model depending on console. But Thrustmaster itself has never gotten its own dedicated review here. The lineup runs eight current models deep, and the console split that defines nearly every one of them doesn't work the same way twice. Here's the full breakdown.
Thrustmaster by the Numbers
- $199.99: the launch price of the Thrustmaster T128, the brand's cheapest current Hybrid Drive wheelbase, per Thrustmaster's own 2025 product announcement.
- 2 SKUs, 1 name: both the T128 and the T248 are sold as two separate console-locked products under the exact same model name -- one listing for PlayStation/PC, a second listing for Xbox/PC -- confirmed directly on Thrustmaster's own product pages.
- 10 Nm: the sustained torque of the T818, Thrustmaster's first and so far only direct-drive wheelbase, which launched PC-only at $649.99 for the base alone (no wheel rim or pedals included), per Thrustmaster's own launch pricing.
- 0: the number of Xbox-compatible Thrustmaster wheelbases at or above the T-GT II's torque tier -- Xbox racers currently top out at the TX, a full tier below.
- 900°: the maximum steering rotation on the mid-range TX and T300RS wheelbases, matching real F1 and GT car lock-to-lock range.
Thrustmaster Lineup: Full Comparison
| Model | Drive Type | Price | Console | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| T128 | Hybrid (belt + gear) | $199.99 | PS4/PS5/PC or Xbox/PC (separate SKU) | Cheapest entry into force feedback |
| T248 | Hybrid (belt + gear) | ~$299.99 | PS4/PS5/PC or Xbox/PC (separate SKU) | Best mid-range FFB step-up |
| T300RS | Belt | ~$399-449 | PlayStation/PC only | PlayStation racers wanting Thrustmaster's long-running reference wheel |
| TX | Belt | ~$499-599 | Xbox/PC only | Xbox's strongest belt-driven Thrustmaster option |
| T-GT II | Belt | ~$719 | PlayStation/PC only | Gran Turismo-licensed, PlayStation's top Thrustmaster tier |
| T818 | Direct Drive | $649.99 (base only) | PC only | Highest torque ceiling (10 Nm) in the current lineup |
Prices reflect Thrustmaster's own launch pricing and current US retailer listings; regional pricing and bundled accessories can shift, so check the live listing before buying. Older belt-driven entry models (T150 for PlayStation, TMX for Xbox) still turn up at some retailers at a similar price to the T128, but Thrustmaster's current Hybrid Drive models are the ones actively promoted on its own site.
The Naming Trap: Two Different Ways Thrustmaster Splits by Console
Every sim racing brand on this site eventually runs into a console question, but Thrustmaster handles it two different ways depending on which tier you're shopping. At the entry and mid-range levels, the T128 and T248 are each sold as two separate products under the exact same model name -- one SKU wired for PlayStation and PC, a second wired for Xbox and PC. They look identical in marketing copy and share a product page name, so it's easy to add the wrong one to a cart without noticing the console callout in the listing title.
One step up, Thrustmaster switches strategies entirely. The T300RS and TX sit in the same price-and-performance tier -- both use a similar-class brushless motor and belt-driven force feedback -- but instead of splitting one model name into two SKUs, Thrustmaster gave them two completely different model numbers: T300RS for PlayStation and PC, TX for Xbox and PC. Nothing in either name signals that they're the console-specific counterpart of the other unless you already know to look.
At the top of the belt-driven range, the split disappears -- but not in console shoppers' favor. The T-GT II, Thrustmaster's highest-torque belt-driven wheelbase at around 6 Nm and officially licensed for Gran Turismo, is PlayStation and PC exclusive. There's no Xbox counterpart at that tier at all; Xbox racers who want more force feedback than the T248 provides are capped at the TX, a full tier and price bracket below. And the T818 direct-drive flagship sidesteps the console question entirely by launching PC-only, so it doesn't help either platform's racers right now.
Which Thrustmaster Wheel Should You Actually Buy?
If you're new to force feedback and just want to confirm you like direct-drive-style resistance before spending more, the T128 at $199.99 is the cheapest real entry point -- just buy the SKU that matches your console. Stepping up to the T248 gets a genuine FFB increase for about $100 more, same console-SKU caveat. PlayStation racers who want Thrustmaster's long-standing reference wheel should look at the T300RS; the Xbox equivalent at that tier is the TX, not a same-named PlayStation/Xbox pair. For the strongest Thrustmaster force feedback without going direct-drive, the T-GT II is PlayStation-only -- Xbox has no equivalent yet. PC racers chasing the most precise feel in the lineup should go straight to the T818, which matches what our direct drive wheel guide looks for in a first direct-drive base.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Thrustmaster T128 or T248 better for F1 sims?
The T248 is the better choice if your budget allows it. It uses the same Hybrid Drive system as the T128 but with more torque -- Thrustmaster rates it around 3.5 Nm, enough to feel curb strikes and tyre scrub clearly in F1 sims, where the cheaper T128 feels noticeably softer. Either way, both wheels are sold as two separate console-locked SKUs under the same model name, so double-check you're buying the PlayStation or Xbox version that matches your platform -- there is no universal SKU for either model.
Does Thrustmaster make a direct drive wheel for Xbox or PlayStation?
Not yet. The T818, Thrustmaster's first and only direct drive wheelbase, launched as PC-only, with Thrustmaster stating console support is planned for a later date. Until that happens, console racers who want more force feedback than the belt-driven T-GT II or TX provide have no direct-drive Thrustmaster option at all.
What's the difference between the Thrustmaster T300RS and TX?
They sit in the same price and performance tier -- both use a similar-class brushless motor and belt-driven force feedback -- but Thrustmaster split them by console using two entirely different model names instead of one shared name. The T300RS is PlayStation and PC only; the TX is Xbox and PC only. Unlike the T128 and T248, there's no single model number here that covers both platforms under different SKUs.
Is there a Thrustmaster wheel for Xbox as powerful as the T-GT II?
No. The T-GT II (around 6 Nm, officially licensed for Gran Turismo) is PlayStation and PC exclusive, and Thrustmaster has never released an Xbox equivalent at that torque tier. Xbox racers who want the brand's strongest belt-driven option are capped at the TX, which sits a full tier and price bracket below the T-GT II.
The Bottom Line
Thrustmaster's lineup rewards reading the fine print on every listing, not just the model name. The T128 and T248 hide their console split inside an identical name across two SKUs; the T300RS and TX hide theirs behind two completely different names for the same tier; and the T-GT II simply has no Xbox counterpart at all. Whichever tier you land on, confirm the console callout in the actual listing title before buying, and pair it with a stable sim racing cockpit so the wheelbase's force feedback isn't undercut by chassis flex. See our Fanatec vs. Thrustmaster breakdown for how the brand compares against the direct-drive competition overall.