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Thrustmaster has been at the forefront of gaming peripherals since 1990. They started by providing accessories for flight simulation games before venturing out in the highly lucrative market of video game racing. Thrustmaster steering wheels are great for beginners and pro-gamers alike due to their affordability and intuitive controls. In this article, we’ve selected 10 of their best racing wheels so you can choose which racing wheel works best for you whether you’re racing on consoles or on your PC.
Thrustmaster T80 Ferrari 488 GTB Racing Wheel
The T80 Ferrari 488 GTB Racing Wheel by Thrustmaster is an officially licensed racing wheel by Ferrari and PlayStation. This racing wheel is an 8:10 scale replica of the actual Ferrari 488 GTB wheel. It’s compatible with almost all racing games on the PlayStation as well as on PC. The wheel is covered with textured rubber cladding to give you a superior grip as you play. It has all the equipment and controls you need for a great driving experience. The wheelbase features a bungee cord mechanism to deliver incredible linear resistance giving players ergonomic and intuitive control. This re-centering system provides automatic centering and a 240-degree rotation angle.
Buying this product comes with a 2-pedal pedal set and an attachment system. The attachment is wheel-mounted sequential paddle shifters that all players will definitely enjoy during long racing sessions. The pedal set meanwhile has a wide footrest for a comfortable acceleration and braking as you play. This racing wheel is also compatible with Sony’s latest console, the PS5, so you can enjoy the next-gen games for extreme driving realism.
Thrustmaster T150 RS Racing Wheel
For players looking for total immersion and realism, the T150 RS racing wheel by Thrustmaster is one of the best racing wheels to deliver that punch. The wheel rim is 11” in diameter for versatility for any kind of race track and circuit. The wheel is incredibly responsive and produces a very silent Force Feedback to give racers sensations that are incredibly close to real-world driving. The ergonomic design of this racing wheel makes it compatible with almost any type of racing sim games from Rally, F1, NASCAR, and even GT.
The T150 RS can make up to three full rotations giving racers a level of control at every turn that’s as realistic as it gets. This provides gamers precision in any race giving them an edge especially when competing online. The racing wheel also features sequential paddle shifters that are 100% made of metal. It works just like real-life high-performance cars to allow for excellent handling and a smooth and distinct gear shifting feel. The Force Feedback uses a silent belt pulley system to channel sounds from the motor. This racing peripheral is compatible with PS4 and PS5, as well as on the Xbox and PC.
Thrustmaster TX RW Leather Edition
For Xbox One and Xbox Series S|X owners, this one’s for you. The Thrustmaster TX RW leather edition is an excellent investment for racing sim drivers to get started. This limited edition package is officially licensed for PC and Xbox One while also working on the latest Xbox consoles such as the series S|X. This racing wheel is covered with beautiful hand-stitched leather and is 11” in diameter. This racing wheel uses a quick and easy wheel-changing system to allow gamers to enjoy racing with different Thrustmaster wheels.
The servomotor has nearly 25 watts of power for fast, precise, and impeccable control on any racing terrain. The brushless motor technology also provides players with an extremely quiet racing experience when compared to simple brushed motors. The quiet performance of the TX RW leather edition is made possible because of the dual-belt system to reduce disruptive noise, smoothing out data elements from the racecourse to your racing wheel. The only drawback on the TX RW that we can think of is it’s definitely marketed for affluent gamers because of its pretty high price tag.
Thrustmaster Open Wheel Add On
The Thrustmaster Open Wheel Add On is the lightest racing peripheral on the Thrustmaster racing wheel lineup. It’s a detachable wheel rim derived from the bestselling TS-PC Racer racing wheel. The handling feels like a real Ferrari race wheel due to its realistic size at 11” in diameter and the enhanced feel of the Force Feedback. Due to its lightweight design, the Force Feedback effects give gamers conditions that are as close as possible to real-life driving, ensuring sensations are felt with every type of car and terrain of the track.
There are 2 sequential paddle shifters mounted on the racing wheel itself as well as 6 action buttons, a D-Pad, and a rotary selector switch with a push-button. The faceplate is made from brushed black aluminum and protected with suede wheel grips for comfortable hand positioning. This racing wheel is compatible with PS4, Xbox One, PC, as well as the next-gen consoles offered by Sony and Microsoft. The Open Wheel Add On works with all Thrustmaster T-Series wheelbases making it the ultimate racing wheel for cross-platform gamers.
Thrustmaster T300 RS Gran Turismo Edition Racing Wheel
The T300RS Gran Turismo edition by Thrustmaster is an officially licensed racing wheel from Gran Turismo and PlayStation. If that’s not a stamp of approval if you’re still on the fence when looking for a racing wheel for your PlayStation games, then we don’t know what is. This racing wheel provides a realistic and accurate transmission of the different elements you experience in-game directly to your hands. It also maintains constant intensity in terms of its Force Feedback to ensure you won’t get removed from the immersion even as you play very long racing sessions.
Like other Thrustmaster racing wheels on the list, the T300 RS GT edition also utilizes a dual-belt system mechanism. This system reduces noise for a more supple and flexible driving experience. The system also decreases uncomfortable jolting that’s common with cheap racing wheels. This makes for optimal realism in all racing environments in which details can make all the difference between winning and losing a race. It’s compatible with PS4 and PC as well as Sony’s latest console. However, the full range of compatibility hasn’t been tested on the latest consoles yet so play with caution if you’re racing on the PS5.
Thrustmaster F1 Racing Wheel
Are you a fan of F1? Then enter the world of Formula 1 racing with the Thrustmaster F1 racing wheel. It’s a full-size replica of an actual Ferrari racing wheel making it an ideal collector’s item for fans of the sport. It’s also officially licensed by Ferrari for use on the latest consoles and PC. The reinforced scratched-brushed metal face provides a considerable amount of weight to give you optimum stability and inertia when compared to racing wheels made of plastic. The sides are also rubber-textured to give gamers a more realistic and comfortable grip when playing games, especially online.
This racing wheel has a list of extensive professional built-in equipment such as rotary knobs, switches, action buttons, 8 push-buttons, 2 8-directional D-Pads, as well as 2 up/down shifters enabling each driver to make precision adjustments according to his/her own racing styles. It also has 2 rotary encoder switches to allow you a more direct on-the-track optimization of your car’s race settings as you go. The wheel also has an automatic centering feature to help you as you play making it the ultimate racing wheel for F1 and other similar games. This racing wheel also works with the Thrustmaster T500 RS which makes this a great investment in all types of racing games.
Thrustmaster F599XX EVO 30 Racing Wheel Alcantara Edition
This racing wheel is an 8:10 scale replica of the actual F599XX EVO officially licensed by Ferrari for use on the PS4, Xbox One, and PC. It works just as well with the latest next-gen consoles like the PS5 and Xbox Series S|X. The hand-stitched wrapping on the wheel is made from Alcantara material imported from Italy. This material is also used on real Ferrari wheels for an authentic driving experience. The racing wheel features Polyurethane molding for a more flexible touch and added comfort. It also has an internal hoop made of steel for improved Force Feedback effects and realistic sensations when racing.
The wheel size is 11.8” in diameter, and the weight is 2.6 lbs. It’s slightly larger than other racing wheels on the list thus making for greater immersion while racing. The metal central steering plate is 2mm thick and provides a super-responsive Force Feedback effect as you play. The new ergonomic design of this racing wheel features 2 wheel-mounted sequential paddle shifters which Thrustmaster claims to have a life cycle of up to 10,000,000 uses. The wheel is easily detachable so you can switch from one wheel to another because of the Thrustmaster Quick Release System, making it a great investment for racing sim fans.
Thrustmaster TS-XW Sparco P310 Competition Wheel
The TS-XW Racer Sparco P310 Competition Wheel is the first collaboration between Thrustmaster and Sparco to create a highly realistic wheel for gamers specifically designed for competitive gaming. It’s 12.2” in diameter and is an exact 1:1 scale replica of the actual Sparco P310 wheel. The racer motor produces 40 watts of powerful brushless Force Feedback for an extremely realistic driving sensation. The cooling system of this racing wheel maintains stability as well as avoids overheating issues, especially when playing for long hours. It also stays very quiet which is great for highly competitive gaming sessions.
This racing wheel incorporates a dual-belt pulley system that’s also axle mounted on metal ball-bearings. It gives the gaming peripheral a very smooth performance to instantly respond to ultra-fast reaction times needed of the game. The TS-XW Sparco P310 competition wheel also includes a pedal set made from 100% metal when you buy it online. It also has a Conical Rubber Brake mod. The pedal set is fully adjustable in terms of height and spacing. This allows gamers to set it up according to their specific needs.
Thrustmaster Ferrari 250 GTO Racing Wheel
For gamers who also want a piece of history, the Ferrari 250 GTO Racing Wheel is an 8:10 scale replica of one of the most famous Ferrari cars ever produced. It measures 13” in diameter and provides a unique and visually appealing feel for your console and PC racing games. This collector’s item is so beautiful you’ll be proud to display it at home. The racing wheel is designed with premium materials and includes a very sturdy metal frame. Both sides are also covered with a genuine wood finish for a vintage feel.
This racing wheel comes in an elegant box which will be a great gift for your gamer friends who’re into racing games. The price is reasonable for being a collector’s item while also having the capacity to give you total immersion as you race. It also comes with a hot-stamped inner foam display when you just want to marvel at its beauty. This racing wheel is compatible with the Thrustmaster T-series racing wheels and the TH8A add-on shifter for your PC gaming rig.
Thrustmaster Ferrari 458 Spider Racing Wheel
The Ferrari 458 Spider Racing Wheel by Thrustmaster is the official plug-and-play racing wheel for Xbox One and Xbox Series S|X with USB recognition. It’s the most popular racing wheel for bestselling games like Forza and the like. This versatile racing wheel is highly customizable for gamers to achieve incredible precision no matter which racing game you’re playing. The wheel is 11” in diameter which is a 7:10 scale replica of the actual race wheel of the Ferrari 458 Spider sports car to make your racing experience as real as possible.
The wheelbase is optimized with a bungee cord mechanism to make resistance linear no matter the rotation angle. This gives you more comfort and intuitive control as you race. The wheel also has an automatic re-centering feature and a central clamping system for optimal stability. Buying this racing wheel comes with 2 100% metal paddle shifters that have a wide footrest. The inclinations are highly adjustable and the pedals have great progressive resistance for an enjoyable gaming experience even on long hours.
Buying Guide
Price
The price of the racing wheel is definitely the first thing you should take into consideration when getting a racing wheel. If you’re a beginner, it’s probably a safe bet to start with the cheaper range of racing wheels before investing in the more expensive ones to test if you’ll take racing games seriously. Thrustmaster offers a lot of racing wheels at different price points so get one that works for you and your budget and see how it works as you experience it firsthand.
Design
We’re kidding you if we’re not factoring in the design when choosing the right racing wheel for you. Not only does your racing wheel have to be great at controls, but it also has to look good! Since the overall look and design you want is more of a personal preference, choose the racing wheel that matches your personality. Thrustmaster offers wheels that are scale replicas of actual racing wheels from most sports cars so you’ll definitely have one that suits your style.
Force Feedback
This buzzword is often thrown around when choosing the right wheel so much so that beginners usually get lost trying to understand what it means. Force Feedback is basically the factor in racing games that lets you experience driving a car in real-world conditions. Look for racing wheels that offer great Force Feedback so driving feels more authentic. Having little to no Force Feedback puts you at a disadvantage especially when racing competitively.
Wheel Rotation
Playing racing games means you want your racing wheel to be as realistic as possible as if you’re driving in real life. Look for racing wheels with a degree of rotation of up to 900 degrees. This means you won’t have to exert as much effort on turning than required. Fortunately, Thrustmaster racing wheels have this covered so you will not go wrong with choosing any product. In the end, it only comes down to your personal preference.
FAQs
What’s the best type of Force Feedback?
The most accurate Force Feedback is Direct Drive but it comes at a price as they’re the most expensive of the bunch. Most racing wheels you’ll find online are either belt or gear-driven. Belt-driven Force Feedback offers excellent responses just like Direct Drive with little compromise. Gear-driven systems meanwhile are the most common and the cheapest of racing wheel Force Feedback types.
Can I play games without a racing wheel?
You definitely can play racing games with your laptop, keyboard, or controllers. But where’s the fun in that? The joy of racing games is the ability to put you in the driver’s seat and experience realism at the comforts of your own home. Investing in quality racing wheels puts your gaming experience to the next level which is why it’s always recommended to get one yourself especially if you’re into racing games.
