Skip to content
SimRacingCave
Menu

Thrustmaster T300RS GT Review: The Belt Wheel That Refuses to Retire

Updated 2026-08-21 Researched, not tested in person
Quick answer

Buy it if you want a smooth, quiet, proven belt wheel with three pedals included and a long upgrade path. Skip it if direct drive is within reach, because the T598 sits about $66 above it and the difference in detail is not subtle.

Three pedals in the box, a belt-driven motor, and a direct drive rival $66 away.

Best Belt Drive Wheel

Thrustmaster T300RS GT Force Feedback Racing Wheel and 3 Pedal Set

Around $400

A belt-driven force feedback wheel with a three-pedal GT set, built for PS5 and PC and part of Thrustmaster's upgradeable ecosystem.

Check price on Amazon

Specifications

Drive type Belt driven motor
Pedals Three-pedal GT set included
Platforms PS5 and PC
Ecosystem Compatible with Thrustmaster wheels, shifters and pedals
Feedback Force feedback for curbs, drift and traction loss

Specifications above come from Thrustmaster's published product specifications. Treat pricing as approximate, since Amazon pricing moves.

What it does well

  • Belt drive is smooth and quiet in a way gear-driven wheels are not. There is no notchiness through the centre.
  • Three pedals in the box, including a clutch, which the direct drive T598 package does not match at its price.
  • It has been sold for years, which means the community knowledge, mounting solutions and settings guides for it are exhaustive.
  • The Thrustmaster upgrade path means the rim, pedals and shifter can all be replaced without replacing the base.
  • For anyone coming from a controller, it is more wheel than they will use for a long time.

Where it falls short

  • Belt drive filters the feedback. Details that a direct drive motor delivers straight to your hands are softened on their way through a belt and pulley.
  • The T598 is direct drive for roughly $66 more, which makes this a harder recommendation than it was two years ago.
  • The included pedals are potentiometer based with no load cell, so braking is by position rather than pressure.
  • It is an older product and the design shows it next to current wheels with dash screens and on-wheel adjustment.
  • Belts stretch over years of use, which is a maintenance item rather than a failure, and it is a wear part direct drive does not have.

What owners report

Owner reports over many years describe it as reliable, smooth and pleasant to drive, with the main long-term issue being belt and bearing wear at high hours. The most common current comment is comparative rather than critical: people note that direct drive at this price has changed what $400 should buy. The three-pedal set is repeatedly cited as good value even though the brake is not a load cell.

Run the comparison directly at T598 vs T300RS GT and T248 vs T300RS GT. The underlying principle is covered at direct drive vs belt drive, and the build cost calculator will tell you whether the direct drive route fits the whole budget rather than just the wheel.

Who it suits

  • Drivers upgrading from a controller who want a complete, proven package.
  • Anyone who wants a clutch pedal included rather than bought separately.
  • PS5 racers on a firm $400 budget.
  • Buyers who value quiet operation, since belt drive is the quietest of the three drive types.

Who should skip it

  • Anyone who can stretch to direct drive, where the T598 is the obvious step.
  • Drivers chasing braking consistency, since the pedals have no load cell.
  • PC racers, who have stronger options at this price.

Alternatives worth considering

Step-Up Alternative

Thrustmaster T598 Direct Drive Racing Wheel and Pedal Set

Around $466

Direct drive at 5 Nm constant, a dash screen and mag-shift paddles for around $66 more. The reason the T300RS is a harder recommendation than it used to be.

Check price on Amazon
Budget Pick

Thrustmaster T248P Force Feedback Racing Wheel

Around $308

Cheaper, with a dash screen and 25 buttons. A hybrid drive rather than pure belt, and two pedals rather than three.

Check price on Amazon
The Upgrade That Matters

Logitech G RS Sim Racing Pedals with 75 kg Load Cell Brake

Around $150

A load cell brake will improve your lap times more than moving from belt drive to direct drive will, and it costs less.

Check price on Amazon

Keep reading

This review draws on published specifications, manufacturer figures and the consensus of verified owner reviews. We have not tested this product ourselves, and we say so rather than implying otherwise. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

Frequently asked questions

Is the T300RS still worth buying?

It is worth buying if $400 is a hard ceiling and you want three pedals included. If you can reach the T598 at around $466, direct drive is a meaningful step up in detail and that is where the money should go. Our direct comparison covers both sides.

T300RS or T248?

The T300RS has a stronger and smoother belt-driven motor and a three-pedal set. The T248 is cheaper and adds a dash screen and more buttons. If force feedback quality is the priority, the T300RS. If budget and features are, the T248.

Does the T300RS work on Xbox?

No. Thrustmaster lists it for PS5 and PC. Xbox racers need one of the Xbox-licensed wheels instead, so check the platform on the listing rather than assuming a wheel covers everything.

Do the belts wear out?

Over enough hours, yes. Belt and pulley wear is a known long-term maintenance item on belt-driven wheels, and parts are available. Direct drive has no belt to wear, which is one of its quieter long-term advantages.

How we choose: we compare published manufacturer specifications, documented torque and travel figures, and verified owner reviews. We do not test gear in person. Everything here is researched guidance, not professional installation advice. Direct drive wheelbases produce enough torque to injure a wrist, and rig hardware carries real weight, so follow the manufacturer's mounting and torque limits.

Planning your own rig on paper first? The Sim Rig Build Planner is the paid version of these pages: 8 printable worksheets you fill in with your own numbers, plus the full PDF, $29.