Thrustmaster T598 Review: Direct Drive With Pedals Included

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

Quick answer

Buy it if you want your first direct drive wheel as a complete package rather than a base you then have to finish. Skip it if you already own good pedals, because you are paying for a set you will not use and a bare base costs less.

Five newton metres of constant torque and a complete package, with entry-level pedals.

Best First Direct Drive

Thrustmaster T598 Direct Drive Racing Wheel and Pedal Set

Around $466

A 5 Nm constant torque direct drive wheel and pedal set with a detachable 11.8-inch rim, mag-shift paddles and an integrated race dash screen.

Check price on Amazon

Specifications

Torque	5 Nm constant torque
Rim	11.8 inch (30cm) detachable
Shifters	Mag-shift paddle shifters
Display	Integrated race dash screen for force feedback settings and in-game data
Pedals	Raceling LTE pedal set included
Platforms	PS5, PS4 and PC, using Thrustmaster HARMONY
Title support	Stated over 100 supported driving and sim titles

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

What it does well

Constant torque rather than peak, so the 5 Nm figure is the one you actually get under load.
It is a complete package. Base, rim and pedals arrive together and race the same evening.
The race dash screen lets you change force feedback without leaving the car.
Mag-shift paddles use magnets rather than microswitches, so the shift feel does not deteriorate with use.
Direct drive with PlayStation support for under $500, which was not possible a couple of years ago.

Where it falls short

The included Raceling LTE pedals are the compromise. There is no load cell brake, and braking consistency is where most lap time hides.
Five newton metres is entry-level direct drive. It is more informative than a belt wheel and it is not the weight of a 12 Nm base.
The Thrustmaster rim ecosystem is smaller than Fanatec's or MOZA's, so the upgrade path is narrower.
The screen is genuinely useful and it is also the kind of feature that adds failure points to a wheel.
Direct drive of any strength wants a rigid mount, and a flexing desk will hide the detail you paid for.

What owners report

Owners moving up from a T300RS or G923 describe an immediate difference in detail and a smaller difference in strength, which matches a 5 Nm constant figure. The pedals are the near-universal criticism and the near-universal first upgrade. The dash screen and the mag-shift paddles draw consistent praise. Reports of setup being genuinely plug and play are common, which is not always the case in this category.

The comparison people run is T598 vs T300RS GT, which is the belt-versus-direct-drive question inside one brand, and direct drive vs belt drive covers the principle. When you replace the pedals, load cell vs potentiometer pedals explains what you are buying.

Who it suits

First-time direct drive buyers who want one purchase rather than three.
PlayStation racers on a budget under $500.
Drivers upgrading from a T300RS, T248 or G923.
Anyone who wants on-wheel force feedback adjustment.

Who should skip it

Owners of good pedals already, who should buy a bare base instead.
Drivers who want 8 Nm or more, who should look at the RS50 or a MOZA base.
Buyers deep in the Fanatec or MOZA rim ecosystems.

Alternatives worth considering

Gran Turismo Alternative

Fanatec Gran Turismo DD Pro Wheel, Base and Pedals

Around $800

The same 5 Nm class with a rim designed by Polyphony Digital for GT7 and a much wider upgrade ecosystem, for considerably more money.

Check price on Amazon

Belt Drive Alternative

Thrustmaster T300RS GT Force Feedback Racing Wheel and 3 Pedal Set

Around $400

Cheaper, belt driven rather than direct drive, and it includes a three-pedal set rather than two. The older approach, still competent.

Check price on Amazon

The First Upgrade

MOZA CRP2 Load Cell Pedals

Around $370

The bundled pedals are the weak point of this package, and a load cell brake is the single change that most improves consistency.

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 T598 a real direct drive wheel?

Yes. Thrustmaster states 5 Nm of constant torque from a direct axial drive motor, with the motor connected directly to the wheel shaft rather than through a belt or gears. Constant torque is the harder number to hit, so 5 Nm constant compares favourably with peak figures quoted elsewhere.

Are the T598 pedals good enough?

For learning, yes. For consistency, no. The Raceling LTE set has no load cell brake, which means you brake by pedal position rather than by pressure, and pressure is what your foot is actually good at repeating. It is the first upgrade nearly every owner makes.

T598 or T300RS GT?

The T598 is direct drive and the T300RS is belt driven, which is the whole difference. The T598 gives more detail and the T300RS includes three pedals instead of two for less money. Our direct comparison goes through both.

Does the T598 work on Xbox?

The PS5 and PC version does not. Thrustmaster sells a separate Xbox Series X, Series S and PC version of the T598, so check which listing you are ordering rather than assuming the wheel covers every platform.

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.