Although many sim-racing brands have emerged in recent years, the market leaders are manufacturers who have been around since the late 90s. With over 20 years’ experience, Thrustmaster has offered us a wide range of products for all types of simulation: racing, aviation and more.

As you probably know, every sim-racer chooses peripherals according to his or her preferences and, above all, budget. In fact, it’s often the bank account that plays the role of policeman, limiting our choice of products.

There are plenty of sim-racing wheels on the market, with virtually every sim-racer’s needs catered for. Having been in the game since the 90s, Thrustmaster has established itself as one of the market leaders, with an extensive catalog of sim-racing products and peripherals.

For this article, I chose the Thrustmaster T300RSa mid-range steering wheel that’s perfect for many drivers. I’m going to introduce it to you, tell you about its features, its advantages and its few disadvantages.

Main and technical features of the steering wheel

• Max. rotation angle 1080°.
• Powerful brushless motor for force feedback
• Magnetic sensor on motor for precise angle of rotation determination
• 28 cm diameter wheel
• Integrated Quick Release system
• Pedals with 2 pedals
• Compatible with PS4, PS5 and PC
• Official Playstation license

Thrustmaster T300RS design

Being a fan of sober steering wheels with a minimalist design, I have to admit I love the Thrustmaster T300RS. It’s simple, all black with a blue band at the top. Admittedly, I realize that some sim-racers won’t necessarily like such a sober peripheral, but I have to say that the T300RS is beautiful and goes perfectly with any set-up.

The wheel is 28 cm in diameter, a common feature on Thrustmaster steering wheels. It’s made of metal for strength and durability. Having used it for many months, I can tell you that it’s solid.

Another distinctive design element is the steering wheel paddles. They are made of aluminum and are a very good size. As the Thrustmaster T300RS incorporates a Quick Release system, the paddles are attached to the steering wheel, which won’t please everyone, as some sim-racers prefer to have them attached to the base.

As for the latter, its overall design is minimalist, with a few buttons on its face. However, its size is rather large, protruding just a hair above the wheel. On the whole, it’s in keeping with Thrustmaster’s basic design.

Customized assembly

The Thrustmaster T300RS is a mid-range steering wheel designed primarily for beginner and amateur sim racers. As a result, it’s easy to mount on a table, desk or cockpit setup.

In fact, many chassis manufacturers provide mounting points for Thrustmaster steering wheels, and the T300RS is one of them. The mounting system for tables and desks is in the form of an M10 screw and a bracket that fits under the table/desk. During my sim-racing sessions, I didn’t feel any instability with this mounting system, and this is mainly due to the fact that the bracket is a good size, providing a wide mounting area for the base.

As for the wheel itself, it features a Quick Release system that allows swapping without too much trouble. However, you should be aware that the choice of wheels is rather limited, being confined to the T300 range. Admittedly, this is still a possibility for wheel customization, but limited as far as I’m concerned. Thrustmaster is still a long way from reaching the standard of Fanatec in terms of wheel ecosystem.

Manufacturing and finishing

From memory, all Thrustmaster products are very well built, with an excellent finish, and the T300RS is one of them. The surfaces of the steering wheel are smooth, with parts that fit together with millimetre precision.

The wheel structure is brushed metal, and the entire rim is surrounded by a perforated material that looks like leather. All in all, it’s very well made and solid.

When you pick up the Thrustmaster T300RS, the grip is excellent, much better than other steering wheels with a leather wheel finish. I find this astonishing. The wheel is securely attached to the base with the Quick Release system, which is both robust and well finished.

As for the pedalboard, well, it’s basic. The structure is almost entirely in plastic, as are the pedals, of which there are 2. Admittedly, it’s well-finished and well-built, but it’s still an entry-level device coupled with a mid-range steering wheel. It looks cheap from Thrustmaster, and that’s how the brand manages to sell the T300RS at an aggressive price.

Handling the steering wheel

Where the T300RS hasn’t done things by halves is in the grip. Even though the wheel is a little small (28 cm in diameter), you’ll feel right at home behind it. Thrustmaster hasn’t put a flat bottom on the wheel, but that doesn’t change the T300RS user experience in the slightest.

Overall ergonomics are very good, even if the buttons are a little far from the hands, but that’s another story. The material used for the wheel is metal, which gives it solidity and a beautiful design. Thrustmaster has also used a kind of perforated rubber for maximum grip.

Hours of sim-racing on it is child’s play. The T300RS is so good at what it does, it’s almost impossible to get tired of sim-racing sessions.

Another positive point: the paddles are a good size. They have a magnetic sensor and are made of metal, so they click well and react to the slightest stress. However, you should be aware that they are attached to the wheel, not the base. Some sim-racers may find this problematic, but I didn’t.

Sensations during play

The T300RS motor is a 25-watt Brushless, providing breathtaking force feedback for the technology. Honestly, without seeing them, I couldn’t tell the difference between the T300RS motor and a 5 nm Fanatec CSL DD at first glance.

Game feel is realistic, even making you doubt you’re using a mid-range steering wheel. Steering is not only responsive, but precise, with no latency or dead center. As I said earlier, it’s mind-blowing to use the T300RS for sim-racing, especially with its maximum rotation angle of 1080°.

The only weak point in this bundle is the pedalboard. For me, it’s a blot on a picture that could have been perfect for the price. Made entirely of plastic, it’s mute in feel, and feel for that matter. Frankly, this is a missed opportunity for Thrustmaster, which could have decimated all the competition in this segment.

Thrustmaster T300RS compatibility

The T300RS is an officially licensed Playstation wheel, making it compatible with PS4, PS5 and PC. There are virtually no settings to make it work on these platforms, and the PC offers a better wheel configuration for those looking for that.

As far as setups are concerned, the T300RS ‘s mounting system is so well thought-out and easy to use that it makes it compatible with virtually all cockpits available on the market, including those from Playseat. By the way, if you’re interested, I’ve already given my opinion on various cockpits from this brand, which you can find by clicking here.

Value for money

The Thrustamster T300RS is currently priced at €330 on special offer, and €350 off special offer. If you set aside the pedalboard that comes with it, the T300RS remains a steering wheel with excellent value for money. In terms of feel, immersion and driving precision, you won’t find anything better in this segment, especially at this price. But the T3PA crankset is just one of the brakes on this steering wheel.

My verdict on the Thrustmaster T300RS

As far as I’m concerned, the Thrustamster T300RS remains a superb steering wheel for beginners or sim-racing enthusiasts. Offering unique racing immersion, this steering wheel has virtually no rivals in its segment.

The only thing I’d like to change about this steering wheel is its pedals, which are too simple, providing no feel for the game. At worst, you have the T300RS GT (on which I’ve also given my opinion here) which has a better crankset, but is also more expensive. If you’re interested, I’ve also written an article on the 6 Best Steering Wheels for Sim Racing in 2025which I invite you to discover.