As with many disciplines and passions, you have to start somewhere. For sim-racing, it’s the same, and beginnings are always made with a steering wheel, base and pedals bundle.

Every sim-racer around the world has its own setup including the basic peripherals I’ve just mentioned, and a good proportion of them have other peripherals like gear levers, chassis, etc. This is just to let you know that each person is unique and will therefore have different needs when it comes to sim-racing.

But where everyone agrees is on the need to have a steering wheel, a base and a pedalboard for sim-racing as an amateur, beginner or pro. Without these essential peripherals, you might as well continue racing with a joystick, and that’s that.

In what follows, I’m going to introduce you to the Thrustmaster TMXa steering wheel aimed at Xbox beginners on a limited budget. Will the TMX be your next purchase? Let’s find out!

Main and technical features of the steering wheel

• 28 cm diameter wheel
• Rotation angle between 270° and 900°.
• Dynamic force feedback
• Brushless motor
• Official Xbox license
• Pedals in the bundle
• USB connection

Thrustmaster TMX design

For fans of Thrustmaster products, the TMX is a steering wheel that’s not really new, and that doesn’t deviate from the brand’s stylistic codes. The wheel is 28 cm in diameter, with a metal structure and a rubber finish on part of the edges, where you put your hands.

Black is the predominant color on this steering wheel, with only 4 colored buttons on the top. Thrustmaster fans will recognize that this steering wheel bears a striking resemblance to the T300RSand it does. In reality, the TMX is just an Xbox version of the T300RS, which is only compatible with Sony consoles.

In absolute terms, it’s sober, and this steering wheel goes perfectly with any set-up imaginable. The only part of the design that I didn’t like was the brand logo on the lower arm of the steering wheel. The logo in the middle is more than enough, in my opinion. But then, it’s not too intrusive and you forget about it pretty quickly.

Customized assembly

The Thrustmaster TMX comes with the brand’s legendary mounting system, enabling it to be mounted on virtually any surface. Desk, table, cockpit, it doesn’t matter, because this steering wheel is both easy to install on the setup and very stable once in place.

For tables and desks, there’s a high-quality, sturdy plastic clamp. This is located under the steering wheel and is very easy to access. For cockpits, brands like Playseat typically provide mounting points for Thrustmaster steering wheels, so all you have to do is screw the base to the chassis and you’re ready to go.

However, the wheel has no Quick Release system, so you won’t be able to swap it for more immersive sim-racing sessions when playing F1 2022, for example. It’s a bit of a shame, but given the toy’s price, it’s perfectly understandable.

Manufacturing and finishing

The Thrustmaster TMX is made entirely of plastic, except for the paddles and wheel structure. Even if it’s far from being the noblest and most durable material, this steering wheel is still quite well made, with a finish worthy of the brand.

Admittedly, it’s a little noisy when you press it in certain places, and you can hear the plastic move when a certain amount of force is applied, but it’s well finished all the same. I didn’t notice any protruding edges or parts that didn’t fit together. Once again, Thrustmaster offers us a well-made product, albeit at a very low price.

On the base, you have openings that allow air to circulate and also give the steering wheel a slightly “racing” look. As for the crankset, it’s really quite basic. The structure is plastic, as are the pedals. It’s fairly well finished, but not very solid. Once again, price dictated the choice of materials and structure.

Handling the steering wheel

Since the Thrustmaster TMX is in some ways the brother of the T300RSits handling is virtually identical.

The wheel is round and 28 cm in diameter, which may be problematic for some sim-racers who prefer larger-diameter wheels. Even though it’s a little small, it feels good in the hand in absolute terms. Your hands are naturally close to the paddles and buttons, something that can’t be said for the T300RS.

The TMX ‘s ergonomics are much better than those of its Playstation sibling, as the buttons are closer to your fingers than they are on the T300RS. As a result, your hands won’t leave the steering wheel to operate any buttons, except perhaps the D-Pad. But then, that’s unlikely to happen, as the steering wheel is quite small.

When it comes to pallets, it’s pretty much the same story. They are large and made of metal, making them easy to reach, even for small hands. The paddles are mounted on the Thrustmaster TMX wheel, so they rotate with it. For me, it’s no problem to have them this way, but I can see how it might bother some sim-racers and drivers. However, they’re not magnetic, so sensation-wise, it’s limited.

Sensations during play

Even though Thrustmaster TMX is an entry-level steering wheel, it’s no less convincing in terms of feel and sensations. Admittedly, the belt-driven Brushless motor technology isn’t the most remarkable, or even high-performance, but Thrustmaster has mastered it quite well.

The steering wheel is both precise and responsive, allowing you to feel everything the car does, from understeer to oversteer. Another positive point is that the Thrustmaster TMX has no QR, so there are no dead zones in the center, unlike some Fanatec steering wheels.

The only negative points I could find on this bundle are the crankset and the motor, which is a little noisy at times. As for the crankset, it’s the most basic of basics, with an all-plastic structure. In absolute terms, it’s “ok”, but you won’t get much of a feel for it. In the end, I prefer to use the buttons for braking and accelerating.

As for the engine noise, I got used to it over time, and it will certainly be the same for you.

Thrustmaster TMX compatibility

The Thrustmaster TMX Force Feedback is an Xbox-licensed wheel, which means it will work on Microsoft platforms from the Xbox One upwards, as well as on PC.

In terms of titles, the Thrustmaster TMX is compatible with Asseto Corsa, Dirt, Forza Motorsport and Project Cars, among others. You’re well covered in terms of racing sims with this steering wheel, as well as arcade-style games.

As far as cockpits are concerned, it’s worth noting that a good proportion of the products available on the market are compatible with the Thrustmaster TMX. So I wouldn’t worry too much about that, even if I wouldn’t necessarily buy a cockpit with such a steering wheel.

Value for money

The Thrustmaster TMX is priced at €269.99 on the manufacturer’s website, but you can find it for around €200 at retailers such as Amazon. Its value for money is pretty good, considering the target audience.

Force feedback is correct and realistic. The Thrustmaster TMX Force Feedback remains a good choice for getting started in sim-racing on Microsoft platforms, even if the overall quality of the product leaves a little to be desired, especially in terms of the pedalboard, which is the big negative point of this bundle.

My verdict on the Thrustmaster TMX

For sim-racing beginners and occasional racers alike, the Thrustmaster TMX is a relevant choice in terms of product quality and feel. If you put aside the pedalboard and go for the T3PAyou’ll have an excellent bundle for sim-racing, even at a fairly high level.

As far as I’m concerned, the Thrustmaster TMX is a pretty good choice in terms of sim-racing peripherals, and this product will suit everyone, as long as you’re not too fussy about the pedalboard. If you’re interested, I’ve also done an article on the 6 Best Steering Wheels for Xbox Series X at 2025, which I urge you to check out.