Sim-racing began to take off some time ago, particularly with the release of consoles such as the PS3 and Xbox 360. On these two platforms, racing game developers have had a field day, offering us titles that are realistic, immersive and fun.

Naturally, manufacturers of sim-racing peripherals saw this opportunity and jumped at it. From then on, it was a race for innovative, high-performance products that pushed realism to the limit.

Nowadays, we have many sim-racing peripherals, as well as many manufacturers. Game leaders such as Logitech, Thrustmaster and Fanatec have been in the game for over 20 years, and know how to satisfy their customers. In what follows, we take a look at a famous Xbox and PC racing wheel from Thrustmaster, the TX Racing Wheel Leather Edition. I’ll introduce it, tell you about its strengths and weaknesses, and tell you who it’s best suited to.

Main and technical features of the steering wheel

• Metal, leather and plastic design
• 28 cm diameter wheel
• 3.9 nm torque brushless motor
• USB connection
• Rotation angle up to 900
• Pedalboard with 3 pedals in the bundle
• Compatible with Xbox (since the One) and PC

Thrustmaster TX design

Let’s make no mistake: Thrustmaster knows a thing or two about design, and the TX is a very handsome steering wheel, minimalist to be sure, but very well executed. Drawing a great deal of inspiration from racing wheels, particularly those from brands like Sparco, the Thrustmaster TX features a central aluminum wheel structure, with leather for the rim. It’s premium, and above all, durable.

The wheel is 28 cm in diameter, which is small as far as I’m concerned. But then, with mid-range Thrustmaster wheels, we’re used to having this diameter, so… On this one, you’ve got the Xbox buttons, with a switch on the bottom right. It’s beautifully done, and above all, very well laid out.

The base, meanwhile, is pretty much like all the manufacturer’s others: plastic with a good size and slots for motor ventilation. It’s in black, and I really like it. As for the crankset, it’s the T3PA, also simple in design and structure. There are 3 metal pedals.

Customized assembly

Given the number of models offered by Thrustmaster, it would be an understatement to say that the manufacturer has mastered the art of mounting its products. The Thrustmaster TX is mounted, as usual, using a clamp that attaches to the underside of the base. The clamp is very sturdy and easy to use for attaching the steering wheel to a table or desk.

As far as cockpits are concerned, most of the models available on the market include mounting points (with screws) for the Thrustmaster TX. Logical, given that not only is the brand very famous, but this steering wheel is also very popular among sim-racers. So, on this point, there’s nothing to worry about.

The same goes for the pedalboard. Most chassis will be compatible with it, and if your setup is a desk or table, I’d advise you, depending on the type of floor, to wedge it against a wall or with a heavy object so that it doesn’t move from its position.

Manufacturing and finishing

As with other Thrustmaster steering wheels, the TX is very well finished, with excellent build quality. You’d say “normal, given its price”, and yes, I think it’s normal too.

The aluminum steering wheel is anodized, the leather is textured and the paddles are also metal. The base is plastic and rather imposing in size, as are those of the T300, TMX and others. All the parts of the base fit together very well, leaving no gaps or spaces that could cause staining.

It’s the same story for the crankset, with a mostly plastic peripheral. The footrest is rather wide, with rubber to prevent slippage. All in all, the T3PA is a good crankset that comes close to mid-range standards.

Once again, Thrustmaster has come up with a good, well-finished product. This steering wheel proudly represents the brand and its commitment to quality products.

Handling the steering wheel

Since the Thrustmaster TX is based on the T300, T300RS or TMX steering wheels, its grip is almost identical to them, if a little better.

Well, it’s all the same with the wheel. Your hands are in a neutral position, and the diameter of the steering wheel (28 cm) can be problematic for some people. However, the overall ergonomics of the steering wheel, and especially the positioning of the buttons, change all that.

On the Thrustmaster TX Racing Wheel Leather Edition, all the buttons are superbly positioned, very close to your fingers. This means you can press them without your hands leaving the wheel. However, you should be aware that the base also includes a few buttons that are not at all usable “on the fly”, in the middle of a race. But then, this is a recurring problem with a good part of the Thrustmaster range, for reasons that are obscure to me.

The paddles are also very easy to use. Being large and close to the wheel, you’ll have no trouble using them to shift gears. As for the pedals, if you don’t have a cockpit, you’ll just have to wedge them against a wall, otherwise they’ll cut in as fast as you push the accelerator pedal down to explode the lap times.

Sensations during play

Although the Thrustmaster TX looks a lot like the T300, I noticed that it had a better feel, especially in terms of force feedback.

The 3.9 nm brushless motor is both precise and generous in feel. Admittedly, the drive is belt-driven, but that’s not bad at all, especially considering that this flywheel is celebrating its 8th birthday. And this feeling is accentuated by the good grip, which is also much better than that of the T300s.

However, not everything is green with the Thrustmaster TX. As I mentioned earlier, the motor on this steering wheel is a little noisy, especially during sudden wheel movements. This is to be expected, given the belt drive, but you soon get used to it.

Another negative point is the crankset, which is a little basic for the price of the bundle. Admittedly, it’s much better than the one supplied with the T300RS, for example, but I was expecting a higher-performance product, or at least one with Load Cell on the brake.

Thrustmaster TX compatibility

The Thrustmaster TX is first and foremost an Xbox-licensed steering wheel, making it compatible with Microsoft platforms. For consoles, you’ll need at least an Xbox One to enjoy this little gem, and Uncle Sam’s latest consoles are also compatible with it.

As for chassis, if you shop at Playseat, almost the entire range from the Dutch manufacturer is compatible with the Thrustmaster TX, as are virtually all other cockpits on the market.

Value for money

The Thrustmaster TX Racing Wheel Leather Edition is listed at €499.99 on the manufacturer’s website, but you can often find it for €420 on Amazon. For this price, this wheel remains an excellent choice, especially when compared to a Logitech G920 for example, or even a G923.

Admittedly, the Thrustmaster TX Racing Wheel Leather Edition is a little old compared to Logitech’s latest toy, but it’s still a high-performance machine, putting many other competitors in its price bracket to shame. In any case, I consider the TX to be very good value for money.

My verdict on the Thrustmaster TX

Despite the weight of years, the Thrustmaster TX Racing Wheel Leather Edition remains an excellent wheel to consider today. Its price is perfectly in line with the competition, and this wheel will give you many hours of sim-racing pleasure, whether as an amateur or a professional.

It’s not perfect, of course, but it ticks as many boxes for a sim-racing wheel as I could consider, and I frankly loved the hours I spent on it. In any case, I recommend the Thrustmaster TX Racing Wheel Leather Edition to all budding racers. If not, you can always see if you find what you’re looking for among the the 6 Best Sim Racing Wheels at 2025 by clicking here.