Thrustmaster T248R 3.1 Nm Force Feedback Racing Wheel and Pedal Set
design
Let’s play spot the difference between the Thrustmaster T248R and its predecessor. It’ll be a short game because unless you’re looking at them face-on, there’s not much to pick out. The compact hexagonal wheelbase remains unchanged, following the same design language Thrustmaster has used across its range for years. It’s aged well enough and the subtle branding keeps things understated, it’s a smart looking unit.
What hasn’t aged quite so gracefully is the construction. The T248R is plastic through and through, and nowhere is this more apparent than across the wheel face itself. The comparably-priced Logitech G923 manages a brushed aluminium faceplate, here you get plastic with imitation carbon fibre trim that Thrustmaster reckons delivers “a sportier look.” Plastic pretending to be carbon fibre is still plastic, and it feels it here unfortunately. The 25 action buttons dotted around the wheel face are at least well positioned, most sit within easy thumb reach and while they’re not mechanical switches, they’re responsive enough.
The meaningful changes arrive with the wheel rim and paddle shifters. Thrustmaster has wrapped the outside of the 28cm rim in perforated leather that feels properly plush with a satisfying amount of give. Outside is the key word though because the inside of the rim is still hard plastic. It’s a literal tale of two halves. The leather felt wonderful against my palms during testing, but after a few laps in F1 25 my thumbs were starting to complain about that unforgiving inner surface.
The paddle shifters have been reworked and things are much more positive here. They address one of the original T248’s most persistent criticisms: noise. The Mag-Shift magnetic sensors remain for precision, but the mechanism has been quietened. I haven’t used the original to make a direct comparison, but the T248R’s paddles are no louder than any other wheel I’ve tested. They’re nicely sized, well positioned, and remained responsive throughout my time with them.
performance
Getting the Thrustmaster T248R up and running was straightforward enough, just three cables into the wheelbase and you’re away. One from the pedals, one for power, one USB-C to your platform of choice. Simple. It’s compatible with PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and PC – with no Xbox variant available or being considered.
What’s less simple is the cable positioning. Thrustmaster has tucked the ports underneath the base, recessed near the front, and it’s a bizarre choice. You’ll need to connect everything before mounting the wheel to anything, something I discovered the hard way, and once installed you’re left with cables awkwardly dangling between your legs. The entire back of the wheelbase sits blank. Why not put the connectors there like everyone else?
The T248R runs Thrustmaster’s T-HD Hybrid Force Feedback system, combining belts and gears to produce 3.1Nm of torque. That’s a small bump up from what the Logitech G923 manages and on paper similar to the MOZA R3, though the latter is direct drive. An onboard colour LCD screen lets you tweak the limited settings available, and it’s flanked by four LEDs that handle rev lights, flags, and pit limiter status. Those LEDs are properly bright and I’d have preferred them along the top of the wheel for better visibility, but they still catch your eye without needing to glance down. The screen itself can relay a varying amount of telemetry and race data depending on the game, and it’s easy to flick through them with the onboard controls.
One thing worth noting: the wheelbase runs noticeably louder than I expected. Coming from a silent direct drive setup, the whirring of the hybrid force feedback system and active fan cooling was surprisingly present. It’s not going to drown out engine sounds, but it still stood out.
The force feedback strength defaults to 50% intensity and I’d recommend immediately maxing that out. Even at full whack though, the T248R felt distant when lapping in F1 25. It worked reliably, I can’t fault it there, but I only really noticed the resistance or effects when something dramatic happened. Losing the car, running through gravel, contact with barriers, that sort of thing. The more subtle stuff, along with the idle vibration of just cleanly running on track, simply wasn’t there. There’s a graininess to the feedback too, it’s almost stepped, like you can feel each tooth on the cog as you turn.
Forza Horizon 5 told a completely different story. The Thrustmaster T248R might actually be one of the best wheels I’ve used in that game, including pricier direct drive options. This isn’t hardware chasing simulation perfection and Forza Horizon isn’t a game chasing it either, they’re well matched in that arcade racer sweet spot. Smooth road surfaces still felt largely absent, but the resistance was more consistent and I felt far more connected to a hot hatch on Mexican roads than I ever did to a Formula 1 car around Silverstone. Cobbled streets and off-road excursions seemed to wake the force feedback up properly.
Down at floor level, the bundled T3PM pedals might actually be the highlight of the package. Thrustmaster’s Hall Effect sensors deliver impressive precision and should see no degradation over time. The build quality punches above its weight too with chunky metal pedal faces on a plastic, but reassuringly solid, heelplate with plenty of proper texturing. The brake isn’t load cell, but you do get a second spring and elastomer included with four resistance configurations to choose from, all swappable without tools. The difference between settings is more pronounced than I expected and it’s worth experimenting with each of them to find what suits your driving style best. One practical note: there’s no carpet grip underneath, so desk racers will want something to brace against unless you fancy your pedals shooting across the room mid-braking zone.
Game compatibility proved excellent across the racing titles I tested and while you’d think that’s a pretty basic thing to be impressed with – it’s also something a lot of wheels get wrong. Pre-configured mappings were present in every common racing title I tried, not always correctly labelled as the T248R, but always functional out of the box. Farming Simulator 25 recognised the hardware but offered no default mapping and required manual configuration. Not a criticism given this is explicitly a racing wheel, just something to be aware of if you’re planning to branch out.
summed up
The Thrustmaster T248R does a decent job as a first racing wheel for someone stepping away from a controller. At £249.99 it’s a complete bundle with impressive pedals, improved ergonomics on (part of) the wheel rim, and that useful onboard screen too. Against its nearest competitor, the Logitech G923, it holds its own. Logitech’s wheel feels more premium in construction and TRUEFORCE adds another layer of feedback in supported titles, but the T3PM pedals comprehensively outclass what Logitech bundles in and the screen does offer value the Logitech doesn’t have. Across a full championship I’d expect it to come down to the final race between those two.
The harder question is where hybrid force feedback technology sits in 2026. For PC and Xbox users, the direct drive MOZA R3 hovers just above at around £300-350 and represents a significant leap in build and performance quality. PlayStation owners have fewer options. Thrustmaster’s own T598 at £449 is the next step up for direct drive on Sony’s platform. Beyond that you’re looking at the Nacon Revosim at £699 or Logitech’s RS50 bundle at £719, both superior and expandable systems but at considerably higher cost.
If budget is the primary concern or sim racing is more casual hobby than serious pursuit, the T248R will serve you well. If you’re viewing this as a stepping stone to something better, just know it might be a step you’re ready to take sooner than you’d planned.
