Thrustmaster T300 RS Review: The Mid-Range Sweet Spot?
Verdict: Best Mid-Range Wheel for Serious Sim Racers
The Thrustmaster T300 RS is where sim racing gets serious. Belt-driven force feedback delivers smooth, detailed communication that gear-driven wheels simply can't match. At $400-500, it's the sweet spot between budget options and expensive direct drive setups. If you're upgrading from a G29 or buying your first quality wheel, the T300 is the move.
Quick Specs
Technical Specifications
T300 Variants
T300 RS (~$400)
Base model, 2-pedal set (no clutch)
T300 RS GT (~$450-500)
Includes T3PA 3-pedal set with clutch + conical brake mod
T300 Ferrari Integral (~$500)
Alcantara wheel rim, F1-style, T3PA pedals
Recommendation: Get the GT Edition for the T3PA pedals. The clutch pedal and brake mod are worth the extra $50-100.
Belt-Driven FFB: The Game Changer
Here's what you paid for: belt-driven force feedback. This is the primary reason to upgrade from a G29/G920. Let me explain why it matters:
How Belt-Driven Works
Instead of gears directly meshing (like the G29), the T300 uses a toothed belt connecting the motor to the wheel shaft. Think of it like a timing belt in a car engine—smooth, quiet, efficient power transfer.
Belt-Driven Advantages
- Extremely smooth rotation
- No notchiness or graininess
- Detailed low-force feedback
- Near-silent operation
- Faster response times
Belt-Driven Disadvantages
- Belt can stretch over time (5-7 years)
- Replacement belts needed eventually (~$15)
- Slightly less "raw" feeling than gears
- More expensive to manufacture
What Does This Mean for Driving?
In Assetto Corsa, the T300's smooth FFB lets you feel subtle weight shifts that the G29 masks. You'll notice:
- Transition from understeer to neutral: The wheel weight changes smoothly as front tires regain grip. On the G29, this transition is abrupt.
- Trail braking precision: You feel exactly when rear tires are about to let go, allowing micro-corrections. Crucial for fast lap times.
- Drift angle control: Smooth FFB makes it easier to hold and adjust angle. Gear-driven wheels "fight" you with notchy resistance.
- High-speed stability: The wheel doesn't shake or oscillate at 200+ km/h. Dead smooth on straights.
Bottom line: You'll drive more consistently and shave 0.5-1 second off lap times purely from better feedback—no skill improvement needed.
Build Quality & Design
The T300's construction is a mix of premium and budget-conscious decisions. Let's break it down:
Wheel Base
The heart of the T300 is solid. Brushless servo motor with ball-bearing supported shaft—this is industrial-grade hardware. The base is heavy (~4kg) and stable during aggressive FFB.
The plastic housing is the weak point. It's sturdy enough functionally but feels cheaper than the G29's all-metal aesthetic. Some users report creaking noises after years of use. Not a deal-breaker but worth knowing.
Overheating Issue (Important): The T300 has a cooling fan that kicks in during heavy use. If FFB is maxed out for extended periods (drifting, rally), it can overheat and enter "safe mode" (FFB cuts to 50%). Solution: Keep FFB Gain at 75-85% max.
Wheel Rim (Standard)
The base T300 RS comes with a 280mm rubber-coated rim. It's... fine. Not leather, not alcantara—just textured rubber. Feels grippy but not premium. After hours of use, hands can get sweaty.
The upside: Thrustmaster uses a quick-release system. You can swap rims easily. Popular upgrades:
- • TM Leather 28 GT (~$100): Leather wrap, more buttons, GT-style
- • TM Open Wheel (~$150): F1/Formula-style with OLED screen
- • Ferrari F1 Add-On (~$200): Authentic Ferrari replica with alcantara
- • Third-party rims: Many options from $50-300
T3PA Pedal Set (GT Edition)
If you get the GT Edition, you're getting the T3PA pedals. These are a significant step up from the base 2-pedal set:
Throttle
Progressive spring, smooth actuation. No complaints whatsoever.
Brake
Comes with conical rubber mod (pre-installed). Much firmer than T150 brake. Still not load-cell level.
Clutch
Medium resistance, works great for H-pattern driving and launches.
Conical Brake Mod: The GT Edition includes a red conical rubber insert behind the brake pedal. This creates progressive resistance—the harder you press, the stiffer it gets. It's not a load-cell (doesn't measure pressure) but it's the next best thing for $100 less than T-LCM.
Pro Tip: The T3PA pedals can be mounted in two orientations—flat (GT-style) or angled (F1-style). Angled feels more natural for most.
T300 vs G29: Direct Comparison
This is the comparison everyone wants. Is the T300 worth $150-200 more than the G29?
| Feature | Logitech G29 | Thrustmaster T300 RS GT |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$250 | ~$450-500 |
| FFB Type | Gear-driven | Belt-driven ✓ |
| FFB Strength | 2.1 Nm | 3.9 Nm ✓ |
| FFB Smoothness | 3/5 (notchy) | 5/5 (smooth) ✓ |
| Rotation | 900° | 1080° ✓ |
| Rim Material | Leather ✓ | Rubber (base) / upgradeable |
| Pedals Included | 3-pedal ✓ | 3-pedal (GT only) ✓ |
| Brake Feel | 3/5 (rubber cone) | 4/5 (conical mod) ✓ |
| Durability | 5/5 (bulletproof) ✓ | 4/5 (belt stretches, fan issues) |
| Noise Level | 3/5 (gear whine) | 5/5 (near silent) ✓ |
| Upgrade Path | None (closed ecosystem) | Swappable rims, pedals ✓ |
Should You Upgrade from G29 to T300?
YES, upgrade if:
- • You race 10+ hours per week (you'll appreciate the smoothness)
- • You want to get more serious about sim racing
- • You drift often (smooth FFB is a game-changer for angle control)
- • You have the budget ($450-500 isn't chump change)
- • The G29's notchiness bothers you
DON'T upgrade if:
- • You're happy with the G29 (if it ain't broke...)
- • Budget is tight (save more for Fanatec CSL DD instead)
- • You only race casually (2-3 hours/week)
- • You'd rather spend that $200 on pedal upgrades (load-cell T-LCM = bigger impact)
Assetto Corsa Setup Guide
Thrustmaster Control Panel Settings
Before launching AC, configure the Thrustmaster Control Panel:
Content Manager FFB Settings
IMPORTANT: Don't go above 85%! The T300 is strong enough and can overheat if maxed out. 80% is the sweet spot for most cars.
Belt-driven wheels need much less than gear-driven. 6% is perfect for most. If the wheel feels dead in straights, increase to 8%.
The T300 is smooth enough that you can lower this from 100%. 85% gives a nice realistic weight while keeping detail.
You need less artificial effects because the belt-driven FFB already communicates detail naturally. 25% each is plenty.
Common Issues & Solutions
Overheating / FFB Suddenly Weak
Problem: After 15-30 minutes of hard use, FFB drops to ~50% strength.
Cause: The T300's cooling fan can't keep up with heat from maxed FFB during extended sessions.
Solution:
- • Lower FFB Gain to 75-85% (you don't need 100%)
- • Ensure wheel base has airflow (don't box it in)
- • Take 5-minute breaks every hour
- • Advanced: Mod base with additional exhaust fan (~$20 DIY)
Belt Stretching / Loose Feeling
Problem: After 5-7 years, FFB feels looser, centering is off.
Cause: The rubber belt has stretched from thousands of hours of use.
Solution: Replace the belt (~$15-20 part, DIY or send to Thrustmaster). Plenty of YouTube tutorials. Takes 30 minutes.
Our Rating: 9/10
Final Verdict
The Thrustmaster T300 RS GT is the best mid-range wheel you can buy in 2026. If you're serious about sim racing but not ready to drop $1,000+ on direct drive, this is where you should land. The belt-driven FFB is transformative compared to gear-driven wheels, and the T3PA pedals (in the GT edition) are solid.
Just remember: Keep FFB Gain at 75-85% to avoid overheating, and you'll have a reliable, smooth, high-performance setup that'll last years.
Logitech G29 Review
Read our full G29 review and see how it compares to the T300 in detail.
Fanatec CSL DD Review
Ready to go direct drive? See if the CSL DD is worth the upgrade from T300.
Questions About the T300?
Considering an upgrade or need setup help? Join our community!