Thrustmaster T300RS GT: My honest opinion of this steering wheel in 2024

Over time, sim-racing has been democratized for many gamers worldwide, giving rise to new disciplines in e-sports. Of course, good drivers swear by their setup, which some have been slow to assemble due to the wide range of sim-racing products available on the market. Thrustmaster is a perfect example of a brand that offers a host of sim-racing peripherals, with a confusing categorization of its range.

Not all sim-racing wheels are alike because each tries to satisfy the needs of a specific category of pilots. There are “standard” steering wheels that are good for everything, but also steering wheels specific to motor racing disciplines such as rallying, F1, or GT.

One steering wheel caught my eye in the sea of sim-racing peripherals available on the market: the Thrustmaster T300RS GT. It’s a decent product, and it ticks several boxes on the list of needs to be met. In what follows, I will introduce it, tell you about its features, its strengths and weaknesses, and give you my opinion.

Main and technical features of the steering wheel

• 28 cm diameter wheel
• Includes wheel swapper system
• Max. rotation angle 1080°.
• Bundle with 3-pedal crankset available
• Compatible with PS4, PS5 and PC
• 3.9 nm torque brushless motor

Design

The design of Thrustmaster T300RS GT is no stranger to us. This product is not new but rather an improved version of the T300RS with a higher-quality crankset. This doesn’t stop the steering wheel from being beautiful and minimalist.

You have a wheel with an aluminum structure covered with rubber around the edges. It’s simple, except for the blue stripe at the top. The Thrustmaster T300RS GTLike the T300RS, the Thrustmaster T300RS GT results from a partnership between Thrustmaster and Sony for the Gran Turismo license.

The steering wheel’s overall design is quite successful, even if it remains within the spectrum of simplicity. The materials used are aluminum and plastic, as well as rubber. As for the base, its cover is made entirely of plastic, which is typical for a brushless motor. As for the paddles, they’re also aluminum and a good size. However, the wheel is only 28 cm in diameter, which is a little small for my taste.

Custom mounting

Thrustmaster has a good deal of experience with its base mounting systems, and the T300RS GT is the worthy heir to the brand. You have a clamp system that allows the steering wheel to be attached to a table or desk, and it won’t move a muscle. This is logical, given that the T300RS is a reasonably old device, and Thrustmaster has, therefore, refined its attachment system over time.

If you’re in a cockpit, this steering wheel is compatible with manyis, including Playseat’s. If you’re interested, I’ve already given my opinion on various cockpits from this brand, which you can find by clicking here.

As for swapping the wheel, this is possible using a rather rudimentary plastic fastening system with screws. The only drawback is that you have to take out the screwdriver each time to do this. I’d have preferred a QR system à la Fanatecbut considering the price…

Manufacturing and finishing

As always, the finish on Thrustmaster steering wheels is perfect. Even though the coating around the wheel is made of rubber, it’s very well-made and attractive. You can use this wheel barehanded without feeling any glue in your hands, which is often the case with some inexpensive wheels.

The wheel is well attached to the base, even if the fastening system is plastic. The whole device (wheel + floor) is well built, with no machining or assembly faults.

Concerning the crankset, it’s a clear evolution compared to the one on the T300RS. As I said earlier, the GT is an upgrade of the standard steering wheel, with the change of the crankset. The latter is mainly plastic with a metal frame but of better quality than the basic version.

Handling the steering wheel

I’m not lying to you on this point: the T300RS GT is as easy to handle as the except for the pedals.

The wheel is round, with a diameter of 28 cm. I think this is small and will take some getting used to. If you’ve never done sim-racing, that’s another story. But if you’re coming from a 30 cm or larger wheel, you’ll need at least a few days to get used to it.

Ergonomics are a mixed bag. Some buttons, notably R2 and are easily accessible with your hands on the steering wheel. For the rest, it’s a bit of a stretch unless you’ve got giant hands, in which case you won’t consider this steering wheel.

Also, the base includes a few buttons that aren’t accessible “on the fly” at all, given that they’re behind the wheel. However, the paddles are large and easy to reach, which is a big plus. As the wheel is swappable, they are attached to it and will rotate with it during sim-racing sessions.

Overall, the Thrustmaster T300RS GT is quite good, in line with other Thrustmaster peripherals.

Gaming sensations

Like the T300RS, the Thrustmaster T300RS GT has a steering wheel that delivers a good overall feel. The 3.9 nm Brushless motor is admittedly low-power compared to other DDs of Fanatecbut is very reliable in terms of sense and, above all, realism. Even if motor technology is ancient, Thrustmaster has mastered it over the years to offer us high-performance and, above all, reliable products.

What’s great about this steering wheel, in addition to the excellent force feedback, is that since the wheel is screwed to the base, you won’t have any dead zones in the center that the plastic QR often causes. When you turn the wheel one degree, the car in front of you will react instantly.

But otherwise, the Thrustmaster T300RS GT is strictly identical to the T300RS in terms of feel for the simple reason that it’s the same steering wheel. Obviously, the only details that change are the price and the pedals supplied. The GT’s crankset is of much higher quality and offers a more precise feel. However, it is still pretty basic when compared to other competitors. To give you an idea, look at my ranking of the 4 Best Pedalboards for Sim Racing in 2023.

Compatibility

The Thrustmaster T300RS GT is a steering wheel that came out a while ago but is nonetheless compatible with the latest consoles such as the PS4, the PS5, and the PC. What’s more, its mounting system allows it to be installed on virtually any setup.

If you’re on a cockpit, don’t worry because the T300RS GT is compatible with virtually all available on the market today, especially those from brands such as Playseat.

As for games, it’s pretty much the same, with full compatibility with all titles. One small point: if you’re using this steering wheel on a PS3, a switch on the base lets you toggle modes between that console and the PS4.

Value for money

At €430, excluding special offers, the Thrustmaster T300RS GT remains a steering wheel with good value for money. The manufacturer has gone to great lengths to make this device attractive to sim racers.

The Thrustmaster T300RS GT is a clear improvement for sim-racing fans and semi-pros when compared to the basic T300RS, whose difference lies in the pedals, which are more precise, finer, and more realistic.

My verdict

Overall, the Thrustmaster T300RS GT is an excellent steering wheel in a bundle for not too much money, capable of providing exceptional gaming sensations. The only downside, in my opinion, is its price. It would be a no-brainer if it came in at like €300 – €350. But at over €400, I’m more inclined to go for a Direct Drive bundle, which will cost more, but whose sensations will be far better than those of the Thrustmaster T300RS GT. If you’re interested, I’ve also done an article on The 6 Best Steering Wheels for Sim Racing in 2023which I invite you to discover.

Nevertheless, this steering wheel remains necessary for sim racing at all levels, especially for beginners and amateurs.

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