Thrustmaster TMX: My honest opinion of this steering wheel in 2024

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

Every sim racer worldwide has its setup, including the basic peripherals I’ve just mentioned, and a good proportion of them have other peripherals like gearshifts, chassis, and so on. This is to tell you that each person is unique and will have different needs for sim-racing.

But where everyone agrees is that you need a steering wheel, base, and pedals to sim-rac 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 will introduce you to the Thrustmaster TMXa steering wheel aimed at Xbox beginners on a limited budget. Will the TMX be your next purchase? We’ll find out!

Main features and technical specifications 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

Design

For fans of Thrustmaster products, the TMX is a steering wheel that’s not new but 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 the part of the edges where you put your hands.

Black is the predominant color on this steering wheel, with only four colored buttons on the top. Fans of Thrustmaster will agree that this steering wheel bears a striking resemblance to the T300RSand it is. The TMX is just an Xbox version of the T300RS, which is compatible only with Sony consoles.

In absolute terms, it’s sober, and this steering wheel goes perfectly with every setup imaginable. The only thing I didn’t like about the design was the brand name 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 quickly forget about it.

Customize layout

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 also very stable once in place.

You’ll find a high-quality, sturdy plastic clamp for tables and desks. It’s located under the steering wheel and is easy to access. For cockpits, brands like Playseat typically provide mounting points for the steering wheels of ThrustmasterSimply screw the base to the chassis, and you’re ready to go.

However, the wheel doesn’t have a 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 shame, but given the toy’s price, it’s perfectly understandable.

Manufacture and finish

The Thrustmaster TMX is made entirely of plastic, except for the paddles and wheel structure. Even if it’s far from 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 bit noisy when you press in places, and you can definitely hear the plastic move when a certain amount of force is applied to it, but it’s still well-finished. I didn’t notice any protruding edges or parts that didn’t fit together. Once again, Thrustmaster offers us a well-made product, albeit cheaply.

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

Handling the steering wheel

Since the Thrustmaster TMX is, in some ways, the brother of the T300RSIts, its handling is virtually identical to that of the latter.

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

For the paddles, it’s the same story. They’re large and made of metal, making them easy to reach, even for small hands. They are mounted on the wheel of the Thrustmaster TMX and will, therefore, run with it. There’s no problem having them like this for me, 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 the game

Even though Thrustmaster TMX is an entry-level steering wheel, it’s no less convincing in terms of feel and sensations. Admittedly, the Brushless belt-drive motor technology isn’t remarkable or even powerful, but it’s still compelling—Thrustmaster masters it quite well.

The steering wheel is precise and responsive, allowing you to feel everything the car is doing, whether understeer, oversteer, and so on. Another positive point is that the Thrustmaster TMX does not have a QR, which means it has no dead zones in the center, unlike some other Fanatec.

The only negative points I could find on this bundle are the crankset and the motor, which are sometimes a little noisy. As for the crankset, it’s the most basic of basics, with an all-plastic structure. It’s “ok” in absolute terms, but you won’t get much of a feel for it. Ultimately, 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 undoubtedly be the same for you.

Compatibility

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

As for titles, the Thrustmaster TMX is compatible with Asseto Corsa, Dirt, Forza Motorsport, and Project Cars. This steering wheel and arcade-style games cover you sufficiently in racing sims.

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, there are not too many worries on this side, even if I wouldn’t necessarily take a cockpit with such a steering wheel.

Value for money

The Thrustmaster TMX is listed 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.

The 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

For sim-racing beginners or occasional drivers, the Thrustmaster TMX is a relevant choice regarding product quality and feel. If you put aside the pedalboard and take the T3PA with this steering wheel, you’ll have an excellent bundle for sim-racing, even at a relatively high level.

The Thrustmaster TMX is a good choice for 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 in 2023which I invite you to discover.

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