Looking for a detailed Thrustmaster T300 RS GT review? After spending a month with this racing wheel, I’ve discovered if it’s worth the investment for aspiring sim racers. From casual Sunday drives to intense racing sessions, here’s my hands-on experience.

Quick Verdict

After a full month of racing on the Thrustmaster T300 RS GT, I can honestly say this setup is designed for those who crave realistic, immersive experiences in sim racing. From responsive force feedback to superb ergonomics for long races, it offers plenty, though it’s not without its quirks. If you’re serious about sim racing but need a manageable price tag, the T300 RS GT deserves a hard look.

Who This Review is For

This review is for those eyeing an upgrade or wanting a strong entry into the world of force-feedback racing wheels. If you’re an aspiring sim racer or a casual gamer who wants a better racing experience without going all out for ultra-premium models, this is for you. You’ll appreciate this setup if you:

• Race for hours in Gran Turismo, F1, or iRacing.
• Want immersive feedback without a heavy-duty, semi-pro rig.
• Value quality force feedback at a reasonable price.

Skip this if:

• You need Xbox compatibility
• You’re a casual racing gamer
• You’re on a tight budget

Product Overview: What’s the Thrustmaster T300 RS GT All About?

The Thrustmaster T300 RS GT is a mid-range force feedback racing wheel made for PlayStation and PC gamers, featuring official licensing from Gran Turismo. With a belt-driven system and brushless motor, it promises smoother and quieter operation, which is a big step up from typical gear-driven wheels.

Plus, it’s compatible with Thrustmaster’s modular ecosystem, allowing for customization with different wheels, pedals, and other accessories.

Technical Specifications

Real-World Experience

Initial Setup

Right out of the box, the T300 RS GT feels robust, with quality materials. The setup wasn’t plug-and-play; the firmware needed updating, and the force feedback settings took some tweaking. But once set up, the experience was smooth. My advice is to give yourself time to adjust settings to fit your preferred racing style for the best experience.

Force Feedback Analysis

Here’s where this setup shines. The dual-belt mechanism delivers impressively realistic force feedback. I could feel every bump, turn, and understeer in titles like Gran Turismo 7 and F1 2023. It’s powerful without being jarring. Compared to gear-driven wheels, this felt both smoother and more responsive, especially in handling subtle road textures.

Long Race Session Comfort

After several hours of testing endurance races, the T300 RS GT proved comfortable. The wheel is ergonomically designed, and its grip felt secure without fatiguing my hands. The pedals, while adjustable, aren’t the most cushioned but still provided good feedback.

For longer sessions, a cushioned mat or floor padding is advisable if you’re on a hard floor.

Compatibility Testing

I tested the T300 RS GT on PS5 and PC without a hitch, and it integrated seamlessly with major titles across platforms. However, a few older PC racing games required some remapping, so PC users may want to check compatibility with specific games.

Overall, it’s reliable for PlayStation and Windows gaming, especially with popular racing titles.

Daily Use Scenarios

Over my month of testing, I’ve put this wheel through:

• 2-hour endurance races in Assetto Corsa
• Quick sprint races in Gran Turismo 7
• Rally stages in DiRT Rally 2.0
• Casual cruising in American Truck Simulator

The force feedback consistently impressed me, especially in how it communicates subtle road textures and weight transfer. The belt-driven system might not be as powerful as direct drive wheels, but it’s smooth and detailed enough to help you catch slides and feel the car’s limit.

Long-term Observations

After extended use, a few things became clear:

• The cooling fan is noticeable but not annoying
• Force feedback strength remains consistent even in long sessions
• The wheel rim’s rubber coating provides excellent grip without getting slippery
• Pedals improve with use as they break in

Unexpected Discoveries

The most surprising aspect was how the wheel enhanced games I didn’t expect it to. Even arcade-style racers became more enjoyable, though the wheel truly shines in proper racing sims.

The Good Stuff

The Thrustmaster T300 RS GT’s standout feature is undoubtedly its force feedback system. Unlike cheaper gear-driven wheels, the belt-driven mechanism delivers remarkably smooth and detailed feedback.

During my testing, I could feel everything from subtle road texture changes to the exact moment my tires lost grip – something that genuinely helps improve lap times.

Build quality and design choices mostly hit the mark:

• Solid metal internal construction where it matters most
• Premium GT-style rim with comfortable rubber grip
• Clean, professional aesthetic that fits any setup
• Quick release system for easy wheel changes

When it comes to versatility, this wheel really shines. I tested it across both PC and PlayStation platforms, and the compatibility is seamless. What really impressed me was how it handled different racing styles:

• Perfect for everything from F1 to trucking sims
• Custom button mapping for different racing styles
• Excellent compatibility with major racing titles
• Integrates well with other Thrustmaster products

The actual racing experience deserves special mention. After countless hours of testing the Thrustmaster T300 RS GT, I found the force feedback struck an ideal balance – strong enough to communicate what the car’s doing, but not so powerful that you’ll tire out during longer sessions.

The wheel responds instantly to on-screen action, making it easy to catch slides and hit precise racing lines.

The included extras add significant value:

• Three-pedal set with conical brake mod included
• Multiple mounting options in the box
• Regular firmware updates add features
• Future-proofed with PS5 compatibility

The Not-So-Good

Let’s talk about the elephant in the room – build quality compromises. While the Thrustmaster T300 RS GT gets a lot right, some components don’t quite match the premium price point. The plastic paddle shifters particularly stand out as a disappointment, feeling more budget than premium. Several other small issues crop up:

• Base pedals use too much plastic
• Some button caps feel slightly loose
• Table clamp could be more robust

The technical aspects also present some frustrations. During intense racing sessions, the cooling fan kicks in more frequently than I’d like. It’s not exactly loud, but it’s noticeable enough to break immersion. Other technical limitations include:

• Oversized power brick that’s tricky to place
• Complex initial setup process
• Force feedback settings that need careful tuning
• Relatively short USB cable

The pedal situation deserves its own paragraph. While the included T3PA-GT set is decent enough to get started, it doesn’t quite match the quality of the wheel base. The stock brake pedal feels too light without the conical mod installed, and the base itself can slide around on hardwood floors unless properly mounted.

For serious sim racing, you’ll likely want to upgrade the pedals eventually.

Price considerations raise some eyebrows:

• Significant premium over entry-level options
• Additional costs for proper mounting solutions
• Expensive replacement parts
• Relatively short warranty for the price point

Finally, there are some user experience quirks that you’ll need to work around. The driver software could be more intuitive, and finding the perfect force feedback settings takes time and patience. PlayStation users might feel limited by:

• Restricted button customization options
• No quick-swap system for different wheels
• Force feedback clipping in some games
• Limited advanced settings on console

Final Verdict

Buy if:

• You want a serious sim racing wheel that’ll last years
• You value smooth, detailed force feedback
• You’re planning to race regularly
• You want room to grow with upgradeable pedals and wheel rims

Bye if:

• You’re not sure about your long-term racing interest
• You need Xbox compatibility
• You’re on a tight budget

Alternative suggestions:

• Logitech G29 for a more budget-friendly option
• Fanatec CSL DD if you can stretch your budget further
• Thrustmaster T248 for a hybrid belt/gear system at lower cost

The T300 RS GT sits in a sweet spot between entry-level wheels and high-end direct drive systems. At around $450, it’s not cheap, but the quality of force feedback and overall experience make it a worthy investment for anyone serious about racing games. After a month of use, I’m convinced it’s one of the best mid-range wheels you can buy in 2024.