The 5 Best Thrustmaster Wheel Bases (Ultimate Guide)

Thrustmaster is one of the most popular sim racing brands out there for beginner and intermediate-level sim racers, and their wheel bases are some of the most accessible too. However, it can be tough to know which Thrustmaster wheel base is right for your setup.

The 5 best Thrustmaster wheel bases are:

1. Thrustmaster T300 Wheel Base
2. Thrustmaster TX Wheel Base
3. Thrustmaster T818 Wheel Base
4. Thrustmaster TS-PC Racer Wheel Base
5. Thrustmaster T-GT II Wheel Base

Below, we’ll take a closer look at each of these wheel bases so that you can make the right choice. But first, let’s talk about the kinds of things you should be looking for when choosing a Thrustmaster wheel base.

Note: We've ordered our list below by the value for money each wheel offers, meaning it's not structured simply by price or the number of features. That's why the first option on the list isn't necessarily the most powerful!

The 5 Best Thrustmaster Wheel Bases

1. Thrustmaster T300 Wheel Base

Compatibility: PC / PlayStation

Up first we have the T300 base, which is perfect for PlayStation players. The T300 Servo base originally came as part of the T300 RS racing wheel. With a range of rotation of 1080°, you’re certainly not restricted in regards to movement by any means. This is also the cheapest option on this list.

Solid Construction

While a lot of the base is made out of a sturdy plastic material, the parts that will be under stress are made of metal, providing durability and excellent overall feel. As with all the bases on this list, the T300 is compatible with all Thrustmaster rims.

Just like the TX servo base we’ll discuss below, the T300 Servo base uses Thrustmaster’s “dual-belt, friction free, optimized mechanism” to accomplish their incredible force feedback and makes for an extremely discrete experience. It’s some of the best force feedback you can experience without going for a direct drive base.

We’ve put it on the top spot thanks to the value for money this base offers. It’s not as powerful as the TS-PC Racer base we’ll discuss below, but considering the price difference, we believe that this is far better suited to beginner and intermediate racers. If you want more torque and better force feedback, you should instead opt for a direct drive wheel base.

PROS:

• Very easy to set up
• 1080° range of rotation
• Brilliant force feedback

CONS:

• Not the most powerful base

2. Thrustmaster TX Wheel Base

Compatibility: PC / Xbox

The TX servo base has force feedback that is both incredibly smooth and utterly seamless, largely in line with the PlayStation’s T300 base discussed above. There is no latency and as a result it’s very responsive, and of course powerful. It’s a very close call between the top two wheel bases, and it’ll largely come down to which platform you race on.

Range Of Rotation

This base allows your wheel to rotate up to 900°, which is a must in any good sim racing setup (although the T300 base does offer 1080°). The rotation angle is also fully adjustable, although you’ll likely be keeping it at the maximum setting.

While using the servo base, I noticed I couldn’t really hear the motors when force feedback was applied, which was a very pleasant surprise. This is as a result of the dual-belt mechanism that has been optimized to be friction free. This means you get more out your wheel and no annoying clunky sounds from your wheel base, like you might with something like the Logitech G29/G920.

Handy Quick Release

The servo base features a quick release system, which lets you easily detach your wheel at the end of your gaming session or even swap wheels on the go if you wanted to. This also makes transport and storage very quick and hassle free.

This wheel base was released in late 2015, and it originally came as part of the TX racing wheel bundle. The servo wheel base is compatible with Xbox and PC, and it’s essentially the Xbox version of the T300.

PROS:

• Adjustable angle of rotation
• No latency
• Smooth force feedback

CONS:

• Only 900° rotation

3. Thrustmaster T818 Wheel Base

Compatibility: PC

Up next we have Thrustmaster’s newest product, the direct drive T818 wheel base. This is a difficult wheel base to get your hands on at the moment, and given it is quite new, there is the possibility that a lot could change with this base in the future. However, it’s made our list as many within the Thrustmaster ecosystem have been waiting a long time for a direct drive option.

Note: This wheel base is still very new, so we’ve hesitated to put it any higher on our list even though it is a direct drive option. Honestly, there are far better value direct drive bases on the market that we’d recommend over this one, such as the 8 Nm CSL DD from Fanatec or MOZA’s R9 wheel base, both of which are cheaper than the T818.

Direct Drive Force Feedback

The T818 wheel base offers peak torque of 10 Nm, which is definitely more than enough for beginners, but it doesn’t really compete with the likes of Fanatec’s DD2 at 25 Nm. It’s compatible with all Thrustmaster rims, so no matter what wheel you have or plan to buy in future (provided it’s a Thrustmaster wheel of course), it will work with this base.

The base has a unique look, and whether that is to your taste or not is obviously down to personal preference. One other thing to note is that the T818 has a very specific mounting pattern, and it may not be compatible with all rigs – a key thing to consider before parting with your cash for this wheel base.

It has a new quick release system, and at the moment the base is only compatible with PC, although that may change in the future. For the price, there are better products available, but there’s no denying that this is definitely one of Thrustmaster’s best wheel bases.

PROS:

• Direct drive force feedback
• Unique design (may be seen as a con)
• Sturdy construction

CONS:

• Not compatible with consoles
• Mounting system isn’t universal

4. Thrustmaster TS-PC Racer Wheel Base

Compatibility: PC

Next we have the most powerful non-direct drive wheel base from Thrustmaster, the TS-PC racer. Going from their newest product in the T818 to one of their older wheel bases, the TS-PC racer seems to have been designed as a better version of the T300 and TX wheel bases. Based on the numbers alone, they seem to have succeeded!

Note: While this is the most powerful base on our list (excluding the T818), it’s very expensive, and the T300 and TX wheel bases simply offer far more value for money.

Powerful Force Feedback

This base is capable of around 6 Nm of torque, which from a belt-driven wheel base is very impressive. However, it’s not all about sheer power when buying a sim racing product, and you should also consider the quality of that force feedback. Luckily, the TS-PC base offers smooth, high-fidelity force feedback, rather than just being a straight-up powerhouse!

However, for the high price, we struggle to recommend this over the T300 or TX wheel base. If you’re already firmly in the Thrustmaster ecosystem, and if you already own one of the aforementioned wheel bases and are looking for more, then we’d suggest taking a look at the T818 above.

Consider Your Options

However, if you’re looking for more than what the T300/TX can offer, it’s likely not worth the upgrade to this base. Instead, we’d suggest considering moving to a Fanatec wheel base, or checking out other manufacturers, such as MOZA.

However, this base does still have a lot to offer for those new to the Thrustmaster ecosystem, or for those looking to upgrade from a cheaper, even non-force feedback Thrustmaster wheel. It has a powerful motor in it that’s capable of very realistic force feedback, and as usual it’s compatible with all Thrustmaster rims.

PROS:

• Very powerful wheel base
• Smooth force feedback
• Ideal for those new to the Thrustmaster ecosystem

CONS:

• High price for not much in the way of unique features

5. Thrustmaster T-GT II Wheel Base

Compatibility: PC / PlayStation

Finally, we have the T-GT II (2) wheel base, which has been purpose-built for the Gran Turismo games. It’s packed with features, but that means it also has a hefty price tag attached. However, if you’re a GT7 fan, this wheel base is definitely one to check out.

Gran Turismo Focus

This wheel base is almost as powerful as the TS-PC base, but it’s designed specifically for PlayStation racers. In particular, it’s aimed at fans of Gran Turismo, and one of its key features only works with these games. That feature is the “T-DFB” feature, which offers more depth in the force feedback within Gran Turismo games. It’s essentially an extra layer of fidelity.

Note: This is a great choice for Gran Turismo fans, but given one of the main selling points of this base is only available on select games, it’s simply not worth the extra money over something like the T300.

It uses the same 40 watt motor as the TS-PC Racer base, meaning the force feedback is not just highly detailed, but it’s also very strong. This makes it an ideal choice for those looking for a powerful wheel base without going for a direct drive choice. However, you will be paying direct drive prices for this wheel base, which puts it at the bottom of our list.

PROS:

• Very powerful wheel base
• Gran Turismo-focused features
• Smooth force feedback

CONS:

• Very expensive
• 3D feedback feature only works on select games

Summary Of The Best Thrustmaster Wheel Base

Wheel Base	Pros	Cons
Thrustmaster T300 Wheel Base	Smooth belt-driven force feedback Beginner friendly but still powerful	Not the most powerful option
Thrustmaster TX Wheel Base	Very smooth force feedback Accurate racing experience	Only 900 degrees of rotation
Thrustmaster T818 Wheel Base	Immersive direct drive wheel base Sturdy construction	Not console compatible
Thrustmaster TS-PC Racer Wheel Base	Very powerful non-direct drive wheel base Force feedback is very smooth and accurate	Quite an expensive choice
Thrustmaster T-GT II Wheel Base	Extremely powerful for a belt-driven base Extra immersive in Gran Turismo games	Expensive and unique features only work in GT

What To Look For In A Good Sim Racing Wheel Base

Force Feedback

Force feedback is a must, unless you’re buying on the tightest of budgets or for a young gamer looking for their first taste of sim racing. Force feedback is what provides the resistance in your wheel when steering, and it relies on motors to simulate different types of terrain. The resulting effect is a driving experience that a controller just can’t emulate.

Currently, most of Thrustmaster’s wheel bases are belt-driven, which offers the ideal balance between price and performance. For beginners, that’s definitely enough, but more advanced sim racers might prefer a direct drive option. Thrustmaster only offers one DD wheel base, the T818, and you can see what we think of it above.

Range Of Rotation

Range of rotation is another important factor to consider. Most wheel bases will provide a good 900° of rotation. This is usually enough for most racing sims to feel realistic, and all of the options on our list provide at least that.

By comparison, a really cheap steering wheel with only 360° of rotation will seriously leave you handicapped while racing and in turn it will seriously affect your immersion. However, there aren’t many force feedback wheels on the market that offer less than 900°.

Build Quality

Build quality is just as important as any other factor when choosing a wheel base. A metal construction would be preferable, but you will rarely find wheel bases made entirely of metal (outside of direct drive options). More often than not, it will be of a sturdy plastic design on the outside, but it should be strong and well put together.

Compatibility

Finally, you also need to ensure you choose a wheel base that’s compatible with the rest of your setup. Whether you are racing on PC, PlayStation, or Xbox, always check that it’s compatible with your system. You’ll also need a compatible Thrustmaster wheel to benefit from the wheel base you choose.

Final Thoughts

Thrustmaster have plenty of options when it comes to wheel bases, and they’re each suited to a different kind of sim racer. When choosing a Thrustmaster wheel base, your best bet is the well-rounded T300 base, but if you’re on Xbox, the TX is the one to go for. If you want more torque, then the direct drive T818 is worth checking out, or even the TS-PC Racer wheel base.