The Thrustmaster T248 sits in an interesting spot: a budget wheel that borrows ideas from more expensive gear. Its hybrid drive blends belt and gear elements to chase the smoothness of a belt wheel at a lower price, and it ships with a bright dashboard screen and magnetic paddle shifters that feel a class above the tier. For Xbox and PC racers deciding between the entry Logitech and Thrustmaster camps, this is the Thrustmaster worth understanding first.
This review looks at how the T248 behaves, what the hybrid drive really delivers, and who is better off elsewhere. We compared manufacturer specifications with recurring owner feedback, and you can read how we review. If the vocabulary is new, start with Getting Started.
At a glance
| Spec | Thrustmaster T248 |
|---|---|
| Drive type | Hybrid (belt and gear) |
| Platforms | Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC (X version) |
| Pedals in box | Three (T3PM magnetic), brake with 4 pressure modes |
| Display | Dashboard screen for telemetry |
| Shifters | Magnetic paddle shifters |
| Buttons | Up to 25 action buttons on PC (including 2 dual position encoders) |
What a hybrid drive actually means
Before we judge the feel, it helps to know what Thrustmaster means by hybrid drive. A pure gear system, like the Logitech G920, delivers strong forces but adds a faint mechanical notchiness. A pure belt system smooths that texture away but usually costs more. The T248 combines a belt with a gear stage, aiming for more of the belt smoothness at a gear price. It will not match a true belt wheel like the T300 for silkiness, and it is nowhere near a direct drive base for raw detail, but it does soften the coarse edge you feel on a fully geared entry wheel. That is the trade the T248 is built around.
How it drives
Reviewers who race the T248 report a wheel that feels stronger and smoother than its price suggests, with force feedback that builds cleanly through a corner and a center that holds firm. Owners consistently single out the magnetic paddle shifters, which use contactless magnets for a crisp click that does not wear out, and the dashboard screen, which puts speed, gear, and RPM in front of you without a separate app. The common criticism is that the hybrid drive can feel a touch coarse when pushed hard, a reminder that the gear stage is still in the mix. For the money, most owners consider that a fair trade.
Build, wheel, and pedals
The T248 is a heftier unit than most entry wheels, and owners note the extra mass helps it sit stable on a desk. The rim carries a full button layout plus the dashboard display, which is genuinely useful once you set it up. The magnetic pedal set is the highlight: the brake uses an adjustable resistance mod so you can firm it up toward a more realistic feel, which is unusual at this level even though it stops short of a true load cell. It is a well equipped package that gives a beginner room to grow.
Compatibility and setup
This is the Xbox and PC version, so it covers Forza on console and the PC sim range. A PlayStation variant exists for PlayStation and PC racers, so match the model to your platform before buying. Setup is plug and play with a desk clamp, and the dashboard screen configures through the wheel or the Thrustmaster software. A shifter and handbrake are separate purchases if you want H pattern or rally control.
Who should buy it, and who should skip it
| Buy the T248 if | Skip it if |
|---|---|
| You want more smoothness than a fully geared entry wheel | You want true belt smoothness (look at the T300) |
| You value the dashboard screen and magnetic shifters | You want direct drive detail and strength |
| You race on Xbox or PC and want a well equipped starter | You want a load cell brake in the box |
How it scores
The WSR Score shown above reflects verified buyer ratings gathered and normalized on a consistent scale, not an editorial rubric. You can read what goes into it on How We Review. The T248 rates solidly, held slightly below the long tenured Logitech wheels by a smaller and more mixed owner pool, which fits its position as a feature rich value pick rather than a proven long hauler.
Alternatives worth a look
The natural head to head is our Thrustmaster T248 vs Logitech G923 comparison, which pits the hybrid drive against TRUEFORCE. For the wider budget field, see the best racing wheels under $300, and for every tier at once, our best sim racing wheels guide. You can also browse more in belt and gear driven wheels.
