The Thrustmaster T598 is a complete direct drive wheel and pedal set built for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, and PC, and its own model name gives away how it works: Thrustmaster calls it a Direct Axial Drive Force Feedback Racing Wheel. That axial drive label is worth unpacking before judging the wheel, because it explains both what the T598 delivers and where its 5 Nm ceiling comes from.

This review looks at what axial drive means in practice, what comes in the box, and who should look at a different tier instead. We compared manufacturer specifications with recurring owner feedback, and you can read how we review.

What it is and where it sits

The T598 is Thrustmaster’s console focused entry into direct drive, positioned as, in the brand’s own words, the smart step into direct drive sim racing without the complexity or cost of the highest end systems. At 5 Nm of constant torque it sits in the same class as entry direct drive bases from other brands, a tier widely considered strong enough to feel a real step up from belt and gear wheels while staying manageable for a first direct drive setup. Where the TX and older Thrustmaster wheels rely on a dual belt mechanism, the T598 moves to a direct axial drive design instead, which is the more meaningful change here than the console it plugs into.

Axial drive, explained

Direct drive as a category covers more than one way of connecting a motor to the rim, and Thrustmaster’s own naming for the T598, an axial drive design, refers to its axial flux motor, which Thrustmaster sets apart from the radial flux motors used in most other direct drive bases, such as MOZA’s or Fanatec’s. Both approaches remove the belt or gear stage that softens feedback in older wheels, which is the shared benefit Thrustmaster highlights when it describes the T598’s torque as constant, detailed feedback that lets a driver feel grip loss, weight transfer, curbs, and road texture as they happen. What owners should take from the name is that the T598 earns its direct drive label through a different internal layout than the flagship bases above it, not a lesser one, and 5 Nm is a constant torque figure, with Thrustmaster listing a +100% overshoot capability on top of it for brief peak effects.

Wheel and pedals included

This is a complete set, not a base only purchase. It ships with an 11.8 inch detachable wheel rim fitted with mag shift paddle shifters, an integrated race dash screen for adjusting force feedback settings and viewing live data without leaving the seat, and a two pedal Raceline Pedals LTE set covering throttle and brake. There is no clutch pedal in this bundle, which matters if you want to practice H pattern shifting. The set connects to PS5, PS4, and PC (Windows 10/11), Thrustmaster’s HARMONY technology generates high frequency torque for fine road and curb detail, and the brand states plug and play support in more than 100 driving and sim titles.

Pros and cons

What works:

  • Genuine direct drive feedback at 5 Nm, in the same tier as popular entry direct drive bases
  • Complete set out of the box: base, detachable wheel with paddles, integrated dash screen, and pedals
  • Works across PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, and PC with over 100 supported titles

What to weigh:

  • Two pedal set only, so there is no clutch for H pattern practice
  • Not compatible with Xbox
  • 5 Nm is an entry direct drive figure, not a match for heavier duty bases

Who it is for

The T598 is aimed squarely at PlayStation racers, and PC racers who want that same complete package, ready to move up from a belt or gear wheel into direct drive in a single purchase. If pedals are the piece you are still shopping for beyond this set, our best sim racing pedals guide covers upgrade paths including three pedal and load cell options.

Who should skip it

Skip the T598 if you race on Xbox, since it is not compatible. Skip it too if a clutch pedal for manual shifting is a requirement, since this bundle only includes throttle and brake. And if you already know you want more than 5 Nm of torque, it is worth comparing the wider field first in our best direct drive wheels guide before settling on an entry tier base.