The Bottom Line Up Front
The Thrustmaster T248 at around $230–250 is the best value sim racing wheel for GT7 on PS5. Its 5Nm hybrid belt-and-gear drive delivers more realistic force feedback than anything at the price point, the included 2-pedal set is above average for its tier, and the OLED telemetry display is a legitimately useful addition. It's not a direct drive wheel — but for the money, nothing in its class competes on PS5.
What You Get in the Box
- T248 wheel base with integrated 28cm wheel rim
- 2-pedal set (brake + throttle, rubberized brake stop)
- USB-A cable for PC connectivity
- Quick-start guide
No clutch pedal, no wheel stand, no adapter needed for PS5 — plug into USB and you're racing in under 10 minutes.
Specs
| Spec | Value | |------|-------| | Drive system | Hybrid belt + gear (T-HD system) | | Force feedback | 5 Nm | | Wheel diameter | 28 cm | | Rotation | 900° (software adjustable) | | Buttons | 25 action buttons | | Display | OLED with 20+ telemetry/config screens | | Paddle shifters | Magnetic (H.E.A.R.T Mag-Shift) | | Compatibility | PS5, PS4, PC | | Pedals | 2-pedal set included | | Price | ~$230–250 |
Force Feedback Quality
The T248 uses Thrustmaster's T-HD (Total Hybrid Drive) system, which combines a belt and a gear stage. This produces notably more detail and less noise than the pure gear systems used in older wheels like the Logitech G29.
In GT7, the T248 communicates the following clearly:
- Understeer — the wheel lightens and goes slack as the front tires lose grip
- Kerb impacts — strong, sharp feedback through cobblestones and painted kerbs
- Surface changes — gravel traps and grass return distinct vibration patterns
- Weight transfer — braking-induced forward weight shift is felt as increased wheel resistance
What it doesn't do as well as more expensive wheels: road texture at the millimeter level, the subtle vibration when a tire approaches its grip limit, and complex combined-force feedback (braking while cornering). These limitations matter to serious Sport Mode players but are invisible to beginners and casual racers.
At 5Nm, the T248 is firm enough that you'll know when you're counter-steering in a slide, without being tiring over a 20-minute stint.
The OLED Display
The T248's OLED display is a genuinely useful feature, not a gimmick. It shows:
- Gear position and RPM bar (critical when looking at the road, not the TV)
- Tire temperatures per wheel
- Lap time and delta
- Force feedback intensity and current settings
In long races where you can't always read the TV screen, glancing at the wheel for current gear is a legitimate performance benefit. For beginners, the OLED also shows when the wheel's FFB intensity is set and gives real-time confirmation that settings have been applied.
Magnetic Paddle Shifters
The paddle shifters use Thrustmaster's H.E.A.R.T magnetic technology — the same contactless sensor system as their premium pedals. The result is a crisp, positive click on every shift with no mechanical wear over time. No spring, no contact — just a magnetic sensor confirming paddle position.
In practice: these paddle shifters feel substantially better than the plastic friction-click shifters on the Logitech G29. Sequential shifting in GT7 becomes accurate and satisfying.
Pedals
The included 2-pedal set (throttle + brake) is adequate. The brake pedal uses a progressive rubber stop rather than a load cell — so it's travel-based, not pressure-based. It's stiffer than the G29's equivalent, which makes braking feel less vague, but it's not the transformation that load cell braking provides.
For serious GT7 players: budget for a T-LCM 3-pedal upgrade ($199) at some point. It's the single best performance upgrade you can make to a T248 setup.
PS5 Compatibility
The T248 is PlayStation-licensed and officially compatible with PS5 and PS4. It appears in GT7's controller list as a recognized peripheral, and GT7's in-game FFB settings work correctly with it. No adapters, no workarounds needed.
How It Compares
| Wheel | FFB | Drive Type | PS5 | Price | |-------|-----|------------|-----|-------| | Thrustmaster T248 | 5 Nm | Belt+Gear hybrid | Yes | ~$240 | | Logitech G29 | 2.2 Nm | Gear | Yes | ~$200 | | Thrustmaster T-GT II | 8 Nm | Brushless belt | Yes | ~$499 | | Fanatec GT DD Pro | 5–8 Nm | Direct drive | Yes | ~$499 |
The T248 wins its price tier clearly. The jump from T248 to T-GT II or GT DD Pro is significant — both in performance and in price.
Who Should Buy the T248
Buy it if:
- You're new to sim racing on PS5 and want a quality starting wheel
- You're upgrading from a controller and want a real improvement in feel
- Budget is under $300 for the complete wheel setup
- You want PS5 compatibility without the Fanatec ecosystem
Wait on it if:
- You're ready to invest $500+ — look at the GT DD Pro instead
- You need a 3-pedal set — the T248 bundle only includes 2 pedals
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Thrustmaster T248 compare to the Logitech G29?
The T248 wins in every meaningful performance metric. It delivers 5Nm of hybrid belt+gear FFB versus the G29's 2.2Nm gear drive. The T248 also has magnetic paddle shifters, an OLED display, and better pedals. At similar prices, choose the T248 unless you find the G29 heavily discounted below $150.
Is the T248 good enough for competitive GT7 Sport Mode?
Yes. The T248's 5Nm FFB is sufficient for Sport Mode racing at all levels. The wheel communicates tire grip, understeer, and kerb strikes clearly enough to race competitively. You will eventually feel its limits versus a direct drive wheel, but those limits are above the level most Sport Mode players operate at.
What pedals come with the Thrustmaster T248?
The T248 includes a 2-pedal set — brake and throttle only. No clutch is included in the standard bundle. To add a clutch, upgrade to the Thrustmaster T-LCM 3-pedal set (sold separately, ~$199) or the T3PM 3-pedal set (~$130).
The T248 is the wheel we'd recommend to any friend starting GT7 seriously for the first time. It's not perfect — the 2-pedal set is its most obvious limitation — but the core wheel quality, FFB, and PS5 compatibility make it the right starting point at this price. Plan for a pedal upgrade within a year and you'll have a competitive setup for well under $500 total.
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