Thrustmaster T598 vs T300RS GT: 5 Nm Direct Drive vs Belt (2026)
Buy the T598. It is 5 Nm direct drive with a magnetic pedal set, while the T300RS GT is a belt driven wheel at roughly 3.9 Nm. Direct drive removes the belt between the motor and the rim, which is the most noticeable single upgrade after a load cell brake. At about 466 dollars against about 400, the T598 costs roughly 66 dollars more, the cheapest way into direct drive on a PlayStation.
At a glance
| Thrustmaster T598 (PS5, PS4, PC) | Thrustmaster T300RS GT (PS5, PS4, PC) | |
|---|---|---|
| Drive type | Direct drive, axial flux motor | Belt driven, brushless motor |
| Peak torque | 5 Nm | Roughly 3.9 Nm |
| Price (Amazon, 2026) | Under $500 with pedals | Under $500 with pedals |
| Detail resolution | Higher, nothing between motor and rim | Belt absorbs small high frequency detail |
| Pedals supplied | Magnetic contactless pedal set | T3PA potentiometer pedal set |
| Mounting | Benefits strongly from a rigid mount | Tolerates a desk clamp |
| Noise | Quiet, no belt or gear noise | Audible belt and cooling fan |
Choose the Thrustmaster T598 (PS5, PS4, PC) if…
Buy the T598 unless the price gap is large. Direct drive changes what you can feel, not just how hard the wheel pulls. The small vibrations that tell you the front tyres are about to let go are exactly the ones a belt absorbs, so a 5 Nm direct drive wheel can be more informative than a stronger belt wheel. The magnetic pedals also remove the potentiometer wear that eventually makes a cheap pedal set inconsistent.
Check Thrustmaster T598 (PS5, PS4, PC) on Amazon
Choose the Thrustmaster T300RS GT (PS5, PS4, PC) if…
Buy the T300RS GT if you find it substantially discounted, if you already own Thrustmaster rims that you know work with it, or if your rig is a desk clamp and will stay one. A direct drive base wants a rigid mount to be worth having, and on a flexing desk some of the extra detail is lost in the desk rather than delivered to your hands. In that situation the cheaper belt wheel is the more honest purchase.
Check Thrustmaster T300RS GT (PS5, PS4, PC) on Amazon
The T598 is also sold in an Xbox and PC version, so check the platform in the listing title. For the other side of the Thrustmaster range, see T248 vs T300RS GT, and for every base by torque, the wheelbase torque chart.
We also have full reviews of each: Thrustmaster T598 review and Thrustmaster T300RS GT review.
Related
Sources: Thrustmaster published specifications and the current Amazon listings (prices checked 2026). Comparison based on published manufacturer specifications and the general consensus of owner reports. We have not tested these products side by side. Confirm current specifications and prices before buying. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.
Frequently asked questions
T598 vs T300RS GT: which should I buy in 2026?
The T598 for most people. It is 5 Nm direct drive with magnetic pedals for about 466 dollars, against about 400 for the belt driven T300RS GT at roughly 3.9 Nm. Buy the T300RS GT only if the price gap is wider where you shop or you already own Thrustmaster rims and pedals you want to keep.
Is the Thrustmaster T300RS GT direct drive?
No. The T300RS GT is belt driven: a brushless motor turns the rim through a belt. The T598 is Thrustmaster's direct drive wheel, with the rim mounted on the motor shaft.
Is 5 Nm enough for direct drive to be worth it?
Yes. The common mistake is to read direct drive as a strength upgrade when it is mostly a resolution upgrade. Removing the belt removes a low pass filter, so a 5 Nm direct drive base communicates the moment of grip loss more clearly than a 4 Nm belt base does, even though the peak forces are similar. Most drivers also run high torque bases well below their maximum anyway.
Does a direct drive wheel need a cockpit?
It needs a rigid mount, which is not quite the same thing. A heavy desk with a good clamp can work at 5 Nm. What does not work is a light desk that visibly moves, because the movement you feel is then the desk and not the car. Above roughly 8 Nm a proper stand or cockpit stops being optional.
Are the magnetic pedals a real advantage?
Over time, yes. A potentiometer works by a wiper sliding along a resistive track, and that track wears, which shows up as a jittery input or a dead spot years later. Magnetic sensing has no contact and no wear. It does not make you faster on day one, but it is why the pedal set is likely to outlast the wheelbase.
Do older Thrustmaster rims fit the T598?
Not directly, since the T598 uses a different wheel attachment from the older belt driven bases. Confirm compatibility for the specific rim rather than assuming it carries over, because rims are expensive and this is the sort of ecosystem break that turns a cheap upgrade into an expensive one.
How we choose: we compare published manufacturer specifications, documented torque and travel figures, and verified owner reviews. We do not test gear in person. Everything here is researched guidance, not professional installation advice. Direct drive wheelbases produce enough torque to injure a wrist, and rig hardware carries real weight, so follow the manufacturer's mounting and torque limits.
