Thrustmaster T248

Our rating : 8.8/10

The sensations we get from today’s video games are not the same as they were a few years ago. In order to fully immerse yourself in a race and in the action, in our opinion, nothing can replace a good steering wheel.

But there are so many different brands and qualities of steering wheels, each with its own specificities and features, that it can become a real obstacle course to choose which model to buy.

This is the the T248 steering wheel from the French brand Thrustmaster that we have tested and that we are going to present you today.

In this article, we will introduce you to the characteristics of this wheel, its advantages and its disadvantageswe will also tell you what type of player type of player suitable for, where and at what price you can buy it if you are interested.

The characteristics of the Thrustmaster T248

This steering wheel from Thrustmaster is a mid-range steering wheel that includes a pedalboard three pedals pedals, and stands out for its hybrid technology technology and its force feedback.

Here is a list of its main features:

• The Thrustmaster T248 has a premium design with leather finishes on the outside of the steering wheel.
• The wheel is 28 cm in diameter with a rotation of 900°. It has a versatile shape that allows it to adapt to all styles of play.
• The steering wheel has up to 25 action buttons which include 2 dual activation encoders.
• The Thrustmaster T248 features an interactive dashboard which offers a selection of over 20 different displays on the steering wheel screen.
• This model is equipped with a very dynamic force feedback with two brush motors and on-the-fly adjustment (3 preset modes included) which is done via the screen. It is compatible with all games.
• The steering wheel has two magnetic paddle shifters at the rear at the rear, equipped with the patented H.E.A.R.T. technology. These paddles are precise (12 bits), responsive and offer minimum reaction time when shifting gears.
• Included with the steering wheel is the T3PM pedal board.
• The Thrustmaster T248 is officially licensed for PlayStation PS5, but it is also compatible with the PS4 and PC.
• Dimensions 280 x 280 x 300 mm (steering wheel block), 300 x 210 x 370 mm (pedals)
• Weight 5.7 kg (steering wheel), 3 kg (pedals)

In the box of the Thrustmaster T248 you will find :

• The T248 steering wheel.
• The T3PM metal pedalboard.
• A power cable and a USB-C cable.
• A clamp to allow you to fix the steering wheel on a surface.
• An Allen key to allow you to adjust the steering wheel.
• A spring to increase the resistance of the pedals.

For what type of person?

The Thrustmaster T248 was designed for gamers who are looking for a truly immersive true immersion in racing games, regardless of their starting level.

This model being above all a steering wheel for the PS4 and the PS5You will find almost all the buttons of a Playstation controller. Those who play regularly on PC may take a little time to get used to it, but it will come.

The Thrustmaster T248 has a good steering wheel size that fits adult hands as well as children’s hands, men’s hands as well as women’s hands.

Its advantages

The Thrustmaster T248 steering wheel is considered to be the Cadillac of racing wheels and we must admit that this model offers many advantages.

First, this steering wheel has a remarkable remarkable force feedback. With its hybrid technology, it is particularly precise and well dosed. The immersion is enhanced by the resistance that the T248 offers in fast direction changes, it is really a treat during the game.

In addition, it is possible to choose between three different types of force feedback directly on the steering wheel: 100% in-game force feedback, increased force feedback that offers better control for skids or boosted force feedback that allows you to feel all the effects of the race that are transmitted from the track (vibrations, road departures, …).

The Thrustmaster T248 is also known for its pedals. Indeed, for this model of steering wheel, the brand has decided to include its T3PM cranksetcrankset, which is versatile and very efficient.

This pedalboard alone sells for €129.99, which proves its quality. It features the same magnetic technology as the steering wheel paddles and offers four choices of brake pressure. Both the throttle and clutch settings provide a real pleasure and an incredible feeling during the races. Thrustmaster even offers an additional spring with this model, so you can vary the hardness of the brake pedal.

Another positive point about the Thrustmaster T248, which is obvious from the very first second, is the integrated control screen. This accessory that allows to display some settings or information like telemetry is really nice. Note that for the moment, only a handful of games are compatible with this feature, but the model being very recent, this should change quite quickly.

The wheel of the Thrustmaster T248 is also pleasant to hold and feel.It is comfortable and precise to use, even after long hours of play. The leather finishes on the outside of the steering wheel are of very good quality.

This wheel also stands out for its official PS4, PS5 and PC compatibility and its great compatibility with all games such as Assetto Corsa Competizione, FIFA 2021, iRacing, WRC 10, etc.

The installation of the Thrustmaster T248 steering wheel is really quick and easyIt only takes 5 minutes. You just connect all the cables to your console or PC, you don’t need to install any drivers or configure anything. For a clean and functional result, this model includes rails under the block for cable storage as well as places to attach the steering wheel (jaws). The Thrustmaster T248 also includes a clamp that allows you to attach the steering wheel to a surface like a desk if you wish.

Its disadvantages

In our test of the Thrustmaster T248 steering wheel, we discovered that, while this model offers many advantages, it also has some disadvantages.

The first problem we had was the noise of the paddles. Admittedly, they are particularly noisy and the noise of the plastic can quickly get on your system. This is certainly not problematic for those playing with headphones, but it can still be very annoying for those around.

Another negative point is the fact that the steering wheel is not removable or interchangeable. not removable or interchangeable. No way to exchange it in case of breakage or to benefit from the other accessories of the brand, which is a pity.

We were also surprised by the design choice of the Thrustmaster brand concerning this T248 model. With its strange futuristic and all-plastic look, the wheel looks more like a lower-end steering wheel than a professional driver’s wheel. This may not please everyone.

Moreover, its price of 300-350 € is not really cheap. Even if this is justified by its quality and functionality, you still have to be able to afford it. Especially since in case of failure, you will not be able to change the wheel, you will have to reinvest in a complete wheel.

Where and for how much to get it?

The Thrustmaster T248 steering wheel is available for sale for €349.99 on the official website official website.

You can also find it at a lower price, depending on promotions, on Amazon.com

You can find Thrustmaster T248 steering wheels on second hand websites, but be very careful about possible scams and make sure to check the condition of the material before buying anything.

Conclusion

The Thrustmaster T248 is a mid-range steering wheel which stands out from the competition with its breathtaking performance. While its design may be debatable and the noise of its paddles may be rather unpleasant, the Thrustmaster T248 remains a steering wheel that we recommend to all those who want to get a foot in the door of Sim-racing.

The hybrid technology of its force feedback combined with its control screen and the quality of the T3PM crankset allowed us to experience incredible sensations during our races.. After several hours of play, the Thrustmaster T248 continues to be comfortable and therefore fulfills all its promises.

If you’re looking for a high-performance steering wheel that will stand the test of time and work on both PS5, PS4 and PC, don’t hesitate to buy the Thrustmaster T248.