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Thrustmaster T598 Review – Affordable Direct Drive Power for PlayStation and PC

ByNeo Sphinx

The Thrustmaster T598 marks a bold step forward for budget-conscious sim racers. Bringing direct drive technology to a wider audience, Thrustmaster’s new wheelbase promises precision, power, and immersion — all at a price point below €500. But does it live up to the expectations? Let’s find out.

🧩 Design and Build Quality

At first glance, the T598 looks quite different from other wheelbases. Measuring 21 cm x 21 cm x 16.5 cm and weighing 4.7 kg, it’s compact depth, but not so much in height. The casing is made out of an aluminum center piece and plastic front and back cover. The general design does seem very cheap because of the quality and finishing of the plastic. Unfortunately, this gives it a bit of a toy-like appearance compared to sleeker units from MOZA or Fanatec.

It’s not a bad design, but it lacks flair. Some transparent panels or subtle lighting could have made it more visually striking. The included mounting adapter helps secure it to most rigs, given the narrow base.

🔌 Connectivity and Controls

The back panel offers a wide variety of connections:

  • RJ11 port for pedals
  • PS2 connector for a shifter
  • RJ12 (unused) port
  • USB-C for PC/PlayStation connection
  • 3-pin PSU port

It’s a mix of modern and legacy connections — a bit inconsistent, but understandable given Thrustmaster’s long hardware lineage. The on/off switch is conveniently placed on the rear, while the front features four large configuration buttons and a small color screen for settings.

🕹️ Steering Wheel

The bundled 30 cm round wheel feels light but functional. Made mostly of plastic with perforated rubber grips, it’s comfortable enough for long sessions.
The metal magnetic shifters are crisp and satisfying, while the PlayStation-style buttons and D-pad are easy to reach — though sadly, they lack a protective coating and may fade with use.

Aesthetically, the subtle red highlights are a nice touch that elevates the overall look.

🦶 Pedals

The pedal set is primarily metal, with plastic pedal faces that still feel solid. The modular design allows for a clutch pedal upgrade later on.

Adjustable travel distance and spring stiffness give you some customization options, and the included stiffer brake spring adds welcome resistance. Both pedals use Hall sensors for accurate inputs, though the brake remains linear due to the absence of a load cell or damper.

⚙️ Technology and Features

Thrustmaster packed some impressive tech into the T598, especially for its price range:

  • 🧭 Direct Axial Drive:
    Designed to minimize cogging, this motor setup ensures smoother steering and consistent feedback by refining magnet placement.
  • 🎵 HARMONY Technology:
    Adds high-frequency vibrations that simulate shifting jolts, kerb textures, and road surface details. It gives the wheel a livelier feel — less clinical than the Fanatec GT DD Pro.
  • 📟 Mini Telemetry Screen:
    Despite its small size (2.5 × 1.5 cm), it provides real-time telemetry and allows on-the-fly tuning of wheelbase and pedal settings.
  • ⚡ Torque Overshoot:
    The base delivers 5 Nm of constant torque but can briefly double to 10 Nm, giving short bursts of powerful force feedback that make it feel far stronger than expected.

🧠 Software and Tuning

Thrustmaster’s revamped software is clean and user-friendly. Instead of complex sliders, it offers simple LOW / MID / HIGH tuning options.

There are four built-in profiles — Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, and Extreme — all switchable directly from the steering wheel. For newcomers, this simplicity is perfect. Power users might crave deeper control, but overall, the software is stable, accessible, and quick to use.

🎮 Compatibility

At launch, the T598 supports PlayStation and PC.
An Xbox-compatible version is planned in the future, likely under a different model name.

This wide compatibility makes it a strong choice for racers who switch between platforms.

🧪 On-Track Performance

🏁 Gran Turismo 7 (PlayStation 5)

The HARMONY vibrations instantly stand out. Gear-shift jolts feel realistic, kerbs pop with detail, and steering is buttery smooth thanks to the Direct Axial Drive.

Despite the rated 5 Nm torque, it genuinely feels like an 8–10 Nm base during peak moments. The feedback is animated and alive, unlike the Fanatec GT DD Pro, which can feel sterile in comparison.

The main weakness lies in the pedals, which are a bit too linear and harder to fine-tune in GT7.

🧭 Assetto Corsa Competizione (PC)

The force feedback is stronger and richer here. You feel weight transfer, road texture, and lateral forces clearly. It’s responsive, consistent, and fun — even if the short torque bursts can’t fully mimic higher-end bases.

🌉 BeamNG Drive (PC)

Performance dips a little. While steering remains sharp, HARMONY doesn’t add much here, and the plastic wheel finish feels more apparent without gloves. That said, the force feedback detail and return-to-center behavior are still commendable.
Pedals, interestingly, felt better tuned on PC than on PlayStation.

⚠️ Reliability Concerns

Reports of disconnecting wheelbases have been frequent. Users mention the wheel or shifters suddenly cutting out mid-race. Some fixes involve replacing the power supply, USB cable, or avoiding USB extenders. Thrustmaster is aware of the problem and has a solution by replacing the PSU. Hopefully this issue will be completely fixed in the next iteration.

The quick release system is smooth to use but may wear down over time due to softer internal materials. For a long-term rig setup, this is worth noting.

💰 Price and Availability

  • Wheelbase only: €400
  • Full package (wheel + pedals): €499

That’s €200 cheaper than the Fanatec GT DD Pro, making the T598 one of the best value-for-money direct drive setups today.

Thrustmaster’s global dealer network ensures easy availability — and local resellers often list it for around €480.

🧩 Ecosystem and Upgrades

Thrustmaster’s long history means a wide, well-established ecosystem.
You’ll find add-on wheels, shifters, and pedals both new and second-hand at good prices — perfect for gradual upgrades as your sim racing setup evolves.

🏆 Final Verdict

The Thrustmaster T598 delivers where it matters most — the driving feel.
It’s smooth, powerful, and immersive, especially for a sub-€500 direct drive wheelbase. While it lacks the polish of its premium rivals and has some reliability issues, the core experience is outstanding for the price.

If you’re entering the world of direct drive sim racing, this might be the perfect first step.

✅ Pros

  • Excellent force feedback and detail
  • Smooth, fluid steering with minimal cogging
  • Affordable price point
  • Simple, user-friendly software
  • Expansive Thrustmaster ecosystem

❌ Cons

  • Plastic casing feels cheap
  • Occasional disconnects
  • Pedals lack load cell or damper
  • Quick release may wear over time

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