Thrustmaster T818 Review: Is Its First PC-Only DD Wheel the Answer for Real-Car Feel?

Bottom line: the Thrustmaster T818 is one option for PC-focused users seeking a real-car-like driving experience, as Thrustmaster’s first PC-only direct-drive (DD) racing wheel. It combines Thrustmaster’s long-established force-feedback (FFB) tuning expertise with DD responsiveness. This is also the model I had the opportunity to try first in the world in Le Mans, France. Now that its successor, the PS5-compatible T598, has arrived, its position as a PC-only wheel is somewhat unusual—but paired with TLCM Pedals, it lets you build the ultimate Thrustmaster ecosystem, distinct from Fanatec’s.

Verdict in 30 Seconds

Based on what I have covered across nine Picar Channel videos, the Thrustmaster T818 occupies the position of the ultimate TLCM Pedals pairing for PC players who love the Thrustmaster brand. Its role has become somewhat more specialized with the arrival of the PS5-compatible T598, but it still has value as an alternative ecosystem to Fanatec.

What Is the Thrustmaster T818? Thrustmaster’s First PC-Only DD Wheel

Thrustmaster has introduced its latest direct-drive (DD) racing wheel, the T818. With a DD design, the steering wheel is mounted directly to the motor, delivering more direct and more powerful force feedback—the resistance you feel from the road. I plan to review the T818 separately at a later date, but unfortunately, its lack of PlayStation (PS) support is currently a sticking point.

— From Picar Channel’s “Recommended! Complete Racing Wheel Guide: GT7, PC, and Real Cars”

To explore the wider range of options, also see the Thrustmaster T598 Review: DD + High-Frequency Vibration, Official GT7 Support, and T300RS Compatibility Examined Across Seven Videos and the Thrustmaster T-GT II Review: The Ultimate Belt-Drive Wheel That Is Faster Than the DD1 in GT7.

This lack of PS support is a deal-breaker for the PS5 sim-racing crowd. For PC users, though, it has value as an option outside the Fanatec ecosystem.

Key Specifications

How I Got to Try It First in the World

I received an Insta360 sponsorship and made an epic journey: I flew to Paris to watch the 24 Hours of Le Mans, something I had always wanted to do, then drove from there to Le Mans. I got to drive the Le Mans circuit in a real car, and was also fortunate to be the first in the world to play a new game, Le Mans Ultimate, and Thrustmaster’s new T818 racing wheel. I also visited the T-STATION pit and got to experience firsthand the environment of the men competing on the world stage.

— From Picar Channel’s “Happy New Year! Looking Back at 2023”

Getting to drive the Le Mans circuit in a real car, then becoming the first in the world to play Le Mans Ultimate on the T818, is about as special a situation as it gets for a sim-racing YouTuber. It symbolizes Thrustmaster’s brand strategy of placing importance on its connection to real-world racing machinery.

Pairing It with TLCM Pedals: The Complete Thrustmaster Ecosystem

At the top of Thrustmaster’s pedal lineup are the TLCM Pedals. These are pressure-sensing load-cell pedals: rather than controlling braking by pedal travel, they use the pressure you apply, enabling delicate braking closer to a real car. Combined with their metal housing, they offer excellent durability and a realistic operating feel. I am really looking forward to seeing what kind of experience the T818 and TLCM Pedals combination delivers.

— From Picar Channel’s “Recommended! Complete Racing Wheel Guide”

TLCM Pedals sit at the top of Thrustmaster’s load-cell pedal range. With a metal housing and pressure-sensing load cell, they offer a serious level of realism on par with, or above, Fanatec V3 Pedals and Heusinkveld Sprint. The T818 and TLCM combination stands as a complete PC setup in its own right, separate from the Fanatec/Heusinkveld route.

An Option for Drivers Chasing a Real-Car Feel

Real-car feel vs. fun as a game: if you want to pursue a real-car-like experience, options include Fanatec’s DD Pro and V3 Pedals, or Thrustmaster’s T818 if you are on PC. Load-cell pedals and direct drive provide a more realistic control feel.

— From the same video

The fact that the T818 is named alongside the Fanatec DD Pro when discussing “real-car feel” speaks to the trust placed in the Thrustmaster brand. It takes a different direction from Logitech G PRO and its TrueForce, which prioritize fun as a game; the T818 is designed with an emphasis on a feel closer to a real car.

Its Relationship with the T598 Successor

The T598, released in 2025, is a DD racing wheel that follows in the T818’s footsteps, but it made a major step forward by adding PS5 compatibility. If you are buying new and use a PS5, the T598 has an overwhelming advantage. The T818 retains a niche as Thrustmaster’s most powerful PC-only DD wheel, but there is less reason to insist on a PC-only option when buying new.

Who It Is—and Isn’t—for

✅ Recommended for

• Advanced users looking for a PC-only Thrustmaster DD wheel
• Those who want to complete a Thrustmaster ecosystem by pairing it with TLCM Pedals
• Those who want to pursue a real-car-like feel through a route different from Fanatec
• Those who want to enjoy Thrustmaster-connected titles such as Le Mans Ultimate

❌ Not for

• PS5 users → T598 (direct drive and PS5-compatible)
• Those who want to use the Fanatec ecosystem, including V3 Pedals and its various rims → DD Pro / DD Extreme
• Those who prioritize fun as a game above all else → Logitech G PRO Racing Wheel
• Those unsure what to buy new → CSL DD in a similar price range (PC-only, from ¥47,000) or the PS5-compatible DD Pro

Related Videos

• Happy New Year! Looking Back at 2023 (mentions the first-in-the-world T818 session in France)
• Recommended! Complete Racing Wheel Guide: GT7, PC, and Real Cars
• First-in-the-World Play of Le Mans Ultimate
• T598: An Ultra-Low-Priced, Ultimate Racing Wheel for PS4 and PS5 Arrives

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Should I choose the T818 or the T598?

A. For a new purchase, choose the T598. With PS5 compatibility and next-generation DD, it surpasses the T818. The T818 is an option if you already own one or specifically want a PC-only wheel.

Q2. Is there a way to use it on PS5?

A. No. The T818 is designed for PC only and is not compatible with PS5. If you want a Thrustmaster DD wheel on PS5, the T598 is essential.

Q3. Can TLCM Pedals be used with wheel bases from other brands?

A. In many cases, they can be used together via PC. But if you want to get the most from the Thrustmaster ecosystem, the T818 + TLCM combination is the natural route.