The T248 and the T248R look almost identical, and Thrustmaster's own pages make it harder than it should be to tell them apart. One has a published torque figure. One doesn't. One is still on sale. One has been sent to the back of the shop.
I read both product pages on Thrustmaster's US eShop on 29 September 2026 and compared them line by line. Here's what's confirmed, what isn't, and which one I'd buy.
The short version
The T248R is the current PlayStation/PC model. It's $349.99, in stock, and the only T248 with a published torque rating: 3.1 N·m at 48 W constant power, with three BOOST levels.
The T248 (PlayStation/PC) is the older version. Its eShop page shows $329.99 and "Out of stock". Thrustmaster's own T248 page on thrustmaster.com tells you to "get the latest version of the T248: T248R".
The T248 (Xbox/PC) is a separate product for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One and PC. It's $349.99 and in stock. As far as I can see, there is no "T248RX" and no R version for Xbox at all.
That last point is where people get tripped up. Most "T248 vs T248R" searches are really "which one do I buy for my console", and the answer depends entirely on the platform.
Side-by-side, from Thrustmaster's pages
| T248 (PS/PC) | T248R (PS/PC) | T248 (Xbox/PC) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| US eShop price | $329.99 | $349.99 | $349.99 |
| Stock (29 Sep 2026) | Out of stock | In stock | In stock |
| Drive | Hybrid, belt and gear | T-HD hybrid | Hybrid, belt and gear |
| Torque | Not published | 3.1 N·m | Not published |
| Constant power | Not published | 48 W | Not published |
| BOOST levels | Not listed | 3 | Not listed |
| Pedals | Magnetic, 4 brake pressure modes | T3PM, Hall effect, 4 brake pressure modes | T3PM, magnetic, 4 brake pressure modes |
| Display | 20+ displays | 20+ displays, 4 LEDs | 20+ displays |
| Buttons | Up to 25 | 25 | Up to 25 |
| My Thrustmaster Panel | No (legacy process) | Yes | No (not mentioned) |
| Platforms | PS5, PS4, PC | PS5, PS4, PC | Xbox Series X |
Prices are US list prices on the day. Thrustmaster rotates specials, so check the cart.
What the R model actually changes
Less than the name suggests, and I'd rather tell you that than sell you the upgrade.
The published torque. The T248R states 3.1 N·m and 48 W of constant power. The older pages state neither. That doesn't prove the T248R is stronger. It might be the same motor that never had its number printed. I can't tell from the spec sheets, and Thrustmaster's R page shows a comparison image with no written spec differences. Anyone telling you "the R has X% more torque" is guessing.
Panel support. This one is real and useful. My Thrustmaster Panel officially supports the T248R, and it explicitly doesn't support the non-R T248. That means firmware updates and pedal tuning through the desktop app. My Panel tuning guide covers the pedal curve and dead zone settings, and none of it is available on the older T248.
Named parts. The R page names the T3PM pedals' Hall effect (H.E.A.R.T.) sensors and the wheel's Mag-Shift paddle sensors. Older pages already say the paddles and pedals are magnetic, so I read this as clearer labelling more than new hardware.
Rim. The R page lists an 11.0" / 28 cm wheel with perforated leather and imitation carbon finishes. The older page says leather wrapping on the outer-facing portion. Feel is a matter of taste, and I haven't handled the two side by side.
The "70% more power" claim
Both T248 pages say the hybrid drive is "70% more" powerful than the previous T150 series. Read it carefully. That's a comparison against Thrustmaster's own entry-level wheels, not a torque number.
Both pages I read today name the T150 series. Earlier this month I noted Thrustmaster's copy wobbling between T150 and TMX as the comparison point, so treat it as marketing. My wheelbase lineup guide flags the same issue.
If you want a real number, only the T248R has one.
What 3.1 N·m means in practice
Not much next to direct drive. My T598 review covers a base with 5 N·m constant and 100% overshoot, at $599.99. The T248R is a different tier: a hybrid gear-and-belt wheel, nowhere near a direct drive base.
Torque isn't everything for a first wheel. Consistent, readable force matters more, and a hybrid drive does that well at this price. But if you already know you'll upgrade in a year, consider the jump. The wheelbase lineup guide shows the whole ladder, and direct drive wheels for PS5 covers the next step up in the PlayStation market.
Which one I'd buy
PlayStation: the T248R at $349.99. It's the model still in stock, it has the published spec, and it's the one that works with Panel. The old T248 was $329.99, so it's only $20 cheaper and it's sold out on the US shop right now. If you find one at a real discount elsewhere it's a fine wheel, but you're giving up Panel support to save the price of a pizza. See my PS5 wheel roundup for alternatives.
Xbox: the T248 (Xbox/PC), $349.99. There's no other T248 for you. Don't pay for an "R" listing on a marketplace thinking it's Xbox compatible. Check the platform line on the box. My Xbox wheel guide covers other options.
PC only: either PlayStation model works on PC, so the T248R is the easy pick. The Xbox model also works on PC, but you lose the Panel support and the torque spec.
Already own a T248: don't upgrade. Nothing on the published spec sheets justifies $349.99 for the R.
I'll also say what I said in my original T248 review: it's a good entry wheel with a display and paddles that punch above the price. It isn't a direct drive wheel, and no torque figure changes that.
FAQ
What is the difference between the T248 and T248R? The T248R is the current PlayStation/PC version. It publishes 3.1 N·m and 48 W of constant power, supports My Thrustmaster Panel, and costs $349.99 on the US eShop. The original T248 publishes no torque figure and doesn't support Panel.
Is there a T248R for Xbox? Not that I could find. The Xbox version is sold as the T248 (Xbox/PC) at $349.99, with no torque figure published.
Is the T248R stronger than the T248? Thrustmaster doesn't say. The R page publishes 3.1 N·m, but the older pages publish no number to compare against.
How much torque does the T248 have? For the Xbox and original PlayStation models, Thrustmaster doesn't publish it. Only the T248R lists 3.1 N·m.
Does the T248 work with My Thrustmaster Panel? Only the T248R officially does. The non-R T248 uses a separate legacy update process.
Can I use a T248R on PC? Yes. It works with PS5, PS4 and PC (Windows 10/11).
Is the T248R worth it over the T248? On PlayStation, yes, because it's the one in stock, the price gap is small, and it gets Panel. If you already own a T248, no.