MOZA KS Wheel in 2024 Review! (IS IT WORTH IT?!)
This is the Moza Racing KS wheel, a full-size, 300mm GT steering wheel set to compete directly against the Fanatec McLaren GT3, Simagic GT Neo, and Thrustmaster Ferrari 488 GT3 wheels. Competitively priced at $280, the KS wheel has been available for several months and is generally praised within the sim community. As a big fan of GT steering wheels myself, and after receiving countless requests to review it, I finally got my hands on the KS wheel thanks to Moza, who provided it for review purposes. After putting it through its paces, I’m ready to share my thoughts, so in today’s review, I’ll discuss the good, the bad, and how it holds up to the competition.
Review
Now, I’ll be completely honest. When this wheel first released and I saw it online, I questioned a lot of the design choices and frankly didn’t think it looked good. However, I can confidently say now that in person, it looks far better, and both the size and shape have begun to grow on me. Some have also pointed out how it looks similar to the Williams F1 wheel, and I certainly agree. If they’re using this wheel design and layout in Formula 1, the ergonomics, size, and shape are spot on. I can comfortably reach all the buttons, joysticks, and thumb encoders with ease, with only the center dials requiring me to lift my hand off the wheel.
Speaking of the dials, they have a firm and very noticeable click and are useful for managing things like ABS, traction control, or whatever you want. Two thumb encoders are located at the very top of the handles on either side. They’re a bit hard and uncomfortable to reach, and the steps between inputs are very short, often leading me to move them more than I intended. As such, I found myself avoiding these more often than not and binding most functions to the center dials and buttons instead. The buttons have a firm and noticeable click with a matching clicky noise. More importantly, they are backlit, which is uncommon at this price point. Additionally, the colors can easily be changed by pointing the two joysticks towards each other to enable the setup mode. In this mode, pressing any button changes its color, allowing you to cycle through all the colors and customize the wheel. A sticker sheet is also included for further customization.
A controversial aspect of this wheel has been its fake carbon fiber weave on its casing. Admittedly, it looks a lot better in person under light, although not very believable. The housing is made from carbon fiber-reinforced plastic and holds up extremely well with no visible or noticeable flex, though it doesn’t look as good as something like the Simagic GT Neo, which competes in the same price range.
Regarding the handles, I think they’re generally okay. Made from TPE plastic, they have a very rubbery feel, which feels alright but doesn’t provide as much grip as other wheels with true rubber handles. Conversely, they do a decent job of repelling dust and debris, which don’t stick as easily as they do on other wheels I’ve owned. The molding Moza used on these handles also does a good job of conforming to the shape of my hands, although I do wish these handles were just a little bit thicker.
Now, taking a look behind the wheel, you will find two magnetic dual clutch and paddle shifters along with the praised Moza quick release system. Starting with the quick release system, it works flawlessly. Removing and inserting the wheel takes mere seconds, with absolutely no flex or side-to-side movement, even under the heavy load of the Moza R12. It's also worth noting that even if you don’t have a Moza Racing wheelbase, the KS wheel is compatible with third-party wheelbases through the purchase of a separate adapter that plugs directly into your PC.
Now, back to the clutch and paddle shifters. They’re generally okay. The clutch paddles feel like more of an afterthought, with very short travel and little to no resistance. This means that they may not be of substantial use, for example, to disabled sim racers who rely on these for throttle and brake inputs. The paddle shifters, on the other hand, are magnetic, run on hall effect sensors, and have a noticeable yet not very tactile feel. While I am fine with this, others may find it underwhelming.
All of this said, taking the KS wheel out on track has been very fulfilling. As I mentioned in the short-form video unboxing this wheel, it is very lightweight, allowing me to feel maximum responsiveness and detail from my R12 wheelbase. Despite its lightweight size, I found no unwanted flex or movement at any point, which allowed me to stay confident on track. The layout of this wheel has been great, with everything within close reach and the paddle shifters performing as expected. I would recommend using gloves for substantially more grip, and again, I wish Moza made these handles just a bit thicker.
I also can’t forget to mention the 10 bright LED shift lights, which I had to turn down in brightness soon after unboxing. These shift lights have been very responsive, and their characteristics can be customized in the Moza Pithouse software.
Overall, the Moza KS wheel is a great option and a solid competitor in the GT wheel market. As of the making of this review, I’m also working on a GT wheel competitor guide comparing this wheel head-to-head with the Fanatec McLaren GT3, Thrustmaster Ferrari 488 GT3, and Simagic GT Neo wheels. So, if you’re considering those options, definitely keep an eye out for that. Ultimately, it is easy to recommend the Moza KS wheel. It looks good, functions well, and the things I don’t like about it are fairly minimal.
OC Score: 7.1
MOZA Racing KS FAQs:
What is the Moza Racing KS Wheel? The Moza Racing KS Wheel is a full-size, 300mm GT steering wheel designed for sim racing. It competes with products like the Fanatec McLaren GT3, Simagic GT Neo, and Thrustmaster Ferrari 488 GT3 wheels.
How much does the Moza KS Wheel cost? The Moza KS Wheel is competitively priced at $280.
Is the Moza KS Wheel compatible with third-party wheelbases? Yes, the KS Wheel is compatible with third-party wheelbases. You will need to purchase a separate adapter to plug it directly into your PC.
What materials is the Moza KS Wheel made from? The housing is made from carbon fiber-reinforced plastic, and the handles are made from TPE plastic, providing a rubbery feel.
Does the Moza KS Wheel have backlit buttons? Yes, the buttons are backlit, and their colors can be easily changed in setup mode.
How does the Moza KS Wheel’s quick release system work? The quick release system allows you to remove and insert the wheel in seconds with no flex or side-to-side movement, even under heavy load.
What kind of feedback do the clutch and paddle shifters provide? The clutch paddles have short travel and little resistance, while the paddle shifters are magnetic, run on hall effect sensors, and have a noticeable but not very tactile feel.
Are there any customization options for the Moza KS Wheel? Yes, the wheel includes a sticker sheet for further customization, and the backlit buttons’ colors can be changed using the joysticks.
How responsive are the LED shift lights on the Moza KS Wheel? The 10 bright LED shift lights are very responsive and can be customized through the Moza Pithouse software.
Is it necessary to use gloves with the Moza KS Wheel? While not necessary, using gloves is recommended for better grip.
How does the Moza KS Wheel perform on track? The wheel performs very well on track, offering maximum responsiveness and detail without unwanted flex or movement.
What are the key competitors of the Moza KS Wheel? Key competitors include the Fanatec McLaren GT3, Thrustmaster Ferrari 488 GT3, and Simagic GT Neo wheels.
Where can I find discount codes and affiliate links for Moza Racing products? Affiliate links and discount codes for Moza Racing products and other sim racing companies can be found in the video description.
Are there any downsides to the Moza KS Wheel? Some minor downsides include the thin handles and the less tactile feel of the paddle shifters, but these are fairly minimal compared to its overall performance.
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