Moza KS Pro Steering Wheel Review: Premium Features at a Budget Price
Moza Racing, traditionally known for budget-friendly sim racing hardware, is elevating its quality while maintaining affordability. The latest release, the KS Pro steering wheel, exemplifies this shift with premium features and a refined feel, all without a premium price tag. In today's market, where serious sim racing gear often comes with high costs, the KS Pro stands out as a butterfly-style GT wheel with an HD display priced just over $300.
Design and Features of the Moza KS Pro
The KS Pro serves as the successor to the KS wheel, retaining the 300mm butterfly-style GT design but with significant enhancements. Key improvements include a 2.99-inch HD screen at the center, customizable via Moza's PitHouse software, and extensive RGB lighting with 12 rev lights and six flag lights. Input options are robust, featuring 10 RGB buttons, five rotary encoders, two 7-way funky switches, four thumbwheels, and rear-mounted buttons.
Constructed with carbon fibre reinforcement and a steel core, the wheel ensures rigidity even with powerful wheelbases. Additional elements include four magnetic forged carbon paddles and an aluminium quick-release mechanism. Overall, the design balances durability with aesthetic appeal, earning a high rating for its feature set.
Performance and Usability
The 300mm butterfly-style design offers versatility, suitable for GT racing, formula cars, endurance events, and more, excluding rally. Testing across titles like F1 25, Le Mans Ultimate, and Assetto Corsa Evo revealed a consistently excellent experience in both driving dynamics and tactile feedback.
Moza has upgraded the grips to a TPE soft-rubber material, which provides superior grip and durability compared to leather options on pricier models like the FSR2 Formula Wheel. Button quality has also improved, with enhanced tactile response and RGB indicators for easy visibility during races. The thumbwheels and encoders are strategically placed for accessibility, ensuring seamless operation mid-race.
The HD screen is a standout feature, offering a bright, adequately sized display for quick information glances. However, a notable drawback is the lack of SimHub compatibility, which may frustrate users who prefer custom dashboards. While Moza's PitHouse software allows for dashboard creation, it is less comprehensive than SimHub. For those using compatible designs like the Lovely Dashboard, this issue is mitigated, but it remains a concern for some enthusiasts.
Value for Money Assessment
Priced at £319 or $329, the KS Pro is more expensive than its predecessor but justifies the cost with added features like the screen and improved inputs. Compared to other Moza products, such as the FSR2 Formula at £649 or the GS V2P at £399, it represents a significant saving.
In the broader market, competitors like Ascher Racing and Cube Controls offer similar butterfly-style GT wheels with displays but at prices around £1000 or higher. The closest alternative, the Asetek Forte Formula Pro Steering Wheel, costs approximately £620 or $740, nearly double the KS Pro's price. This makes the KS Pro an exceptional value proposition for budget-conscious sim racers seeking premium features.
Overall Verdict and Final Score
For sim racers seeking a versatile, premium-feeling wheel with an integrated screen, the Moza KS Pro is a compelling choice before considering high-end options. It excels in performance, aesthetics, and functionality, even with 25Nm wheelbases. While the absence of SimHub compatibility is a drawback, it may not deter all users.
In summary, the KS Pro delivers everything most sim racers need at a competitive price, showcasing Moza's commitment to quality and innovation. With a balanced score reflecting its strengths and minor flaws, it stands as a top-tier option in the budget sim racing category.
