Moza R9 vs R12? In this detailed comparison of Moza R9 vs R12, we tell you what differences there are between the two steering wheel bases and whether it is worth spending a little more money on Moza R12.
The Moza brand is becoming well known in the world of simracing, and is competing with Fanatec with very good products and very affordable prices.
So if you are looking for a direct drive steering wheel with an unbeatable price-performance ratio, the Moza R9 V3 and R12 are an excellent choice.
If you want more information, the Moza R9 Bundle base has already been reviewed in the following article -> Moza R9 V2
Moza R9 vs R12
Our Verdict
The Moza R12 is a better base as it offers 12 Nm of maximum force while the R9 has a maximum torque of 9 Nm. It is only a difference of 3 Nm, which if you are not an advanced level you will not notice the difference, but for 100$ more than it is worth, we recommend the Moza R12.
Comparison Table – Key Differences
Both Moza R9 and Moza R12 are compatible with PC and XBOX. But in the case of XBOX it is only compatible with some steering wheels, you will have to see if the steering wheel is compatible with XBOX before buying it.
Here is a summary of the features:
- Torque:
- R9: 9 N m.
- R12: 12 N m.
- Feedback
- Both: Force feedback direct drive with a lot of force. They only have 3 Nm difference in force, which is not much but if you want to play with a configuration of 8-9 Nm we recommend you to use the Moza R12 for more power.
- Platforms:
- R9: Compatible with PC, XBOX One and XBOX 360.
- R12: Compatible with PC, XBOX One and XBOX 360.
- Price:
- R9: The current price of the R9 V3 base is 349$.
- R12: The price of the Moza R12 is around 469$.
Driving and gameplay
Many people wonder if there is a big difference between the 9 Nm of the Moza R9 and the 12 Nm of the R12. And the answer as in everything is it depends on how you are going to play and your level of experience.
In my case, I usually set 8-9 Nm of maximum force, so a Moza R9 might be enough for me, but I prefer to have the Moza R12 and have a margin so that the base does not go to the limit. This way the base always performs at maximum and has no force peaks.
If you come from a Moza R5 or a Fanatec CSL DD that you usually play at 5Nm, probably the Moza R9 is more than enough for you and you will not notice the difference with the R12.
Most users are very happy with the Fanatec CSL DD at 8 Nm, so 9Nm is enough for almost everyone.
Dynamic Range and Slew Rate
But well, as you know strength is not everything, there are other important variables to take into account when choosing a simracing base. Such as Dynamic range (dynamic range) or slew rate (rate of change).
In this sense, the Moza R12 has a wider dynamic range, which means that it is able to offer a greater difference between softer and louder signals.
As for the slew rate, in the Moza R12 it is also higher than in the R9, and this implies that it has a higher speed to respond to a change between input signals.
The technical part is very good, but does it make a difference? Well, the truth is that I don’t . If we set up the Moza R9 and R12 with 7 Nm for me they both work the same. Unless you are a driving prodigy I don’t think you will feel a difference.
Moza R12 vs R9 V3: Price Difference
If we compare the prices of the Moza R9 V3 which is 439€ and the Moza R12 V2, 549€, we see that there is only a difference of 110€.
With such a small difference I decided to choose the Moza R12, this way I can play for many hours with a 9 Nm setting with constant torque.
If 549€ seems like a lot of money, you can buy the Moza R12 V1 for 499€ before the Moza R9. I honestly don’t know what the difference is between the R12 V1 and V2. Simply the R12 V2 is the upgrade of the V1 so it has more optimized software to get the most out of the base.
For which games are Moza R9 and R12 compatible?
The R9 and R12 bases are compatible with the best simracing games.
Moza wheels are compatible with Assetto Corsa, ACC, Dirt Rally, Dirt 4, F1 24, F1 25, F1 23, WRC, Dakar, Farming Simulator 19, 15 and 17, iRacing.
Cockpit for Moza R9 or R12
Even if you are still not sure which base to buy, one thing is clear, you have to use a cockpit. It makes no sense to have a base of 9Nm or more and install it on a desk, it is too much force for the table.
If space is an issue you can always opt for a folding cockpit that will allow you to store it under the bed or behind a door.
So here are the best cockpits Â
Moza R9 vs R12: Final Recommendation
Moza R9 vs Moza R12? Whatever your decision, it must be said that both simracing wheels are spectacular.
Obviously, the Moza R12 is better in terms of base engine power and the technical specifications we have told you about, so we’ll take the Moza R12 as the winner.
Also, for the price difference, I think it is worth the extra effort to purchase a base that will last for many years.
However, if your goal is to have fun, without competing at the highest level, the Moza R9 is more than enough.
As for where to buy the steering wheel I recommend you look at the Simufy website, you get a 3% discount.
Another interesting option is the official website of Moza which, although it has high shipping costs, you can sometimes find cheaper flyers than Simufy.
Want more? Comparison of Moza R12 vs R16
You might be interested in our Moza R5 vs R9 comparison if you don’t want to spend that much money.