Windows Central Verdict
MOZA's R3 direct drive base delivers a similar level of force feedback found in arcade machines without pushing the torque to dangerous levels or raising the price with unnecessary features. I'd recommend this bundle to any Xbox gamer who wants to experience the best sim tech on a budget.
Pros
- +
3.9Nm of force feedback via the direct drive motor
- +
Interchangeable wheel rims to suit all racing fans
- +
Includes modular pedals with a healthy ecosystem for add-ons
- +
Built for Xbox but fully compatible with PC
Cons
- -
Face buttons feel cheap with heavy feedback
- -
Gear-shifting paddles are loud and clunky
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I've tested my fair share of racing wheels, and Xbox gamers usually get the short end of the stick.
They're often cut off from the best technology or cornered into making bank-breaking purchases to experience anything above the bare minimum.
MOZA changes everything with its R3 bundle, including everything you need to get started without a dedicated sim racing cockpit.
It comes in with a bafflingly generous price tag, so you might expect that MOZA will cut some critical corners, but that isn't the case. I've recommended the same entry-level racing wheel to Xbox gamers for years, but it's just been bumped by the MOZA R3 racing wheel and pedals bundle now that I've had my hands (and feet) on it — here's what I thought after hooking it up to my Xbox Series X.
I tested at least six similar racing wheels and separate wheelbases before going hands-on with MOZA's offering, from the absolute cheapest budget option to the high-end premium picks. If I'm not testing steering wheels, I'm probably playing Euro Truck Simulator 2 (it's better than you think.)
Disclaimer
This review was made possible with a review sample provided by MOZA. The company did not see the contents of the review before publishing.
MOZA R3: Price and availability
MOZA sells the R3 racing wheel and pedals for Xbox & PC bundle at Walmart for $399.99, another at Newegg for $399.21 alongside its official store for $399, and Amazon for $439.99. In the box, MOZA includes its R3 DD (direct drive) servo wheelbase, ES steering wheel with Xbox face buttons, an SR-P Lite pedal set (gas and brake, no clutch), and an official MOZA table clamp alongside a 15-degree mounting clip.
Compatible add-ons include the 12-inch ES wheel mod at Amazon (currently out of stock) or listed for $79 at MOZA's official store and an ES Formula wheel mod for $49.99 at Newegg or $39 at MOZA's store.
Anyone adopting a direct-drive setup like the MOZA R3 bundle is likely interested in a realistic simulation setup, so an extra SR-P Lite clutch pedal for $59.99 at Amazon or $42.90 at MOZA would pair up with the gear-shifting paddles on the ES wheel. Direct-drive feedback on a servo like the R3 DD is also more intense than an average desk-mounted wheel, so consider a dedicated setup like the previously reviewed Dark Matter GT foldable racing wheel stand for a more sturdy experience if you don't have space for a dedicated racing seat.
MOZA R3: What's in the box?
Despite the build-it-yourself nature of many direct drive wheelbases and rims, MOZA includes everything you need to start sim racing on Xbox and PC. It might seem daunting to someone who never set up a racing wheel separate from a servo base, especially with the several bags of tiny screws and accompanying pint-sized tools. Still, there aren't too many necessary steps to connect everything; it just takes patience.
First, the included desk clamp requires a bit of fiddly construction to attach two tiny cups that help support it on the underside of whatever sturdy surface you have. From there, four M6 screws fix the clamp into the R3 DD base with spacers in between. After that, it's an excellent time to connect the SR-P Lite pedal board, power supply, and USB-A to USB-B cable, carefully managing each as you go to keep things tidy and minimize the risk of accidental disconnections.
You can adjust the gas, brake, and additional clutch pedals on the SR-P Lite board for spacing, and the pedal plates themselves can move up or down by removing the nuts with an included spanner. Ideally, I'd recommend fixing the entire footrest onto something static like a foldable racing wheel stand because they're ultra-lightweight and highly susceptible to slips during intense gameplay. Otherwise, the wheelbase connection is accessible by default from the left side.
Finally, the R3 DD direct drive base uses a ball-bearing setup to connect MOZA's quick-release wheels, such as the included MOZA ES rim. I only need to check that each sphere indent aligns with the proper pattern on the neck of the wheel and apply a firm push to click it into place. When I hook up the AC power and USB cable to my Xbox, the whole thing comes to life with a press of the rear power button and boot into 'Xbox mode' as standard (pressing and holding S1 and S2 changes to PC mode).
MOZA R3: Pros
As compact and adorable as the R3 DD base is, its 3.9Nm motor is surprisingly robust. Considering I've tested direct drive bases pushing their torque almost too high, like with Thrustmaster's 10Nm on the T818 and Logitech's 11Nm on the G PRO, this plucky little servo puts up an admirable fight with considerable power in its force feedback alongside the ultra-smooth luxuries of a direct drive system. Pairing it with the included desk clamp makes sense at this range, preventing the destruction of weak tables.
For years, I've recommended Thrustmaster's T248X wheel for Xbox because it struck a balance between price and performance, but you had to settle for a hybrid motor that exhibits some granular feedback during small turns. With MOZA's R3 bundle, Xbox gamers have a truly affordable way to access the best technology for sim racing without needing to go all-out on a dedicated cockpit, though they might 'graduate' to that later.
Modular wheel rims also give MOZA an edge over the competition, as it only takes the removal of a few simple screws to swap to an F1-style ES Formula plate that retains the face buttons and inputs of the standard rim. Want something bigger for loose drifts? Swap to the 12-inch round ES wheel mod with the same method. It's that easy, even if it feels more manual than the quick-release system on the neck of the rim.
On my Xbox Series X, the R3's RPM meter flashes from its sides to the center to confirm a successful connection, and the d-pad navigates my dashboard as it should. DIRT Rally 2.0 even has a section in its settings to show live feedback on the steering percentages and the pressure detection of each connected pedal. You can further customize settings via the MOZA Pit House app on PC or its MOZA RACING app on Android via Bluetooth, but the defaults are smooth and forceful enough.
MOZA R3: Cons
Given the nature of the platform, game compatibility on PC is ultra-broad, but the list on Xbox is more restrictive, at least for some add-ons like a MOZA-branded handbrake and shifter. Force feedback and custom button mapping are available on most popular titles, but they're not always guaranteed, though I didn't experience any serious issues on my Xbox. Adjusting settings via the mobile app is the most straightforward method, though I'd appreciate some on-wheel shortcuts for common FFB tweaks.
Regarding hardware, the only real downside, even at this price point, is the cheap and clunky face buttons on the wheel rim. It's the same issue I found in my MOZA TSW Truck wheel review, as I was constantly bothered by the loud feedback of the switches and the otherwise disappointing feel of buttons regularly used in menus between races. I know this is a direct-drive setup for around $400, which is incredibly generous, but you'll use these buttons regularly enough to feel the same irks.
MOZA R3: Competition
MOZA's rivals in this category split into value and technology. For the former, the Thrustmaster T248X has remained my top recommendation for an entry-to-mid-level racing wheel on Xbox on PC for years, including a three-pedal set in its box for under $400 at Amazon. However, you won't benefit from the direct-drive luxuries that MOZA's R3 bundle offers; instead, you settle for a hybrid motor setup that generally feels great for its price but feels a little crunchy during small rotations.
On the latter, finding a direct drive servo at this price range is rare unless you're searching through Black Friday discounts. One massive name in the direct drive simulation scene is Fanatec, though its cheapest, Xbox-compatible CSL DD QR2 wheelbase is still around $500 — and that's without a rim. Thrustmaster's T818 is now Xbox compatible, but a base and wheel bundle can cost over $1,000, so it hardly compares.
For now, MOZA has cornered the market with its ultra-affordable R3 bundle and dominates the entry-level sim racing category for Xbox gamers or PC players on a budget.
MOZA R3: Should you buy it?
You should buy this if ...
✅ You want the best, most realistic sim racing tech for Xbox
✅ You're craving customizable wheel rims at entry-level prices
You should not buy this if ...
❌ You want the strongest force feedback on the market
❌ You expect premium quality for budget prices
There isn't anything close to MOZA's offering for Xbox gamers eager to try super-realistic sim racing with a high-end direct-drive wheelbase. Some alternatives offer PlayStation support but leave Microsoft's console out in the cold, with the natural carry-over to PC support that most peripherals exhibit passively. Ultimately, it's the best racing wheel for Xbox because it offers unparalleled value for money and the best force feedback technology you can get.
With 3.9Nm of torque and the best force feedback technology you can buy at an unmatched price value, MOZA dominates the entry-level Xbox category.
