Servo SG90 vs MG996R: Plastic vs Metal-Gear Servos
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Choose the SG90 for light, low-cost jobs like a pan-tilt camera or a small flap, and step up to the metal-gear MG996R when you need real torque, such as a robot arm joint or steering linkage that takes a load. The core trade-off is plastic gears and low weight versus metal gears, more torque, and higher current draw.
What sets them apart
Both are standard hobby servos controlled by the same PWM signal, so your code barely changes. The difference is in build quality and muscle.
- SG90 — a 9g micro servo with plastic gears. Cheap, light, and great for projects where the load is small.
- MG996R — a standard-size servo with metal gears. Much higher torque and far more durable under stress, but heavier and thirstier for current.
Side-by-side comparison
| Feature | SG90 | MG996R |
|---|---|---|
| Gear type | Plastic | Metal |
| Weight | ~9g | ~55g |
| Torque | Low | High |
| Current draw | Low | High |
| Durability under load | Strips easily | Rugged |
| Best for | Cameras, light flaps | Arms, steering |
Why metal gears matter
The most common way to kill an SG90 is to stall it or shock-load it — the plastic gears strip and the servo is done. The MG996R's metal gears survive jolts and sustained load far better, which is why it dominates robot arms and RC steering.
Mind the power supply
The MG996R can pull a hefty current spike when it moves under load. Do not power several of them from your Arduino's onboard regulator. Use a separate supply and share a common ground.
Which should you choose?
- Pan-tilt camera, sensor sweeper, light mechanism: The SG90 is ideal. It is cheap, light, and the load is tiny, so plastic gears are fine.
- Robot arm joint, gripper, RC steering, anything that lifts or pushes: Go MG996R for the torque and gear strength.
- Multi-servo builds: Mix them — metal-gear servos for the heavy joints, SG90s for the light wrist or gripper, to save weight and money.
If you are a beginner just learning servo control, start with an SG90. It is inexpensive, and a stripped one is a cheap lesson rather than an expensive one.
Safety note
Give servos a dedicated power source sized for their stall current, always join grounds, and never force the horn by hand while powered — back-driving the gears can damage the motor or your fingers.
Explore our servos and motors, find brackets and arms in robotics mechanical, or grab a steady supply from power regulators. Not sure how much torque your build needs? Ask VoltIQ for a quick sizing answer.
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