Anticipating its November release, virtual pilots are especially excited about the diversecareer paths inFlight Simulator 2024. Gamers can still fly the same civilian and commercial aircraft, but new challenges will include search and rescue missions and agricultural aviation. Even as it stands, conventionalgaming controllersare difficult to use in the game, with small analog sticks and condensed button layouts. A greater selection of aircraft only makes choosing among the bestFlight Simulatorjoysticks more imperative to enhance realism and comfort.
Logitech G PRO Flight Yoke System Game Controller
Turtle Beach VelocityOne Flightstick Game Controller
When shopping for a newFlight Simulatorcontroller, buyers can dramatically improve the gameplay experience without spending a fortune. A reasonable budget is enough for a high-quality replica of the yokes and joysticks found in popular aircraft. Still, pilots should consider whether they need a joystick with throttles for precise control over engine power. Additional components quickly inflate the price of a simulator setup, but the most customizable options serve the role of multiple peripherals. Also, well-built joysticks use technologies likeHall Effect sensors, which can avoid needing to replace gear regularly.
Game Rant’s Picks for the Best Flight Simulator 2024 Joysticks
Thrustmaster TCA Sidestick Airbus Edition
This flight stick comes with 17 action buttons with “braille”-style identification and is inspired by the iconic Airbus sidestick: Ergonomic 1:1 scale replica. With four swappable joystick head button modules, and 12 remappable buttons, this flight stick offers a multitude of possibilities in flight, and on the ground. The throttle comes with a built-in thrust reverser mechanism, and rudder control by rotating the sidestick’s handle, while the stick uses contactless magnetic sensor technology, with no potentiometers, to deliver an unlimited lifespan and optimal precision.
Before the release ofFlight Simulatorin 2020, Microsoft endorsed the Thrustmaster TCA Sidestick Airbus Edition, going so far as to sell it on their website. Not surprisingly, it became one of the most popular ways for players on a modest budget to fly more precisely. Although the TCA Sidestick is modeled after the controls in an Airbus A320 passenger jet, it’s versatile enough to handle any aircraft.
The TCA Sidestick’s metallic blue color may not match many existing setups. Nevertheless, with 17 buttons, it’s ready to become a permanent addition to any gaming desk orsimulator cockpit. Designed withMicrosoft Flight Simulatorin mind, once gamers connect the joystick to a USB port and install a small drivers package, it’s instantly recognized in the game. The default control scheme can take time to learn, but it is generally intuitive, with the buttons at the stick’s top mostly reserved for camera control. However, the braille markings below may not help the average gamer as much as theXbox version of the Sidestick, which has some XYAB labels.
Manufacturers are increasingly using Hall Effect technology on affordable joysticks and controllers. The TCA Sidestick’s lack of traditional physical mechanisms means the stick exhibits silky smooth movements. It’s also less likely to suffer from stick drift, which makes keeping an aircraft level nearly impossible. The joystick also includes a small throttle lever near its base, which isn’t nearly as accurate. Finding the right power levels is tricky with a small range of motion, but thanks to a reverser function, it’s a decent substitute for a standalone throttle.
The TCA Sidestick Airbus Edition doesn’t feel particularly durable, but it has stood the test of time for gamers. This joystick’s easy setup, generous button layout, and smooth range of motion make it a great starting point for anyFlight Simulator 2024setup.
Thrustmaster T-Flight Stick X
The Thrustmaster T-Flight Stick X is an affordable way for gamers to experience the advantage of a joystick in flight and combat flight simulators. With 12 programmable buttons, four axes, and an integrated throttle, the T-Flight Stick X will make controlling complicated aircraft second nature. The comfort of an ergonomically shaped flight stick means players can focus on completing flights and missions without aches and pains. Mapping and Preset buttons enable gamers to swap configurations and even change button assignments on the fly.
Flight simulation can quickly become an expensive hobby, andMicrosoft Flight Simulatorrequires apowerful gaming PCto run optimally. To avoid overwhelming a budget, the Thrustmaster T-Flight Stick X performs the functions of several accessories in a single device. The highlight of this joystick is its ergonomic shape, which contours to hands and might make players hesitate to engage autopilot.
The T-Flight Stick X includes a default mapping configuration ideal for popular flight simulators. While players can program its 12 buttons in games and other software, Thrustmaster’s joystick is perfect for making quick adjustments. The T-Flight Stick X has onboard memory, which allows gamers to switch to an alternate control scheme without an app, and even remapping some buttons is possible.
Unlike theTCA Sidestick Airbus Edition, some of the T-Flight Stick X’s bottom buttons wrap around the joystick. That can make it more challenging to access controls, but most importantly, the throttle slider remains in clear view. Pilots may find that this throttle is an improvement over the TCA Sidestick since it has a wider range of motion to adjust power from 0 to 100 percent.
The way the T-Flight Stick X feels in your hands can relieve some stress when learning how to control complex aircraft. Still, the most common complaint with the joystick is that changing directional inputs sometimes takes too much effort. The issue is dead zone settings that aren’t correctable in software without some elaborate hacks. Regardless, most players will become accustomed to the slightly hesitant stick, and their inputs will at least be consistent.
With better-than-expected build quality, flexible controls, and a comfortable design, the T-Flight Stick X is the best budgetFlight Simulatorcontroller.
Logitech G X56 H.O.T.A.S Throttle and Joystick
The Logitech G X56 H.O.T.A.S. throttle and joysticks are the only accessories flight simulator enthusiasts need to control aircraft with surgical precision. With a generous amount of mini analog sticks, buttons, and hat switches, the Hall Effect joystick provides unbelievable functionality even without the included throttle. The dual throttle takes realism a step further, capable of individually adjusting power on dual-engine planes, jets, and spacecraft. With more than 189 customizable controls accessible in three modes, the G X56 system can be personalized for every flying style and simulation title.
More expensive options exist, but the Logitech G X56 is the best substitute for a full simulator cockpit. Buyers will receive a separate joystick and throttle that both look and feel like premium hardware. The X56 system also excels at customization, with hundreds of programmable inputs flexible enough for anyFlight Simulator 2024career path.
Unlike some less expensive joystick and throttle combos, the X56 has two distinctive components, each with USB connections. The advantage of this configuration is that both pieces of gear have their own power sources and can be placed at different points on agaming desk. With the joystick, pilots have so many mini analog sticks, hat switches, and other buttons that landing and flying a plane without the throttle is possible. Even so, the dual throttle is equally impressive, enabling realistic control over dual-engine aircraft and sporting metal toggle switches like the pricierHotas Warthog.
Buyers may wonder how the X56 can possibly offer 189 programmable commands, since the layout of the joystick and throttle doesn’t look particularly crowded. The answer lies with the mode switch on the throttle, corresponding to three distinctive software button mapping profiles. Sadly, the X56 utilizes an older app and is not yet integrated into G Hub, which could potentially sync its RGB lighting withLogitech miceand keyboards. However, this bundle also makes physical customization possible, including alternative springs to install in the joystick’s base. The stick can be set to accurate resistance levels if gamers fly planes, jets, or helicopters.
Many joysticks and throttles stack buttons next to each other, expecting gamers to learn a convoluted control scheme. The controls on the X56 all have a definable shape or texture, making the system easier to use withVR headsets. Even when immersed in a virtual world, pilots should be able to perform most functions without fumbling around for switches.
The main complaint with the Logitech G X56 is inconsistent build quality. Buyers occasionally have to exchange it after reporting ghost inputs or buttons that won’t work correctly. Fortunately, the X56 is widely available at popular retailers, and its incredible versatility is worth any hassle. If pilots find themselves constantly switching careers, the X56 is the bestFlight Simulatorcontroller that meets any challenge.
THRUSTMASTER Hotas Warthog Dual Throttles
This flight stick features H.E.A.R.T Hall Effect AccuRate Technology and offers players dual replica throttles. The pull and push throttle system also includes a disengageable afterburner, plus the controller has five programmable LEDs. Players can easily customize their flight stick with the Thrustmaster expert flying T.A.R.G.E.T advanced programming software, available on PC.
The Thrustmaster HOTAS Warthog Dual Throttles are the solution when conventional joysticks are too imprecise for controlling speeds. While even agaming keyboardcan adjust engine power inMicrosoft Flight Simulator, it lacks a realism factor. Modeled after gear found in the A-10C, these Warthog throttles transform gaming rooms into fighter jet cockpits.
With many cheaper throttles, setting engine power to exact percentages is difficult. Either the slightest touch moves the device, or it takes too much effort to make adjustments. Fortunately, with the HOTAS Warthog, Hall Effect sensors once again come to the rescue, and the two throttles slide individually or together exactly to the spot a player intends. Settings like Afterburner Detent can control more precisely how the throttles respond when in idle or fully extended positions. The styling of this gear suggests it’s for fighter plane sims, but most functions translate perfectly to civilian aircraft.
When used in combination with a joystick like theWarthog Flight Stick, it’s critical that pilots can execute commands without reaching for keyboards. Setups like these are designed so that players can continuously keep one hand on a joystick and the other on an adjacent throttle. Consequently, the HOTAS Warthog Dual Throttles have a staggering 17 remappable buttons set next to LED illuminated text. Many of these metal switches rise from their surface, and by default, gamers can do anything from adjusting engine fuel flow to activating the autopilot. Pilots will also find separate controls for flaps, allowing joysticks to focus on controlling pitch.
The stumbling block for the HOTAS Warthog components is their steep price tags. However, it’s often easier to find an affordable joystick than throttles that don’t disappoint. Also, the HOTAS Warthog’s build quality is something to behold, making it a permanent addition to any flight simulator controller setup.
This Logitech G Pro Flight Yoke System is a game controller for an aspiring pilot or improving on the muscle memory of experienced pilots. It comes with a robust, smooth, and accurate control mechanism for flight simulators with a stainless steel yoke shaft and a two-position desk clamp that has mounting flexibility for various desks. The controller comes with a separate Flight Throttle Quadrant. The POV hat, 14 button controls, and the three-position mode switch give the user at least 54 programmable controls over the virtual aircraft.
Joysticks may be the most popularMicrosoft Flight Simulatorcontroller option, but most civilian aircraft utilize yokes. Thesesteering wheel-like peripheralsclamp onto desks or simulator rigs and are often used in combination with throttles and rudder pedals. This popular bundle includes a Logitech G Pro Flight Yoke that glides along a stainless steel shaft next to a more fragile but useful Throttle Quadrant.
With a yoke, players move the component left and right to roll the aircraft and push and pull it forward and backward to adjust the pitch. The Pro Flight Yoke only has a 90-degree range of motion, less than pricierHoneycomb Yokealternatives. Even so, that’s sufficient to control most planes and jets where more dramatic movements would lead to disaster. Pilots will find there is a learning curve compared to using a joystick, especially when maintaining pitch angles. The yoke also has some unexpected perks for an affordable peripheral, like an LCD clock to keep track of flight times and a USB 2.0 hub to connect to the throttle or other add-ons.
The other major piece of gear included with the Pro Flight Yoke is a compact throttle with three levers.Microsoft Flight Simulatorsuggests a default control scheme, but gamers can assign each lever to control engine power, set flaps, or extend landing gear. The Quadrant has three remappable toggle switches; when used with the yoke, there are 25 buttons to configure. Buyers won’t be wowed by the lightweight plastic construction of the throttle box, but it leads to a far more satisfying experience than relying on joystick buttons.
Considering all that it ships with, the Logitech G Pro Flight Yoke is an impressive value. Despite some limitations, the yoke rotates and moves smoothly, dramatically increasing realism when flying a Cessna plane or Boeing jet. The system also begs for additional flight sim gear, and since there is no authentic way to control rudders with a yoke, a pedal set is highly recommended.
This Turtle Beach VelocityOne Flightstick game controller is designed to be the best companion for flight simulators. It features high-precision, non-contact main axes, customizable and multi-function throttle and flap levers, POV Hat, rapid-fire trigger, and 27 programmable buttons.In the controller, there’s also an integrated OLED flight management display and an intuitive flight configuration wheel. The joystick is compatible with Xbox Series X and S, Xbox One, and PC.
Microsoft’s console is fussy about USB peripherals, so many of the joysticks and throttles in this guide aren’t compatible with the Xbox. However, the Turtle Beach VelocityOne Flightstick can replace an array of PC sim gear, much to the relief of players struggling with a standardXbox controller. With dozens of programmable buttons and an OLED display that’s like having a second TV, the VelocityOne Flightstick is the smart investment for any Xbox pilot.
The actual joystick part of the VelocityOne Flightstick causes some decisive reactions, with some gamers complaining about its stiffness. Users can adjust dead zones, but it takes considerable force to make sharp movements, even with Hall Effect sensors. Still, it feels like a premium component, and the modular handrest helps pilots maintain a secure grip.
Virtual flyers will find throttle-like levers on both sides of the joystick, set above RGB-illuminated ABXY buttons. Console support was not an afterthought with the VelocityOne Flightstick, and there is an Xbox globe button along with Menu and Share commands. To simplify adjustments for Xbox gamers, the OLED screen can perform a never-ending amount of functions that normally require a PC app. Every aspect of the VelocityOne Flightstick has console pilots in mind, including the port forXbox headsetsand the ability to activate Turtle Beach’s Superhuman Hearing to enhance subtle sounds.
The VelocityOne Flightstick isn’t perfectly designed, and its base could use more weight. Yet, Xbox gamers will be hard-pressed to find a superior all-in-one solution when space is at a premium. If connecting standalone throttles, yokes, and pedals just isn’t practical, the VelocityOne Flightstick outclasses the bestFlight Simulatorjoysticks.
How to Find the Right Flight Simulator Controller
While gamers await more details onMicrosoft Flight Simulator 2024, it’s already clear that joysticks will remain valuable assets. The standard Xbox controller is versatile among its competition but feels entirely unsuited for piloting hyper-realistic virtual aircraft. Regardless of the career players embark on in the new game, buyers should use these criteria to settle on the perfect joystick.
Sensor Technology
What mechanisms a joystick uses to register accurate inputs can dramatically impact how easy it is to control an aircraft. Many of this guide’s mid-range and high-end joysticks employ Hall Effect sensors, which use magnets and electrical conduction for smooth and consistent movements. On the other hand, the affordableThrustmaster T-Flight Xrelies on potentiometers and physical parts, which tend to wear down after extended use.
Integrated or Standalone Throttle
While banking and controlling a plane’s pitch is critical, speed adjustments can make the difference between a perfect landing and a crash. Even budget joysticks like theThrustmaster T-Flight Xhave small sliders that can fine-tune engine power better than button presses. For a more realistic experience, theThrustmaster Hotas Warthogis an extremely well-built standalone option with dual throttles modeled after a fighter plane cockpit.
Customization
WithFlight Simulator 2024emphasizing varied aviation careers, pilots need joysticks, yokes, and throttles that can handle multiple aircraft. TheLogitech G X56 Hotasis up to the challenge, with nearly 200 possible commands between the joystick and dual throttle box. Players can even swap tension rings on the stick to match the feel of an Airbrus A320 passenger jet or helicopter more closely. Most flight sim gear can also be expanded with additional instrumentation and controls, like with theLogitech G PRO Flight Yoke. With a pivoting wheel used to fly passenger aircraft, Logitech offers a large ecosystem of additional gear that connects to the Yoke and Throttle Quadrant.
Build Quality
Much more complex than a single game controller, aFlight Simulator 2024setup can quickly lose its appeal if parts start to break down. TheThrustmaster Hotas Warthogboasts a military-grade metal construction that can withstand daily abuse from the most dedicated virtual pilots. Still, gamers don’t have to be wealthy to find a reliable joystick or throttle. The mid-rangeThrustmaster TCA Sidestickhas proven durable despite being rather lightweight. Benefiting from Hall Effect sensors, the joystick avoids the dreaded stick drift that plagues budget peripherals.
TheThrustmaster TCA Sidestickmakes the most sense forFlight Simulator 2024playerstransitioning from standard controllers. It tops the bestFlight Simulatorjoysticks because it was made specifically for this Microsoft franchise and doesn’t require time-consuming setup. Also, the TCA Sidestick’s modular design allows it to adapt to different player preferences and aircraft.
FAQ
Q: Do real pilots train on Microsoft Flight Simulator?
Although someFlight Simulatorenthusiasts focus on its limitations, many aspiring pilots find the game a reasonable training tool. With appropriate realism settings, the best joysticks and throttles can more accurately represent what flying an authentic aircraft feels like.
Q: Which flight simulator is most realistic?
Microsoft’sFlight Simulatorseries is undoubtedly the most lifelike in terms of its graphics and scenery. However, many virtual and professional pilots find the physics more realistic inX-Plane, even if it’s not as easy for newer players to learn.
Q: What is the best joystick for left handers?
While few joysticks are made specifically for left-handed users, many of them can be easily modified to suit these neglected gamers. The position of the Thrustmaster TCA Sidestick’s upper components can be switched to make controls more accessible for lefties. Similarly, the Turtle Beach VelocityOne has a reversible wrist rest to become ergonomically friendly for all pilots.
