Best PC joysticks in 2024: fly high with our top picks

The Turtle Seashore VelocityOne Flight Deck isn’t for anybody seeking to dip a toe into flight sim gear, with a design that goals to have that 1% additional over rivals be it on efficiency or inputs. It has 139 buttons, with extra obtainable by way of the companion app, and it sports activities extra HAT controls than some other business HOTAS controller.

Its value is premium, there’s no avoiding that, however the worth on provide is extremely aggressive, and you possibly can spend extra and get much less with different controllers. Turtle Seashore has nailed an approachable design that may be intimidating at first, however when you’re deeply immersed in video games like Microsoft Flight Sim or Conflict Thunder, you’ll be shocked at how rapidly you adapt.

Its accompanying software program is usually unreliable on account of freezing and crashes, however there isn’t a lot want for it past the firmware updates, and these might deal with stability points sooner or later.

Learn our Turtle Seashore VelocityOne Flight Deck overview for extra.

The Thrustmaster HOTAS Warthog is one of the best premium PC joystick for good cause. The Warthog is modeled after the joystick present in the actual U.S. Air Power’s A-10C plane. The joystick went by way of many phases of improvement, and the tip result’s a product with a incredible metallic construct and laser precision. That is one of the best flight simulator joystick in case you can deal with the excessive value.

The HOTAS Warthog has 55 customizable buttons and hat switches to make sure which you could fly any digital plane – be it army, civilian or spacecraft. This high quality does come at a premium as the complete set has an MSRP of $549.99 (£449.99), which is much more than even the Turtle Seashore VelocityOne Flight Deck, however it usually goes on sale for much less.

The HOTAS Warthog has been a flight-simmer favourite for years now. With a weighty and genuine really feel, a nitpick from us digital helicopter and spaceship pilots is the shortage of z-axis rotation constructed into the joystick. Admittedly, pedals could be very best for this and there are a selection of inputs obtainable on the stick. We will’t fault Thrustmaster for staying true to the A-10 although, as this isn’t present in the actual factor both. Get the HOTAS Warthog if you need probably the most genuine and easiest PC joystick that cash should buy.

Thrustmaster isn’t relegated simply to the realm of the extremely high-end – it additionally caters to those that need an excellent flight sim expertise and don’t need to spend a month’s hire doing so. For that reason,  the Thrustmaster TCA Sidestick Airbus version is our alternative for one of the best newbie’s PC joystick.

The included throttle ensures you gained’t be lacking out on any main functionalities and regardless of the low price – you’ll really feel like an actual professional while you’re hovering by way of the skies (or house).

In contrast to the Warthog HOTAS setup – the TCA options an built-in twist rudder that means you’ll be able to freely manoeuvre on the z-axis with out having to achieve for one more management. It’s lockable too in case you’d desire to have it assigned to a different button or don’t need to by chance use your rudders throughout a long-haul flight.

The paltry quantity of hats does make the TCA much less suited to fight sims however you’ll be able to nonetheless make do with what’s on provide – given its Airbus credentials although you may not be shocked that it’s most at residence within the likes of Microsoft Flight Simulator fairly than in DCS. It additionally feels a little bit plasticky within the hand and doesn’t provide the tactical realism of the Warthog joystick however at this value level that’s to be anticipated.

The Thrustmaster TCA Officer Pack Airbus Version isn’t the most cost effective on this record however in case you’re considerably critical about stepping into flight sims then you definately’ll be properly served in case you can stretch your price range to this alternative. What’s extra – it’s usually discounted so you might nab your self a candy deal.

The Logitech G Saitek X56 throttle and stick provides one of the best price-to-performance ratio which is why now we have topped it as our best-value PC joystick. The X56 options 31 programmable buttons and 5 hats that means that just about any craft must be lined.

You gained’t must shell out for pedals both because the joystick can rotate to have interaction z-axis motion from rudder changes. An adjustable spring tensioning system means you’ll be able to dial in what degree of resistance you need permitting for much more granular management.

The joystick additionally advantages from Corridor impact sensors which allow you to additional alter the way it feels if you need an genuine expertise when flying a craft with sluggish controls. The sensors additionally imply that the X56 ought to stay as correct because the day to procure it because it gained’t be vulnerable to stick-drift.

Having the throttle with unbiased sticks means you’ll have far more management over dual-engined spaceships and planes. All this alternative makes the X56 an excellent setup to develop into because the controls might be as easy or complicated as you want.

Hopefully, the joystick and throttle will final lengthy sufficient although as the development of the unit feels a little bit missing as it’s principally comprised of plastic. Which means that it’s fairly light-weight so you’ll positively must make use of the suction cups or connect it extra completely or the unit will slide about your desk.

Whereas it may not be fairly as a lot of a marvel because the Thrustmaster HOTAS Warthog listed above, that is nonetheless a top-notch joystick. It’s each snug and ergonomic and is not any much less able to enhancing all of your favourite flight simulators.

It has an honest array of 15 buttons which you could remap as you please (though it’s a bit fiddly), with adjustable stress ranges that allow you to get it simply the way in which you prefer it. We want the Y button was barely higher positioned, however aside from that, all of it felt very properly designed.

It’s a giant piece of {hardware}, for positive, however in case you’ve obtained the actual property, it stands to be a incredible addition to your setup. Should you additionally get pleasure from gaming by way of Xbox, you’ll even be happy to listen to it provides cross-compatibility with each Xbox and PC. You may discover extra buttons, or customization choices on the pricier choices, however for the price, that is fairly incredible.

Learn our Thrustmaster T.Flight HOTAS One overview.

We’ve talked lots about joysticks that are perfect for video games that put you into the cockpit of planes and spacecraft, however that’s not the one sort of sport you may need to use one with. Should you’re a fan of retro, arcade, or preventing video games, then you definately’ll recognize one thing just like the 8BitDo Retro Arcade Combat Stick.

The joystick itself is snug to carry, and there’s a plethora of buttons conveniently positioned to the left so that you can get these combos in with. In contrast to typical controllers, this combat stick makes it significantly straightforward so that you can have one hand devoted to specific actions, whereas the opposite focuses on all the precise button combos. There are such a lot of customization choices that allow you to tweak it to only the precise specs for you too.

Many arcade video games have been particularly designed to be performed on this approach, so this joystick might be your getaway to a extra genuine expertise. There are lots of combat sticks on the market, and that is positively a strong all-rounder. Console players will even be happy to listen to that it provides Nintendo Swap compatibility too (although sadly not Xbox or PlayStation).

Turtle Seashore isn’t identified for its flight sim peripherals first. Nonetheless, its first outing into the enterprise has been remarkably profitable and the VelocityOne Flightstick ticks many bins in a really tidy bundle which is why it’s our greatest all-in-one PC joystick.

The throttle controls are constructed immediately into the bottom of the unit that means you don’t should hassle with a number of cables working throughout your desk. There are extra USB-C ports and these can be utilized to connect with different controls comparable to pedals and the like.

There are a lot of customizable controls too and to assist make sense of what you’re doing – a monochromatic OLED display screen adorns the highest of the joystick which reveals your axis, trim, and a chronograph.

The joystick is fantastically constructed too and each time we take a look at it we’re shocked that Turtle Seashore knocked it out of the park on their first try. It even has z-axis controls!

It’s not with out its quirks thoughts you because the throttle controls are bewilderingly not off to at least one aspect however flank the joystick. While this may occasionally help in making it extra ambidextrous – it signifies that anytime it is advisable alter the throttle on the similar time (which is more often than not) you’ll have to take away your hand from the joystick solely which isn’t very best.

The VelocityOne Flightstick can also be very light-weight so except you connect it to a set-up, you might end up knocking it about. These points withstanding, for round $129.99 (£119.99) you’re getting an terrible lot in your cash.

Generally we simply need to hop in a Boeing 747, flip down the realism of the flight mannequin, and simply benefit from the view. Should you fall into this class then the Logitech G Excessive 3D Professional Joystick provides every thing it is advisable have an excellent informal expertise, which is why it earns our choose as one of the best price range standalone PC joystick.

With 12 customizable buttons, together with an 8-way HAT swap, you’ll discover loads of choices in your controls so long as you’re not planning on diving into DCS and beginning up an Apache gunship.

The built-in throttle is all you want for flying about in video games comparable to Microsoft Flight Simulator in its simpler settings or Battlefield and the extent of management shall be much better than a mouse and keyboard or gamepad. Z-axis enjoyers are properly catered for right here too as you’ll be able to twist the joystick with reckless abandon for rudder controls for correct flying.

At an MSRP of $39.99 (£44.98), it’s onerous to fault it, however it might be good to have some additional buttons or for it to be extra ambidextrous or have different fashions in order that lefties aren’t disregarded. The joystick is steadily discounted too – making this feature extra attractive regardless of its few setbacks.

Learn our full Logitech Excessive 3D Professional overview.