The 11 Best PC Joysticks and Yokes for Flying High

The Thrustmaster T.16000M HOTAS is a great entry-level pick for folks who have caught the flight bug and want more precision, flexibility, and customization than standard computer gear can provide.

With tons of programmable buttons and hat switches between the stick and throttle, you’ll feel much more in control of your aircraft than you would using a standard gaming controller or mouse and keyboard.

The T.16000M also has a few standout features that set it apart from the competition. The stick is ambidextrous, with central and symmetrical buttons, and the stick grips swap to either side of the stick for lefty-friendly design.

The throttle also includes a rotary knob, allowing for easy adjustment to trim during flight. The T.16000M also supports Z-axis rotation—a boon at this price point.

Keen to take to the skies on a budget? The Thrustmaster T.Flight Stick X is a great value for the cost, despite the simple design. This model is stick only, meaning those wishing for a separate throttle unit might want to shop elsewhere.

That said, it does feature a miniaturized throttle on the base. This joystick is also nicely weighty and flared for stability, meaning you’ll have to work hard to tip it over.

The Stick X also comes with resistance control, 12 programmable buttons, and four axes. It’s a tremendously simple model, but you might sacrifice precision for price with this one.

If you are looking for a premium, ultra-realistic, fully immersive HOTAS—especially for combat-based simulation—the Thrustmaster HOTAS Warthog can’t be beat.

Licensed by the U.S. Air Force, the Warthog is a replica system, faithfully recreating the stick and throttle used in the actual A-10C attack aircraft. The end result is a system with incredible quality, precision, and feel throughout.

Weighing in at over 15 pounds, the build quality on the Warthog is extraordinary, with solid metal bases, metal housing, sturdy materials, and detailed input labeling everywhere. In terms of feel (and cost), it makes more budget systems feel like toys.

Like other premium HOTAS systems, the Warthog has all the buttons, switches, hats, rotaries, rudders, and joysticks you could ask for.

If you are trying a HOTAS controller for the very first time, the Thrustmaster HOTAS One is the best way to test the skies. Like most HOTAS, it plugs in via USB, and comes with a flight stick and throttle controller that can be used locked together or separated at your desk. Even this entry-level budget system will give you a feel for the kind of immersion and precision a dedicated flight system can offer.

The whole package is plastic and basic, but comes with all the necessary buttons, triggers, hat switches, and rockers you need to get started. The stick does include Z-axis rotation, and the throttle has a left-right rudder control, both of which are great additions for controlling your aircraft’s yaw.

If you’ve been spending time using simulators like Microsoft Flight Simulator, you may have noticed that a wide variety of planes don’t actually use a HOTAS system.

Instead you’ll find something that looks a lot more like a steering wheel, called a yoke. If you’re specifically seeking accurate simulation for popular, real-life aircrafts like Cessna civilian planes or Boeing jetliners, a yoke controller is the way to go.

A great starting yoke is the Logitech Pro Flight Yoke System. The steel yoke shaft ensures that controlling pitch and roll feels great, with smooth action and resistance. Together with the included three-lever throttle controls, flying through the sky feels a lot more real.

In the world of at-home flight simulation, no other brand enjoys the respect and popularity that Honeycomb Aeronautical does.

Known for their sleek and realistic products, any piece of Honeycomb equipment will help elevate an at-home flight simulation setup. But their best piece of flying gear is the Alpha Flight Controls yoke and switch panel.

At a glance, it may seem simpler than other options on this list, but this yoke has more to it than meets the eye. The yoke control itself is stellar, with realistic resistance and feedback. The console, which features red LED backlighting, has nine switches and an engine ignition, all of which are solid and tactile. The only real downside here is that there is no included throttle quadrant.

While flight controller supplies have been continuously low, there is good news in the form of some of the newer controllers to hit the market, like Turtle Beach’s VelocityOne. Designed for Xbox Series systems, but perfectly compatible with Windows PCs as well, the VelocityOne is a great yoke system out of the box, with tons (and I mean tons) of programmable controls.

The VelocityOne’s main yoke system is busy, with ample buttons, switches, hats, LEDs, and even a built-in display. But perhaps even more impressive are the included throttle controls, boasting metal levers and vernier controls, a rarity among yoke systems.

While there is a bit of a learning curve, the VelocityOne is one of the best yoke systems for Xbox and Windows gamers.

Also a recent release, the Thrustmaster TCA Yoke Boeing Edition has one major focus: replicating the look and feel of a real Boeing jet.

Unlike the other yokes on our list, which utilize pulling and plunging motions, the Boeing Edition yoke pivots forward and backwards on a hinge. This motion is based on the floor-mounted yoke of the real Boeing 787 Dreamliner, making this yoke system a top-pick for any jumbo jet simulation.

Both the yoke and throttle quadrant are very well made, with metal internals, solid feel, and excellent precision. While it may be ill-suited for space and combat simulators, the Boeing Edition is an excellent choice for controlling big jets in games like Microsoft Flight Simulator.

Eagle-eyed readers may spot that the X52 was once a Saitek model until Logitech bought out the brand and rebadged its peripherals under its name. This is one of the more affordable HOTAS systems on this list. However, that doesn’t mean it suffers in build quality — its part-metal design makes this a decent mid-range stick.

Its multifunction display provides real-time information such as in-game radio frequencies, which you can adjust using the physical dials. Handy for when twiddling with your radio and keeping the screen focused on what’s happening outside.

We like the serious look of this HOTAS system, and the matt black design and safety catch on the trigger are ideal for Maverick-wannabes. If there’s one thing that might spoil things, it’s that a small minority of players have reported some issues with calibrating the stick.

The FR-TEC Raptor Mach 2 looks like a serious piece of hardware, with its dedicated fire button, 8-way hat switch, and shift button system that accommodates 29 programmable actions.

Inside is even more impressive. It features hall effect sensors that measure magnetic fields to determine the position of the stick. This means no physical moving parts, theoretically negating wear and tear on the joystick mechanism.

You’ll also recognize that the Mach 2 is geared for combat, with its eject button and trigger safety catch giving you an edge in a dogfight. The base, too, feels remarkably solid, and though the stick itself feels a little too plasticky, it offers a smooth range of motion.

That said, we weren’t too enamored by the tiny integrated throttle, but at least there’s the option to connect other peripherals, including pedals.

The TCA Sidestick X Airbus Edition is the result of a collaboration between Thrustmaster and Airbus. It’s designed to be a near-perfect replica of an Airbus A320’s stick, so there’s no question that it’s extremely ergonomic and comfortable to use on long-haul in-game flights.

We also love the look of this joystick. Its cool blue base, symmetric design, and Airbus logo proudly stamped on the rear that makes it stand out from its peers. It also features an ambidextrous design and 14 buttons that shift into 21 programmable functions.

Precision is also not a problem, with the patented HallEffect AccuRate Technology utilizing electromagnetic sensors for joystick positioning, instead of using traditional potentiometers. It’s too bad that the throttle, like most integrated efforts, provides only a small amount of range.

However, those who want to soak up the realism of an Airbus on MS Flight Simulator have the perfect avenue with this one.