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8 Great PC Joysticks and Yokes for Flying

People everywhere are booting up their computers and taking to the skies. With the huge launch of Microsoft Flight Simulator in 2020, alongside other standout titles like Elite Dangerous, Star Citizen, and Star War: Squadrons, it’s never been easier to pilot your own passenger plane or battle in your own TIE fighter.

But controlling any type of plane with a traditional mouse and keyboard can feel off. The main reason is that sensitive flight controls like throttle, pitch, yaw, and roll are not controlled through simple, linear inputs like those found in a keyboard and mouse. Thankfully, there exists a wide array of PC joysticks and yokes that offer accurate, responsive, and realistic control for sci-fi and simulator games alike.

BEST ENTRY-LEVEL HOTAS

T.16000M HOTAS

THRUSTMASTER

Ambidextrous stick grip
Ample programmable buttons for beginners
Sturdy base thanks to rubber suction cups
Quality control issues around throttle and Z-axis twist
Thrustmaster software could be better

Key Specs

Compatibility: Windows
Connectivity: USB
Key Features: Four-axis flight stick, ambidextrous design

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 the buttons all central and symmetrical, and the stick grips swappable to either side of the stick. 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.

BEST MID-RANGE HOTAS

X56 Hotas

LOGITECH

Beautiful, sleek design (with RGB lighting)
Highly programmable and adjustable
Throttle can be unlocked for individual, separated engine control
Needs grips or mounting
Some quality control issues

Key Specs

Compatibility: Windows
Connectivity: 2x USB
Key Features: Ample programmable inputs, twin throttle control

If you’re already dedicated to flight controllers and flight simulation, the Logitech X56 is an amazing system offering a sleek design, great precision, a plethora of programmable inputs, and easy to use software.

What puts it above the competition is its precision and input options. Both the stick and the throttle have a ton of programmable hats, triggers, joysticks, rotaries, switches, and dials, which make this system especially great for space and combat simulators. Control on the X56 feels great, with the stick and throttle offering much more precision and accuracy compared to other systems. Tension on the stick and throttle can be adjusted, with multiple included springs for the stick.

One strike against the X56 is its weight: the bases are too light compared to the tension of the stick and throttle. Without rubber grips or mounting, the X56 will slide around your desk a lot.

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Bernadette