Another thing to keep in mind when you’re looking for a joystick is if you will be able to use it. You need something that will work for your needs, including your hand size and other aspects. Some models allow for you to change the resistance of certain functions and some are even ambidextrous as well. The best joysticks should be an investment on your part, since they will be able to last for many years and will stand up well over time due to the fact that they are sturdily built. Each joystick review below describes the body and design of a joystick, how to use it, and the special features that set each one apart from the rest of the joysticks on the market. There are so many different types, some of which even work on consoles, so you can know what to purchase that will be able to work well with your devices. Most are plug and play, meaning you can just plug them in and will work correctly right away, and they come with manuals, so you can see how to set everything up just right.
Best Joysticks List
1. Logitech G Saitek Pro Flight X56 Rhino HOTAS
$249.99 From Amazon
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This joystick is great for anyone from a pilot that is training to someone that is very serious about their video games. It is black with blue accents and has real metal switches too. It comes with many features that can be customized to your needs and it has backlighting, which you can set the color of, so you will be able to see what you are doing, no matter how much light is in the room with you. It can even be used for VR purposes, has twin throttles, and other features that you can count on for many different types of games and applications. It is very strong, due to the fact that it has a 4 spring design and the controls are straightforward, so you don’t have to always look at your hands to get them right.
2. Thrustmaster HOTAS Warthog Flight Stick
$229.99 From Amazon
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This is designed to be a replica of a control stick from the US Air Force, so it is a controller that is extremely realistic. It has a detachable handle and it has an all metal body, so it should hold up well over time. The base is also made of metal. It features 19 buttons, most of which are familiar to those that have used joysticks before. It even comes with a USB connector so you can upgrade it from time to time when there are software updates. Keep in mind that it weighs over 6 pounds due to it being metal, so this may not be the right product for everyone. It has a great amount of precision built into the machine, which will not go away at any time. This allows it to keep its integrity for the life of the product.
3. Thrustmaster T.16000M FCS HOTAS Controller
$100.64 From Amazon
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This joystick can be utilized with either hand, so you don’t have to be concerned that you won’t be able to fly with it, if you have had problems in the past with other models, or are left-handed. There are more than 15 buttons, which have dots on them, so you’ll be able to identify them, even in the dark. It is said to be extremely precise and is lightweight enough to be used by all types of people. It comes with a throttle as well, so you can have everything you need to play all of the best flight simulators, as well as some of the hottest video games available for the computer. It also has an 8 way hat switch and a cool black plastic body with orange accents, some of which light up.
4. CH Products Fighterstick
$115.86 From Amazon
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This joystick looks like a classic model, but has features that are still relevant for today. It is a programmable joystick that is USB powered and has over 20 buttons to use. You can program over 100 different functions, which means that this fighter stick will be able to work exactly like you want it to. Besides that, it is compatible with Windows and Mac systems, so you can utilize it with virtually any computer or operating system. Many people like that it has an F-16 handle, which is rather lifelike, making a user feel like they are using an authentic and valuable joystick. The base has rubber feet, so it stays put and the whole unit is designed to be virtually impossible to break. This means it can be used for many different applications without fail. There are also a variety of peripherals you can purchase for it separately, if you feel that you need them.
5. Logitech G Saitek X52 Flight Control System
$149.00 From Amazon
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This control system set looks so official that you might want to play flight games all the time. It has a multi-function display and many different buttons, which allow for you to customize various functions and other options. It offers up a special centering system, which is handy to have in many different games and a grip system that can be adjusted to fit your hand and fingers. This will allow for it to be used by people of different hand sizes, or for people of different ages and genders. You can also adjust the resistance of the throttle and lock the rudder, so no matter what game you’re playing, you can make the controls seem natural with this sophisticated piece of machinery. It even has a clock and stopwatch controls, so you can get into the game like never before. It is able to work on many different versions of Windows, so even if you have an old computer, it should be no problem to set up.
6. Thrustmaster T.Flight Hotas 4 Flight Stick
$45.99 From Amazon
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This is a joystick and throttle that is built into one device, although you can detach the throttle if you want to. Another great thing about this item is that you can use it on your computer or with your PlayStation 4, meaning you won’t have to buy an additional product if you have both a computer and a console that you want to play games on. Simply flip a switch to choose which one you want it to work with and it will work like a charm. The stick has adjustable resistance, and there is a dual-rudder system. There are also a dozen buttons to take advantage of and a rapid fire trigger, so you can fire quickly. Not only does this item look matte and smooth, but it also is ergonomic, so you’re hands will be comfortable when you’re using it, no matter what type of game you’re playing.
7. Thrustmaster T-Flight Hotas X Flight Stick
$38.99 From Amazon
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This is another joystick and throttle duo, which has a wide place for your hand to rest to keep you comfortable. It has 12 buttons and is programmable, so it will work the way you tell it to, in order to fit your needs and work well with the different games you want to play. The device also has internal memory, so it will remember how you set it, even when it is unplugged, making sure you won’t have to keep reprogramming it every time you intend to use it. Besides that, you can change the resistance of the joystick and you can detach the throttle, or separate the parts, so that you can have each part sitting on different sides of your desk or keyboard, for the most comfort. People that use it say that it is well made and they think it is great, even for people with large hands.
8. Logitech 963290-0403 Extreme 3D Pro Joystick
$33.99 From Amazon
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This joystick is made of sturdy plastic and has a black and silver design, which looks great near any computer or laptop. It has 12 buttons and a trigger that can fire rather fast. You can customize the buttons in a number of different ways and configure it however you want. It is very versatile concerning the games it works with, and is very precise when it comes to flying and firing projectiles, depending on the context. This has also been one of the top selling joysticks for many years, and it still works well with modern games that are being released. It doesn’t take a lot to set up and it will operate perfectly for a long time when you take care of it correctly.
