Flight Sticks: Which to Buy and Which to Skip

RBE top pick

Turtle Beach VelocityOne Flightstick II

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The VelocityOne Flightstick II packs Hall-effect sensors, levers, a display and 38 inputs into one stick that works on Xbox and PC. The T.16000M FCS gives PC players Hall-effect pitch and roll and an ambidextrous design for much less.

A flight stick changes flight and space games more than almost any other upgrade, but the field ranges from cheap sticks with vague spec sheets to force feedback bases. The two questions that matter most are which platform it supports and what sensors it uses, because contact-based sensors can wear and drift over time. We compared an all-in-one Xbox and PC stick, two PC sticks at different budgets, a licensed PlayStation stick, a force feedback base and a long-running budget favorite. Every spec below comes from the maker's own product page.

RBE top pick

Turtle Beach

Turtle Beach VelocityOne Flightstick II

Buy it

An all-in-one Xbox and PC flight stick with 16-bit Hall-effect main axes, built-in levers, a color display and 38 programmable inputs.

Best for: Xbox and PC players who want one stick that covers flight and space games without a separate throttle.

$$ · mid-range

Why we like it

• Turtle Beach lists 16-bit Hall-effect sensors on the main stick axes, with over 65,000 input counts per axis.
• 38 programmable inputs and 8 axes, including dual 10-bit Hall-effect levers for throttle or flaps, a thumbstick and a multi-function wheel.
• Ambidextrous grip with adjustable wrist and thumb rests, three stick tension settings and a lockable twist rudder.

Know before buying

• It is officially licensed for Xbox Series X|S and works on Windows 10/11, with no PlayStation support.
• Turtle Beach notes it is not compatible with Xbox Cloud streaming.
• The base levers are no substitute for a full separate throttle in serious sims.
• The display, RGB and haptics add complexity many players will not use.

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Thrustmaster

Thrustmaster T.16000M FCS

Buy it

A budget PC stick with Hall-effect pitch and roll, an ambidextrous design and a path into Thrustmaster's throttle and pedal ecosystem.

Best for: PC flight and space sim newcomers who want Hall-effect precision at a budget price and room to add a throttle later.

$ · budget

Why we like it

• Pitch and roll use Thrustmaster's H.E.A.R.T Hall-effect sensors, which Thrustmaster rates at 16000 x 16000 resolution.
• The ambidextrous design switches between right- and left-handed use, and two can be used together in games that support dual sticks.
• 16 buttons with braille-style identification, an 8-way hat and a twist rudder that can be locked.

Know before buying

• Thrustmaster lists it for PC only.
• The twist rudder is not described as Hall-effect; Thrustmaster names H.E.A.R.T for pitch and roll.
• There is no throttle on the stick itself; the TWCS throttle is sold separately.
• It has the plainest feature set of the buy picks, with no display or tension settings.

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VKB

VKB Gladiator NXT EVO Space Combat Edition

Buy it

An enthusiast-grade PC stick with contactless MaRS sensors, swappable springs, a dry clutch and a steel baseplate.

Best for: PC space and flight sim players who want a stick they can tune and keep for years.

$$ · mid-range

Why we like it

• Contactless MaRS sensors on the X and Y axes and on the lockable twist adapter.
• A ball-bearing gimbal with an adjustable dry clutch, plus soft, medium and strong springs and a spring extractor tool.
• The base adds a throttle wheel, rotary encoder and 3-position switch, and VKB states a 2-year warranty.

Know before buying

• Grips are hand-specific, so you order a right- or left-hand version.
• VKB's page lists no console support.
• The Standard grip lacks the analog mini stick that the Premium grip adds.
• Spring changes and clutch tuning take some hands-on setup.

Find it on Amazon Read our detailed assessment ↓

HORI

HORI ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE Flight Stick

It depends

A licensed PS5, PS4 and PC stick with Hall-effect sensors, built-in throttle and brake levers and a High-G button, tuned for ACE COMBAT.

Best for: PlayStation players, especially ACE COMBAT fans, who want a licensed flight stick for PS5.

$$ · mid-range

Why we like it

• Officially licensed by Sony and Bandai Namco, and compatible with PS5, PS4 and Windows PC.
• Magnetic contactless Hall-effect sensors, a twist control stick and independent throttle and brake levers on both sides.
• An ambidextrous, symmetrical design, 8 assignable buttons and twin-stick support when you connect a second unit.

Know before buying

• HORI's own page notes a known performance issue on Steam and Windows PC that needs a firmware update.
• Its dedicated High-G button and layout are built around ACE COMBAT rather than study-level sims.
• The LED customization app runs on Windows 11 only.
• Twin-stick play means buying a second unit.

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MOZA Racing

MOZA AB6 Flight Simulator

It depends

A force feedback flight base with dual servo motors and the MHG stick, for PC simmers who want the stick to push back.

Best for: Committed PC flight simmers who want force feedback and are ready to pay for it.

$$$ · premium

Why we like it

• MOZA lists dual servo motors with 4.4 N·m continuous roll torque and 6 N·m peak combined torque.
• Telemetry-based force feedback in supported sims such as DCS World, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 and 2024 and X-Plane 12, with no plugin needed.
• The MHG stick adds four 5-way switches, a Hall-effect mini stick and a two-stage trigger, and a desk clamp is included.

Know before buying

• It is PC only.
• It is the most expensive option here by a wide margin.
• Travel is listed as plus or minus 20 degrees of roll and 17 of pitch, and the base needs mains power.
• Force feedback benefits are limited to games that support it; others treat it as a generic device.

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We'd skip it

Logitech G

Logitech G Extreme 3D Pro Joystick

Skip it

A very cheap, familiar stick whose maker page lists no sensor type and system requirements that stop at Windows 8.

Best for: Only players who want the cheapest possible stick for occasional casual flying and accept an old spec sheet.

$ · budget

Why we like it

• It is the cheapest stick here.
• Twist rudder, 12 programmable buttons, an 8-way hat switch and a rapid-fire trigger.
• Logitech describes a weighted base and a contoured grip.

Know before buying

• Logitech's system requirements list Windows 8, Windows 7 and Windows Vista, with no newer version named.
• The product page does not state the sensor type, while the T.16000M names Hall-effect pitch and roll.
• With 12 buttons it has the fewest inputs of any stick here.
• Logitech does not describe an ambidextrous design or swappable springs.

See our pick instead Find it on Amazon anyway Read our detailed assessment ↓

How we judged the field

Five things decide whether a flight stick is a good buy. Platform comes first, because most sticks are PC-only and console sticks are licensed for one family. Sensors come second: contactless designs such as Hall-effect avoid the wear that makes older sticks drift. Third is inputs, meaning buttons, hats and whether there is any throttle control on the stick. Fourth is adjustability, such as spring tension, grip size and handedness. Fifth is the upgrade path, from adding a throttle and pedals to linking two sticks.

The field splits into all-in-one console and PC sticks, PC sticks built to join a larger setup, enthusiast sticks with tunable gimbals, and force feedback bases at the top. We picked the strongest all-rounder, the best budget PC stick, an enthusiast PC stick, a licensed PlayStation stick, a force feedback option and a popular budget stick whose spec sheet has not kept up.

The Turtle Beach VelocityOne Flightstick II is the best flight stick for most players because it does nearly everything in one device and works on Xbox and PC. Turtle Beach lists 16-bit Hall-effect sensors on the main axes with over 65,000 input counts per axis, 38 programmable inputs and 8 axes. Dual 10-bit Hall-effect levers handle throttle or flaps, a thumbstick covers camera or thrusters, and a tri-mode dial handles autopilot and navigation. The ambidextrous grip has adjustable wrist and thumb rests, there are three tension settings, and the twist rudder locks when you add pedals. A color display shows telemetry in supported PC sims. The limits are platform and depth: there is no PlayStation support, Turtle Beach notes it does not work with Xbox Cloud streaming, and base levers are not a full throttle for serious sims. For Xbox and PC players who want one stick for flight and space games, it is the one to buy.

The Thrustmaster T.16000M FCS is the value pick and a smart first stick for PC. Pitch and roll use Thrustmaster’s H.E.A.R.T Hall-effect sensors, which it rates at 16000 by 16000 resolution, and a helical spring gives firm, linear centering. The stick is ambidextrous and switches between right- and left-handed use, and two can run together in games that support dual sticks. There are 16 buttons with braille-style identification, an 8-way hat and a twist rudder that locks. It also connects to Thrustmaster’s ecosystem, including the TWCS throttle and rudder pedals, all programmable in the free T.A.R.G.E.T software. The trade-offs: it is PC only, there is no throttle on the stick, and Thrustmaster names Hall-effect for pitch and roll only, not the twist. It lacks the Turtle Beach’s display and tension settings. For PC flyers on a budget, it is the stick to start with.

The VKB Gladiator NXT EVO Space Combat Edition is the pick for PC players who want an enthusiast stick without enthusiast pricing. VKB uses contactless MaRS sensors on the X and Y axes and on the lockable twist adapter. The gimbal runs on ball bearings with an adjustable dry clutch, and the box includes soft, medium and strong springs plus a tool to swap them, so you can tune the feel. The base adds a throttle wheel, a rotary encoder, a 3-position switch and three buttons on a steel baseplate, and VKB states a 2-year warranty. The Standard grip has a dual-action trigger and three hat switches; the Premium grip adds an analog mini stick. The catches: grips are hand-specific, VKB lists no console support, and getting the most from it takes some hands-on setup. For PC space and flight simmers who want a stick to tune and keep, it is excellent.

The HORI ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE Flight Stick is the pick for PlayStation, where licensed sticks are scarce. It is officially licensed by Sony and Bandai Namco and works on PS5, PS4 and Windows PC. HORI uses magnetic Hall-effect sensors, a twist control stick, and independent throttle and brake levers on both sides of an ambidextrous body. A dedicated High-G button triggers ACE COMBAT’s High-G turns, 8 buttons can each hold two functions, and two sticks can link into a twin-stick setup. The trade-offs are clear on HORI’s own page: it notes a known performance issue on Steam and Windows PC that needs a firmware update, the LED app runs on Windows 11 only, and twin-stick play means buying a second unit. Its design centers on arcade-style combat rather than study-level sims. For PlayStation players, especially ACE COMBAT fans, it is the stick to get.

The MOZA AB6 Flight Simulator is the force feedback option, and it is a different class of product. MOZA pairs a base with dual servo motors, rated at 4.4 N·m continuous roll torque and 6 N·m peak combined, with its MHG stick. In supported sims, including DCS World, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 and 2024 and X-Plane 12, the base reads telemetry to create forces without a plugin, and MOZA Cockpit software tunes centering, damping and friction. The MHG stick has four 5-way switches, a Hall-effect mini stick and a two-stage trigger, and a desk clamp is included. The downsides are cost, platform and scope: it is PC only, it costs well over twice as much as any other stick here, travel is listed as plus or minus 20 degrees of roll and 17 of pitch, and force feedback only applies in supported games. For committed PC simmers who want the stick to fight back, it is compelling.

The Logitech G Extreme 3D Pro Joystick is one of the best-known budget sticks, and the one to skip. Logitech lists a twist rudder, 12 programmable buttons, an 8-way hat switch, a rapid-fire trigger, a contoured grip and a weighted base, and it is the cheapest stick here. The problem is the spec sheet. Logitech’s system requirements name Windows 8, Windows 7 and Windows Vista and no newer version, which is a sign of how long it has been on sale. The page also does not state the sensor type, while the Thrustmaster T.16000M FCS names Hall-effect pitch and roll for a modest step up in price. With 12 buttons it also has the fewest inputs here, and Logitech describes no ambidextrous design or spring options. For a little more, the T.16000M gives you contactless main axes and a clear upgrade path.

Turtle Beach VelocityOne Flightstick II vs Thrustmaster T.16000M FCS: which should you buy?

The Turtle Beach VelocityOne Flightstick II and the Thrustmaster T.16000M FCS take different approaches. The Turtle Beach is an all-in-one stick for Xbox and PC, with 16-bit Hall-effect main axes, built-in levers, a display, three tension settings and 38 inputs. The Thrustmaster is a lean PC stick with Hall-effect pitch and roll, 16 buttons and an ambidextrous design, built to be paired with a separate throttle and pedals.

If you play on Xbox, the Turtle Beach is the clear choice. On PC, pick the Turtle Beach if you want one device with throttle levers built in and do not plan to add a throttle. Pick the Thrustmaster if you want to spend less now and build toward a full HOTAS later, or if you want to try two sticks for space games.

Who should buy which

• Xbox and PC players: the Turtle Beach VelocityOne Flightstick II. It is licensed for Xbox Series X|S, works on Windows and includes levers, a display and 38 inputs.
• PC beginners on a budget: the Thrustmaster T.16000M FCS. It brings Hall-effect pitch and roll and an ambidextrous design at a budget price.
• PC enthusiasts who like to tune: the VKB Gladiator NXT EVO Space Combat Edition. Contactless sensors, three spring weights and a dry clutch let you set the feel.
• PlayStation players: the HORI ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE Flight Stick. It is licensed for PS5 and PS4 and has throttle and brake levers built in.
• Committed simmers who want force feedback: the MOZA Racing MOZA AB6 Flight Simulator. Its dual-motor base pushes back on the stick using telemetry in supported sims.

What to look for

• Platform support: Check that the maker lists your console or PC version, since most sticks are PC only and console sticks are licensed per family.
• Contactless sensors: Hall-effect or similar magnetic sensors avoid the wear that causes drift in older sticks.
• Throttle control: Decide whether you want levers on the stick or plan to add a separate throttle.
• Twist rudder lock: A lockable twist lets you switch to rudder pedals later without fighting the stick.
• Adjustability: Tension settings, swappable springs and adjustable rests make a stick fit your hand and your sim.
• Upgrade path: Look for compatible throttles, pedals or dual-stick support if you expect to get more serious.

Our final take

For most players, the Turtle Beach VelocityOne Flightstick II is the flight stick to buy: Hall-effect precision, built-in levers and support for both Xbox and PC. PC players on a budget should start with the Thrustmaster T.16000M FCS, and PC enthusiasts should look hard at the VKB Gladiator NXT EVO. PlayStation players have a solid licensed option in the HORI ACE COMBAT 8 stick, and committed simmers can step up to force feedback with the MOZA AB6. Skip the Logitech Extreme 3D Pro, since its page states no sensor type and lists only old versions of Windows.

Deciding between the top two? See our head-to-head: Turtle Beach VelocityOne Flightstick II vs Thrustmaster T.16000M FCS.

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