Best Joystick/ Yoke/ HOTAS for Microsoft Flight Simulator (2021)

The new Microsoft Flight Simulator is a once-in-a-generation revolutionary sim. Its something we simmers have been waiting for a long while. Sure, there are plenty of flight sims out there but they all have pretty dated engines and graphics. That is what Microsoft is changing. They have the financial muscle to make a revolutionary new engine that uses advanced AI for realizing the entire surface of planet Earth!

Anyway, let me not waste time selling you on MS Flight Sim. You should already own it if you have even a tiny bit of interest in flight simming. This article is for those who want to know which controller to buy. But first, its important to decide between a Yoke and a Stick setup.

Yoke or Joystick for Flight Simulator?

Yoke + Throttle	Stick + Throttle
Used mostly in civilian planes so might be a better choice for MS Flight Simulator	Military aircraft use Sticks for the most part
Boeing uses Yokes so if you want maximum immersion with Boeing planes, you need a yoke.	Airbus uses a side stick.
The position of the Yoke is a great visual indicator of the position of the actual aircraft	The stick does not provide this. In fact, in more modern military aircraft the actual movement of the stick is small enough to not even be discernible.
You can use either hand so it’s arguably more comfortable for long trips	You can use either hands if you mount it in the centre like some military aircraft. But most civilian aircraft and modern military aircraft have it on one side so you can only use that hand.
Acceptable option if you are only flying civilian planes	Sticks are more common and more versatile. You can use them both for civilian and military aircraft.
Usually fewer buttons but that is in line with real life civilian aircraft designs	More buttons including triggers and hat switches.
Generally, are more sensitive because they have a bigger throw	Less sensitive than a yoke out of the box but some of the higher end sticks can be modded with after market parts to increase their length

So what’s the TL;DR?

• If you only want to fly the friendly skies and no combat sims, a Yoke feels better.
• If you have are a first-time simmer and need a jack of all trades, get a Stick.

Time to look at the best Options!

1. Best Yoke & Throttle (Mid-range)

Buy from Logitech

The best yoke + throttle option in the mid-range category. This is a quality product that will be the best default option for most flight simmers not looking to spend too much.

The build quality is excellent with stainless steel parts, good quality bearings allowing for super smooth and precise control, 25 buttons to map all your controls, a small display and even extra USB ports for attaching other hardware if you need to.

Another nice feature is that the three-lever throttle is a separate attachment which means you can better mount is as per your comfort and specifications. This definitely makes it each easier to reach as compared to other yokes which have the throttles attached to them.

2. Best Yoke & Throttle (Budget)

The best entry level yoke for the new flight simmer. CH builds quality products at a good price point and this yoke is no exception.

This popular yoke is known for being extremely precise which is a big deal at this price point. Most budget sticks/ yokes have a big problem with accuracy, so this is a major plus point.

The build quality, the mounting system, the weight of the unit itself are good for the price as well. There are more expensive options out there that cost more than a grand, but this baby gets the job done.

A total of 5 axes (including throttle) and 20 buttons should have you covered. Although rudder pedals are highly recommended.

3. Best Yoke & Throttle (Premium)

NOTE: This yoke does not come with a throttle though so you will have to buy one separately. It is still great value considering its premium quality. I recommend the one shown above.

One of the best premium yokes available on the market today. It’s a relatively new 2019 design and it has taken the civilian flight sim market with a storm.

Honeycomb uses aerospace grade internal components which gives them a durable feel. No wonder they are offering a 5-year warranty.  There is a switch panel and more buttons than you’ll even need. The smooth quality of movement is just unmatched. Rolling or elevator movements seem buttery smooth.

There are indeed yokes that far more expensive, but this one is just almost as good at a fraction of the price so I can’t recommend them.

4. Best Joystick & Throttle (Budget)

This is undoubtedly the most popular Joysticks on the market. Of course, the very reasonable asking price has got a lot to do with it, but it also is an overall great product.

One of the few ambidextrous joysticks, the T16000 is widely popular amongst the milsim fans and even civilians fans who decide not to get a yoke. It has everything you need for a flight sim (rudders are always recommended but not needed as it has twist) plus some extra features that make it punch above its weight.

The stiffness of the stick can be adjusted as per your liking. The solid base makes sure the platform is stable. It is durable. The build quality is good for the price.

This is quite easily my top recommendation for first timers.

5. Best Joystick & Throttle (Mid-range)

A good product in the mid-range category. The materials used in the CH products feel premium and this is a good starting off point for those who are willing to spend a bit more. The sturdy base and quality construction provide good stability. This is a product that is going to last you years and years.

Accuracy is great and stick movement is smooth. This is a rather comfortable stick with ergonomic design for both the throttle and the stick. You won’t get tired on long flights with this thing. Buttons are also easier to reach compared to the budget options.

The buttons have a nice tactile feel to them, and that honesty goes a long way in proving a premium feel even though it might seem trivial at first. If you can afford this over the budget options, there is not reason to not go for it.

The Thrustmaster TCA Officer Pack Airbus Edition is an even better option but it has not been released yet. It is up for pre-order in some European countries though so might want to place an order if you are good to wait.

6. Rudder Pedals

Rudder pedals are needed for yaw movement. It is possible to assign yaw to some other axis (like the twist on your stick) or even normal buttons but unless you are on a very tight budget, I highly recommend rudder pedals. The linked article has some in-depth rudder reviews. Or you can just see the top recommendations here:

Buy from Logitech

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