The purpose of a simulator is to imitate an activity, such as flying an aircraft, as realistically as possible. To get the most out of this realism, you prefer to use the best joystick. In this article, we will recommend and review the best joysticks on the market. We will also guide you to consider and select the best joystick for yourself. With these joysticks, you’ll play as if you were in the cockpit yourself. You will really feel like you are the one driving the vehicle. Pair it with good VR glasses, and you’re already in a virtual world.
Joystick buying guide: how to select the best joystick?
Choosing the right joystick is not easy. Not every joystick is suitable for every game and every joystick has its own qualities. That is why it is important to know which properties are important and in which cases exactly!
Kinds of joysticks
A joystick is a control device in the form of a bat or a steering wheel. This is a different kind of joystick than you’ll find on the best PC controller; on the PC controller it is about one or two small ones that you operate with your thumbs. However, we are talking about the heavier guns here! A joystick is a standalone input device, just like a keyboard or a good mouse.
Not every joystick is made for every game. Most joysticks are made for flight simulators, but there are also joysticks for farm or combat simulators.
A joystick in its traditional form is less suitable for racing simulators. A racing wheel for PC is better suited for this.
The main difference between these joysticks is in the presence and layout of different buttons. A joystick for a flight simulator needs different buttons and parts than a joystick for a farm simulator. Therefore, take a good look at which target group the joystick is intended for.
Important properties for the most common genres are:
- For a flight simulator, the Z-axis and good resistance of the joystick are most important. Imagine the cockpit of an airplane: full of buttons and switches. A joystick with many of these is therefore very practical.
- For a farm simulator it is important that you go for a high resolution (accuracy). A HOSAS setup – which you will read more about in a moment – is also very suitable for this type of game. Pedals to operate tractors and the like, as well as a steering wheel are also super handy.
- For an air combat simulator, the location of the buttons is important: they must be easily accessible on a single joystick, because you don’t use a throttle in a fighter. You should be able to fly and shoot at the same time easily.
Additional parts
In addition to a joystick, some joysticks also come with extra parts. This is especially the case with flight simulator joysticks. Sometimes this includes a throttle or pedals, with which you control the aircraft even more realistically. Together with a gaming PC you get the most out of your games.
What is HOTAS?
HOTAS stands for ‘hands on throttle and stick’. These joysticks have a lever to control the aircraft and a throttle lever to accelerate. These are set up in such a way that you can easily use both at the same time. This in contrast to HOSAS, which stands for ‘hands on stick and stick’. This setup consists of two joysticks.
Often enthusiasts and streamers use HOTAS joysticks. Do you want to stream yourself? Then you need more than just a joystick – with possibly extra parts. Also think of a good camera and a capture card.
Shafts
Every joystick has at least two axes: the x-axis and y-axis. For flight simulators, the z-axis is also important. You use these axes for the following steering movements:
- You link the pitch to the y-axis of the joystick. This moves you up and down and/or forward and back, depending on the game.
- You usually link the roll to the x-axis, but there are also players who alternate this control movement with the z-axis. With this you move, in the case of an airplane, with a rolling movement to the left and right.
- You usually link the yaw to the z – axis. This control movement is also left and right, but from the tail (rudders) of the aircraft. This does not make a rolling movement, but a movement similar to how you steer a boat.
Instead of the z-axis on a joystick, you can also purchase pedals for your flight simulator setup. This is more expensive, but offers even more realism.
Resistance and force feedback
The resistance of a joystick determines how much force you exert on the joystick to perform a certain movement. A higher physical resistance ensures that you can exert more force on the joystick without it falling over. In the better models, the physical resistance is usually adjustable.
For even more realism, you need a joystick with force feedback. Force feedback means that the forces that the game exerts on your vehicle can be felt on your joystick. For example, if you have a strong crosswind in a flight simulator, you have to use more force to keep the plane straight.
Programmable buttons
Most joysticks have several buttons on and around the joystick. Depending on the game you’re playing, you’ll want to use these buttons differently. There is a big difference between a flight and a farm simulator. You can set programmable buttons how you want. There are different types of buttons:
- Standard buttons are the ones you press, like a key on a keyboard.
- Switches are buttons that you turn on and off, such as a light switch. These buttons are crucial if you play a lot of flight simulators.
- Sliders slide to a certain position. These are also important for flight simulators.
- Rotary knobs work on the same principle as sliders, but you turn the knob to the correct position.
Compatibility and connections
Compatibility is very important for the functioning of the joystick. Make sure the joystick is intended for the platform you are playing on. Otherwise, the joystick may not work at all or you may not be able to customize the programmable buttons.
You connect most joysticks with a USB cable. In this way the joystick also receives power. Some joysticks also have Bluetooth, on which some functionalities work. This is the same technique that a wireless mouse uses.
Check in advance how many USB ports you need. On a desktop PC you usually have enough ports, but a laptop only has a limited number of USB ports. The joystick itself in most cases only needs one port, but additional components have their own connection.
Quality
The quality of the material of the joystick depends on the price and vice versa. Cheaper joysticks are made of less durable materials, such as plastic. There are also joysticks made of plastic and rubber. In the higher price range you will find joysticks made of metal. These are heavier and more durable, making them feel more authentic and last longer.
Recommend and review the 5 best joysticks in 2023
1. Logitech G Saitek Farming Simulator Side Panel
Number of buttons: 25
Bluetooth: No
Game platform: Windows , MAC
Weight: 1,715 g
Program buttons: Yes
Input/output type: USB
Package contents: Side Panel Control Deck with 2m USB Connector Cable
2. Speedlink Anniversary Competition Pro Extra
Number of buttons: 5
Bluetooth: No
Game platform: Windows
Weight: 373 g
Program buttons: No
Input/output type: USB
Package contents: 1 USB Joystick
Power supply type: USB
3. ThrustMaster T.16000M FCS
Number of buttons: 16
Bluetooth: Yes
Game platform: Windows
Weight: 1,139 g
Program buttons: Yes
Input/output type: USB
Package content:
Power supply type: USB
4. Logitech Extreme 3D Pro
Number of buttons: 12
Bluetooth: No
Game platform: Windows
Weight: 1,241 g
Program buttons: Yes
Input/output type: USB
Package contents: Joystick, quick start guide
Power supply type: USB
5. Thrustmaster Flight Stick Black PS3 + PC
Number of buttons: 12
Bluetooth: No
Game platform: Windows
Weight: 1,190 g
Program buttons: Yes
Input/Output Type: USB 2.0 A
Package content: Protective sleeve
Power supply type: Non-electric
Frequently asked questions about gaming joystick
Below are the most frequently asked questions about joysticks. If you have another question, let us know!
✈️ Which joystick is best for a flight simulator?
There is no single best joystick for a flight simulator. It is important that the joystick has the right functions. A z-axis is a must-have and enough programmable buttons are also important. It’s also worth looking at additional parts, such as a throttle or pedals. It all depends on your budget and how realistic you want your setup to be.
⬇️ How do you install a joystick?
Most joysticks are plug-and-play. You plug the USB cable into a free USB port on your PC. Your PC will then automatically install the necessary drivers. Old joysticks sometimes have a CD-ROM containing these drivers, but you hardly see this with joysticks these days.
✅ What are the advantages of a joystick?
A joystick has two major advantages: it offers realism and is intuitive to use. Joysticks are used in the same way as you would use a control stick. This makes controlling an airplane, for example, feel natural and realistic.
With some joysticks you get some extra parts, such as a throttle or pedals, that take the realism to a new level.
Which joystick should I buy?
That’s entirely up to you and your budget; everyone is unique. What I do have for you is a handy table with – in my opinion – the most important specifications of the best joystick. This is how you make the best choice!
| Set of buttons | Bluetooth | Game platform | Weight | Button program | Type of input/output | Package contents | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Logitech G Saitek Farming Simulator Side Panel | 25 | No | Windows, MAC | 1,715 g | Yes | USB | Side Panel Control Deck with 2m USB Connector Cable | |
| 2 | Speedlink Anniversary Competition Pro Extra | 5 | No | Windows | 373 g | No | USB | 1 USB joystick | USB |
| 3 | ThrustMaster T.16000M FCS | 16 | Yes | Windows | 1,139 grams | Yes | USB | USB | |
| 4 | Logitech Extreme 3D Pro | 12 | No | Windows | 1,241 grams | Yes | USB | Joystick, quick start guide | USB |
| 5 | Thrustmaster Flight Stick Black PS3 + PC | 12 | No | Windows | 1,190 grams | Yes | USB 2.0A | Protective sleeve | Non-electric |
Conclusion
With the best joystick you have maximum control in your games. It is important that your joystick works on your gaming platform. Your joystick must also have enough programmable buttons to link all game functions. If your joystick doesn’t work on PC, check for possible issues with the USB port.
This article lists the most important features to consider when purchasing a joystick. Which joystick is your favourite? Let us know below! Thank you for reading!