Picking the best Star Citizen joystick is a challenge. Do you want the best quality joystick or perhaps you’re on a budget? Do you need a single-stick, dual joystick (Hands On Stick And Stick), HOTAS, HOSAK or maybe HOSAM?
And what about the flight models? Space and atmosphere flight will both be in the game, although the latter will take a while.
The best Star Citizen flight stick really depends on your personal preferences and how much you are willing to spend. There are some excellent PC gaming joysticks on the market. Many are suitable for space sims like Star Citizen and Elite Dangerous. For those looking for a custom Star Citizen HOTAS, we can only hope and wait until we get an update.
I’ve divided the joysticks by price range so you can see which sticks fit your budget. If it’s your first joystick go for cheaper stick and consider reading my basic joystick buyers guide.
Note: This page contains Amazon links that earn me a small commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.
The best joysticks to play Star Citizen
I’ve picked a few joysticks and HOTAS setups which I think are the best considering the price, build quality, precision and internal sensors. I’ve divided this review into budgets, mid-range, and high-end joysticks. I also looked at dual sticks and HOTAS setups based on the price-quality ratio.
To save you some reading I’ve put them all together in one image at the bottom, but you’re welcome to read about all the sticks if you want to learn more.
Best budget flight stick
The best budget joystick is the Thrustmaster VG T16000M FCS Joystick which has all the features you need. Recommended by the Star Citizen community and this edition is designed for Elite Dangerous.
If you want a slightly more accurate stick you might also consider the VKB Gladiator. There are currently 2 versions of this stick, the older greenish model and the latest. The main differences are improved sensors and the rubber material used on the stick and buttons to improve grip. Compare prices on Amazon.
Budget Hotas joystick setup
Again the winner is Thrustmaster, one of the few HOTAS Controller which features an analog stick. It’s a really cheap setup compared to the quality you get. It’s not the best in regards to components but really all you need if you’re looking for the best budget HOTAS.
If you want the very best quality, you need to get the Warthog HOTAS (and pedals) or de VKB Gladiator pro combined with a CH Throttle. I’m not a fan of the throttle personally but the analog stick makes a difference. Take a look at the reviews at Amazon before you decide to buy here.
Dual joystick setup
I’ll leave this up to you but you’ll need an ambidextrous(left-handed and right-handed) stick and another stick with great precision. Thrustmaster T16000M is an ambidextrous stick which you can combine with the Thrustmaster Warthog or the VKB Gladiator pro.
Two T16000M is also an excellent dual joystick combo if you don’t want to burn your wallet. You might also want to consider to buy pedals if you want to wield two sticks. Read my joystick guide to get an idea of what you need. You can get a good deal at Amazon when you buy the T.16000m dual stick package, so check it out on Amazon.
Mid-range joystick
The VKB Gladiator is a great mid-range joystick to play space sims. The stick has better precision than the T16000m and a decent amount of buttons. It also has a twist which is great for single-stick usage combined with a mouse or keyboard. VKB may be less known to the general public but has top quality products.
A bit more expensive than the t.16000m but surely a stick I would recommend. The stick is not always available on Amazon so check if it’s in stock here.
High-end joystick
The best available high-end joystick is the Thrustmaster Warthog. Update: I no longer recommend this stick, there are better joysticks out there.
The Warthog is an excellent aiming stick with great precision. This is a replica of a fighter jet stick and very popular among flight sim gamers. The ergonomics and precision are great and the build quality is outstanding.
Special mention- VKB Gladiator Pro
The Gladiator pro is hard to obtain due to limited production capacity but actually is a superior stick. It’s better than the Warthog and comes close to the high-end custom sticks that flight sim enthusiasts build themselves. The great thing about this stick is the ability to customize resistance by changing out springs and cams and metal gimbal.
Keep an eye out for VKB sticks as they’ve shown interest in space sims and we might see something special in the near future.
Left-hand joystick
Finally, there is a high-end left-hand joystick available. The VPC MongoosT-50 looks promising. Like many high-end sticks, it lacks a twist axis, but comes with an extra axis in the form of the analog break lever. The software hasn’t been released yet so it might be difficult to use the lever as an axis. There is also a right-hand version and should be a great Warthog alternative.
Budget joysticks under $100 reviewed
I’m not going to review all the flight sticks but you’ll be surprised that in this range you can actually get a great Star Citizen joystick. Of course, you can just pick one of the cheapest to see if you actually like flying this way and move on to a better stick another time. At least that’s what I did. Note that pricing may vary depending on your region or discounts.
Mad Catz/Saitek FLY 5
[three_fifth]
- Highly customizable
- Good precision
- More buttons than the V1
- Hall sensors
- Two independent throttle controls
- Bad internal wiring
- LED on the stick is very bright
- Buttons may fall off after extended use
[/three_fifth][two_fifth_last]
[/two_fifth_last]
An ergonomic and highly customizable (handle height, angle etc) stick and comes with 21 buttons. It has a shift button which allows you to change everything, meaning you have about 42 buttons! Great throttle placement which feels natural when used and you actually have two that can work independently.
There is a minor dead zone on the twist but this could actually work for you as you don’t want to twist the stick by accident. There’s a good amount of feedback on the spring to tell you when you’re twisting it.
Nice stick in general but I’ve heard many stories that it breaks down after a while. Buttons tend to fall off and it’s not uncommon for the internal wiring to break.
If you are a casual gamer and are looking for an entry-level stick with decent precision, this might be a good choice. If you are a heavy gamer you should consider other options. Excellent choice for single-stick users!
Thrustmaster T16000M – Community choice!
- Solid build, doesn’t feel cheap
- Hall effect sensors
- Good amount of buttons on the base
- T.A.R.G.E.T software compatible
- Button placement on the stick could be better
- Precise aiming is a tad difficult (modding is an option)
This is without a doubt the best joystick when you’re on a budget. It’s an excellent stick and very cheap considering the quality. If you ask the Star Citizen community which joystick to buy, they usually recommend the T16000m.
The T16000m joystick has magnetic sensors (same as the expensive Warthog), it’s fairly cheap, has decent components and a long life-span. Button placement on the stick could be better but you get used to it quickly.
The stick has a very strong return and center snap, so it’s harder to get it out of the center for small corrections. You can, however, mod the spring by zip-tying the spring to improve accuracy, just search for tutorials on Youtube.
I would recommend this stick as it’s relatively cheap, pretty accurate and suitable for single-stick use. Check out current prices at Amazon.
Logitech Extreme 3D
- Great placement of buttons on the head of the stick
- Not very accurate
- Can develop spiking
- Throttle placement feels unnatural
Used this stick for a few months but I had a hard time aiming, precision isn’t all that great. I did like button layout on the stick which is better than the T16000m. It’s a low-budget stick which is known to have calibration issues and can develop spiking. I think it is safe to say that this stick is suitable to fly larger ships, but not for fighter ships where you need accuracy.
I would look for something else to be honest, but if you want to go for it make sure to read the reviews at Amazon.
Mid-range joysticks between $100 and $200
I selected a few sticks that deserve to be mentioned and I’m sure I forgot some. The joysticks prices in this range are between $100 and $200. In general sticks within this price range have better build quality and precision, but not a huge deal. If you only want to make use of one stick make sure you pick one which has a twist for controlling the Z-axis if you don’t have pedals.
VKB gladiator
- Outstanding precision and quality build
- Very smooth movement and handling
- Perfect for dual stick setup
- Hall-effect sensor on twist axis
- Trigger up safety switch
- Should be part of dual setup
Fairly new on the market but VKB already has a good reputation. The stick is of high quality and perhaps one of the best you can at this price range. The movement is smooth and precision is outstanding, users seem very happy with the handling due to excellent ergonomics.
Although there aren’t many buttons available, the pinky shift gives you access to 12 buttons without taking your hand off. Honestly, that’s enough buttons if you are going for a dual stick setup.
The stick features exchangeable cams and springs which allows you to adjust the responsiveness and resistance of the stick. Use it as an aiming stick because of its great precision and handling. The VKB has a light return to the center and can travel into the opposite direction upon return.
This makes is perfect for great precision and corrections as there is almost no center return. I think this is one of the best sticks you can get considering its price and precision.
High-end Joysticks over $250
When it comes to high-end flight sticks your options are limited. These sticks are from a different category, built to last, high precision and great quality components. A high precision stick should generally be used for aim, flying with two high-end sticks would be overkill. The sticks selected lack twist, consider buying pedals in case you’re going for HOTAS or dual stick.
VKB Gladiator Pro
- 29 Total Logical Buttons Using Shift/Mode Functions
- Aluminum gimbal with changeable springs & cams
- Superior quality, unmatched precision
- Throttle on the base
- Great movement and handling
- 2 SHIFT modes and 13 buttons on the base
- Save and load Profiles
- Not always available
- Lacks twist
Based on a real fighter stick and a very cool and authentic design, the Gladiator pro is probably the best flight stick you can get. Superb quality and precision/accuracy and enough weight to prevent it from moving.
This is the kind of stick you can let go to press some buttons at the base, without deviating from your flight path. If you want the best, this is it! Unfortunately, the stick isn’t always available.
Thrustmaster Warthog joystick
- Superior quality
- Heavyweight, can be bolted
- Real fighter stick replica
- Great precession and accuracy
- Lacks twist
The design is a replica of the A-10C Thunderbolt II airplane and considered one of the best high-end flight sticks. The sticks feel is solid and very comfortable compared to the budget sticks. This is the most expensive stick (depending on your region) you can get but worth the money if you can afford it.
On the other hand, you probably won’t buy another one because this stick is made to last. The Warthog has quite some weight on the base which prevents it from moving and you’re able to bolt the plate. Great stick, but really expensive! Check prices on Amazon.
Star Citizen HOTAS
There aren’t many options in the space sim genre when you’re looking for the best Star Citizen HOTAS. Most of them don’t have analog sticks which you’ll need to make use of the six degrees of freedom (6DoF). Many HOTAS users that play Star Citizen also play other flight sims and use pedals to make use of 6DoF.
With the increasing popularity of the space sim genre, a few manufacturers added analog sticks to fill the gap in this niche market. CIG also announced a dedicated Star Citizen HOTAS at Gamescom 2015, but Madcatz went out of business and Logitech took over. This means it’s going to take a while before we hear anything so let’s see which flight sticks and throttles are available.
Thrustmaster HOTAS X:
- Cheapest you can get
- Can’t make use of T.A.R.G.E.T software
- Breaks down easily
- Short cable between the two pieces
If you just want to experience what it’s like to fly a HOTAS without burning your budget you can consider this HOTAS setup. This isn’t my favorite and it has lots of issues but it’s a cheap HOTAS, a decent HOTAS starts around $130. Main problems are large dead zones, no resistance in the throttle and cable is a little short.
The great thing about this set is its price, it has twist, programmable buttons and you can separate and attach the two pieces. It works as advertised but tends to break down easily, it’s perhaps a bit too delicate for playing space sims like Star Citizen. I’d say skip this one.
Thrustmaster T.16000M FCS HOTAS
- Analogue mini stick is a big plus
- Easy to setup, T.A.R.G.E.T software is great
- Cheap in comparison to other setups
- The throttle doesn’t glide well
- Button layout on the stick could be better
This HOTAS is one of the few which comes with an analog mini stick. The placement, however, is questionable as you need to control it with your left index finger, which feels very unnatural IMO. The throttle feels a bit cheap and is inaccurate due to friction, you can solve this by slightly modding it with Velcro strips.
You can also reduce the tension by loosening the screw at the bottom but this doesn’t really help much. If you’re looking for a better throttle you should check out the CH throttle but it’s more expensive.
Both the throttle and stick come with TARGET software which allows you to configure the set very easily. Great thing is that it works straight out of the box! This is a very good Hotas for Star Citizen considering it’s price. You can also buy them individually or go for the flight pack which includes pedals.
Recommended when you’re on a budget or looking for a decent entry-level setup! Check out the Hotas at Amazon or the flight pack (which includes pedals).
T16000m + Ch throttle
- One of the best throttles, CH quality product
- Throttle comes with an analog thumbstick
- Throttle isn’t always available
A good setup as the CH Pro throttle (Amazon link) has an analog thumbstick on the throttle. CH is known for its quality builds but the throttle isn’t always available.
You get twist on the stick, and analog control on the throttle thumbstick. This combination of throttle and joystick basically covers all you need to play Star Citizen. In comparison to the T16000 FCS throttle, the CH Pro throttle is of better quality but also more expensive.
The throttle slides in a horizontal direction which may feel a bit strange when you’re used to an arc-like movement.
The downside is that you’ll need to make use of two different programs, TARGET and CH Control Manager.
Logitech G Saitek Pro Flight X56 Rhino HOTAS
- 2 analog thumbsticks
- Accurate stick, decent button layout, interchangeable springs
- 3 modifier buttons to switch profiles
- Stick is rather large, hard to reach buttons on the top
- More expensive compared to the FCS
The X56 Rhino HOTAS looks like an updated version of X55 Rhino with RGB led and analog thumbsticks attached. The X56 is the only HOTAS on the market that comes with 2 analog sticks. One located on the joystick and the other is located on the throttle. This setup is the last product from Madcatz/Saitek (before Logitech took over) and designed for space games like Elite Dangerous and Star Citizen.
This setup seems like the perfect HOTAS to play a space game. You have control over al 6DoF and it’s pretty accurate. The thumbsticks really are a great addition and two thumbsticks are a unique feature.
The stick is rather large and not suitable for smaller hands but you can mod the stick to adjust it to your needs. Modding the stick will break warranty so do it at your own risk.
The throttle feels great just like the X55 and moves in an arc-like direction. The is quite some tension on the throttle but this gradually becomes smoother.
Logitech updated the device recently and improved the quality. With the updates to the HOTAS, I can now recommend this stick if your budget allows it. Check for prices on Amazon.
Thrustmaster Hotas Warthog
- High-end stick, quality build and internals
- Very precise
- Very ergonomic, copied from A-10C Thunderbolt II airplane
- Heavyweight, ability to bolt and attach
- Can be bought separately
- Very expensive, one of the most expensive sticks and throttles
- Lack twist and analog thumbstick means you need pedals
This is the most expensive HOTAS, has a very solid mostly metal exterior and excellent internal components (although some are plastic). The set is a copy of the A-10C Thunderbolt II airplane and looks amazing.
Because the stick has no twist you also need pedals which will make the set even more costly. Although people are very satisfied with the quality and accuracy some report the stick having stiction (static friction) issues.
The weight is impressive, you’ll notice this immediately when you unbox the package. You could consider just getting the stick for aim with a dual setup and pedals. Click here to compare prices.
Star Citizen joystick buyers guide
The best joysticks aren’t cheap, in most cases, this is because of the build quality which you don’t see on the outside. Another reason is probably the niche market, supply and demand.
There is a huge difference between a low-budget stick and a more expensive one. Think of a cheap mouse compared to a gaming mouse, they both work but you just notice the difference in quality and accuracy. The same goes for the best HOTAS, build quality is everything.
When it comes to space simulators in general for best precision you need fine control at the center. There are some sticks where you can replace the spring (x55 and x56) with a lighter one and even adjust the strain (like the Warthog and VKB Gladiator pro). You can also mod a stick like the T16000m to give you more center control, but this is probably not needed when you’re just starting out.
Keep the following things in mind when you’re looking to buy a flight stick to play Star Citizen
- Deadzones
- Ergonomics
- Durability, internal and external build quality
- Motion and precision
- Gimbals should move smoothly across the axis
Single joystick VS dual joystick VS HOTAS
If you’re going for a single joystick make sure it has twist. You’ll also need a throttle on the base and a good amount of buttons. The downside of a single-stick is that you have less control than double stick users. You often see single joystick pilots using a mouse (HOSAM) or keyboard (HOSAK).
Many fighter pilots recommend using a dual joystick setup. Two flight sticks give you great control over your ship, thrusting, however, might become a bit more challenging. There are ways to avoid this problem by assigning the throttles to one of the sticks. Some assign it to a hat control, others use the forward and backward movement. Dual flight sticks are great for small and nimble fighters. If you’re new to the game and/or joysticks, a dual setup is probably the best solution.
When it comes to Star Citizen, HOTAS is better for larger ships and atmospheric flight. Star Citizen will also have atmospheric flight so keep that in mind. Some HOTAS users use additional pedals to control strafing and/or forward/backward movement. but fortunately, there are some devices on the market which have analog controls. If you’re also playing other flight simulators (non-space) you’re best pick would be a HOTAS.
Twist versus no twist
Another thing to consider when buying a joystick (especially space sims) is stick twist. If you buy a stick without twist you also need to consider getting pedals or get a second stick with twist to control the Z-axis. The benefit of not having twist is better precision.
Joysticks that feature twist are usually weaker in comparison and suffer from axis bleed. Last disadvantage is the unnatural motion which causes strain on the wrist. I notice it can start to hurt after a long period of gaming.
The advantages of having twist are that you don’t need pedals for yaw movement, it saves desk space and is easier to use.
Cheap joystick vs Expensive joystick
Obviously, the key here is quality, a joystick is a mechanical device which gets to endure a lot more than a keyboard. Cheaper joysticks can’t handle ‘abuse’ very well, especially in the long run. Quality joysticks can last for over a decade easily when properly used. Some sticks break just after a few months by simply using them, buttons fail and accuracy decreases.
Cheaper joysticks tend to have low-quality components, lack precision, are harder to calibrate and can suffer from ’spiking’. Spiking means a stick will slightly ‘move’ without giving it commands, some sticks develop spiking over time.
Some tips to improve ergonomics
Many joysticks and HOTAS users report that the devices move when being used. There are a couple of simple solutions you can try yourself. Some setups can be bolted to your desk, but most of the sticks don’t have this option.
You can attach Velcro or 3m dual lock to the bottom of the base to stop movement. Another simple solution you often see is to attach pole mounting brackets to a chair and Velcro on the base. If you’re handy you could consider building a construction to support the sticks or HOTAS like this example or go crazy and build this awesome setup.
Summary
Choosing the right HOTAS or joystick for Star Citizen is a combination of nuance and personal preferences. With the comeback of the space sim/arcade, joysticks seem to get more popular. This blog post is based on personal experience and from what I’ve heard from other Star Citizens.
I did a fair amount of research, used many sticks and tried to narrow down throttle and sticks specifically suitable for Star Citizen. Good setups aren’t cheap but if you do your research you can get a great flight stick or HOTAS to play Star Citizen.
- Dedicated fighter pilots should use a dual joystick setup.
- HOTAS setups are (in general) more suitable for larger ships and the atmospheric flight model. Though others might disagree.
- Single stick users need to make sure their stick has twist and a throttle. Either use a mouse or a keyboard to complement your stick.
If anything is incorrect, outdated or could use improvement, please let me know.