Sure, it's an expensive unit, but you will know your money's been well spent as soon as you lift the lid on the packaging and pull the setup out. So, here's a list of our favorite PC joysticks, ones we've personally tested over the years, and ones we think will make a real difference to the experience of most PC gamers. You can customize your setup to the nth degree with either of those super-premium manufacturers, but you will have to pay through the nose.

Serious flight sims are played best with a HOTAS (Hands-On Throttle and Stick), which can be a bit of an investment, but once you're set up, it's near impossible to even think about playing a flight sim without one.Įasy is the name of the game the joysticks on this list all require minimal setup, though if you're looking for the full cockpit experience, and more importantly, have the finances, by all means check out the likes of VKB and Virpil.

We also recommend a good wireless gaming keyboard and gaming mouse combo since it's a good way to navigate a game's menu during one of your 'flights.' But a joystick is the building block for setting up a home cockpit.

Usb joystick controller on battlefront