What is the best HOTAS for Elite Dangerous? There are plenty of options on the market, from the budget entry-level choices to the high-end kit which only the most hardcore virtual pilots should go for, but - especially if you're a beginner - knowing the pros and cons of each is tricky. That's where we, and our community, come in.
We posed the question of the best HOTAS to our community of experienced Elite Dangerous pilots, who have tens of thousands of combined in-game hours hurtling through the black between them. We received 16 recommendations from these folks based on their hands-on experience and have curated them into this article, ranging across various categories for specialist needs and from the cheapest to the most expensive. So without further ado, here are the best HOTAS devices for Elite Dangerous.
Best HOTAS overall: Thrustmaster T.16000M FCS HOTAS
The Thrustmaster T.160000M FCS got the most recommendations in total from our community of Elite Dangerous enthusiasts, and that's likely because it sits in the middle of the range and therefore offers the best overall balance between performance and value for money. The T.160000M FCS flightstick will set you back £100/$170 at the time of writing (although RRP is £130), so it's only slightly more expensive than the budget option, and Stormseeker considers it the "best option for a mid-range setup" thanks to the joystick sensitivity and the number of buttons available without releasing your grip. Meanwhile, AndyRice explains that "the centering force is just right" and "most importantly, there's virtually no dead zone in the centre", which according to him, makes it superior to the Logitech X56 in that specific aspect (more on the X56 later).
CMDR Henckes praises the customisation options available with the T.16000M, explaining that they've configured two buttons to control the forward and reverse thrusters. This is because the throttle movement only controls the throttle, so having the thrusters separate allows for easier landing at both stations and on planetary surfaces. They've also configured other buttons for things like targeting, weapon group changes, cargo scoop, night vision, maps, and more. Finally, catmeowing also recommends the T.160000M, as it has "lots of mappable buttons, accurate input, a cool design, and it's comfortable in the hands" - and because it feels a lot more expensive to use than it actually is.
Best premium HOTAS: Virpil VPC Constellation Alpha
As you'd expect, the best HOTAS available today is also the most expensive. Recommended by Jimmy0916 / Cmdr Donald Duck, the Virpil VPC Constellation Alpha is an extremely high-end bit of kit, but it's also very customisable. There are plenty of options for sticks, throttles, bases, control panels, and more. Jimmy's setup uses the following:
They didn't confirm the specific price for their setup, but we've estimated it comes in at around the £800/$900 mark. If you have the cash to splash and you'll know you'll use it enough to get your money's worth, Virpil is the way to go, according to both Jimmy, who says he “hasn’t been disappointed for over six years” of using the Virpil VPC, and to the company’s excellent Trustpilot reviews. Virpil says their products are created by "passionate flight-sim enthusiasts looking to revolutionise the sim controller market", all of which would suggest you're investing in a quality bit of kit.
Best cheap HOTAS: Thrustmaster T.Flight HOTAS X
If you're looking for the best products at the other end of the market, either for budgetary reasons or because you just want something cheap and cheerful so you can dip your toes in the water, look no further than the Thrustmaster T.Flight HOTAS X. Recommended by MQC, it’s a reliable and durable entry-level flight stick and throttle that’ll do the job of immersing you more fully in the cockpit of your favourite ship.
The T.Flight flightstick and throttle can be connected at the base, or they can be used approximately one metre apart, and they offer a total of 12 buttons and five axes. Additionally, you can also pick up the T.Flight Rudder Pedals for added immersion, though it adds substantially to the cost, so should only be picked up if you're sure you'll get value out of it. Without it, the flightstick can perform the rudder/yaw function perfectly well. It’s a package that won’t compete with pricier options on functionality, customisability, or overall build quality and precision, but it’ll get you the basic HOTAS experience and should last you a while. The HOTAS X can be picked up for £70/$70, while the Rudder Pedals will set you back another £80/$130.
Best Logitech HOTAS: Logitech X52/X56
Logitech offers two HOTAS that compete with the Thrustmaster T.16000M FCS, and though they’re more expensive - the X52 slightly, the X56 considerably - they can both still reasonably be called ‘midrange’. Starting with the Logitech X52, this bit of kit will cost you £160/$180, but it comes highly recommended by lots of our community. CMDR James Lauer explains it's "very precise and doesn't drift, even after using it for a long time", not to mention having "plenty of buttons for macros."
Josh B recommends it thanks to its "excellent ergonomic inclusivity", which essentially means it's designed for plenty of different hand sizes and shapes, so it stays comfortable for long expeditions. Jbeattie adds that it has the "perfect level of spring tension to allow for precision flight controls", and returns to neutral without any effort at all. S73v13Dixon explains they've used the X52 "without any issues for years", while CmdrTravisRobicheaux praises it for how easy it is to clean, and for the high-quality build design despite its affordability.
The official product page for the X52 explains the multifunction LCD has "an astounding minimum of 105 programmable commands", and since you can create custom profiles for each game with the accompanying software, the configuration options are numerous.
Logitech’s other option is the Logitech X56, and it’s a step up from the X52 in both price - it will set you back £240/$250 - and performance. @AndyRice is a huge advocate for it, despite its biggest downside of a central deadzone, which he describes as "a noticeable wobble when the stick is in the neutral position. If you don’t set a dead zone, this wobble can trigger ship movements, which can cause the ship to drift even when your hand isn’t on the stick. You can solve this by setting a dead zone for all three axes, which will prevent the ship from drifting, but the large dead zone negatively impacts the feel of the stick".
However, the X56 has plenty of positives to outweigh that one criticism, including how aesthetically pleasing it is and the fact it has a whopping 189 programmable controls. It also has twin throttles compared to the X52's singular, and it has "unique, purpose-built analog sticks at the thumbs" to provide four more axes of control - and they double up as buttons too.
Best head tracking: TrackIR 5
The TrackIR 5 isn't a HOTAS in itself, but it did come highly recommended by a few folks in our Elite Dangerous community as an essential accompanying peripheral if what you’re really looking for is immersion as you fly through the black. This is a headtracking device, and while there are plenty of different options available, TrackIR 5 came the most recommended.
As Alec_Turner explains, TrackIR 5 is "a small infrared sensor which typically sits on top of your monitor and accurately tracks the motion of a metal clip, designed to attach to a baseball cap." It can track six directions of head movement which means that as you move your head, your in-game view moves in sync. It's not 1:1, so you don't need to look directly at the ceiling to look up in-game, as movements are exaggerated, and there's also a deadzone so anyone that suffers from any sort of tremble won't have their perspective constantly shaking.
Alec describes it as "a complete game changer" and that "once you've tried it, the thought of your gaze being fixed to permanently stare forwards out of the front of your cockpit seems bizarre, and frankly unplayable." VanillaIsi also recommends it, explaining it's an "amazing device for anyone who plays with either multiple monitors or one big screen," and yan57436 describes it as "highly precise and greatly improves how real a game feels". It'll set you back around £180/$150, so it isn't cheap, especially when you consider the price of a HOTAS alongside it, but it's a product that will take your Elite Dangerous experience to the next level.
Honourable mention: Thrustmaster USB Joystick
If you want to go as cheap as you possibly can but you still want a flightstick, consider the Thrustmaster USB Joystick. Recommended by CMDR James Lauer as a reliable budget option, it'll set you back just £22/$25 and is an option for anyone who wants to figure out if upgrading to a full-blown HOTAS is a worthwhile investment or not. James's only criticism is that it only has three axes - pitch, roll, and thrust - which means you can't yaw, unfortunately.
Honourable mention: Ursa Minor Series
Luriant has recommended a recently released product, the Ursa Minor series - specifically, the Combat, Space, and Airbus versions. They claim that for the price - around £100/$120 for one joystick - you can't find a better product. Much like our top recommendation, the Virpil VPC Constellation Alpha, you can buy plenty more from manufacturer WinWing to enhance your experience such as throttles, panels, grips, and bases to turn it into a full HOTAS or HOSAS setup, but as far as joysticks go, this is the best option from WinWing.
Honourable mention: Azeron Cyborg Compact
Finally, we have a unique product recommendation from Sturmer: the Azeron Cyborg Compact. This is a one-handed gaming keyboard that costs around £150/$200, but according to Sturmer, the benefits are that it's essential for anyone using a VR headset, which is also popular with Elite Dangerous players.
"This unique device functions as a keyboard alternative, but rather than using traditional keys, it fits like a glove, with each finger controlling up to five mappable buttons," explains Sturmer. "These buttons aren’t just any buttons -they use Omron mouse switches, providing a high level of responsiveness and tactile feedback. This makes it perfect for Elite Dangerous, where fast and precise commands are key.
"If you use a VR headset, it can be tricky to find the right keys on a traditional keyboard since you can't see what you're pressing. However, with the Azeron Cyborg Compact, each finger is naturally 'locked' into its own position, almost like it’s sitting in its own cockpit. This allows you to instinctively know what button you're pressing without having to look down, making it incredibly useful in a VR environment where you're fully immersed.
"Another great feature is the thumb area, which includes both a D-pad and a fully functional analog stick. This allows you to map controls like camera movement, meaning you can control the game almost entirely with one hand, holding a coffee in another hand while you navigate through the asteroids."
Do you use one of the HOTAS listed? What do you think of it? Or do you use a different one that you think deserves a spot on our list? Let us know in the comments below.
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