Games likeMicrosoft Flight Simulator have made flight stickspopular again, and thanks to the rise of Forza and other racing games,steering wheel controllershave also become mainstream. However, there is one category that is still slightly left out when it comes to these types of controllers: HOTAS. While they are not essential to getting started inElite Dangerous,a HOTAS (Hand On Throttle and Stick) is a great way to improve your flying experience and make the game more immersive.
Thrustmaster USB T16000M FCS Flight Pack
Logitech G PRO Flight Yoke System Game Controller
Whether you prefer to use a fast-paced ship for dogfighting like the Vulture or like to play space-trucking simulator with the Type 9, there are HOTAS setups out there to make Elite Dangerous feel incredibly immersive and like you are actually at the helm of one of these ships. While these pre-built setups are a great place to start, this is just the beginning of the world of HOTAS setups. Custom and DIY solutions can take your cockpit to the next level, but for most Elite Dangerous pilots, you will find something here to vastly improve your flying controls.
The Best HOTAS For Elite Dangerous in 2024
Thrustmaster T 16000M
The Thrustmaster T 16000M has been designed for advanced fliers looking for comprehensive, realistic controls, and with a bit of practice this HOTAS is also great for beginners. Thanks to the 3D magnetic sensors, these joysticks will be reliably accurate for years to come, and they will retain their resistance, making it easier to fly accurately for longer.
While the Thrustmaster T16000M HOTAS is not the most exciting or innovative option, it is very reliable and doesn’t have a price tag that would make your wallet sad. The T16000M comes in a couple of different varieties. The one with rudder pedals is also included in this guide, but the main HOTAS option will be the best option for most Elite Dangerous pilots.
If you are coming from a mouse and keyboard or even a controller, getting used to a HOTAS does take a bit of time, but after developing some muscle memory for what actions you programmed, the buttons for the T16000M make piloting feel so much more natural and immersive. The 3D magnetic sensors in the joystick are incredibly accurate even after years of use, as long-time users of this setup can attest to. Plus, the joystick is designed for ambidextrous use, so whether you prefer to steer with your left or right hand, this will work for you. However, the throttle does feel a bit strange in your right hand if you decide to steer with your left.
Speaking about the throttle, it provides accurate control over your speed and moves along the whole range of travel relatively smoothly. However, if you try to make minimal adjustments, you might feel a bit of a catch in the movement, but for most Elite Dangerous pilots, you are probably going full throttle, stopped, or in reverse at most times anyway.
Logitech G X56 H.O.T.A.S Throttle and Joystick
The Logitech G X56 H.O.T.A.S. throttle and joysticks are the only accessories flight simulator enthusiasts need to control aircraft with surgical precision. With a generous amount of mini analog sticks, buttons, and hat switches, the Hall Effect joystick provides unbelievable functionality even without the included throttle. The dual throttle takes realism a step further, capable of individually adjusting power on dual-engine planes, jets, and spacecraft. With more than 189 customizable controls accessible in three modes, the G X56 system can be personalized for every flying style and simulation title.
The Logitech G X56 has been around for some time now and is easily one of the biggest fan favorites, regardless of the type of flying game you prefer. This HOTAS is perfect for pilots looking to step up in the HOTAS game, but don’t want to make the large leap to enthusiast-level options, like the Thrustmaster HOTAS Warthog.
Like the Thrustmaster T16000M, the G X56 is made entirely out of plastic, but the rubberized grips on the joystick and throttle and metal-like accent features around the action buttons give it a much more premium look. Instead of using a magnetic sensor, the G X56 uses a ball and socket on the joystick to track movement, which, down the line, can lead to some reliability issues. However, it is still something you shouldn’t need to worry about unless you are really rough with the joystick.
The joystick and throttle deliver very smooth control throughout their range of movement, and using springs, the tension on both can also be adjusted to your liking. The G X56 is the epitome of buttons galore; everywhere you look on the HOTAS is a button, switch, or analog stick. This can get a bit overwhelming when first using the controller, but as many Elite Dangerous pilots know, it’s surprising how quickly you run out of places to put all your controls. Thankfully, that is not the case with the X56.
Thrustmaster HOTAS Warthog
The HOTAS WARTHOG USB dual-throttle joystick is the result of an collaboration between Thrustmaster’s development teams and members of the flight sim community. The performance and build qulaity of this HOTAS is a testament to how much work has gone into it, delivering one of the best premium flight and space sim setups available.
The Thrustmaster HOTAS Warthog is the most Elite Dangerous pilot’s dream setup; it was developed by the Thrustmaster team with a ton of input from the sim community itself. While $550 might seem like a lot for a HOTAS, in the world of premium and more niche options, the Warthog is actually reasonably priced. For most Elite Dangerous players, it is a fantastic premium option that delivers a lot and skimps on very little.
Unlike any other HOTAS out there, the Warthog is completely made of metal, which instantly gives it an incredible premium feel and real-world heft while you are flying out in space. From the joystick and throttle to every button on the Warthog, this HOTAS is incredibly satisfying. Even when you are not flying, the metal flip switches scratch that good part of your brain so nicely. This thing will last you forever because it’s made out of metal and very lovingly put together, though this does mean it is extremely heavy for a gaming accessory.
When you are flying in the game with the Warthog, it is incredibly accurate and tracks your movements one-to-one with very few hiccups to speak of. However, after a couple of dogfights or even just a long-haul cargo run, you might start to experience some arm fatigue because of how much resistance both the throttle and joystick provide. Typically, this might be seen as a bad thing, but if you are looking for an authentic simulator experience, it actually feels incredible to be a bit tired after using this.
Thrustmaster T.Flight HOTAS 4
The Thrustmaster T.Flight Hotas 4 is a very accessible way to get into the world of flight and space sims without breaking the bank. Whether you are a beginner or looking for a budget option to upgrade your flying rig this is a great way to do it, especially if you are gaming on a Playstation and PC.
Unfortunately, when it comes to budget HOTAS options, there is not much to choose from, and even then, they are not the most affordable, but the Thrustmaster T.Flight Hotas 4 is an excellent option for under $100 — the T.Flight provides an excellent HOTAS experience for a very reasonable price compared to other options, plus it is compatible with Playstation for the console players.
Unlike the other HOTAS in this guide, the T.Flight actually comes as one piece that is connected by a cable, so it can be used side by side or more like a traditional HOTAS option, as long as you are okay with a bit of cable going over the middle of your desk. If you are playing in a living room setup on PlayStation, the connected option is quite useful because you can easily play with it in your lap instead of needing to involve a desk or table.
While T.Flight will be a vast improvement in playing Elite Dangerous as a controller, it will not offer the same fine controls that the other HOTAS in the guide provide. This is mainly evident in the throttle, which really only has three positions: full speed, a middle resting point, and full in reverse. This is not the worst thing in the world, because having that middle resting position easily allows you to turn off your engines and sit still without pressing another button.
The T.16000M FCS Flight Pack builds on the amazing performance of the T1600M, but adds rudder controls for much more fine control, especially in combat flying situations. The T.A.R.G.E.T advanced programming software makes it easy to program all the controls this HOTAS setup offers in one place and takes out some of the headache that can come with a setup this involved.
The Thrustmaster T16000M Flight pack is essentially the same setup recommended as our best overall pick, but with rudder pedals. While rudder pedals might seem excessive, if you are looking for even better control of your ship Elite Dangerous, rudder pedals are a great way to upgrade any setup.
We have already sung praises of the throttle and joystick on the T16000M, and the rudder pedals live up to that same standard. The pedals fall into a perfect middle ground of smooth travel, yet resistant enough that you may easily make delicate and precise turns. Getting used to the rudder pedals does take some time, and there is a bit of a learning curve, but after getting used to them, they can make a big difference in fast-paced dogfights and even landing.
This Logitech G Pro Flight Yoke System is a game controller for an aspiring pilot or improving on the muscle memory of experienced pilots. It comes with a robust, smooth, and accurate control mechanism for flight simulators with a stainless steel yoke shaft and a two-position desk clamp that has mounting flexibility for various desks. The controller comes with a separate Flight Throttle Quadrant. The POV hat, 14 button controls, and the three-position mode switch give the user at least 54 programmable controls over the virtual aircraft.
This one might get some weird looks from the Elite Dangerous crowd, especially because it is not technically a HOTAS. But it is an incredible option if you like to make those long cargo hauls or run a cruise line on an Orca, even if they are not profitable right now. The Logitech G Pro Flight Yoke gives you an incredibly different flying experience than any other HOTAS or joystick can provide, and if you have ever wanted to feel like Walsh fromFirefly,this is a great way to do it.
The Logitech G Pro Flight Yoke is definitely made forMicrosoft Flight Simulatorand not Elite Dangerous. Still, with some tinkering and messing around with the settings, this Yoke can work with Elite Dangerous with very little need to use the keyboard. However, we would not recommend this controller if you plan to get into any combat, as the slow turning speed can quickly put you in danger.
For a fairly reasonable price, the Logitech G Pro Flight Yoke also offers a suite of features and a build quality that feels like a much higher-priced option. However, there is no way to control the rudders with what comes with the G Pro Flight Yoke, so it is pretty essential to pick up some rudder pedals for the best experience whether you are flying in space with Elite Dangerous or in terrestrial games like Microsoft Flight Simulator.
FAQ
Q: Does Elite Dangerous support joysticks?
Elite Dangerous has a fantastic amount of support for all controller types, from mouse and keyboard to HOTAS and even DIY setups, as long as you are willing to play with the controls for a little bit to get them dialed in. However, if you are using a reasonably mainstream option, Elite Dangerous even has a lot of pre-built control setups you can use.
Q: What is the best handling ship in Elite Dangerous?
The jobs you take and what you are looking to accomplish with your ship determine the answer to this because if you are looking to go out into dogfights, the Viper is going to be your best option, but if you want an excellent all-around ship that still has excellent handling the Federal Corvette is a great way to go.
