HOTAS and Flight Stick Buying Guide for PC, Xbox and PS5 (2026)

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You can get airborne with a gamepad in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, War Thunder or Star Citizen. Precise landings and long flights feel far more natural with a real flight stick, though. A HOTAS ("Hands On Throttle And Stick") combines a control stick for your right hand with a throttle for your left, so the most important functions stay within reach without letting go of the controls. Microsoft describes the concept the same way in its own beginner's guide to peripherals. This guide explains what matters when buying and ends with six example models for PC, Xbox and PS5.

Transparency: We have not tested these devices ourselves. Technical data comes from Thrustmaster, Turtle Beach and Microsoft and from the checked Amazon.de product pages (as of October 2026). We deliberately leave out prices because they change constantly.

The key criteria at a glance

1. Platform: PC, Xbox or PS5

This is where most wrong purchases happen. A flight stick almost always works on PC, but on consoles only if it is licensed for them:

Xbox Series X|S: According to the manufacturers, the Thrustmaster T.Flight Hotas One and the Turtle Beach VelocityOne Flightstick are made for Xbox and PC.
PS5: Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 has been available on PS5 since 8 December 2025. At launch, Microsoft only confirmed the Thrustmaster T.Flight Hotas 4 as a supported joystick. There is now also the T.Flight Hotas 5 Microsoft Flight Simulator Edition, which Thrustmaster designed for PS5, PS4 and PC and which works plug and play in Flight Simulator.
PC only: Thrustmaster lists the T.16000M FCS HOTAS and the TCA Officer Pack Airbus Edition for PC only.

The Xbox models do not work on PS5 and vice versa. If you only play on PC, any of these versions will do.

2. HOTAS, flight stick or sidestick

HOTAS: stick and throttle as a set, often separable. Good for fighter jets, space games and all-round use.
Flight stick with built-in throttle: the VelocityOne Flightstick has two levers right on its base, which saves desk space.
Airliner controls: according to Thrustmaster, the TCA Officer Pack replicates the Airbus sidestick and throttle quadrant, with two thrust levers and detents. That suits airliners better than dogfights.

3. Sensors: potentiometer or magnetic

More expensive sticks use contactless magnetic (Hall effect) sensors. Because nothing rubs, Thrustmaster claims an "unlimited lifespan" and optimal precision for its H.E.A.R.T technology. The T.16000M FCS uses it for pitch and roll, and so does the TCA Officer Pack. According to its manual, Turtle Beach uses a Hall effect stick in the VelocityOne Flightstick. For the entry-level T.Flight Hotas One and Hotas 5, Thrustmaster does not mention magnetic sensors.

Resolution differs too: Thrustmaster quotes 16-bit for the Hotas 5, while the Amazon page for the Hotas One lists 10-bit. More bits mean finer steps for small corrections, for example just before touchdown.

4. Rudder: twist, rocker or pedals

The rudder turns the aircraft around its vertical axis. There are three ways to control it:

Twist: you rotate the stick. Most models here let you lock this.
Rocker on the throttle: the Hotas One and Hotas 5 also offer a rocker as rudder.
Rudder pedals: the most realistic option. The Thrustmaster TFRP add differential brakes, so you can brake each wheel separately, for example while taxiing.

Important for consoles: on PS5 and Xbox, the TFRP pedals only work when connected via RJ12 cable to a compatible joystick. Thrustmaster lists the Hotas 5 and Hotas 4 for PS5 and, among others, the Hotas One for Xbox. On PC they work with all joysticks according to Thrustmaster, either via the included USB adapter or the RJ12 cable.

5. Buttons and axes

Casual flying needs few buttons. DCS or Star Citizen, on the other hand, have dozens of functions. According to Thrustmaster, the T.16000M FCS HOTAS has 30 buttons, two 8-way hats and 5 axes, and the TCA Officer Pack has 33 buttons. Turtle Beach lists 27 programmable buttons and 8 axes for the VelocityOne Flightstick. More buttons only help if you actually map them. On PC, Thrustmaster also offers the free T.A.R.G.E.T software for this.

6. Space and mounting

A HOTAS needs room to the left and right of your keyboard. Thrustmaster lists the T.16000M FCS HOTAS at about 27 × 23 × 26 cm and the Hotas 5 at about 35 cm wide. The throttle of the Hotas One and Hotas 5 is detachable, so you can place the parts separately on the desk or keep them together on your lap. If you fly a lot, a desk mount helps. A sturdy desk matters too, see the gaming desk buying guide.

Flight simulation in VR

On PC, Microsoft counts a VR headset as "premium" equipment for Flight Simulator. For PS VR2, Microsoft has announced a free update for 2026. In VR you can no longer see your keyboard and mouse, so a stick whose buttons you can find blind is worth it. Thrustmaster highlights easy access to flight controls in VR and braille-style button markings on the T.16000M FCS. Which headset suits you is covered in the VR headset buying guide.

Six example models

The following devices are available on Amazon.de. They are not test winners but examples for different platforms and budgets. All figures according to the manufacturer or the checked Amazon.de page.

Example model

Entry level for Xbox and PC: Thrustmaster T.Flight Hotas One

HOTAS with a detachable full-size throttle, adjustable stick resistance and a weighted base. According to Amazon, this Microsoft Flight Simulator version works on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One and Windows PC.

Platform: Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PC
Axes: 5 (incl. twist rudder), 10-bit according to Amazon
Rudder: twist (lockable) or rocker
Throttle: detachable
Pedals: TFRP connectable via RJ12
Size / weight: 26.4 × 24.2 × 26.5 cm / 2060 g

Right for you if you want an affordable complete HOTAS on Xbox or PC.

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Example model

For PS5 and PC: Thrustmaster T.Flight Hotas 5 MSFS Edition

HOTAS officially licensed for Microsoft Flight Simulator, with 16-bit axes. A MODE button switches between PS5, PS4 and PC mode.

Platform: PS5, PS4, PC (Windows 10/11)
Axes: 5 (incl. Z axis), 16-bit
Buttons: 14 action buttons, 1 trigger, 1 hat switch
Rudder: twist (lockable) or rocker
Pedals: TFRP connectable via RJ12
Size / weight: 350 × 200 × 235 mm / 2060 g

Right for you if you want to fly Flight Simulator 2024 on PS5 with stick and throttle.

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Example model

Compact with display: Turtle Beach VelocityOne Flightstick

Flight stick with two multi-function levers on the base, an OLED display for profiles and settings, a trim wheel and a small touchpad for mouse control.

Platform: Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PC (Windows 10/11)
Axes: 8, contactless sensors (Hall effect)
Buttons: 27 programmable, digital 8-way hat, analog hat
Rudder: twist
Connection: USB-C to USB-A, 3 m
Weight: 820 g

Right for you if you have little space on Xbox and want stick and throttle in one device. According to Turtle Beach it does not work with Xbox Cloud Gaming.

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Example model

PC all-rounder with magnetic sensor: Thrustmaster T.16000M FCS HOTAS

Set of the T.16000M FCS stick and the TWCS throttle. Thrustmaster rates it "Advanced" and names space simulation as its main use. Compatible games listed by the manufacturer include DCS, X-Plane 11/12, Star Citizen, Elite Dangerous and War Thunder. The stick suits right- and left-handed players.

Platform: PC
Sensors: H.E.A.R.T Hall effect (pitch/roll), 16,000 × 16,000 values
Buttons / hats: 30 buttons, 2 × 8-way hat
Axes: 5 (+3 via TFRP pedals)
Throttle: TWCS with slide rails, 80 mm travel
Size / weight: 27.2 × 22.9 × 26.4 cm / 2100 g

Right for you if you want to map lots of functions on PC and value a wear-free sensor.

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Example model

For airliner fans: Thrustmaster TCA Officer Pack Airbus Edition

Licensed replica of the Airbus sidestick plus a throttle quadrant with two levers, detents and thrust reversers. According to Thrustmaster, the detents can be disabled, and two quadrants can be linked for four thrust levers.

Platform: PC (Xbox needs the X version)
Sensors: H.E.A.R.T magnetic sensors
Buttons: 33
Sidestick: 4 interchangeable head modules, lockable twist rudder
Quadrant: 2 thrust levers, detents, thrust reverser
Weight: sidestick 920 g, quadrant 530 g

Right for you if you mainly fly airliners such as the A320 in Flight Simulator.

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Example model

The add-on: Thrustmaster TFRP T.Flight Rudder Pedals

Rudder pedals with four aluminium slide rails (S.M.A.R.T), differential brakes and removable heel rests. They replace the twist rudder on the stick.

Platform: PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One
Console: only via a compatible joystick (RJ12)
PC: via USB adapter with all joysticks
Brakes: differential brakes
Size / weight: 31.4 × 34.9 × 20.6 cm / 2210 g

Right for you if you already own a stick and want more realistic taxiing and crosswind landings.

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The models compared

Model	Platform	Type	Sensors	Buttons
T.Flight Hotas One	Xbox, PC	HOTAS	not stated	n/a
T.Flight Hotas 5	PS5, PS4, PC	HOTAS	16-bit	14
VelocityOne Flightstick	Xbox, PC	stick with levers	Hall effect	27
T.16000M FCS HOTAS	PC	HOTAS	Hall effect	30
TCA Officer Pack Airbus	PC	sidestick + quadrant	magnetic	33
TFRP Rudder Pedals	PC, PS, Xbox	pedals	–	–

Checklist before you buy

Which platform do you fly on – PC, Xbox or PS5? Does the version match?
Does your game support the stick? Thrustmaster and Microsoft publish compatibility lists.
HOTAS, compact stick or airliner controls – what do you fly most?
Is the twist rudder enough, or are you planning pedals later?
Is there enough space next to keyboard and mouse, or do you need a mount?

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a joystick for Flight Simulator 2024?

No. According to Microsoft, keyboard, mouse and a gamepad such as the Xbox controller are enough to start on PC. Microsoft counts a HOTAS, yoke or pedals as enhanced equipment.

Which joystick works on PS5?

At the PS5 launch Microsoft confirmed the Thrustmaster T.Flight Hotas 4. The newer T.Flight Hotas 5 MSFS Edition is also made for PS5 and Flight Simulator 2024 according to Thrustmaster. Xbox sticks such as the Hotas One do not work on PS5.

What is the difference between the Hotas One and Hotas 5?

The Hotas One is for Xbox and PC, the Hotas 5 for PS5, PS4 and PC. According to Thrustmaster the Hotas 5 has 16-bit resolution. The Amazon page for the Hotas One lists 10-bit.

Are rudder pedals worth it?

For airliners and light aircraft, yes, because you steer on the ground and brake with your feet. To start, the twist rudder on the stick is enough.

Does a PC joystick also work on Xbox?

Only if it is licensed for Xbox. The T.16000M FCS and the TCA Officer Pack are PC-only devices according to Thrustmaster. There are separate X versions of the TCA series for Xbox.

Sources

As of October 2026. Technical data comes from the manufacturers and the checked Amazon.de product pages (ASINs in the text):

* Ad link: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Links go to Amazon.de – the price stays the same for you.