The Best Xbox Flight Simulator Controls: Tested and Ranked
The Best Xbox Flight Simulator Controls: Tested and Ranked
When Microsoft Flight Simulator finally came to Xbox, it opened the skies to a whole new group of simmers. But let’s be honest — flying a Cessna or a 737 with a controller just doesn’t cut it. The first time we plugged in proper flight controls on Xbox, it was like the sim went from game to simulator. Suddenly, takeoffs felt smoother, approaches felt alive, and every flare had real weight behind it.
We’ve flown with almost every Xbox-compatible setup out there, from entry-level all-in-ones to full yoke-and-throttle combos. Here’s what we’ve owned, tested, and would actually recommend depending on your flying style and budget.
Logitech G Flight Yoke System: The Easiest Way to Start
This is the gateway drug for a lot of Xbox sim pilots. The Logitech G Flight Yoke System gives you both a yoke and throttle quadrant, making it one of the best value bundles on the market.
Once you plug it in, you immediately notice how much more natural small inputs feel compared to an Xbox controller. The spring is a little stiff, and the total roll range (90° each way) is limited compared to high-end gear, but it’s a huge leap forward for realism.
We logged dozens of hours in Cessnas and Beechcrafts with it before upgrading, and for many pilots, it’s more than enough. It’s plug-and-play, affordable, and still one of the best Xbox Flight Simulator controls for beginners.
Pros: Great value, includes throttle, simple setup
Cons: Short control travel, plasticky feel
Thrustmaster T.Flight Full Kit X: Perfect for Fighter Jets and Bush Flying
If you’re more into fighter jets, helicopters, or bush flying, the Thrustmaster T.Flight Hotas One (or the Full Kit X, which bundles pedals) is ideal. It’s a HOTAS setup, meaning you’ve got a joystick in one hand and throttle in the other, just like in real aircraft.
This setup shines in the F/A-18 or DHC-6 Twin Otter. You can pull tight turns, control yaw precisely with the twist axis, and have all your main controls under your thumbs. It’s not as immersive as a yoke for airliner flying, but it’s far more intuitive than the standard controller.
Pros: Compact, precise, great for jets and helicopters
Cons: Not realistic for GA or airliner flying
Honeycomb Alpha + Bravo on Xbox: The Gold Standard for Realism
When we connected the Honeycomb Alpha Flight Controls XPC and Bravo Throttle Quadrant to Xbox, everything changed. This combo transforms your setup from casual to cockpit-grade.
The Alpha XPC yoke has buttery-smooth travel, full 180° rotation, and a solid, professional feel. You get built-in switches for master, avionics, lights, and magnetos, perfect for immersive cold starts in the 172 or Bonanza.
Add the Bravo Throttle Quadrant, and suddenly you can configure your setup for anything: single-engine props, twin turboprops, or even airliners. The trim wheel alone makes hand-flying feel ten times smoother, and the autopilot panel means you can ditch the mouse entirely.
Yes, it’s pricey, but if you want the best all-around Xbox Flight Simulator control setup, this is it.
Pros: Superb build, realistic feel, complete immersion
Cons: Expensive, large footprint
Thrustmaster TCA Boeing Yoke Pack: The Airliner Dream Setup
If your heart belongs to the 737, the Thrustmaster TCA Boeing Edition is the one. The first time we used it, we instantly understood why real pilots love pendular yokes. Instead of pushing and pulling on a shaft, the yoke swings from below the desk, just like in a real Boeing cockpit.
It’s heavy, smooth, and incredibly satisfying. The dual-lever throttle quadrant completes the experience, with realistic flap and speed brake controls. It’s also officially licensed by Boeing and works perfectly with Xbox Series X|S.
Flying an ILS approach in the 737-800 with this yoke feels right. If you mainly fly airliners, this is hands down the best Xbox Flight Simulator yoke for Boeing-style flying.
Pros: Pendular motion, authentic Boeing feel, solid build
Cons: Expensive, less ideal for light aircraft
Turtle Beach VelocityOne Flight: All-in-One Sim Simplicity
Turtle Beach surprised everyone when it launched the VelocityOne Flight Universal Control System. It’s an all-in-one yoke and throttle unit designed specifically for Xbox, and it’s genuinely impressive.
You get a full yoke with smooth pitch and roll, a built-in throttle quadrant with configurable levers, a trim wheel, and even an integrated flight status display. The RGB annunciator lights are a neat touch too.
It’s not quite as solid as the Honeycomb, and the yoke travel is shorter, but for a plug-and-play all-rounder, it’s brilliant. No separate components, no complex setup, just connect it, calibrate, and fly.
Pros: Complete package, easy setup, great features
Cons: Plastic build, shorter yoke travel
Which Setup We’d Choose
The best Xbox Flight Simulator controls depend on what you fly and how immersive you want your setup to be. For us, the Honeycomb Alpha XPC and Bravo combo remains the sweet spot — realistic, reliable, and immersive for both GA and jets.
If you’re a Boeing purist, go with the Thrustmaster TCA Boeing Yoke Pack. If you’re just starting out, grab the Logitech. And if you want something simple and compact, Turtle Beach nailed it.
Whatever you choose, the first time you hand-fly a final approach with real controls, you’ll understand why we all say the same thing: this is how flight sim was meant to feel.