10 Best Flight Simulators 2025 in the United States

The Turtle Beach VelocityOne Flight Universal Control System is a solid choice for both casual and dedicated flight simulation enthusiasts. Its all-in-one design integrates a yoke handle, throttle quadrant, and rudder controls, making it versatile for various flight titles, especially Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 and 2024. The 180° yoke rotation with a non-contact hall effect sensor adds a level of realism that enhances the flying experience, along with the authentic status indicator panel that provides crucial information during flight.

One of the key strengths of this controller is its modular throttle quadrant, which allows for customizable lever handles and buttons. This feature caters to users who want to tailor their setup for different aircraft, adding to the system's flexibility. The full color flight management display is an excellent addition, helping users navigate through settings and configurations easily, which is especially beneficial for those new to flight simulation.

There are some drawbacks to consider. While the VelocityOne is designed to work seamlessly with Xbox and Windows PCs, its system requirements may limit some older hardware. Additionally, weighing in at 10 pounds, it can be somewhat cumbersome for users with limited space or who prefer a more portable setup. Some users have reported that the clamping system may not fit securely on all setups, which could lead to stability issues during intense sessions.

The Logitech G X56 HOTAS is a dedicated flight simulator controller designed to bring a realistic and immersive experience to enthusiasts, especially those interested in combat and space flight sims. It offers a high level of realism with its military-grade precision, adjustable stick force, and hall-effect sensors that deliver smooth and accurate control inputs. This makes flying a variety of aircraft feel more natural and responsive.

The controller includes over 189 programmable buttons and dual throttles with friction and lock adjustments, giving you plenty of customization options to tailor controls to your specific flight sim needs. Its mini analog sticks allow control in multiple directions, which is great for managing complex flight functions and weapon systems, particularly in space or combat scenarios. The RGB lighting can be customized to match your gaming setup, adding a nice aesthetic touch.

The X56 is compatible with Windows operating systems and requires two USB ports, making it easy to set up on most PCs. It is also designed to work well with VR setups, enhancing immersion in virtual cockpits. Since this device is a controller rather than a flight simulator game, it doesn’t affect graphics quality or aircraft variety directly—those depend on the software you use it with. The device requires a learning curve to master the many controls, and its relatively bulky size may need a dedicated space. The system requirements are modest, but you'll need a compatible PC and game to fully benefit from the X56’s features. This makes the Logitech G X56 a strong choice for serious flight sim fans looking for a highly customizable and precise control system to enhance their flight experience, especially in complex or combat flight sims.

The Flight Simulator Instrument Panel Six Pack is a specialized hardware add-on designed to boost realism for flight simulation on Windows PCs. It includes a built-in monitor and software that works smoothly with popular simulators such as X-Plane 11, X-Plane 12, and Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020. This panel offers genuine operational knobs and buttons for key flight instruments like airspeed, altimeter, heading, attitude, and clock functions, which can make your sim experience feel much more authentic compared to using just a keyboard or mouse.

One of its highlights is the easy plug-and-play setup requiring just one HDMI output and a USB connection. It mounts neatly on top of common flight yokes from Logitech or Honeycomb or can be positioned using a VESA desktop mount, offering flexibility in your cockpit setup. The option to run an HSI instrument instead of a gyrocompass adds some useful customization.

Since it’s a hardware add-on, it doesn’t directly impact graphics quality or aircraft variety, which depend on the flight simulator software you already have. The panel mainly enhances the tactile and visual realism of instrument management rather than the visual scenery or the range of planes you can fly. System requirements are minimal beyond having a compatible Windows PC with HDMI and USB ports. This product is tailored exclusively for Windows-based simulators and might not suit those using other platforms. Also, it’s focused on instrument controls and doesn’t cover other cockpit controls or broader customization options beyond mounting and instrument selection. For flight sim enthusiasts looking to deepen their immersion through realistic instrument handling without upgrading their entire setup, this panel can be a practical and enjoyable addition.