Comparison tool
WINWING vs VIRPIL vs VKB: high-end flight sticks compared
6 products compared (3 WINCTRL (formerly WINWING), 2 VIRPIL, 1 VKB), scores calculated from official spec sheets and US prices checked on October 29, 2026. Not a hands-on test. WINWING products are now sold under the WINCTRL name on the brand’s official store.
Flight sticks
3 models in this category. Head to head, the top-rated model from each brand. Cheapest: WINCTRL URSA MINOR Airline Joystick, at $68.70. Best score: VKB Gladiator NXT EVO Space Combat Edition, 9.1/10.
| Criterion | WINCTRL URSA MINOR Airline Joystick | VIRPIL Constellation ALPHA Prime + WarBRD-D | VKB Gladiator NXT EVO Space Combat Edition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calculated scoreAdvantage: highest | 9.1/10 | 9.0/10 | 9.1/10 |
| Checked priceAdvantage: lowest | $68.70 | $549.90 | $139 |
| Sensor | Contactless magnetic | Contactless magnetic | Contactless magnetic |
| Axis resolution | Not stated | 14-bit | Not stated |
| AxesAdvantage: the most | 4 | 6 | 6 |
| Buttons | 14 | Not stated | Not stated |
| Twist rudder | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Modular design | Not stated | Yes | Yes |
| Platforms | PC | PC | PC |
| WarrantyAdvantage: the longest | 1 year | 2 years | 2 years |
Throttle quadrants
2 models in this category. Head to head, the top-rated model from each brand. Cheapest: WINCTRL URSA MINOR 32 Throttle Metal, at $145.10. Best score: WINCTRL URSA MINOR 32 Throttle Metal, 9.0/10.
VKB has no model in this category in our catalog.
| Criterion | WINCTRL URSA MINOR 32 Throttle Metal | VIRPIL MongoosT-50CM4 Throttle |
|---|---|---|
| Calculated scoreAdvantage: highest | 9.0/10 | 8.5/10 |
| Checked priceAdvantage: lowest | $145.10 | $369.95 |
| Throttle levers | 2 | 2 |
| Detents | 6 detent positions (IDLE, CL, FLX/MCT, TO/GA, REV IDLE), switchable to no-detent mode | Adjustable lift/push-through detents, 4 detent plate sets included |
| Axes | Not stated | 5 |
| Sensor | Hall effect | Not stated |
| Platforms | PC | PC |
| WarrantyAdvantage: the longest | 1 year | 2 years |
Images: manufacturers
Every model in one table
Sort by score, price or key spec.
| VKB Gladiator NXT EVO Space Combat Edition | Flight stick | VKB | 9.1 | $139 | Contactless magnetic sensor, 6 axes | PC | 2 years |
| WINCTRL URSA MINOR Airline Joystick | Flight stick | WINCTRL | 9.1 | $68.70 | Contactless magnetic sensor, 4 axes, 14 buttons | PC | 1 year |
| WINCTRL URSA MINOR 32 Throttle Metal | Throttle quadrant | WINCTRL | 9.0 | $145.10 | 2 levers, detents, Hall effect sensor | PC | 1 year |
| VIRPIL Constellation ALPHA Prime + WarBRD-D | Flight stick | VIRPIL | 9.0 | $549.90 | Contactless magnetic sensor, 14-bit, 6 axes | PC | 2 years |
 WINCTRL Orion2 HOTAS ViperAce | HOTAS | WINCTRL | 8.8 | $599.46 | Hall effect sensor, 16-bit | PC | 1 year |
| VIRPIL MongoosT-50CM4 Throttle | Throttle quadrant | VIRPIL | 8.5 | $369.95 | 2 levers, detents, 5 axes | PC | 2 years |
Our verdict by pilot profile
No outright winner: each profile follows from the data above.
WINCTRL URSA MINOR Airline Joystick
WINCTRL URSA MINOR Airline Joystick is the cheapest at $68.70 (flight stick). WINCTRL: WINCTRL URSA MINOR Airline Joystick at $68.70; VIRPIL: VIRPIL MongoosT-50CM4 Throttle at $369.95; VKB: VKB Gladiator NXT EVO Space Combat Edition at $139.
See the review ↗No model in this comparison is listed as Xbox compatible: according to the official spec sheets, they are for PC.
VKB Gladiator NXT EVO Space Combat Edition
5 models state Hall effect or magnetic sensors; the top rated is VKB Gladiator NXT EVO Space Combat Edition (contactless magnetic, 9.1/10).
See the review ↗VKB Gladiator NXT EVO Space Combat Edition
VKB Gladiator NXT EVO Space Combat Edition scores 9.1/10, each score being calculated within the product's own category. WINCTRL: WINCTRL URSA MINOR Airline Joystick, 9.1/10; VIRPIL: VIRPIL Constellation ALPHA Prime + WarBRD-D, 9.0/10; VKB: VKB Gladiator NXT EVO Space Combat Edition, 9.1/10.
See the review ↗Our pick
Compare side by side
The tool is prefilled with VKB Gladiator NXT EVO Space Combat Edition, WINCTRL URSA MINOR Airline Joystick and VIRPIL Constellation ALPHA Prime + WarBRD-D. Change the models with the menus.
Shareable link: the page address keeps your selection.
| Criterion |
VKB Gladiator NXT EVO Space Combat Edition
9.1Excellent · out of 10
$139
|
WINCTRL URSA MINOR Airline Joystick
9.1Excellent · out of 10
$68.70
|
VIRPIL Constellation ALPHA Prime + WarBRD-D
9.0Excellent · out of 10
$549.90
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Score | 9.1/10 | 9.1/10 | 9.0/10 |
| Checked price | $139 | $68.70 | $549.90 |
| Sensor | Contactless magnetic | Contactless magnetic | Contactless magnetic |
| Axis resolution | Not stated | Not stated | 14-bit |
| Axes | 6 | 4 | 6 |
| Buttons | Not stated | 14 | Not stated |
| Twist rudder | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Modular design | Yes | Not stated | Yes |
| Platforms | PC | PC | PC |
| Warranty | 2 years | 1 year | 2 years |
Best value in the selection · prices checked on October 29, 2026
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Frequently asked questions
Is WINWING the same brand as WINCTRL?
Yes. The WINWING products compared here are sold under the WINCTRL name on the official store, which is the source of our US prices.
Which brand has the cheapest stick?
WINCTRL: WINCTRL URSA MINOR Airline Joystick at $68.70; VIRPIL: VIRPIL MongoosT-50CM4 Throttle at $369.95; VKB: VKB Gladiator NXT EVO Space Combat Edition at $139, checked on October 29, 2026.
Do these sticks use contactless sensors?
VKB Gladiator NXT EVO Space Combat Edition (contactless magnetic), WINCTRL URSA MINOR Airline Joystick (contactless magnetic), WINCTRL URSA MINOR 32 Throttle Metal (Hall effect), VIRPIL Constellation ALPHA Prime + WarBRD-D (contactless magnetic), WINCTRL Orion2 HOTAS ViperAce (Hall effect). Other models in this comparison do not state their sensor type on the official page.
Which one has the best score?
WINCTRL: WINCTRL URSA MINOR Airline Joystick (9.1/10); VIRPIL: VIRPIL Constellation ALPHA Prime + WarBRD-D (9.0/10); VKB: VKB Gladiator NXT EVO Space Combat Edition (9.1/10).