Flight simulator
setup builder
Four answers, one complete flight sim setup for your platform: the best rated within your budget, calculated from 30 rated products and US prices from October 29, 2026.
The builder does the arithmetic you'd otherwise do in a spreadsheet: it keeps the highest-rated combination that fits your platform, your flying style and your budget, at the prices we checked. One piece of advice before you click: put the money in the control you'll touch most, then the pedals, and leave the cockpit for last. Not sure what you fly yet? The beginner rankings are a gentler start.
Your recommended setup
PC · General aviation · $400 to $800 · Desk
Total at checked price$459.98
Average score9.2/10
Components2
Rudder pedals
Thrustmaster T.Flight Rudder Pedals (TFRP)
View offer at Amazon ↗Affiliate link
See the spec comparison →- Check how each control mounts on your desk: clamps are not always included.
Automatic selection based on calculated scores and checked prices, with no hands-on test and no influence from commissions. Check compatibility and price at the merchant. Our methodology · Affiliate disclosure
Recommended flight sim setups by budget (PC)
For each flying style and budget, the highest-rated complete PC setup in our data: main control, throttle if the control has none, rudder pedals, on a desk up to $1,500 and with a cockpit above that. Calculated with the setup builder on US prices checked on October 29, 2026.
Airliners setup
| Budget | Recommended setup | Total | Average score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under $400 | Thrustmaster TCA Officer Pack Airbus Edition + Thrustmaster T.Flight Rudder Pedals (TFRP) · Customize | $329.98 | 9.3/10 |
| $400 to $800 | Thrustmaster TCA Officer Pack Airbus Edition + Honeycomb Charlie Rudder Pedals · Customize | $549.98 | 9.3/10 |
| $800 to $1,500 | Turtle Beach VelocityOne Flight Universal Control System + Thrustmaster TPR Pendular Rudder · Customize | $929.98 | 9.1/10 |
| Over $1,500 | Thrustmaster TCA Yoke Boeing Edition + Honeycomb Charlie Rudder Pedals + Next Level Racing Flight Simulator · Customize | $1,548.98 | 9.2/10 |
General aviation setup
| Budget | Recommended setup | Total | Average score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under $400 | Logitech Flight Yoke System + Thrustmaster T.Flight Rudder Pedals (TFRP) · Customize | $309.98 | 9.2/10 |
| $400 to $800 | Turtle Beach VelocityOne Flight Universal Control System + Thrustmaster T.Flight Rudder Pedals (TFRP) · Customize | $459.98 | 9.2/10 |
| $800 to $1,500 | Turtle Beach VelocityOne Flight Universal Control System + Thrustmaster TPR Pendular Rudder · Customize | $929.98 | 9.1/10 |
| Over $1,500 | Thrustmaster TCA Yoke Boeing Edition + Honeycomb Charlie Rudder Pedals + Next Level Racing Flight Simulator · Customize | $1,548.98 | 9.2/10 |
Combat & space setup
| Budget | Recommended setup | Total | Average score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under $400 | Logitech X56 H.O.T.A.S. + Thrustmaster T.Flight Rudder Pedals (TFRP) · Customize | $379.98 | 9.3/10 |
| $400 to $800 | Logitech X56 H.O.T.A.S. + Honeycomb Charlie Rudder Pedals · Customize | $599.98 | 9.3/10 |
| $800 to $1,500 | Logitech X56 H.O.T.A.S. + Thrustmaster TPR Pendular Rudder · Customize | $849.98 | 9.3/10 |
| Over $1,500 | Logitech X56 H.O.T.A.S. + Thrustmaster TPR Pendular Rudder + Next Level Racing Flight Seat Pro · Customize | $1,548.98 | 9.3/10 |
What makes up a flight sim setup
- Main control. A flight stick or HOTAS for jets, helicopters and space; a yoke for light aircraft and Boeing airliners; a sidestick for Airbus types. HOTAS · Flight sticks · Yokes
- Throttle. Included in HOTAS sets and some yokes; otherwise a quadrant adds engine levers, flaps and reversers. Throttle quadrants
- Rudder pedals. Yaw and differential toe brakes: the most common upgrade, essential for helicopters and crosswind landings. Rudder pedals
- Cockpit or seat. A sturdy desk is enough to start; a cockpit holds every control in a fixed position. Cockpits
How the setup builder works
How much does a complete flight sim setup cost?
In our data, the cheapest complete PC setup recommended by the builder (main control, throttle and rudder pedals) costs $309.98: Logitech Flight Yoke System + Thrustmaster T.Flight Rudder Pedals (TFRP). A stick or a HOTAS on its own costs less; a cockpit setup goes above $1,500.
What is the best HOTAS setup for combat and space sims?
On PC, the builder picks Logitech X56 H.O.T.A.S. + Thrustmaster T.Flight Rudder Pedals (TFRP) for $379.98 (under $400); Logitech X56 H.O.T.A.S. + Honeycomb Charlie Rudder Pedals for $599.98 ($400 to $800); Logitech X56 H.O.T.A.S. + Thrustmaster TPR Pendular Rudder for $849.98 ($800 to $1,500); Logitech X56 H.O.T.A.S. + Thrustmaster TPR Pendular Rudder + Next Level Racing Flight Seat Pro for $1,548.98 (over $1,500).
What is the best yoke setup for general aviation?
On PC, the builder picks Logitech Flight Yoke System + Thrustmaster T.Flight Rudder Pedals (TFRP) for $309.98 (under $400); Turtle Beach VelocityOne Flight Universal Control System + Thrustmaster T.Flight Rudder Pedals (TFRP) for $459.98 ($400 to $800); Turtle Beach VelocityOne Flight Universal Control System + Thrustmaster TPR Pendular Rudder for $929.98 ($800 to $1,500); Thrustmaster TCA Yoke Boeing Edition + Honeycomb Charlie Rudder Pedals + Next Level Racing Flight Simulator for $1,548.98 (over $1,500).
What is the best flight sim setup for Xbox?
With the Xbox platform selected, the builder picks Thrustmaster TCA Yoke Boeing Edition + Thrustmaster T.Flight Rudder Pedals (TFRP) for $529.98 (airliners, $400 to $800); Thrustmaster TCA Yoke Boeing Edition + Thrustmaster T.Flight Rudder Pedals (TFRP) + Trak Racer TR8 Pro Flight Simulator Cockpit with Seat for $1,528.98 (airliners, over $1,500); Thrustmaster TCA Yoke Boeing Edition + Thrustmaster T.Flight Rudder Pedals (TFRP) for $529.98 (general aviation, $400 to $800). Only products stated Xbox compatible are included, and pedals or quadrants that connect through another device are only paired with that device.
How is the setup chosen?
From the rated products compatible with your platform, we combine a main control suited to your flying style, a throttle quadrant if the control has no throttle, rudder pedals if the budget allows and a cockpit if you want one. We pick the combination with the highest average score whose total fits your budget; on a tie, the cheaper one wins.
Which cockpits can the builder choose?
Only cockpits with the seat included, and for a yoke setup, only cockpits whose manufacturer lists a yoke mount in the box. A cockpit sold without a seat or needing an extra stand would make the total misleading.
Are the prices up to date?
US prices were checked on October 29, 2026 at official US stores or named US retailers and may have changed since: check the price at the merchant before you buy.