Head-to-head

Thrustmaster HOTAS Warthog MKII vs WINCTRL Orion2 HOTAS ViperAce: head-to-head

Of 3 decided criteria, the Thrustmaster HOTAS Warthog MKII wins 2 and the WINCTRL Orion2 HOTAS ViperAce wins 1. Official data, US prices checked on October 29, 2026.

HOTAS · Thrustmaster

Thrustmaster HOTAS Warthog MKII

9.1Excellent · out of 10

1:1 replicas of the F-16 Viper stick grip and the A-10C dual throttle, licensed by the U.S. Air Force
Redesigned base with a ball-bearing gimbal and 16-bit Hall effect sensors
Throttle levers can be locked together or split to run each engine separately

2 criteria won · $599.99, checked on October 29, 2026

View offer at Amazon · $550.75 ↗Spec comparisonAmazon price, October 29, 2026 · Affiliate link

HOTAS · WINCTRL

WINCTRL Orion2 HOTAS ViperAce

8.8Very good · out of 10

16-bit contactless Hall sensors on the Orion2 joystick base and the throttle main shaft
Single-engine ViperAce metal throttle grip 2.0 with 4 axes, a built-in vibration module and an idle/afterburner detent rail
Orion2 joystick base with a CAM and spring mechanism, 17° deflection each way and swappable WINCTRL grips

1 criterion won · $599.46, checked on October 29, 2026

View offer at WINCTRL · $599.46 ↗Spec comparisonOfficial US store

Images: manufacturers

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Criterion by criterion

The best stated value is marked "Edge". If either manufacturer does not state a value, the criterion is left undecided.

Criterion	Thrustmaster HOTAS Warthog MKII	WINCTRL Orion2 HOTAS ViperAce
Calculated scoreEdge: the highest	9.1/10	8.8/10
Checked priceEdge: the lowest	$599.99	$599.46
Sensor	Hall effect	Hall effect
Axis resolution	16-bit	16-bit
Buttons	36	Not stated
Throttle leversEdge: the most	2	1
Twist rudder	No	No
Detents	Not stated	idle and afterburner detents on the throttle rail
Modular design	Yes	Yes
Platforms	PC	PC
Weight	6.56 kg (14 lb)	Not stated
Warranty	Not stated	1 year

Verdict by profile

No absolute winner: the right choice depends on your priority. Each verdict follows from the data above.

Tight budget

WINCTRL Orion2 HOTAS ViperAce

WINCTRL Orion2 HOTAS ViperAce costs $0.53 less than Thrustmaster HOTAS Warthog MKII, based on prices checked on October 29, 2026.

See the spec comparison ↗

Best score

Thrustmaster HOTAS Warthog MKII

Thrustmaster HOTAS Warthog MKII scores 9.1/10 against 8.8/10.

See the spec comparison ↗

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between the Thrustmaster HOTAS Warthog MKII and the WINCTRL Orion2 HOTAS ViperAce?

Calculated score: 9.1/10 vs 8.8/10; Checked price: $599.99 vs $599.46; Throttle levers: 2 vs 1.

Which one is cheaper?

The WINCTRL Orion2 HOTAS ViperAce, at $599.46 against $599.99, based on US prices checked on October 29, 2026.

Which one has the better score?

The Thrustmaster HOTAS Warthog MKII scores 9.1/10 against 8.8/10.

Are both compatible with Xbox?

Thrustmaster HOTAS Warthog MKII: PC. WINCTRL Orion2 HOTAS ViperAce: PC. Information from the official spec sheets.

Is this head-to-head based on a hands-on test?

No. The comparison relies on manufacturer specs and checked US prices, with no hands-on test.

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