The best flight simulator will vary depending on your goals.

Typically, most flight simulator fans are either looking for the most realistic setup or a good, dependable budget setup.

So, in this article, I recommend all the software and hardware, including headsets, rudder pedals, yokes, and throttle quadrants, you need to create a worthy flight simulator setup that any hobbyist or experienced pilot would be lucky to have.

Most Realistic Flight Simulator Setup

Software

When it comes to flight simulator software, the choice almost always comes down to X-Plane 11 or Microsoft Flight Simulator.

While both deliver a very enjoyable flying experience, X-Plane 11 is the way to go if you want the most realistic experience, especially if you already have or are working towards your private pilot license.

I found X-Plane 11 to have a wider selection of planes and the accuracy of flying these planes was unmatched, especially when it came to general aviation aircraft.

X-Plane 11 is generally considered to be the most realistic option due to its better physics, IFR flying and how in-depth it is.

Microsoft Flight Simulator can be the better option when it comes to VFR, though it depends on what you are looking for.

Microsoft Flight Simulator was unmatched when it came to visuals, especially the visuals of the terrain and overall fidelity of the scenery.

If flight modeling, avionics and accurate layouts of airports/taxiways/gates are more important to you, X-Plane 11 is the better choice.

X-Plane 11

Most Realistic The X-Plane 11 delivers the most realism with its better physics, IFR flying, flight modeling and avionics.

Check Amazon for Pricing
Buy Now

Microsoft Flight Simulator

With the Best Visuals Microsoft Flight Simulator has unmatched visuals when it comes to the terrain and overall scenery fidelity.

Check Amazon for Pricing
Buy Now

Headset

Thrustmaster T.Flight U.S. Air Force Edition Headset

Most Realistic Headset The Thrustmaster T.Flight is the only headset that is officially licensed by the U.S. Air Force.

Check Amazon for Pricing
Buy Now

The Thrustmaster T.Flight U.S. Air Force Edition Headset is my top pick, especially as it is licensed by the U.S. Air Force.

It was inspired by the aviation headsets worn by pilots in the USAF, and it delivered an excellent balance between high-quality audio and comfort with its padded ear pads, and 2”/50 mm drivers that made sure that audio came through loud and clear.

The ear pads feature a layer of gel, which kept my ears cool, and the mic was almost unmatched in its ability to only pick up my voice instead of background noise.

VR Headset

HP Reverb G2

Most Realistic VR Headset With its unmmatched image resolution and clarity, the HP Reverb G2 delivers the most realistic flight sim experience.

Check Amazon for Pricing
Buy Now

If you want the most realistic flight simulator experience, a VR headset is a better choice over a standard headset.

The HP Reverb G2 is the way to go with its 2160 x 2160 LCD display and incredible resolution and image clarity.

Hook up a pilot to the G2 and your flight sim of choice, and it’s very likely that they will say that it provides a very similar experience to flying a real airplane.

Rudder Pedals

Thrustmaster Pendular Rudder Pedals

Most Realistic Rudder Pedals The Thrustmaster Pendular Pedals comfortably provide the most realistic flying experience with their incredibly smooth motion and feel.

New: $579.99
Buy Now

In an attempt to engineer the most realistic rudder pedals available, Thrustmaster sought feedback from commercial and military pilots – and it looks like they succeeded.

What I really liked about the Thrustmaster Pendular Rudder Pedals is the suspended mechanism that delivered a smooth motion and realistic feel.

Additionally, the sensor system is unique to this model and created an ultra-precise and fluid flow of each pedal – just like what you would experience inside the cockpit of a real plane

Yoke

Honeycomb Alpha Yoke & Switch Panel

Most Realistic Yoke The Honeycomb Alpha is unmatched in every aspect with the realism it provides.

New: $300.57
Buy Now

The Honeycomb Alpha Yoke & Switch Panel is comfortably the most realistic flight simulator yoke available.

While the unit’s solid metal yoke shaft and full 180 degrees of rotation play a large role in this, the elimination of any deadzone or misleading spring pressure – both of which are problems far too many yokes suffer from – is unmatched.

Additionally, aerospace-grade internal components were used by Honeycomb to match the realistic ergonomics found in actual planes.

Pilot license holders and pilots who have had extensive experience in FAA-approved Aviation Training Devices (ATD) recommend the Honeycomb Alpha Yoke & Switch Panel.

Throttle Quadrant

Honeycomb Bravo Throttle Quadrant

Most Realistic Throttle Quadrant The Honeycomb Bravo Throttle Quadrant features all the realistic details necessary to make it feel like you're inside a real cockpit.

New: $528.00
Buy Now

With its six commercial levers with flaps, spoilers, and functional thrust reversers, the Honeycomb Bravo Throttle Quadrant was able to accurately simulate two-engine and four-engine aircraft.

Six general aviation levers with functional TOGA (Take-Off/Go Around) Button also allowed for multiple aircraft configurations, including single-engine, single-engine complex, multi-engine, and single and multi-engine turboprop aircraft.

The Honeycomb Bravo features all the realistic details necessary to make it feel like you are inside a real cockpit

Note that if you are only concerned with piloting Airbus aircraft, the Thrustmaster TCA Quadrant Airbus Edition can’t be beaten.

This is because it is designed to replicate the controls in an Airbus airliner.


Best Budget Flight Simulator Setup

Software

There isn’t much difference between the cost of X-Plane 11 and Microsoft Flight Simulator, so it comes down to your preferences.

X-Plane 11 is better if you want the most realistic experience due to its better physics, IFR flying and how in-depth it is.

Namely, it’s flight modeling, avionics and accurate layouts of airports/taxiways/gates.

X-Plane 11 also has a wider selection of planes and the accuracy of flying these planes is excellent, especially when it comes to general aviation aircraft.

Microsoft Flight Simulator is unmatched when it comes to visuals, and just exploring the terrain and your surrounding is a joy to behold.

X-Plane 11

Most Realistic The X-Plane 11 delivers the most realism with its better physics, IFR flying, flight modeling and avionics.

Check Amazon for Pricing
Buy Now

Microsoft Flight Simulator

With the Best Visuals Microsoft Flight Simulator has unmatched visuals when it comes to the terrain and overall scenery fidelity.

Check Amazon for Pricing
Buy Now

Headset

RUNMUS Gaming Headset

Best Value Headset The RUNMUS Gaming Headset is comfortably the best headset at its price point.

Check Amazon for Pricing
Buy Now

The RUNMUS Gaming Headset is a great budget option for flight simulator due to its comfort and audio quality.

The audio came through clearly, and the mic did a good job at ignoring background noise.

VR Headset

Oculus Quest 2

Best Value VR Headset The Oculus Quest 2 is your best option if you're on a budget. Its standalone design can be a real plus for some shoppers.

New: $271.00
Buy Now

The Oculus Quest 2 can’t match the resolution and clarity of the G2.

But I recommend it as being an excellent starter option if you just can’t wait any longer to see what all the fuss of flight simulation in VR is all about.

Keep in mind that you will need to buy the Oculus Link Cable to attach the Quest 2 to your PC.

Rudder Pedals

Thrustmaster T.Flight Rudder Pedals

Best Value Rudder Pedals The Thrustmaster T.Flight Rudder Pedals manage to provide a comfortable flying experience at a friendly price.

New: $123.74
Buy Now

The T.Flight Rudder Pedals are an excellent choice for flight sim fans who want a reliable, enjoyable experience without breaking the bank.

While I found them to not be quite as realistic as other pedals due to the way in which they are angled towards you, this had the benefit of allowing for a more comfortable flying experience.

Additionally, what I feel makes them a great choice is their S.M.A.R.T (Sliding Motion on Aluminum Rail Tracks) system that ensured a smooth sliding motion every time.

Yoke

Logitech G Saitek PRO Flight Yoke System

Best Value Yoke The Logitech G Saitek PRO Flight strikes an excellent balance between realism and price.

New: $169.99
Buy Now

The Logitech G Saitek PRO Flight Yoke System delivered just the right balance between realism and price, which has made it one of the most popular options on the market.

It is also a great option if you see yourself buying add-on panels for switches/gear, avionics, autopilot, and additional throttle quadrants down the line.

Throttle Quadrant

Logitech Pro Flight Throttle Quadrant

Best Value Throttle Quadrant The Logitech Pro Flight Quadrant is modular, interchangeable, and allows for a wide range of customization at an unbeatable price.

New: $59.99
Buy Now

The Logitech Pro Flight Throttle Quadrant is an excellent choice if you’re on a budget, and makes a great addition to the Logitech G Flight Yoke System.

What I really like is thanks to its 3 axis levers and 3 two-way rocker switches, it was able to add a sense of realism to my flight sim setup at a very friendly price point.

It is modular and interchangeable, so I was able to create a custom configuration of throttle, flaps, mixture, and prop pitch for all flying conditions.

How Much a Flight Simulator Setup Costs

Excluding the cost of a PC and monitor, which I assume that you already have, a good flight simulator setup for home use can cost anywhere between from $350 to over $1,000.

While the best flight simulator can vary depending on your goals, the more realistic you want the experience to be, the more expensive the setup will be.

 

Helen Krasner holds a PPL(A), with 15 years experience flying fixed-wing aircraft; a PPL(H), with 13 years experience flying helicopters; and a CPL(H), Helicopter Instructor Rating, with 12 years working as a helicopter instructor.

Helen is an accomplished aviation writer with 12 years of experience, having authored several books and published numerous articles while also serving as the Editor of the BWPA (British Women Pilots Association) newsletter, with her excellent work having been recognized with her nomination of the “Aviation Journalist of the Year” award.

Helen has won the “Dawn to Dusk” International Flying Competition, along with the best all-female competitors, three times with her copilot.