Recommended Gear

Controls and kit for Star Citizen

Hardware that makes flying, dogfighting and long sessions in the 'verse a lot better. These are popular, well-regarded options used by many Star Citizen pilots. Each link goes straight to the maker or an official shop, so you can check the current price, stock and full specs.

Got one of these sticks? Each one has a ready-made Star Citizen layout to download, with a button list and a chart of every bind.

Flight sticks and HOSAS

Our ready-made Star Citizen layouts are under each stick.

How to install a stick layout

Press Download layout (.zip) under your stick and unzip it. Inside are the layout file (.xml), the button list and the visual chart (PDF), and a read-me.
Put the .xml file in your Star Citizen folder, in StarCitizen\LIVE\USER\Client\0\Controls\Mappings (create the Mappings folder if it is not there).
Start the game, open the console with the ~ key and type pp_rebindkeys and the file name without .xml. The exact line is under each layout, with a Copy button.
If your left and right sticks come out the wrong way round, type pp_resortdevices joystick 1 2 in the console.
Button numbers can differ between sticks and firmware, so check the binds in Options > Keybindings > Advanced Controls Customization and change any that are off. Save the profile when you are happy with it.

Thrustmaster Sol-R 2 HOSAS

A dual-stick (HOSAS) setup built for space sims. You get two full sticks with plenty of axes, buttons, hats and thumbwheels - ideal for precise 6-DoF control in Star Citizen.

Comfortable grips for long sessions, on stable bases
Fully programmable with Thrustmaster's T.A.R.G.E.T software
A strong mid-to-high-end choice if you want dedicated space-sim controls without piecing together a custom rig

Buy the Thrustmaster Sol-R 2 HOSAS (opens thrustmaster.com in a new tab)

Star Citizen layout for this stick

Thrustmaster Sol-R 2 HOSAS

Made for Star Citizen 4.10

Axes: right stick Y = pitch, X = yaw, twist = roll. Left stick X = strafe left / right, Y = throttle, twist = strafe up / down.
Turn off the POV hat switch in Thrustmaster's software if you want every hat direction as a separate button.
The base controls (thrust slider, mode selector, extra buttons) are listed in the button list for you to assign as you like.

Download layout (.zip)All 4 files, 832 KB

Layout file .xml, 3 KB
Button list .pdf, 5 KB
Visual chart .pdf, 823 KB
Read me .txt, 1 KB

Load it in game: open the console (~) and typepp_rebindkeys layout_SOL-R_2_HOSAS_4.10_exported

VKB Gladiator NXT EVO Space Combat Edition

One of the most recommended sticks for Star Citizen. High-quality contactless sensors, an adjustable dry-clutch gimbal and a twist axis give excellent precision and durability at a reasonable price. Available in left- or right-hand versions.

Standard grip: a solid all-rounder with a dual-action trigger, several hats and buttons
Premium grip: adds a rapid-fire trigger and an analog mini-stick for extra control options

Excellent as a single stick or as a pair for a full HOSAS setup, on a desk or a mount. Highly regarded in the community for value and performance.

Buy the Gladiator NXT EVO Space Combat Edition (opens flightsimcontrols.com in a new tab)

2 Star Citizen layouts for this stick

VKB Gladiator EVO Standard (pair)

Made for Star Citizen 4.10

For two Standard grips. The right stick is joystick 1 and the left stick joystick 2.
Axes: right stick Y = pitch, X = yaw, twist = roll. Left stick X = strafe left / right, Y = throttle, twist = strafe up / down.

Download layout (.zip)All 4 files, 905 KB

Layout file .xml, 6 KB
Button list .pdf, 6 KB
Visual chart .pdf, 892 KB
Read me .txt, 1 KB

Load it in game: open the console (~) and typepp_rebindkeys layout_VKB_EVO_Standard_4.10_exported

VKB Gladiator EVO Premium (pair)

Made for Star Citizen 4.10

For two Premium grips. On top of the Standard layout it uses the rapid-fire trigger (up and down), the A1 analog mini-stick (click it to switch between analog and hat) and C1 as a full 4-way hat with a centre push.

Download layout (.zip)All 4 files, 842 KB

Layout file .xml, 3 KB
Button list .pdf, 5 KB
Visual chart .pdf, 833 KB
Read me .txt, 1 KB

Load it in game: open the console (~) and typepp_rebindkeys layout_VKB_EVO_Premium_4.10_exported

Virpil WarBRD-D HOSAS Bundle

The WarBRD-D HOSAS Bundle (ALPHA Prime Edition) is a premium dual-stick setup for pilots who want top-tier quality. Two WarBRD-D bases with independently adjustable clutches and cams, plus ALPHA Prime grips developed with input from the space-sim community.

Precision-machined and highly tunable
Comes with desk mounts, so you can get set up quickly
A ready-to-fly HOSAS package for serious Star Citizen (and other sim) players who want durability, fine control and a professional feel

Buy the Virpil WarBRD-D HOSAS Bundle (opens virpil-controls.eu in a new tab)

Star Citizen layout for this stick

Virpil WarBRD-D ALPHA Prime HOSAS

Made for Star Citizen 4.10

Uses the ALPHA Prime's dual-stage trigger, flip trigger, analogue stick, hats, brake lever and scroll encoder. No extra software needed.

Download layout (.zip)All 4 files, 669 KB

Layout file .xml, 2 KB
Button list .pdf, 2 KB
Visual chart .pdf, 664 KB
Read me .txt, 1 KB

Load it in game: open the console (~) and typepp_rebindkeys layout_Virpil_WarBRD-D_AlphaPrime_HOSAS_4.10_exported

Head and eye tracking

Tobii Eye Tracker 5

Hands-free looking and aiming in Star Citizen. It tracks your head AND your eyes, so you can glance around the cockpit, check your surroundings or snap your aim onto a target just by looking - a huge help in dogfights and when you are managing complex ship systems.

No headset or anything to wear: it mounts under your monitor
Works in normal room lighting
Many pilots find it transforms situational awareness and makes the game feel more immersive

Buy the Tobii Eye Tracker 5 (opens gaming.tobii.com in a new tab)

Cockpit extras

Second screens, voice control and button boxes.

GameGlass

Turns your phone or tablet into a set of touchscreen MFDs for Star Citizen. Instead of hunting through keybinds, you get clearly labelled buttons, switches and sliders for flight, combat, mining, power management and more, right on a second screen.

Started as a Star Citizen project and now offers officially licensed Shards that feel like part of the ship
Free to try, with premium options if you want the full set of panels

Get GameGlass (opens gameglass.gg in a new tab)

HCS Voice Packs

Control Star Citizen with your voice. Speak natural commands to manage ship systems, plot routes, toggle MFDs and more, while a voiced companion answers with professionally recorded dialogue.

Officially licensed for Star Citizen and powered by VoiceAttack
Ideal with a HOTAS or HOSAS, so your hands stay on the sticks
Starter bundles include everything you need to get going

Get HCS Voice Packs (opens hcsvoicepacks.com in a new tab)

Elgato Stream Deck

A customisable panel of LCD buttons that work as physical controls for Star Citizen. Put the actions you use most - landing gear, power, shield faces, quantum travel, mining modules, doors and more - on their own keys with clear icons.

Community plugins and profiles (from the Stream Deck Marketplace and sites like FlowKits) read your in-game keybinds, so the buttons stay in sync
Especially handy if you fly with a HOTAS or HOSAS and want quick access without digging through menus or memorising extra keybinds

Get the Stream Deck (opens elgato.com in a new tab)

Good to know

Prices and stock change - always check the linked sites for the latest.
Most of this gear is for PC.
A good mount makes sticks far more comfortable on long ops.
The layouts were made for the game version shown on each one. Button numbers can differ between sticks and firmware, so check the binds in game and adjust any that are off.