Few games reward the right hardware quite like Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024. Whether you're flying a light aircraft through the Scottish Highlands, navigating busy international airports in an airliner, or tackling challenging weather conditions, the right accessories can dramatically improve both realism and enjoyment.
While Microsoft Flight Simulator can be played with a standard keyboard and mouse, adding a few carefully chosen accessories makes flying feel far more natural, immersive and enjoyable. Better controls also allow you to focus less on remembering keyboard shortcuts or navigating menus, and more on what really matters — flying.
The good news is that you don't need to spend thousands of pounds building a professional home cockpit. There are plenty of fantastic accessories available between £50 and £200 that can significantly improve your experience without breaking the bank.
Here are five of the best Microsoft Flight Simulator accessories worth adding to your setup in 2026.
5. Logitech G Extreme 3D Pro Joystick
If you've been flying with a keyboard and mouse, upgrading to a proper flight stick is one of the biggest improvements you can make. The Logitech G Extreme 3D Pro has remained one of the most popular entry-level joysticks for years thanks to its excellent balance of affordability, reliability and precision.
Its twist rudder control allows for smoother coordinated turns, while the integrated throttle lever makes managing engine power much more intuitive than using keyboard controls. Numerous programmable buttons can also be assigned to your favourite Flight Simulator commands, helping to reduce the need to reach for your keyboard during flight. For general aviation aircraft, military jets and aerobatic flying, a quality joystick creates a far more natural and engaging flying experience.
Typical price: £50–£70
4. Turtle Beach Recon 500 Gaming Headset
A quality headset can make a surprising difference to your Flight Simulator experience. Whether you're listening to detailed air traffic control instructions, flying online through VATSIM, chatting with friends during multiplayer sessions or simply enjoying the sounds of your aircraft, clear audio adds another layer of realism.
The Turtle Beach Recon 500 offers crisp sound reproduction, allowing you to hear radio communications, engine changes, cockpit warnings and environmental effects with impressive clarity. The lightweight design and memory foam ear cushions also make it comfortable enough for long-haul flights lasting several hours. Its detachable microphone ensures your communications remain clear whenever you're speaking with virtual air traffic controllers or fellow pilots.
Typical price: £60–£80
3. Turtle Beach VelocityOne Flightstick
For pilots looking for something more advanced than an entry-level joystick, the Turtle Beach VelocityOne Flightstick offers an excellent balance between realism and affordability. Designed specifically for flight simulation, it features exceptionally smooth control inputs, multiple programmable buttons, integrated throttle controls and several hat switches for camera movement and aircraft systems.
The ergonomic grip makes extended flying sessions more comfortable, while its compatibility with both PC and Xbox means it fits seamlessly into almost any Flight Simulator setup. Whether you're flying helicopters, airliners or fighter aircraft, the additional controls make managing complex aircraft systems considerably easier.
Typical price: £110–£130
2. Logitech G Saitek Pro Flight Yoke System
If realism is your ultimate goal, few accessories can match the experience of flying with a proper yoke. Unlike a traditional joystick, the Logitech G Saitek Pro Flight Yoke System recreates the controls found in many real-world aircraft, particularly general aviation planes and commercial airliners.
The package includes both the yoke itself and a separate throttle quadrant, giving you dedicated controls for pitch, roll and engine power. This creates a far more authentic flying experience, particularly during take-offs, approaches and precision landings. Although it's towards the upper end of this price range, it's one of the most effective ways to make your virtual cockpit feel like the real thing.
Typical price: £170–£200
1. Editors Keys AB10 Core Flight Simulator Keyboard
While flight controls understandably receive plenty of attention, one accessory often overlooked is the keyboard. Yet it's something every Microsoft Flight Simulator pilot uses throughout every single flight.
The Editors Keys AB10 Core USB-C wired backlit shortcut keyboard has been purpose-built specifically for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, transforming your keyboard into a dedicated flight control centre with over 100 colour-coded shortcuts printed directly onto the keys. Instead of constantly pausing your flight to search through menus, referring to printed shortcut guides or trying to memorise dozens of key combinations, every important command is visible exactly where you need it.
From camera controls and autopilot functions to aircraft systems, navigation, communications and cockpit controls, the shortcuts are organised using intuitive colour coding so they're quick to locate, even during busy phases of flight.
Spend Less Time Searching, More Time Flying
One of the biggest frustrations for new and experienced Flight Simulator pilots alike is remembering where every command is located. The AB10 keyboard removes that frustration completely.
Rather than interrupting your flight to search online or open the in-game control menus, you simply glance down at the keyboard. Everything is already labelled, allowing you to stay immersed in the cockpit and react much more quickly.
This is particularly valuable during demanding situations such as instrument approaches, changing weather conditions or managing complex aircraft systems, where searching for the correct shortcut can become distracting.
Learn Shortcuts Without Even Trying
Because every command is permanently printed onto the keys, you'll naturally begin memorising the shortcuts simply through regular use.
Over time, many users find they no longer need to look down at all. The keyboard helps build muscle memory, making flying smoother and more efficient with every session. It's a simple upgrade that continues improving your workflow the more you use it.
Fly Comfortably Day or Night
The AB10 Core features fully backlit keys with three adjustable brightness levels.
Whether you're flying in daylight or recreating the atmosphere of a dimly lit cockpit during an evening flight, the adjustable illumination keeps every shortcut clearly visible without becoming distracting. The result is a cleaner, more immersive setup that's equally suited to daytime flying and late-night long-haul sessions.
The AB10 Core offers a dependable wired USB-C connection, delivering a fast, reliable connection with no batteries to charge and no wireless interruptions. It's ideal for pilots who want maximum reliability during every flight.
The Editors Keys AB10 Core is plug-and-play, require no drivers or additional software, and are compatible with both Windows PCs and Xbox. It also includes every standard typing character alongside the Flight Simulator shortcuts, meaning they work perfectly as everyday keyboards too.
Price: £139.99
Upgrade Your Virtual Cockpit
Every accessory on this list adds something valuable to Microsoft Flight Simulator, whether it's more precise flight controls, improved communication or greater immersion.
However, the accessory you'll interact with during virtually every flight is your keyboard. Having more than 100 essential Flight Simulator shortcuts clearly displayed in front of you helps speed up your workflow, reduces interruptions and allows you to stay focused on flying rather than searching menus.
Whether you're just starting your Flight Simulator journey or refining a well-established home cockpit, the Editors Keys AB10 Core offer one of the most practical upgrades available. Combined with a quality joystick or yoke and a comfortable headset, they help create a simulator setup that's more intuitive, immersive and enjoyable every time you take to the skies.
