HOTAS 4: Thrustmaster's PS4, PS5 and PC Stick Explained in 2026
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The short answer
The Thrustmaster T.Flight HOTAS 4 is a joystick and detachable throttle built for PS4, PS5 and PC. The newer T.Flight HOTAS 5 adds official Microsoft Flight Simulator licensing and 16-bit resolution, so it is worth comparing before you buy either one.
"HOTAS 4" is what most people type when they mean the Thrustmaster T.Flight HOTAS 4. It is a joystick and throttle built for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 and PC. It is one of a small group of sticks that work on all three without swapping hardware. It now sits next to a newer sibling, the T.Flight HOTAS 5, which is worth knowing about before you buy.
What "HOTAS 4" actually refers to
There is no separate product called just "HOTAS 4". Every store listing and search result under that short name points to the Thrustmaster T.Flight HOTAS 4. It belongs to Thrustmaster's numbered T.Flight line. That line also includes the HOTAS One, built for Xbox and PC, and the older HOTAS X for PC. So the number matters when you compare listings side by side.
Throttle detaches, so the two halves can sit apart
Rudder by twisting the stick or by a tilting lever on the throttle
Adjustable stick resistance on a weighted base
Keep in mind: it does not carry a stated Microsoft Flight Simulator license the way the newer HOTAS 5 does.
Product details checked September 2026
What comes with the HOTAS 4
The T.Flight HOTAS 4 is a two-piece system: a stick and a full-size throttle that detaches. You can fly with the throttle on a desk or braced on your lap. The stick's base is weighted to keep it steady.
You can steer the rudder in two ways. You can twist the stick handle, which locks in place if you'd rather use the lever. Or you can tilt a lever built into the throttle. You can also adjust the stick's resistance, so you set how much force it takes to move the grip.
Meet the newer T.Flight HOTAS 5
Thrustmaster's T.Flight HOTAS 5 is the newer stick in the same PS5, PS4 and PC family. It is the one that carries the official Microsoft Flight Simulator license. It reads 5 axes at 16-bit resolution and has 14 buttons and a rapid-fire trigger. It keeps the same style of detachable throttle, with a rudder lever, stick twist and adjustable resistance.
Officially licensed for Microsoft Flight Simulator, listed for PS5, PS4 and PC
16-bit resolution across 5 axes, with 14 buttons and a rapid-fire trigger
Detachable throttle with a rudder lever as well as stick twist
Adjustable stick resistance
Keep in mind: it costs more than the HOTAS 4 for that added licensing and resolution.
Product details checked September 2026
If the MSFS license is what you want, the HOTAS 5 is the model built and sold around it. Our PS5 HOTAS roundup compares the two side by side. It costs more than the HOTAS 4 for that license and resolution.
Where the HOTAS 4 fits against other HOTAS tiers
Against Thrustmaster's PC-only range, the HOTAS 4 sits below the metal HOTAS Warthog and the T.16000M FCS. Both of those are PC-only sticks for simmers who want more mapped controls or a heavier build. The HOTAS 4's strength is platform reach. It is the same stick whether you play on PS5, PS4 or PC. That matters if you split your time between console and desktop.
If you play only on PC and never plan to use a console, the T.16000M FCS gives you Hall-effect sensors and more controls. If you need PlayStation support, the HOTAS 4 and HOTAS 5 both cover it.
What games actually support the HOTAS 4
On a console, stick support depends on each game adding HOTAS input. Plugging in the hardware isn't enough. PlayStation games with flight-stick support include Ace Combat 7, War Thunder, Star Wars Squadrons and Microsoft Flight Simulator. Not every flight-style PS5 game supports stick input. Check a game's control settings before you assume it does.
How the numbering works across Thrustmaster's T.Flight line
Thrustmaster numbers and letters its T.Flight sticks by platform and generation, not by a strict quality ladder. That is part of why "HOTAS 4" causes confusion. The HOTAS X is the oldest, a PC entry point. Next comes the HOTAS One, the Xbox and PC version, built for Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One.
The HOTAS 4 is the PlayStation and PC sibling. And the HOTAS 5 is the newer, MSFS-licensed refresh of that same platform pair. So "HOTAS 4" doesn't mean the fourth and most advanced model. The number tracks a product generation, not a ranking.
What the build and sensors mean day to day
Neither the HOTAS 4 nor the HOTAS 5 uses the Hall-effect sensors found in Thrustmaster's PC-only T.16000M FCS and Warthog sticks. Both console sticks use a simpler, cheaper sensor and build. They are less built for years of heavy daily use than the metal Warthog. They are also lighter and easier to move between a desk and a shelf, if you don't leave one mounted. If you fly a few sessions a week rather than daily, that is a fair trade.
Comparing the two side by side
Say you know you want a PS4, PS5 or PC stick and are only choosing between these two. The choice comes down to three things. The first is the Microsoft Flight Simulator license, which only the HOTAS 5 has. The second is whether the HOTAS 5's finer 16-bit resolution matters for the sim you fly most. The third is how much you want to spend up front.
Neither stick beats the other on platforms, since both list PS5, PS4 and PC. The HOTAS 4 is the simpler, cheaper way into a real two-piece HOTAS on those platforms. The HOTAS 5 is the version built and sold around Microsoft's own sim.
Comparing it to a step-up PC-only stick
You may move past console play one day and want a PC upgrade with more buttons and a sturdier gimbal. Thrustmaster's own T.16000M FCS HOTAS is a common next step. It uses Hall-effect sensors and a stick that swaps parts for left- or right-hand use. That is a PC-only path, though. It only matters if you are leaving console play behind.
Who the HOTAS 4 suits
The HOTAS 4 fits players who want a working two-piece stick and throttle for PS4, PS5 or PC. It suits them if they don't want to pay for the HOTAS 5's extra resolution and MSFS license. It works for casual and regular flying alike. It isn't for you if you want a metal build or the densest button layouts. Those belong to Thrustmaster's PC-only Warthog line.
A quick checklist before you buy
First, confirm your console and whether you care about PC use too. The HOTAS 4 and HOTAS 5 both cover PS5, PS4 and PC from one unit. So either one covers all three, with no separate hardware per platform.
Second, confirm the game you are buying for lists HOTAS or flight-stick support in its control options. Owning the right hardware doesn't mean a game uses it. Third, if you already own PC-only Thrustmaster gear, such as a T.16000M FCS or a TWCS throttle, it won't combine with the HOTAS 4 on a console. The two families don't cross over once you are on PlayStation.
Setup basics
The HOTAS 4 is plug and play on PlayStation and PC. Basic input needs no separate driver install. On PC, Thrustmaster's software lets you build a custom button profile for each game. On PlayStation, you map controls in each game's own settings. Consoles don't offer the system-level remapping tools a PC does.
Mounting it for real use
The throttle is meant to work on your lap as well as on a desk. So many buyers skip a mount for casual play. If you fly seriously enough to want the stick and throttle locked in place, a clamp-on desk mount or a chair arm helps. It stops the throttle from sliding in hard turns. See our chair mount guide for what to look for.
Verdict: HOTAS 4 or the newer HOTAS 5
Buy the HOTAS 4 if you want a working two-piece stick and throttle for PS4, PS5 or PC and don't need the Microsoft Flight Simulator license. Step up to the T.Flight HOTAS 5 if that MSFS license or the finer 16-bit resolution matters to your setup. Both are PlayStation and PC hardware only, so Xbox owners should look at Thrustmaster's HOTAS One instead. Neither model fits if a metal build is your top priority.
FAQ
Is HOTAS 4 the same thing as the T.Flight HOTAS 4?
Yes. "HOTAS 4" is shorthand people search for the full product name, Thrustmaster T.Flight HOTAS 4. There is no separate, unrelated product called just "HOTAS 4": every listing under that short name points to the same Thrustmaster stick.
Does the HOTAS 4 work with Microsoft Flight Simulator on PS5?
Thrustmaster lists the HOTAS 4 for PS5, PS4 and PC. Its own newer T.Flight HOTAS 5 carries the official Microsoft Flight Simulator license on the same three platforms, so check a specific game's control settings before assuming any stick's support, since console flight titles add HOTAS input game by game.
Can I use the HOTAS 4 on Xbox?
No. The T.Flight HOTAS 4 is listed for PlayStation and PC, not Xbox. If you need a stick for Xbox Series X|S, look at hardware built for that console, such as Thrustmaster's own T.Flight HOTAS One.
What is the real difference between the HOTAS 4 and the HOTAS 5?
The HOTAS 5 is the newer model, officially licensed for Microsoft Flight Simulator, with 16-bit resolution across its 5 axes and 14 buttons plus a rapid-fire trigger. The HOTAS 4 is the earlier PS4, PS5 and PC stick with a detachable throttle and adjustable resistance, without that specific MSFS licensing called out.
