The best fight sticks are perfect if you're after a bespoke way to play fighting and arcade games at home, and there are more products than ever to suit any preference or budget. Fight sticks are an excellent alternative to the best PS5 controllers and best Xbox controllers and one that many top-level competitors prefer, as well as hobbyists revisiting those arcade classics.
That said, shopping for one of the best fight sticks can be pretty overwhelming if you're a first-time buyer, not least of all due to their relatively higher price tags when compared to more standard controllers. That's why we're here to guide you through that decision-to-purchase process, ensuring we are highlighting products that'll be worth your time and money based on budget.
Fight sticks come in all shapes and sizes, from chunkier devices with balltop joysticks to more portable friendly 'leverless' controllers that rely on just buttons for every input. For some of the best fighting games like Street Fighter 6 and Tekken 8, leverless hardware can allow for quicker inputs, though many prefer the look and feel of those good old balltop joysticks. And we're here to help you figure out your preference and find a device that's right for you.
Latest news
PlayStation's FlexStrike fight stick was announced last year, and was expected to launch on August 6, 2026. That's the same day Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls released.
Unfortunately, the launch of the FlexStrike has been delayed, with Sony citing "unexpected production delays" as the reason why. No further explanation or context has been provided. Hopefully, it won't be much longer before PS5 owners can get stuck in with the upcoming fight stick.
The best fight sticks in 2026
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The best fight stick overall
✅ You something lightweight and unintrusive: The Kitsune is slim and light enough to accommodate any gaming setup, or to be taken out on the go with you.
✅ You like customization: Full button customization, as well as various SOCD cleaning profiles make it really easy to tailor the Kitsune experience to your personal preferences.
❌ You’re on a budget: The Kitsune is mid-range in terms of price, but it's still an expensive piece of kit. There are cheaper options out there, though they don’t have the same range of features or premium build quality. You may want to wait for a sale.
As a leverless controller, the Razer Kitsune might not be the first that comes to mind when shopping for a fight stick. But right now, we think it's the best overall choice thanks to a few key factors. So long as you can stomach the price.
Razer has done an excellent job with the premium feel of the Kitsune. It's almost alarmingly lightweight, and is thin enough to fit easily into any gaming setup. That slim real estate also makes the Kitsune an easy choice to carry out and about with you, say, to a friend's house or to local events.
There's plenty of space for your hands to rest below the Kitsune's 12-button layout, and it's a brilliantly minimalist piece of kit. Besides the main buttons, which all feel snappy and responsive, the top row houses a touchpad, Home button, and various switches to toggle platform compatibility, tournament locking, and more.
If we had any complaints besides the price, it would be that its strip of RGB lighting feels wholly unnecessary, and the lack of PS4 compatibility is a shame (the console was a hub of some truly excellent fighting games, after all).
Yet overall, it's really difficult to fault the Kitsune. It makes playing fighting games feel effortless once you get over the leverless learning curve, and you might find it tough to go back to a more standard controller for your go-to fighter after using it.
- Read more: Razer Kitsune review
The best budget fight stick
✅ You're on a budget: The 8BitDo Arcade Controller is the among cheapest options on this list, making it an excellent choice for beginner players.
✅ You're after something lightweight: This is an excellent stick in terms of weight and size, making it perfect for smaller hands or younger audiences in general.
❌ You want a traditional stick: Getting used to leverless for the first time can be daunting and seem unintuitive. It does take a bit of time to get used to, so consider another option if you'd prefer something more straightforward like a balltop. The 8BitDo Arcade Stick below should make for a worthwhile alternative there.
The first of two fight sticks in this list from manufacturer 8BitDo, the Arcade Controller makes for an affordable and accessible starting point. Eye-catching retro-inspired design aside, this is a wonderfully straightforward leverless tailor-made for Switch, Switch 2, and PC. Although an Xbox version is available, too, and sold separately.
Despite being cheaper (much cheaper!) than the Razer Kitsune, it's not a million miles away in terms of build quality. It's slightly heavier and thicker, sure, but it remains perfectly portable and snug enough for your lap or a desk setup.
The button layout is a bit busier compared to Razer's model, adding four extra buttons for optional additional inputs should you need them. These are handy extras, though it can be a bit too easy to hit them by mistake in the middle of an intense match. Nothing you won't be able to get used to, of course, but worth keeping in mind all the same.
It might not scream luxury exactly, but for anyone jumping into the bespoke world of fight sticks (particularly leverless) for the first time, the 8BitDo Arcade Controller is incredibly easy to recommend as a starting point.
- Read more: 8BitDo Arcade Controller review
The best premium fight stick
✅ You want a high-quality fight stick for PS5 and PC: This is an excellently designed fight stick for PS5 and PC made out of a single piece of aluminum and featuring Sanwa Denshi stick and buttons for a premium feel.
✅ You want to customize your fight stick: Thanks to its open hatch design, you’re able to open up the Victrix Pro FS and use the included tools to swap out the sticks and buttons at your leisure.
❌ You want good value for money: For as great as the Victrix Pro FS is, you can find the same hardware inside in cheaper fight sticks for the PS5 and PC in the Nacon Daija which offers better value for money overall.
Don’t just take our word for this one; the Victrix Pro FS has been lauded by several pro fighting game players including those winning big at tournaments like EVO and Combo Breaker. If you’re looking for top-shelf quality from a fight stick and want to put serious effort into improving your game, you should consider the Victrix Pro FS as your stick of choice.
The Victrix Pro FS is about as premium as it gets when it comes to the best fight sticks. It features a wide chassis for extra hand room while playing, and the overall build quality is exceptional. We're also huge fans of the various choices of colorways, especially that gorgeous purple.
If you’re concerned about quality and planning on putting serious time into your favorite fighting games, the Victrix Pro FS will serve you well for years thanks to high-quality Sanwa Denshi parts and broad customization options.
- Read more: Victrix Pro FS review
The best fight stick for Nintendo Switch 2
✅ You're like quirky aesthetics: One of our favorite things about the 8BitDo Arcade stick is its NES-like looks.
✅ High quality at an affordable price: This stick thankfully won't break the bank, but doesn't compromise on quality as a result.
❌ You don't own a Switch: This stick will work on PC, but Nintendo Switch is the primary platform here.
8BitDo is one of our favorite third-party hardware manufacturers because it often matches high quality with affordable price tags. That’s true of the brilliant 8BitDo Ultimate controller for Nintendo Switch, and the same applies to its standout fight stick, too.
First and foremost, we love the 8BitDo Arcade Stick for its lovingly designed retro aesthetic that instantly brings to mind Nintendo consoles of old. It's just a seriously well-built stick on top of that, too. And while it doesn't come installed with high-grade Sanwa parts, you're able to pop it open and replace the base parts with your own modules should you desire.
Exceptional build quality, profile creation, button mapping, and even wireless connectivity are all stables of 8BitDo hardware, and that’s true of its arcade stick, too. Hate being held down by wires? The 8BitDo’s Bluetooth and 2.4g support means it’s usable in both the Switch's docked and portable modes.
- Read more: 8BitDo Arcade Stick review
The best fight stick for Xbox
✅ You play 3D fighters: The Noir layout here is well-suited to 3D fighting games like Tekken 8 and Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O.
✅ You're big into customizability: With the option for swappable buttons and faceplates, you're really able to make Hori's stick your own.
❌ You're brand new to fight sticks: With an intimidating price tag and particular button layout, you may be better off with a cheaper stick like the 8BitDo Arcade Stick for Xbox.
The Hori Fighting Stick Alpha is arguably one of the pillars of mid-range fight sticks, and a real workhorse if you primarily play fighting games on Xbox consoles and/or PC. It's a highly customizable stick, meaning you can swap out modules such as buttons and joystick with alternatives. Faceplate swapping is also supported which is great if you've got a commissioned design you want to put to use, for example.
Even without best-in-class Sanwa modules, Hori's own Hayabusa buttons more than get the job done. They're incredibly responsive and still well-suited to all modern fighting games.
That said, I found that during my testing, the Alpha's Noir button layout was better suited to 3D fighters like Tekken 8 and Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. largely due to those games' control schemes benefiting. I also found it to offer a more comfortable play experience when placed on a desk rather than in my lap.
While the price tag of $200 / £200 might scare you off in the direction of cheaper alternatives like the 8BitDo Arcade Stick for Xbox, the Alpha is nonetheless worth the price of admission thanks to its overall excellent build quality and customizability when compared to the popular 8BitDo stick. As a slightly older stick, though, the Alpha is often subject to generous discounts, which is great news if you're dead set on purchasing it this year.
- Read more: Hori Fighting Stick Alpha review
Best fight sticks - FAQs
What makes a fight stick one of the best?
Generally deciding on what makes a fight stick one of the best is down to a lot of personal preference alongside things like the price tag. Button layout, size, and additional features play into your decision, making it impossible to give a definitive answer on what makes a stick one of the best, but any from our list guarantee a high-quality product and performance.
Are fight sticks better than controllers for fighting games?
When it comes to deciding whether a fight stick or a controller is better, it'll be down to personal preference and what is more comfortable. Fight sticks do not give you any meaningful advantages when it comes to actual play; it's more for the experience and potential comfort factor more than anything else.
How we tested the best fight sticks
The best fight sticks in our list were tested with some of the best fighting games you can play right now. We analyzed each stick based on the parts they use, overall build quality, general feel, customizability and of course, price. After testing each for roughly a week or two, we're confident in including each on this list, either from our own expert testing or recommendations from the very best fighting game players in the world.
