At a Glance
 | Mayflash F300 | Check on Amazon |
 | Mayflash F500 | Check on Amazon |
 | HORI Real Arcade Pro 4 Kai | Check on Amazon |
 | HORI Real Arcade Pro N Hayabusa | Check on Amazon |
 | Razer Panthera EVO | Check on Amazon |
 | Qanba Obsidian | Check on Amazon |
 | Nacon Daija | Check on Amazon |
 | Qanba Dragon | Check on Amazon |
Best Fightsticks Guide 2023
Whether you want to become a better player or want to replicate the feel of the classic arcade machines, a fightstick is the way to go.
Of course, you should get an arcade stick for other reasons, and I won’t list all of them here. Be sure to check out this post, which lists the benefits of using an arcade stick.
The problem is that so many arcade sticks are out there – which one do you choose? Well, worry not, my friend; I’ve compiled a list of the best fightsticks on the market.
The fightsticks I’ve listed below range from budget sticks to top-of-the-range, so there’s something for everyone.
There’s also a link to the full reviews if you want to read more about the stick before deciding.
So without further delay, here are the best fightsticks in 2023.
Mayflash F300 – Best Budget Stick
If you’re looking for the most affordable option, look no further than the Mayflash F300.
As a beginner fightstick, it’s great, featuring the standard 8-button arcade layout and joystick. Perhaps the stick’s best feature, however, is the ability to play on almost any platform, including Xbox 360, Xbox One, PS3, PS4, PC, and even switch.
It’s a universal stick that’s fully customizable and can be upgraded to Sanwa Denshi parts.
The Good
- The price – Excellent value for the money
- Customization – Can easily be customized
- It looks and feels sturdy
- Universal stick – can connect to almost any platform
- Great beginner fightstick
The Bad
- Buttons and joystick are non-Sanwa
- Buttons feel mushy
- Maybe too small for some people
- The setup is slightly fiddly, and the extra wires are annoying
Mayflash F500 – Bigger, better, and more customizable than the F300
For not much more money, you can get the Mayflash F500 which is bigger and better than the F300.
The F500 sported a better design; adding metal plates means better quality.
Throw in a headphone jack; additional customization, like the ability to swap out the artwork and the universal feature, means you have a pretty sweet deal.
The Good
- Excellent value for money
- Bigger and better quality than the Mayflash F300
- Headphone Jack
- Customizing the fightstick is a breeze
- Octagonal plate included
- Universal Fightstick
The Bad
- Parts are Non-Sanwa
- Buttons feel slightly mushy
- Setup is awkward
HORI PlayStation 5 Fighting Stick Alpha – Tournament Grade Fightstick
The HORI Real Arcade Pro 4 Kai is a great fightstick built on a solid base with quality parts.
The RAP 4 has an appealing design which makes it look more expensive than it is. The joystick and buttons are non-Sanwa but still, feel great to play with.
If you’re looking for a quality fightstick but don’t want to pay a ridiculous price to get one – look no further than the RAP 4.
Hori Real Arcade Pro Kai 4 full review
The Good
- High-quality parts
- Solid premium design
- Sturdy base and quite wide
- Joystick and Buttons are very responsive
- Useful assign mode
- A cheaper alternative to the Madcatz TE and Razer lines
The Bad
- Difficult to swap out artwork
- Buttons can get a bit loud
- No headphone jack
HORI Real Arcade Pro – PlayStation 4
Like the RAP 4, the RAP N is a fantastic mid-range fightstick, but with some added features that make it, in my opinion, better than the RAP 4.
The fact that there is a headphone jack, the ability to swap artwork, and the repositioning of the annoying OPTIONS button means HORI listened to the complaints of the RAP4.
The RAP N also has one more trick up its sleeve in that it also has the ‘Noir’ button layout, as opposed to the traditional viewlix layout you find on most sticks these days. This already makes it a unique fightstick that should not be overlooked. Please read my full review by clicking on the link below.
HORI Real Arcade Pro N Hayabusa full review
The Good
- High-quality parts
- The noir button layout is quite comfortable
- Solid premium design
- Joystick and Buttons are very responsive
- A cheaper alternative to the Madcatz TE and Razer lines
- Headphone jack
- Easier to add custom artwork
The Bad
- Buttons can get loud
- Joystick feels a little loose at times
Razer Panthera EVO – Best PS4 Stick
Razer went all out with the original Panthera and made it one of the best fightsticks on the market. It’s follow-up, the Razer Panthera EVO, is an improvement in many ways.
Designed with the most serious players in mind, Razer has installed high-quality buttons into the stick. Add to that a Sanwa joystick, a high-quality base, the ability to swap artwork, and a stick that is truly built for the fighting game enthusiast.
Read Razer Panthera EVO full review
The Good
- Premium and sleek design
- High-quality parts
- Comfortable to hold
- Highly responsive buttons and joystick
- Spacious Internal storage compartments
- Can now swap artwork
The Bad
- Not as mod-friendly as the original Panthera
- Razer buttons may sometimes stick after extended use
Qanba Obsidian – Beautiful premium stick with Sanwa parts
If you don’t like the look of the Razer Panthera but want a premium stick that plays just as well, get the Qanba Obsidian.
This beautiful fightstick is fully equipped with Sanwa parts, so you know it’s good. While it’s size makes it slightly impractical, this is still one of the best fightsticks on the market.
Read Qanba Obsidian’s full review
The Good
- Beautiful design
- Solid build quality
- Sanwa buttons and lever
- Cheaper than the Qanba Dragon
The Bad
- Awkard to travel with because of its size
- Difficult to customize artwork
- No easy access option for modding
Nacon Daija – A premium fightstick that is easy to mod
The Nacon Daija was built with the help of pro-fighting game player Kayane, so you know it’s good.
A solid premium design, Sanwa parts, and easy-to-mod capability make the Daija one of the best fightsticks on the market.
Read Nacon Daija’s full review
The Good
- Solid and sturdy size
- Clean looking design
- Comfortable to hold
- Sanwa joystick and buttons
- Very easy to mod
- You can easily swap out artwork
- Performance is excellent
- Headphone jack
- Spacious internal storage for wires
The Bad
- Hefty size for some
- Difficult to swap out the lever for something other than Sanwa
Qanba Dragon – The best fightstick money can buy
Is money no object? Do you want the best fightstick? Then here comes the Qanba Dragon.
Subtle isn’t the word I would use to describe the Dragon. It’s big, heavy, and the most premium fightstick on the market. It has too many features to list here but read the full review by clicking on the link below.
The Qanba Dragon is expensive but remember; you get what you pay for. So if you want the supercar equivalent of a fightstick, get the Qanba Dragon.
Read Qanba Dragon’s full review
The Good
- Solid premium build quality
- The hefty design reinforces its premium look
- Sanwa buttons and joystick
- Performance is top notch
- Unique method to store cables
- Understated artwork
- Easy access to the inside for modding
- Headphone Jack
The Bad
- Hefty size means difficult to travel with
- It’s expensive
- Artwork difficult to customize
