I'm playing with a <span class="bold">Logitech F710</span> and I really like it.  It's the wireless version of the Logitech F310.  It's a really nice gamepad that is fully compatible with the XBOX 360 controller, and it can also be used to play older games.

I have the Xbox one pad and I quite like it. I prefer it to the 360 one.

I have a PS2 Dual Shock gamepad connected to USB via an adaptor (eBay has hundreds to choose) and I like it very much. I tried many controllers but nothing appealed to me, except Microsoft's XBOX controller which has nice analog shoulder buttons that are very useful but overall I couldn't handle it very well due to it's design.

As for IL-2, you can use a gamepad to control the plane but there are some shortcoming for not using a joystick:

- You don't have good control of the throttle (increments of 5%) - with a decent joystick you have a (sometimes mini) stick for that job.
- You can't pitch & roll at the same time unless you're very skilled with a gamepad. Even if that's the case, you'll need an analog stick for pitch and another one for roll.
- There are times where you must have a free hand to operate the flaps, radiator cowls, emergency power, cockpit lights and many more. Unless your pad has many many buttons on it or you have a third hand... A modern fighter like F-16 has many more stuff to click & use in cockpit than a WWII plane but still, you'll have a lot of buttons in that too!
- You'll need a free hand to use the mouse at least for looking around unless you have a TrackIR or something similar. Keep in mind that these devices are essential when you reach a nice level of experience and want to have ultimate control of the plane while at the same time you' re aware of your surroundings & the enemy planes. You can make a device like that by yourself by using a web camera. It won't be the same like a commercial product but it's free and has good functionality.

These are some of the problems you'll encounter if you use a gamepad with a flight simulator. Do try it though if you want and if you enjoy IL-2, I bet you'll buy a joystick soon! ;-)

I'm using a wired version of that and I love it. Wireless is great but honestly I got tired of changing the batteries. :P

If you want "ease of use" than like everyone here suggested the Xbox 360 controller is the way to go. I've got two myself, and they work great.

However, I actually prefer the Logitech model I've got (can't recall the model number but it's basically a PS-3/4 clone) because out of the box it is much more adaptable than the Xbox 360. I realize there is software available to make the Xbox 360 more adaptive, but I just found Logitech's profiler incredibly adaptive and easy to set up for any game.

The Xbox 360 will get more built in game support, especially on newer games, but see, I prefer the controller for ALL of my games, because you know, it's just a lot easier. Only reason folks prefer M&KB is because it's more precise, something I still hope to be fixed someday. (I too am looking forward to the Steam controller, which is the first time I've ever typed "I'm looking forward to" and "Steam" in the same sentence unless it was to say "I'm looking forward to Steam going out of business."

But I have set up my Logitech controller to play games that I would NOT have ever played otherwise, and boy am I grateful for it. I tried Gothic 2 at least a dozen times only to quit in frustration before being 10 minutes in, and it sat for years on my shelf until one day I set up my controller for it, played it, bought Gothic 1, set up the controller for that, and played that, and discovered that Gothic 1 (and 2) was/were the best games I'd ever played at the time.

So IMO, the Xbox 360 wins on ease of use (and I think it might actually "feel" a little better in my hands but that's not all that important to me since it's just a slight difference) while IMO the Logitech Sony PS 3 clone wins on adaptability to use will more games. Don't know which is more important for you, for me, it's the adaptability and how easy adaptable the Logitech is.

I'm personally using a wired Xbox 360 controller, and the controller working good, so far.

One thing you need to know about PC gamepad, there are mainly 2 type of gamepad :

DirectInput, the old standard. Most of the older game only support this type of controller. If you are planning to play older games, go with DirectInput gamepad. Many cheap controller still use this old standard. Ex : Twin USB Joystick

XInput, the new and current standard. Newer game, starting 2006 IIRC, mainly support this type of controller. If the game support XInput, and you are using XInput controller, it's really a hassle-free experience. The button mapped automatically, and the button icon will change from that of KM+M to Xbox 360 button (in most case). It works great for many Console -> PC ports. If you are planning to play newer game, go with XInput gamepad. Ex : Xbox 360 gamepad.

If you use DirectInput gamepad on the the game that only support XInput gamepad, most of the times there will be a problem. Sometimes the game won't even recognize the controller, other times they do recognize it but some of the button will not work correctly, or mapped wrongly. The same thing can happen if you reversing the scenario.

I heard Logitech F310 and Logitech F710 gamepad support both DirectInput and XInput. There is a switch in the gamepad to change the gamepad mode from DirectInput to XInput and vice versa. Heard many good things about this gamepads. But I remember reading some forum that there are few game that will not recognize the controller. Could be wrong though. Looks like this controller is your safest bet.

I absolutely love my Logitech F510. Last I checked that one was discontinued, but the F310 or F710 should be about the same, with the F710 being wireless and the F310 lacking rumble.

One of my favorite things about the Logitech controllers is that they have both X-Input and Direct Input. They should work naturally with any game that has controller support thanks to X-Input, and Direct Input means you can use it for anything else by mapping the controller to keyboard and mouse inputs.

Like some others suggested, the XBOX 360 ( or One ) controllers are generally the best choice if you're looking for ease of use and hassle-free compatibility with most of the software out there. Solid performance and quality, as well.

I've been using a wired 360 controller for Windows for a few years now, and it still works fine, plus I never encountered any compatibility issues. Most games recognize the controller right away if it's plugged in.

I use gamepad's on every game possible, as I have my PC connected to a TV, and it is generally more comfortable than the wireless mouse and keyboard which I also have. All the key points in above posts are absolutely correct in regards to Dinput and Xinput. If you never play pre Win XP games, you may not really need to worry about Dinput, although occasionally some newer games use it.

Here are some of my gamepads:

Xbox 360 wireless controller - I have a pair of these despite never having owned a Microft console. Xinput as mentioned is ther current standard on Windows and these are/were the flagship Xinput controllers. I think they are "OK", and let me mention that I do not apparently have the oafishly large hands of the average X-bro 360 player - I find the controller a bit too large. somewhat intredastingly, there was a Japan only model released which has a smaller form factor. Now if you get one of these, you will run in to some issues with full usability in Dinput games, UNLESS you use the custom made drivers created by a Japanese coder which (2 driver sets) give it Dinput functionality in Windows and/or enable force feedback in Dinput games. (Scour Google, te drivers are out there, hosted on a Japanese language page)

Logitech F710 - The wireless version of the F310. I got this primarily for the simpified Xinput/Dinput switching. In case anyone is interested, it will "generally" be exactly the same as a Xbox 360 controller in X mode, and in Windows it registers as a "Logitech Rumblepad 2" when in D mode. This is currently my primary controller ---> I do not like the shape. It is a tad large again, not as big as a 360 controller, but the hand grips are turned down instead of straigh off the bottom which is weird. It comes with it's own controller mapping software, so you don't need any additional programs such as Joy2key, Xpadder, etc. if you want to map keyboard controls to it.

Nintendo Wii remote with Nunchuk - Not just for Dolphin emulator anymore (which admittedly is why I got it in the first place) There is now a full custom driver to make it a regular controller in Windows. WiinUSoft (not Pro) can be found here: http://www.wiinupro.com/downloads . This has generally limited utiility in standard PC gaming. It has some buttons a dpad an analog stick, etc that you can map to some game buttons. Generally only recommended if you already have one laying around for a Wii and you need a quick controller for some split screen action when a friend comes over. (No PC games can use the motion control aspect afaik) This custom driver makes it BOTH Dinput and Xinput as I recall as well.

Sony Playstation Portable (PSP)- Yes, the handheld console is my 4th controller. No longer needing any special or complicated tricks for several years now, you can simply update the system by running a file copied to your memory card from a PC and "jailbreak" the system, much like a phone, to be able to run any programs. https://code.google.com/p/procfw/wiki/Installation . I have 2 different apps for it, one for using it as a wired controiller with a usb wire as the cable, and another to make it wireless using the wifi connection in my home going to the PC. Controller-wise, it is a Dinput style controller, and has all of the standard "issues" of the PSP as a controller itself. The dpad is so-so, the analog stick (only 1, just like Wii remote combo) is not "normal" like on a regular gamepad, and the face buttons are a bit recessed, it's a tad weird when they don't stan out from the controller face. Otherwise it works, but I generally only use it now as an emergency extra controller if I (almost never) am doing 4 player split-screen.

Overall verdict: The best controller is any Sony Playstation Dual Shock series controller. Yes, one that I didn't mention, nor currently own. Hands down they are the most comfortable, durable, best-size and shaped controllers generally available since their release part way through the PS1's lifespan. While they are Dinput by default, PS3/4 controiller drivers for Windows emulate Xinput already, and PS1/2 controllers (which need USB adapters) can emulate Xinput with the x360ce app available online. If I ever get another controller I'll probable get a Steam controller...BUT if I get another past that and didn't like Steams... I'll get a PS console controller. For now though, the Logitech F710 is sufficient, despite the wird handle shape.

I've been considering a Logitech F310 or F710 for a long time now, but I hear bad things about huge dead zones for it's analog sticks.

Xbox 360 controller I've heard too many problem with its control pad. Since I mostly need gamepad for 2D platformers, the 360's controller is probably out of the question.

Honestly, the choices for gamepads on PC is really crappy now. I've been looking to buy one for years. This problem has been in mind lately because I tried to Mark of the Ninja with my Logitech Wingman Rumblepad and the game does let the player configure the controls! It is ridiculous.

I own X360,XBone and DualShock 4 controllers and i suggest to get one of those three.

Xbox 360:
+Cheap
+Wired and Wireless
-D-Pad is kinda sucky
-XInput support only

Xbox One:
+Better D-Pad
+Smooth analog stick
-A little expensive than X360
-Still supports XInput only
-Requires a microUSB to connect it (I suggest getting the Play and Charge Kit, as the cable sends data and power. Plus it sticks to it and it will never come off unless you want to. Other 3rd party ones just suck, witht he exception of the Speedlink's PS4 microUSB cable, they work fine)

DualShock 4:
+Customizeable with a good 3rd party program
+Can use touchpad as a mouse
+Uses Bluetooth
+Sixaxis
-Expensive than those 2
-Does not include a cable (XBox One's P&C Kit or Speedlink's PS4 cables are best options to get)
-DInput only by default (DS4Windows lets you change it)

Do you have a DualShock 2? If so, I use a USB adaptor. It looks like junk, but... It's actually worked really well over the years. Only downside is that it doesn't measure trigger sensitivity, but other than that, it makes uses of all the DualShock's features, including full rumble support.

That's the one I got - and I'm pretty happy with it. Although I only use it for Pro Evo Soccer and racing games. For games like Mass Effect (and pretty every much every FPS, RPG, Action game, Strategy game) I use keyboard+mouse. That's not to say this controller isn't good at those games, it's just I prefer keyboard + mouse for those games.
For games like Saints Row I often switch between keyboard mouse (walking) and controller (vehicle).

I haven't really played any flight-sims, so I don't know about those.