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First of all is important to know your preference. Do you prefer modern or WWII aircrafts?
WWII aircrafts usually need more precise stick. For example T-16000M from the budget level.
Modern sticks rather need more buttons. Because of that I should choose at least Saitek X-52 for modern aircrafts.
If you are in a situation where you simply cannot afford (and cannot save up for) a true mid-tier option, you are going to be stuck with few choices and none of them are going to offer much room for you to grow into them as a player. Assuming we are talking about something beyond the gamepad (an option that isn't as practical as it is sometimes portrayed), you are looking at anything from the most basic entry level joystick to the more basic entry level HOTAS. Here are some examples.
1.) Logitech Extreme 3D Pro. This is probably the most basic option. It is fine as a sort of "stopgap solution" but it just isn't going to meet the demands that DCS will place on it both in terms of functionality and precision.
2.) Thrustmaster T.16000M (just the stick). This can be seen as essentially a more precise equivalent to the Logitech option above. You won't gain a lot of additional functionality (at least not to any significantly meaningful level) but it will be easier to do more precise flying (in terms of pitch and roll more than anything else).
3.) Thrustmaster T.Flight HOTAS X. I hesitate to even put this on the list because it really isn't a HOTAS in any meaningful sense. Thrustmaster really just took the functionality of a single entry level stick (like the ones listed above) and spread it across separate stick and throttle components. By any measure, this is easily the worst, most pointless HOTAS one could buy. It is the same functionality (button/axis count) as a entry level single stick but it takes up double the desk space.
4.) Thrustmaster T.16000M HOTAS set. I have mixed feelings about this one. Thrustmaster essentially just created an entry level throttle and paired it with their existing standalone T.16000M stick. This is fine for the most part since it is really just intended to be an entry level HOTAS option but because they used a standalone stick, you end up with a decently functional throttle (in terms of buttons/hats) paired with a woefully inadequate stick. They really, really should have designed an all new HOTAS specific stick where all the controls are on the stick itself and not on the stick base (thus defeating the whole HOTAS intention).
One more note about it. The T.16000M HOTAS is one of the cheaper options and as such, a lot more younger/newer players will buy one and since they have not experienced anything else, they will make it out to be "all you will ever want". It is like any other enthusiast hobby. The cheaper stuff tends to have a larger and sometimes even more ideologically devoted following. Just keep in mind that a lot of the glowing, positive reviews you will see are from people who have never used anything else before.
5.) Logitech X52. This is a very old design at this point and hasn't exactly aged super well in the face of much more demanding simulation needs. Still. This is a solid entry level option that is perhaps a more "balanced" experience compared to the T.16000M HOTAS even if it isn't really more capable.
6.) VKB Gladiator. This is perhaps better seen as a "high end single stick solution" more than anything else. Like other single stick options, it has controls on both the stick and base. This is great if you ONLY ever plan to use it as a single stick but as part of a HOTAS setup (if you opt to buy a throttle later), those controls on the base will be largely wasted as they will not be as handy anymore. This is a really, really good single stick but if you do plan to get a HOTAS, it isn't the smartest thing to spend $130+ on.
Those are your entry level options. These are all going to technically work in DCS and will be usable even with more HOTAS heavy aircraft modules but with the caveat that you will need to lean hard on modifiers and that will make (even with a lot of practice) some things much, much slower and sometimes even quite tedious. Likewise. None of these options offer a very precise, well designed throttle so there will be a struggle with throttle precision as you start getting into more demanding things like precision flying, carrier landings, and (especially) formation flying and air refueling.
With that "safe" answer said and done. Here is my real answer. Buy the best thing you can reasonably, responsibly afford. Getting your first HOTAS is not unlike buying your first guitar. There are a lot of cheap, entry level guitar options out that new players will write a ton of glowing reviews for (and even some clickbait/engagement hunting guitar youtubers) but if you end up sticking with it and get into not just playing well but understanding how guitars work and how they sound, you will find yourself growing out of the cheap instruments pretty quickly. Some folks get upset at that notion and it isn't unfair to say that not everyone will have the same standards and priorities but still, it is wise to tell a new player to get something that leaves them some room to grow and get better. Something that isn't largely disposable and thus wasted money in the long term.
If you have the option to save up a bit and get something better (like a Winwing Orion as a baseline or even VKB or Virpil as the more expensive side of the high-end), I encourage you to at least give that option a bit of thought. Not everyone needs an expensive setup and beginners shouldn't feel required to do so but it feels intellectually dishonest to not state very clearly that DCS modules are built with the assumption that you have these kinds of things available to you and will work best with such equipment.
If you have some spare cash I would aim for just buying a complete HOTAS from winwing.
If you plan on mostly flying the F16. I'd get this one.
https://winwingsim.com/mobileview/goods-details.html?id=340&sku_id=35
You can just map all the buttons 1:1 with the real F16. It makes it easier and also helps with emersion. It makes controlling radar, cameras very easy and natural.
If you plan on flying the F18 most, or have several aircraft to fly I'd go with this.
https://winwingsim.com/mobileview/goods-details.html?id=324
You have the split F15 throttle, for any and all 2 engine aircraft.
And you have the F16 stick. That has many buttons.
It means you can't bind 1:1 with the real F16 or real F18. But you should have all the buttons you need.
I also recommend you either get some head tracking/vr.
Not only makes it easier to look around. But it frees buttons that you would need to look around. You can set up basic free headtacking with your phone to try out.
Thats the price range im willing to spend on smth im not sure ill learn or enjoy
Just make sure you don't go for that Logitech Wingman flight stick, the plastic ball joint easily break after 2-3 years.
I use VKB Sim flight stick and T16000M throttle, they are great. Thrustmaster is okay, old brand that I trusted.
If that is the limit, the only good option is the T.16000M.