10 Best Compasses In 2020

This Eyesky is a multifunctional lensatic compass with impressive features. It works great at taking bearings and sighting when camping, hiking, hunting, scouting, and more. You can align objects in the distance with the sighting hairline. And with the clinometer, you can measure the angle of slope, elevation, and avalanche hazards when mountain climbing, backcountry skiing, or hiking steep slopes.

A liquid filled compass with an integrated bubble level, it delivers reliable and accurate readings. It also has an adjustable diopter sighting lens, a rotating bezel ring, and a measurement conversion chart. It is easy to handle and read thanks to the luminous dial, adjustable luminous marching line, thumb hold and magnifying viewer.

This is a high-quality instrument with solid build quality. Rugged aluminum alloy build means it can withstand extremely tough situations. It is also waterproof. Due to its size, features, and military-level sturdiness, it is a little on the heavy side. It comes with a strong canvas pouch and lanyard and can be mounted on a tripod.

The Eyeskey Lensatic Compass is a top rated compass for hiking, motoring, boating, camping, mountaineering, hunting, backpacking, bushwhacking, and other outdoor activities. The heavy-duty build quality using aluminum alloy means it's rugged and sturdy enough to withstand rough terrain and extreme weather conditions. It is also water and shake proof. It is a very durable compass that should hold up well and last years.

A lensatic compass with a floating dial in a liquid-filled chamber, its readings are highly accurate and reliable. It has a built-in leveling bubble that keeps the compass level ensuring accuracy. This is a multifunctional compass with advanced features usually only found in military and more expensive devices. It has a map measurer, straight and curved distance measurer, and a measurements conversion chart. It also features a rotating bezel ring, sighting lines on cover, and adjustable diopter sighting lens.

Readability is not an issue here. The face is easy to read in daylight and it absorbs light and glows in the dark making it readable even in low light conditions. Handling and carrying it is easy as it comes with a lanyard and a strong pouch. It also features a tripod mounting hole on the base so you can attach it to a tripod.

The attractive old-fashioned look of the SharpSurvival camping pocket compass is the first thing that will grab your eye and endear you to it. It will be a pleasure to carry and use every time and the good thing is that it also gives accurate directions.

It is a great compass for basic use and for kids. Its 360 degree rotating bezel makes general navigation and orienteering easy and accurate. It is easy to read during the day and glows in the dark after exposure to light.

The Cammenga tritium dry lensatic compass is a top rated compass for hiking suitable for outdoor enthusiasts and navigators who want a highly accurate, military grade compass. Everything about it is up to military standards. To start with, it is built like a tank up to the demanding MIL-PRF-10436N specifications. It is shock, water, and sand proof. It works in all kinds of temperature conditions - from -50o F to +150o F.

Accuracy is top notch thanks to the magnifying lens, sight wire, and dial graduations in both degrees and mils. Instead of liquid, it uses a copper induction anti-swing damping system. Tritium luminosity offers low-light readability without requiring activation by light and continues to work maintenance-free for more than a decade.

Overall, this is a solid compass able to withstand harsh conditions and abuse and last a lifetime. If you like to wander in the wilderness, it is a reliable instrument capable of saving your life and is well worth the money.

With the MC-2 D/L, Suunto offers a professional mirror compass that makes a great all-around navigation compass. This is because it has all the features the best compass should have. It is liquid filled to steady the needle for accurate readings. Adjusting for declination is very easy as there is an adjustable declination correction scale. The mirror makes it possible to determine directions precisely and there is a sighting hole at the bottom, which improves bearing accuracy.

It is also optimized for map reading. It has a large, clear base plate, ruler measurements and grid lines at 1:24,000 and 1:62,500 scales. The rotating dial has two degrees increments. Ease of reading is also enhanced by the integrated magnifying lens that magnifies four-fold and the luminous markings for low light visibility.

Ruggedness is there and this compass holds up well to the rigors of outdoor use. The needle is made of tungsten steel and the capsule bearing is self-cleaning. You can rely on it in temperatures as frigid as -40 degrees Fahrenheit. It comes with a nylon neck cord for ease of handling.

This is a very convenient and easy to use travel compass that you can attach to a watch band, sleeve, backpack strap or even use as a pocket compass. Just make sure it is attached securely as it is easy to lose due to its small size. It is a liquid-filled jewel bearing compass with directions marked on the rotating bezel in 10 degrees increments. The design is simple but this compass works great.

Made in Finland, Suunto compasses are high quality and this is a well made and accurate compass you can rely on for getting general directions when touring, hiking, recreational diving, fishing, swimming, or surfing. High-impact plastic construction stands up well even in tough situations.

The dial is easy to read and it has luminescent cardinal points powered by light so you can read it easily in low light. If you like this little compass, don't forget to specify whether you want the Northern or Southern Hemisphere version when ordering.

This is a nice looking and inexpensive compass equipped with great features. It is a lensatic/prismatic compass with a liquid-filled capsule and a floating dial. It is also a sighting compass equipped with an adjustable diopter sighting lens and sighting lines on cover.

It has a built-in bubble to level the compass for accurate readings. For measurements, it has ruler units and a conversion chart for angle, gradient, and distance on the back plate. It also features a rotating bezel ring and folding thumb ring.

As for quality, the compass is solidly built with a heavy metal feel and can withstand the rigors of outdoor use. For ease of handling and storage, it comes with a nylon pouch and lanyard and can be mounted on a tripod.

If you want a compass for navigating the old school way with a map and compass, you can't go wrong with this Suunto baseplate compass. Lightweight, compact, robust, and easy to use, this is the best compass for backpacking, hiking, orienteering, scouting, and general navigation. You can rely on to get you to your destination.

This particular compass is balanced for the northern hemisphere. For accounting for declination, it features a fixed declination correction scale. Liquid filled capsule stabilizes the needle for accuracy. Another great feature is that it is easy to use and easy to learn how to use even for beginners. It comes with detailed and easy to understand instructions.

As you can expect from Suunto, this is a high-quality and durable compass that endures outdoor elements well. It is composed of a robust and durable plastic housing, a high-grade steel needle and jewel bearing. It is easy to read at a glance and everything is clearly legible in daylight. The baseplate is big enough for easy map reading. It comes with a detachable lanyard.

With this multifunctional compass as your companion, you will be able to accomplish multiple navigational functions. You will be able to get accurate bearings, use the sighting telescope for accurate positioning, measure straight and curved map distances and convert angle, gradient and distance measurements with the chart at the back of the base plate.

Accuracy is spot on. The liquid-filled capsule enhances pointer stability and together with the leveling bubble ensure the compass delivers accurate and reliable readings. It illuminates for low light visibility after exposure to sunlight or flashlight shine.

It is well built and sturdy. Water and shake proof aluminum alloy construction make it heavy duty enough for outdoor activities. Compact and lightweight, it is easy to handle and carry. It also comes with lanyard and pouch.

If your travels and outdoor adventures take you to all corners of the world from the northern to the southern hemisphere, the best compass for your needs is one equipped with a global needle such as this Brunton TruArc 3. You can use it anywhere in the world for navigation, mapping, and orienteering.

Compact and lightweight, it is very convenient to bring everywhere you go whether you're exploring the backcountry, touring cities, camping or hiking. With it as your companion, you will be able to read maps and accurately determine locations and bearings. The declination adjustment is adjustable and doesn't require any tools. It is in two degrees increments.

Brunton is one of the reputable compass brands and this compass is highly rated. It is made in Riverton, Wyoming, USA, and its quality is top notch. The multi-zone needle, the quality level and advanced features at the accessible price make this an incredible deal. It comes with a sturdy nylon lanyard and a handy manual for using it.