Best Survival Compasses | Tested & Reviewed
Compasses are almost always included in survival kits, but do you have a compass that you would trust your life with? That button compass on the hilt of a ‘survival knife’ isn’t going to help much, and navigating with it could set you off your target by miles. A little pre-planning and investment are well worth it when it comes to land navigation, and a good survival compass should be an early upgrade.
I’ve been testing compasses for our reviews since 2016 and have been using compasses since I was orienteering with my friends as a teenager. I also taught land navigation courses in the Air Force and volunteered to teach navigation courses to the Boy Scouts while I was stationed in Texas. For this review, I relied on field testing and ran several tests on their accuracy, durability, luminescence, and more.
My top recommendation is for the Suunto A-10, which is a solid value for an accurate starter compass.
If you want something with beefy durability, the Cammenga 3H is still near to my heart and my top lensatic compass choice.
I also suggest picks for beginners with budgets, an upgrade map compass, and an EDC-favorite wrist compass.
Contents (Jump to a Section)
This is an updated review of the best survival compass. We will continue to update as new products are released and as we test even more navigation tools. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Disclosure»
Best Survival Compass
Suunto A-10
Small, Reliable, and Easy to Use
This starter compass is tougher to disrupt than cheaper models and has all the features a survivalist needs to get started.
*Price at time of publishing; check for price changes or sales.
Reading maps and navigating by hand doesn’t have to be bulky. If you are looking for a straightforward solution for your kits, Suunto makes it easy with their entry-level compass. It is easy to use and compact enough for your mobile survival kit. Slap it on a map or hold it in your hand to get where you need to go.
Specifications
- Needle Hemisphere: Choice
- Temperature Range: -22°F to 140°F
- Size: 4.1” x 2.3” x 0.4″
- Weight: 1.1 ounces
- Luminescence: None
- Features: Adjustable declination scale, lanyard
- Manufactured: Finland
It was one of the few compasses under $25 that performed well in my accuracy interference tests. It reliably points north, and that’s the main performance feature you want from any compass.
Beyond that, the compass has few bells and whistles. It doesn’t light up at night, doesn’t have a magnifier, and the declination adjustment is simply turning the bezel (not semi-permanent like the MC-2). It is also a dedicated map compass, so sighting it would not be very accurate.
This is why Suunto describes it as a ‘minimalist’ compass, but that can be perfect for our survival kits. I put this compass in a ziploc with a free USGS survival map, and can easily navigate home with the pair in my get home bag. The simplicity keeps the price down, but the accuracy up, which is exactly what I need.
Small, reliable, and accurate- the Suunto A10 Compass takes our top spot.
Best Lensatic Compass
Cammenga 3H
Military Issue, Accurate, and Tough
A closing metal case and water-tight construction make this a bulletproof compass-to-cheek option.
*Price at time of publishing; check for price changes or sales.
The one-and-only military sighting compass with tritium radioluminescence is the best option for getting to targets quickly. Veterans will be familiar with the wire-and-lens lensatic sighting, and everyone can appreciate just how durable the thing is. Its MIL-SPEC nomenclature is the M-1950 compass, but the sole manufacturer (Cammenga) calls it the 3H.
Specifications
- Needle Hemisphere: Northern
- Temperature Range: -50°F to 150°F
- Size: 3.0” x 2.2” x 1.25″ (folded)
- Weight: 5.1 ounces
- Luminescence: Tritium
- Features: Pouch, lanyard
- Manufactured: United States
The tritium glows forever and doesn’t need to be charged with light. It does have a half-life of 12 years, meaning it will dim over time, but it won’t truly stop glowing until it’s over 25 years old. You can get the Cammenga 27 model to skip the tritium altogether for about $30 cheaper. Buying these 3H models used may not be a great idea, since their tritium life may already be mostly gone, as these compasses have been manufactured since the 1950s.
The big downside here is the price- a new 3H costs over $100. That’s a hefty price tag for a compass, and an area where you may find better bang for your buck elsewhere, as a survivalist. It’s also a bit heavier than map compasses and doesn’t even attempt to float in water. It is remarkably durable, though, flying through all of the testing without issues. Anecdotally, I’ve seen thousands of these compasses in use with only a few that failed in extreme conditions (crushed housing).
The Cammenga 3H Military Lensatic Compass is the lensatic compass you need if you want military durability.
Budget Survival Compass
TurnOnSport Orienteering
Inexpensive, Simple to Use, and Effective
This cheap compass can get most map navigation done in a relatively reliable way.
*Price at time of publishing; check for price changes or sales.
If you want to precisely navigate long distances, you’ll need something better… but this compass is perfect for beginners looking for a cheap option that is still functional.
Specifications
- Needle Hemisphere: Northern
- Temperature Range: Not listed
- Size: 4.1” x 2.5” x 0.6″
- Weight: 1.4 ounces
- Luminescence: None
- Features: Lanyard
- Manufactured: China
The compass is easily interfered with; it didn’t perform well in our tests with metal objects and electronics. It also doesn’t have the highest durability and operating temperature- if the liquid-filled vial gets cracked, the compass is done for. Other models have better bezels and scales, but we’re not looking for perfect at this price point.
Despite its limitations, the TurnOnSport Orienteering Compass is a good pick for beginning navigators on a budget.
Best Map Compass
Suunto MC-2
Versatile, Accurate, and Trusted
Trusted by pros, this premium compass can do it all and more.
*Price at time of publishing; check for price changes or sales.
Also available to buy at Suunto.
Suunto’s MC-2 is a premium compass trusted by navigators around the world for precision. It has all the bells and whistles a survivalist could want, making it a great map compass that can also sight with its mirror.
Specifications
- Needle Hemisphere: Northern (Global also available, usually at a higher price)
- Temperature Range: -22°F to 140°F
- Size: 2.4” x 4.0” x 0.75″
- Weight: 2.6 ounces
- Luminescence: Phosphorescent
- Features: Pouch, lanyard
- Manufactured: Finland
The MC-2 has a ton of features, including the sight notch/mirror, scales, magnifier, clinometer, and screw-adjustable declination correction. All of these make it extremely versatile- the mirror stands out as a simple but effective addition for signalling or camp hygiene use. My favorite feature is the declination correction: turning the screw on the back of the bezel allows you to set your local declination and forget it, making it very precise and easy to use.
The downside is the cost- we talked about how the lensatic compass is expensive, but even the MC-2 seems like a lot to spend on what is usually a backup navigation method for survivalists. I expected the plastic construction to hold back its durability, but it performed great in my tests with the ice block for temperature/waterproofing, and the compass is generally thicker and higher quality than I expected.
The Suunto MC-2 Compass is the best-of-the-best and an upgrade for any survival kit.
Best Wrist Compass
Suunto Clipper
Tiny, Lightweight, and Proven
Finnish precision gives us a versatile way to navigate the great outdoors.
*Price at time of publishing; check for price changes or sales.
Also available to buy at Suunto.
Suunto has been making elite compasses out of Finland for nearly a century. They are the hands-down professional choice, and the precision and quality back that up, even on their smallest model.
Specifications
- Needle Hemisphere: Northern
- Temperature Range: -22°F to 140°F
- Size: 1.3” x 1.0” x 0.4″
- Weight: 5 grams
- Luminescence: Phosphorescent
- Features: 10-degree rotating bezel
- Manufactured: Finland
Where typical button compasses leave a lot to be desired, the Suunto is waterproof, durable, and reliably points magnetic north. Its simplicity makes it durable and easy to trust even after some abuse. I’ve had it on my wrist or bag for over a year now, and can speak on its durability beyond the testing we’ve done.
The compass did get easily disrupted by large metal objects and electronics in my testing, so keep that in mind if you are navigating urban areas or carrying electronics, like radios.
It’s a liquid-filled compass on a jewel bearing, so it doesn’t get hung up easily, even if you don’t have it level. It clips to various gear, watch bands, or a folded map. At just 5 grams and a tiny profile, it fits in any survival kit or as part of your EDC loadout.
The Suunto Clipper Compass lets you put a reliable compass anywhere you want.
Comparison Table
| Survival Compass | Recommendation | Price* | Sighting Type | Hemisphere | Illumination | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suunto A-10 | Best Overall | $24 | Map | Choice | None | 1.1 oz |
| Cammenga 3H | Best Lensatic/Military | $110 | Lensatic | Choice | Tritium | 5.1 oz |
| TurnOnSport | Best for Beginners & Budgets | $10 | Map | Northern | None | 1.4 oz |
| Suunto MC-2 | Best for Map Reading | $70 | Mirror | Choice | Phosphorescent | 2.6 oz |
| Suunto Clipper | Best for Wristbands | $20 | Wrist | Northern | Phosphorescent | 0.2 oz |
| Mossy Oak Engineer | $8 | Lensatic | Northern | None | 1.1 oz | |
| Coghlan’s Map | $8 | Map | Northern | None | 1.1 oz | |
| Sportneer Military | $14 | Peep | Northern | Phosphorescent | 6.2 oz | |
| SOL Sighting | $16 | Mirror | Northern | Phosphorescent | 2.8 oz | |
| AOFAR Military AF-4580 | $20 | Peep | Global | Phosphorescent | 6.3 oz | |
| Suunto A-30 | $30 | Map | Choice | Phosphorescent | 1.1 oz | |
| Suunto MCB | $40 | Mirror | Northern | None | 1.3 oz | |
| Silva Ranger 2.0 | $70 | Mirror | Northern | Phosphorescent | 3.0 oz | |
| Cammenga 27 | $77 | Lensatic | Choice | Phosphorescent | 5.1 oz | |
| Suunto MC-2 Global | $92 | Mirror | Global | Phosphorescent | 2.6 oz |
How I Tested
Practical testing was pretty straightforward as I grabbed my maps and the various compasses to try out separately. Accuracy, ease of use, and included features were all apparent after testing them with maps or sighting them on landmarks.
To check accuracy, I looked at how the compass was performing right out of the box. Then I tested it for interference at different distances:
- Black Metal Table – Large metal objects can interfere with compasses, so I tested the compasses to see how much interference the needle had at 6 feet, 1 foot, and placed on the table.
- GMRS Radio – Electronics, especially those that transmit, can interfere with a compass, so I observed the compass needles while keying the radio at a distance of 3 feet and 1 foot.
I judged their durability based on some worst-case tests, including submerging them in water and freezing them in that water.
Why Trust TruePrepper
You never know when a survival situation will require movement, and a compass is a low-tech piece of equipment that can be invaluable for navigating. I’m Sean Gold, and I’ve been heading this review and testing compasses for several years now. I’m no stranger to land navigation equipment, as I started using compasses with a friend when we competed with the Backwoods Orienteering Klub as teenagers.
I also heavily used compasses (and GPS equipment) in the military, as I was the land navigation teacher in pre-deployment training. We used both map compasses and the Cammenga 3H when I taught hundreds of airmen how to read maps and navigate. I designed and ran orienteering drills in West Texas, taught Boy Scouts how to use lensatic compasses, and held land nav competitions at Tama Hills in Japan.
While I have plenty of experience with compasses, I wanted to take this review a step further than practical testing and did some worst-case testing as well. I’ve always appreciated that data can be just as important as the anecdotal experience of one expert.
Analysis & Test Results
The best survival compasses have several important features to look for:
- Value
- Accuracy
- Durability
- Size & Weight
- Versatility
When you get the right blend of these, you can find a reliable compass that will keep you on track when it matters most. Below, we break down what each of these features means for the various compasses that set themselves apart.
What’s the Best Value?
The amount of money you spend on something like a compass shouldn’t blow out your entire budget. A compass is important, but there is a wide range of price points, so there is something for every budget.
On the flip side, you don’t want to go too cheap or just plain get the wrong thing. There is no reason to use a button compass that came free in your kid’s Happy Meal. A compass is a precision instrument that can save your life.
You never want to spend too much money on one resource, especially something like a compass. Unless you are orienteering as a hobby, you don’t need to spend hundreds of dollars and have multiple compasses on hand. Be smart and sensible with your preps and survival kits. There is a sweet spot where you get high value with not too high a price, which is where our top pick sits.
Accuracy
Accuracy is the main factor when selecting a compass. If a compass is broken, inaccurate, or even worse: only sometimes accurate, you’re going to have a tough time navigating.
Operation
Most compasses are accurate right out of the box, unless you get a lemon with a cheap model. More expensive brands and models have quality control, so issues with accuracy out of the package are extremely rare. If you get a compass with the wrong hemisphere needle, you’ll have your north and south swapped.
All of the models I tested pointed to magnetic north right out of the box with a low margin of error. Some of the cheap button compasses were tough to judge accuracy, but I estimate those were no worse than 5 degrees off.
The way a compass operates affects how accurate it is. If it is a liquid-suspended needle with a jewel bearing like most Suunto models, it’ll be pretty accurate right out of the box. If it doesn’t rely on liquid, like the MILSPEC Cammenga, it’ll need a smooth bearing and a water-tight dial to prevent environmental issues that’ll eventually affect accuracy.
Cheap compasses can easily get stuck, and are more easily interfered with by magnetic sources. This is what I tested for when I used metal and electrical interference.
Interference
Electrical and magnetic interference is the main concern for compass accuracy. Most compasses come with a needle or dial that is calibrated to either the northern or southern hemisphere. Global needles are calibrated for both, so make sure you have the right compass for where you live or the global needle if you need it.
To test how easily a compass could be interfered with, I made sure it first matched my baseline north, and then observed the compass’s accuracy at different distances from a large metal table. I then repeated the process using an actively transmitting GMRS radio.
Every compass I tested experienced needle interference while directly sitting on the metal table. All except the Suunto and Cammenga had slight interference at a one-foot distance. All compasses were fine at a 6-foot distance from the table.
None of the compasses experienced interference from the 5-watt GMRS radio at one foot or further. I expect a higher-wattage transmission from a ham radio would be needed to disrupt their accuracy.
Durability
A cracked compass can leave you with a mess. If its needle is liquid-suspended like most, then it’s both a literal and figurative mess. You don’t want the housing to break, the bezel to fall off, or the base plate to snap off.
Waterproofing
Some compasses that I tested leaked. This affected the floating needle, making the compass extremely inaccurate. Surprisingly, most of the compasses floated for short periods even if they leaked. During typical use, you would not expect to submerge your compass, but I tend to test for the worst-case scenarios.
After submerging, I froze the compasses in a freezer, which caused additional problems in some models.
Temperature Limits
Cold weather can affect a compass’s ability to point north, especially liquid-filled models. Models with liquid can freeze or have issues with evaporation at their temperature limits. To test both temperature limits and waterproofing, I submerged the compasses in water and froze them.
Most compasses are made to be lightweight, so durability may not be the manufacturer’s concern unless you are looking at a military model. Depending on how well you think you can protect your compass, you will want to weigh the pros and cons of weight vs durability.
Size & Weight
Most compasses are small and lightweight, but when you are hiking, backpacking, or bugging out, ounces matter!
Our tested compasses ranged from the bulky 8-ounce compass to the 5-gram wrist compass pick. You also don’t want to take up a lot of pack space, and you will want your compass easily accessible when you need to navigate quickly on the go.
To verify the size and weight, our team measured the compasses and weighed them on a scale.
Versatility
A compass can provide a lot of versatility with added features. Some compasses have fluorescent bezels or tritium to let you use them at night. Others include carrying cases to protect them. Bubble levels, tripod attachments, lanyards, and mirrors can all add to the various ways you can use your compass and add out-of-the-box functionality, too.
Night Visibility
Night visibility with compasses is addressed with luminescence. There are three main ways compasses are marked on bezels, needles, and dials to be seen better in low light (or no light):
- Fluorescent – Fluorescent components and markings on a compass amplify light in low-light conditions, making the compass easier to read.
- Phosphorescent – Phosphorescent or ‘glow in the dark’ components and markings charge in sunlight and other light, providing some lasting visibility in the dark.
- Tritium – Tritium is the main radioluminescent light source for watches, night sights, and compasses. It is radioactive, so don’t eat it- otherwise, its β particle radiation can’t penetrate skin. It is expensive ($30K/gram) and has a half-life of close to 12 years, meaning older tritium compasses will lose their glow on a logarithmic scale, being half as bright after 12 years.
How to Use a Survival Compass
Using a compass doesn’t take a degree in rocket science, but it is also something you can’t just pick up and automatically know. Anyone can pick up a compass and find ‘north’ with it, but that doesn’t mean you’re factoring in magnetic declination and many other parameters for accurate navigation.
Understanding a compass can make it much more effective, especially when fractions of a degree can set you miles off on the long legs of your journey.
David Pearson makes it easy to understand, and I highly recommend his explanation video:
Sighting a Compass
Using a compass with a map is one thing, but using it to know which direction you’re going is equally important. You can hold up a compass to get a general idea of direction, but over long distances, small errors can compound into big inaccuracies.
Compasses with integrated sights address this, with the most common methods including lensatic compasses, ‘peep’ style compasses, and mirror sighting.
Who Needs a Compass?
Compasses can be used by anyone, but are especially needed in survival kits. They are one of our most suggested and often overlooked items.
We consider a compass essential for:
Compasses should be considered for:
Having a reliable compass on hand is a minimal cost for a tried-and-true navigational aid that can save your life.
Sources & References
All of our experience and the testing we do to determine the best survival compass is useless without listing our research sources and references. We leaned on these for the book knowledge that we paired with our hands-on testing and practical military and prepping experience:
Geary, D. (1995). Using a Map and Compass. Stackpole Books. Mechanicsburg, PA. (Source)
McMillan, R., et al. (1971). Test and Evaluation of Lensatic Compasses Modified with Tritium-Sealed Sources. Army Mobility Equipment Research and Development Command. Fort Belvoir, VA. (Source)
Reber, P., et al. (2021). Learning the Cognitive Skill of Topographic Map Reading Through Adaptive, High-Repetition Training. Adaptive Instructional Systems. Design and Evaluation. Pages 88 – 104. (Source)
Conclusion
Over 2,000 people go missing every year in the woods. Thousands have gone missing in US National Parks and have never been recovered. And this is during the digital age, where we have GPS and other space-age navigational technology. Knowing that this would get even worse is one of the easiest reasons to keep a map and compass in your survival kits.
Here are a few related articles our readers have also found helpful:
- How to Get a Free Survival Map of Your Local Area
- The Best Signal Mirror for Rescue and Survival
- Bug Out Bag List | 44 Essentials
Now that you’ve seen a wide range of compasses at different price points, you should be able to get the right compass for you. Pick up the compass you’ve chosen, get outside, and get navigating!
See more of our expert-written guides, resources, and reviews in your search results – add TruePrepper as a preferred source.
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