In the land of technology we live in today, it’s hard to imagine a low tech device such as a compass still having a place in our world. The truth of the matter is though that compasses are just as useful today as they were 100 years ago and if you know how to use them they can make all the difference in a life or death situation while hiking or outdoors.
If you’re a hiker or someone that likes to spend time outdoors especially in the backcountry and off-trail having a good quality compass is an invaluable piece of equipment to have with you.
The great thing too for those budget-minded hikers is that you don’t have to spend a ton of money to get a good quality compass as you will see in this best hiking compasses under $50 guide.
In this hiking compass guide, we not only tell you what the best cheap compasses are but we also discuss the different types and features of the compass as well as what features are a must-have when picking out your compass.
Best Hiking Compasses Under $50
There are literally hundreds of different hiking compasses on the market today so it can oftentimes be quite overwhelming when trying to decide on which compass to buy.
This is why we spent hours of research pouring over all of the different types of compasses on the market today. In order to find the best of the best of each type of compass for under $50, to make sure that you find the perfect compass for your needs and still come in under budget.
| Why It’s Great | Type of Compass | Liquid Filled | Clear Baseplate | Weight | |
| Sportneer Miltary Lensatic Sighting Compa | Best General-Purpose | Lensatic | Yes | No | 6.2 ounces |
| Best for Orienteering | Baseplate | Yes | Yes | 1 ounce | |
| Best for Versatility | Lensatic / Baseplate | Yes | Yes | 3 ounces | |
| Cheapest Quality Option | Baseplate | Yes | Yes | 1.1 ounces | |
| Best Professional Cheap Option | Baseplate | Yes | Yes | 1.2 ounces |
Sportneer Military Lensatic Sighting Compass
- Why It’s Great: Best General-Purpose
- Type of Compass: Lensatic Compass
- Liquid Filled: Yes
- Clear Baseplate: No
- Weight: 6.2 ounces
If you’re looking for a reliable and rugged general-purpose compass than this is the compass for you. This sighting compass by Sportneer is a great companion to have while hiking in the great outdoors whether on or off trail and thanks to its compact and lightweight size most of the time you will forget it’s even in your pack until you need it.
While this compass does not make a good orienteering compass due to the lack of clear baseplate, it does have a flip-up sight making it possible to stay on course while off-trail if you are able to establish a line of sight with your intended destination.
In addition, this budget-friendly compass by Sportneer is also extremely feature-rich including many features that are typically reserved for more higher-end compasses such as a liquid-filled leveling bubble, fluorescent dial, and sighting lense.
One final thing we really like about this military-grade compass is its rugged nature. Because let’s face it no matter how careful we are with our hiking gear while outdoors it usually ends up taking a beating while hiking due to extreme weather and rugged conditions.
The great thing about this compass though, thanks to its strong metal case as well as it’s protective carrying case is that you can be sure this compass will last for years to come.
To check the price of this budget-friendly and reliable compass by Sportneer on Amazon click here.
SUUNTO M-3 NH Compass
- Why It’s Great: Best for Map Navigation or Orienteering
- Type of Compass: Baseplate Compass
- Liquid Filled: Yes
- Clear Baseplate: Yes
- Weight: 1 ounce
SUUNTO is synonymous with making high-quality compasses that are both highly accurate as well as extremely well built and reliable. And the great thing which is evident by this compass by SUUNTO is that you don’t have to spend an arm and a leg for accurate and reliable navigation.
This compass by SUUNTO is an industry-standard when orienteering which for those that don’t know is a competitive sport where individuals or groups of participants locate various checkpoints over rugged-countryside with only the help of a map and compass.
So if this compass is good enough for orienteering it is certainly good enough for hiking both on and off-trail.
There are several reasons why this compass is so great for orienteering and can be relied on for such highly accurate direction and orientation.
The first is due to its clear baseplate allowing you to lay the compass over the map and still read the map below, allowing you to easily plot a course on the map. The second reason is its adjustable declination correction which allows you to account for the difference between true north and magnetic north while navigating with a map.
In addition, this compass also has a liquid-filled dial to create very steady and stable readings while out in the field.
So if you are looking for a compass that provides accurate and precise direction that accounts for the difference between true north and magnetic north and you often use a map for navigation than this compass would be a great fit for you.
To check the price of the highly accurate and affordable compass on Amazon click here.
TurnOnSport Sighting Compass Mirror
- Why It’s Great: Best for Versatility
- Type of Compass: Baseplate / Lensatic Compass
- Liquid Filled: Yes
- Clear Baseplate: Yes
- Weight: 3 ounces
One of the most interesting budget compasses on this list is this compass by TurnOnSport due to its ability to be used as either a baseplate compass or a lensatic compass. The dual function of this compass is accomplished thanks to its clear baseplate as well as it’s popup mirror making it one of the most versatile compasses on this best-of-list.
To navigate with this compass as a baseplate compass you simply flip the mirrored lid up and use the compass how you would any other clear baseplate compass.
To use this compass as a lensatic compass you again flip the mirror lid up and point either the targeting line on the mirror or the targeting notch at the top of the compass to your desired destination and then easily take you compass reading while targeting, thanks to the mirrored lid that reflects the compass on the baseplate below.
If you’re looking for a compass with the ultimate in versatility allowing you to use it as either a baseplate compass or a lensatic compass then this compass is really the only way to go.
To check the price of this unique compass by TurnOnSport on Amazon click here.
TruArc 3 – Base Plate Compass
- Why It’s Great: Cheapest Quality Option
- Type of Compass: Baseplate Compass
- Liquid Filled: Yes
- Clear Baseplate: Yes
- Weight: 1.1 ounces
If you’re looking for a great compass with a clear baseplate that can do basic navigation and orienteering than the TruArk 3 by Brunton is a great option.
While the baseplate on this compass is not as large as the SUUNTO, making it more difficult to navigate on a map due to the smaller straight edge it still works just not quite as well.
Also, just like the SUUNTO compass this compass can account and adjust for the declination depending on where you are located in relation to the poles.
In fact, one advantage this compass has over the SUUNTO M-3 NH is that it is a true global compass meaning that it can provide accurate readings in both the northern and southern hemispheres. Where the SUUNTO M-3 NH can only provide accurate readings for the northern hemisphere hence the NH in the model number.
Finally, while not a feature a nice bonus this compass has over many other compasses on the market today is this compass by Brunton is made in the USA in Riverton, Wyoming.
To check the price of this entry-level navigating and orienteering compass on Amazon click here.
AOFAR AF-4074 Military Camo Compass
- Why It’s Great: Highly Accurate Lensatic Compass
- Type of Compass: Lensatic Compass
- Liquid Filled: Yes
- Clear Baseplate: No
- Weight: 16 ounces
One of the most accurate and cheap lensatic compasses we could find is this compass by AOFAR. While a bit on the heavy side, if you’re looking for a compass that can provide highly accurate line-of-sight navigation then this is a great choice.
This high level of accuracy is achieved by the clear view-finder on the flip-up lid with built-in targeting lines making it easy to line up the compass to your desired destination. In addition, this compass also has a magnified looking glass on the front of the compass allowing you to determine the degree of direction without having to bring the compass down from your sighting position.
When it comes to features this compass really has it all. In fact, it’s kind of hard to think of a feature that this compass doesn’t have, including such features as a liquid-filled dial, rotating bezel, declination adjustment, full 360-degree markings, and a leveling bubble. This compass even has a clinometer which allows you to learn the slope and angle of a hill or terrain you are approaching.
Even though this compass is a bit on the heavier side compared to other compasses, it more than makes up for its extra weight due to its rugged and durable metal construction as well as its abundance of features.
To check the price of this highly accurate line-of-sight compass by AOFAR on Amazon click here.
TurnOnSport Orienteering Compass
- Why It’s Great: Professional Cheap Option
- Type of Compass: Baseplate Compass
- Liquid Filled: Yes
- Clear Baseplate: Yes
- Weight: 1.2 ounces
Another great simple option if your looking for a quality and reliable compass is this baseplate compass by TurnOnSport. As one of the cheapest compasses on this list, you might think that this compass lacks in features and quality.
However, you might be surprised to find out that this compass is both reliable and feature-rich despite its low price. For example, this compass is liquid-filled allowing for very stable and reliable readings, it also has a 360-degree rotating bezel, a built-in magnifying glass allowing for easier map reading, and a compass ruler.
While the bright see-through green baseplate on this compass does not serve any specific purpose it does help this compass stand out from the crowd and gives this baseplate compass a unique look as opposed to the standard clear plastic baseplate compasses. This compass also can be purchased with an orange baseplate if this suits your style better.
For the price and quality, you get with this baseplate compass it’s hard to go wrong if you are looking for a simple and reliable compass that just works like it is supposed to.
To check the price of this baseplate compass by TurnOnSport on Amazon click here.
How to Pick the Best Cheap Hiking Compass
While it might seem like a pretty simple task to pick out the best cheap hiking compass. There are really a lot of things you need to consider in order to ensure you pick out the best cheap compass for your needs. And there is perhaps no better place to start than covering some basic uses and concepts about compasses in order to have a good foundation of knowledge.
What Type of Compass Should I Buy?
When deciding on what type of compass to buy it’s important to understand there are two main types of compasses out there including the lensatic-compass and the baseplate compass. Which type of compass you choose really depends on how you plan to use your compass while navigating.
Lensatic Compass
To begin with, the lensatic compass works off the concept of line-of-sight, meaning you physically point the compass to a particular object or destination that you want to navigate towards and then use the magnetic north arrow and the orientation line to make sure you stay on course while heading to your way-point or final destination.
The great thing about a lensatic compass is that allows you to stay on course even if you are not able to maintain a visual of your destination while hiking.
How To Navigate with a Lensatic Compass
For a more detailed explanation of a lensatic-compass and how to use one, check out this helpful YouTube video.
Baseplate Compass
A baseplate compass is typically used when you are planning on doing map navigation as opposed to line-of-sight navigation.
The baseplate on a baseplate compass is made from clear plastic and completely flat on the bottom. Allowing you to place the baseplate compass directly on the map and still be able to see the map underneath.
How to Navigate With a Baseplate Compass
For a more detailed explanation of the baseplate compass and how to use one while out in the field check out this helpful YouTube video.
So which type of compass should you buy a lensatic compass or a baseplate compass? Well, it largely depends on what type of navigating you will be doing while hiking.
If you’re planning on doing just basic and simple line of sight navigation then you should go with a lensatic compass as this type of compass will be best suited for your needs. If however, you plan to do most or all of your navigation using a compass and a topographic map then you should definitely choose a baseplate compass.
It’s worth noting however that in a pinch either type of compass could perform both line-of-sight navigation or map navigation but if your choosing which one to buy then you should definitely choose the one that is best suited for your desired method of navigation.
Must-Have Features When Buying a Cheap Compass
While you can’t expect cheap compasses to have the same level of high-end components and features as an expensive one there are several features that any quality compass should have regardless of price.
- Every quality compass should be sealed from the elements to help protect the compass from outside contaminants and harsh outdoor environments.
- No matter the price when looking for a compass always make sure the compass is liquid-filled to provide a more steady and reliable reading.
- Make sure the compass you choose is made from quality materials and preferable from a reliable name in the industry.
- Always make sure the compass has an orientation arrow or line the can be adjusted so that you make sure you stay on your predesignated course.
- Ideally, any quality compass should have complete marking indicating every degree of range from 1 to 360 for the highest level of accuracy.
Common Questions and How to Use a Cheap Compass
While you are more than likely understand the basic concept of how a compass works, what you might not be aware of are the specifics about cheap compasses as well as the best practices when using a compass out in the field.
Do I Need a Compass for Hiking?
In this world of GPS and high tech mapping cell phones, it might be tempting to think that a good old fashion compass is an out-dated and antiquated piece of hiking gear.
The reality is though that sometimes technology fails, batteries fail, and signals fail when outdoors and hiking in remote areas and both GPS and cell phones rely heavily on all three of these to provide mapping and navigation.
This is why when hiking especially in remote areas or off-trail you should always have a good quality compass and topographical map with you as backup so that even if your technology fails you still can locate where you are and where you need to go.
When to Carry a Compass While Hiking
In general, whether hiking at Mount Rainier or Yosemite or really anywhere, it’s almost always a good idea to have a compass and map of the area with you as part of your essential hiking gear when hiking as a means of backup navigation in case you get lost.
Unless you are going on a short hike and very familar with the trail and surrounding area.
After all how much space does a map of the area and a small compass really take when hiking? Especially when having them could be the difference between staying safe while hiking or not.
Are Cheap Compasses Accurate?
While not all cheap compasses are created equal as some compasses are not worth the plastic they’re made from. In general, cheap compasses are just fine and will help you accurately navigate the backcountry around you.
Also, if you’re trying to choose between a cheap compass or no compass at all it is always better to have a cheap compass as opposed to nothing at all.
What to be Aware of When Using a Cheap Compass
These below rules really apply no matter what type of compass you are using but are especially important when using a cheap or more budget-friendly compass.
- When using your compass it is always best to use in an open field with as few obstructions as possible near-by.
- Always be mindful of any metal on your person or around you being sure to keep your compass away from any metal as it can throw off the reading and magnet in your compass.
- Before heading out into unfamiliar surroundings or territory, always make sure to practice with your compass in familiar areas and make sure that you are completely familiar and know how to use your compass.
- Always hold or make sure the compass is level in order to ensure the compass needle can swing freely.
- It’s always a good idea to take your bearing twice just to make sure that you didn’t make a mistake that might cause you to veer off course.
How to Care for Your Budget-Friendly Compass
While hiking and camping gear can often take a beating while in the harsh outdoors it’s imperative that you take special care of your compass while in the outdoors due to the delicate and sensitive nature of the compass.
To begin with, when using your compass it’s always a good idea to have the compass attached to a lanyard and around your neck to prevent accidental drops and breakage.
Also while your compass is not in use it’s a good idea to store your compass in some type of protective case or sleeve to help make sure it doesn’t get damaged while not in use. And finally, if you are going to store your compass in your backpack or pack make sure that you are compass is towards the top of the pack to prevent it from being crushed by heavier gear in your pack.