The Best Metal Detectors - A Complete Buying Guide

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Fisher F4 Metal detector is one of the best metal detectors. It has an auto-tune for seeking in-depth, and ground balance that is manual.

Metal detecting is fun whether you do it as a hobby or as a profession. But with the huge number of machines on the market these days, it can be a bit difficult to find one that best matches your budget, choice of features and designs.

We have written this best metal detector review to highlight all the major metal detector brands, models, and features to help you decide which one to pick.

Table of Contents

Specifications:

  • Weight: 4.7 pounds
  • Dimensions: 10.25 x 6.25 x 28.5 inches
  • Department: Lawn, Garden, Patio
  • Power: 2  batteries of 9 Volts
  • DD bi-axial search coil
  • Frequency: 5.9 kHz
  • 5-year limited warranty
  • 8-inch depth range
  • Fast target response with high sensitivity
  • Threshold, discrimination and sensitivity control
  • Four-tune audio ID

First-up is the lightweight Fisher F4 Metal Detector. This deep seeking, autotune metal detector is best for hobbyists and can work properly on your garden, lawn, and patio.

Moreover, it can detect metals at a depth of 11-inches and comes with manual ground balancing options. The 11-inch Bi-Axial is good for coin hunting, beach hunting, or relic hunting. Basically, it finds almost anything for you.

There’s an 11-segment visual ID that makes it easier to distinguish between trash and treasure. This works by showing a 2-digit ID ranging from 00-99 to show the metal type. This is especially good for hunting in areas where there’s more trash like bottle caps, pull tabs, foil, and rusty nails.

Not only that but all this information is displayed on an easy-to-read LCD screen with a user-friendly menu.

Therefore, it comes with 2 9 volt batteries to power this machine and an indicator tells the user when to replace the battery.

Furthermore, it has multiple control options. Such as the notch control, which lets you filter out selected metal categories, such as foil or steel. The sensitivity controls can adjust with the soil mineralization and the soil’s electronic interference.

It can also filter out background noises from mineralized soils using the threshold control and a high frequency of 5.9 kHz.

This F4 metal detector is a good option if you like treasure hunts around your neighborhood. The super-lightweight body also reduces strain on your arms from a long day on hunting grounds.

Pros:

  • A sturdy and lightweight build
  • Has a good, top-of-the-line ground balance
  • Comes with a waterproof coil
  • Lets you tune out background noise
  • Works with beach water
  • Good for kids and adults
  • Best for treasure hunters

Cons:

  • The user manual is a bit confusing
  • Doesn’t come with any headphones
  • It has a very low frequency

Specifications:

  • Dimensions: 22 x 8 x 5 inches
  • Power: 2  AA batteries
  • Weight: 3 pounds
  • 9-inch search coil
  • Frequency machine: 7.69 kHz
  • 5-year limited warranty
  • Non-volatile memory to save settings
  • Discrimination and sensitivity control
  • 4-tune audio ID
  • Two-digit numeric ID numbers

Next up on our list is another hobbyist favorite, The Fisher F22 Metal Detector, a waterproof and weatherproof metal detector with a custom mode that enables users to set their own tones.

Moreover, it comes with a 9-inch detecting stock coil and a 2-digit numeric digital target ID from numbers 1-99, along with a higher frequency of 7.69 kHz.

Additionally, this lightweight machine weighs only three pounds which makes it easier to maneuver. It also has controls for adjusting sensitivity and volume.

Not only that, but it has user-friendly discrimination controls that allow you to prefer one metal over the other. The Fe-tone is for adjusting iron audio and setting the volume of ferrous targets lower than the non-ferrous targets to enhance the clarity of the desired metals.

In addition to that, it has a fast retune speed and pin-point feature to allow you to detect the exact location. It has a custom mode to let users set their own tones in addition to the 4-tone-audio ID.

The 9-inch concentric and elliptical coil can work with all kinds of weather and ground conditions. It comes with non-volatile memory, which has the ability to save the settings. All this makes it a great machine.

In the end, if you want a low price, high-performance metal detectors with great features, the Fisher F22 is a good option.

Pros:

  • Extremely lightweight design
  • Works in any environment
  • Good value for your money 
  • High processing speed

Cons:

  • Ground balance is not the best
  • Comparatively smaller coil size

Specifications:

  • Weight: 5.35 pounds
  • Dimensions: 24.6 x 12 x 4.25 inches
  • Power: 4  AA batteries with charger
  • 11-inch X 35 round standard search coil
  • Frequency: 35 frequencies in total, 5 frequencies with 7 wide offsets
  • 5-year limited warranty
  • Built-in speaker and a 1/8 inch jack for headphones
  • Full graphic LCD display
  • Discrimination and range control with good ground balancing
  • 4-non-motion modes
  • 9 pre-configured factory programs

A high-tech addition to our list is the XP DEUS WS5 metal detector. This top-notch metal detector comes with all digital controls with a full graphic display and a low consumption backlight.

Additionally, it is fitted with an 11″X 35 Round standard search coil with carbon fiber infused DD. It is waterproof, lightweight, and comes with hardware and a coil cover.

Moreover, it has 4 AA batteries supplied with a charger, and the battery life lasts around 20 hours depending on the use. It has a boost mode which increases the transmission power of the coil significantly. This allows the detector to work even on difficult ground surface conditions.

Not only that but it is supplied with an LCD remote that can control and adjust the detector. It has built-in speakers that work with or without headphones and a 1/8-inch headphone jack.

There are four static modes and discrimination settings of audio/video and extended discrimination modes for iron signals. It comes with 9 pre-set factory programs with an expert menu.

A great thing about this detector is that it has a total of 35 frequencies. The 5 main frequencies include 7 wide offsets: 3.7-4.4, 7.1-8.4, 10.5-12.4, 15.2-17.8, 23.5-27.7 kHz. All of this gives the metal detector an exceptional range and high performance.

Pros:

  • Digital display and control options
  • Great sensitivity for low conductive targets
  • A hip mount case for remote control
  • Multi-frequency detector

Cons:

  • Multiple digital controls drain the battery quickly
  • No function to cancel the noise.

Specifications:

  • Weight: 6.44 pounds
  • Dimensions: 26 x 13 x 5 inches
  • Power: 2  AA batteries
  • DD coil with 10-feet depth detection
  • 3-year limited warranty
  • 50 segment target identification
  • monochrome LCD display
  • Discrimination, pinpoint, and range control
  • Good manual and automatic ground balancing
  • 6 custom modes
  • 3 search modes

Moving on, we have the heavy-duty Minelab Equinox 600 Metal Detector. Minelab is known for building cool machines, and this one is no different. This best brand metal detector is powered by 2 AA batteries and has a DD coil.

Moreover, the coil can work with three single frequencies of 5, 10, 0r 15 kHz, and it also has a multifrequency mode. This lightweight tool comes with automatic and manual ground balance and a sensitivity option from 1-25.

Not only that, but it also has threshold control from 0-25 and target volume control from 0-25. It also comes with a 5-level depth indicator with a 50 segment target identification that can detect objects at a detection depth of 10 feet.

Additionally, it comes with a built-in battery that has a run time of up to 12 hours. So you can spend hours at a saltwater beach without worrying about the battery running out. It also has a monochrome LCD display, and the best part is that the software can be upgraded by connecting it to the PC.

It has three search modes and six custom modes with pinpoint options, a target ID that is accurate and fast and comes with built-in memory.

Lastly, it comes with a pair of wireless Bluetooth headphones to make target detection easier.  It is best suited for detection activities near the seashore as it has a wider range and multiple frequency options.

Pros:

  • Supplied with additional search coils
  • Comes with headphones
  • Great noise cancellation properties
  • Best for saltwater hunting

Cons:

  • No user instructions included.
  • Many reviews mentioned bad customer service.

Specifications:

  • Weight: 4.84 pounds
  • Dimensions: 21.5 x 10.5 x 5 inches
  • Power: 4  AA batteries required
  • 9-inch Interchangeable ACE series search coils
  • Continuous depth indicator
  • Graphic target ID
  • 8-levels of sensitivity controls for differing ground controls
  • Large LCD with pushbuttons
  • 5 electronic pinpoint modes
  • 5 search modes

The Garrett ACE 250 metal detector is durable and well-designed. It has a moderate weight of 4.84 pounds and is powered by 4 aa batteries that are built-in.

Additionally, it is supplied with the Ace series search that is 9-inch in diameter and interchangeable. They also have a great continuous depth indication feature for target separation. It is also a gold detector.

Moreover, to manage the controls, it has a wide LCD with a push-button layout to show a graphic target ID on your detection.

Not only that, but it also has 8 different levels of sensitivity controls and differing controls for the ground signals.

It has notch control for accepting/rejecting a target, electronic pinpoint option to recover the target for the controls. It also has 5 search modes.

The shaft of this detector is balanced well, and it is supplied with headphones so that you can take your time and go on long hunts without messing up the device.

You can get all of this for a very reasonable cost, along with a user-friendly instruction manual and a detector that is easy to take apart for transportation.

Pros:

  • The shaft is well balanced
  • Comes with a user-friendly manual
  • Easy to set up and dismantle
  • Has a reasonable product price tag

Cons:

  • No waterproofing
  • No ground balance options
  • No noise cancellations

Specifications:

  • Weight: 5.13 pounds
  • Dimensions: 22 x 11 x 6 inches
  • Power: 4  AA batteries required
  • 7″ X 10″ Submersible search coils
  • Generates electromagnetic waves
  • Digital Target ID with Legend, Cursor.
  • 8kHz Frequency adjusting options
  • Power on/off button
  • Volume control for the headphones
  • Large LCD with pushbuttons
  • Notch discrimination and pinpoint mode
  • 4 search modes
  • 2-year warranty

Another metal detector in the Garrett ACE brand metal detectors is the Garrett ACE 300 Waterproof Coil detector. This lightweight, ergonomically designed detector comes with a 7-inch submersible search coil powered by 4 AA batteries and can work underwater to detect metals.

The coil detects by generating magnetic field waves, which in turn produce sinusoidal waves in the ground. The detection frequency is adjustable and can reach a limit of 8 kHz.

Moreover, the control panel consists of a display with pushbuttons that includes a power button, sensitivity control options, pinpoint, discrimination setting, battery level indication, digital target ID along with a target legend, and a target cursor.

Additionally, it is supplied with a pair of headphones that have adjustable volume options. There are 4 search modes for prompt tuning of the detector and can detect every type of metal, including jewelry, coins, relics, along with a custom setting for specific location and conditions.

It has a notch discrimination option that can program the detector to locate only specific metals. It also has a fixed ground balance which is extremely good for beginners.

Additionally, it comes with a 2-year warranty on all the parts.

Pros:

  • Lightweight, ergonomic design
  • Comes with  three free accessories
  • Has a wide display control panel
  • Fast learning curve

Cons:

  • Doesn’t work on wet sand
  • Some people complained about the bad customer support.

Specifications:

  • Weight: 5.13 pounds
  • Dimensions: 22 x 11 x 6 inches
  • Power: 4  AA batteries required
  • 10-inch search coil
  • Target detection depth up to 8 inches
  • Requires 2 batteries of 9 Volts
  • Pinpoint function
  • Jack for the headphones
  • Large LCD with pushbuttons
  • Notch discrimination and pinpoint mode
  • 3 audio tunes
  • 3 switchable modes

Moving on to the next product, we have the RM RICOMAX Metal Detector. This is another detector that is waterproof.

The device is known for its exceptional sensors that provide quality detection, even underwater. It also has a pinpoint function that tells you the exact area where the metal is buried so you can dig it easily.

Additionally, it can detect at a search depth up to 8 inches with ease. It also has three audio options for specific metals, and it can also detect metals such as gold and silver.

Moreover, it has three switchable modes to determine the objects you want to detect. The LDC control panel also has a jack for headphones with an adjustable volume.

It has advanced sensitivity options that instantly pick up the underground signals and detect the metal. You can also keep an eye on the battery level through the control panel screen as it uses 2 9 volt batteries.

So if you’re looking for a quality item that is waterproof, equipped with great sensors, can easily detect a lot of metals such as gold, iron, zinc, aluminum, and silver, this is the right choice for you.

Pros:

  • An audio mode that tells the type of metal detected
  • Functioning LCD display and control panel
  • Powerful sensors for detecting

Cons:

  • Doesn’t function properly in harsh environments
  • The battery discharges quite fast

Specifications:

  • Weight: 6.98 pounds
  • Dimensions: 21.4 x 14.5 x 5.9 inches
  • Power: 4  AA batteries required
  • 8.5″ X 11″ PROformance DD Submersible search coils
  • 10-foot submersion
  • The high frequency of 15 kHz
  • Generates electromagnetic waves
  • Digital Target ID  0-99.
  • Graphic target analyzer
  • Continuous depth indicator
  • Volume control operation for the headphones
  • Large LCD with pushbuttons
  • The automatic and manual ground balance option for accuracy
  • Fast recovery speed
  • 2-year warranty

The Garrett AT Pro Metal Detector Underwater Pinpointer is among the best metal detectors if you are looking underwater. It comes with an 8.5-inch PROformance DD submersible that can remain waterproof up to 10 feet.

Moreover, it comes with a large control box with an LCD display and control buttons that are easy to operate. You can control the volume of your headphones from this panel.

It uses excellent technology such as the continuous depth indicator to make sure that you’re always using the digging tools in the right direction.

Additionally, the sensors fitted to this system are high quality and have a fast recovery speed to determine the metal location. The pinpoint option lets you specify the location of your hunt.

The gold prospector is fitted with a graphic target analyzer, a manual and automatic ground balance option.

Lastly, it comes with additional coils if you want to replace a broken one, and the package has good quality headphones to help your expeditions.

Pros:

  • The package comes with additional coils
  • Headphones are supplied with the item
  • Good gold prospecting detector
  • Programed with frequency shift against interference

Cons:

  • Software can’t be updated
  • Offers only one frequency

Specifications:

  • Weight: 5.48 pounds
  • Dimensions: 22 x 15 x 6 inches
  • Power: 4  AA batteries required
  • 8.5″ X 11″ PROformance DD waterproof search coil size
  • Search coil cover and a rain cover
  • 10 kHz adjustable frequency
  • Stable Camlocks and enhanced iron resolution
  • Electronic pinpointing
  • Notch discrimination
  • Digital target ID
  • Volume control for the ClearSound headphones
  • Large LCD with pushbuttons
  • 5 search modes
  • 2-year warranty

Number 9 on our list another Garrett ACE detector. The  ACE 400 Metal Detector, like its predecessors, is loaded with high-tech and useful features. It is fitted with an 8.5 X 11-inch PRoformance DD waterproof search coil.

Additionally, it comes with a coil cover and a rain cover to protect the metal detector from damage. It also has a digital target ID for the metal it detects along with five different search operation modes so you can detect your desired metal effectively.

For enhanced sounds, it comes with a pair of ClearSound headphones that have adjustable volume options. The large LCD screen with buttons allows you to monitor different aspects of the detector, such as the pinpoint option that tells you exactly where an object is.

Moreover, to look for specific metals without detecting others, it has a top-notch discrimination feature to look for only one metal.

It also has an adjustable frequency feature with the highest level of 10 kHz. This model has enhanced iron resolution and stable Camlocks.

In addition to that, it has an adjustable arm strap, and the whole package comes with an instruction manual, a catalog and a searcher magazine, along with a 2-year warranty on all the parts.

Pros:

  • Good product with a reasonable price point 
  • Comes with Clear Sound headphones
  • Has high durability
  • Has adjustable frequency functions

Cons:

  • Not submersible and can’t be used in the sea
  • No auto ground balance feature

Specifications:

  • Weight: 4.7 pounds
  • Dimensions: 10.25 x 6.25 x 28.5 inches
  • Department: Lawn, Garden, Patio
  • Power: 4  AA alkaline batteries with 40 hour lifetime
  • DD waterproof search coil
  • Frequency: 13 kHz
  • Magnetic ground mineralization bar and graph readout
  • Double filter discrimination control
  • Trigger actuated target pinpointing
  • Variable audio pitch
  • Trigger actuated fastgrab ground balance feature
  • Large LCD with 00-99 target identification
  • Non-volatile memory saves settings
  • 5-year warranty

Finally, the Fisher F75 metal detector is usually targeted toward beginners and experienced metal detectorists. This lightweight detector is good for hunting around your house, garden, lawn, or patio.

It comes with a DD waterproof search coil that is powered by 4 AA alkaline batteries.

Additionally, it works with frequencies up to 13 kHz with the option of frequency shift. A magnetic mineralization bar and graph readout that helps you when you’re on soil that contains high ground minerals.

The trigger actuated pinpoint option detects the exact location of the hint and is great for those new to the metal detecting hobby.

Moreover, the variable audio is quite helpful when dealing with places containing multiple metals. This, in combination with the double filter discrimination, enables you to find something even with places that have lots of trash.

The non-volatile memory on this device saves users’ settings for later. All of this information is displayed on the LCD screen with a 00-99 digit numerical display. All of this comes with a 5-year limited warranty from the company.

Pros:

  • Additional coils are supplies with the product
  • Has the option of frequency shift
  • Has a fast recovery speed
  • Can detect even with high ground mineralization
  • Comes with a 5-year guarantee

Cons:

  • Doesn’t come with headphones
  • Only one operating frequency detectors

FAQ's

There are different types of detectors on the market depending on the skill level of the user. However, if you’re a beginner, you should search for an entry-level machine that is much easier to use. The Fisher F4 metal detector is a good option with great features that are best suited to beginners. It has a lightweight design and a sturdy build that won’t break when you’re learning.

The Minelab Equinox 600 Metal Detector is great if you want something that has a higher depth option. It can successfully detect metals at a depth of 10 feet with ease. It also has great noise cancellation properties.

The Garrett AT Pro Metal Detector Underwater Pinpointer is a great pick for gold prospecting detectors and is fitted with amazing sensors. Not only that, but it is one of the best gold detectors for underwater conditions, so you’re not restricted on land.

Metal Detecting Buying Guide

Uses

Metal detectors can be used to find many items and products, such as coin shooting, treasure hunting, saltwater beaches hunting, and almost everything containing a significant amount of metals.

They can be used in parks by children, in your home to look for some lost item, at salt water beaches to look for the gold nugget, in iron trash and in junkyards to find valuables.

Entry-level

For beginners looking to dip their feet in the world of metal detecting, they would start with a simple, easy-to-use detector with minimal features that can work on dry sand and help you get the hang of things.

Buying a complicated piece of equipment can not only make your life difficult while understanding the confusing features, and it can also put you off from the hobby.

Relic Hunting

If you’re a Civil War relic hunter, you should know that relic hunting uses detectors that are quite high-tech. These units use a variety of modern tech to scan beneath the ground to detect images of the relics. They usually have larger coils. You should invest in a good quality digital imaging detector with a low-frequency machine for relic hunting.

Multi-Frequency

These metal detectors are also loaded with high-tech features, and they use multiple operating frequencies to detect a particular object. This feature makes the detectors target the search area better. Aside from that, there are low-frequency machines known as VLF detectors, they transmit a single frequency in the range of 5.5 KHz. This can be used by a bounty hunter or a beginner detectorist on playgrounds or in freshwater streams as they contain less salt content

Pulse Induction

PI detectors are different from usual detectors because they have a single for transmitting and receiving signals. The pulse induction machine is most commonly used for finding gold nuggets in shallow saltwater rivers. Since they are used for underwater detection, PI machines tend to be heavy.

Waterproof

Most modern metal detectors are waterproof, but there’s a catch. Most of the time, it’s just the waterproof coil, meaning you can’t use the entire system near or underwater activities like scuba diving.

If you want a detector kit suitable for underwater use, you should look for those specified underwater at a specified depth.

If you seek a metal detector for the beach, go for waterproof pulse induction machines or a very low frequency (VLF) detector.

Some Other Metal Detectors You Can Check Out

If you’re someone with more experience and knowledge that needs something for work or research, the Minelab GPZ 7000 detector is a great choice (in our opinion). According to the manufacturer, this device is loaded with stuff that makes it ideal for gold detecting.

It can pursue deeper depths and is great for experts looking for an upgrade. It has one of the highest sensitivity levels found in any product in the industry. Therefore, it can detect even the slightest traces of gold.

The Garrett ATX is another good professional product with good functionality. It is marketed as a military-grade detector.

It can easily tell the difference whether the incoming signal is junk or something valuable. Moreover, it is fitted with advanced PI technology that makes it pick up even the faintest of the signals from deep locations. Not only that, but it comes with a bag and a pair of headphones to get you started.

Conclusion

We hope you find our list of the best metal detectors useful. So hurry up, grab a detector and explore the world!