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The best metal detectors are sensitive enough to tell the difference between gold and ferrous metals. They are often fully submersible and can even find gold in places like mineralized black sand that are hard to dig in. Metal detectors are tools that can find metal that is buried in dirt, sand, grass, or even water. Metal detectors work by putting out a magnetic field around the electrical search coil.
This field goes down about 10 inches on average. If conductive material is close enough to the detector, its electromagnetic signature will disrupt the magnetic field. Both a light and a sound let you know when the detector has found something. Here are the best metal detectors we think you should buy, along with buying tips to help you find the right one for you.
Best Metal Detectors Comparison Table
| Metal Detector Model | Power Source | Material | Brand Name | Dimensions | Weight | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SUNPOW Professional OT-MD02 | 9V battery | Aluminum | SUNPOW | 21.26 x 13.78 x 5.91 in | 2.31 lbs | $100-$200 |
| Garrett ACE 300 | 4 AA batteries | Plastic, Aluminum | Garrett | 22 x 11 x 6 in | 5.4 lbs | $200-$300 |
| Bounty Hunter Tracker IV | 2 9V batteries | Plastic, Aluminum | Bounty Hunter | 28.2 x 10 x 6.2 in | 4.2 lbs | $100-$200 |
| Minelab Equinox 800 | Rechargeable battery | Carbon fiber, Plastic | Minelab | 56.7 x 7.5 x 10.2 in | 2.96 lbs | $800-$1000 |
| Fisher F22 Weatherproof | 2 AA batteries | Plastic, Aluminum | Fisher | 22 x 8 x 5 in | 2.3 lbs | $200-$300 |
| RM Ricomax Professional | 2 AA batteries | Aluminum, ABS | RM Ricomax | 48 x 10 x 10 in | 4.4 lbs | $100-$200 |
| XP Deus 2 | Rechargeable battery | Carbon fiber, Plastic | XP | 21.5 x 13.8 x 5.9 in | 2.5 lbs | $1500-$2000 |
| Garrett Ace 250 | 4 AA batteries | Plastic, Aluminum | Garrett | 22 x 11 x 6 in | 4.4 lbs | $200-$300 |
SUNPOW Professional OT-MD02
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Detection Modes | All Metal, Discrimination, Pinpoint |
| Operating Frequency | 10 kHz |
| Coil Size | 10 inches |
| Waterproof | Yes |
| Audio Tone ID | Yes |
| Sensitivity Levels | 10 levels |
| Ground Balance | Manual |
| Weight | 5.5 pounds |
| Battery | 2 x 9V alkaline batteries |
This Sunpow model has newer technology that the company says gives it a wider range of search and better sensitivity. It has three modes of operation that are meant to help improve accuracy, and it can find many different kinds of metal. Use the “All Metal” setting to see any kind of metal object, or use the “Accept/Reject” mode to see only certain kinds of metal.
If the detector finds something, you can use the pinpoint feature to find exactly where it is. Users on Amazon like how accurate it is and how easy it is to use, so they say this is a great choice for beginners. This is one of the best metal detectors that you can buy right now.
- There are different ways to find something.
- The design is waterproof so it can be used in all kinds of weather.
- Audio Tone ID makes it easy to find your target.
- Beginners may have to work harder at manual ground balance.
- Compared to some other models, it has a small coil size.
The Good
The Bad
Garrett ACE 300
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Detection Modes | 5 (Zero-Discrimination, Jewelry, Custom, Relics, Coins) |
| Operating Frequency | 8 kHz |
| Coil Size | 7 inches x 10 inches concentric |
| Waterproof | No |
| Audio Tone ID | Yes |
| Sensitivity Levels | 8 levels |
| Ground Balance | Adjustable |
| Weight | 2.8 pounds |
| Battery | 4 x AA batteries |
Even though the Garrett ACE 300 is close to the price of the Fisher F22, it comes with more useful accessories. You will also get a pair of headphones, a weather cover, and a coil cover, among other standard features, along with the metal detector. This is one of the best metal detectors that you can buy right now.
As a multipurpose detector, it can find coins, artifacts, and even gold in places with a lot of iron or shallow water. It also has a digital target ID that can tell how conductive an object is and show that on a scale from 0 to 99 on the screen. The higher the conductivity, the more likely it is to be gold. Small jewelry, iron, and steel will have a lower conductivity.
- Multiple modes for hunting specific targets; ground balance can be changed to improve performance
- Audio Tone ID makes it easy to find your target.
- Easy to handle because it’s light.
- Not waterproof, which limits its use in some places
- Compared to some other models, this one has a smaller coil size
The Good
The Bad
Bounty Hunter Tracker IV
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Detection Modes | All Metal, Discrimination |
| Operating Frequency | 6.7 kHz |
| Coil Size | 8 inches waterproof concentric |
| Waterproof | Yes |
| Audio Tone ID | Yes |
| Sensitivity Levels | N/A |
| Ground Balance | N/A |
| Weight | 4.2 pounds |
| Battery | 2 x 9V alkaline batteries |
The Tracker IV from Bounty Hunter is a great metal detector for both new and experienced hobbyists. It costs about $85 which is very affordable, so if you decide that metal detecting isn’t for you, you won’t have wasted a lot of money. With its separate modes for ferrous and non-ferrous materials, you can look for everything from scrap steel and aluminum to gold jewelry and silver coins.
The 8-inch detection coil can handle water, so you don’t have to worry about looking in wet places like streams, ponds, and beaches. The control box has simple dials and an easy-to-read meter for changing the sensitivity and figuring out what kind of metal is in things that are buried up to 2 feet deep. It also uses different tones for different metals to help people who are just starting out figure out what they might find in a certain area.
- All-metal and discrimination modes make the detector more useful.
- The design is waterproof so it can be used in different places.
- Audio Tone ID makes it easy to find your target.
- Lightweight, so you can use it for long periods of time without getting tired.
- No changes to sensitivity or ground balance
- Compared to some other models, this one has a smaller coil size
- Few advanced features for users with more experience
The Good
The Bad
Minelab Equinox 800
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Detection Modes | 4 (Park, Field, Beach, Gold) |
| Operating Frequency | Multi-Frequency (5 kHz, 10 kHz, 15 kHz, 20 kHz, 40 kHz) |
| Coil Size | 11 inches waterproof Double-D |
| Waterproof | Yes |
| Audio Tone ID | Yes |
| Sensitivity Levels | 25 levels |
| Ground Balance | Automatic and Manual |
| Weight | 2.96 pounds |
The Minelab Equinox 800 is a great choice if you are a serious metal detector hobbyist or a professional search and salvage worker. It’s a high-end, very accurate metal detector that can find things buried up to 18 inches deep. You can use it to look for coins, rings, scrap iron, aluminum, and even meteorites.
The whole unit is waterproof and can be put in water up to 10 feet deep, so you can look for treasures in rivers, lakes, ponds, and the ocean. With its four different detection modes, you can search sand dunes, beaches, grassy fields, and rocky hills with great accuracy. Overall, it is one of the best metal detectors that you can buy.
- Multiple detection modes for various detecting environments
- Multi-frequency technology makes it easier to find targets
- The design is waterproof so it can be used in all kinds of weather.
- Larger coils can cover a larger area and detect deeper.
- The weight is higher than that of some other models, which could lead to fatigue during long sessions of detecting.
- Beginners may need some time to get used to advanced features
The Good
The Bad
Fisher F22 Weatherproof Metal Detector
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Detection Modes | 4 (Jewelry, Coin, Artifact, Custom) |
| Operating Frequency | 7.69 kHz |
| Coil Size | 9 inches waterproof concentric |
| Waterproof | Yes |
| Audio Tone ID | Yes |
| Sensitivity Levels | 10 levels |
| Ground Balance | Manual |
| Weight | 2.3 pounds |
The Fisher F22 Weatherproof Metal Detector is a good choice for people who have never used a metal detector before. It can be used for many different things and is easy for both adults and children to use. This detector can be used to look for precious metals, coins, artifacts, and more. It is made to be weatherproof so that it can be used to search beaches, forests, and other outdoor areas during bad weather.
This great metal detector has a hand grip and an arm cup, and it only weighs 2.3 pounds, so it should be easy to carry for long periods of time. This pick is not the cheapest metal detector, but it has some high-tech features, like an easy-to-read screen with push-button controls for quick adjustments to discrimination, sensitivity, notch, and pinpoint.
- The weatherproof design lets it be used in all kinds of weather.
- There are different ways to find different kinds of targets.
- For searching in wet places, the coil is waterproof.
- Audio Tone ID makes it easy to find your target.
- Compared to some other models, it has lower levels of sensitivity.
- Single frequency operation might not work for all metal detectors.
- Less coverage and depth may come from a smaller coil size. Manual ground balance may require some skill and experience.
The Good
The Bad
RM Ricomax Professional GC-1037 Metal Detector
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Detection Modes | 3 (Discrimination, Tone, All Metal) |
| Operating Frequency | 10 kHz |
| Coil Size | 10 inches waterproof concentric |
| Waterproof | Yes |
| Audio Tone ID | Yes |
| Sensitivity Levels | 3 levels |
| Ground Balance | Automatic |
| Weight | 4.5 pounds |
The RM Ricomax professional GC-1037 has a discrimination mode, but relic hunters will like its all-metal and pinpoint modes the most. It’s best not to let the metal detector decide what’s valuable and what’s not when you’re looking for relics that could be hard to tell apart and could be missed by an automated system.
The RM Ricomax detector can be used completely underwater, weighs only 2.31 pounds, and has an ergonomic forearm grip that makes it easier to use for long periods of time. This metal detector can search as deep as 10 inches and has a large LCD screen with visual indicators for target identification, discrimination mode, and sensitivity adjustment.
- Multiple detection modes for versatile target detection
- The design is waterproof so it can be used in a variety of places.
- Audio Tone ID makes it easy to find your target.
- Larger coils can cover a larger area and detect deeper.
- Automatic ground balance makes it easy to use.
- Compared to some other models, it has lower levels of sensitivity.
- Single frequency operation might not be the best for all metal detectors.
- When used for a long time, the weight may make you tired.
The Good
The Bad
XP Deus 2
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Detection Modes | 4 (Gold, Coin, Jewelry, Custom) |
| Operating Frequency | Adjustable (13 kHz to 81 kHz) |
| Coil Size | 9 inches waterproof elliptical |
| Waterproof | Yes (control box and headphones) |
| Audio Tone ID | Yes |
| Sensitivity Levels | 99 levels |
| Ground Balance | Automatic and Manual |
| Weight | 2.6 pounds |
The XP Deus 2 is a powerful submersible detector for serious prospectors that can work up to 60 feet below the surface of the water. But the XP Deus is not only waterproof. This high-end multi-frequency detector can be set to 49 different frequencies, and it also has a very cool simultaneous mode.
The range from 4 to 45 kHz has more than enough space for gold. Wide and precise discrimination modes help you narrow the field even more, and the machine tells you what it found with three different tones for ferrous, low conductor, and high conductor metals, in PWM or SQUARE wave.
- There are different ways to find different kinds of targets.
- Adjustable frequency of operation for best performance in different situations
- Both the control box and the headphones are made to be waterproof.
- Audio Tone ID makes it easy to find your target.
- High levels of sensitivity to find small and deep targets
- Compared to some other models, it has a higher price.
- Beginners may need some time to get used to advanced features.
- If the coil size is smaller, coverage and depth may be less.
The Good
The Bad
Garrett Ace 250
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Detection Modes | 5 (All Metal, Jewelry, Custom, Relics, Coins) |
| Operating Frequency | 6.5 kHz |
| Coil Size | 6.5 x 9 inches concentric |
| Waterproof | No |
| Audio Tone ID | Yes |
| Sensitivity Levels | 8 levels |
| Ground Balance | Automatic |
| Weight | 2.7 pounds |
Barisic got his own metal detector, a Garrett Ace 250, which he says is not too hard to use or heavy to carry. “For the price, it’s great because it has five search modes and a lot of other features,” he says. “Notch discrimination” is a feature that lets you choose which types of metal to look for. Overall, it is one of the best metal detectors that you can buy.
Jessie Thompson, a metal-detectorist from Connecticut who has been interested in the hobby since he was 14, says that this model’s search coil is waterproof up to a depth of nine inches, which makes it great for practicing on sandy beaches. If the 250 is out of your price range, the Garrett Ace 200 has many of the same features for a little less money.
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- Multiple detection modes for versatile target detection
- For long-term use, it is light and easy to handle.
- Audio Tone ID makes it easy to find your target.
- Automatic ground balance makes it easy to use.
- Non-waterproof design may limit detecting in wet environments
- Compared to some other models, it has lower levels of sensitivity.
- If the coil size is smaller, coverage and depth may be less.
The Good
The Bad
FAQs
Minelab GPZ 7000 – Best Overall. Let us introduce you to Minelab’s GPZ 7000 if you’re really, really serious about finding gold. This beast of a metal detector will make you a better prospector.
Arizona. Arizona is most likely the most popular state in the U.S. for nuggetshooting. This is mostly because there are so many places where gold nuggets can be found and the ground is easy to detect. Many people who make their living as miners spend the winter in Arizona metal detecting.
A metal detector was used to find 92.7% of the treasure, while archeological digs only found 3.4%. Don’t leave it up to chance, though, because only 1.7% of finds were made by accident.
But there are good options that won’t break the bank, like the Bounty Hunter Tracker IV, which costs around $100. If you have more experience, you can buy a more advanced metal detector for $200 to $500 that can tell the difference between gold, silver, brass, copper, and iron-based metals.