Short Answer
Finding the best metal detector depends on two factors, where you are treasure hunting and how much money you want to spend. Here is a short overview of the best metal detectors on the market. Be sure to scroll down for a more detailed description.
Best All-Around
A Very Low Frequency (VLF) Detector will work just about anywhere and has the lowest price point. VLF machines can locate every type of metal and work in freshwater.
Two great options are the Fisher F22 and the Garrett Ace 200:
Best for Beach and Saltwater
VLF detectors work just about everywhere but they do not work too well at the beach or in saltwater. If you planning on doing most of your detecting at the beach then get a Pulse Induction detector. It is more expensive but will yield better results in the and mineralized by saltwater. Make sure any detector purchased for beach use is completely waterproof.
The Garrett Sea Hunter and the Fisher F22 are great options for PI machines.
Absolute Best but Very Expensive
Multi-Frequency detectors are the most expensive option, but offer the widest range of potions and work anywhere. These units are powerful and complex and are not for beginners. MF detectors are also extremely expensive. Click here for a detailed breakdown of Multi-Frequency Metal Detectors
Best for Kids
If you are looking for a child under 15 years old, there are some great lighter easier to use options.
The Fisher and Bounty Hunter 4 Tracker IV are perfect for younger kids.
For kids over 15 stick with the recommendations above.
Best Budget Models
If budget is your only concern there are some metal detectors at a very low price point. Remember, you get what you pay for. It is probably better to spend a little more to get a more durable unit with a decent warranty than save a little upfront.
Scroll down for more detailed information on all the metal detectors listed above and a lot of great information about metal detecting!
Find the right detector, then find your treasure
Overview
What is the best metal detector? That’s easy, the Minelab GPZ 7000. This beast offers deep ground penetration, precision ground balance, wireless audio, GPS tracking, works in just about any environment and is specifically designed to locate gold. The GPZ 7000 is the pinnacle of metal detecting technology built by one of the best brands and it costs as much as a good used car. (If you would like more info or would like to buy one, click here.)
For everyone who does not have a giant pile of cash laying around, the answer is not so simple… Metal detectors are tools and like most other tools there are a variety of different sizes, options, and prices available from a number of reputable and not so reputable brands and dealers. There is no perfect metal detector. You need to find the metal detector that suits your needs at a price you are comfortable with. You should answer some questions before you decide which metal detector is best for you:
Where Are You Planning on Hunting?
- Dirt
- Sand
- Freshwater
- Saltwater
What Are You Planning on Hunting?
- Coins
- Relics
- Jewelry
- Gold
What is your Skill Level?
- Kid
- Beginner
- Advanced
- Professional
How much do you want to spend?
- Under $300
- Under $500
- Under $1000
- The sky’s the limit
If you are looking for coins and jewelry in the dirt you could be perfectly fine with a $300 metal detector. On the other hand, if you are searching for gold on the beach you are going to have to invest much more money to get a metal detector that will work for you. The best metal detector is the one you are most comfortable with, helps you find what you are hunting for and enables you to have fun with your hobby.
Best Beginner Metal Detector
Rating: 5
Rating: 4.5
Rating: 4.5
Fisher F22
- Perfect for jewelry, coins, and artifacts
- Lightweight, only 2.3 lbs and weatherproof
- 4 tone Audio-ID system allowing for custom tones
- Up to 9 inches detecting depth
- Can not adjust ground balance
Garrett Ace 300
- Comes with headphones, coverup and search coil cover.
- Waterproof coils and shaft up to the control box
- Digital target id
- Built-in pinpoint feature
- Difficult for new users to learn different tones
Check Price of Garrett Ace 300
Tesoro Silver uMax
- Made in the USA with a lifetime warranty
- Light 3.25 lbs
- Waterproof Coil
- Easy to use
- Can not adjust ground balance
- No LCD screen
Best Metal Detector for Coins and Relics
Rating: 4
Rating: 4.5
Fisher F7.5 Special Edition
- Multiple modes, sensitivity levels, and ground balancing options
- A backlit LCD display with target ID
- Weatherproof and
- Can be used for gold
- Expensive
Check Price of Fisher F7.5 Special Edition
Teknetics T2 Classic
- Deep ground penetration
- Waterproof coils
- Low price and operating cost
- DD coil only option
- No LCD backlight
Check Price of Teknetics T2 Classic
Best Metal Detector for Saltwater or Mineralized Soil
Rating: 4.5
Rating: 5
Tesoro Sand Shark
- PI technology with a fetime warranty
- Two search modes: Normal for beachcombing and VCO for pinpointing targets
- Completely waterproof up to 200 feet
- Cannot discriminate between metals
- Headphones hardwired to control box
Check Price of Tesoro Sand Shark
Fisher CZ-21
- VLF technology with 2-year warranty
- Waterproof to 250 feet
- Push button pinpointing and ground balance
- Deep ground penetration
- Expensive
Best Multiple Frequency Metal Detector
Rating: 4.5
Rating: 4.5
Minelab Excalibur II
- Deep depth and excellent discrimination
- Works well in saltwater, mineralized soil, and dry land
- Waterproof to 200 feet
- Takes time to learn different tones
- Expensive
Minelab CTX 3030
- Wireless audio
- Built-in GPS tracks search area and finds
- Search info can be transferred to Google Maps
- Full-color LCD screen
- Very Expensive
- Waterproof only to 10 feet- no diving
Check Price of Minelab CTX 3030
Best Metal Detector for Freshwater
Rating: 4.5
Rating: 4.5
Rating: 4.5
Rating: 4.5
Garrett AT Pro
- 2-year warranty
- Waterproof to 10 feet
- Automatic and Manual Ground Balance
- Proportional and Iron Audio to separate trash for targets
- Waterproof headphones are extra
Check Price of Garrett AT Pro w/ propointer
Check Price of Garrett AT PRO with MS-2 Headphones
Garrett AT Gold
- 2-year warranty
- Waterproof to 10 feet
- Works well for gold
- Smaller coil for better searches
- 3 modes of operation
- Waterproof headphones are extra
Check Price of Garrett AT Gold
Fisher 1280X-8
- Waterproof to 2500 feet
- Adjustable VLF discrimination sensitivity control
- Long battery life
- No LCD
- Not great for gold or relics
Best Metal Detector for Kids
Rating: 5
Rating: 4.5
Rating: 4.5
Fisher F22
- Easy to use
- 9’ ground penetration
- Weatherproof with waterproof coil
- You need to read the manual before using
Garrett Ace 300
- Easy to use
- 9’ ground penetration
- Waterproof Coil
- The entire unit is not weatherproof
Check Price of Garrett Ace 300
Tesoro Silver uMax
- Lifetime Warranty
- Very light
- Easy to use
- No screen- only knobs
This is only a brief description of the best metal detectors. As stated at the top there is no one best detector only the one that is best for you. Please read reviews and do more research before buying your machine. Metal detectors are constantly changing so read updated reviews, some new detectors for 2018 have marked improvements from 2017 versions.
The metal detectors listed above are somewhat expensive. Sticking to high-quality products from reputable sellers will ensure a quality detector and avoid headaches down the road. Be sure to read and understand any warranty or guarantee, especially relating to shipping costs and refurbished units.
Accessories
All you really need to be successful at metal detecting is some open ground, a metal detector and a good pair of shoes. None of the accessories are an absolute must have, but they can make the metal detecting experience more efficient, profitable, and fun.
Some metal detecting accessories:
- Bag for Detector and Accessories
- Headphones
- Pinpointer
- Pouch
- Shovel
- Spare Batteries
- Trowel
Click to Learn more about Metal Detecting Accessories
Parts of a Metal Detector
A Metal detector has only a few parts and should be lightweight enough for you to hold comfortably in one hand.
From top to bottom, here are the main parts of a metal detector
- Stabilizer
- Control Box
- Shaft
- Coils
The electronic “guts” of the metal detector are housed in the coils and the “brain” is in the control box. Be extra careful with them. Unless your unit is completely waterproof take extra effort to keep the control box dry.
Most metal detectors are lightweight and easy to carry. Consider getting a harness if your unit is a little heavy or you plan on long treasure hunts.
Click to Learn more about the parts of a metal detector
Metal Detecting Technology
There are three basic types of metal detecting technology, Very Low Frequency, Pulse Induction, and Multi-Frequency. Each technology excels in some areas and struggles in others. There are also vast differences in the prices of the various metal detectors.
- Very Low Frequency (VLF) is the lowest priced metal detecting technology. It works well for detecting on the ground and in freshwater but struggles with high soil mineralization.
- Pulse Induction (PI) is more expensive than VLF. PI machines work very well at saltwater beaches and diving in the ocean. PI metal detectors can not discriminate between different types of metals.
- Multi-Frequency metal detectors are the top of the line units and work well in just about any environment. MF machines are extremely expensive, starting at over $1,000 and going as high as $15,000.
Most detectorists start off with a quality VLF metal detector due to the lower price. If you live on the ocean or like to dive, you might want to get a PI unit. If money is no object then head right for the Multi-Frequency detectors.
Click to Learn more about Metal Detecting Technology
Types of Ground Balance
Mineralized ground or salt water can confuse metal detectors. The machines have trouble differentiating between the minerals in the ground and potential treasure. Adjusting the ground balance removes these background signals allowing targets to be heard more clearly.
- Manual- set by the user
- Automatic- set by the detector
- Tracking- detector continually adjusts while in use
Beginners are probably best served using the factory preset automatic ground balance, but as your detecting skills increase manual and tracking will allow you more control over the settings making finding targets easier. Make small tweaks to the settings until you find something that works in the soil you are searching, and be sure to save the changes as a preset or write the settings in a list so you can use them again. Burying a few items and testing out the settings before heading out can help calibrate the setting for a more productive treasure hunt.
Click to Learn more about Ground Balance
Where to Detect
The best places to go metal detecting are locations where large numbers of people congregate and, hopefully, drop stuff. Parks, trails, athletic fields, concert venues, churchyards, schools, the beach are all great options. Be sure to do some research and talk to people who have lived in the area for a long time. You never know what that field was used for 30, 50, or even 100 years ago.
Be sure to check local, state and federal laws or obtain the permission of the owners before detecting.
Where Not to Detect
No matter how tempting it might be, do not go metal detecting in cemeteries, no matter how old. It is disrespectful to both the living and the dead. Metal detecting in a cemetery is a bad look for the individual doing it and detecting as a whole.
Click to Learn more about the Best Places to go Metal Detecting
Permission Form
If you receive permission to search on private property, you might want to get the owner to sign a permission form. This form is not required, but formalizes the agreement and protects both you and the property owner. The form should include an agreement of where you can search and for how long. Also, it should include an agreement on who will own any items found or how ownership will be split. It is also a good idea to include a liability waiver for the owner for any damage to your equipment or injury.
The form is not required, but it could save a lot of headaches down the road, especially if you hit the jackpot and discover buried treasure.
Click to Learn more about Metal Detecting Permission Form
Conclusion
Do not feel overwhelmed but all this information on metal detectors and detecting. The best metal detector for you is the one that is going to get you outside and detecting. You can always upgrade later on if necessary. Before you buy, read reviews, shop around and stick to reputable brands like Minelab, Fisher, Garrett, and Bounty Hunter.
Buy a model that you are comfortable with and fits into your budget. Most of the brands reviewed here offer high-quality machines at just about every price point. Just be careful if you have specific needs, like salt water or highly mineralized ground, it might be worth spending a little more money starting out.
You might never hit a jackpot, but you will get some exercise and clean fresh air, you will meet a lot of interesting (crazy?) people along the way and you will make some amazing finds. Next step is to start the hunt for treasure!
Find the right detector, then find your treasure!
