Best Metal Detectors by Category
Expert-curated recommendations based on real-world testing, user reviews, and value for money. Find the perfect detector for your specific needs.
15
Categories
40+
Detectors Rated
2026
Updated Rankings
Best for Different Users
Best for Beginners
The best starter metal detectors and entry-level machines for new hobbyists. These first metal detectors prioritize ease of use, clear target identification, and forgiving learning curves. Perfect as a beginner detector that won't limit you as your skills grow.
- Ease of use and learning curve
- Value for money
Top Pick: Garrett ACE 400
Best for Kids
Lightweight childrens metal detectors and junior detectors designed for young treasure hunters. These kid-friendly metal detectors feature simple controls, child-sized designs, and durability for enthusiastic young adventurers.
- Lightweight design
- Simple controls
Top Pick: Garrett ACE 200
Best by Target Type
Best for Gold
Gold metal detectors and gold nugget detectors optimized for finding gold jewelry, gold rings, and small gold items. These high-frequency detectors excel at detecting low-conductivity gold targets that standard detectors miss. Can a metal detector find gold? Yes—with the right frequency.
- High frequency sensitivity
- Ground balance capability
Top Pick: Minelab Equinox 800
Best for Coins
Metal detectors for coin hunting and coin shooting optimized for finding old coins, silver coins, and rare coins. Fast recovery speed, accurate target ID, and reliable discrimination help you find coins while skipping trash.
- Target ID accuracy
- Discrimination quality
Top Pick: Garrett ACE 400
Best for Gold Prospecting
Specialized gold prospecting detectors and nugget hunting machines designed to find gold nuggets in highly mineralized ground. Features include high operating frequencies, pulse induction technology, and advanced ground balance for placer gold detection.
- Sensitivity to small gold
- Ground mineralization handling
Best for Relics
Relic hunting metal detectors and Civil War detectors designed to find historical artifacts and antiques. Deep detection capability, excellent iron discrimination, and target separation help you recover history from challenging sites.
- Depth on large targets
- Target separation
Top Pick: Garrett ACE 400
Best by Terrain & Conditions
Best for Beach
Saltwater metal detectors and beach hunting detectors with salt-handling ground balance and waterproof construction. These wet sand detectors handle challenging beach conditions without false signals. Essential for surf zone and shoreline detecting.
- Saltwater ground handling
- Waterproof rating
Top Pick: Garrett Pro-Pointer AT
Best Underwater
Fully submersible scuba metal detectors and dive detectors rated for underwater depths. Perfect for snorkeling, scuba diving, and underwater treasure hunting in freshwater and saltwater. These underwater metal detectors maintain full functionality even when completely submerged.
- Maximum depth rating
- Saltwater performance
Top Pick: Garrett Pro-Pointer AT
Best Waterproof
IP68 waterproof metal detectors and rain-proof detectors for hunting in wet conditions. From weather-resistant electronics to fully submersible units rated for shallow water, these waterproof detectors keep working when conditions get wet.
- IP68 waterproof rating
- Submersion depth
Top Pick: Nokta Pointer
Best by Budget
Best Under $500
Mid-range metal detectors under $500 that bridge the gap between entry-level and professional. These intermediate detectors offer multi-frequency technology, better depth, and enhanced discrimination at the sweet spot price point.
- Features per dollar
- Build quality
Best Value
Best metal detector for the money delivering maximum features and performance for your budget. These affordable detectors and budget-friendly machines prove you don't need to spend a fortune to find great treasures.
- Features per dollar
- Performance vs price
Top Pick: Minelab Equinox 600
Best Under $300
Cheap metal detectors and budget detectors priced under $300. Perfect affordable entry points into the hobby with proven performance. These budget-friendly options deliver quality without breaking the bank.
- Entry-level features
- Build quality
Best Under $1000
Advanced mid-range metal detectors under $1000 with professional-grade features. Semi-professional multi-frequency technology, full waterproofing, and competition-level performance for serious hobbyists.
- Professional features
- Multi-frequency capability
How We Choose Our Recommendations
Our picks are based on extensive field testing, manufacturer specifications, and aggregated user feedback from thousands of detectorists.
Field Testing
We test detectors in real conditions: parks, beaches, and mineralized soil.
User Reviews
We analyze thousands of reviews to identify real-world performance patterns.
Value Analysis
We consider features, performance, and price to identify the best value.