We spent weeks testing the best metal detectors on the market. Here are our top six picks.
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We Found the 6 Best Metal Detectors After Testing Nearly a Dozen Models
Updated on Jan. 08, 2025
On Sale
Best Overall Metal Detector
Bounty Hunter TK4 Tracker IV Metal Detector
Pros:
- Expert recommended
- Easy to use
- Detected all of our test items
- Waterproof searchcoil
- Lightweight
- Affordable
Cons:
- No arm strap
- Screen was very hard to read
The Bounty Hunter metal detector earned the top spot on our list for its intuitiveness, lightweight design and its ability to detect all of our test items. Our testers appreciated the fact that it’s one of the most affordable options on our list. Better yet, this model is used by the pros.
“I currently own 22 metal detectors ranging from budget-friendly to high-end models, including five Bounty Hunters. Two are IV Trackers,” says Joanna Jana Laznicka, metal detectorist and founder of Focus Speed. “The IV Tracker in particular, is an excellent analog detector. I know several fellow detectorists who, despite having the means to purchase more expensive models, choose to stick with the IV Tracker because of how well it does in relic detecting and old coin detecting.”
Though it doesn’t have all of the bells and whistles that pricier metal detectors have, it has three modes to help you sort trash from treasure. It also features automatic ground balance which neutralizes the detector’s response to mineral content in the ground. That said, it does not have any land type settings: a feature you’ll find on some of the other, higher-end models on our list.
During testing, our team found that this metal detector excelled when at detecting aluminum, picking it up from six inches away or less. It also detected a pair of 10-karat gold earrings, though only when they were within two to three inches from the coils. Moreover, it performed successfully in water during a real-world beach hunt. Unfortunately, our team only dug up a foil-covered bottle cap, a USB charger and a wire as opposed to some real buried treasure, but they were pleased to see that it worked well overall.
In spite of its ability to find all of our testing items and then some, our team noted a few flaws with this model. They especially disliked the screen, which they described as virtually useless and not at all intuitive. “Whenever we swing a metal item in front of the coil, the gauge that reads from 10 to one (left to right) bounces all the way to one, then immediately back to 10 again. We thought this might be the target ID scale, but it’s impossible to read due to how quickly it moves,” explains Product Tester Sydney Manning. Additionally, they didn’t like the fact that although there are slats in which to insert a Velcro strap, there is no arm strap included with this metal detector.
“It doesn’t come with a strap, which makes it hard to hold,” explains Product Tester Annamarie Higley. “By nature, metal detectors have to be held at sort of an awkward angle, so without a strap as a counter, holding becomes very tiring on the forearm very quickly.”
Overall, our testers agree that this metal detector is a great value for kids, beginners or anyone looking to have fun. “We liked this one better than expected, but overall, it was simple and stripped down—which is probably why we liked it,” says Higley. “That said, it’s kind of like a glorified version of the kids’ models. The analog interface doesn’t really tell you anything, but it’s easy to use if you’re just looking to have fun.”
Want to learn more? You can read our full review of the Bounty Hunter metal detector before making your final decision.
On Sale
Best Budget Metal Detector
Sunpow Metal Detector
Pros:
- Affordable
- Various included accessories
- Intuitive screen
- Adjustable armrest
Cons:
- Somewhat confusing key
- Poor performance when detecting gold
If you’re looking for the best metal detector and are on a budget, the Sunpow Metal Detector is our top pick. That’s because it’s easy to use, comfortable to hold and comes with a selection of handy accessories. It even comes with two 9V batteries.
“Some of the pricey models on this list really skimp on accessories. For not much more money than the kiddie models, this metal detector comes with headphones, a metal shovel and a sling-style carrying case,” says Higley.
Upon receiving this metal detector, our team found that it was rather easy to assemble. They especially liked that they were able to adjust the length of the shaft as well as the length of the armrest portion to ensure their comfort. Once our testers had adjusted it to their liking, it was time to see what this metal detector could do.
The Sunpow metal detector has a 10-inch, waterproof searchcoil and five search settings: All Metal, Disc (i.e., discrimination), Memory, Jewelry and Pinpoint. During testing, our team used the All Metal and Jewelry modes. Using these modes, our team was able to locate all of our test objects. They did find, however, that this metal detector wasn’t able to detect gold more than a couple inches away, unless it was higher quality, like 14-karat gold. In fact, with jewelry mode turned on, it was able to detect a 14-karat gold ring but not a pair of 10-karat gold earrings.
Admittedly, Annamarie had low hopes for this unit after it performed so-so in the air test, but this was actually her favorite unit to test on the beach. “It performed well in water,” she raves. “We even found a penny in the surf with it.” She also found that the screen had good visibility and was easy to use overall. “The screen is pretty intuitive and easy to use, even for us beginners,” says Higley. “There’s not a mind-boggling amount of symbols or buttons as there is on some competitors.”
The only thing our team didn’t love was how much they had to disassemble the metal detector in order to get it into the storage bag. “For the carrying case, you basically have to take the machine fully apart, so it isn’t as convenient as we’d hoped,” explains Higley. “Although, we like the sling style of the bag. This would be good for hikes.”
Best Metal Detector for Beginners
Garrett Ace 300 Metal Detector
Pros:
- Easy to use
- Intuitive tones which signal what the target likely is
- Detected all of our test items
- Depth reader was mostly accurate
- Screen was easy to read in the sunlight
- Waterproof
- Heavy-duty strap and comfortable foam grip
- Lightweight
Cons:
- Could only detect gold within a few inches of the coils
- It became confused by mixed metals
- Target IDs didn’t always align with the key
If you’re just getting started, the Garrett Ace 300 is the best entry-level model. This multi-purpose metal detector is a mid-priced unit that’s loaded with plenty of useful features. Five search presets to help you find exactly what you’re looking for and adjustable frequencies which eliminate or minimize interference caused by electrical sources or from other metal detectors. Moreover, the 7-by-10-inch search coil is submersible so you can hunt for treasure on the beach, at the lake or in your local river.
It runs on four AA batteries, has an adjustable length of 42 to 51 inches and weighs less than three pounds. A pair of Garrett ClearSound Easy Stow Headphones with volume control, an ACE Environmental Cover-Up and a search coil cover are included with your purchase, making it even easier to get started.
It also features electronic pinpointing which our testers found particularly helpful since it precisely locates a detected target’s position. “We switched back and forth a lot from pinpoint mode to the regular settings and it was very helpful,” explains our tester, Sydney Manning. “With the pinpoint mode, it’s easy to narrow down where the target is.”
In addition to pinpoint mode, our testers also used the zero discrimination and jewelry modes. They were pleased to discover that the Garrett metal detector was able to detect the earrings as well as other non-ferrous items in jewelry mode. “With jewelry mode, the aluminum, pull tabs, 10-karat earrings and copper were all detected. The bottle caps were hit or miss, but more often than not, it didn’t detect them,” explains Product Tester Annamarie Higley. “Same thing with the screw and nail. It only picked them up occasionally.”
Overall, our team determined that the Garrett Ace 300 is hands down one of the best metal detectors. “We liked this one a lot. It was intuitive and the screen was fairly accurate and easy to follow,” raves Higley.
Best Metal Detector for Gold
Minelab Equinox 900
Pros:
- Has gold-specific settings
- Expert recommended
- Includes nine accessories
- Various terrain-based presets
- Smaller secondary coil head
- Rechargeable
- Vibration mode
- Quality construction
Cons:
- Expensive
- Not the most intuitive to read
If you’re hoping to strike gold, then the Minelab Equinox 900 is your best bet. That’s because it features not one, but two, gold settings that allow it to detect gold from farther away than other models we tested.
“Not many metal detectors are fitted out with gold-specific settings, but this one is. In fact, it has two gold settings—one for difficult ground and one for normal ground. The fact that this could identify 10-karat gold from eight inches away and 14-karat gold from 10 inches away really wowed us,” raves Product Tester Annamarie Higley.
In addition to its gold settings, the Minelab Equinox boasts multiple terrain-based presets and customizable discrimination patterns. It also has an array of useful features, including a built-in flashlight, multi IQ frequency setting and vibration feedback for underwater use and hearing impaired users.
Our product testers were seriously impressed by this metal detector’s ability to detect most metals from roughly 10 inches away. It was able to detect gold, including our 10-karat gold earrings, from eight to 10 inches away. “Super impressive,” says Higley.
It’s worth pointing out that all of these features don’t come cheap. In fact, the Minelab Equinox is the most expensive metal detector on our list. But given its features, overall ease of use and impressive performance, our product testers agree that it’s a worthy splurge. You can read more about how we tested this best metal detector in our full Minelab Equinox review.
Best Metal Detector for the Beach
Nokta Legend Metal Detector
Pros:
- Waterproof
- Multiple terrain-based presets
- User-friendly
- Good at detecting gold
- Vibration mode
- Rechargeable
- Auto-adjusts frequencies
- Bluetooth capabilities
Cons:
- Quietest of all the models we tested
- All-black buttons can be hard to see
If you’re hoping to find buried treasure on the beach, the Nokta Legend should be on your shopping list. This metal detector is fully submersible up to five meters (16.4 feet) and features vibration mode, which alerts you when it detects an item underwater. It even has a beach setting, which helps optimize your search on sand as well as in the water. It also alerts you if it detects black sand, which contains natural iron and makes detecting difficult if not altogether impossible.
When our testers took this metal detector to the beach, they were impressed by how well it worked in the water and were especially excited to find a stainless steel measuring cup buried in the sand. They also found a bottle cap and pull tab and noted that the FerroCheck bar, which distinguishes ferrous from non-ferrous metals, was accurate each time.
The only thing that bothered our testers about this metal detector was the screen. “The screen itself is fine, but the buttons are raised and all black, so they’re hard to read with sunglasses or in the shade,” explains product tester Annamarie Higley.
When they weren’t hunting for buried treasure on the beach, our team was performing a series of other tests to see what this model could do. They had a selection of items including a pair of 10-karat gold earrings, a copper pipe, aluminum foil, pull tabs, bottle caps, a screw and a nail. The Nokta Legend was able to detect all of our items from a foot away or less. It detected gold from about eight inches away, which was farther away than most of its competitors.
All in all, our testers didn’t hesitate to dub the Nokta Legend as one of the best metal detectors. “Although the black buttons are a little hard to see with sunglasses on or in the shade, the screen—with all its super-helpful information—fortunately, has high visibility,” says Higley. “The user-friendly FerroCheck bar, which identifies whether a target is ferrous, never once failed us.” You can learn more about why this metal detector is so great in our full Nokta metal detector review.
Best Metal Detector for Children
National Geographic Starter Metal Detector
Pros:
- Specifically designed for kids
- Interactive and educational user manual
- Lightweight and comfortable to carry
- Gold-detecting capabilities
- Waterproof
- Loud volume
- Inexpensive
Cons:
- No screen
- Can only detect items four inches away
Looking for the best metal detector for your budding detectorist? The National Geographic starter kit is it. Designed for kids ages three through 12, this metal detector is lightweight and comfortable to carry, simple to use and can even detect gold.
“Although there are plenty of metal detectors for kids on the market, this model’s ability to detect gold, though admittedly not very well, was its edge over the competition. Plus, the interactive user manual is enrichment that any curious kiddo would enjoy,” says product tester Annamarie Higley.
During testing, our team found that this metal detector picked up all of our test items. It excelled at detecting aluminum, and it was able to detect copper from five inches away, even though the online listing says these coils can only detect within four inches.
To keep the fun going, this metal detector includes a super engaging, fun manual. According to Higley, it has easy-to-follow instructions with helpful illustrations, as well as detecting techniques, a troubleshooting guide, the metal-detecting code of ethics, a history lesson about the hobby, an explanation of how metal detectors work, and a short journal for logging found items.
Best of all, this metal detector is only $50. Just keep in mind that it requires one 9V Alkaline battery, which is not included with the unit.
What to Look for When Buying a Metal Detector
According to Laznicka, you should purchase a metal detector from established and reputable brands such as Minelab, Nokta, Deus, Garrett, Bounty Hunter and Fisher. “It’s advisable to avoid knockoffs, even if they boast positive reviews,” she cautions. “These reviews can often be misleading or fabricated. Opting for trusted brands ensures you receive a quality product backed by reliable customer support.”
How Metal Detectors Work
Laznicka explains that a metal detector operates by emitting electromagnetic fields through a search coil, which interacts with the ground to locate metallic objects. When the coil encounters metal, it induces eddy currents in the object, creating a secondary magnetic field that the detector’s receiver coil picks up. The signal is then analyzed by the control box, which interprets the object’s properties, such as type and depth. Once metal has been detected, the metal detector will make a sound or, if it has a screen, notify the user on the screen. Sounds and symbols vary by model, so be sure to read the user guide carefully.
According to Laznicka, modern metal detectors often use Very Low Frequency (VLF) or Pulse Induction (PI) technology, along with other advanced features like ground balancing. “Equipped with these capabilities, metal detectors can locate a variety of objects in challenging environments, from mineralized soils to shallow waters,” she says.
How to Use a Metal Detector
When it comes to using your metal detector, you’ll want to start by carefully reading your user manual. This will help you understand your detector and its settings. Then, decide on a location. Laznicka advises verifying that metal detecting is permitted in your area. “Familiarize yourself with local laws and regulations,” she says.
When you’re ready to start hunting, hold the detector’s search coil level and close to the ground, sweeping it in a side-to-side motion while maintaining consistent overlap between sweeps to avoid missing spots. Keep the coil parallel to the surface, even when transitioning across uneven terrain. Laznicka recommends using headphones if available, as they can help isolate faint signals in noisy environments.
“Pay attention to the detector’s signals and use discrimination settings to identify valuable targets while filtering out unwanted materials like nails or bottle caps,” she explains. When you come across an object, she recommends digging carefully to minimize damage to the surrounding area and rechecking the hole and removed soil to confirm the object has been recovered.
Lastly, Laznicka stresses the importance of practice and patience. “Many people are drawn to metal detecting after watching captivating videos on YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok, where detectorists showcase their most exciting finds. However, those considering this hobby should be aware that these videos often highlight only the best moments from days, weeks, or even months of searching,” she says. “The reality of metal detecting involves digging up a lot of junk, like pull tabs and tin cans, before uncovering anything noteworthy. The true joy of the hobby lies not in striking it rich, but in connecting with nature, exploring new places and making new friends.”
Why You Should Trust Us
In order to help you make an informed buying decision, our product testing experts on the product testing team spent approximately 80 hours in our lab getting up close and personal with 11 metal detectors. We performed 13 tests on each metal detector and collected roughly 600 data points overall.
We also sought advice from Joanna Jana Laznicka, founder of FocusSpeed.com and experienced detectorist. Laznicka offered her expertise on everything from the best brands and models to how metal detectors actually work.
How We Found the Best Metal Detectors
Product testing manager Annamarie Higley led our product testing team as they set out to evaluate 11 metal detectors. The team spent around 80 hours performing 13 tests on each unit. They collected roughly 600 data points overall. With in-depth research and a rubric that tested assembly, specs and performance, we narrowed that list from 11 to six.
Our testers began by sourcing a variety of metal items to assess whether or not the metal detector was able to accurately locate them. Items included 10-karat gold earrings, a copper pipe, aluminum foil, pull tabs, bottle caps, a screw and a nail.
They began by performing an air test with each metal detector. This is a standard basic functionality test that many companies recommend prior to first use. To perform this test, our team placed each metal detector on non-metal surface outside and proceeded to wave a selection of metal items in front of the coils. They tracked the metal detector’s response to each item on various settings as applicable.
Next, they took each metal detector to a local beach to perform a real-world hunt. Their goal was to find three to five items during each hunt. Once an item was found, our team noted the type and depth of each item. They paid particular attention to how well each metal detector adjusted to various terrains, whether or not it was waterproof and how comfortable it was to use for long periods of time. After thorough testing and recognition of notable differences, we’re confident that these are the six best metal detectors on the market.
FAQ
Can metal detectors detect gold?
Yes. Metal detectors can detect gold since gold is a metal.
How much is a metal detector?
The best metal detectors can range from under $100 to well over $1,000. And according to Laznicka, if you buy a model from a reputable brand and dedicate time to learn the metal detector, an inexpensive model can be just as effective as a high-end model.
Where can I buy a metal detector?
Metal detectors are sold at a variety of retailers including Amazon, Bass Pro Shops, Cabela’s, The Home Depot, Walmart and more.
