The 10 Best Metal Detectors

Just about every time I have ever gone to the beach, I have seen some guy with a metal detector. If you have ever dreamed of being that guy, you should invest in a quality metal detector that will ensure you’ll end the day with some booty. Below, we selected some of the best beginner metal detectors to get you started on your treasure hunting journey.

Check out quick reviews below of the top Four metal detectors, then scroll deeper for more helpful buying info and full reviews of those models.

Our Top Pick

The Best Metal Detectors List 2020

Best Buy Metal Detectors Online Reviews

SaleBestseller No. 1
XPSGOLD Metal Detector Pinpointing ,Waterproof Pinpointer 360 Degree Search Gold&Treasure Finder with Belt Holster &LED Indicator& Buzzer Vibration, for Adults and Kids (Orange)
  • 【360° Side-Scan and Pinpoint Tip Detection】 Quickly locate coins, jewelry, silverware, gold and other metal objects. 360° rapid scanning covers large area,such as indoor, outdoor, lawn, sand, soil or underwater.
  • 【One touch control easy to use】To switch the detector on, press and release the power button while holding the detector away from metallic objects. The white LED will illuminate and one brief audio beeps will occur, indicating the detector is ready for use.
  • 【Audio and Vibration Indicator】The detector has both audible and vibrating alarms to indicate the presence of metal objects. The alarms increase in intensity as the detector is moved closer to the metal target.
  • 【Automatic sensitivity】Microprocessor circuitry allows the detector to operate at maximum sensitivity without any need of adjustments.
  • 【Wide Applications】High Sensitivity Pin Pointer metal detector can detect indoors, outdoors, on sand, lawn or in soil, locate coin, silver, jewelry and gold with speed and accuracy Recommended for coin and jewelry hunting, relic hunting, gold prospecting and utility applications.
SaleBestseller No. 2
Robustt High Sensitivity Hand Held Metal Detector (Pack of 1) Leather case on Handle, with Battery Included Alarm Mode -Sound, Vibration & Led Lights for Malls, Airports, Railway Stations, Banks
  • The Robustt Handheld Metal Detector provides reliable security. Use this handheld security scanner anywhere – indoor or outdoor events, schools, sport events or anywhere you need dependable metal detection
  • The Robustt Metal Detector is very high sensitivity which can detect even small hidden metal objects. Detects concealed weapon, knives and other metal object in baggages.
  • The lightweight design and comfortable Leather grip make it easy to use for long periods of time.
  • The Robustt Metal Detector let you choose between sound or vibration detection alerts. The LED light is also activated to the detection of metal.
  • Size: 4.5cm x 41cm x 8.5cm
SaleBestseller No. 3
RANSENERS Metal Detector Wand,Security Wand,Portable Adjustable Sound & Vibration Alerts, Detects Weapons Knivers Screw (High Sensitivity, Black)…
  • ✔ HIGH SENSITIVITY: RANSENERS metal detector hand wand to help you quickly and accurately find even small hidden metal objects such as gold coins, silver coins, cultural relics, jewelry etc.
  • ✔ 2 KINDS OF ALERTS: Sound & vibration mode, suitable for all occasions. The LED light is also activated to the detection of metal. Depends on the needs, vibration function should be used in noisy situation or in places where the operator does not wish for the sound to be heard in his surrounding area.
  • ✔ ADJUSTABLE SENSITIVITY: Press the low sensitivity switch during detection, detector will only respond to bigger metal objects such as knife, hand gun etc and will not respond to small metals such as ring, key, coin, pin etc. Do not release the low sensitivity switch until you complete low sensitivity detection. Adjustable sensitivity allow pin detection at 4" and a 20mm steel ball at 2.7" depth.
  • ✔ POWER OPERATED: Powered by one 9V battery standard (Not included) or rechargeable battery (Not included). With one external charging port, the battery charger is not included. Please avoid charging it when you have no rechargeable battery, otherwise it can't work normally. And please turn off the detector when charging it.
  • ✔ COMFORTABLE HANDLE & WIDELY USE: Portable metal detector wand, lightweight design and comfortable handle grip make it easy for long time use. It comes with a belt clip, make it portable and convenient. Good for security, indoor/outdoor events, such as airport, schools, train station, subway, sports events, exhibition center, anywhere you need metal detection. Note that it is not waterproof.
SaleBestseller No. 4
Siddhi Equipments Metal Detector for all Metal, Hand Held Metal Detector for Security with Charger, HHMD Metal Detector
  • Worried about your Organizations Security? Now be Worry-Free with Siddhi Security Hand Held Metal Detector Machine
  • Effectively Detects Minute Quantities Of Gold, Silver, Platinum, Brass, Copper, Mild & Stainless Steel.
  • Dual Battery System & In-Built Battery Charger
  • Ultra-High Sensitivity And Stability.
  • Operates On Disposable Dry Battery
  • Does Not Affect Cardiac Pacemaker And Magnetic Tapes. ABS Molded Body, Provides High Strength, Ruggedness And Light In Weight.
SaleBestseller No. 5
Minelab Vanquish 340 Metal Detector (3 Pre-Programmed Search Modes - Coins|Jewellery|All Metals, in-Built Speaker, 3.5 mm Audio Jack, 1.2 Kg)
  • MULTI-IQ TECHNOLOGY: Minelab’s revolutionary technology combines the power of multiple detectors into one, allowing you to effectively search all metals, all soils, all the time.
  • TURN ON AND GO: Engineered to let you start accurately searching right out of the box.
  • ALL-TERRAIN: Select one of three find modes – Coin, Jewelry, all Metal – and start your search anywhere you find a surface.
  • PACK & CARRY DESIGN: At just 2.6 lbs. (1.2 kg), this lightweight and collapsible detector is ready to help you find, whenever and wherever you are.
  • AUDIO CONTROL: Lag-free audio response, automatic noise cancelling, and 3-volume settings put you in complete control of your search.
SaleBestseller No. 6
Minelab GO-FIND 44 Metal Detector for Treasure Hunting| Precise Treasure Metal Detectors for All Metal| for Beginners| Used for Coins, Metal Objects & Rings| Preset Find Modes|Gift for Kids
  • SUPERIOR PERFORMANCE: Advanced technology allows for deeper, more precise detection.
  • COMPACT & PORTABLE: The entire detector collapses and conveniently folds to fit into luggage or backpacks.
  • ULTRA LIGHT DESIGN: At just 2.3 lbs. (1.06 kg), it’s the lightest adventure detector in its class.
  • GO-FIND APP: Free to GO-FIND 44 users, this smartphone app transforms the way you detect, allowing you to listen to your favorite music, instantly share your finds online and more.
  • EASY-TRAK: Auto ground-tracking reduces noise interference and enhances target signals.
SaleBestseller No. 8
INKBIRDPLUS Metal Detector Pinpointer with LCD Display, Handy High Performance Metal Detector Metal Reader in 3 Alarm Modes, IP68 Metal Detecting Pinpointer Waterproof 50Ft Depth for Adults and Kids
  • 🚩【360°High-Sensitivity and Accurate Detection】A 360-degree omnidirectional detection, high-precision, a high-sensitivity detector with a sensing distance of 6-8 cm, which can quickly and accurately detect small targets. Suitable for finding metals outdoors, sand, lawn, and soil. It can also detect various metal objects such as coins, gold, silver, cultural relics, jewelry, etc. Your perfect gift for the holidays, your little treasure hunter!
  • 🚩【LCD signal display with LED light】The metal detector instrument is equipped with an LCD screen and LED light. Convenient for day and night use. The closer the target, the stronger the signal. It can help you achieve precise positioning in small areas that large metal detectors cannot. It perfectly matches your precise positioning needs.
  • 🚩【Fully Waterproof Special Design】The INKBIRDPLUS metal detector has an IP68-rated waterproof design, which can fully immerse the metal detector in 50 feet of water, and can be used without worry in lakes, rivers, ponds and oceans. (Note: Before using the metal retainer in water, make sure the battery cover is tightened and sealed.)
  • 🚩【Three Alarm Modes】The detector has three alarm modes: Audio, Vibration, and Audio + Vibration, choose your best mode according to the usage environment. Audio mode, audio is suitable for quiet environments on land, the vibration mode is suitable for underwater, vision-limited places, and audio + vibration mode is suitable for noisy environments.
  • 🚩【 Full Kits and wide use】The product list includes waist sleeves, and retractable ropes. Family activities, holiday gifts, carry-out activities (beach picking, cave treasure hunting, outdoor treasure hunting, water exploration, etc.). INKBIRDPLUS metal detector will be your best choice.
SaleBestseller No. 9
Zebwep GC-101H High Sensitivity Metal Detector Handheld Safety Inspection Metal Detector with Buzzer Vibration for Security Check
  • ✔️Perfect for safety check and the detection of prohibited goods, electronic products, metal etc in station, frontier defense, school, court, venue, factory
  • ✔️Detecting temperature range is -15 ~ 45 degree
  • ✔️Two alternative alert ways, with a power switch to choose between acousto-optic and vibration, easy to operate
  • ✔️Light-weight and high sensitivity, with a wrist strap, easy to carry around
  • ✔️Two alternative alert ways, with a power switch to choose between acousto-optic and vibration, easy to operate

Buyer’s Guide Terminology & Definitions

Like every great hobby, metal detecting is an activity that is filled with special words that outsiders may have a hard time understanding. Here we will define some of the words you may not be very familiar with.

Metal detecting experts, feel free to skip ahead to the next section.

  • Ferrous: Metals that contain iron. Non-ferrous metals are metals that are not magnetic, like brass, gold, silver, nickel, tin and lead.
  • Frequency: Frequencies vary on metal detectors and the different frequencies are used for different types of detecting. The frequencies are measured in Kilohertz and measure the number of magnetic fields sent to the ground. Different metals react to different frequencies based on the characteristics and conductivity of that metal.
  • Mineralization: The amount of iron and salt in the ground. Examples of mineralized ground include black sand on beaches (from iron), redness in dirt (iron), and the salt in the sand on saltwater beaches.
  • Interference: Anything with an electromagnetic field, like cell phones or power lines, can interfere with the detector’s signal.
  • Control box: Contains the controls, speaker, batteries and processor of a metal detector.
  • Search coil: This is what “sees” the metal in the ground. Different search coil sizes and shapes perform differently. Generally speaking, smaller coils are most sensitive while larger coils can penetrate deeper underground.
  • Discrimination: You can filter out different types of metal or objects by adjusting your settings.
  • Ground balance: Adjustments made to the detector for different types of soil and mineralization.
  • Target separation: How well a detector identifies targets that are close to one another.

Evaluation Criteria When Choosing a Metal Detector

There isn’t one metal detector that’s better than all the rest, although there are a few stand-out detectors in multiple categories. This buyer’s guide for the best metal detectors will examine the specific features that make for a good detector in a number of those categories. We will make recommendations based on many category-specific criteria, as well as some criteria that are common between several categories.

We will examine factors like:

  • Weight
  • Size
  • Ergonomics
  • Ease of use
  • Durability
  • Reliability
  • Price point
  • Customer ratings and reviews
  • Warranty length
  • Weatherproofing
  • Waterproofing

For each category we evaluate, we will recommend three different detectors:

  • Best of the best
  • Best for beginners
  • Best value

In addition to sharing our expertise in each of these categories, we asked our customers to share their opinions as well. We surveyed our customers to find out which detector they consider to be one of the “best metal detectors” in each category. You can see their responses at the end of each category. Some categories had a clear-cut favorite among our customers, but some categories were not so cut and dry. Presenting this data alongside our opinion gives you yet another way to evaluate machines in each category.

Whether you’re just starting out or are a seasoned professional, this guide will help you make an informed decision on which metal detector is the best fit to become your next detector. After all, once you’ve been bitten by the metal detecting bug, there is no such thing as owning just one metal detector.

About the author

Scott Staffin

ReviewCounty Team try to help you select the best products from the market. We do all kind of research online to find the best product under budget so users can easily make a final decision. We have used almost all kinds of products and try to give our own personal experience as well. Hope you like our extensive research.

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