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
Robustt Hand-Held Safety Inspection High Sensitivity Metal Detector with Sound & Vibrate Alarm Signals, LED Indicators for Security Checks at Airports, Stations, Public Events, Malls, Cinemas
- Audio/Vibration Alert Modes: Metal Detector Machine comes with sound and vibration detection alerts. The LED light is also activated for the detection of metal. High/low sensitivity settings allow you to maximize its scanning ability.
- Increases Security: Our Metal Detector is designed to protect security-sensitive environments such as schools, courtrooms, sporting events, nightclubs, and other similar locations.
- Rechargeable & Battery-driven: Works for 40 hours continuously. Operates on 9V standard or rechargeable battery (not included). With one external charging port, charger not included. Turn off the detector while charging it.
- Low battery indication - Get notified effortlessly with automatic sound or vibration alerts for low battery indication.
- Comfortable & Convenient: The portable metal detector machine's lightweight design and comfortable handle wrist strap make it user-friendly for extended periods of use.
Bestseller No. 2
HASTHIP® Metal Detector for All Metal, Waterproof Metal Detector Machine with Indicator, Support Earphone, Adjustable Volume, for Coins, Metal Objects & Gold Rings(Without Battery)
- HIGH ACCURACY METAL DETECTOR: Non-contact accurate metal detector, built in high senstive metal sensor, with 8'' detecting disc, can precisely and high efficiently scan larger area and locate the metal piece or item. Retractable metal detector, can adjust the reaching distance from 30.7''-42.1'', more convenient to use. With 2 detection modes, full metal modes and identifying mode for detecting different metal, including gold, copper, iron, other metal.
- DIAL PLATE DESIGN: High accuracy detecting disc can reach up to sensitivity of US 25 Cent : 180mm. Clear large dial plate design, with 10 levels detection, can more precisely and clearly show you the detecting object situation. The pointer's viberation frenquency will be change with different detection objects.
- SUPPORT 3.5MM EARPHONE: Practical earphone jack design, allow you can connecting any 3.5mm earphone to monitor the metal detection. Once the metal subject is detected, the alarm system will make alarm, practical design for outdoor with crowds or noise. You can also adjust the alarm volume by knob.
- BATTERY OPERATED METAL DETECTOR: Requiring 2pcs 9V batteries(not included) to work, convenient and portable device that is designed to identify metal objects hidden within its scanning range. The absence of power cords also offers greater freedom of movement, allowing users to explore areas where electricity is unavailable or inconvenient to access.
- WIDE APPLICATION: Handheld metal detector, perfect for ground searching. The metal detector kit is perfect for finding metal objects and anywhere that hidden metal needs to be detected. You could enjoy the fun of exploration, cultivate parent-child relationships, and cultivate your children's curiosity about the world, keeping them away from televisions and game consoles.
SaleBestseller No. 3
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. 4
Smars® Hand-Held Metal Detector Scanner
- Sound alert LED indiiator
- Low Power Consumption and low battery indication
- Handheld and light weight
- One 9v battery required
- It can be used for public security in airports, Railway stations, docks, prisons, customs and frontier defense as well as Quality control of medicine, food and other commodities.
Bestseller 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. 7
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. 8
SIDDHI EQUIPMENTS Hand Held Metal Detector Model Validator S-16 (Black-Blue) with LED Indication and Variable Audio for Malls, Airports, Hotels, Railway Stations, Banks
- Operates on rechargeable and disposable dry battery, in-built battery charger.
- Ultra-high sensitivity and stability. Proportional Variable Audio Gives An Idea Of Quantity Of Metal Detected.
- Effectively detects minute quantities of ferrous as well as non-ferrous gold, silver,platinum, brass, copper, mild & stainless steel.
- ABS moulded body, provides high strength, ruggedness and light in weight.
- Uses advanced SMD Technology.
SaleBestseller No. 9
High Sensitivity High Performance Metal Detector MD3010II Underground Metal Detector Gold Digger Treasure Hunter Metal Treasures Seeking Tool + Earphone
- 🔬 Perfect for finding metal objects and anywhere that hidden metal needs to be detected.
- 🔬 Designed to find gold & silver jewelry, coins and other metal in the ground, and can also find land mines.
- 🔬 Adjustable height of metal detector, to adjust the detector’s length for comfortable use.
- 🔬 LCD analogue display and audio indicate the detection of metal with headphone.
- 🔬 Fully Automatic and All Metal Detectors - Your detector detects all kinds of metal objects. Unless you have set for some objects that you don’t want to detect.
SaleBestseller No. 10
Hetkrishi 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 Hetkrishi 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 Hetkrishi 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 Hetkrishi 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
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.
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