Best 10 Metal Detectors
As Of August 2022
We did the
Best Overall Metal Detector
- Comes with a waterproof coil which is perfect for shallow water
- Great detection depth no matter the ground conditions
- It discriminates all types of metals and locates them amazingly fast
- Panel shuts off automatically, which saves power
#2 Best Metal Detector
- LED flashlight with 3 different colours for lighting in the dark
- Top choice for little kids that want to start a new hobby
- Disc mode for all metals with LED flashes for different materials
- Submersible coil lets you search both in freshwater & saltwater
Best Beginner Metal Detector
- Its electronic pinpoint allows you to easily locate your target
- Ergonomic design with arm support for comfort after many hours
- Large LCD screen that easily indicates battery left
- Select an existing discrimination patter or create yours
Top Pick for Portability
- Detect all buried treasures thanks to its 10m deep radius
- Extremely simple to operate with a touch of a single button
- Never miss a single coin due to its audio vibrator & LEDs
- Perfect for treasure hunting on ice as it handles extremely low temperatures
Top Choice For Small Objects
- Tunes out challenging grounds where mineralization is high
- Has an LED flashlight for better visibility in the dark
- Comes with a scraping blade for digging in the soil or the dry sand
- Can pick up the magnetic field of really small objects
Best Entry-Level Waterproof Pinpointer
- Precise pinpoint positioning saves you a lot of time
- Waterproof metal detector that withstands full submersion up to 10m
- Auto-shutdown feature that saves battery power for longer usage
- Comes with a 2-year warranty so there’s no room for worrying
Top Choice For Kids
- Comes with a couple of digging tools for a greater experience
- Meter indicator for detecting and showing ferrous and nonferrous metals
- Low battery indicator to show how much time you have left
- Lightweight design makes it great for travellers
Great For Gold Prospecting
- 2 detection modes for all metals & a discrimination feature
- User-friendly control box shows the information right in front of you
- Earphone connecting port for clearer sound in noisy places
- A precise position feature for pinpointing the exact location
Best Gift Idea
- Has arm support for increased comfort and reduced fatigue
- Made perfectly for adults and kids as well as it's really lightweight
- Comes with a shovel and rake making it easy to dig up treasures
- Adjustable sensitivity to suit your needs
Top Choice For Advanced Detectorists
- Precise Positioning mode gives you the exact location of your treasure
- Depth indicator feature for showing how deep the target is
- Wireless headphones for total freedom while searching
- Disc and all-metal modes create a clear picture of your findings
Bounty Hunter Of Coins? Metal Detecting At Its Finest!
Let’s talk about those hobbies that not many people know about! You could be one of those who like to spend their time doing unusual -for most people- things. Like scuba diving or making origami animals. Well, we’re not going too deep into those two but we’re here to take you on a metal detecting journey!
Metal detectors are mostly known for appearing in airports and malls where security makes sure that no dangerous items are around. But the thing is that handheld metal detecting devices can be used for “hobby reasons” as well. They can help you detect hidden metals, like coins, gold and jewellery. How cool is that?
Treasure hunting can be a lot of fun and bring your youth to the surface. Spend some quality time with your kids and teach them how to be patient and how rewarding that can be. Find the ideal one for you or your little one and start a great adventure full of beautiful moments.
Why Do I Need The Best Metal Detector?
Just below the surface of the soil or sand, there are so many different things to be discovered. Only a good metal detector can help you locate it and make it yours. You can be one of those people that want to create a big collection of old coins. Or maybe find some jewellery and relics. Well, the truth is that sometimes, while looking for all those great things you can come across a beer can. But it’s all part of the hobby!
If you love to spend your time outdoors, and looking for things relaxes you, then you’re in the right place. Metal detecting is an ideal option for everyone who just wants some peaceful moments in nature. Your mind just focuses on one single frequency that says “time to find a treasure”!
So, if you’re looking for a metal detector to start your hunting days, and you’re a bit overwhelmed with all the options, this guide is here for you. From basic beginner models to high-end products for serious detectorists. Have a look and get all the necessary information before making your purchase.
What Type Of Metal Detector Suits You?
There are many types of metal detectors out there and every one of them thrives in a different situation. So depending on your needs and your budget there’s always an ideal one for you. Have a look!
Very Low Frequency (VLF) Detectors
The most common type among metal detectors as they are cheaper than other types. VLF detectors are good at discriminating between different types of objects so they do the job well. But how do they work? They use two coils to find all kinds of metals in the ground. The first coil, named transmitter, creates a magnetic field while the other one which is called “detector coil” or “search coil”, reads those magnetic fields to give you the location of the item. Their design is lightweight and easy to use for everyone, even kids. Basically, they work great on larger objects where mineralization doesn’t affect them that much. So if you’re a beginner they’re the right choice.
Pulse Induction (PI) Detectors
Pulse induction detectors are pricier than VLF due to their advantages, mainly in specialized situations. They have a single coil that works both as a transmitter and a receiver. Mineralization in the ground doesn’t affect them so much which makes them ideal for treasure hunting at the beach. The big disadvantage is their inability to discriminate objects. So if you find yourself in an urban area full of iron and other trash, they will get confused.
Multi-Frequency (MF) Detectors
You can easily imagine by their name that they work on more than one frequency. They do combine low frequency and high frequency for optimal results. This enhances their versatility. Whether you’re in a city or a beach, they work amazingly well. But the thing is that you get what you pay for and that’s why their price tag lands higher on the scale. If you’re a more experienced user that wants to take it one step further, and you have the budget, then this is the best option for you.
Metal Detectors have a bunch of great features that make your whole experience even better. The hardest part is finding out which of those are important for you. That’s why you’re going to see them all here so you can make the right choice. Check this!
Ground Balance
It’s true that there are so many different minerals and elements into the soil that finding the treasure among them can be a bit tough. Why? Because their presence interferes with your metal detector. That’s why there’s a setting called “ground balance” which helps your detector focus on the precious stuff that you look for and avoid getting tricked by everything else. Not all settings of ground balance are the same though.
- Preset Ground Balance is a setting designed by the manufacturers during construction. When mineralization is low or medium they work great but when you find yourself in more difficult terrains, they can’t be adjusted to suit the situation.
- Automatic Ground Balance is found in modern products and can be adjusted automatically based on the soil that you’re searching.
- Multiple Ground Balance gives you the opportunity to go from auto to manual adjustment and be in total control of the settings.
Sensitivity
Metal detectors have different levels of sensitivity. This plays a major role in finding the silver lining between detecting an object at a certain depth and detecting interfering minerals of no value. The higher the sensitivity, the easier it is to locate an item in greater depth. The thing is that if the terrain is full of materials that can interfere with your hunting, you might get signals from all of them.
Discrimination
This is the ability of your metal detector to recognize any difference between the objects that come along your way. Why would you need that? Well, to be able to choose the treasures from the trash. That way, you save time from digging up just to find something that has no value at all. Once again, depending on the place that you’re searching, you might not need this setting as it might ignore something important.
Frequency
It’s measured in kHz and is another setting that is important and affects the depth and the size of the object you’re after. If you go with a low frequency then you can check in greater depth but small objects might be ignored by your detector. On the other hand, if you choose a high frequency, which is very popular when looking for gold, you will be able to find smaller objects like coins. The depth though isn’t that great. If you’re an advanced user then you might want to consider high frequency and multi-frequency detectors for optimal results.
Target ID
How would you feel about knowing exactly what it is that you found before having to dig? Cool right? Some metal detectors have the ability to let the user know beforehand what the target is. They adjust their audio or visual output depending on the value of the item. A real time saver!
Screen
Having all the information right in front of you all the time is a great addition to your treasure hunting experience. Most of them rely on audio signals but a screen takes it one step further. From the remaining battery life to sensitivity and other settings, you can always be aware and adjust accordingly.
Coil Size
Think about it this way. The bigger the coil the greater the depth! But of course, quality plays an important role as well so you can’t expect to buy the bigger one and be extremely good no matter what. Always have in mind that a bigger coil means a heavier device which is more difficult to handle in certain occasions.
Waterproof Or Submersible
Most of them come with waterproof coils that are ideal for shallow water situations. If you want to go for a fully submersible one though, you need to make sure about the product’s features before making a purchase. Some of them have very distinct colours as well to help you find them in case you accidentally drop them in the water.
Always Have In Mind…
Lace-up your shoes! Prepare your equipment! Time to do some treasure hunting! Take your kids on a great adventure and spend some quality family time with them. Look for all kinds of precious things that are hidden deep under the soil that we walk every day. Turn this hobby into a great experience.
The best metal detectors are here for you. It’s time to find the one that suits you best and start looking around for coins and relics. This guide has all the information you need to begin this journey with an ideal ally. Have a look and make your decision!