Best Metal Detectors of 2024 | Best Choices for Every Budget
Have you ever wondered how cool it feels to find rare coins, old giant bones, or a piece of historical creature buried right under your feet? If you are a professional detectorist or are willing to start your treasure-hunting journey, you need a good all-around metal detector that can make your adventure more thrilling. The best metal detector will be a great companion in your journey.
So, if you are looking for a perfect metal detector to hold in your hand, this guide is especially for you. I have chosen the top 9 best metal detectors that can be your trustworthy partners in your adventurous journey. Let’s uncover them!
List Of The Top 9 Metal Detectors Of 2024
Here is the list of top-rated metal detectors of 2024 that can be your true companions in the detection journey:
Every detector in this list has unique features and functionality. You can select the metal detector that best suits your needs.
Reviews of the Top-Rated Metal Detectors of 2024
Here are my reviews of the top 9 best metal detectors of 2024, which can help you choose the right detector.
Minelab Equinox 800 – The Best Overall Metal Detector
The Equinox 800 uses the Multi-IQ technology of Minelab, which allows it to work at multiple frequencies at the same time. This improves target detection and accuracy for both conductive and non-conductive targets like coins, ancient remains, and gold nuggets. In addition to the multi-frequency, it also allows you to adjust the single-frequency levels ranging from 5 to 40 kHz. The Equinox 800 is waterproof up to 10 feet (3 meters). This means you can use it not only on land or in fields but also in rivers and seas. I have personally tested it in water, and the results were amazing.
This device uses a unique feature called Target ID, which displays numerical numbers between -9 to 40. This ID helps you identify what type of metal is detected and whether you have to dig for it or not. It comes with four different ground modes, i.e., Beach, Field, Park, and Gold. It can automatically detect different grounds. You can choose one of these modes while detecting metals. It also has a built-in Bluetooth system and LCD screen display with a backlight, giving you all the necessary information, including Target ID, mode, depth, and battery status. According to my experience, the LCD screen display with a backlight is beneficial at night or in dark conditions as you can easily read the numbers and information on the screen.
You should also read this insightful article on: ” How Do Metal Detectors Work “
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Operating Frequencies | Multi-IQ (simultaneous multi-frequency), 5, 10, 15, 20, 40 kHz |
| Search Modes | Park, Field, Beach, Gold (customizable) |
| Discrimination | Numerical Target ID: -9 to 40, Adjustable Iron Bias |
| Waterproof | Up to 10 feet (3 meters) |
| Wireless Technology | Bluetooth, Minelab Wi-Stream |
| Display | Large LCD with backlight |
| Battery | Rechargeable lithium-ion, up to 12 hours of use, USB charging |
| Weight | Approximately 2.96 lbs (1.34 kg) |
| Length | Adjustable: 48 to 56 inches (122 to 144 cm) |
| Coil | Standard 11-inch Double-D Smart coil |
| Audio Output | Built-in speaker, Wired and wireless headphones |
| Warranty | 3-year limited warranty |
| Other Features | Fast recovery speed, Adjustable sensitivity, Auto and manual ground balancing, Noise cancellation, Adjustable volume and threshold level |
Pros
Cons
Why did I choose the Minelab Equinox 800 as the best overall metal detector?
I choose the Minelab Equinox 800 as the best overall metal detector because of its advanced Multi-IQ technology, which uses multiple frequencies simultaneously for superior target detection and accuracy. It is waterproof up to 10 feet, making it durable for land and water use. The device offers several features, such as customizable search modes, automatic ground balancing, and a clear Target ID system, making it easy to use and efficient. Its lightweight design, wireless audio, and long-lasting battery enhance convenience, making it an excellent choice for beginners and professionals.
Nokta Simplex Ultra Metal Detector – Waterproof Simplicity
The Nokta Simplex Ultra is known for its accuracy and impressive performance. The 12 kHz frequency hits the ground well and is really helpful in finding small metals in depth. I have used it in deep areas, and it has worked perfectly. You can search for valuable metals or coins in depth with it. With its multiple detection modes, you can use it anywhere, like a beach, field, or park. You can optimize it according to the location.
The machine comes with an automatic ground balancing and notch discrimination feature. With these unique features, you can detect valuable and worthy items, neglecting the false signals. The device also comes with an LCD screen display with a backlight. This feature helps me quickly get information on the screen, even in dark conditions. Most of us feel comfortable wearing headphones while metal detecting as it allows us to concentrate on our work, neglecting the environment sound. Considering this, the company also offers wireless headphones to perform your tasks smoothly.
Check out our article on: “ Importance of metal detectors in schools “
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Operating Frequency | 12 kHz |
| Detection Modes | All Metal, Park, Field, Beach |
| Discrimination | Notch discrimination |
| Ground Balance | Automatic |
| Waterproof | Up to 16 feet (4.8 meters) |
| Display | Backlit LCD screen |
| Audio Alerts | Multiple tones |
| Vibration Mode | Yes |
| LED Flashlight | Built-in |
| Battery | Rechargeable, up to 12 hours of use, USB charging |
| Wireless Capability | Compatible with Nokta wireless headphones |
| Weight | 2.9 lbs (1.3 kg) |
| Length | Adjustable: 25″ to 52″ (63.5 cm to 132 cm) |
| Warranty | 3-year limited warranty |
Pros
Cons
Miyay Professional – Beginner-Friendly Precision
The Miyay Professional Metal Detector caught my attention because it is much more affordable than the top models out in the market, yet it still delivers great results. After using it, I think it is perfect for someone interested in metal detecting but would need more confidence to buy a more expensive detector. It is easy to use, reliable, and well-rated by others, and I can see why.
One of the things I like most about this detector is its six distinct detection modes. The “all-metal mode” is especially useful because it alerts me to any type of metal, which makes searching straightforward and accurate. I did notice that sometimes it gives false readings. For example, I have dug in one spot where it signalled but found the item about a foot away from where it first pointed. It can be a little frustrating, but it doesn’t happen often enough to ruin the experience.
The adjustable stem is a nice feature, allowing me to adjust it from 43 to 60 inches. This makes it comfortable to use for both me and others who might try it. The large display is another plus, as it is easy to read and helps me keep track of what the detector is finding. Overall, I have found the Miyay Professional Metal Detector to be a solid and enjoyable tool. If you have just started metal detecting, I would recommend giving this one a try.
You may also like: ” Can Metal Detectors Detect Gold? “
| Feature | Specifications |
|---|---|
| Detection Modes | 6 Modes (Including All-Metal Mode) |
| Adjustable Stem Length | 43 to 60 inches |
| Display | Large LCD Screen |
| Detection Depth | Up to 10 inches for coins |
| Weight | 2.31 lbs (1.05 kg) |
| Search Coil Size | 10 inches |
| Waterproof Coil | Yes |
| Batteries Required | 2 x 9V Batteries |
| Operating Frequency | 8 kHz |
| Audio Tones | 3 (Low, Medium, High) |
| Pinpoint Function | Yes |
Pros
Cons
Garrett AT Pro Metal Detector – All-Terrain Versatility
The Garrett AT Pro is a perfect machine for beginner and professional detectorists. This metal detector uses the 15kHz frequency to accurately detect small metals, coins, etc. As far as I have used it, it is a bit heavier than the others. This device comes with 40 levels of iron discrimination. You can set it to a specific level to ignore unwanted target detection.
I got the chance to visit the hilly areas where I had tested this device. It gave me outstanding results on even and uneven surfaces with a fast recovery speed. The device also has an automatic ground-balancing option, providing excellent results. You will also get a coil cover in the box. So, if you are going through rough areas and want to prevent the coil from scratches, you can cover it.
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Search Coil | 8.5″ x 11″ DD PROformance |
| Frequency | 15 kHz, optimized for detecting small targets such as gold nuggets, jewelry, and coins |
| Submersible | Fully submersible up to 10 feet (3 meters) |
| Audio Tone ID Levels | 3 |
| Iron Discrimination Segments | 40 |
| Battery | 4 AA batteries (included), providing approximately 20-30 hours of operation |
| Weight | 3.03 pounds (1.4 kg) |
| Length | Adjustable from 43″ to 56″ (1.09m – 1.4m) |
| Warranty | 2-year limited warranty |
Pros
Cons
XP Deus 2 Metal Detector – Ultimate Wireless Freedom
The XP Deus 2 is designed for harshness during metal detecting. It is suitable for land and underwater. It is waterproof up to 66 ft, meaning you can search for metals or gold coins in shallow water. It’s the world’s first metal detector with fast multi-frequency, which ranges from 4kHz to 45kHz. So, if you are a diver or want to search for precious metals, coins, or gold nuggets under shallow water or rivers, the XP Deus 2 will be your faithful companion.
Moreover, it has a fast recovery speed. This feature helped me a lot in trashy areas where it is hard to find precious metals and gold nuggets. As I discussed in the beginning, it is designed to withstand harsh environments, so you can use this device in tricky and hard environments.
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Operating Frequencies | Multiple frequencies from 4 kHz to 45 kHz |
| Search Coil | Various coil options are available, including 9″, 11″, and 13″ sizes |
| Waterproof Rating | Fully submersible up to 20 meters (66 feet) |
| Wireless Technology | Yes, for the control unit and headphones |
| Battery Life | Approximately 15-20 hours (depending on usage and settings) |
| Weight | 2.2 pounds (1 kg) |
| Length | Adjustable from 34″ to 51″ (0.85m – 1.3m) |
| Warranty | 5-year warranty |
Pros
Cons
Garrett Ace 400 Metal Detector – Budget Performance Power
The Garrett Ace 400 is a perfect choice for beginners. It is a solid device that will give you excellent results in different locations. I tested it on 10kHz frequency, and it gave me good results, especially in detecting low-conductive targets like gold. As most beginners worry about getting an excellent budget-friendly metal detector, the Garrett Ace 400 will be a great choice for them as it is affordable and provides outstanding performance.
Because of its high accuracy, many detectorists use this device to find jewellery, gold nuggets, metal items, etc. It also has a notch discrimination feature, which allows you to create customizable patterns so that you can ignore waste materials and find precious items. The Digital targeted ID provides a clear numerical value of the target detected by the detector on a scale of 0 to 99.
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Operating Frequency | 10 kHz (Adjustable) |
| Search Coil | 8.5″ x 11″ DD PROformance |
| Target ID | Digital target ID with 0 to 99 scale |
| Iron Discrimination Segments | 6 |
| Notch Discrimination | Adjustable |
| Audio Tone ID Levels | 3 |
| Sensitivity/Depth Adjustments | 8 settings |
| Frequency Adjust | Yes, with four settings |
| Camlocks | Included for better stem stability |
| Battery | 4 AA batteries (included), providing approximately 25 hours of operation |
| Weight | 2.9 pounds (1.32 kg) |
| Length | Adjustable from 40″ to 53″ (1.01m – 1.34m) |
| Warranty | 2-year warranty |
Pros
Cons
Nokta Makro Gold Kruzer Metal Detector – Gold Detecting Specialist
The Nokat Makro Gold Kruzer is specialized for detecting gold due to its high-frequency operation at 61kHz. This high frequency makes this device perfect for detecting gold and other low-conductive metals. You can also use this device in water, as it is fully submersible up to 16 feet. A new EUD (Extra Underground Depth) feature is also introduced in this device, which helps you search for gold nuggets at a deep level. The advanced targeted ID installed in this device tells the numerical value of detected gold on a scale of 0 to 99, which prevents you from doing unnecessary or false digging. While I was testing this machine, I found some valuable gold pieces.
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Operating Frequency | 61 kHz |
| Search Coil | 10″ x 5.5″ DD and 7.5″ x 4″ DD coils included |
| Target ID | Digital target ID with 0 to 99 scale |
| Search Modes | General, Fast, Boost, Micro |
| Waterproof Rating | Fully submersible up to 5 meters (16.4 feet) |
| Wireless Technology | 2.4 GHz wireless headphones included |
| Vibration Mode | Yes |
| Notch Filter and Tone Break | Yes |
| EUD Function | Yes |
| Battery | Built-in rechargeable Li-Po battery with up to 19 hours of operation |
| Weight | 3 pounds (1.4 kg) |
| Length | Adjustable from 39″ to 53″ (1m – 1.3m) |
| Warranty | 2-year limited warranty |
Pros
Cons
Fisher Gold Bug Pro Metal Detector – Expert Gold Finder
The Gold Bug Pro is famous for its accuracy in gold detecting. This device operates at a high frequency of 19kHz, making it highly precise in detecting gold and other low-conductive metals. It is not only stuck to gold detecting, but you can also find other metals using this device. This device comes with two search coils, i.e., 6.5” and 10”. I have tested this device with both coils, and it worked perfectly, even in highly mineralized areas.
The Fisher Gold Bug Pro offers manual and automatic ground balancing features, which ensure optimized performance in different conditions. This device also provides a Digital target ID, which tells you the numerical value of the detected gold piece. You can check the target ID on the LCD screen before digging.
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Operating Frequency | 19 kHz |
| Weight | 2.5 lbs (1.13 kg) |
| Search Coil | 6.5-inch DD coil (standard), 10-inch compatible |
| Ground Balance | Automatic and manual ground balance |
| Discrimination | Variable tone, notch, and iron discrimination |
| Target Identification | Numerical ID from 0-100 |
| Depth Indicator | Real-time depth readout |
| Power Source | 9V battery (approximately 15 hours of use) |
| Audio Output | Built-in speaker and 1/4″ headphone jack |
| Warranty | 5 years warranty |
Pros
Cons
Minelab X-Terra Pro Metal Detector – Frequency Adaptability Pro
The Minelab X-Terra Pro is equipped with Minelab’s VFLEX technology, which allows you to change the frequencies by changing the coils. This makes the device more compatible with different searches. Now, you may be thinking, isn’t it difficult to change the coil just to change the frequency level? For me, it is easy to change the coil instead of buying another detector to detect at another frequency.
For large and deep searches, you can use a low-frequency coil, such as 3kHz, and for smaller objects like gold or coins, you can use a high-frequency coil, such as 19kHz. This adaptability feature increases its demand in the market. The ground balancing option also works well in different soil conditions.
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Operating Frequencies | 7.5 kHz, 18.75 kHz, and 3 kHz (with appropriate coils) |
| Weight | 2.9 lbs (1.32 kg) |
| Search Coil | Comes with a standard 9-inch concentric coil, compatible with other X-Terra coils |
| Ground Balance | Automatic and manual ground balance |
| Discrimination | Multi-segment discrimination with notch settings |
| Target Identification | Numerical ID from 0-99 |
| Depth Indicator | Real-time depth readout |
| Power Source | 4 AA batteries (approximately 20-25 hours of use) |
| Audio Output | Built-in speaker and 1/4″ headphone jack |
| Warranty | 3 years |
Pros
Cons
Key Factors to Consider When Buying a Metal Detector
I have given reviews about the best metal detectors. Now, you will be thinking about which metal detector suits you or which detector you will consider buying. It depends on many factors. Based on these factors, you can get the right metal detector for you. Here are some key factors to consider when buying a metal detector.
Budget
Before going shopping, determine your budget first. Metal detectors range from affordable to expensive. Keeping your budget in mind, you have to choose the metal detectors that offer more features and accessories. If you are a beginner, go for a mid-range metal detector. Later, you can proceed to higher ones.
Purpose
You have to consider the purpose of buying a metal detector. Are you going for coin detecting, gold detecting, or general treasure hunting? Firstly, choose your target when purchasing metal detectors. Different metal detectors are made for various types of targets.
Environment
The next factor is the environment in which you will detect metals. Will you detect metal in a field, in parks, or on beaches? Some metal detectors might be environment-specific. So, you have to consider this factor before buying a metal detector.
Operating Frequency
Metal detectors work at various frequencies. Some work at lower frequencies, while some work at higher frequencies. Low-frequency metal detectors are used to detect large or deeper metals, while high-frequency metal detectors are used to detect small targets like gold. You have to select whether you will detect large or small targets.
Technology
Different metal detectors use different working technologies. Some use VLF technology, while some use PI technology. VLF (Very Low Frequency) detectors are great for general use and offer good discrimination between different metals. PI detectors are better for use on highly mineralized soils and underwater usage but do not work perfectly in distinguishing between metals.
Some advanced metal detectors use multiple frequencies simultaneously to provide better performance across various targets and environments.
Target Discrimination
Look for metal detectors that provide better target discrimination features. These features allow you to distinguish between different types of metals, filter out unwanted targets, and focus on valuable targets. Modern metal detectors use a target ID system that displays a number that indicates the type of metal detected.
Ground Balancing
The ground balancing feature adjusts the detector to ignore mineral content in the soil, which helps to reduce false signals. Modern metal detectors offer both manual and automatic ground-balancing features. If you are a beginner, I recommend you go for the metal detector that offers an automatic ground-balancing feature.
Battery Life
Check the type of battery installed in the metal detector and its life span. Metal detectors with rechargeable batteries are more convenient and eco-friendly. In contrast, metal detectors with replaceable batteries may work more conveniently in hilly or remote areas where there is no facility for electricity.
Weight and Size
Weight and size matter a lot in metal detecting. Look for a lightweight, medium-sized detector that is easy to carry anywhere.
Accessories
Many metal detectors come with a headphone set so you can listen to the signals in noisy environments.
Conclusion
When choosing the best metal detector, consider factors such as the type of metal you will be searching for, the environments in which you search, and the technology that best suits your needs. The Minelab Equinox 800 stands out with its advanced Multi-IQ technology and waterproof design, making it a reliable choice for both beginners and professionals. Other options like the Garrett Pro-Pointer and Nokta Simplex Ultra offer unique features that suit different detecting styles.
Focusing on key features like frequency, discrimination, ground balancing, and user-friendliness will help you make the best choice. Additionally, considering your budget and the included accessories can enhance your detecting experience. By understanding these important considerations, you can confidently select the best metal detector that fits your needs.
