If you’re thinking about starting a new hobby as a treasure hunter, but aren’t sure which metal detector to select, then you’ve landed on the right website! Metal detecting has increased in popularity over the past 3 years for one reason or another, so as you would expect, new metal detecting equipment has flooded the market which makes choosing a metal detector that little bit harder. We have compiled a list of ten of the most highly-rated models out there for a wide range of budgets.
How Do Metal Detectors Work?
When you install the batteries, the batteries activate a transmitter circuit that sends an electric current through the device to a transmitter coil located at the bottom of the device. When the electric current reaches the transmitter coil, a magnetic field is formed. If this magnetic field is swept across a metallic object,
an electric current is formed, and a separate magnetic field is formed around the object.
A receiver coil that is also located at the bottom of the metal detector will then send an electric current to a receiver circuit. Once the electric current reaches the receiver circuit, the metal detector will beep, alerting you to the presence of a metallic object.
Once you get a fix on a metallic object, you can use a pinpointer that narrows the magnetic field. This allows you to determine exactly where you should dig to find the prize that’s waiting for you below. Some metal detectors will have their own pinpoint mode; others use an external pinpointing device that will need to be purchased separately.
Bounty Hunter BHJS Junior
Features
- Enhanced test mode
- Discrimination control filters out most undesirable items
- Adjustable shaft
- Weather-resistant coil
- Audio-based target indicator
Our Thoughts:
While it may not be much on looks, the BHJS Junior will give you far more value than most entry-level detectors. The BHJS can detect small objects at up to five inches beneath the ground and larger objects up to three feet beneath the ground. Its simple, lightweight design and adjustable size make the BHJS Junior a perfect beginner’s treasure hunting tool for children ages 6 and up, yet it’s accurate enough to where your kids won’t miss much. The BHJS Junior is a surprisingly practical model for a device that is basically a child’s toy.
However, the BHJS Junior does have one big flaw: the lack of a low battery indicator. This means you don’t get advance warning when your batteries are about to fail. Instead, the device will suddenly cut out, completely ruining a good day of treasure hunting. This can be annoying, especially when you’re hot on the trail of something that may be valuable.
Pros
- Extremely lightweight
- Delivers remarkable accuracy for the price
- Delivers good value for an entry-level metal detecting enthusiasts
- Adjustable body keeps up with your child as they grow
- Works well straight out of the box – all you need to do is install the batteries and perform a few simple tests
- Weather-resistant coil is resistant enough for the device to be used in slight rain showers
Cons
- Cannot detect small objects buried deep beneath the ground
- No headset jack
- No low battery indicator
Goplus MD-4030
Features
- Waterproof search coil
- Earphone jack
- Indication mode
- Low battery indicator
Our Thoughts:
The GoPlus MD-4030 is another useful gem in the line of practical low-end metal detectors, but for a different reason – its submersible and works in shallow water.
However, you should be prepared to carry the instructions with you when you first use it, as the discrimination controls are a little finicky. Once you get past the finicky controls though, you should be able to locate what you’re looking for fairly quickly. It’s a decent gadget that takes a bit of getting used to, but complex controls aside, the MD-4030 can go where the BHJS Junior cannot and offers more or less the same level of accuracy.
Pros
- Works in shallow water – submersible
- Great for newbie metal detecting enthusiasts
- Can find items reasonably well for the price
- Low battery indicator warns you when batteries are low
- Accepts a headset for private searching
Cons
- Not user-friendly; the discrimination and sensitivity controls can be rather unforgiving at first
- Cannot distinguish between different metals
Goplus Sensitive Search Gold Digger
Features
- Two search modes
- Large speaker
- Adjustable shaft
- Low battery indicator
Our Thoughts:
The Sensitive Search Gold Digger is much more user-friendly than the MD-4030, and it only takes one nine-volt battery, so batteries will not set you back as much as with other devices on this list. There are two search modes: All metal and Discrimination. The Goplus Sensitive Search Gold Digger is a solid choice for young and old treasure metal detecting hunters alike.
Pros
- Lightweight – the device only weighs 4lbs
- User-friendly
- Accurate to 160mm (just over six inches)
- Does not use much power
- Works in shallow water
Cons
- Cannot distinguish between different metals
Bounty Hunter TK4 Tracker IV
Features
Three search modes
Automatic ground balance
Disc/Notch control
Shoulder sleeve and padded grip for comfort
Headset jack for private searching
Our Thoughts:
The Tracker IV is a robust metal detector that can find treasures even in tough ground conditions. The metal detector can select between three different modes – all metal, discrimination mode and two-tone audio mode, can distinguish between valuable metals and unwanted items and can find small treasures or historic artifacts. Perhaps the best features of all are the attached shoulder sleeve and padded grip, which make extended treasure hunting trips a real joy to experience. This device also has a headphone jack for private searching in crowded areas such as beaches and city streets. If you’re looking for a metal detector that’s simple to use and doesn’t require a lot of configuration, the Tracker IV is for you.
Pros
- A super-sturdy option for the money
- Accepts a headset for private searching
- Simple to set up and use
- Mode selector allows you to target specific items
- Audio indicators distinguish between different metals
- Great for searching for old war artifacts
Cons
Distinguishing between tones takes a bit of getting used to.
INTEY Lightweight Metal Detector with Folding Shovel
Features
Audible and visual indication
Automatic ground balance
Two search modes
Adjustable shaft
Ground trowel included
Works in shallow water
Low battery indicator
Our Thoughts:
The Intey is very similar in appearance to the Sensitive Search Gold Digger and also has a waterproof search coil. However, the Intey packs on a few extra features. Furthermore, unlike the Sensitive Search Gold Digger, this metal detector will automatically adjust for mineral content in the ground, and it also includes a ground trowel, making the Intey perfect for eager treasure hunters who are anxious to get started.
Pros
- Included trowel is extremely sturdy and well-made
- Automatically adjusts for mineral content in the ground
- Waterproof search coil can search underwater
- Lightweight
- Does not use much power
Cons
None – The Intey offers great value for the price
Fisher F22
Features
Digital readout and controls
Four search modes
Pinpoint mode
10 sensitivity levels
Weather resistant
Accurate to nine inches under the ground
Our Thoughts:
We simply cannot say enough good things about the Fisher F22. If you need a good mid-range metal detector that’s both easy to use and can find specific items, the Fisher F22 is where it’s at! It has four different modes that are programmed to find coins, jewelry, artifacts and other metal objects. The controls are simple for even novices to use while allowing enough fine-tuning to tweak your treasure hunting experience with near-pinpoint accuracy. The F22 offers 10 different sensitivity levels and can detect small metal objects up to nine inches beneath the ground. This device is also the biggest featherweight in this list, coming in at a mere two pounds, making the Fisher F-22 one of the lightest metal detectors available!
However, don’t let the name fool you. The F22 is not completely waterproof. While the search coil is indeed waterproof, the control box is only water resistant, so although splashing a bit of water on the box will not harm the electronics, fully submerging the control box will destroy your metal detector. However, the overall value and accuracy you get from this device will completely make up for these minor shortcomings.
Pros
- Extremely lightweight
- Ten sensitivity settings allows you to tweak your experience with incredible precision
- Detects coins and other small objects at a respectable distance for the price
- Has four search modes designed to find specific objects
- The Fisher headset delivers good sound quality
Cons
- Electronics box not completely waterproof
Garrett Ace 400
Features
Adjustable search frequency
Enhanced discrimination resolution
Five search modes
Electronic pinpointing
Two-year warranty
Digital target ID
Our Thoughts:
Garrett makes great metal detectors, and the Ace 400 is no exception. The stock search coil offers decent ground penetration, and you can adjust the search frequency to make low-conductivity metals easier to find, plus there’s digital target identification, which the previous Ace 350 model did not include. The added accessories are another nice touch.
In spite of all its good points, the ACE 400 has a couple of big disadvantages. First, you cannot adjust the ground balance, which makes this metal detector a pain to use in mineral-rich soils. Furthermore, the included headset does not provide very good sound quality, so we would recommend replacing them as soon as possible. However, if you live in an area where the ground is relatively free of minerals, the Ace 400 is a strong option for amateur and professional treasure hunters alike.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Adjustable frequency allows detection of various non-conductive metals like gold or lead
- Includes batteries and accessories
- Large search coil searches deeper under the ground
- Search coil can be switched out
- High battery life (20 to 30 hours, depending on usage and frequency settings)
Cons
- No adjustable ground balance – minerals in soil may cause false positives
- The included headphones are junk compared to what’s available
National Geographic PRO Series
Features
Three search modes
Four sensitivity settings
Pinpoint mode
Collapsible shaft
10″ waterproof coil
Two-year warranty
Our Thoughts:
This is a useful mid-range metal detector that packs in a lot of features, and I do mean a lot of them! However, every one of these features improves the usability and/or portability of this metal detector, so this metal detector is easy to use straight out of the box. It has three different search modes to filter out trash along with four sensitivity modes, and can detect small objects at up to a foot beneath the ground! The PRO series has wide-angle and pinpoint search features as well, which makes it easier to cover more ground more quickly or precisely locate what you’ve found. You and your kids will love this metal detector!
Pros
Lightweight
Collapses for easy storage
Easily filters unwanted items
Wide search coil
Search field can be tweaked to cover more ground or pinpoint found items
Cons
None
White’s TreasurePro
Features
Six search modes
Eight audio signals
Pinpoint mode
Adjustable shaft
Waterproof coil
Beach mode for easy beach searching
Our Thoughts:
The White’s TreasurePro basically combines some of the best features commonly found on competing models, adds some of its own and puts it all into one package. You get six search modes and four sensitivity settings along with the wide-angle and pinpoint search fields, a 9″ search range, up to 20 hours of use on a single charge, a unique “beach mode” that makes searching through beaches easier, eight different audio tones that differentiate between different types of metal and automatic ground balance.
However, the TreasurePro suffers from the same drawbacks as the Fisher F22. Although the coil is waterproof, the control box cannot be submerged in water, so your underwater adventures will need to be limited to shallow rivers. However, you will find that this metal detector can easily keep up with the big boys on dry land.
Pros
Packs in a lot of useful features
Multiple search settings and adjustable discrimination ensures you find the items you want to find
Easily filters unwanted items
Search field can be tweaked to cover more ground or pinpoint found items
Cons
Not completely waterproof
Garrett AT Pro
Features
Pro mode audio
High-residual Iron discrimination
Digital target identification
Size indicator
Our Thoughts:
The Garret AT Pro is no child’s toy. This machine comes packed with features such as automatic ground balance, size indication, digital target identification, an adjustable shaft and much more. The AT Pro is completely waterproof, can detect even the smallest of items at a depth of 10 inches and can be used reliably inside up to 10 feet of water.
The only drawback to this device is that it’s intended for professionals. If you’re a beginner, we highly suggest reading the manual or studying the many instructional videos found on Youtube, otherwise you’re going to be lost. There are so many different settings and so many beeps, buzzes and blips that you won’t know what’s what.
Pros
- Adjustable ground balance
- One of the best models available, if not the best
- 100% waterproof up to 10 feet
- Detects gold nuggets buried up to 10″ beneath the ground
Cons
Difficult to use without consulting the manual or instructional videos
Conclusion
Today we have offered you ten possible candidates for your first metal detector. All of these models are very highly rated, and some are even best sellers. No matter which of these devices you choose, however, rest assured you will receive hours of fun-filled treasure hunting. Good luck in your search!