Last Update March 27th, 2017: We are here to talk about the best metal detector for the money. If you are new to the metal digging hobby, and want to get started then this is the right place for you.The newbies is always wants to know what is the best metal detector suite for them.

We are also regularly being asked at which metal detector I should buy and how much to spend on a metal detector. Well there are several metal detectors to choose from on the markets; and we’re going to introduce you to 23 different metal detectors, most of it is the best-selling one’s.

These lists are intended to gives you a rough idea and it may also help somebody to pick which machine they want to buy.

Buyers Guide:

Where can you metal detect

So before you start, there are different questions to be asked. The main question you want to ask yourself when you’re breaking in the hobby is where I am going to be metal detecting.

Are you going to be metal detecting on a saltwater beach?

Are you going to be detecting on a freshwater beach? Are you detecting in parks and playgrounds out in the woods, or farm fields.You might want it to the beach or you might want it for land. The mineral lies underneath the ground might also be different from one country to the other.

Or, you might want under water metal detector. Where are you going to be detecting!

What kind of things can you find with a metal detector?

The next question is what you are looking for.

• Gold coin
• Silver
• Ring
• Treasure hunting

If you’re looking for gold nuggets you’re going to have to get a specialized metal detector that runs at a higher frequency. If you’re looking for civil war relics or if you’re looking for coins and jewellery, there are things that you need to think about when you’re purchasing your first detector.

Because different frequencies give you better depth and better responses to different types of metals.

VLF vs PI

VLF (very low frequency) usually performs well in dry sand, normal ground and coin shooting in discrimination mode. The bad thing about VLF detectors is it can have problems penetrating difficult ground.

PI (pulse induction) usually performs well in salt and highly mineralised areas ie wet beach areas and goldfields. The downside of this kind of detectors is, very power hungry and the price is also quit expensive too.

Other features

• Waterproof
• Two box
• Pinpointer
• Telescopic
• Wireless headphone
• Big or small coil
• Screen display
• The sound
• All in one metal detector

Why is that important?

That’s important because when choosing a metal detector machines, it is not like when you are getting a new car. Some detectors are suitable for some people then they are for others. Some of the metal detectors don’t work on wet salt water beaches. They just can’t handle the high mineralization and conductivity of the wet saltwater sand or the saltwater itself.

Others are waterproof and really are meant to be used in the water. While the coil maybe waterproof, if you get the box wet you’re going to ruin your metal detector. So they’re all different, and they all do different things. Therefore, it’s up to you to choose which type of metal detector you really want.

How much does a metal detector cost?

This is just a rough guide and all of the machines that we are going to list in here will are going from the cheapest to the most expensive. We will put the prices on every item in American dollars. Please bear in mind that the price stated here may not as exactly the same as the time you read this review.

As you may already know that the price on Amazon.com for example is very dynamic. The listed price here will give you a rough idea of what you can expect for the best metal detector.

Where can you buy a metal detector?

When you do get a new metal detector, be very careful that you don’t get a ‘copy’ version because there are some copies on the market nowadays. So, it’s always best to either buy from a reputable dealer if you going to buy one brand new. But, in our personal experience we are always get the best deal on Amazon.com compare to the others online.

If you are planning to buy it on eBay, don’t just go for the cheapest. Just make sure it is from a good supplier because if it is the cheapest, they are usually selling the copies. So just be very careful!

If you do want to buy a second-hand, I would recommend treasureclassified.com. There’s a lot items for sale on that around the world. But again, make sure you ask the questions to the people who selling the machine, just to find out about them. Just to make sure that they are legitimate sellers.

Best Brands on the market you might want to consider

• Garret
• Bounty hunters
• Whites
• Fisher
• Makro
• Minelab
• Nokta
• Tesoro
• Teknetics
• Okm

10 Best Metal Detector For Beginners – The Entry Level

I’m going to cut it up into 3 sections starting with machines for beginners and mid-range machines and then going on to the best metal detectors for the pros that you can get. So let’s get straight on with the beginners machines. There’s going to be 10 beginners machine and at the end of this section we will recommend the best beginner metal detector.

1. Let’s start with the Tesoro Compadre.

This machine cost around $160 US dollars. Basically the discrimination and the on/off switch are from the same button. This is a very simple machine. You don’t get any easier detectors than this one. It’s got a very good sound on it and good in discrimination apparently. If you just thinking about getting into the hobby but you don’t want to spend too much money because you don’t know if you like it or not, this might be the one for you.

• 1 switch
• Very basic
• Good sound
• Simple

2. The Garrett Ace 150

This machine has got a lot of functions on it. It will take you a while to get used to if you never used a machine before. But once you are into it, there will be no problem at all. It’s proven to find gold because we know a few people whose found gold coins with one of these. It will detect up to about eight inches.

On the downside, it’s got a very small coil, it has no pinpoint and has no volume control. Anyway the Garrett Ace 150 is still a very good all-rounder at a price tag of $170 in US and about $130 in UK.

• Lots of functions
• Proven to find gold
• Detects up to 8″
• No pinpoint
• No volume control

3. The Bounty Hunter Tracker IV Pro

This detector machine got a ground balance, so you can use this on the sand. I have never used one, whether it’s any good on the sand? I don’t know!
It should detect about six inches and it will cost you about a $160 in US and 125 pound in UK.

• Ground balance
• Detecs up to 6″
• Can be used on sand

4. The Fisher F2

Now this is for the money, one of the best you can get for $199 in US. It’s waterproof, so you can use it on the beach or sand. It’s very durable and has a great display screen. This gives you the option of a fine display which you don’t get on any others of this price of a very few of them anywhere. So this is a very good detector machine for beginner.

• Great display screen
• Waterproof
• Durable
• Can be used on beach or sand

5. The Teknetics Eurotek Pro

The price for this machine is $219 dollars, runs off a 9 volt battery, its got a volume control, a very clear display and it can be used on land or dry sand.

• Clear display
• Land or dry sand
• Volume control
• 9v battery

6. The Garrett ace 250

This is the best-selling metal detector in the world. It comes in around $230. Gets a very good depth and its full of lots of features. It’s got pinpoint, great discrimination. I know a lot of people who have these for years and they never decided to upgrade because they are so happy with the machine.

Some of them just get larger coils to go on the end and just keep the same machine for years and years, obviously a great machine. The only downside to it as far as I’m concerned is the armrests do have a habit of snapping, although Garrett will replace them if you get in touch with them.

• Best seller
• Many features
• Good depth
• Pinpoint
• Great discrimination

7. Teknetics Delta 4000

This is a very good all-rounder, it does a little bit of everything and it does it very well. It’s got a great graphics display on it. It has great sensitivity in discrimination settings, overall its very good machine. The only downside I would say is the search coil is pretty average, in keeping up with the standard of the rest of the machine.

• Great graphics
• Good sensitivity
• All rounder
• Average search coil

8. Whites Coinmaster Pro

Again, this detector machine does exactly what it says on the box. It will find coins for you, fantastic machine, very sturdy and reliable as all whites machines are. It’s perfect for someone who stay near the beach because its got sensitivity so it’s worked quite well on a beach.

Whites brand we’re very well known in metal detecting industries and often credited as on of the best customer services out there. So if you have any problems just get in touch with whites and they always sought you out. So yeah this is a very good starting machine for you.

• Sturdy and reliable
• Great coin finder
• Perfect for tot lots

9. The Garrett Ace 350 (EuroAce)

The Garrett EuroAce as we call it over here in Europe. It’s a great machine, this is what I started out with. The price is ranging around $313 dollars in US and about 200pound in UK. The depth on this is fantastic, absolutely fantastic. Garret Ace 350 got more functions than any of the others for this kind of money which I know about. It got great discrimination also.

I actually had two of these machines, one of my first one broke and I bought a second one which I liked it so much. I would highly recommend this, just be wary of the armrests because it can be break, but Garrett will replace them anyway.

• Coil gets great depth
• Many functions for the price
• Good discrimination
• Armrests can be a problem

10. The Minelab X Terra 305

This is the most expensive for what I would consider as a starter machine. The fact that, this is Minelab cheapest detector machine at $399 dollars, but Minelab is very well known for producing quality product. It’s got great discrimination and works very well in trashy areas. People also keep going on about how good the battery life on it as well.

This machine will get you about 8 to 10 inches in depth. Personally I dont expect a little bit more than that. I don’t think it gets as deep as the Garret EuroAce 350 did, but overall this is also a fantastic machine.

• Great battery life
• Good quality
• Works great in trashy areas
• 8 – 10 inch depth

Recap

So as you can see that the cheapest one which I’ve put down is a $160 and I wouldn’t really go much cheaper than that. There is certainly no point in buying one of these at 60-70 dollars which actually you can get out there. Yes, those cheap metal detector will detect a metal but the metal will probably just have to be lying on the surface. It’s okay if you are planning to buy it for your 4 year old children, just to be playing around with.

But it’s definitely not if you want to get into the hobby properly. If I were you, I will start with a 160 dollars budget and I will certainly not go any cheaper. Unless you gonna get a second-hand machine. For me, the best is you must try to get one which was $160 to start with at least.

So, Which One To Choose

We know that you want us to recommend certain machines. We don’t want to do that because we not used or tested all the machines and it is not fair for the other companies selling them. Nevertheless, we will tell you the one which from what we hear and from what we know are worth the money. Well, for the best beginner metal detector, our recommendation is:

1. Garrett’s 250
2. Fisher F2
3. Whites CoinMaster

There are 3 metal detectors which seem the most popular among detectors enthusiast. I have never used the Fisher F2 but I think if I did had to start again, I will go for that.

Mid-Range Metal Detector

It will be a little bit more expensive machine now into the mid-range, so let’s take a look at them.

1. Garrett AT pro

This was my second machine that i upgraded it to. Its one of the best machines I’ve ever used and I absolutely loved it. It got amazing depths and never missed a signal. For the price, I would say it’s it’s one of the best you can get.

It’s waterproof so it’s great for going in rivers and streams but it’s not good on the beach. I will warn you now because this machine is not really good on wet sand.

I will question however the headphone sockets it used to keep breaking on me. I had a lot of problems with that. But I can’t question the machine itself. It did a fantastic job!

• Waterproof
• Excellet depth
• Value for money
• Easy to use
• Not really good on wet sand/beach

2. Minelab Xterra 705

A lot of people say that this is a difficult machine to master. I think a lot of that has to do with the instruction manual isn’t very good. But once you do get on top of that, once you do learn the machine it is supposedly a very good machine.

I know a lot of people don’t upgrade from this, they’ll just stick at this and be happy with it.
It’s very durable and has a great display on it as well. That comes in at $729 American dollars.

• Durable
• Great display
• Deep seeking
• Not easy to master

3. Teknetics G2

This is around $700 and it’s beautiful to look at and very lightweight so you can swing it all day long without your arms aching.

It’s got a great display on it, also comes with an 11-inch DD coil and its very deep seeking and will find very small metal which a lot of machines will miss.

• Lightweight
• Great display
• 11 inch DD coil
• Deep seeking

4. Whites MXT pro

This is one of the best high frequency machines that are out there. It’s a little bit loud but I don’t think that’s important. If it’s doing the job it supposed to do then I don’t think the volumes too much of a problem.

Don’t expect to get amazing depth with it but it will certainly find anything within his reach and it’s got and the incredibly accurate audio response on it as well.

• High frequency
• Loud
• Accurate audio response
• Finds small items

Recap

Out of them 4, personally for me it has to be the Garrett’s AT Pro. I loved it as a machine and I had own it myself. Perhaps did break on it but when it did work it was fantastic.

As a mid-range detector and especially if it’s going to be your first metal detector, I would recommend Garrett’s AT Pro. It’s very easy to use as well.

The Minelab Xterra 705 again a fantastic machine but its going to be a little bit harder for you to master that one and slightly more money had to be spend on this machine.

Now for the big boys! The Best Metal Detectors For Pros

Those nine in this section is not really for someone who has just started out in metal detecting, although one or two of them will be suitable.

These are for people who want to build-up to the best metal detectors they can get.

so let’s take a look at them

1. Teknetics T2

The price for Teknetics T2 is around $800 and from the outside this is got everything, got great balance, very light, it also got a fantastic display and looks sexy.

It’s really just fantastic. But is it any good as a machine? The answer is yes! From what I’m hearing it is a seriously good performer and is one of the easiest detector outhere to use.

• Great balance
• Lightweight
• Sensitive
• Easy to use

2. Fisher f75 now this

It looks good, it feels good and it performance is top notch. It is a very good price for what you get and for the value for money, I would say this is better than some of the more expensive rivals.

This machine is pretty lightweight so you can swing this all day long without any problems.

• Good looking
• Comfortable
• Lightweight
• Easy to use

3. Fisher CZ21

We’re moving into serious money now with the Fisher CZ21. This is waterproof beach strokes sea detector. Very good for diving, very good for trashy beaches as well and it’s very well known for getting depth and the ability to find the tiny stuff of target.

It’s is basically a cheaper alternative to the Minelab Excalibur 2.

• Waterproof
• Good for diving
• Good for trashy beaches
• Great depth

4. XP Goldmaxx power

I have used this machine; it comes in at $1250. It’s got unbelievable discrimination and recovery speed on its which makes it stand out. It also is one of the deepest detectors I’ve used. XP Goldmaxx also has cordless headphones which put it high on my list.

• Great discrimination
• Great recovery speed
• Cordless headphones
• Deep seeking

5. Whites spectra V3i

The price tag for this detector is around $1500usd and it’s one of the most advanced machines in the market. It has an amazing built-in computer which allows you to, sort of predicts the shape and the size of an object and gives you a very good idea of what you’re going to find.

It’s very sturdy indeed and it will take you a while to master and get the settings right to suit your soils but it’s well worth the wait. The Whites Spectra V3i is very popular in United States of Amerika.

• Very advanced
• Built-in computer
• Amazing display
• Robust
• Very popular in USA

6. Minelab Etrac

I’ve had one of these in the past of but unfortunately i have put it in the salt water in the sea and I’m broke it. This machine is possibly one of the best all-around detectors on the market for value for money.

It works brilliantly on land and on wet sound as well. It’s very sturdy even though some people say it’s a little bit heavy, I disagree.

Maybe it’s a bit heavy for more elderly people. The best thing I love about Minelab Etrac is it never ever misses silver. I can say that this is a complete silver magnet. For me the only thing missing from this detector is it doesn’t have cordless headphones.

• All rounder
• Great on beach or land
• Silver magnet
• Sexy body
• No cordless headphones

7. XP DEUS

This is the machine I am using at the moment and absolutely loving it. It’s completely wireless and unbelievably light. It is probably the lightest metal detector there is in the world as far as I’m aware. Again, it is amazingly light.

The XP DEUS has a cordless headphone and the ability to seek deep. Personally, I think this is the best lands detector that I have used.

It’s perfect for older people who don’t want too much weight and people who detect in Woodland, where wires get in the way and you can snag the wires on branches. You don’t have that problem with the XP DEUS.

It’s very easy to use and when you got the settings loaded into it, it is just a matter of turn it on and away you go.

• Completely wireless
• Amazingly lightweight
• Easy to use
• Folds up

8. Garrett ATX

Garrett ATX metal detector machine comes with an eye opener price tag, $2200usd. The price is expensive for a reason. Its telescopic, and as far as I’m concerned it’s one of the best pulse induction detector available in the market.

Because it’s quite new to the markets, and based on what I’ve heard and read online, the early test made by people whose own it is very good.

I’m presuming the people who have got this machine at the moment are the Garrett faithful. The people who love Garrett and have always had Garrett. I like to hear more reviews before I make judgment on it.

I’d like to see one in the flash but yes it does certainly sound like it’s going to be a fantastic detector and right up there with the best.

• Telescopic
• induction
• New to the market
• Good early test

9. Minelab CTX 3030

$2500usd, the most expensive metal detectors in the markets as far as I know. Simply put, you won’t hear many bad things being said about this machine, apart from its very heavy and it’s quite expensive.

It does everything you could possibly want from a metal detector; it even has GPS, GPS for God sake! Its waterproof so you can use it in the sea. It also can be used wirelessly on the headphones.

All reviews you are about to read is positive, it just the weight that may put a lot of more elderly people off. Is it worth for the money though? It probably is!

• Waterproof
• GPS
• Can be wireless
• Land, sea or beach
• Heavy

Recap

Okay! So there’s the best of the best metal detectors in the market. What do you think? Which one would you pick? Personally I’m very happy with what I’ve got, I mean the XP DEUS.

I think it’s a marvellous machine simply because of how light it is and the fact there’s no wires on its and it does get depth.That’s all I could ask for in a metal detector, I’m absolutely loving it.

But, I have to say that XP DEUS is not very good on sand compare to Minelab etrack which is really fantastic on the sand.

Whereas, the CTX 3030 probably the best among them all but make sure you are on budget and ready to pay for it. Personally I would go with Minelab eTrack or XP DEUS metal detector.

Just don’t forget about the Whites spectra v3i because it is very popular in America. Some people may get a problem of getting depth in EURO soils.

But I believe there is a way around that, you just have to get the settings right which I’m working on at the moment on mine.

Once you’ve got it sorted out and you know what you are doing and you’ve mastered the machine, it’s going to be perfect in England and anywhere else as well.

Conclusions

So there you go, 23 metal detectors you have to lookout. I hope with this review it can help somebody in some very small little way in making a decision on what metal detector they want to buy.

Obviously there are lots more of those hundreds of metal detectors out there; I just can’t mention them all in this article review. So there is no point put in comment below that I didn’t mention this one, didn’t mention that one.

There’s also no point asking me for more in depth advice on each machine because I just don’t know. I just did a basic research for you and it’s now up to you to go online and finish the deal.

You can find more useful reviews at amazon.com marketplace for each product I have listed above. I’m sure you might find the answer to answer any questions you’ve got about the metal detectors.