Would you like to start a metal detecting hobby but worried about the costs? Well, worry no more because we have curated a list of the best metal detector for the money. Here are five metal detectors that will help you find all kinds of precious metals and possibly buried treasure without breaking the bank. Also, these metal detectors are easy to use, best metal detectors for coins and are perfect for a beginner enthusiast.
What kind of metal detector is the best one for me?
If you’re new to metal detecting and you’re looking for an affordable metal detector model, then there are a lot of good-quality, reasonably-priced metal detector products available in the market. Generally, there are three types of metal detectors:
- Land-based metal detectors – this is the most common type and is used for relic hunting and buried treasure hunting. Because this type of metal detector can detect many types of metals, it is also called a multi-purpose detector.
- Water-based metal detectors – also called underwater or beach metal detector. This type may be used underwater under a certain depth and length of time as its components are waterproof and corrosion-proof.
- Specialty metal detectors – the most common specialty-type metal detector is a gold detector used for prospecting. This is the most expensive and highly-specialized of all models.
How we selected these best metal detectors for the money
We used Amazon.com to find the most highly-rated and best for the money metal detectors. We checked out the different specs and features of each product and, of course, their prices. There were many reasonably-priced detectors, but we rounded up five of the best ones. We hope you’ll find one that’s just right for your budget.
The following are the top five best metal detectors for the money.
Garrett AT Pro
Consumer Score: 92%, gave it a 4.6 out of 5
A waterproof metal detector that can reach 10 feet in salt or freshwater
Pros
- Waterproof metal detector
- Can reach up to 10 feet or 3 meters
- Ideal for freshwater and saltwater
- Comes with a headphone
- Good quality LCD control box
- Armrest with straps
Cons
- Hard to adjust the volume control
The Garrett AT Pro is a metal detector that’s waterproof up to 10 feet. It is designed to work on land and also for saltwater and freshwater environments. It will even ground balance in salt water. This metal detector has a cool, very efficient control panel where you can adjust its sensitivity, iron discrimination, and notch discrimination. You can also select from three different modes: custom, coins, and no or zero modes.
Easily detect precious coins in different depths from 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 inches. It also comes with a handy headset so you can listen intently for detection sounds. With the headset, you can use this metal detector even in a busy and noisy environment.
The handle is long and adjustable. It has an ergonomic handle that feels soft to the hands and a padded armrest with a strap so you can move effortlessly without any pain or strain. It has a rugged design, and thus it’s perfect for all environments. And for added value for your money, the Garrett AT Pro comes with a 2-year warranty.
Fisher F75
Consumer Score: 89%, gave it 4.1 out of 5.
A lightweight, ergonomic, reasonably-priced metal detector
Pros
- Lightweight design
- Ergonomics component
- Large LCD, easy to check the display
- With a double-filter disc mode
- With a non-volatile memory
- Low power consumption
- Waterproof search coil with rain cover housing and battery housing
Cons
- No headset port
- No straps for armrest
- Complaints that the menu is hard to access
The Fisher F75 is a metal detector that’s lightweight with an ergonomic design. It offers an accurate, trigger-actuated pinpointing system with an audio pitch. Its large LCD lets you check and fine-tune the device’s sensitivity levels, notch, tones, process, and so many more. The Fisher F75 metal detector has an easy to access headset port, located near the armrest. This makes it very accessible and away from water and dirt.
The handle is non-adjustable but has a good angle, so you can easily check on the device’s LCD while holding the detector with one hand. You don’t have to strain your arms, shoulders, and neck just to check readings compared to other metal detector devices.
Bounty Hunter TK4 Tracker IV
Consumer Score: 90%, gave it a 4.4 out of 5
A metal detector with an analog design but with a simple, easy to operate controls.
Pros
- With a rugged design, perfect for all environments.
- With an all-metal mode, discrimination mode and an audio mode
- Easily adjusts with a pre-set ground balance feature
- Easy to use discrimination and notch control for target and non-target metals
- With a padded armrest
- With low battery indicator
Cons
- Does not come with a free headset
- Analog controls
- No LCD, only an analog meter
- No armrest strap
The Bounty Hunter TK4 is a metal detector with a rugged design. It will work for all ground conditions, whether you’re in your backyard, at the park, or at the beach. Take note that this is not waterproof, so you can use it on shallow water. It has an analog metal detecting system with knobbed controls.
Instead of an LCD display, it comes with an analog meter display that will tell you if you’re near a targeted object. Use the disc/notch control so you can distinguish from your targeted and non-targeted objects. You can tweak the sensitivity or search for all metals as well.
The Tracker IV has a convenient handle which non-adjustable but has a padded handle and armrest. It lacks a strap to keep your arms on the armrest, but nevertheless, it’s comfortable and great for long hours of treasure-hunting, coin collecting, and relic-hunting use.
Minelab CTX 3030
Consumer Score: 80%, gave it a 3.4 out of 5.
A metal detector that comes as a complete set; total value for your money.
Pros
- Comes with a rechargeable battery
- This is a standard metal detector pack
- Waterproof up to 10 feet or 3 meters
- With PC mapping features using Google Maps
- Wireless audio capable, with built-in speaker
- Uses FBS 2 technology for multiple frequency transmission
- With armrest lock
- With 3 years warranty; good value for your money
Cons
- Complaints that it’s not as water-resistant as advertised
If you’re looking for good value, then we recommend this complete set Minelab CTX 3030. It’s called a standard pack of metal detectors as it has all you need to get started right away. Your purchase comes with the CTX 3030 waterproof metal detector, a compatible headset, rechargeable battery packs, a battery pack charger, clamps, clips, and cords.
The CTX 3030 is waterproof up to 10 feet or 3 meters, and thus, you may submerge it in water. This detector uses FBS 2 Technology for multiple frequency transmission plus a coil to detector communication so you can work on targeted objects even in the variable ground.
It comes with convenient features like a GPS location feature that tells you where you’ve been using a special map and nav tool on the LCD. You can map your prospecting using handy Google Maps, so you can easily upload all data to your PC with the help of the Exchange 2 app. It also comes with wireless audio so you can use a wireless headphone or headset; no more wires that can interfere with your activities. But if you wish, you may use a built-in speaker.
This works using rechargeable batteries. The LCD display gives you information about battery levels, disc and notch, and sensitivity settings the LCD screen is also ergonomically on top of the handle, so it’s easier to check it out.
Garrett Ace 200
Consumer Score: 92%, gave it a 4.5 out of 5
A metal detector with improved sensitivity adjustments and new coin depth indicator.
Pros
- The new digital target scale
- With camlocks for improved sensitivity
- With coin depth indicator for quick target depth
- With varying sensitivity adjustments
Cons
- Armrest with no straps
- Sensitivity issues
The Garrett Ace 200 is a metal detector with enhanced features. It has a bright design, well-padded handle and armrest, and extra-sensitive controls. It has a better digital target from 0 to 99 scale. You will love its coin depth indicator, where it can determine the depth of a con and other materials.
The Ace 200 has a large LCD with a clear display so you can see the readings even when your arm is extended. The display tells you the mode you’re in (zero disc, coins, or jewelry) the metal you are looking for like iron, nickel, rings, coins, gold, and silver.
FAQ
Here are the most common questions first-time metal detector users have.
How do metal detectors detect metals and buried treasure?
Buried treasure such as coins and other relics and artifacts that are made of metal will be easily detected by a metal detector, but those made of wood, porcelain, clay, and gemstones will not be detected. Only materials or objects that have high conductivity will be detected by a metal detector and similar pieces of equipment.
Can you use land metal detectors to look for metal at the beach?
Not all land metal detectors or land-based metal detectors are not waterproof. You must make sure that the land-based metal detector you have handy is waterproof and can be used for water or the beach. Look for waterproof rating and the water depth that you can submerge the metal detector.
Why is anti-corrosion necessary for underwater and beach metal detectors?
The search coil and handle of metal detectors are mostly made of metal while the control box is made of very sensitive equipment, and thus, these parts must have anti-corrosion features to be used in water or at the beach. The salty air and environment can instantly corrode metal and other electronic components, and thus anti-corrosion protection is necessary.
Can you use metal detectors on any land?
No, you can’t just go and use a metal detector on privately-owned land. You may use your metal detector in public places, in parks, or at your backyard. You can go around prospecting and searching for buried treasure; you need a permit for these in most countries.
Is gold prospecting illegal?
You must secure a permit if you want to search for gold. Don’t underestimate the law as you can get fined and your precious equipment confiscated if you’re not aware of local laws. Also, you can’t just dig up land anywhere if you suspect there’s gold.
Conclusion
From our list of the best metal detectors for the money, we have selected the Garrett AT Pro. We have many reasons why this is the best. First, it is a waterproof metal detector that you can submerge in water up to 10 feet. It will work on land and also for saltwater and freshwater environments. We love its efficient control panel, where you can easily change its sensitivity, iron discrimination, and notch disc. From the control panel, you can also select from three custom, coins, and no or zero modes.
With the Garrett AT Pro, you can easily detect precious coins in different depths from 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 inches. With its headset, so you can listen carefully for detection sounds even in a busy and noisy environment.
We also like its long and adjustable handle with an ergonomic design that feels soft and comfortable. The AT Pro has a rugged design, and therefore, it’s perfect for all environments. And don’t forget, it also adds more value for your money with its 2-year warranty.