Whether you’re using a metal detector for a fun, leisurely activity or you’re seriously searching for buried items, you need the best metal detector money can buy. There are many designs of metal detectors, but overall, these devices have the same function: to find metal objects hidden beneath the surface of the ground. And if you want to make this a full-time hobby, then you might want to check out our eight best metal detectors of 2022.
What kind of metal detector is best for me?
There are three types of metal detectors, and the type you need will depend on what you’re searching for.
- Metal detectors for land-based hunting – this is used for coin and relic hunting. This type is also called a multi-purpose metal detector.
- Underwater and beach metal detectors – these are the most robust and waterproof to protect the device from salt water and sea air that causes corrosion.
- Gold metal detectors – these are used for gold prospecting and for hunting other metals.
How we chose these top metal detectors
The products included in our list of the best metal detector of 2021 are based on their rankings on Amazon and kellycodetectors. We considered different reviews for each product and have gathered their respective pros and cons as well. We came up with 8 top products out of the many metal detectors featured on the shopping site.
Best Metal Detector Reviews
Here are our top 8 best metal detectors of the year. We hope you’ll find the best one that fits your needs from our list.
1. Garrett AT Pro – Best for Relic Hunting
Consumer Score: 95%, gave it 4.6 stars out of 5
This is an all-around metal detector for salt and freshwater use that comes with a handy headphone.
Pros
- For fresh and saltwater use
- Comes with a free headphone
- Comes with batteries already installed in the device
- With a two –year manufacturer’s warranty
Cons
- You cannot adjust the volume
- Issues with the headphone
The Garrett AT Pro is a metal detector made for salt and freshwater. Everything you need is within reach with its easy to use LCD. From the device controls, you can change modes, use the pinpoint mode to accurately find what you need and to adjust your discs. It is precise to the point that it will tell you how deep a coin is (2, 4, 6, or 8 inches deep) and will ring for silver, iron, or gold.
The Garrett AT Pro has been upgraded to work up to 10 feet (3 meters) underwater. You can use this for both fresh and saltwater and will have a ground balance feature for saltwater. There’s no need to look for headphones to match this metal detector as it comes with a Garrett MS-2 headphones. You can also use this device out of the box because it ships with batteries installed.
Meanwhile, the handle of the detector rod comes with a handy strap. You don’t need to worry about the water tossing and turning the detector because it is fastened on your hand. And when it comes to accuracy, users report a 4.2 out of 5 accuracies in salt or freshwater.
2. Fisher F22 – Best Metal Detector for Beginners
Consumer Score: 90% gave it 4.5 out of 5.
This is a weatherproof, multi-purpose metal detector with improved LCD for easy readings even from a distance.
Pros
- Larger digital display
- All-purpose detector
- With adjustable iron audio
- Comfortable handle
- With waterproof/submersible search coil
- No headset/earphone included
- best metal detector for beginners
Cons
- Complaints that it was not as sensitive
The Fisher F22 is a waterproof detector that’s not just for dry land but all weather conditions. It is easy to use, simply power it on or off when not in use. It comes with easy Notch, Sensitivity, Discrimination, and PP or Pinpoints features that will help you to easily find out any buried metal. You can select from four modes: coin, jewelry, artifact, or custom.
The F22 is user-friendly as it comes with a large digit LCD. It has an adjustable Fe-tone iron audio that will let you set the volume of your targets (iron to non-iron targets) to improve clarity on your targeted metals. It’s easy to forget your settings, but the F-22 will remember thanks to its non-volatile memory. The search coil is upgraded to a 9-inch triangulated concentric waterproof elliptical component.
And when it comes to overall ease of use, the handle of this metal detector does not have a strap, so you just rely on your hold to keep it on hand as you use it. It would be better if this detector had a simple, secure strap. The accuracy of the F22 is 4.3 out of 5.
3. Garrett ACE 300 – Best Metal Detector for Gold
Consumer Score: 91% gave it 4.7 out of 5.
This is a metal detector set with all the equipment you need to start looking for treasure ASAP.
Pros
- Comes with all the accessories you need
- The search coil is submersible
- Headphones with volume control
- Larger LCD, easy to use controls
Cons
- Forearm support too short
- Complained that it was not as accurate
The Garrett ACE 300 is a metal detector that comes with all the accessories you need to start looking for buried coins and treasures right away. It comes with a headphone with a volume adjustment knob, a search coil cover, free batteries and a manual. This detector has a submersible search coil making it the best for all-around wet or dry activity. You can start on dry land and quickly move to water without the need to make any adjustments.
The ACE 300 is easy to use, and everything you need to look for coins, jewelry, or relics are found on your device. You’ll have an iron ringer, gold ringer, silver, and foil ringer. You can easily spot how deep a coin is using the coin depth feature plus adjust the mode, sensitivity, and discrimination all in one screen. The numbers and fonts are easy to see. A battery meter is also found on the screen to tell you if you need to replace your battery before you start your search.
When it comes to the handle and arm support, the ACE 300 comes with a strap and Velcro closures to secure your hand. However, some people who have longer and larger forearms find this inadequate and wish this could be adjustable as well. Accuracy for the Garrett Ace 300 is 4.5 out of 5, according to users.
4. Bounty Hunter TK4 Tracker IV – Best Metal Detector for Coins
Consumer Score: 89% gave it 4 out of 5.
This is an old-school metal detector with simple, easy to use controls for a beginner treasure hunter.
Pros
- With simple controls
- With a rugged design
- Uses pre-set ground balance
- With an LED battery indicator
Cons
- Knobs can easily fall off
- Hard to see in low-visibility conditions
- The forearm support is still too short
- No hand or arm straps
- No headphones
The Bounty Hunter TK4 is an analog metal detector that’s simple to use, sensitive, and will work on all metals. It has a rugged design so it won’t fall short on any kind of outdoor environment. It can work on all kinds of metals (iron or non-iron) and can detect larger metal items up to 3 feet. You can choose from two different tones on the audio mode and a discrimination mode.
Extended use can cause erratic readings, and so, you can use the pre-set ground balance to neutralizes the device’s response to the ground’s mineral content. This comes with a durable handle but no strap to secure your arm or hand. Finally, it has a very simple device interface that uses a meter to tell you if metal was spotted. A convenient LED tells you your battery power, and you should replace it a soon as you find this a-light.
This Bounty Hunter metal detector is easy to learn and use, but some users are not convinced of its accuracy.
5. Garrett 1140900 Pro-Pointer AT – Best Pointer Detector
Consumer Score: 95% gave it 4.7 out of 5.
This is a simple, easy to use and lightweight pinpointing metal detector that’s easy to carry anywhere.
Pros
- Lightweight and easy to carry
- You can use this underwater, submersible/waterproof up to 10 feet
- Improved sensitivity to detect smaller metals especially gold
- With a quick retune button
Cons
- Takes time to get used to
- No meter or display to tell you what’s happening
- Handheld so you need to be closer to the ground
The Garrett 1140900 or the Pro-Pointer AT is a pinpointing metal detector. This is completely different from other metal detectors in our list as it is handheld and does not have a display to check on the status of your targeted metals. The Pro-Pointer is handy, easy to take anywhere, and is waterproof up to 10 feet. It is orange so you can easily see it even deep in fresh or saltwater.
The Pro-Pointer is very sensitive, especially when you’re out panning for gold in a stream, river, or any body of water. It comes with three levels of sensitivity so you can find your target ASAP. And just like regular/traditional metal detectors, the Pro-Pointer needs to be reset or returned for improved accuracy. This is done by just one press of a button. By pressing this button, it helps the Pro-Pointer to detect a larger target.
The Pro-Pointer may not be the same as a traditional metal detector, but many found it accurate, giving it a 4.7 out of 5, and it’s also easy to use.
6. Bounty Hunter BHJS Junior – Best Metal Detector For Kids
Consumer Score: 88% gave it 4 out of 5.
This is a beginner Bounty Hunter metal detector designed for young treasure hunters.
Pros
- Ideal for kids
- Can detect coins and other metals up to 5 inches under the ground
- With discrimination control
- With weather-resistant coil
- Easy to hold, lightweight
Cons
- Complaints with accuracy
- No headphones
The Bounty Hunter Junior is a metal detector just for kids. It’s a great way to introduce treasure hunting or coin-hunting activities to a child. The manufacturer claims that it can detect metal and coins up to 5 inches under the ground and larger items about 3 feet under.
The Junior also comes with an indicator meter that tells you the signal strength. The signal increases and the volume also increases as the coil becomes nearer the object. It also has a Discrimination control that will differentiate iron from your targeted items. The coil is inside a closed weather cover; it’s rustproof so you can guarantee use for many years to come.
Junior is lightweight with an ergonomic handle; therefore, it’s easy for a child to handle. This metal detector is easy to read and has simple controls to introduce your child to a larger and more sophisticated metal detector. When it comes to accuracy, this detector ranks 4.2 out of 5.
7. Bounty Hunter QSI Quick Silver
Consumer Score: 88% gave it 4 out of 5.
The waterproof metal detector with easy to use functions, large LCD, and sensitive controls.
Pros
- Fully automatic balance
- Easy depth control
- Easy target identification, audio feedback
- With interchangeable coil
- The LCD is easy to check and readable even from a distance
Cons
- With no straps to hold your arm
- Complaints that it’s not as accurate
- No headset
The Bounty Hunter QSI is also called the Quick Silver. This metal detector ground balance is completely automatic, so all the beeps and sounds are positive signals. This is easy to control with push-button depth control and discrimination buttons so you can make adjustments on the go.
The Quick Silver makes it easy to identify metals and targeted items using digital target identification plus three-tone audio for more improved and more precise identification of buried items.
The coil is huge to cover more area faster at 8 inches. It’s also interchangeable in case you need to change a faulty or rusted search coil. The LCD is easy to read even when you’re from a distance. The Quick Silver control panel has everything you need, even a battery meter, and a coin depth meter telling you if a treasure is shallow, medium, or deep. This Bounty Hunter model can provide probable target information from iron, aluminum, zinc, and coins.
When it comes to the handle, the Quick Silver is just like the other metal detectors in this list as it is non-adjustable and does not come with a strap. But there are slots to strap your arm in, and the armrest is fully-padded. And when it comes to accuracy, users of this metal detector agreed that it is 4.1 out of 5 accurate.
8. Tacklife Metal Detector – Best Metal Detector for Beach Hunting
Consumer Score: 90% gave it 4.3 out of 5.
The metal detector designed to make coin and treasure hunting fun for kids and adults alike.
Pros
- Metal detector for kids
- With different audio tones
- Comes with batteries
- Easy to use and fine-tune
- Fun LCD
- With an ergonomic design
- Adjustable detector stem
- Comes with a large carrying bag
Cons
- Not as accurate
- No headset
The TACKLIFE is fun and easy to use and is made for kids as well as for adults. You can adjust the detector stem according to the user from 24 to 45 inches. It is easy to use with a large back-lit display. However, the display may appeal to kids only. Serious treasure seekers may find the display funny.
This device has a three-tone to tell you if you’ve found something. It also has a discrimination mode that will help you differentiate from iron, coins, aluminum, and many other metals. The display is backlit, and thus you can see what it says from a distance.
This metal detector has a large 7.8” search coil plus a stem that will allow you to use this to search for items underwater. The control panel has a headphone jack so you can use this device even when the surroundings are noisy.
This metal detector has an ergonomic design, and thus it’s comfortable and very convenient to use by an adult or a child. This metal detector comes with a bag so you can keep it safe when not in use and to protect its sensitive search coil and control panel. This can detect copper, silver, and non-iron metals in the ground and water.
Most users agreed that it was easy to assemble and use, and it’s light even for children to use. However, some say that it’s not as accurate as traditional metal detectors.
FAQ
Here are five common questions with corresponding answers to using a metal detector.
Can you use a metal detector in any area?
Yes, you can use a metal detector anywhere, but we recommend an area that has been inhabited by people a long time ago. However, it is illegal to use a metal detector in private land.
What does a regular metal detector look for?
A metal detector detects metals. Metal detectors can look for metals that are inside objects like those underground.
How deep do common metal detectors reach?
Traditional metal detectors can be used to detect a certain basic depth level, and this depends on the range of the device. If you are using a low-range metal detector, then this can detect about 5 to 10 cm deep. Moderate-range metal detectors can detect double this distance from 10 to 15 cm deep. Meanwhile, high –range metal detectors can reach from 25 to 35 cm from the ground.
What are metals that cannot be detected by a metal detector?
A traditional metal detector will never be able to detect stainless steel because this material has poor conductivity.
Can metal detectors search for gems or precious stones?
No, metal detectors cannot find gemstones or precious stones, but these can detect the metal that surrounds a stone like the band of a ring or a metal clasp of a necklace or bracelet.
Conclusion
Of the 8 metal detectors we have on our list, we selected the Garrett AT Pro metal detector as the best. We have chosen the AT Pro because of the following reasons: it is easy to change modes, use the pinpoint mode to find what you need, and to adjust the disc. This is a precise detector that will alert you for silver, iron, or gold.
The Garrett AT Pro can work up to 10 feet or 3 meters underwater. You can use this for both fresh and saltwater, and it comes with a Garrett MS-2 headphones. You can also use this as soon as it arrives because it ships with batteries installed. The handle is ergonomic and comes with a handy strap.