A good metal detector turns a quiet afternoon at the beach or the back yard into a real treasure hunt, beeping the moment a coin, a ring, or a relic passes under the coil. But the cheap ones bury you in false signals, chirping at every bottle cap and rusty nail until you give up and go home. We analyzed thousands of verified buyer reviews, recent sales data, and expert evaluations to find eight metal detectors that find the good stuff and help you leave the junk in the ground.
Short on time? These three cover most buyers - our top-graded all-rounder, the best value for money, and the easiest starting point for total beginners.
Every product we compared, in ranked order. Tap through to Amazon to check today's price, or jump to the full review below.
1
Garrett AT Pro
Best Overall
Garrett AT Pro Metal Detector (Waterproof)
4.9
8.5"x11" DD coil · waterproof 10 ft · 6 modes
Our Best Overall pick: a fully submersible all-terrain detector with fast recovery and pro-level discrimination, backed by some of the deepest and most consistently positive expert coverage of any detector we compared.
Our Best for Beginners pick: the entry-level detector experts recommend more than any other, pairing a genuine target-ID interface with a durable submersible coil, all from a made-in-USA brand.
The step-up ACE: a bigger DD coil, higher adjustable frequency and Iron Audio, sold as a bundle with a Garrett Pro-Pointer AT for faster target recovery.
Not a full detector but the accessory most hunters add first: a fully waterproof handheld pinpointer that locates a target in the hole in seconds, cutting dig time dramatically.
Our Best Affordable pick: the lowest-priced full detector here, and the only one with a built-in rechargeable battery good for 35 hours - no bag of disposable 9-volts required.
A newcomer built around a one-touch NORM mode that gets first-time users hunting in seconds, with an upgraded DSP chip and a full accessory kit aimed squarely at beginners.
SUNPOW's newer rechargeable detector, with a bigger 13-inch waterproof coil than its OTMD15 sibling and six-way metal ID, for buyers who want the brand's no-disposable-battery convenience with more coil coverage.
A feature-packed newcomer on paper - large color screen, 10-inch Double-D coil, five modes - but with the thinnest track record and lowest buyer sentiment in this lineup.
Metal Detectors 101: How They Work & How to Choose
Understand the category before you buy - what the science actually says, and which specs matter.
Every metal detector promises deep finds and pinpoint accuracy, but the way a machine reads the ground, and how well it separates a nickel from a nail, varies a lot from model to model. Here is how they work, the one trade-off that quietly shapes everything you will find, and the features actually worth comparing.
What does a metal detector actually do?
A metal detector sends an electromagnetic field down into the ground through its search coil. When that field crosses a piece of metal, the metal creates its own tiny field in response, and the detector senses the difference and tells you something is there. From that response it works out roughly how deep the target sits and what kind of metal it is likely to be.
It reads the strength and timing of the returning signal to estimate depth and size.
It assigns a Target ID, usually a number on the display, that hints at whether you have hit iron, foil, a coin, or something more valuable.
It lets you set search modes so you can hunt everything or filter for specific kinds of metal, and a pinpoint mode narrows the exact spot before you dig.
Most detectors in this lineup show a Target ID on a digital or backlit LCD, from the Garrett AT Pro to the SUNPOW OT-MD16, so you get a read on a target before your shovel ever touches the dirt.
The one trade-off that shapes everything: operating frequency
Here is the thing most first-time buyers never hear. The single most important number on a detector is its operating frequency, measured in kHz, and it sets the whole character of the machine. Lower frequencies, in the single-digit kHz range, push their field deeper into the soil and respond best to larger, high-conductivity targets like silver coins and old relics. Higher frequencies do not reach as deep, but they are far more sensitive to small, low-conductivity targets, which is exactly what gold flakes, thin chains, and fine jewelry are.
That is why a machine tuned for coin and relic hunting is not the same tool as one tuned for gold. Several detectors here, including the Garrett ACE 400 with its adjustable frequency, let you shift that balance to match what you are chasing. If you mostly want coins and buried relics in a park or field, lean toward the deeper, lower-frequency setup. If you dream of gold and jewelry on the beach, sensitivity to the small stuff matters more than raw depth. Match the frequency to the target and you will dig far less junk to find the same treasure.
Which specs actually matter?
Once you understand frequency, a few features decide which detector fits your hunts:
Discrimination: This is what keeps you from digging trash. Discrimination reads the Target ID and lets you ignore whole classes of metal, like iron and pull-tabs, so the machine stays quiet on junk. Most models here offer it through modes such as the SUNPOW OTMD15's Disc and Notch settings.
Ground balance: Mineralized soil, wet salt sand, and iron-rich dirt all confuse a detector and cause false beeps. Ground balance cancels out that background so real targets stand out, which matters most on the beach and in heavily mineralized ground.
Search coil size and type: A larger coil like the 13 inch Double-D on the SUNPOW OT-MD16 covers more ground and reaches deeper, while a smaller coil like the 7 inch by 10 inch on the Garrett ACE 300 is nimbler around trash and easier to pinpoint with. Double-D coils, common across this lineup, handle mineralized soil better than concentric ones.
Waterproofing: A waterproof coil lets you hunt wet sand and shallows where jewelry collects. Note the difference between a waterproof coil and a fully submersible machine: the Garrett AT Pro goes fully under to 10 ft, while most models here waterproof only the coil, so keep the control box dry.
Search modes and Target ID: More modes, from all-metal to notch to a beginner-friendly NORM mode, give you finer control, and a clear numeric Target ID on the display saves you from digging blind.
Weight and power: You will swing this for hours, so weight matters, ranging from about 2.5 lbs up to 5.7 lbs here. Rechargeable lithium models like the SUNPOW units skip the cost of constant AA or 9V replacements.
How we grade products
Graded Picks rankings are aggregated from several independent signals: verified buyer ratings and the size of the review base for credibility, recent monthly purchase volume for relevance, assessments from trusted metal detecting and hobbyist publications, and how each product places in leading category lineups. For metal detectors we weigh:
Detection depth and target separation
Discrimination and ground balance capability
Coil size, type, and waterproofing
Target ID accuracy and display clarity
Range and usefulness of search modes
Weight, comfort, and battery life
Overall value for the price
Permission and rules note: Before you detect anywhere, check local laws and get permission. Many public parks, beaches, and historic sites restrict or ban detecting, and digging on private land without the owner's consent can be trespassing. Federal and protected sites often prohibit it outright, and disturbing archaeological or historical material may be illegal. When in doubt, ask first, fill every hole you dig, and leave the ground as you found it.
In-Depth Reviews
Everything we learned from buyer reviews and expert testing, product by product.
Garrett AT Pro
Best Overall
1. Garrett AT Pro Metal Detector (Waterproof)
4.9
The AT Pro is our Best Overall pick on the strength of years of sustained expert and field-reviewer praise: publications and hobbyist testers alike still rank it near the top of the all-terrain class, and it earned the broadest, most consistently positive coverage of any detector in this comparison. Its 15 kHz operation, fast recovery speed and pro-mode discrimination let it separate good targets from trash in cluttered parks and beaches, and testers routinely report coins at 8-10 inches and relics deeper. The headline feature is that the entire unit is submersible to 10 feet, so you can wade creeks and shallow surf that would sideline a coil-only-waterproof detector, and Iron Audio's distinctive junk-rejection tone speeds up sorting real targets from trash. Reviewers note it isn't optimized for saltwater wet sand like a multi-frequency machine, but for all-around land and freshwater hunting it delivers performance that punches well above its price, backed by Garrett's made-in-USA reputation and a 2-year warranty.
Search coil8.5" x 11" DD PROformance
Detection modes6 search modes + pinpoint
DisplayDigital LCD with target ID
Waterproof ratingFully submersible to 10 ft
Power source4x AA batteries (included)
Item weight3.0 lbs
Warranty2 years (Garrett limited)
Pros
Entire detector submersible to 10 feet for creeks and surf
Fast recovery speed separates targets in trashy ground
Pro-mode discrimination and Iron Audio for junk rejection
The Garrett ACE 300 is our Best for Beginners pick because it does what almost no other affordable detector manages: it gives newcomers a genuinely serious treasure-hunting experience without a steep learning curve. Testers at major publications, including Family Handyman, name it their entry-level pick, and field reviewers report consistent target acquisition across soil types with coin-depth of roughly 6-8 inches and larger objects deeper still. You get a 7" x 10" submersible PROformance coil, an 8 kHz frequency, digital target ID, five search modes plus pinpoint, and adjustable iron discrimination - features usually reserved for pricier machines. It runs on four AA batteries for 20-40 hours, weighs under 3 pounds, and is backed by Garrett's made-in-USA reputation and a 2-year warranty. For a first (or second) detector, it remains the smartest way to start the hobby without outgrowing the machine in a season.
Search coil7" x 10" concentric PROformance
Detection modes5 search modes + pinpoint
DisplayDigital LCD with target ID
Waterproof ratingSubmersible coil
Power source4x AA batteries (included)
Item weight2.8 lbs
Warranty2 years (Garrett limited)
Pros
Serious target-ID interface that stays easy for beginners
Consistently the top entry-level pick among expert testers
Submersible 7" x 10" coil handles varied soil well
Five search modes plus adjustable iron discrimination
Made-in-USA brand with a 2-year warranty and long battery life
Cons
Coil is submersible but the control housing is not fully waterproof
Fixed ground balance limits it on heavily mineralized ground
Costs more than budget import detectors
Who is it for?
Beginners and casual hunters who want one dependable, well-supported detector for coins, jewelry and relics in parks and fields, without the learning curve of a pro-level machine.
Who is it not for?
Serious beach and saltwater hunters who need a fully submersible housing and manual ground balance.
The ACE 400 sits between the ACE 300 and the AT Pro, and this listing bundles it with Garrett's Pro-Pointer AT - the pinpointer serious hunters consider near-essential. Over the ACE 300 it adds a larger 8.5" x 11" DD coil, a higher 10 kHz adjustable frequency, Iron Audio (a distinctive grunt that flags iron junk) and enhanced iron resolution, letting it hunt a bit deeper and separate targets better in cluttered ground. Reviewers call it a strong middle-ground machine that stays beginner-friendly, while noting the same limitation as its sibling: fixed ground balance makes mineralized ground and wet salt sand a struggle. For a park-and-field hunter who wants more capability than the 300 without the AT Pro's price or learning curve, the bundle is excellent value.
Search coil8.5" x 11" DD PROformance
Detection modes5 search modes + pinpoint
DisplayDigital LCD with target ID
Waterproof ratingSubmersible coil (IP54 housing)
Power source4x AA batteries (included)
Item weight2.9 lbs
Warranty2 years (Garrett limited)
Pros
Larger 8.5" x 11" DD coil hunts deeper than the ACE 300
Higher 10 kHz adjustable frequency plus Iron Audio
Bundled with the Garrett Pro-Pointer AT pinpointer
Stays easy to use for beginners and intermediates
Made-in-USA brand with a 2-year warranty
Cons
Fixed ground balance struggles on mineralized ground and wet salt sand
Coil is submersible but the housing is not fully waterproof
Priced above the ACE 300 for a modest capability step-up
Who is it for?
Park-and-field hunters who want more depth and target separation than the ACE 300, plus a pinpointer in the box, without the AT Pro's complexity.
Who is it not for?
Beach and saltwater hunters, and buyers who just want the simplest, cheapest way to start.
The MT6 Pro is a pinpointer - the handheld probe you use after your main detector flags a spot, to zero in on exactly where the target sits in the plug of soil. It's the single accessory experienced hunters recommend to newcomers, because it turns minutes of frustrated digging into a few seconds of probing. This one is fully IP68 waterproof so it works underwater and in wet dirt, has 360-degree tip detection with adjustable sensitivity, and adds an LCD screen and LED light that budget pinpointers usually skip. Reviewers note it's a capable, well-priced tool rather than a pro-grade unit, and it runs on a single 9V battery. Treat it as a companion to one of the full detectors on this list, not a replacement.
Search coil360° probe tip
Detection modes3 alert modes (audio/vibration)
DisplayLCD screen + LED light
Waterproof ratingIP68 fully waterproof
Power source1x 9V battery
Item weight5.9 oz
Warranty2 years (manufacturer)
Pros
Slashes dig time by locating the target precisely in the hole
Fully IP68 waterproof for underwater and wet-dirt use
360-degree tip detection with adjustable sensitivity
Adds an LCD and LED light many budget pinpointers lack
Inexpensive companion to any full-size detector
Cons
It's an accessory, not a standalone ground-search detector
Short detection range typical of all pinpointers
Uses non-rechargeable 9V batteries
Who is it for?
Any hunter - beginner or veteran - who wants to stop digging blindly and recover targets in seconds.
Who is it not for?
Anyone looking for their primary ground-search detector rather than a pinpointing accessory.
The SUNPOW OTMD15 is our Best Affordable pick because it's the cheapest full-size detector in this comparison and solves the budget category's most annoying quirk: it charges instead of eating disposable 9-volt batteries, with a built-in lithium pack rated for about 35 hours per charge. You get a 10-inch Double-D deep-search coil built to filter out mineralized chatter, four modes (All-Metal, Disc, Notch and Pinpoint), and a backlit LCD, in a package aimed at beach, saltwater and yard use. Reviewers describe it as surprisingly accurate and easy to adjust for a machine at this price, with solid depth for the money. It carries a 1-year warranty. Like other budget detectors it won't match a Garrett for recovery speed, but as a low-cost, low-hassle entry point it's a genuine value.
The Horizon X6 leads with a NORM mode designed to get a brand-new user swinging and finding targets within seconds, without touching a settings menu, alongside five more specialized modes (All-Metal, Disc, Memory, Jewelry, Pinpoint) for once someone is ready to dig deeper into the hobby. SuperEye's upgraded DSP chip is pitched as improving detection accuracy and cutting false signals versus the brand's earlier boards, and reviewers testing it have reported locating coin-sized targets around 10 inches deep with consistent results. It ships as a complete kit with a folding shovel, headphones and a carry bag, and assembly is tool-free in about a minute. As a newer brand it has far less accumulated field-testing history than the Garrett detectors in this comparison, and its smaller buyer base means less real-world durability data exists so far, but early hands-on coverage has been consistently positive for a first detector.
Search coil10" Double-D waterproof
Detection modes6 modes (incl. NORM beginner mode)
DisplayBacklit LCD
Waterproof ratingWaterproof coil
Power source9V battery (included in kit)
Item weight4.5 lbs
Warranty2 years (manufacturer)
Pros
NORM mode gets first-time users finding targets within seconds
Upgraded DSP chip pitched to improve accuracy and cut false signals
Complete kit includes a folding shovel, headphones and carry bag
Tool-free assembly in about a minute
Cons
Far less accumulated field-testing history than the Garrett detectors here
Smaller buyer base means less long-term durability data exists so far
Relies on non-rechargeable 9V batteries
Who is it for?
Absolute beginners who want the fastest, least intimidating way to start finding targets out of the box.
Who is it not for?
Buyers who want a long-established brand with years of accumulated field-testing behind it.
The OT-MD16 is SUNPOW's larger-coil follow-up to its OTMD15, stepping up to a 13-inch waterproof coil aimed at covering more ground per sweep while keeping the brand's signature built-in rechargeable battery, rated here for about 24 hours per charge with USB-C fast charging instead of disposable 9-volts. Five search modes plus a dedicated pinpoint function and six-way metal identification (distinguishing iron, aluminum, copper, silver and more) show up on a backlit LCD, and the coil carries an IP68 rating for river, shoreline and wet-sand use. It hasn't yet accumulated the kind of dedicated third-party test coverage the Garrett detectors in this comparison have, so buyers are relying more on SUNPOW's established rechargeable-detector design than on independent verdicts for this specific model. For hunters who want a bigger sweep radius than the OTMD15 without switching brands, it's a reasonable step up.
Search coil13" waterproof Double-D
Detection modes5 modes + pinpoint, 6-way metal ID
DisplayBacklit LCD
Waterproof ratingIP68 coil
Power sourceRechargeable lithium (24 hr, USB-C)
Item weight5.7 lbs
Warranty1 year (12-month manufacturer)
Pros
Larger 13-inch coil than SUNPOW's own OTMD15 for more ground per sweep
Rechargeable battery with USB-C fast charging, no disposable 9-volts
Six-way metal identification and a dedicated pinpoint mode
IP68 waterproof coil for rivers, shoreline and wet sand
Cons
No dedicated third-party test coverage found yet for this specific model
Heavier than most other detectors in this comparison at 5.7 lbs
Only a 1-year warranty
Who is it for?
Buyers who want a bigger coil and rechargeable convenience from a familiar SUNPOW design.
Who is it not for?
Anyone who wants a lighter machine or a detector with an established independent test record.
The HawkSeek HS-X7 lists an appealing spec sheet for a budget detector: a 2x-larger backlit color LCD, a 10-inch Double-D waterproof coil, an advanced DSP chip and five modes (All-Metal, Disc, Jewelry, Memory and Pinpoint) covering beach and gold hunting, with a full kit that includes a folding shovel, headphones and carry bag. The catch is that it's a brand-new brand with almost no independent field testing behind it and the weakest buyer sentiment of any detector here - meaning its real-world depth, accuracy and durability are largely unproven. If you want the most features on paper for the money and are comfortable being an early adopter, it's worth a look, but buyers who value a proven machine should choose one of the Garrett or DR.OTEK options above.
Search coil10" Double-D waterproof
Detection modes5 modes (incl. jewelry/pinpoint)
DisplayBacklit color LCD
Waterproof ratingWaterproof coil
Power source2x 9V batteries (included)
Item weight2.5 lbs
Warranty1 year (manufacturer)
Pros
Large backlit color LCD, unusual at this price
10" Double-D waterproof coil and advanced DSP chip
Five modes covering beach and gold hunting
Complete kit with folding shovel, headphones and bag
Lightweight at about 2.5 lbs
Cons
Brand-new brand with almost no independent field testing
Weakest buyer sentiment of any detector in this lineup
Real-world depth, accuracy and durability are unproven
Who is it for?
Early adopters chasing the most on-paper features for the money who don't mind an unproven brand.
Who is it not for?
Anyone who wants a detector with a proven real-world track record - buy a Garrett or DR.OTEK instead.
The stars you see are the Graded Picks cumulative score, not a single retailer's average. It blends verified buyer reviews aggregated across major retailers, assessments from professional reviewers and expert testers, and how prominently the product features in leading category lineups.
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