Editor’s Note: June 5, 2026: We've checked to ensure that our recommendations are available and competitively priced. With the summer months here, we’ve added a new pick for underwater metal detecting, the XP Deus II.

You've probably seen a metal detectorist hard at work at a beach or park with their funky-looking gadget and thought, "I wish I had one of those." It's easy to fantasize about stumbling upon a hoard of buried pirate gold or, more realistically, a lost piece of jewelry, but the reality of metal detecting is this: It's more about the process of searching than the actual find itself.

That said, metal detecting can be a fun and relaxing hobby for anyone to try, especially with friends, and the barrier to entry is low. It’s an activity that gives you an excuse to spend a few hours outside, scouring the sand or dirt for coins or who-knows-what, and you might even find something that really makes it worth your while, though it's best if you don't expect to.

To determine the best metal detectors for newbies and experts alike, I tested a number of different models on the beaches and in the parks of South Florida, rating their performance, handling, and overall usability across several different terrains. I also consulted with an expert detectorist who helped me understand what factors to consider when making my choices. No matter which of these machines works best for your use case, all of them are great gets.

• Best Overall: Minelab Vanquish 440 Metal Detector
• Best Value: Nokta FindX Pro Metal Detector
• Best for Underwater Detecting: XP Deus II
• Best VLF: Nokta Simplex Lite Metal Detector
• Best Upgrade: Minelab Equinox 900 Metal Detector
• Best for Hobbyists: Minelab Manticore Metal Detector

I selected the best metal detectors after trying a handful of options that came recommended to me by Jeff Lubbert, an expert detectorist who has been tracking down treasures and finding lost rings since the mid-1980s, and a handful of other expert detectorists.

Lubbert has used his metal detector in 28 states, one United States territory, five foreign countries, and three foreign territories, where he has recovered items adding up to approximately $980,000. He is president of the Eureka Treasure Hunters Club in Denver, Colorado, and has written articles about metal detectors for outlets like American Diggers. He's also appeared on the TV show Forensic Files.

To test accuracy, I buried an old spoon and two different coins—a quarter and a penny—8 inches underground to check their level of discrimination and pinpointing. I also used each detector for several hours in a variety of conditions, including in a grassy park and at the beach, in both dry sand and wet sand, and under several inches of surf.

Because it’s a multi-frequency detector, the Minelab Vanquish 440 works well in any terrain with minimal fussing. I was able to use it at the park and at the beach, even on wet sand. It was easy to adjust the default find modes to optimize for specific conditions, leading me to find a child’s toy buried 6 inches deep in the surf.

It’s not the most compact detector on our list, but it’s easy to handle. And relying on disposable AA batteries, while not environmentally friendly, is more convenient when you’re using your detector and need to top up.

My only knock against the Vanquish 440 is that it comes with a very flimsy pair of headphones, which broke the first time I used them. That’s not a huge loss, though: Many of the detectorists I know prefer to connect their own headphones, and even an inexpensive pair will do. In the end, this is a dynamic, accurate detector and relatively affordable, to boot.

Full Minelab Vanquish 440 Review

Since I primarily spoke with experts and enthusiasts, the Nokta FindX Pro was not remotely on my radar when I first began my research. But it may just be the best option for new detectorists looking to dip a toe into the hobbyist pool. It’s an all-in-one kit, complete with an effective digging tool, a nice duffel bag, and decent headphones—all for less than $200.

While it is not as accurate as my other recommendations, it’s a more than capable VLF detector. I was able to find items at both parks and beaches, though I noticed that its performance really suffered on wet sand and underwater. Its compact frame and adjustable handle make it accommodating to a wider-than-average range of newcomers, including kids and adults.

If you’re interested in the hobby and don’t want to spend too much to try it, the FindX Pro is a great fit for beginners.

Underwater metal detecting is typically the domain of serious enthusiasts, especially if it’s in seawater. If this sounds intriguing, two different experts for metal detector recommendations (including Lubbert) suggest the XP Deus II, a high-end machine that specializes in just that. Expert Stanley Ross, known as the Metal Detector Man, who we spoke with for this article previously, says that he uses his Deus II to search for lost rings and other jewelry on the beach all the time.

The Deus II has something called "fast multi-frequency" technology, which allows for superior multi-frequency detection in a variety of conditions, and it's rated for up to 20 meters of water, a massive upgrade compared to our other picks that top out at 5 meters of water resistance. Our other multi-frequency picks use similar technology, but the Deus II offers better and faster response in saltwater conditions, making it easier to pinpoint buried targets without having to pass over the same spot multiple times, especially underwater.

In order to use the Deus II underwater, however, you'll need a few accessories, including its waterproof wireless headphones and an underwater remote control. While these upgrades are technically “optional” in the sense that you can easily use the Deus II on land without them, they are virtually required for anything beyond getting your ankles wet. Both of these additions will increase the price of the overall package considerably, depending on which exact model of headphones you choose. Both the $280 WS6 headphones (which can control the detector, but are not recommended for underwater use) and the $749 remote control have slightly different interfaces, but the remote control is generally recommended for both ease of use and underwater functionality. Because of its high customizability and 12 preset modes, the Deus II isn't quite as beginner-friendly as some of our other picks.

While I haven't yet tested the Deus II for myself, it’s highly regarded among enthusiasts. If you're interested in underwater detecting—whether that's wading around or even diving down—this choice will not disappoint.

The Simplex line is often recommended by experts as a good entry point for new detectorists. Nokta is one of the two biggest brands in the metal detecting game—the other is Minelab—and the Simplex Lite is a strong, basic VLF detector. I found it had top-notch discrimination, plenty of find modes, and a good coil size that easily found my testing materials and led me to beer cans, aluminum foil, and plenty of other objects on the beach.

Because this is a single-frequency VLF detector, it doesn’t perform as well as the Vanquish 440, especially on the mineralized sand at saltwater beaches. It’s still a very capable machine, though—even more so if you’re searching for a specific type of item, particularly coins and jewelry. Though it offers fewer customization options than its more expensive multi-frequency counterparts, it’s also much easier to pick up and use as a newcomer.

For those who are looking to spend a bit more, you can upgrade to the Simplex Ultra, which adds Bluetooth support and gives you precision detector tools like target ID scale and depth.

The Minelab Equinox 900 is the most feature-rich metal detector I tested. From the second I picked it up, I could tell that it would be a cut above the rest. The build quality is noticeably better than that of other, less expensive models I tested—it just feels more substantial.

Its features and performance back up that first impression. The Equinox 900 consistently performed better than its less expensive counterparts as well, pinpointing targets precisely and identifying both their depth and target ID. Though I was able to find my planted targets with every detector, the Equinox 900 directed me precisely to all three, making the process quicker and easier in both dry and wet sand.

It also features a number of settings and tools that improve the detecting experience, including six customizable frequency settings, an easy-adjust handle, and Bluetooth support so you can use wireless headphones. All that customization is incredible if you’re an expert. I personally had more success using the premade settings, but I can see detectorists like Lubbert fine-tuning searches to great effect.

I was especially taken with its handgrip vibration feature, which gives you a rumbling haptic response when the Equinox picks up a target. It’s a great way to get your attention in a loud area, if you’re hearing-impaired, or if you’re just on a long walk and not paying close attention. Personally, I found it very helpful while roaming some very popular stretches of Miami’s beaches.

It’s worth noting that Minelab lists the Equinox 900 as a bit heavier than the other models we tested, though I personally didn’t notice a difference, even after several hours of sweeping. At more than triple the price of my best overall pick, it’s fair to say that the Equinox 900 is an investment for serious hobbyists. But it is far and away the most effective choice I tested and a worthy upgrade.

While I wasn’t able to get it in for this round of tests, Lubbert recommended the Minelab Manticore for expert detectorists looking for the ultimate metal detector experience. He says it can visualize the ground beneath it in a 2D map, directing you to finds with depths and ID targets. It should work well in any terrain, including underwater, and has the most advanced backlight of any Minelab machine. Plus, with 10 search modes, there are many options for veteran detectorists looking to optimize for a specific type of search.

The price is substantial, but if you’re willing to spend this much money on a detector, I’m confident that it will be worth it.

In addition to a decent pair of headphones, it helps to carry a good pinpointer when you use your metal detector. These precise, short-range auxiliary detectors help you determine the exact location of a find after picking something up with your detector’s large coil.

This one, from Minelab, is relatively expensive, but its fully waterproof design and five sensitivity levels work very well. It also features ferrous discrimination, which allows it to tell if a target is made of ferrous metals like iron or non-ferrous metals like gold, silver, or copper. It isn’t strictly necessary but is a nice extra feature to have in trash-filled parks.

While shopping for a metal detector, you need to take into account a number of key factors, particularly the type, coil size, weight, and extra features like backlight and frequency customization. Weight and build quality also make a big difference, especially when you use these devices for hours at a time. It was initially hard to weigh these distinct traits, but after testing these machines myself, the features worth springing for became clear.

How Metal Detectors Work

If you’re going to shop for a hobby-grade metal detector, it’s important to understand how they work. This is fairly technical equipment, so manufacturers will cater their products primarily to veterans who already have a bit of knowledge, which may be intimidating to new people.

Most metal detectors have a round head called the “search coil,” which is the actual detector itself. It has two parts, the transmitter coil and the receiver coil, which work in tandem to produce an electromagnetic field that shoots down into the ground wherever you wave it. When the field hits metal, it triggers another magnetic effect in response, which the coil picks up. Depending on the device, that signal may be able to tell you how deep an object is buried, based on the strength of the response.

Most of the detectors I recommend can determine what kind of metal they’re reading by measuring the object’s “phase shift,” or the time it takes for the object to react when the coil changes its magnetic current. This function, called “discrimination,” can sometimes help you figure out if your quarry is worth digging up before you go to the trouble of getting your digging tools out. However, as Lubbert notes, discrimination is not always reliable, and it’s generally best to err on the side of digging if you think you’ve found something worthwhile.

Very Low Frequency vs. Multi-Frequency

The first thing to look at before buying a metal detector is where you plan to use it, as some detectors are better equipped to scan specific types of terrain. For example, if you live near the coast and plan to sweep your local beach, you may want a different model than someone looking under hard soil in local parks. Though there are many kinds of detectors, I focused on the two most frequently used by novices and veteran hobbyists.

• Very low frequency (VLF) metal detectors operate on one frequency at a time. They are generally cheaper and easier to use than multi-frequency detectors but come with certain disadvantages. Most VLF detectors allow users to switch among a number of frequencies but rarely allow you to input a specific one yourself. They often don’t work as well in mineralized soil or on saltwater beaches, and they’re not ideal for gold prospecting. In general, VLF machines are great for those who plan to look for coins and jewelry in favorable conditions.
• Multi-frequency detectors run a range of frequencies simultaneously. They’re expensive but generally very effective, which makes them appealing to seasoned enthusiasts. Multi-frequency detectors are ideal for conditions that challenge VLF machines, such as mineralized soil, wet sand, and saltwater beaches in general. They tend to be more complicated and often weigh more. Think of it as a sign of your commitment to the craft. The best of the best can actually get quite light, but they’re also very expensive.

Coil Size

The physical size of the metal detector coil is important, too. If you don’t sweep the coil over an object, you aren’t going to get a ping, so bigger is better. Under most conditions, Lubbert recommends looking for a coil that’s at least 11 inches in diameter.

That said, Lubbert advises that smaller coils have their uses, especially in wooded areas, since it’s easier to get between twigs, grass, and weeds with a more compact head. Larger coils can theoretically detect objects that are deeper underground, but they’re also more susceptible to electromagnetic interference from the environment. He recommends having both a compact coil and a large coil option if you plan to scan a wide range of environments.

Weight

In general, all of my recommendations here seem relatively light on paper—the heaviest weighs only a few pounds. Keep in mind, though, that you could be waving this device around with one arm for hours at a time. Even a few ounces can greatly impact how quickly you tire out.

Extra Features: Backlight, Battery Type, Customization

Mid-range and high-end metal detectors tend to feature backlit displays, which come in handy when searching in low-light conditions. (Some high-end models even come with flashlight functions). Though not a universal feature, I consider this essential for all but the cheapest options.

High-end metal detectors grant you a degree of customization through advanced settings, allowing you to set a specific level of discrimination that, when properly used, can help you identify relics and coins in a variety of environments. You need to know what you’re doing to take full advantage of these do-it-yourself search modes, but there are guides online to help you learn as you go.

Lastly, most metal detectors I researched and/or tested feature built-in batteries that last for hours on a full charge. That said, some models—including one of my picks—use disposable batteries instead. There are advantages and disadvantages to both: Disposable batteries can be replaced quickly, but you need to keep spare cells on you. It comes down to your preference, so go with what feels right.