12 Best Metal Detectors (Review) In 2020

Our best choice metal detector is the Bounty Hunter TK4 Tracker IV Metal Detector. It’s a great beginner’s model as it’s easy to learn how to use. It is low frequency, quite a rugged and traditional design, and has simple to use control knobs. This is the only Bounty Hunter model we are featuring on our review list yet the company has been producing well-made beginner and professional level metal detectors for years. This is an entry-level model that uses a very low frequency. This means that it’s great in searching for coin-sized objects up to around 8 inches below ground, and larger metal objects down to around 2 to 3 feet.

The ground balance is an important feature as it minimizes any feedback noise from underground minerals – this model doesn’t need you to do anything to alter the ground balance as it is already programmed into the machine. You might like that the search coil lets you submerge up to 8 inches of shallow water.

The RM RICOMAX Waterproof Metal Detector & Headphone Kit is the best metal detector for beginners or at least one of them, the RM RICOMAX IP68 is the pricier of two metal detectors from this manufacturer on our review list. This particular model is great for getting the kids into a new fun hobby! While it does have all of the features that a more high-end metal detector does, these awesome additions might not perform to their level.

This large yet lightweight model has the 10″ search coil allowing for hunting through shallow waters. It has a good-sized, highly accurate, LCD screen and you can adjust power and sensitivity settings and you’re ready to go. Once it tells you it’s detected something you can press the red button to more accurately pinpoint its location which allows for less time digging as it helps avoid debris interfering with the readings. There is no confirmation on the frequency level.

Perfect for beginners this is the TAKLIFE 3 Mode Adjustable Metal Detector and it’s got one great feature that stands out, especially for kids – the LCD screen uses cartoon smiley-style notifications, although it’s still pretty clever. It has a discrimination mode which helps to eliminate objects that you don’t want but includes the ones you do. This is an easy to use option for juniors or entry-level hobbyists if you or someone else is looking at getting into metal detecting.

The NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC Junior Metal Detector for Kids is perfect for juniors or those at entry-level as it’s easy to learn how to use it. It also comes with a full-color learning guide that introduces the user to the features, how to operate the metal detector, and what kind of treasure hunting you can do with it. It’s adjustable so ideal for kids of all heights and it contains full features for them to learn and have fun with.

The indicators on the LCD screen show battery life and the depth of the object/s found and, although this could be more detailed, we think that for the price and the fact it has been designed for kids nobody can complain and you know what to expect. This metal detector is good for searching up to around 6 inches below ground for coins or similarly sized objects with larger objects being detectable up to around a foot. It will also allow searching in shallow water up to 7.5 inches.

The INTEY Customized Metal Detector Pinpointer Kit is an efficient and low-cost option and is our budget pick. There are other better quality options available but this makes for a fun gift for a treasure hunt enthusiast. It’s a neat bit of gear that can get the young ones involved in hunting for gold! While it isn’t suitable for professionals or hobbyists it does have a few features that a learner will enjoy. It looks smart and sturdy and it’s a handheld pinpointer version which detects over just 2″.

It is highly accurate and it’s fun to turn the discrimination knob to the metal type that you want to find – nickel, iron, copper, and zinc – so if you are looking for something specific, perhaps something you have lost in a certain area – it helps pick up on it if it’s there. It’s easy to carry a bag is provided also, a nice little touch.

The next metal detector is the second and cheaper of the RM RICOMAX models on our review list. RM RICOMAX LCD Display Metal Detector for Adults & Kids is an affordable option for a beginner and has been designed for kids and adults who want to start metal detecting. It’s not the cheapest metal detector but a great all-rounder. You can search for small items as you would expect, like coins and jewelry, up to 8 inches beneath the ground due to its low frequency (a little higher than the IP68, no.2 on our list).

The LCD display will detail how far you need to dig to find the object. The three search modes plus pinpoint mode, to zero in on your target, will ensure that you don’t waste time digging large areas and you will be able to search shallow waters at streams or the beach so it offers extra fun for the family.

The American Hawks Gold &; Silver Metal Detector for Adults & Kids, an averagely priced metal detector, is another model designed for kids or beginners, so again a good machine to buy at entry level to get you started with a new hobby. This manufacturer is pretty small compared to other well-known brands on our list yet it still has some pretty mean features and includes extras that others don’t like batteries, carry bag, and headphones – smart little touches.

The LCD display shows the depth of the object you’ve found so before you start digging, you will know how far down you need to go. As always, discrimination mode allows you to avoid objects you don’t want and concentrate on the ones that you do. For the features, additional items supplied, and accuracy this is a great value for the first time buyer. You’ll be able to find coins and similar sized items to around 5 inches beneath the ground. Where American Hawks might have once come under the radar, their Explorer II model won’t let your relic hunting efforts suffer!

The Sakobs’ treasure hunting metal detector is a great choice and similar to the Bounty Hunter price (no. 1 on our review list) but it looks a little different. The Sakobs Adjustable & Waterproof Metal Detector has some great features for a beginner, a child, or someone just looking for basic detectors. Although it is basic it is ideal for finding different types of metals that are worth searching for, its size is more suited to adults. Like most metal detectors with 10-inch diameter search coils it has a higher sensitivity than most metal detectors on our list that are either 8″ or pinpoint only.

The differentiation mode will allow you to determine the objects that you want and eliminate those you don’t want. It can find small objects like coins and jewelry to around 8.5 inches deep and the LCD screen will show various readings including the digital target ID and volume.

The Unclutterer premium pick within our metal detectors review list is the Garrett ACE 400 Special Metal Detector Kit which is at the high end of the price bracket, and for good reason. It has features that other models don’t have (it out-powers the Garrett ACE 300) but it’s cheaper than some other models like the Garrett AT Pro. It is very popular with serious enthusiasts.

This isn’t an entry-level detector like the majority of metal detectors on our list although even though it is designed for those who have been detecting for some time the controls are simple to use. That said if, as a beginner, you want to invest then our simple tip would be it’s great as long as you read the manual and learn to use it properly! It features iron audio, super sensitivity, responsive audio, 8 adjustable frequency levels to eliminate interference, and an impressive graphic interface. Super choice for those wanting more.

The Goplus Metal & Treasure Detector Kit with Shovel & Headphones is a fairly accurate way of detecting metals and it does have a discrimination mode so that you can eliminate objects that you do and don’t want to search for. It promises to detect six types of metal – gold, silver, copper, iron, nickel, and aluminum – and at its budget price, it’s a great way to get started. At the starter’s level, really all that is needed is a detector that is easy to learn and easy to control and, of course, one that finds what you want to by avoiding the rubbish stuff. The extras it comes with makes the whole kit multi-purpose and it is suitable for adults and kids alike, making it a good choice for family fun.

Another of the budget buys on our review list is the OMMO Adjustable Metal Detector for Adults & Kids, one of the lower-priced we decided to review. It is fairly accurate at detecting small items such as coins and jewelry up to 8 inches below ground and is a good entry-level choice if you are looking to either try a new hobby or simply have outdoor fun with the kids. As well as being able to pick up a variety of metals it has an LCD display that has a battery level indicator so even the kids know when it needs new batteries. The display also shows the depth at which your object is so you don’t have to waste time digging, or can decide to move on to something to find that’s more shallow.

The all-metal mode will detect different types of metals, with the discrimination mode identifying only the metals you want to find. You can even search shallow waters up to around 8″ as the search coil is waterproof, although like all the others on our list the control panel is not to be submerged at all.

If you are looking to be a budding bounty hunter, or want to do a bit of treasure hunting with the kids, then the best metal detectors are those that are easy to use but still have the features of an ‘adult’ model. This is brilliant for kids and beginners at entry-level. It has easy to use buttons and an LCD display that shows a number of things that make detectors great fun, helping you find gold (hopefully) and other metals!

The VVinRC Metal Detector with Pinpointer Function is a great example of an affordable and efficient detector with a neat little feature that shows icons on the display instead of technical readings. This has a discrimination (elimination) setting so that you avoid certain types of metals that you don’t want to pick up on.