Best Metal Detectors: Find More, Dig Less

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Some links may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.

Choosing a metal detector comes down to where you plan to hunt and how much control you want. Beach and underwater hunters need strong waterproofing, beginners benefit from simpler controls, and experienced users may prefer multi-frequency systems, faster target separation, or specialized gold-detection features.

Top Picks

SuperEye Underwater Metal Detector — Best for Scuba Diving

The SuperEye is the most specialized underwater detector in this lineup. Its supplied listing specifies an IP68 waterproof design that can be submerged to 130 feet, making it suitable for considerably deeper water than typical beach-oriented detectors.

It uses an 8.6-inch coil and includes a small-object filter, LED indication, alarm, and headphones.

Why it wins: Its 130-foot stated submersion capability gives serious underwater hunters a purpose-built option rather than a detector designed primarily for shallow surf.

Pros

• IP68 waterproof construction
• Rated for submersion to 130 feet
• 8.6-inch search coil
• Small-object filtering
• LED, alarm, and headphone support

Cons

• Specialized mainly for underwater hunting
• Less versatile for everyday park and field detecting

Trade-offs / Who should skip: Choose a general-purpose detector if most of your hunting happens on dry land. The SuperEye makes the most sense when underwater use is the main priority.

RipTic Metal Detector Kit — Best Complete Starter Package

The RipTic package combines a full-size metal detector with a separate pinpointer and several useful accessories. The supplied listing specifies five detection modes, headphones, a carry bag, digging tool, and an IP68 search coil.

That makes it an appealing option for someone who wants most of the basic detecting equipment in one purchase.

Why it wins: The included pinpointer, headphones, bag, and digging tool reduce the amount of extra equipment a new detectorist needs to buy separately.

Pros

• Five detecting modes
• IP68 search coil
• Separate pinpointer included
• Headphones and carrying bag included
• Digging tool included

Cons

• Experienced users may not need the bundled accessories
• More advanced detectors offer deeper customization

Trade-offs / Who should skip: Experienced users who already own a pinpointer, headphones, and digging tools may prefer buying a detector alone. For a first complete setup, the bundle is more convenient.

Garrett ACE 200 — Best for Beginners

The Garrett ACE 200 is specifically positioned as a lightweight, easy-to-learn entry-level detector. Its supplied listing highlights a waterproof search coil and describes it as suitable for finding coins, jewelry, and relics.

Its straightforward positioning makes it a sensible starting point for someone who wants to learn detecting without jumping immediately into a more complicated premium machine.

Why it wins: A lightweight design and beginner-focused operation make it one of the easiest entry points in this roundup.

Pros

• Beginner-oriented design
• Lightweight construction
• Waterproof search coil
• Suitable for coins, jewelry, and relics
• Made in the USA

Cons

• Fewer advanced features than premium detectors
• Experienced users may outgrow it

Trade-offs / Who should skip: Buyers already comfortable with advanced settings may outgrow an entry-level model. The Equinox 900 or DEUS II offers considerably more room for advanced hunting.

Garrett AT Pro — Best for Traditional All-Terrain Detecting

The Garrett AT Pro is a more advanced all-terrain option with a waterproof design rated to 10 feet. Its supplied listing includes proportional audio, Iron Audio, fast recovery, and digital target identification.

It also comes with MS-2 headphones, making it a more complete higher-end detector for land and shallow-water hunting.

Why it wins: It combines substantial waterproofing with useful target-analysis features while keeping a conventional detector layout.

Pros

• Waterproof to 10 feet
• Digital target ID
• Iron Audio
• Fast recovery
• MS-2 headphones included

Cons

• More advanced than many beginners need
• Not designed for deeper diving

Trade-offs / Who should skip: The ACE 200 is easier for a first detector, while serious surf hunters may prefer a simultaneous multi-frequency model such as the Equinox 900.

Minelab Equinox 900 — Best for Saltwater and Surf

The Equinox 900 remains one of the strongest choices for hunters who regularly move between beaches, fields, parks, and other environments. Its Multi-IQ system provides simultaneous multi-frequency operation, while six selectable single frequencies offer additional flexibility.

It is IP68 rated and fully waterproof to 16 feet, with Park, Field, Beach, and Gold modes.

Why it wins: Multi-frequency operation and substantial waterproofing make it especially versatile for wet-salt beaches without limiting it to beach hunting.

Pros

• Multi-IQ simultaneous multi-frequency
• Six selectable single frequencies
• Waterproof to 16 feet
• Park, Field, Beach, and Gold modes
• Vibration feedback and useful lighting features

Cons

• Premium price tier
• Advanced controls take time to learn

Trade-offs / Who should skip: Beginners who mainly search parks may not need this level of capability. The ACE 200 offers a simpler starting point.

XP DEUS II WS6 Master — Best Ultra-Light Premium Detector

The DEUS II WS6 Master combines Fast Multi-Frequency operation with a fully wireless design. The supplied information also describes fast wireless communication between components and allows the WS6 headphone module to function as the detector’s control unit.

Its waterproof rating extends to 20 meters, giving it considerably more underwater capability than most conventional all-terrain detectors.

Why it wins: Its combination of low weight, wireless architecture, fast target handling, and deep waterproofing makes it a strong premium option for long and demanding hunts.

Pros

• Fast Multi-Frequency operation
• Fully wireless design
• Waterproof to 20 meters
• Fast target recovery and separation
• Five-year warranty on core components

Cons

• Premium price
• Steeper learning curve

Trade-offs / Who should skip: Casual beginners may not need its advanced wireless and multi-frequency capabilities. The ACE 200 or RipTic package is easier to approach.

Minelab GOLD MONSTER 1000 — Best for Gold Prospecting

The GOLD MONSTER 1000 remains the specialized prospecting pick. It uses a 45kHz VLF system with a 24-bit signal processor designed for sensitivity to small gold targets.

Its automated operation and ground handling help keep setup relatively straightforward compared with more manually intensive prospecting detectors.

Why it wins: High-frequency operation and straightforward automatic controls give gold hunters a specialized tool without requiring an excessively complicated setup.

Pros

• 45kHz VLF operation
• Designed for small-gold sensitivity
• Automatic operation
• Automatic ground handling
• Multiple coils included in the supplied setup

Cons

• Specialized mainly for gold prospecting
• Less versatile for general coin and relic hunting

Trade-offs / Who should skip: If gold prospecting is only an occasional activity, a versatile all-terrain detector such as the Equinox 900 may make more sense.

Quick Compare

• SuperEye Underwater: best for deep-water and scuba detecting.
• RipTic Kit: best complete detector-and-accessories package.
• Garrett ACE 200: best straightforward beginner detector.
• Garrett AT Pro: best traditional all-terrain detector.
• Minelab Equinox 900: best for saltwater beaches and mixed environments.
• XP DEUS II WS6 Master: best ultra-light premium detector.
• Minelab GOLD MONSTER 1000: best dedicated gold prospecting detector.

Final Verdict

The Minelab Equinox 900 remains the strongest fit for hunters who want one capable detector for beaches, parks, fields, and mixed terrain, while the XP DEUS II is the premium choice for buyers prioritizing low weight, wireless operation, and deeper waterproofing.

Beginners should look at the Garrett ACE 200, while the RipTic makes sense when you want a detector, pinpointer, and accessories together. The Garrett AT Pro provides a more advanced traditional all-terrain setup, the SuperEye is designed for serious underwater use, and the GOLD MONSTER 1000 remains the specialized choice for prospecting.

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.