The 6 Best Metal Detectors of 2023

Best Metal Detectors

Metal detecting is a hobby that has been in practice for many years by outdoor enthusiasts who show interest in exploring things. When we were young we used to play by searching for Easter eggs in their backyards. We can continue to have the same fun with this treasure hunting exercise.

Metal detectors of the modern days are fun to use and are lightweight at only 2 pounds’ weight. They are able to successfully discriminate between metals simply by mere audio tones. Some of them have LCD displays as well to grab a quick glance of the ground underneath.

Metal detecting has become a popular hobby of late and is an excellent tool for socialization as well. A number of metal detectorist cubs arrange for hunts and competition in time trials. There are a number of high-end metal detectors available in the market. We have listed the best six of them along with the features so help buyers choose the best metal detector for their hunting fun.

The 6 Best Metal Detectors – [2023]

Bounty Hunter TK4 Tracker IV Metal Detector
Fisher F22 Weatherproof Metal Detector
Garrett AT Pro Metal Detector
White’s Spectra V3i HP Metal Detector
Minelab EQUINOX 800 Multi-IQ Metal Detector
RM RICOMAX Metal Detector

Best Metal Detectors

Best Metal Detectors Reviews

#1. Bounty Hunter TK4 Tracker IV Metal Detector

Bounty Hunter TK4 Tracker IV Metal Detector At a Glance:

Rugged metal detector
Operating frequency: 6.7 kHz
Ideal for treasure identification
Three different modes available
Detects objects up to 3 feet
Disc and notch control to discriminate target
Preset ground balance

The Bounty Hunter Tracker metal detector is the best-rugged metal detector that is ideal for detecting objects even under extreme ground conditions. Its operating frequency is about 6.7 kHz. It has three different modes such as the all-metal mode, the discrimination mode, and the two-tone audio mode. It is possible to detect larger objects that are available at a distance of 3 feet with the help of this metal detector. The device detects the presence of all metals such as silver, gold, aluminum, iron, brass, and steel.

The metal detector features a three-position switch mode and an 8-inch waterproof search coil and a ¼ inch headphone jack. It features sensitivity control, automatic ground balance, and discrimination control so as to not attract unwanted targets. The device also features a built-in speaker system. The product has a 5-year warranty against defect in materials and workmanship from its manufacturers.

#2. Fisher F22 Weatherproof Metal Detector

Fisher F22 Weatherproof Metal Detector At a Glance:

The 7-inch concentric elliptical search coil
The 11-inch elliptical search coil
11-inch DD elliptical open search coil
Useful in detecting jewelry, artifacts, and coins
Pinpoint mode available
Adjustable sensitivity levels
Weather resistant
Detects metals that are at least 9 inches’ deep

The Fisher F22 metal detector is easy to use a metal detector on just turn on the go basis. It features a super face retune speed with easy to use sensitivity, discrimination and pinpoint features. It has an excellent target separation feature and thus can easily identify even buried targets with its 9 segment target categories.

Its target ID is enhanced with its 4 Tone audio ID system which is custom made so as to allow users to set their own tones. It operates with the help of 2 AA batteries and can stay for a minimum of 25-30 hours.

It’s iron tone adjusting iron audio allows the user to set the volume for ferrous targets a little lower than that of non-ferrous targets. Thus there is enhanced clarity on desired targets. This metal detector has four modes of operation such as coin, jewelry, custom, and artifact. The detector also has a nine inch triangulated concentric waterproof search coil for successful hunting purposes.

#3. Garrett AT Pro Metal Detector

Garrett AT Pro Metal Detector At a Glance:

Dimensions: 22 x 11 x 5 inches
Weight: 3.03 pounds
All-terrain detector
High-resolution iron discrimination mode
Pro mode audio feature
Digital target ID
Ideal to use in water up to a 10-foot depth

The new Garret Pro metal detector features the best design to use in humid, wet and even dusty environments. It can detect objects up to 10 feet in the water. It helps in visually identifying a target based on its conductivity and discrimination patterns. The metal detector features reject and accept notch discrimination as well.

The metal detector includes excellent pro-performance with its DD submersible search coil. There is also volume control land headphone and the detector is the most ideal for coin hunting, jewelry hunting, cache hunting, relic hunting, ghost town hunting, beach and freshwater hunting, etc.

This is an all-terrain detector that features the Garrett technology and makes hunting for coins and metals easy. The user can choose between standard and professional search modes with enhanced audio features. Its proportional tone and roll audio help the hunter to hear the characteristics of the target and identify them.

It is possible to use touchpads to set the discrimination target so as to separate targets even from the trash. Its 0-99 target ID scale offers the ability to distinguish the conductivity of one target from another.

#4. White’s Spectra V3i HP Metal Detector

White’s Spectra V3i HP Metal Detector At a Glance:

HD color display with adjusting the backlight
Wireless headphones with spectra sound
Up to 10 on the go hunting programs
Multi-frequency detection standard coil
Advance customization options
9 presets with turn on the go versatility

The spectra V3i metal detector is one of the most customizable detectors available in the market. It has 3 detectors in one and product features a comprehensive 2-year warranty. The detector features a beautiful HD display that explains the depth and the metal type of the detected objects. The metal detector is always ready to go with its recharging battery.

The detector has 9 presets and offers the user turn on the go versatility, it also fits the terrain and target perfectly. It carefully detects all the targets be it coins, jewelry, gold nuggets, and antiques.

A wireless spectra sound headphone comes with the product. It has no latency and is easy to pair and the user is able to hear even whispers without getting tangled in the cords. With the help of its advanced features such as polar plot and spectra graph, it is possible to separate good targets from the bad. It runs three frequencies simultaneously and thus there is extra information for each target.

#5. Minelab EQUINOX 800 Multi-IQ Metal Detector

Minelab EQUINOX 800 Multi-IQ Metal Detector At a Glance:

Dimensions: 26 x 12.2 x 5 inches
Weight: 7.65 pounds
Innovative new frequency technology
Waterproof design
All-purpose detecting tool
High frequency 20/40 kHz
Wireless audio accessories
Equinox 800 additional versatility
Waterproof design, completely submersible
Ideal for beach, river and lakes hunting
Includes ML 80 wireless headphones with hardshell case
USB charging cable with Magnetic connector USB

The minelab Equinox 800 Multi iQmetal detector is of a waterproof design and is an all-purpose detecting tool for the serious enthusiast. The detector adapts equally for all the target types and ground conditions. The user only has to set their detecting location and he is good to go. The detector has an added functionality of gold mode and can work at the frequency of 20/40 kHz. The detector features wireless audio accessories and advanced setting. Its excellent versatility makes it an ideal detector for all the hunting games.

The detector has a 3-year limited warranty on the detector, one-year warranty for battery. It works in different operating frequencies and renders extremely fast and accurate target ID. The detector offers simultaneous multi-frequency for maximum performance. It also features a wide range of single frequencies that takes good control of the Audio with advanced settings.

The user determines how much target info they hear with this wireless audio compatible system. It’s gold detecting mode operates in high single frequencies to detect the metal in highly mineralized soils. It has a waterproof design and is completely submersible

#6. RM RICOMAX Metal Detector

RM RICOMAX Metal Detector At a Glance:

Dimensions: 48 x 10 x 10 inches
Weight: 2.31 pounds
True discrimination modes
The higher sensitive and waterproof search coil
Intuitive LCD control box
P/P function with distinct audio prompt
Free replacement policy and lifetime warranty

This is an excellent metal detector that is capable of detecting all metals including aluminum, iron, gold, silver, bronze and almost all of the articles in the metal mode. With a simple button press, it is possible to set the target range up to 7.1 inches deep. It is also possible to eliminate the metal that one does not require.

Two 9V alkaline batteries help the detector with its function. The search coil is of 10 inches and thus makes metal detecting even more efficient. Its waterproof stem coil enables the user to use the metal explorer underwater and is thus suitable for outdoor activities, on the beach and also on the streams.

There is a control box with an LCD that will simplify the entire process of metal detecting. It is possible to learn the battery condition, detection mode, sensitivity level, and the volume level just by a glance. There are distinctive audio tones in the metal detector to detect different types of metals. It is possible to learn which types of metal one has detected with the help of the audio tone. The investment is completely guaranteed with free replacement poly and lifetime warranty from the manufacturer.

Buyer’s Guide

Important Features of Metal Detectors

While choosing to buy a metal detector you will be bombarded with a list of specifications and features which may be hard to understand at first glance. But it is important to understand those terms as they define the detector exactly and help in understanding its functionality. The most defining features of metal detectors are,

Discrimination
Ground balance
Target identification
Frequency
Sensitivity
Search Depth

Discrimination:

Discrimination is the ability of the detector to distinguish between one target and another. It is its property to tell if the signal that the user is getting is from a useful metal or from a trash item. This feature helps to save time and avoid digging up the garbage.

Ground Balance:

Any soil that one is digging consists of minor quantities of metals such as iron. This can interfere with the ability of the detector to find jewelry, coins, and other valuables. Ground balance allows the detector to by-pass these minerals. There are few variations of ground balance on metal detectors.

Some automatic detectors have circuits that detect and adjusts for the ground effects automatically.
With preset ground balance, the user can preset the balance up to a certain level that works adequately in most of the search environments.
Manual adjusting requires the user to adjust for the ground balance manually every time
Multiple ground balance allows the user to select either automatic or manual setting based on their preference.

Target Identification:

This is an excellent tool for a metal detector for distinguishing between coins, pennies, silver jewelry, gold, and junk. The output is in the form of an audible tone, which is high-pitched for valuables and a low grunt for junk. Also, in some detectors, the target ID is visual and appears at the LCD display screen as well.

Frequency:

The operating frequency of the metal detector is the number of times the signal is transmitted and received by the detector per second. Detectors with lower frequency scan deeper and general purpose models operate at lower frequencies. Higher frequency detectors are sensitive for small objects and gold. Gold generally does not penetrate deep into the ground and thus higher frequency detectors are of help.

Sensitivity:

This is the ability to detect metal objects from a distance. This can be compared with the volume control of a speaker. If the control is set too low, then it is not possible to hear the sound, but if it is set too high then there can be static and distortion. In some places, detectors with low sensitivity are of help, such as areas rich in mineral content and yards near power lines.

Search Depth:

This is the extent to which the detector is able to search for coins and other objects. Lower frequency detectors have better depth. The soil type and composition can impact the search depth and the search coil. Usually, it is possible to find coins at the depth of 1 ½ times the diameter of the search coil.

How to choose the best metal detector for the hunting game?

There are certain issues and parameters to be considered while choosing a metal detector. Let us discuss what are them in detail here,

Take self-decision based on the issues that may arise during the hunt
Frequency of use
Where to use the detector?
Who will be using the detector?
The budget of the detector

Take self-decision based on the issues that may arise during the hunt:

It is not wise to buy a detector based on another’s suggestion. Most of the long term metal hunters become passionate towards a particular model and brand and they are usually unfamiliar with what is new and different in the market. Explore all the available options, there are lots of new additions and features added with the traditional detectors. And choose the one that best fits your game.

Frequency of use:

Decide on how often the detector will come to use. Are you buying it to use occasionally on the beach or the lake? Or do you have a considerable amount of time to spend on your new hobby? Accordingly, choose the detector with advanced or general specifications.

Where to use the detector?

For those residing at a gold prospecting country or near the coast or in a location where there can be many coins and old relics, then choose the special purpose detectors. These devices have more than one operation mode and can be used efficiently in different types of detecting. Also, different brands of detectors have different features and characteristics, choose the one that best fits your game. Choosing a lightweight device will also be a wise option to easily carry and transport it.

Who will be using the detector?

Are you buying the detector for your own purpose or is it going to be a family property? If children will be using it, then a lightweight option will be ideal, it will also have a shorter pole. Some detectors are flexible and can adjust to the fit of the user. The arm cup of the devices can be raised or lowered to adjust to the user. In some of the detectors, the box containing the board and the control can be removed off the pole and made to mount on a small pouch. Kids would love this idea for their gameplay.

The budget of the detector:

The easy to use detectors with high-end features are available at the most reasonable cost. But the purchase decision is a matter of personal preference and depends on how comfortable a person is with their budget. Buying the top line metal detector with high-end features could be really heavy on the wallet but will pay off with its exceptional capabilities and functionalities. Choosing to buy a high-end model renders excellent control over detecting as well.

Final Words:

A metal detector is a sensor that details metallic objects that are otherwise not visible for the naked eye. Of late metal, hunting has become a serious hobby among outdoor enthusiasts and the latest detectors with advanced options help them in performing the hobby at ease with fruitful results. We hope our guide leads you towards the path of realizing your hunting dream with the best-fit metal detectors.