How to Buy a Good Metal Detector

Metal detectors come in all shapes and sizes - from basic, lightweight options for beginners, all the way up to advanced models tailored for professional treasure hunters and archaeologists. But how do you decide which metal detector to purchase? Our buyer's guide offers guidance by outlining some of the top detectors across several categories with unique criteria for purchase.

Initial consideration should focus on what type of metal detector will work best. A detector designed for finding relics might not be as suitable for searching coins and gold which require different settings and may be hidden at different depths.

As part of your search process, it's essential that you choose an appropriate machine for the terrain in which you will be searching. For instance, when it comes to searching on beaches or in fields for items buried deep underground, waterproof metal detectors will come in handy while when prospecting for gold they should have advanced sensors capable of finding even the tiniest bits buried deep down underground.

Metal detector enthusiasts should expect to spend between $200 and $500, though the most accurate and sensitive machines can cost over $1,000. While that might seem like a considerable sum for an exploratory hobby, committing yourself fully can make this investment best rated metal detectors for gold worth your while in the long run.

Chambers and Matthew Reeves, director of archaeology at James Madison's Montpelier in Virginia, both agree that beaches are ideal locations to start archaeological digging projects. Reeves emphasizes, however, the necessity of first receiving permission from landowners before digging begins (sometimes this may even be required by law).

Branko Barisic of Metal Detecting Croatia recommends the Garrett Ace 250 as an entry level metal detector because of its lightweight and simple use. He notes it features "notch discrimination," which allows users to target specific types of metal, five search modes and other features that make for optimal use.

Nokta Simplex Ultra WHP Metal Detector offers another straightforward option that's suitable for beginners: its bright and clear display alerts users via audio, on-screen notification, metal detector vibration and is waterproof up to 16 feet.

Minelab Equinox 800 detector is an excellent choice for serious enthusiasts, offering multiple detection modes that can be customized to detect everything from jewelry and relics to mineralized soil that contains gold. Being wireless allows it to coin detector easily explore multiple locations without switching out equipment between exploration sessions.

It is the only metal detector good metal detector for beginners to feature five frequencies at once, giving you access to faster switching between searching for different objects based on frequency. That versatility will prove useful as you move from beach to woods or metal detector can detect gold field with ease and is constructed of quality materials - something no other metal detector can boast of doing.