Best Metal Detector Reviews 2018

Metal detectors are by no means cheap. In fact, getting a cheap metal detector may save you a little money upfront, but it will cost you so much more in the end. That being said, metal detectors aren’t expensive either; sure, there are pricey ones with a whole lot of bells and whistles, but there are also some great affordable options for hobbyists like yourself.

When you’re shopping for your new metal detector, stick to your budget and be honest with yourself. You don’t want to go overboard and buy a ridiculously expensive metal detector simply because it looks so freaking cool… but then end up not using it to its full potential. Shop for a metal detector that’s within your budget and works for you.

Ask yourself questions such as how often you’ll use it, where you’ll be using it, and what you’ll be looking for. These questions will help you narrow down the list of available metal detectors and get one that suits your needs and your budget.

Speaking of budget, a metal detector can cost anywhere between $150 and $700, with some even going above that. Brand, size, power, and overall features affect these prices. If you want a metal detector for a child or teenager (such as your son or daughter) then you can buy one built for kids for anywhere between $60 and $150. There are many great metal detectors out there with wallet-friendly price tags. Just know what you’re looking for and you can get a great one without shelling out too much cash.

Metal detectors are feature-packed tools that vary in design, size, power, and more. This is why it’s important to consider your needs when choosing a metal detector and ensuring its features meet them perfectly (or as closely as possible). Many times, newer treasure hunters will buy a metal detector based on a friend’s recommendation and while that can work out in some cases, it doesn’t always go so well. Sometimes a friend, especially one with more experience, will have their favorite brand that they swear by—but that doesn’t mean that brand is best for you. Therefore, it’s important to ask questions and research before committing.

That being said, when you’re shopping for your new metal detector, here are the base features to consider to ensure you get the one that works for you:

• Coil Size – The size of your metal detector’s coil affects its ability to find different metals in different environments, so it’s important to choose one that works for the place you’ll be doing most of your treasure hunting in.
• Display – Some metal detectors have LCD displays while others use a meter or an arrow to display its readings and information. This is mostly a personal preference, so opt for the one that works best for you and your hunting style.
• Type – For many, a general detector works just fine; but if you’re looking to go further, then a specialized model may be just what you’re after.
• Shaft – Metal detectors are built with adjustable and fixed shafts, each with its own pros and cons.
• Audio – Different detectors use different sounds to tell you what they’ve picked up. You can use a regular pair of headphones to listen to them or choose a higher-end model with Bluetooth support so you can use wireless headphones.
• Modes – Metal detector’s modes help you to find different metals with greater accuracy and in varying environments. Again, choose one for where you will be doing most of your detecting.
• Depth – This refers to how far underground your metal detector will be able to pick up any metal.
• Size – You’re going to be walking around with your metal detector for hours, so opting for a model that is comfortable to use and carry around is an important feature to consider.
• Battery Life – Look out for battery life so you can choose one that will take you through your entire hunting session without dying midway.
• Waterproof Construction – If you hunt along the beach or plan to use your metal detector in water, then a waterproof model and search coil are your best bet.
• Extras – Nowadays, metal detectors have a host of extra features which set them apart from each other. Consider them carefully to see if these features would be worth your while.
• Warranty – Given that metal detectors are an investment, it is always comforting to have a great warranty to cover it.

Metal detectors vary widely in terms of design. Some offer a more basic design as they don’t boast as many features as a higher-end model. Most cases, what you’ll need to be focused on is the display area and the coil. The display area can vary from simple to complex. It can have either a small meter or arrow with a few buttons surrounding it, or an LCD screen with different readings plus notches and buttons for different functions.

Most, if not all, metal detectors have earphone jacks so you can use either your headset or earphones. Higher-end models have Bluetooth capabilities for Bluetooth headsets to allow for more freedom. When it comes to the coils, the difference is usually in size. Larger coils allow you to cover more ground and pick up more objects. However, they are not as great at pinpointing objects like smaller coils do.

If you plan to do a lot of your searching along the beach, opt for a waterproof metal detector. Some only have waterproof coils; others are waterproof so they can be completely submerged, and work perfectly.

There are three things in particular that you’ll want to consider before making your metal detector purchase. These are: what type it is (and what you need), its setup procedure, and the maintenance that’s required. Let’s take a closer look at each one below.

Type

There are various types of metal detectors on the market. Some general, others specialized. Common terms, which you’ll come across, are VLF, TR, and VLF/TR. VLR means Very Low Frequency and usually refers to “mineral-free all metal” mode. TR means Transmitter/Receiver and refers to a “non-motion discriminate mode.” VLF/TR puts both of these together to give you a “mineral-free discriminate” mode.

High-frequency TRs are not able to deal with the challenges caused by the mineralization in the earth. On the other hand, they have always been great for ground-effect control that’s granted by low frequency VLF models. When you’re searching in non-mineralized salt water beaches or salt water diving, then TRs are your go-to models as they are not affected by the conductivity of the salts in the water once they are tuned properly. However, on land, more modern VLF tools are better to use as TR models do not work well with the mineralization of the ground.

RF Two-box are specialized detectors that work great for picking up large objects that are further underground. Pulse Induction detectors are another type of detector. They used to be confined to underwater activity, but with recent strides in the technology, they now work great for searching along beaches and areas where there isn’t a lot of trash because they work better than VLF/TR detectors when it comes to ignoring mineralization and conductive salts at the same time.

Setup

If you’re buying a metal detector for the first time, it will take a while before you get the general hang of it, but the setup will vary depending on your metal detector’s complexity. Follow the manual as it will have most, if not all, of the answers you need to take full advantage of your new metal detector.

Maintenance

Taking care of it won’t be much of a hassle either. In most cases, you need to keep the coil clean as it’s the part that will be exposed to sand, dirt, garbage, and everything else on the ground. Wiping it off after using it, covering it, and storing it in a safe place will increase its lifespan.

At the end of the day, the metal detector you get needs to work for you; you don’t need to worry about anything else.