May 2023

Metal Detectors: MetaRanking

This page highlights the aggregate summary of Metal Detector rankings posted by key online experts, as of May 2023.

Summary

Between 5 May 2023 and 7 May 2023, ReviewFinder team examined a total of 71 Metal Detector endorsements from 10 reputable publishers.

44 Metal Detectors were endorsed in total, only 15 made it into this month's ranking (ReviewFinder requires a minimum of 2 endorsements to be included).

As of 7 May 2023, Garrett AT Pro takes the cake as the most critically-acclaimed metal detector with 4 expert endorsements. 2 experts out of 4 recommended it as the '#1 metal detector' this month. It is followed by Bounty Hunter TK4 Tracker IV and Minelab CTX 3030 , with 4 and 4 expert endorsements respectively.

Brand breakdown
Show all brands

Price breakdown
As can be seen in the chart below, lowest high-ranking metal detectors start at $22.99 (Dewinner Pinpoint) and go up to $8499 (Minelab GPZ 7000). Median metal detector costs $279.20 (Bounty Hunter Land Ranger Pro).
$22.99
$8499

At a glance - May 2023 Ranking

Scroll horizontally to browse this ranking table
Rank Change Price Metal Detector
Your Best Digs
ZD Net
money.com
Metal Detecting in the USA
Bob Vila
Tech Metals Research
BestReviews
The Strategist
Kellyco Detectors
Task and Purpose
1
- $581
Garrett AT Pro
-
-
1
1
9
-
-
-
2
-
2
- $80
Bounty Hunter TK4 Tracker IV
2
1
-
-
4
-
3
-
-
-
3
- $2398
Minelab CTX 3030
-
-
3
6
-
-
-
5
1
-
4
- $239
Nokta Makro Simplex
-
-
-
2
-
4
-
-
3
5
5
- $383
Garrett Ace 400
-
-
2
-
-
5
-
-
-
1
6
- Check price
Garrett Ace 250
1
-
-
-
-
-
-
1
-
-
7
- $899
Minelab Equinox 800
-
3
-
4
-
-
-
3
14
-
8
- $270
Garrett Ace 300
-
2
-
-
1
-
-
-
-
-
9
- $54
Bounty Hunter Gold Digger
3
-
-
-
-
-
1
-
-
-
10
- $430
Garrett ACE Apex
-
-
-
-
-
1
-
-
6
-
11
- $1599
Minelab Excalibur II
-
-
4
5
-
-
-
-
10
-
12
- $229
Fisher F22
-
-
-
3
3
-
-
-
-
-
13
- $599
Fisher Gold Bug Pro
-
-
-
-
8
6
-
-
-
-
14
- $499
Minelab Vanquish 540
-
-
-
-
-
-
5
-
15
-
15
- $907
Garrett Sea Hunter Mark II
-
-
-
-
10
-
-
-
11
-

Sorted by price:

Position in ranking Price Metal Detector
#9 $53.58 Bounty Hunter Gold Digger [buy] [more info]
#2 $79.99 Bounty Hunter TK4 Tracker IV [buy] [more info]
#12 $229 Fisher F22 [buy] [more info]
#4 $239 Nokta Makro Simplex [buy] [more info]
#8 $269.95 Garrett Ace 300 [buy] [more info]
#5 $383.44 Garrett Ace 400 [buy] [more info]
#10 $429.95 Garrett ACE Apex [buy] [more info]
#14 $499 Minelab Vanquish 540 [buy] [more info]
#1 $581.50 Garrett AT Pro [buy] [more info]
#13 $599 Fisher Gold Bug Pro [buy] [more info]
#7 $899 Minelab Equinox 800 [buy] [more info]
#15 $906.90 Garrett Sea Hunter Mark II [buy] [more info]
#11 $1599 Minelab Excalibur II [buy] [more info]
#3 $2398 Minelab CTX 3030 [buy] [more info]

We ranked Garrett AT Pro #1 in May 2023 because:

  • 4 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Metal Detectors” rankings.
  • Out of those, 2 experts ranked Garrett AT Pro as #1.
Critic endorsements:
money.com

Editor's Pick

Pros
Works in all terrains and has modest gold detecting capacity

Cons
Lack of backlit display makes night usage difficult.

Go to ranking

Metal Detecting in the USA

our top pick overall

Pros
Fully waterproof and submersible to 10 ft
Manual and auto ground balance
Proportional audio
Iron audio

Cons
Underwater headphones sold separately

Go to ranking

Bob Vila

Best for Freshwater

Pros
Waterproof down to 10 feet
Adjustable handle
Discrimination mode
Automatic and manual ground-balance settings

Cons
Limited maximum search depth

Go to ranking

Kellyco Detectors

Best Value

Pros
Waterproof up to 10 feet
Easy to use
Can be upgraded via Z-Lynk (Garrett’s proprietary wireless technology) for use with wireless headphones

Cons
Limited depth and less than accurate reading in saltwater
The Zero mode is not a true all-metal mode
No backlight

Go to ranking

We ranked Bounty Hunter TK4 Tracker IV #2 in May 2023 because:

  • 4 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Metal Detectors” rankings.
  • Out of those, 1 expert ranked Bounty Hunter TK4 Tracker IV as #1.
Critic endorsements:
Your Best Digs

Also great

Go to ranking

ZD Net

Best metal detector overall

Pros
Very affordable
Different sound tones for different metals
Simplified interface
Detects objects up to 2 feet underground

Cons
Not ideal for meteorite hunting
No coil protector or headphones included

Go to ranking

Bob Vila

Best for Depth

Pros
Cheap metal detector compared to similar options on the market
Preset ground balance for user-friendliness; adjustable target sensitivity for finding different metal and object types
Comes with convenient, large carrying bag that makes transporting and storage easy

Cons
No pinpoint function; may be hard to narrow down search area

Go to ranking

BestReviews

Simple Yet Solid

Pros
Good discriminator
Lightweight yet durable build with different detection modes.
Decent price point, yet can handle searches in different types of ground.
It’s great for beginners, although kids may need some adult help.

Cons
Learning curve for younger users is steep but not impossible.
Practice with coins is encouraged. False alarms do occur.

Go to ranking

Methodology: combine opinions of key experts

Identify Experts

We identify key publishers and experts that consistently review and recommend Metal Detectors.

Capture Rankings

For each publisher we find a currently recommended "top 10" list of Metal Detectors, it must be updated in the last 9 months.

Aggregate Rankings

We put all those lists together and aggregate them. The more frequently a product is recommended, the higher it is in our ranking

Experts chosen for May 2023 ranking

We ranked Minelab CTX 3030 #3 in May 2023 because:

  • 4 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Metal Detectors” rankings.
  • Out of those, 1 expert ranked Minelab CTX 3030 as #1.
Critic endorsements:
money.com

Best All-Terrain Detector

Pros
Technology to detect several materials at once with higher precision.

Cons
One of the more expensive detectors available.

Go to ranking

Metal Detecting in the USA

our pick for high-end features

Pros
Superior discrimination and target ID
Don’t need to buy separate land machine
Lots of coils available
LCD display
Digital Target ID

Cons
Price
Can’t be used for diving

Go to ranking

The Strategist

Best waterproof metal detector

Go to ranking

Kellyco Detectors

Best of the Best

Pros
Programmable to fit your needs
Most accurate target identification on the market
GPS to track your finds

Cons
It is heavy — over 5 pounds
Higher price point
Slower processor than newer detectors on the market

Go to ranking

We ranked Nokta Makro Simplex #4 in May 2023 because:

  • 4 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Metal Detectors” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
Metal Detecting in the USA

our pick for entry-level users

Pros
Mid-level detector performance for entry-level price
Powerful DD coil
Fully submersible to 10 ft
Built-in rechargeable battery
Wireless audio when used with compatible headphones

Cons
Controls not as basic as other entry-level detectors

Go to ranking

Tech Metals Research

Pros
Digital display
Submersible
Wireless compatible
Iron volume
Notch

Cons
Not for diving

Go to ranking

Kellyco Detectors

Best for Beginners

Pros
Turn on and go
No false signals
Lightweight and well-balanced

Cons
Very basic (no bells or whistles)
Large coil
Tones can seem amateur

Go to ranking

Task and Purpose

Go to ranking

We ranked Garrett Ace 400 #5 in May 2023 because:

  • 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Metal Detectors” rankings.
  • Out of those, 1 expert ranked Garrett Ace 400 as #1.
Critic endorsements:
money.com

Best for Low Prices

Pros
Digital target ID feature helps to easily identify different materials.

Cons
Control box lacks weatherproofing.

Go to ranking

Tech Metals Research

Best for Beginners

Pros
5 search modes
Target ID
Digital display
Iron audio
Accessories included

Cons
Preset ground balance

Go to ranking

Task and Purpose

Best Overall

Pros
A clear display indicates what type of metal is being detected
The waterproof coil allows you to search in shallow water

Cons
This metal detector certainly isn’t overpriced, but the cost might deter some new enthusiasts on a tight budget

Go to ranking

We ranked Garrett Ace 250 #6 in May 2023 because:

  • 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Metal Detectors” rankings.
  • Out of those, 2 experts ranked Garrett Ace 250 as #1.
Critic endorsements:
Your Best Digs

Best overall

Go to ranking

The Strategist

Best Overall

Go to ranking

We ranked Minelab Equinox 800 #7 in May 2023 because:

  • 4 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Metal Detectors” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
ZD Net

Best metal detector for relic hunting

Pros
12-hour battery
Rechargeable
8 user profiles
Waterproof

Cons
Very expensive
Sharp learning curve

Go to ranking

Metal Detecting in the USA

our pick for relic hunting

Pros
Fully submersible up to 10ft (or 3 meters)
Multi-frequency for better target ID
Wireless headphone capability
Switch between frequencies based on your needs
Weighs under 3lbs
Value for money

Cons
Included headphones aren’t waterproof

Go to ranking

The Strategist

Best intuitive metal detector

Go to ranking

Kellyco Detectors

Best for Beginners

Pros
Fast recovery speed and target separation for trashy areas
Multi IQ technology (the newest technology on the market)
Lightweight

Cons
Does not come with a manual
The charging block is sold separately
It has a learning curve if you’re not familiar with Minelab detectors

Go to ranking

We ranked Garrett Ace 300 #8 in May 2023 because:

  • 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Metal Detectors” rankings.
  • Out of those, 1 expert ranked Garrett Ace 300 as #1.
Critic endorsements:
ZD Net

Best metal detector for beginners

Pros
Simplified controls
Covers and headphones included
Waterproof detection coil

Cons
On the expensive side

Go to ranking

Bob Vila

Best Overall

Pros
Frequency adjustment dial
Adjustable discrimination sensitivity
Pinpointing mode and target depth indicator
Padded, ergonomic grip
Includes a set of headphones

Cons
Some reports of manufacturing defects

Go to ranking

We ranked Bounty Hunter Gold Digger #9 in May 2023 because:

  • 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Metal Detectors” rankings.
  • Out of those, 1 expert ranked Bounty Hunter Gold Digger as #1.
Critic endorsements:
Your Best Digs

Budget pick

Go to ranking

BestReviews

Best of the Best

Pros
Easy to assemble
easy to use.
This model is suitable for beaches, fields, and parks. "Trash Eliminator" settings ignores most unwanted items while the "Power Level" sets the depth of your search.

Cons
For smaller objects, such as coins, this unit can only go about 6 inches deep under optimum conditions.

Go to ranking

We ranked Garrett ACE Apex #10 in May 2023 because:

  • 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Metal Detectors” rankings.
  • Out of those, 1 expert ranked Garrett ACE Apex as #1.
Critic endorsements:
Tech Metals Research

Best Overall

Pros
Price
Multi-frequency
6 frequencies
Audible target ID
Z-Lynk compatible

Cons
Special searchcoil

Go to ranking

Kellyco Detectors

Best for Beginners

Pros
Can be used in various mineralization conditions
High-resolution ground balance
Multi-Frequency Technology
Adjustable armrest

Cons
Control box is not waterproof
Does not come with an armrest strap
No adjustable shaft

Go to ranking

We ranked Minelab Excalibur II #11 in May 2023 because:

  • 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Metal Detectors” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
money.com

Best for Underwater

Pros
Fully submersible up to 200 feet, outstanding detection accuracy.

Cons
Not suited for gold detecting, despite its hefty price tag.

Go to ranking

Metal Detecting in the USA

our pick for saltwater beach hunting

Pros
Excellent iron discrimination
Multiple frequency machine that can also be used for diving
Very accurate tone ID
Submersible to 200 ft

Cons
Iron signals null delay can make you miss good targets
Hardwired headphones
Requires additional kit to hip mount
No tone on deep, faint signals. Just threshold change.

Go to ranking

Kellyco Detectors

Best of the Best

Pros
Waterproof to 200 feet
Uses Broad Band Spectrum (BBS) multi-frequency technology
Different tone for each frequency

Cons
Headphones are hardwired to the machine
Without proper care, the seals can wear down
A little heavy at over 5 pounds (but not too bad if used underwater)

Go to ranking

We ranked Fisher F22 #12 in May 2023 because:

  • 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Metal Detectors” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
Metal Detecting in the USA

runner-up for entry-level users

Pros
Weatherproof
Iron Audio
Fast Recovery (Processing) Speed
Digital Target ID
Lighter, easier to use
5 Year Warranty

Cons
No adjustable ground balance

Go to ranking

Bob Vila

Best for Beginners

Pros
All-purpose detection; capable of detecting multiple object and metal types
Sturdy, weatherproof construction; this metal detector can withstand heavy-duty use
Hand grip and arm cup makes holding the detector easier;
Easy-to-read screen and push-button controls

Cons
Not meant for deep-water submersion or overly wet conditions
Pricey compared to similar metal detectors available on the market

Go to ranking

We ranked Fisher Gold Bug Pro #13 in May 2023 because:

  • 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Metal Detectors” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
Bob Vila

Best for Gold

Pros
Continuous ground-condition sensor system
Detects gold and small materials
Discrimination, all-metal, and pinpoint modes
Depth indicator
Visual and audio alerts

Cons
Limited search depth

Go to ranking

Tech Metals Research

Pros
High frequency
Ground Grab
Target ID
Motion all-metal
VCO audio

Cons
No volume control

Go to ranking

We ranked Minelab Vanquish 540 #14 in May 2023 because:

  • 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Metal Detectors” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
BestReviews

Expert Recommended

Pros
Multi-IQ technology combines metal-detecting technologies to let users search all soil and metal surfaces. It's ready to go out of the box and is engineered to locate copins and jewelry, and adjustable bias control helps separate trash detection.

Cons
Some users found the monitor difficult to read.

Go to ranking

Kellyco Detectors

Best for Beginners

Pros
Comes with two search coils
Multi-IQ tech
Great for every type of soil

Cons
More expensive than the basic model
Will update as more reviews come in!

Go to ranking

We ranked Garrett Sea Hunter Mark II #15 in May 2023 because:

  • 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Metal Detectors” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
Bob Vila

Best for Salt Water

Pros
Submersible down to 200 feet
All-metal and discrimination modes
Adjustable elimination threshold
Comes with fully submersible headphones

Cons
May be challenging for beginners to use

Go to ranking

Kellyco Detectors

Best Value

Pros
Affordable pulse induction machine (one of the least expensive PI machines on the market)
Waterproof to 200 feet
Non-motion deep-seeking mode for diving

Cons
The discrete Elimination mode is not as advanced as some other machines
A little heavy at over 5 pounds (but not too bad if used underwater)
There is no coil cover for the 8” coil

Go to ranking