The 7 Best All Round Metal Detectors On The Market in 2022
There is a certain magic that happens when we allow ourselves to tap into that inner-child and chase the unknown, the mysteries.
Sadly, for a lot of folks, this was lost some time ago and will never be found again.
But, for some of us, our brains gets stimulated with wonder when we sometimes allow ourselves to go there, and it’s VERY good for us.
In this case, quite literally, I am talking about treasure hunting. Real-life treasure hunting!
The ability to set out with a simple set of tools that let us hear, dig up, and hold in our very hands, history that is buried under the ground or even hidden 200’ deep underwater!
History, in this sense, more true than a lot of written or spoken word, is now ours. It can belong to us now.
We can hold it in our hands and let our minds drift off to a simpler time and let our imaginations run wild.
Finding a metal detector that works for you really isn’t that difficult. There are just a few things to know and some things to consider. Let’s take a look at a few common questions to get us started.
What is the Best Metal Detector?
The short answer is, “it depends”. To start, it depends on what you’re looking for and where you are looking for it. Are you on the beach or actually in the water? Are you looking for antiques or gold, or both?
New versions of metal detectors become available at roughly twice the pace of the new iPhone and computer technologies and every company claims they have “THE BEST”. Who wants to keep up with that? It sounds exhausting!
Take a deep breath, do some basic research, and be decisive on a solid simple machine that suits your purposes. Let’s move on to our next consideration.
How Much Does a Good Metal Detector Cost?
The more you spend, as a general rule, the deeper ground penetration, heightened levels of sensitivity, and overall quality of features you are going to get. Of course this will make for better and more successful hunts. They will also tend to be more durable and offer more ground and terrain versatility.
However, you can spend $10,000 on a metal detector and if it is not suited for your purposes, you may just as well be better off with something well below $1000.
There are plenty of nice quality, base model metal detectors out there in the $200 - $500 range that will accomplish what you’re looking to do.
If you are interested in doing this for fun as a part-time hobby, then this is even more true.
Let’s also not forget that if you go at this from a certain angle, and depending on what metal detector you choose and how much time and energy you put into it, you can actually MAKE money metal detecting!
After all, treasures are not always meant to be hoarded, but also exchanged, and you may be surprised with some of the value you could end up pulling out of the ground or off of the sea floor.
Where is a Good Place to Hunt Treasure?
We need to have an idea of what type of terrain and conditions in which we are going to be operating.
If you are going to stay on fairly level and dry ground, then a basic, multi-purpose machine will do just fine, may cost less, and even come with some weatherproof/waterproof features that will allow you to operate near bodies of water and in the rain with little concern.
If prospecting is in your blood, then you are likely to be focusing on a part of the world that is known to have gold in the hills.
A hunt for gold nuggets would require a machine that is tuned more for that specific purpose and employs Pulse Induction (PI) technology (which we will learn about later, see the Minelab GPZ 7000, the last on our list, for a quick reference, or just keep on reading and we’ll get there).
If your location is coastal, the option of getting into beach, surf, and saltwater applications is a fantastic and fun hobby that would require another specialized machine to be able to handle the elements. PI technology, steps in here as an ally once again.
Hand in hand with these machines, we start to get into the exciting world of submersibles!
These are metal detectors that are designed to withstand the conductivity of salty water that you can actually take underwater, some of them up to 200’ deep!
Perhaps you will want to explore every single terrain and condition, so you need an all-encompassing metal detector that has little to no limitations, within reason of course, and that is likely to cost you.
If you’ve made it this far, you are well on your way to knowing what it is you’re after and are almost ready to be introduced to the contestants. But not quite yet. One more important consideration.
What Kinds of Things Can You Find With a Metal Detector?
Most metal detectors on the market today, to a degree, are multi-purpose and cover all the bases even if they specialize in one area. However, just a general purpose detector is not going to find gold nuggets or relics buried deeper within the ground.
This means we want to take a look at what we are interested in searching for the most.
Are you looking for gold nuggets, ancient artifacts and jewelry, or weapons that could be 3 ft. deep in the ground?
Or, are you just fine with whatever you find or maybe a few coins here and there for fun?
Some targets require metal detectors with more deep-seeking capabilities to find them. Others, such as gold nuggets, require a higher frequency and special coils with pulse induction.
Alright! Having covered some important questions and considerations, let’s go find the BOOTY with The 7 Best All Round Metal Detectors on the Market in 2022!
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Looking for a powerful and affordable all-around machine for coin, jewelry, and relic hunting? The Fisher F22 is a perfect model for the entry level enthusiast as you can basically just turn it on and have at it.
Recommended for coin shooting, jewelry and relic hunting, the Fisher F22 metal detector is the new version of the Fisher F2, which ruled the entry-level detector world since 2007.
With lightening fast re-tune speed and superb target separation, this model has a maximum depth capability of approximately 10” - 12” depending on ground conditions and composition of target. Also, this detector will locate iron meteorites!
The Discrimination, Sensitivity, Notch, and Pinpoint features are self explanatory and you can easily identify buried targets with 9 segment target categories combined with a 0-99 numeric target identification system that is complimented by a 4 tone audio identification system, custom made to allow you to set your own tones however you see fit.
This unit does lack ground balance and does not have a beach mode. So if you try to take it into these conditions, it could potentially give you false readings and cause quite a bit of chatter. Nobody likes a lot of chatter, so if you’re looking to go for surf and sun, this model is not for you. Also, the search coil is waterproof but the control box is not, so take precautions.
Since 1931, Fisher has been one of the most trusted names in metal detection. Whether you are locating buried utilities, in need of walk through security metal detectors, or want to find buried treasures, Fisher technology will help you find it!
FEATURES & SPECS:
Visual Target-ID by Category
Operates on 2 AA Batteries (25-30 Hours)
Fe-Tone (Adjustable Iron Audio)
Iron Identifier Icon
9-Segment Visual Target-ID
Large 2-Digit, 1-99 Numeric Target-ID
4 Modes of Operation: JEWELRY, COIN, ARTIFACT, CUSTOM
Pinpoint
10 Levels of Adjustable Sensitivity
20 Levels of Adjustable Volume
4-Tone Audio-ID
Non-Volatile Memory Saves Settings
9-Inch Concentric Elliptical Waterproof Searchcoil
Ultra-lightweight Only 2.3 lbs. Operational Weight
7.69 kHz. Operating Frequency
Bounty Hunter Junior
(Best All Round for Kids)
The Bounty Hunter Junior, the most popular and affordable metal detector for children, is obviously very easy to use and understand.
Two knobs and one meter make up the components on this little fella. The knob on the left is the power button and adjusts the sensitivity levels. The knob on the right adjusts the amount of discrimination applied.
Discrimination, in the world of metal detecting, simply gives you the ability to weed through and distinguish between scrap metals and the real treasure you’re seeking. The Bounty Hunter Junior will seek out coin-sized objects up to 5'' deep and target larger objects up to 3' deep.
Extremely lightweight and ergonomic, the Bounty Hunter Junior is able to be handled by any child over the age of 4 or 5, and the height will adjust up to 2’ 1/4”.
The meter will let show you signal strength and target depth. With an audible sound increase as targets draw near, you can stand back and watch the excitement pour into that inquisitive little face of your child as the curiosity builds as to what might be on the other end of this discovery! What a fun and user friendly new hobby and educational tool, just waiting to enlighten the life of any kid!
FEATURES & SPECS:
Sensitivity control
Detects coin-sized objects up to 5" deep; large objects up to 3'
Speaker sound increases as target gets closer
Low battery indicator
Lightweight, ergonomic design
6" weather resistant coil
Runs on two 9-Volt batteries(not included)
Manufacturer's 1-year limited warranty
3 target ID categories
Graphic target depth indicator
Discrimination control to eliminate unwanted items
Garrett AT Pro
(Best All Round Value)
It’s easy to see why the Garrett AT Pro has landed as the “Best All Round Value” choice for our list today. This versatile machine offers a great balance of near-professional quality with an affordable price tag. It functions at a level that is great for both beginners and professionals in the field.
Some advice about this one (that could really be good advice on just about any metal detector) is to dedicate some time to learn and study this machine. Don’t expect to pick it up on the first day and find a gold mine.
Get acquainted with your new machine by testing it on predetermined targets at known depths, purposefully buried in your own back yard. Use this as a testing area. Throw in some copper and zinc pieces, old and new nickels, silver and clad dimes, silver and clad quarters, pull tabs, cans, bottle caps, and maybe even some scrap iron.
Learn to identify specific targets, and how it responds to different target depths based on the readings. The better you can come to know your machine, the more accurate, precise, and efficient you can be in the field where it really counts!
The Garrett AT Pro has many success stories ranging from a wide variety of terrain types, from mountain men to beach combers, it seems this machine is making a lot of folks out there very happy. All terrain adventure awaits you!
Arriving pre-equipped with MS-2 Headphones and 50" Travel Carry Bag, the Garrett AT Pro boasts extremely fast recovery speed, target separation, and detection depth. Submersible to 10 feet of water, you can skim the shallows and surfs of oceans and seas for lost treasure with this 8.5” x 11” search coil!
The AT Pro features advanced, proportional audio modes. This allows the user to hear subtle changes in a target’s response. Proportional audio also helps the user to better judge a target’s size, shape, and depth and has the additional benefit of a much faster recovery time when detecting adjacent targets.
This efficient model also includes three Standard audio modes, which provide a full-strength beep regardless of a target’s amplitude. Many prefer this simpler, binary, either on or off, target response.
FEATURES & SPECS:
Pro Mode Audio: Proportional Audio response and Tone Roll Audio features allow user to hear subtle changes in target’s response to better judge conductivity, size, shape, and depth. HEAR THE IRON TRASH BEFORE YOU DIG IT!
At Pro Iron Audio: Iron Audio allows you to hear discriminated iron (normally silenced) to avoid digging undesired flat iron targets such as bottle caps or washers.High-Resolution Iron Discrimination: 40 levels of iron discrimination provide the fine resolution needed to separate a good target from iron trash
Fast Track Ground Balance: Automatic feature that allows the user to quickly ground balance the detector in mineralized soil conditions.
Digital Target ID: Numeric identification scale from 0 to 99. Identifies a target metal’s conductivity.
Electronic Pinpointing: This non-motion All-Metal Mode function is used to precisely locate a detected target’s position.
Includes 2 Year Warranty, Batteries, Holder, Training Manual
MineLab Excalibur II
(Best All Round Underwater Submersible, Saltwater & Surf)
Leveling up, here, the Minelab Excalibur II offers mind-blowing extreme underwater performance. This machine is waterproof and displays extraordinary accuracy up to 200’ deep!!
Minelab’s multi-frequency BBS technology, housed in a rugged platform, puts the EXCALIBUR II at the top of the list for the best deep-diving underwater treasure detector available.
At 200’, you’re obviously a diver with scuba gear. What an amazing machine to add to your arsenal of gear! Imagine being able to unlock the mysteries of the deep. You can just about guarantee that YOU are the ONLY one exploring the area you choose down there, providing it is not an already popularized area for hunting relics. This is fascinating!
THE TECHNOLOGY:
BBS:
Broad Band Spectrum simultaneously transmits, receives and analyses a broad band of multiple frequencies to deliver substantial detection depth, high sensitivity and accurate discrimination for a wide range of target types. This broad band of frequencies provides the detector’s electronics with more information about a target and the surrounding environment than is possible with single frequency technologies. The detector carries out advanced signal processing of these frequencies resulting in improved target identification accuracy and increased depth. This process also significantly reduces false signals from ground minerals, even in harsh and variable conditions, such as salt water beaches.
RCB:
Receive Coil Boost circuitry greatly amplifies weak target signals, from small and deep targets, inside the search coil, where the signals are received. This has three main advantages over standard techniques of amplification inside the control box:
Greater immunity to electrical noise, reducing false signals
No loss of signal strength, and faint targets, through the cable
Improved detection depth and sensitivity
FEATURES & SPECS:
Quality Design: High Visibility fluorescent bodywork and skid-plate. Slimline 10" coil for reduced weight and improved balance
BBS & RCB Technology: BBS: 1.5 kHz — 25.5 kHz RCB: amplifies weak target signals inside the coil, reducing noise and boosting faint, deep objects
Rechargeable Battery: NiMH Rechargeable battery pack for operation up to 12 hours
Application: Coin, Relic, Jewelry, Beach & Dive (waterproof 200ft)
Coil: (standard) 10" round Double-D hardwired coil
Headphones: supplied Koss 8 ohm headphones (hardwired)
Detect Modes: Discriminate or All-Metal (Pinpoint). Discrimination Variable Discrimination (adjustable turn control) & All Metal (Pinpoint).
Ground Balance: Automatic ground rejection Pinpoint Pinpoint mode.
Sensitivity Adjust: Auto & manual (adjustable turn control) Threshold Adjustable turn contol
Target Volume Adjustable: turn control
Battery: NiMH battery pack 13V 1000 mAh (14-19 hours). Supplied with main charger, alkaline battery optional accessory.
Low Battery Alert: Audio alert
Length: Standard shaft 45" - 48"; Dive shaft 32" - 36"
Coil Weight: 8" Coil - 4.6 lbs or 10" coil 5.1 lbs (includes NiMH battery)
Warranty: 1 year control box & coil.
Special Bundle: with Free Minelab Headphones, Car Charger & Extra Rechargeable Batteries
High Visibility: fluorescent body features
Side-mount Shaft: for shallow and surf-wading (available as an optional accessory)
Packaged Dimensions: 35.2” x 12.4” x 10.2”
Shipping Weight: 7.5 pounds
Minelab CTX 3030
(Cream of the Crop)
The future of discovery, Minelab’s waterproof all-terrain CTX 3030 is the ultimate high performance treasure detector. Discover more historical treasures with the most accurate target identification available on the market today.
With a full color LCD and advanced Target Trace discrimination you will find more treasure, even amidst junk littered areas, in ALL ground conditions.
Enjoy the freedom of wireless audio with the versatility of built-in speaker and headphone options. With Minelab's exclusive integrated GPS, you can navigate to your favorite locations and even record your finds! Transfer your detecting information onto Google Maps using the Exchange 2 PC application.
With “turn on and go” simplicity, five preset search modes, and a wide array of automatic functions, the CTX 3030 has made it easy for the beginners out there to get started. For the experienced treasure hunter, advanced features are easily accessible at the touch of a button.
When it comes to learning about this machine in depth (which we suggest to utilize all of the amazing features of this brilliant machine), we suggest you learn the basics first. Take your time and note that the owners manual is fairly pitiful and will only get you so far. You’ll need more information if you want to dig deeper, and you should.
“The Minelab CTX 3030 Metal Detector Handbook” by Andy Sabisch, is a must have in our opinion. If you’re going to invest in a holy grail of a metal detector, you should do everything in your power to unlock ALL of its potential and abilities, and that’s exactly what you’re going to do if you read Andy’s book.
FEATURES & SPECS:
Quick Menus: Quick Menus give you easy access to ‘on the go’ adjustments. Smart functions (Sensitivity, Noise Cancel, Audio, Ground Balance) and a customizable User button allow fast changes to your most used controls while detecting
Ergonomic Design: The well balanced design has all the battery weight behind the armrest for comfortable detecting. The detector is fully adjustable to suit your needs
Waterproof: You can go detecting anywhere with this versatile TREASURE detector. You have the flexibility of land and underwater detecting as the CTX 3030 is waterproof to 10 ft
Ultimate Feco Discrimination: With Ferrous (Fe) and Conductivity (Co) target resolution, plus adjustable Tone ID Profiles, you can detect (accept) the targets you want to and ignore (reject) the rest. With Target Trace and Target Separation, you can identify multiple targets simultaneously for accurate detecting results
Wireless Audio: Have the freedom to detect without your headphones being attached to your detector. With the WM 10 Wireless Module you have the choice of using the built-in speaker, supplied headphones or your own favorite headphones
Full Color Display: The full color LCD clearly displays more target information than ever before and greatly enhances the CTX 3030’s discrimination capabilities
Multi-Lanuage: You can choose from 9 different languages: English, French, German, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish or Turkish
Application: Coin, Relic, Jewelry & Beach (waterproof 10ft)
Coil: 11” waterproof Double-D smart coil
Audio Output: Built-in speaker, standard ¼” plug, not waterproof socket, custom waterproof socket (Minelab accessory headphones only)
Headphones: Included KOSS UR30 (100 ohm) (not waterproof )
Visual Display: Full color LCD with back-light and adjustable brightness (1–10)
USB Connectivity: XChange 2 (via USB) compatible with Windows XP, Vista and 7 Memory Settings saved automatically while detecting and remain until changed or reset
Warranty: 3 years control box & coil
ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY:
FBS 2: Uses multiple frequency transmission and coil-to-detector data communication to find more targets in variable ground conditions
Smartfind 2: Provides digital signal processing and precision FeCo discrimination, with color target information, for the best target identification results
GPSi: Has very high sensitivity for accurate recording of geographic locations
Wi-Stream: Creates very fast wireless audio with no loss of sound quality
GPS Locating: See where you have been, and where you are going, by using the Map screen and Navigation Tool. GeoTrails show the ground that you have already covered. WayPoints mark points of interest. FindPoints mark your treasure locations. GeoHunts record your entire detecting adventure
PC Mapping: Upload all of your detector settings and treasure locations to your PC using the XChange 2 application. Attach photos and text to your finds, group them into categories. View the locations on Google Maps. You can also download data to your detector for re-exploring favourite areas
Garrett Ace 250
(Budget Friendly & Most Popular Metal Detector on the Market)
Garrett has high standards and a long-standing reputation for producing quality metal detectors that are user friendly and easy on the wallet. The ACE 250 falls right in step with this reputation, simply designed without sacrificing key features, it is the most popular beginner's detector on the market.
With an elbow rest for added comfort and easy to reach knobs and controls, this lightweight ergonomic detector is ready for many hours of exploration, while not being much harder on the body than the walk itself. The adjustable stem provides a range between 42”-51” in length.
Starting with some basic information here, the ACE 250 is an entry-level VLF detector. With a 6.5 kHz operating frequency, it is great for targeting coins, relics and jewelry.
However, it operates at a marginally lower frequency than the ACE 350, so it provides less sensitivity. Garrett’s Ace series detectors are not designed to handle highly mineralized soils, so it should come as no surprise that you will not fare well with this machine if you aspire to do some gold prospecting.
FEATURES & SPECS:
Electronic Pinpointing: for target precision and speed recovery
Accept/Reject Discrimination: to modify discrimination patterns for specific target detection and to ignore unwanted items
Five Search Modes: select pre-set discrimination pattern or create your own
Coin Depth Indicator: Continuous target depth indicator
Battery Condition Indicator
Expanded Target ID Legend
Large LCD Screen
Push-button Controls w/ One-Touch Operation
3-Piece: for travel and storage
Graphic Target ID Cursor
Sensitivity Control: Adjusts to 8 levels of sensitivity for differing ground conditions
MineLab GPZ 7000
(Best All Round for Gold Nuggets & Prospecting)
The Minelab GPZ 7000 is hands down the best gold detector on the market for serious prospectors. Far more user friendly than Minelab’s GPX 5000, (which is widely regarded as the second best gold detector on the planet), it has set the standard for, and is the future of gold detection.
Prospecting machines can range from $500 all the way up to $10,000. Most of these specialized treasure hunters employ PI (Pulse Induction) technology and should be used in areas where gold is known to be found.
Pulse induction metal detectors use one coil, unlike normal detectors that use two, to act as both the transmitter and the receiver. High voltage electrical pulses are sent into the ground at roughly 100 pulses per second, generating a magnetic field. When the pulses hit a metal object, the field is reversed and the detector picks up that signal.
A PI detector is crucial if you’re targeting terrain with high ground mineralization. It is also very useful for sandy environments and beach combing and, on a side note, this technology also displays outrageous ability in finding plenty of other metals, not just gold!
In the world of gold-prospecting metal detectors, Minelab simply can’t be beat and they broke the mold with the GPZ 7000!
FEATURES & SPECS:
ZVT Technology: So how deep can you go? Well, up to 40% deeper than the GPX series. Old gold fields are new again, thanks to the revolutionary new ZVT technology. Minelab takes you much deeper than ever before!
SUPER-D Coil Technology: The incredible sensitivity of the GPZ 7000 with the Super‑D coil gives you the ultimate advantage in the field. Find gold others have missed, from sub-gram gold through to those elusive ‘retirement nuggets’ still out there!
Precision Ground Balance: Most gold is buried in the mineralised ‘difficult’ ground that many detectors can’t cope with. The GPZ 7000 accurately ‘balances’ and automatically ‘tracks’ to even the most severe ground conditions, with ease.
Enhanced Noise Immunity: The outstanding noise immunity of the GPZ 7000 enables very smooth and quiet detecting. With 256 Noise Cancel channels, the GPZ 7000 picks up less atmospheric noise. Listen to the gold, not the noise interference!
Simple Menu System: The easy-to-use Menu Pages group similar functions together under Detect and Map sections, with all settings quickly accessible. Use the Guide Sequences to get started. You don’t need to be an expert to find gold!
Wireless Audio Freedom: Detect without your headphones attached to the detector. With the WM 12 Wireless Module you have the choice of using the in-built speaker, the supplied headphones, or your favorite headphones.
GPS Locating & PC Mapping: See your location and log gold finds as you detect. With the built-in GPS you’ll efficiently cover more ground and won’t miss a nugget! Record your favorite ‘hot-spots’ by saving data to XChange 2 with Google Maps.
Waterproof Coil: The GPZ 14 coil is waterproof and submersible to a depth of 1 m (3 ft). You can easily detect rivers and shorelines with no fuss! The weatherproof design of the GPZ 7000 allows you to go detecting in rainy or wet conditions.
Coil Upgrade: Broaden your search with an upgrade! The Minelab GPZ 19-19x18 Super-D Search Coil!
“It is a blessing for a man to have a hand in determining his own fate.”
— Blackbeard
Metal detecting can be fun for the whole family and easily become a favorite pastime. Anyone can do it and there’s a real good chance that, given the opportunity, the whole family would fall in love with the lifestyle.
It also gets you outdoors and moving, which is very important, especially for the sedentary folks among us. Once you start having a little luck finding some treasures, before you know it, you’ve walked for miles!
Another exciting thing to remember about any type of metal detecting, but especially with Pulse Induction technology, is that it can MAKE YOU MONEY!
The findings of gold, silver, coins, jewelry, historic weaponry and tools, relics and antiques, old gadgets and machinery, are just a few of the things you have the potential to dig up!
Do some research and you won’t believe some of the stories you’ll stumble upon about folks’ adventures in modern day treasure hunting!
We here at Rugged Man hope that we’ve sparked some sort of new ambition in you to reconnect with that child-like spirit and that you get out to do something fun soon. If not with metal detecting, maybe there is something else that this article got burning for you again or maybe for the first time.
Take a look at some related articles below to get more inspiration and ideas. Until next time, keep those fires lit, and remain Rugged!
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