Top Rated Metal Detector In 2016?
If you ask any veteran metal detecting hobbyist and enthusiast, “What is the best metal detector in the world,” you’d be getting as many answers as there are grains of sand in a beach. The fact is, there really isn’t any one best metal detector in the market – it all depends on a variety of factors.
Different people prefer different machines, unique ground conditions require equally unique types of detectors, and projected potential targets will also ask for specific kinds of sensors. Each metal detector has its own niche and target market and careful thorough research must be done to find the best metal detector for you.
That said, this wouldn’t be a very helpful metal detector review if we don’t at least give you some ideas as to what you should be looking for in shopping for a new machine. This review, in that regard, aims to somewhat lessen the load by giving you some ideas as to what are popularly known to be the best metal detectors available in the market.
 |  |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name: Garrett Ace 250 | Name: Garrett AT Pro | Name: Minelab X-Terra 705 | Name: Fisher F75 | Name: Bounty Hunter QD2GWP |
| 21.5 x 14.6 x 5.7 inches | 21.5 x 14.8 x 6.2 inches | 23.25 x 11.25 x 3.25 inches | 52 x 11.5 x 7.5 inches | 14.5 x 16.75 x 18 inches |
| Model No: Ace 250 | Model No: AT Pro | Model No: X-Terra 705 | Model No: F75 | Model No: QD2GWP |
| Weight: 7 Pounds | Weight: 5 Pounds | Weight: 4 Pounds | Weight: 6 Pounds | Weight: 6 Pounds |
| Overall Rating: 8.5 | Overall Rating: 8.0 | Overall Rating: 9.0 | Overall Rating: 9.0 | Overall Rating: 8.0 |
Good metal detectors are absolutely necessary in furthering any metal detecting hobby or career. Here are the top 10 metal detectors (and some few honorable mentions) grouped into the particular niche that they are known to excel at.
Best Budget Friendly Metal Detector Reviews
Metal detecting as a hobby or even as a profession doesn’t necessarily have to break the bank. There’s a whole variety of budget friendly machines that can do the job. Whether you’re a novice trying to get into the field and is looking for a more affordable entry-level machine, or you’re a grizzled veteran who just wants another cheaper extra metal detector for you to use, finding budget friendly products is always a good thing. Although keep in mind, cheap metal detector are quite different from cheaply made ones. That said, these are the best metal detectors for the money in the market today.
The Bounty Hunter Tracker IV is one of the more affordable models in this list of the best metal detectors available, with a pricing that is even less than $100. Admittedly, it finds itself wanting in the features and hardware department, but at its price, it’s a good value. It’s sturdy, easy to operate, and it gets the job done. It’s especially useful for those just getting into the hobby and can be used to learn the basics of treasure hunting and metal detection.
The Bounty Hunter Tracker IV
Next, we have the Minelab X-Terra 305. This machine is known to be the entry level detector in the Minelab X-terra Series. For those of us not in the immediate or urgent need for a top of the range (and consequently, top of the price list) machine, this model made by the ever-reliable Minelab metal detector company would be a good choice.
There are certainly better functioning models out there, but none of them even come close to the budget-friendliness of this machine. The Minelab X-Terra 305 combines comfort with useful extra features that really make it stand out from other metal detectors. All-in-all, apart from the lack of a graphic target ID and a few other small issues, the X-Terra 305 is a superb machine that definitely won’t break the bank.
Another affordable machine that is great value for money is the Fisher F2 Metal Detector. Undoubtedly, it is a top-notch metal detector in spite of its status as an entry-level machine. It is quite simple to operate effectively and is found at rock-bottom prices compared to most other metal detectors of this caliber.
Its most apparent and useful feature is the two-digit number display that is uses to indicate the metal being currently tracked, efficiently sorting out targets, and discriminating between valuable treasure and junk finds.
Best Metal Detector Reviews for Entry-level Machines
Getting started with a new hobby, especially one as complex as metal detecting, can certainly seem daunting to many a would-be treasure hunter. The following review aims to ease the troubles of any budding novices by showing two of the best machines for beginner metal detecting enthusiasts and hobbyists.
Many veterans would attest to the Garrett ACE 250 Metal Detector being one of the first metal detectors they might have really grown understandably attached to. The ACE 250 was specifically crafted for beginner and novice metal detecting enthusiasts who might not be that ready to go all out with treasure hunting just yet. It’s perfect for those just trying to get the hang of things but still want to be in possession of a really good machine.
The Garrett Ace 250
It’s most known for finding coins but is more than good enough to find all types of metals as well. It has good pinpointing, discrimination, and audio feedback as well as other features you would expect to find in more advanced non-entry level models.
The Garrett ACE 350 is another recommended model for those just starting out. As it is the successor to the ACE 250, one could expect the same quality output from this model as well. It operates at a different frequency (8.25 kHz) from the 250 (6.5 kHz) which is attribute to how it can detect gold better than its predecessor. It has good pinpointing, discrimination (for iron, in particular), and decent search modes.
Its most apparent difference with the Garrett ACE 250 is its DD search coil. In conclusion, the 250 can do almost as much as the 350, but if the extra $100 doesn’t bother you too much, the 350 is the way to go.
Best Metal Detectors For The Experienced Digger
One might think veterans might need a little less help figuring out the type of metal detectors they need. However, it is worth noting that expert treasure hunters and seasoned metal detecting enthusiasts usually reach a point where they know what type of targets they usually shoot for – some might prefer relics and other might seek more recent finds, some might shoot for coins while other look for gold. More specific searched usually also result in more specific nuances. As such, looking for specialist detectors is a lot harder than choosing entry-level machines.
Most veterans might agree though, that Minelab is usually the way to go for good machines. Not necessarily the most budget-friendly brand, but it is unquestionable in the quality of goods that it produces.
For expert-level metal detecting, grizzled veterans might want to go for the Minelab GPX 5000. Among the top rated metal detectors in the world, this machine is seriously powerful and extremely capable, and can easily find gold as well as other valuable metal relics. The Minelab GPX 5000 is specifically designed for enthusiasts who are serious about the craft of metal detecting, so it could be bit difficult to use at first for beginners. Most avid treasure hunters will be familiar to how powerful this beauty is when used to its full potential. The Minelab GPX 5000 might very well be in the running for the best metal detector in the world.
The Minelab GPX 5000
Next up, we have the Whites Spectra V3i. A relative dark horse in the metal detecting race but is still well known for producing great products, White has produced a spectacular high-end model in its Spectra V3i. Although price-wise, this is a serious investment, this is also a serious machine that will last you years.
If you have a large enough budget and are well-verse in the art of metal detecting and treasure hunting, than you will absolutely love the Whites Spectra V3i’s ten search settings, and the handy wireless headphones, the LCD screen with the built-in digital user’s manual. It is user-friendly, durable, and absolutely powerful – the Spectra V3i is a good buy fit for experts.
Consumer Favorite Metal Detector Reviews
Sales are usually a good indicator of how well a product performs. Being in the know of what metal detector models sell like hot cakes can help you make good, informed decisions as to what metal detecting machine you should buy next. Whether you’re looking for brand new metal detectors or more-affordable but just as effective used metal detectors, knowing what the market’s top machines are would be a huge help. The following reviews are for metal detectors that are known to sell quite well in the market.
The Minelab GO-FIND 60 is one of the most popular models lately, and for good reason. It’s not the most complicated machine – it’s built for easy use, portability, and accessibility. One could very well use this metal detector with the family.
Don’t let its user-friendly features deter you though, it functions just as well and sometimes even better than most other more complex models. Target sensitivity and detection depths are taken into consideration when making this machine. It is incredibly lightweight as well as easy to turn on – there is virtually no assembly required and all you have to do is to unpack it, unfold it, and start treasure hunting. It has tons of other wonderful features one might expect from a Minelab machine, but is readily affordable and hassle-free to operate.
The Minelab GO-FIND 60
Another machine that is popular among the masses is the Garrett ACE 400 metal detector. Another machine in Garrett’s ACE line, the ACE 400 is considered the best in this series so far. It has amazingly advance controls and features such as reliable iron discrimination, a digital target identification, adjustable frequency settings, and lots of really good search mode. One could also opt to buy the bonus package which gives you included headphones, an environmental coverup (also usable with other ACE models), and a handy search coil cover.
Best Target-Specific Detector
There are two ways to go about metal detecting – go into a finding session with no particular find in mind or getting into a treasure hunting session with a specific target that you’re looking for. If you’re looking for metal detectors that would help you with the latter, this part of the review would be for you. We’ll be tackling the two most common metal detecting targets out there: coins and gold.
For coins, we have the Bounty Hunter Platinum. This is one of the brand’s newer models and it has improved target ID, ground balance and control, and sensitivity and depth penetration. Depth penetration is the Platinum’s strong suit and it promises to find even the deepest buried jewelry, relics, and, of course, coins. Additionally, not only is it amazingly easy to operate, it also has customizable settings and programs for even more personalized usage. Its four modes – discrimination, pinpoint, all metal, and ground grab – are perfect for more narrowed down searches. All-in-all, the Bounty Hunter Platinum is a great machine for coin hunting.
On the more pricey (but well worth it) side of things, the Garrett GTI 2500 is an absolute powerhouse when it comes to coin hunting. With certain purchase packages, you get all three types of search coils that go with the machine. There is a 12.5” imaging coil, a 9.5” coil, and the Treasure Hound Eagle Eye Depth Multiplier for a boost in penetration power. It also comes with adjustable professional-grade headphones, a convenient carry bag, a handy metal detecting and relic hunting book, as well as a weather-proofing protective screen cover for the machine’s LCD screen.
Moving on to gold hunting, we have the Fisher Gold Bug 2. Fisher metal detectors did it right all those years ago with the Gold Bug 2. A two decade old model, its lasting presence in the market despite the advent of more technologically advance models in the past twenty years is a testament to the quality and the usability of this amazing machine.
The Fisher Gold Bug 2 has long been known for its amazing sensitivity – even the smallest of gold nuggets are easily found with this machine, including ones that barely register on digital weighing scales. The only downside to owning a Gold Bug 2 is that sometimes, it’s a little bit too sensitive. When working on highly mineralized ground conditions, the Gold Bug 2 has a tendency to go on the fritz. Depth is also a bit of an issue with this metal detector. However, most veterans would support the claim that the Fisher Gold Bug 2 is still one of the best gold-hunting metal detectors around.
The Fisher Gold Bug 2
Assuredly, Fisher does not just attribute its success as a brand to its long-enduring classics. The brand also makes it a point to create new machines that pack quite the punch. The Fisher Gold Bug Pro is one of the company’s newest innovations and works as an efficient and highly effective gold detector.
It works best in shallow hunting grounds and is a relatively straight-forward machine. Just like its older brother, the Fisher Gold Bug 2, depth is not something that the Gold Bug Pro is particularly famous for. However, unlike the Gold Bug 2, highly mineralized ground conditions does little to slow down the Gold Bug Pro – even in the most extreme conditions, it can still perform accurate target discrimination.
Garrett also has quite a long list of machines suitable for gold hunting. In particular, the Garrett ATX is a good mention. This was Garrett’s first attempt at creating a gold metal detector that utilizes pulse induction detection. As such, it has amazing sensitivity and range, and can easily get through near unbelievable depths.
With specific bundle packages, one could opt to get a supplemental 20” DD coil that helps with depth penetration even more. Additionally, the Garrett ATX is water proof, a feature not commonly seen with machines that utilize the aforementioned pulse induction detetion technology.
This means you can use this machine underwater up to a certain depth as well as in the rain if need be. With the ATX, Garrett can give even Minelab a run for its money in terms of gold hunting metal detectors.
Best All-Around Detector
To conclude this top metal detector list and review, we’ll be tackling the metal detector that might be considered the most useful for general usage. This part is for the enthusiast who might not exactly be looking for any particular feature or niche that the previously mentioned models provide.
The Garrett AT Pro is a well-balanced yet powerful all-arounder and is the go-to favorite machine for a lot of novices as well as experienced players in the game of metal detecting. Price wise, it is at a very reasonable mid-range $600 yet still easily outperforms several more expensive alternatives.
Entry-level buyers might find the price tag to be a bit too much, but rest assured, this top rate metal detector is also the type of metal detector that is guaranteed to work for several years. It is simple and straight-forward to operate but has features and hardware that would make even the most experience and well-versed treasure hunting veteran drool.
In summary, the Garrett AT Pro traverses the sweet spot between user-friendliness and advance customizability, between budget-friendliness and over-pricing. For general, no frills use, this metal detector is the way to go.
Garrett AT Pro
Wrapping Things Up
To reiterate, there is no one best metal detector in the world – each model has its own pros and cons. You could ask yourself and any other enthusiast, “What is a good metal detector?” and you’ll get tons of answers. In all sincerity, metal detector comparison is something to be done only when you find detectors claiming to do the same exact things; even then, they will still have their own advantages and disadvantages.That said, the machines mentioned in this Best Metal Detectors review are researched and analyzed but the best fit might still be out there for you.
Nevertheless, we hope that this list has more or less narrowed down your list of possible metal detectors you are looking to buy. Hopefully, it has also helped you figure out what it is exactly that you are looking for in a metal detector.
Follow Us!