When you are first starting in the world of metal detecting, picking the best metal detector for beginners might seem overwhelming. While metal detectors vary in many ways, the basic performance of a metal detector is the same.
You do not need to break the bank when starting, and there are times we would actually discourage this. Finding the best entry-level metal detector is quite simple.
Pick out a well-rounded metal detector with good performance, practice with it, and once you have decided you need an upgrade, sell it and get an upgrade!
Keep this in mind: All metal detectors and golf clubs will, respectively, find metal and hit golf balls. You don’t have to have a high-end metal detector to find metal, just as you don’t need a fancy golf club to hit a ball.
Continue reading this guide from the experts at Kellyco to learn about the best beginner metal detectors and the factors that you should be aware of when picking one out so you don’t choose the wrong one for your scenario.
Our Reviews of the Best Beginner Metal DetectorGarrett ACE 300
Best Overall Beginner Detector
Weight: 2.8 lbs.
Frequency: 8 kHz
Waterproof: No
Warranty: 2 Year Limited
The Garrett ACE series is synonymous with budget-friendly, performance-packed metal detectors tailored specifically towards beginners.
The series consists of the Garrett ACE 200, Garrett ACE 300, Garrett ACE 400, and the multi-frequency Garrett ACE Apex. The best overall beginner metal detector is the Garrett ACE 300.
To kick things off, the 8 kHz operating frequency is one of the best all-purpose frequencies you could want in a beginner metal detector.
We like the 8 kHz operating frequency because it provides us with excellent sensitivity and excellent detection depth for general, all-purpose detecting scenarios.
The LCD on the Garrett ACE 300 control box is home to many important features beginners will love. First, there are five different preset search modes you can use to metal detect with.
Each of these discriminates a different type of metal, allowing you to choose between Coin, Jewelry, Zero Discrimination, Relic, and Custom modes. These search modes make it extremely easy when starting so you don’t have to manually adjust the setting.
In addition to the search modes, the digital target ID display allows you to know what type of metal you could be digging up beforehand. Every ACE 300 user, myself included, loves this, as you can see if a target is really worth digging.
Finally, the ACE 300 also features a depth indicator, showing you roughly how deep the target is in the ground.
One problem I’ve encountered while metal detecting is not being able to stay out all day when using heavy metal detectors, as it can cause some serious fatigue. With the Garrett ACE 300, it is not an issue, as the detector only weighs 2.8 pounds.
This budget metal detector is built with an ergonomic design that maximizes user comfort. I’m a big fan of the foam used on the arm pad and handle.
Finally, the selection of ACE series search coils available is what sets the Garrett ACE 300 apart from other starter metal detectors. You can get very small search coils you can use in high-trash areas or when you do not have as much clearance to swing your detector.
If you are trying to cover a lot of ground or get more depth, consider getting a larger search coil! The ACE 300 comes with a 7″ x 10″ PROformance search coil, which is more than adequate for the best starter metal detector on the market!
Fisher F22 Weatherproof
Best Rugged Detector for Beginners
Weight: 2.3 lbs.
Frequency: 7.69 kHz
Waterproof: No; Weatherproof
Warranty: 5 Year Limited
Fisher metal detectors are widely known across the industry for providing performance, value, and a best-in-industry 5-year warranty. The Fisher F22 Weatherproof is a metal detector that was designed to withstand round conditions, as the control box is sealed off from the outside.
While the detector can withstand rain, snow, sleet, or hail, it is not meant to be submerged underwater.
Side note: I personally love weatherproof detectors since they allow you to go treasure hunting in any weather condition you want!
The Fisher F22 comes with a 9″ semi-elliptical search coil that is entirely waterproof. This means that you can take the waterproof search coil into shallow water, wet sand, and other waterlogged areas and you won’t have to worry about your search coil failing you.
I especially enjoy using waterproof search coils whenever I decide to go relic hunting or gold prospecting.
The operating frequency of the Fisher F22 hums along at 7.69 kHz, which is a good setting for an all-purpose metal detector. This provides adequate sensitivity on high conductivity targets, as well as great detection depth.
I mentioned wet sand, so I should mention that the Fisher F22 has fixed ground balance, which means that the machine runs the same regardless of what ground conditions it encounters.
This can lead to signal interference in certain, heavily mineralized areas. The majority of places hobbyists go treasure hunting, particularly when we are new to the hobby, have little to no ground mineralization, so this is not too big of a concern.
If you are worried about more advanced ground balance features, you will have to pay more to get them and could consider the Garrett ACE Apex.
The LCD of the F22 provides several features I happen to use frequently. First off, there are four different search modes: Artifact, Coins, Custom, and Jewelry. In addition, there is also an all-metal mode with no discrimination.
Target identification is easy with both a visual and a numeric ID format. In addition, there is also a pinpoint mode that makes pinpointing exactly where your target is so much simpler.
I love using the pinpoint mode on my detectors, as I feel it speeds up the recovery process, especially for beginners.
Finally, the weight of the Fisher F22 Weatherproof lends itself very well to those who are looking for a lightweight, easy-to-use metal detector.
Weighing in at 2.3 pounds, this detector can be used all day and cause little to no fatigue! It really distinguishes the F22 from many competitors at the best affordable metal detector price point.
Bounty Hunter Lone Star
Best Affordable Metal Detector
Weight: 3.5 lbs.
Frequency: 6.8 kHz
Waterproof: No
Warranty: 5 Year Limited
If this is your first time looking for a metal detector and you are looking to spend as little as possible, the Bounty Hunter Lone Star is the perfect detector for you.
While it might not have the features of other competitors, it is still highly capable of finding treasure! The operating frequency runs at 6.8 kHz, which is great for an all-purpose machine.
I am a fan of the simple LCD screen of the Lone Star. It allows you to have adjustable sensitivity for a variety of situations.
In a high trash area? Turn down the sensitivity. In a wide-open area looking for deeper targets? Turn up the sensitivity. Not only is it user-friendly, but it is effective.
In addition, the discrimination settings are adjustable, allowing you to pick out the different types of metal you want to ignore.
If you are tired of ferrous signals (signals caused by iron or steel), be sure to crank the discrimination up so it won’t pick up these metals.
This Lone Star comes with an 8″ search coil that is more than adequate for beginners and most treasure hunting scenarios. This search coil is waterproof, so as long as you do not submerge the control box, the Lone Star can be used in shallow water.
Finally, the weight of the Lone Star leaves a bit to be desired. This detector weighs in at 3.5 pounds and does not have as many features as other metal detectors of this weight class. This is part of the tradeoff you are making since it is available at such an affordable price point.
If you want a lightweight option, consider the Fisher F22 Weatherproof. Personally, I think that a majority of detectorists will be able to swing 3.5 pounds for a very long time with this machine!
Other than the weight, however, the ergonomics and comfort of the Lone Star are a welcome benefit. The S-rod handle and padded grip are all designed with the end-user in mind.
Nokta Makro Simplex +
Best Waterproof Detector for Beginners
Weight: 2.9 lbs.
Frequency: 12 kHz
Waterproof: Yes; Up to 10 feet
Warranty: 2 Year Limited
The Nokta Makro Simplex is one of the only waterproof up to 10 feet detectors you will find at this price point. I love knowing that if my hunt for gold nuggets or Civil War bullets takes me into a creek, I can continue to metal detect with the waterproof Simplex.
This waterproof feature at the budget-friendly price point is what sets the Nokta Makro Simplex apart from competitors.
A metal detector you can use in wet conditions is worthless if it does not have good ground balance features. The Simplex shines here as well, as it offers automatic ground balance, as well as manual ground balance controls.
Ground balancing options are vital when you encounter wet sand and other heavily mineralized ground conditions.
Every treasure hunter, myself included, appreciates having the option to automatically or manually change ground balancing on the fly.
The LCD screen on the Nokta Makro Simplex is excellent, as it contains digital target ID numbers, a battery life indicator, a depth indicator, and search mode settings.
You get four search modes, including Beach, Field, Park, and All-Metal mode. My favorite part of search modes is that they allow you to quickly begin treasure hunting without having to set all of your settings up each time.
The Nokta Makro Simplex comes with an 11″ DD coil. Large DD coils allow you to cover lots of ground with each pass, and they also give you greater detection depth.
I generally always use the largest search coil I have available, though it is a personal preference and does depend on your situation.
If you hunt in high-trash areas, you can also pick up the 9.5″ x 5″ coil which is more maneuverable when targets seem to be everywhere.
Finally, the Nokta Makro Simplex comes with a set of wireless headphones. I love wireless headphones, as corded headphones can be a great annoyance when you get tangled up in them.
You can also get the Nokta Makro Simplex without headphones if you don’t plan on using headphones as well.
Minelab Go-Find 11
Most Simple Detector for Beginners
Weight: 2.2 lbs.
Frequency: 7.8 kHz
Waterproof: No
Warranty: 2 Year Limited
One of the least expensive and easiest-to-use metal detectors on the market today is the Minelab Go-Find 11. This lightweight metal detector weighs only 2.2 pounds and is very compact and easy to travel with, as it collapses as well.
The lightweight design is pleasant for some children, women, and elderly hobbyists, who otherwise might not be able to treasure hunt very long before fatigue sets in. Virtually every detectorist, myself included, considers weight to be an important factor in a metal detector.
The one-touch and go capabilities of this metal detector are excellent for someone looking to have a simple and fun experience with their detector. There are just two search modes that provide a simple way to get hunting as soon as possible.
When a target is detected, there will be audio tones and it will show one of four find icons: nail, foil, ring, or a coin. In my opinion, there is no better machine on the market today for children, as these features make metal detecting fun and exciting!
This metal detector even comes with Minelab’s Easy-Trak feature, which reduces ground interference and will leave your detector picking up sharper signals.
The sensitivity is adjustable to three different levels, providing you with options for various scenarios. Fewer options and buttons are an excellent design feature for a simple, beginner-level metal detector.
Finally, the Go-Find 11 control box is not waterproof, but the search coil is, allowing you to take your hunt into shallow water! If you are looking for a do-it-all metal detector that requires no prior metal detecting experience, the Minelab Go-Find 11 metal detector is the one for you.
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