Best Metal Detector (2023) – Reviews, Comparison & In-Depth Buyer’s Guide

Features and Settings

As you would expect from a high-end multi-frequency detector, it has a range of settings and features. These include sensitivity, audio response, reactivity, iron level, discrimination and audio response. There’s also a notch option for defining detection ranges.

The reactivity of the DEUS is one of its biggest selling points. The recovery speed is outstanding, which allows you to locate multiple objects rather than just a single signal. XP even recommends re-hunting your previous locations with the DEUS, as the excellent reactivity may allow you to find objects that were partially masked to other detectors.

There are also four ground balance modes depending on the environment: Pumping, Tracking, Manual and Beach.

Pre-Set Programs

While there are plenty of options to tweak depending on the soil and ground conditions, XP has also included several factory search modes. Some examples include:

• BASIC – for general usage.
• DEUS FAST – for finding small targets in iron-infested environments.
• DEEP – for locating deeper targets with moderate discrimination.
• WET BEACH – for hunting on wet beaches, although some manual adjustments are required for the ground effect.
• GOLD FIELD – this mode uses a different detection method to counter the high levels of mineralization found where gold is usually located. When this program is activated, certain settings are either replaced or deactivated, so it takes some practice to get right. Once setup correctly, however, it’s great for finding gold nuggets.

The range of detection options is one of the XP DEUS’ primary strengths. If you want a single metal detector that can find almost any type of target, it’s one of the best on the market.

While the pre-sets are excellent, advanced users will love the customization options. The near-infinite number of custom setups allow you to tailor the DEUS to your exact requirements.

Additionally, the weatherproof headphones (either WS4 or WS5) can be used to control many of the detector’s functions. These include ground balance, sensitivity, discrimination, volume and frequency.

Aside from its excellent features and modern technology, XP has put a lot of thought into making the DEUS enjoyable to use. The wireless design is a bonus, but I particularly like how lightweight it is. The menus are also intuitive – although you’ll probably want to practice at home as there are a lot of settings to adjust.

There are a number of other useful features included with the DEUS. The “S Telescopic” stem makes it easy to store as it can be folded away in just five seconds. XP also provides regular updates via the internet, which often add new features or increase performance. This continuous improvement, combined with the versatility and range of frequencies, mean you won’t need to upgrade to a different metal detector in the foreseeable future.

Summary

As I mentioned, the XP DEUS is an advanced machine that’s designed for experienced hunters. It’s effectively several detectors in one, as you can use it for gold prospecting, relic hunting and coin hunting without needing separate detectors. This makes it a cost-effective option even though the price is relatively high.

It also provides brilliant reactivity, a lightweight design and effective preset programs. There are so many excellent features of the DEUS, in fact, that it’s hard to fit them all into this mini review! If you’re looking for a high-quality metal detector that’s versatile and great for finding a variety of targets, it’s one of the best in the world.

Note: When buying the DEUS, make sure you check which software version is included. Additionally, the DEUS comes with a 9” search coil, but you may want to consider the large 13”x11” DD coil as an additional accessory.

Note 2: If you have a larger budget, the Minelab CTX 3030 provides similar features and is worth considering. Click here for my Minelab CTX 3030 review.

Don’t panic if you’re new to metal detecting and have just seen the price of the XP DEUS. There are plenty of great metal detectors that can get you started for considerably less – and the Fisher F22 is my top recommendation in the entry-level category.

What makes this model the best beginner metal detector though?

The Fisher F22 is a VLF machine with a weather resistant design. It has a fast recovery speed, is relatively lightweight (2.3lbs) and comes with 10 sensitivity levels. The F22 also has a respectable maximum underground detection depth of 9 inches – although this depends on the type of soil.

Fisher has included several preset modes with the F22. These include jewelry, artefact, coin and custom modes. When you're getting started, these pre-sets can be extremely useful.

Like most modern detectors, the F22 has a digital screen so it’s easier to see what you’re detecting. The depth gauge is a useful feature, even though it isn’t 100% accurate. There’s also a pinpointer mode, although you’ll probably want to buy a dedicated pinpointer once you have more experience.

Most importantly for an entry-level detector, the F22 makes it easy to start hunting without sacrificing too many features. Despite the relative simplicity, it still has notch, sensitivity and discrimination, along with an iron audio feature that allows you to set the volume of iron targets for greater clarity.

There’s also a 2-digit target ID (1-99). Target identification numbers provide a guide as to which types of metal have been found, which can be a huge time saver by helping you avoid duds in trashy areas.

In other words, this is much more than a toy metal detector – but you won’t spend weeks learning how to use it either.

Of course, there are trade-offs to buying an entry level machine. It is weatherproof, but NOT waterproof. It’s fine to submerge the coils, but the control box should not be placed in water. The operating frequency of 7.69kHz is great for coins and relics, but is not suitable for gold – for that you’ll need a dedicated gold prospecting detector.

A bigger issue is the lack of a manual ground balance setting. While this isn’t a problem when you’re a beginner, at some point you’ll want more control over the ground balance – especially in environments with heavy mineralization.

On the other hand, the lack of manual ground balance makes the detector easier to use. So, for beginners, it’s still a great choice.

With a list price of just $289, the F22 is firmly within the entry-level category, but it provides surprisingly strong performance. Fisher also offers a generous 5-year warranty, so if you’re looking for an entry-level machine without breaking the bank, the F22 is a no-brainer.

Note: If you want all the features of the F22 but with the addition of manual ground balance, the Fisher F44 is an option to consider. The Garrett ACE 250 is another good option.

Another excellent entry-level metal detector is the Garrett ACE 400. It’s a bit more expensive than the Fisher F22, but comes with extra features that aren't found on the cheapest metal detectors.

How does it perform though?

Like the F22, the ACE 400 has full digital target ID. The scale ranges from 0-99, with foil and iron registering at the lower end. This is one of the reasons I recommend the 400 over the cheaper ACE 350, as the lower-priced model only has a basic visual ID function. 

For beginners who might find the ID scale daunting, there is still the visual ID option with segments for copper, iron, gold and other metals. You'll want to get a feel for the ID system as soon as possible for more accurate identification though.

The ACE 400 comes with a variety of other features. Garrett's excellent Iron Audio is included, which isn't found on cheaper metal detectors. If you've never used this function before, it allows you to hear discriminated iron targets, which helps filter out ghost signals.

There's also a three-tone audio system, pulse-width modulation for sharper signals, and a waterproof search coil. You can create custom notch discrimination patterns - although beginners might feel more comfortable using one of the five pre-set modes.

Most importantly, the Garrett ACE 400 is highly sensitive and great for finding targets. It also does a good job of discriminating junk, so you'll waste less time on unwanted items.

There are some drawbacks though. There's no manual or automatic ground balance, so you need to rely on the pre-set settings. This can be a problem in wet sand or mineral rich soil. I can't complain about this feature too much, however, as there aren't many metal detectors in this price range with adjustable ground balance. It's also worth noting that the ACE 400 is not submersible - only the coil is waterproof.

Despite these issues, if you’re looking for a beginner metal detector that’s a step up from the F22 and provides great value, the ACE 400 is an excellent choice. 

If you’re looking for a top-quality VLF detector for hunting relics or coins, but can’t afford the XP DEUS, the Fisher F75 is an excellent alternative. It’s much cheaper than the DEUS but is still comfortable to use and provides a wide range of useful features.

Let’s start with the machine itself. At 3.5lbs, it’s not the lightest detector on the market but isn’t too heavy to carry. It’s also well balanced, so you won’t have trouble swinging it for long hunting sessions.

The F75 is a VLF detector with a 13kHz frequency. This is slightly higher than the entry-level models on this list, but still suitable for coin hunting while being perfect for relics.

Most importantly, the metal detector does a great job of finding relics and coins even in iron infested areas. This is due to the dual-filter discrimination modes, which allow you to ignore iron signals. Whether you’re hunting in woodland, parks or almost anywhere else, the F75 provides great discrimination and depth.

There are also a number of features and settings for advanced users. Both automatic and manual ground balance modes are included, depending on how much control you need. The 11” search coil is larger than those found on cheaper models, so you can hunt larger areas in less time. It also comes with an all-metal search mode, fast response time, FeTone setting, and a large backlit LCD screen including a 2-digit target ID display.

It’s hard to find much to criticize about the F75. The lack of a waterproof control box means it’s not suitable for hunting in deep water or when diving, but that’s to be expected from a standard VLF detector. If you want to hunt underwater, however, this isn’t the right option.

To summarize, the Fisher F75 is an outstanding metal detector. It doesn’t have the advanced features of the XP DEUS, as it’s a single frequency detector without wireless technology. But for hunting relics and coins it provides excellent sensitivity, depth and discrimination – even in environments filled with iron trash.

For more information about this model, check out my full Fisher F75 review.

If you want a relic hunter that’s even cheaper than the Fisher F75, the Teknetics T2 Classic is a great choice. It’s a 13kHz VLF metal detector with great sensitivity and a large screen, so it provides outstanding value for money. The T2 is also versatile and easy to use.

The first thing you’ll notice about the T2 is that it has a large LCD screen. This isn’t backlit, which makes it less convenient in low-light conditions, but has a 2-digit Target ID along with a simple menu system.

The T2 Classic provides a range of features, including a manual ground balance, all-metal and discriminate operating modes, and a sensitivity setting. The double filter discrimination modes are great for hunting in trash-ridden areas. It doesn’t include an automatic ground balance though, which makes it less suitable for beginners.

Along with its powerful detection, fast response times and discrimination, the T2 Classic also provides outstanding depth. It can detect coins buried up to 15” deep, which is much deeper than many detectors in this price range.

Like most modern detectors, the coils are waterproof, so they can be used in shallow water. The control box isn’t waterproof though, so the machine isn’t submersible.

In summary, the Teknetics T2 Classic is a great choice for relic hunting – but it’s also a versatile machine that can even handle basic gold hunting. If you want a relic hunting metal detector that can search deeper than most alternatives, the T2 Classic is definitely an option to consider.

When it comes to value for money, it’s hard to beat the Garrett AT Pro – especially for coin hunting. It's also one of my favorite Garrett metal detectors.

While I wouldn’t call a $600+ detector “cheap,” the AT Pro is a brilliant machine that provides performance that far exceeds its price tag. I’ve included it in the coin hunting category, but this is really an all-rounder for finding everything from relics to underwater jewelry.

The best thing about the AT Pro is that it’s a highly versatile detector. Whether you’re searching for coils in iron-ridden soil, looking for lost trinkets in dry sand, or even hunting underwater (see our list of the best underwater metal detectors for more information), the AT Pro can handle it. It’s one of the best all-terrain detectors in this price range.

The AT Pro also provides excellent performance. It has a high-resolution iron discrimination feature, which allows you to choose from up to 40 levels for more precise trash separation. The screen also has a 2-digit target ID scale and you can choose between automatic or manual ground balance modes.

An interesting feature is the AT Pro’s “professional” audio mode. While the “standard” mode is easier to use, the pro setting provides an audible target ID that allows you to judge the shape, depth and size of the object. There’s also an Iron Audio identification.

With a 15kHz frequency, the AT Pro is at the edge of what I consider suitable for coin hunting. The slightly higher frequency than the Fisher F75 and Teknetics T2 reduces depth, but allows the AT Pro to detect smaller coins and relics.

As I mentioned, the AT Pro is suitable for underwater hunting – including in salt water. This is due to its waterproof design that can be used at depths of up to 10 feet. If you want to experience the thrill of underwater metal detecting without spending a fortune, the AT Pro is one of the best options.

One thing to note is that the standard headphones are not waterproof. If you want to use the machine underwater, you’ll need to buy some waterproof headphones separately. There’s also no backlight on the LED screen, which can make it less convenient to use in darker conditions.

Despite these small oversights, the AT Pro is probably the best metal detector below the $1000 mark. It’s suitable for most types of detecting, including both fresh and saltwater, while the waterproof control unit is rated for depths up to 10 meters. When it comes to general purpose metal detecting, the AT Pro is hard to beat.

Want to know the differences between this model at the AT Gold? Check out my Garrett AT Pro vs AT Gold comparison. The AT MAX is another great option that's more expensive, but includes features like wireless audio and a true all-metal mode.

If you’re looking for a pulse induction detector that can handle saltwater conditions, the ATX Deepseeker is probably the best choice. It’s expensive, but is waterproof to 10 feet, extremely sensitive and includes a variety of advanced features not found on cheaper models.

The first thing to note is that there are both ATX and ATX Deepseeker packages. The Deepseeker package includes the large 20” Deepseeker Searchcoil, which provides a deeper search than the standard 10”x12” DD coil. Whether you need the extra coil depends on your requirements and budget – although it provides excellent performance and a depth of up to 18 inches depending on the composition, size and orientation of the object.

As a pulse induction detector, the ATX Deepseeker is perfect for both gold prospecting and relic hunting in saltwater. It has both motion and non-motion options, an advanced manual ground balance feature, Iron Check and an LED signal strength indicator. The model also provides “extreme sensitivity” to allow it to pick up small nuggets or relics that others are likely to miss.

One of the best features of the ATX is that it provides maximum detection for all targets at all times. You don’t need to change modes to get better performance from one type of detection at the expense of another. The manual ground balance also provides a wide range of settings, so you can balance for everything from saltwater to heavy mineralization without changing modes.

There are some downsides though. The biggest is the price, as this is an expensive model that isn’t suited for beginners. It’s also relatively heavy, although this is to be expected from an advanced PI machine.

Even with these drawbacks, the Deepseeker is a great choice for saltwater hunting or gold prospecting. It’s highly sensitive, suitable for a variety of terrains and looks fantastic.

The Garrett ATX Deepseeker provides military-grade technology for saltwater hunting – but at a high price. What if you want to tackle the seas but without such a large budget?

In this case, the Garrett Sea Hunter Mk-II is a great alternative. It’s nowhere near as advanced as the ATX, but is a great choice for getting started with a pulse induction detector.

The Sea Hunter Mk-II has been designed from the ground up for use in salt or fresh water. This makes it a good choice for beaches, snorkeling or diving – especially as waterproof headphones are included.

It’s a pulse induction machine that includes Garrett’s Discrete Trash Elimination mode. This allows the model to discriminate, which isn’t usually possible with pulse induction machines without missing valuable targets.

Other features include a hip mounted control box, sensitivity, discrimination and depth adjustment settings, and a maximum operating depth of 200 feet.

While the Sea Hunter Mk-II isn't the most advanced detector on the market, it does a great job of underwater hunting - especially if you're going to be diving with your detector.

I’ve mentioned that gold prospecting models can be expensive, and the Minelab GPZ 7000 is the perfect model to prove the point. With a list price of over $10,000, this is a professional-standard detector that’s only suitable for the keenest gold prospector.

While price doesn’t always equal quality, the GPZ 7000 is easily the best gold detector on the consumer market. It has a range of advanced features that aren’t found on other machines, and provides extreme sensitivity and depth for gold.

One of the biggest differences between the GPZ 7000 and other detectors is that it’s built with zero voltage transmission (ZVT) technology instead of VLF or PI.

Most gold detectors use either high frequency VLF or pulse induction technology, but both have tradeoffs for sensitivity and depth. ZVT provides both excellent depth and increased sensitivity, making it possible to detect gold nuggets other machines would miss. The only way to come close to this technology would be to use both a high frequency VLF and PI metal detector at the same time.

As you would expect from such an expensive detector, the GPZ 7000 provides outstanding performance. It can detect gold up to 40% deeper than its closest competitor, the GPZ 5000, which provides a huge advantage over other detectorists. The Super-D coil is also more sensitive than most, so you can find nuggets others might miss.

Most gold nuggets are found in “difficult” environments with lots of mineralization. The GPZ 7000 makes detecting in these conditions easy, due to its precise automatic ground balance (although there’s also a manual mode when you need it). You also have full control over customization options, including sensitivity and audio volume.

There are a number of extra features included with the GPZ 7000. It has built-in wireless audio, which reduces the chances of the cord getting tangled. There’s also integrated GPS, which allows you to log your finds using the Xchange 2 software, along with an easy-to-use control panel.

As you can tell, the GPZ 7000 is a truly next-generation gold detector. It’s expensive, but for serious gold detecting it’s the best there is. I haven’t even touched on all the features in this mini review, such as the Super-D smart coil and Wi-Stream transmission, but I think you get the idea!

Note: The Minelab GPX 5000 is also an excellent detector that’s available for a cheaper price. It doesn’t have the zero-voltage technology though, and isn’t as easy to use as the GPZ 7000.

The Minelab GPZ 7000 is undoubtedly the best gold detector, followed by the slightly cheaper (yet still very expensive) GPX 5000.

What if you can’t afford to spend $5000+ on a metal detector but still want to hunt gold though?

In this case, the Fisher Gold Bug 2 is a lower-budget option that provides surprisingly good performance. It’s based on the classic Gold Bug design that’s been honed over several decades, and provides a high frequency 71kHz operation to help you find small gold nuggets.

Along with its high frequency operation, the Gold Bug 2 has three settings for mineralization. This allows you to search effectively even in soil with high mineralization. There’s also a large 6.5” coil, and both course and fine ground reject settings so you can fine tune response depending on the conditions.

A useful feature of the Gold Bug 2 is the “IRON DISC” mode. This rejects iron trash and hot rocks, so you don’t get repeated signals for metals you’re not interested in.

While the excellent feature list is great, what’s more important is that the Gold Bug does a great job of finding gold that other detectors might miss. Considering the price, it provides excellent value for money.

Aside from its detection abilities, the Gold Bug 2 is also easy to use. It weighs just 2.9 pounds and is comfortable to carry – especially as you can choose either chest or hip mounts – so you can swing it for long periods without getting tired. The machine is also resistant to both moisture and dust, which is vital when prospecting for gold.

As you would expect from a relatively low-budget gold detector, there are a few drawbacks. The control box is not waterproof, so it’s only suitable for use in shallow water. There’s also no automatic ground balance option, although you’ll probably want to use manual when gold prospecting anyway.

Another issue is that it uses standard 9V batteries. These last a reasonably long time, but it’s worth buying rechargeable ones to save money in the long run. It’s also not a pulse induction model, so don’t expect it to reach the depths of detectors with this technology.

To summarize, if you’re looking for a gold detector for under $1000 then the Fisher Gold Bug 2 is my top recommendation. It might not have the advanced features of the Minelab or depth of a PI model, but it’s highly sensitive and lets you find gold that other detectors may miss.

For young children with a developing interest in metal detecting, the Bounty Hunter Junior T.I.D. could be a fantastic gift. The detector has simplified versions of many of the features found on full detectors, but with a cute design and fun display.

Of course, it’s not as effective as a “real” detector, but it’s better than you might expect considering the price. The model has a simple digital display with three target ID categories, three tone IDs and a graphic indicator for depth. There’s even a discrimination function.

The T.I.D. is never going to detect deep relics, but it does a surprisingly good job at finding coins and other items near the surface. It can be used on dry sand or in parks – although it’s not waterproof.

It’s also very lightweight and easy to hold. So, if you’re looking for a fun first metal detector for your child without spending a fortune, the Bounty Hunter is one of the best options.