Choose by hunt type
What are you hoping to find?
The right detector depends on where you'll hunt, what you want to find, and how much you want to spend. Pick the starting point that matches your hunt.
Beginner & First Detector
Straightforward picks and what to look for in your very first detector.
Beach & Saltwater
Wet sand, dry sand, and saltwater handling — what really matters.
Gold Prospecting
Mineralized ground, small-target sensitivity, VLF vs. PI.
Coins & Jewelry
Target ID, discrimination, and recovery speed for parks and yards.
Waterproof Detecting
Streams, rain, surf, and shallow water — how to compare ratings.
Relic & Field Hunting
Old home sites and fields: depth, separation, and ground balance.
Detector Finder
Not sure where to start?
Answer five quick questions and get a practical starting point for the type of detector features to compare. No email required, no account, no backend — your answers stay in your browser.
- ✓ Front-end only, accessible by keyboard
- ✓ Recommends a feature profile, not a specific product
- ✓ Links you straight into the relevant buyer's guide
Popular buyer's guides
Start with a guide
Neutral, beginner-friendly comparison guides — what to look for, what to avoid, and how to think about the trade-offs.
Best Metal Detectors for Beginners
What to look for in a first detector — weight, simple controls, target ID, and a learning curve that doesn't fight you.
7 min read BudgetBest Metal Detectors Under $500
A practical breakdown of what under $500 can realistically get you, what to prioritize, and a sane upgrade path.
6 min read WaterproofBest Waterproof Metal Detectors
Waterproof vs. weather-resistant, control box protection, coil ratings, and what wet detecting actually demands.
6 min read BeachBest Metal Detectors for Beach Hunting
Dry sand, wet sand, saltwater, and the coil/weight trade-offs that separate good beach detectors from frustrating ones.
7 min read GoldBest Metal Detectors for Gold
Why gold prospecting is more technical, what to compare, and when a PI machine starts to make sense.
8 min read ComparisonGarrett vs. Minelab vs. Nokta
A neutral side-by-side of three serious detector brands across beginner use, beach, gold, and waterproof options.
9 min readHow to choose
Three questions, in order
The detector industry advertises depth and feature lists. The buyer's framework is simpler.
Match the detector to the terrain.
Parks, beach, fields, gold country, and surf each demand different ground-handling capabilities.
Decide what you want to find.
Coins and jewelry reward target ID and discrimination. Gold rewards high frequency and ground balance.
Compare the features that matter.
Waterproofing, coil type, weight, and technology — in that order, not the order on the spec sheet.
Responsible detecting
Know the Rules Before You Dig
Metal detecting rules vary by location, land type, and jurisdiction. Always verify permission before detecting, especially on public lands, beaches, parks, historical areas, and protected sites.
Read the Laws & Ethics GuideAcquisition opportunity
Interested in acquiring MetalDetectors.co?
This exact-match category domain and starter buyer's guide website are available as a pre-revenue acquisition asset. The value is in the domain, the polished site foundation, the content architecture, the SEO roadmap, and the ready-to-grow positioning in a real consumer category.