Compare Metal Detectors

14 ranked products · Two to 4 at a time · Updated 4 Sept 2026

Pick any two to four of the 14 ranked metal detectors and read them side by side. This page opens on the board's top 3, Minelab Vanquish 440 Metal Detector, XP Deus II HF2 Metal Detector and Garrett AT MAX Metal Detector.

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Metal Detectors compared side by side. Each column is one product, each row is one measure taken from the same research that built the board.
Measure	Minelab Minelab Vanquish 440 Metal Detector	XP XP Deus II HF2 Metal Detector	Garrett Garrett AT MAX Metal Detector	Minelab Minelab Equinox 900 Metal Detector	Nokta Nokta FindX Pro Metal Detector	Minelab Minelab Manticore Metal Detector	Minelab Minelab Equinox 700 Metal Detector	Garrett Garrett ACE Apex Metal Detector	Garrett Garrett ACE 300 Metal Detector	Minelab Minelab Legend 2 Metal Detector	Garrett Garrett ACE 250 Metal Detector	Bounty Hunter Bounty Hunter Metal Detector	Gold Monster Gold Monster 1000 Metal Detector	Bounty Hunter Bounty Hunter Gold Digger Metal Detector
Tier	A	A	A	A	B	C	C	D	D	D	D	D	D	F
Rank on this board	1 of 14	2 of 14	3 of 14	4 of 14	5 of 14	6 of 14	7 of 14	8 of 14	9 of 14	10 of 14	11 of 14	12 of 14	13 of 14	14 of 14
Ladder points	801 LP	752 LP	703 LP	674 LP	638 LP	492 LP	371 LP	323 LP	315 LP	313 LP	310 LP	278 LP	210 LP	109 LP
Our verdict	Its balance of features, affordability, and beginner-friendliness makes it a strong contender in the entry-level market.	The community consistently highlights its advanced features and versatility, making it the top choice for serious users seeking performance and customization options.	A reliable and waterproof all-around detector that consistently receives positive mentions for its depth and ease of use.	Its multi-frequency capabilities and overall performance place it high on the list, though some find it complex initially.	The combination of portability and power makes this a very desirable detector for those who travel or want something compact without sacrificing performance.	Its consistent promotion as the "best of the best" for beach hunting, coupled with its strong performance in water, secures its high ranking.	A solid beginner’s choice. Depth and performance are good but not as refined as higher-tier models.	The improvements over previous ACE models, particularly in depth and discrimination, justify its placement above older ACE versions.	Good entry-level performer, but limited depth and sensitivity compared to higher-priced competitors.	A good upgrade from basic detectors, offering a step up in features without breaking the bank.	Considered outdated by many in the community, with users recommending upgrades such as the ACE Apex or Minelab Vanquish.	While affordable, the community expresses concerns about build quality and performance compared to other brands, with owners reporting it being underpowered.	Its specialized nature limits its appeal and versatility compared to general-purpose detectors.	Frequently criticized for poor performance and cheap construction, making it a detector to avoid.
What reviewers rate	Balanced feature set for beginners Affordable price point User-friendly operation Excellent depth for its class	Advanced multi-frequency capability Highly versatile for different detecting scenarios Clear audio signatures for bottle caps High-frequency capability	Fully waterproof construction Good depth performance Reliable overall operation Robust construction	Multi-frequency operation for versatile detection High overall performance Multi-frequency capability Durable casing	Compact size Powerful detection capability Excellent portability Low price point	Top performer for beach and water hunting Excellent underwater detection Advanced target identification Waterproof design	Easy to use for beginners Solid performance Affordable price Lightweight	Improved depth capability Better discrimination than earlier ACE models Lightweight construction Strong performance at mid-price point	Affordable for beginners Solid basic feature set Entry-level price Balanced performance	Solid feature set for an upgrade Affordable price relative to performance Solid construction Reliable performance for basic tasks	Sturdy construction	Lightweight	Effective at locating gold Good depth for gold hunting Strong target separation Reputable brand in gold prospecting	Affordable price point
Where it falls short	Higher price compared to similar performance models	Nothing recorded	Depth less than top Minelab models	Can be complex for beginners	Limited depth Fewer advanced features than higher-tier models	Nothing recorded	Less depth than Equinox 900 Fewer features Higher price relative to performance	Depth and sensitivity lower than comparable models Price not justified by performance gains	Limited depth and sensitivity Lower sensitivity Fewer features	Firmware no longer updated Lacks multi-frequency capability Becomes obsolete quickly Higher cost relative to similar performance	Outdated technology Lower performance than newer models	Build quality issues Underpowered performance Limited depth High price for features	Limited versatility for other metals Niche focus reduces overall usefulness Limited sensitivity compared to peers Limited depth	Poor performance Cheap construction Inconsistent depth Poor target identification
Evidence behind it	13 sources across 10 outlets	20 sources across 14 outlets	18 sources across 15 outlets	34 sources across 24 outlets	11 sources across 9 outlets	66 sources across 40 outlets	18 sources across 17 outlets	21 sources across 17 outlets	21 sources across 16 outlets	28 sources across 24 outlets	35 sources across 30 outlets	2 sources across 1 outlet Thin sourcing, read it as provisional	18 sources across 16 outlets	1 source across 1 outlet Thin sourcing, read it as provisional
Flagged as one to avoid	Not flagged	Not flagged	Not flagged	Not flagged	Not flagged	1 of 7 research runs	1 of 5 research runs	2 of 4 research runs	2 of 5 research runs	2 of 7 research runs	2 of 3 research runs	2 of 3 research runs	4 of 7 research runs	4 of 5 research runs
Announced	Not recorded	Not recorded	Not recorded	Not recorded	Not recorded	Not recorded	Not recorded	Not recorded	Not recorded	Not recorded	Not recorded	Not recorded	Not recorded	Not recorded
Where to buy	Check it	Check it	Check it	Check it	Check it	Check it	Check it	Check it	Check it	Check it	Check it	Check it	Check it	Check it

Every column is the same research that built the board. Nothing here is a specification sheet copied from a maker. Read how we rank for what a tier and a ladder point mean.