Best metal detectors 2024

There is valuable history buried in the ground, waiting to be discovered. If only there was a tool to tell us where it is…

The best metal detectors will help you unearth old coins, jewellery, historical artefacts and more – plus they can tell the difference between them before you start digging.

We buried gold, silver, bronze and other metals in various ground types, orientations and depths to test which were the best at pinpointing treasure while being easy to use.

Garrett, Minelab and more have been tested to find the best metal detectors UK retailers, such as Crawfords and LP Metal Detecting.

Metal detectors range hugely in price, but you don't need to break the bank to get a brilliant model for budding detectorists. One of our top scorers was also one of the cheaper models we tested.

The best metal detectors

Only logged-in Which? members can view the metal detector test results below. 

Join Which? to get instant access to our test results and Best Buy and Great Value recommendations below.

The metal detectors we tested

All the metal detectors we tested are listed in alphabetical order below.

Only logged-in Which? members can view the best metal detectors from our tests.

Join Which? to get instant access to our test results and Best Buy and Great Value recommendations below.

C Scope CS1MX Metal Detector

Pros Log in or join Which? to instantly reveal 

Cons Log in or join Which? to instantly reveal 

Batteries required 1 x PP3 (not included)

Weight 1.02kg

Length collapsed/extended 0.65/1.03m

Number of modes two (discrimination turned on or off)

Need to know coil 8in concentric polo and waterproof (up to 24cm) coil, continuous dial for sensitivity level, continuous dial for discrimination, no depth indicator, no pinpoint mode, cannot change the operating frequency or ground balance, 3.5mm headphone jack, 2-year guarantee

Dr Ötek MX-TR Metal Detector

Pros Log in or join Which? to instantly reveal 

Cons Log in or join Which? to instantly reveal 

Batteries required 1 x PP3 (not included)

Weight 0.95kg

Length collapsed/extended 0.77/1.04m

Number of modes four (all metals, jewellery, memory, discrimination)

Need to know coil 9.8in concentric coil, five sensitivity levels, six icons to show you what type of metal you may be detecting, depth indicator, pinpoint mode, cannot change the operating frequency or ground balance, 3.5mm headphone jack, comes with a hand shovel and carry bag, two-year warranty

Edge Tec Metal Detector

Available from UK metal detectors (£149.95)

Pros Log in or join Which? to instantly reveal 

Cons Log in or join Which? to instantly reveal 

Batteries required 2 x PP3 (not included)

Weight 1kg

Length collapsed/extended 0.76/1.03m

Number of modes two (all metals, discrimination)

Need to know coil 10in circular coil, cannot adjust sensitivity level, three icons to show you what type of metal you may be detecting, depth indicator, no pinpoint mode, cannot change the operating frequency or ground balance, 3.5mm headphone jack, no warranty information provided

Garrett ACE 200i Metal Detector

Pros Log in or join Which? to instantly reveal

Cons Log in or join Which? to instantly reveal 

Batteries required 4 x AA (included)

Weight 1.25kg

Length collapsed/extended 1.06/1.29m

Number of modes three (all metals, jewellery, coin)

Need to know coil 6.5 x 9in concentric coil, four sensitivity levels, five discrimination segments, depth indicator, no pinpoint mode, cannot change the operating frequency or ground balance, 1/4in headphone jack, three-year warranty

Garrett ACE 400i Metal Detector 

Pros Log in or join Which? to instantly reveal

Cons Log in or join Which? to instantly reveal

Batteries required 4 x AA (included)

Weight 1.32kg

Length collapsed/extended 1.06/1.29m

Number of modes five (all metals, jewellery, relic, coin, custom)

Need to know coil 8.5 x 11in Double-D coil, eight sensitivity levels, 12 discrimination segments, depth indicator, pinpoint mode, can change operating frequency, cannot adjust ground balance, 1/4in headphone jack, comes with headphones and pouch for storing your findings, three-year warranty

Get suited and booted for a day outside – best waterproof jackets, best walking trousers and waterproof over trousers, best walking boots 

Minelab Go-Find 22 Metal Detector

Pros Log in or join Which? to instantly reveal

Cons Log in or join Which? to instantly reveal

Batteries required 4 x AA (not included)

Weight 1kg

Length collapsed/extended 55.5/130.5m

Number of modes two (all metals, ignore iron)

Need to know 5.5 x 7.5in rectangular and waterproof coil, three sensitivity levels, four icons to show the type of metal you may be detecting, depth indicator, no pinpoint mode, cannot change frequency or ground balance, 3.5mm headphone jack, comes with decals to customise the look of your detector, two-year warranty

Minelab Vanquish 440 Metal Detector

Pros Log in or join Which? to instantly reveal

Cons Log in or join Which? to instantly reveal

Batteries required 4 x AA (rechargeable ones included)

Weight 1.2kg

Length collapsed/extended 0.76/1.45m

Number of modes five (all metals, jewellery, relic, coin, custom)

Need to know coil 7 x 10in Double-D coil and waterproof (up to 1m) coil, 10 sensitivity levels, 12 discrimination segments, depth indicator, pinpoint mode, cannot change operating frequency or ground balance, 3.5mm headphone jack, comes with Minelab' Multi-IQ technology, headphones and rain cover for display, three-year warranty

Nokta Makro Simplex BT Metal Detector

Pros Log in or join Which? to instantly reveal

Cons Log in or join Which? to instantly reveal

Batteries required Built-in rechargeable battery

Weight 1.2kg

Length collapsed/extended 0.64/1.32m

Number of modes five (all metal, field, park 1, park 2, beach)

Need to know coil 11in Double-D and waterproof (up to 5m) coil, 30 sensitivity levels, 50 discrimination segments, depth indicator, pinpoint mode, can change the operating frequency and ground balance, 1/4in headphone jack (adapter included) and compatible with Bluetooth headphones, three-year warranty

Viking VK10+ Metal Detector

Available from Crawfords (£169.99), Viking (£175)

Pros Log in or join Which? to instantly reveal

Cons Log in or join Which? to instantly reveal

Batteries required 1x PP3 (not included)

Weight 1.4kg

Length collapsed/extended 0.5/1.3m

Number of modes two (discrimination turned on or off)

Need to know coil 10in concentric polo and waterproof (up to 24cm) coil, continuous dial for sensitivity level, continuous dial for discrimination, no depth indicator, pinpoint mode, cannot change the operating frequency or ground balance, 1/4in headphone jack, two-year warranty

How we test metal detectors

We test the most popular metal detectors available across UK retailers. This time we have focused on the cheaper end of the market, with entry-level detectors aimed at people who want to take up the hobby.

We buy every detector tested, so you can be confident of an honest, unbiased review.

Plus, we regularly revisit the metal detectors on sale to see if there are more popular models that need testing.

Detecting prowess

• We test each detector in more than 50 different scenarios to find out how good they are at locating treasure.
• A variety of metals, including gold, silver and bronze are buried at various depths, up to 20cm.
• We test in several ground types, including soil, mineral-rich soil, sand and salt water wet sand to replicate detecting on the beach.
• Plus, we change the orientation of the test object.
• The best detectors give you a clean signal at deeper depths, no matter the ground type. 
• Also, you can tell what type of metal you're likely detecting and the signal stays strong even when the object is oriented vertically (which is harder to detect).

Telling metals apart

• Several types of metals are detected by each detector and the target ID displayed is recorded.
• The number of discrimination segments, and whether you can program your own discrimination patterns.
• The best models give a unique reading for each metal, and allow you to set up advanced discrimination patterns so the detector only sounds when it's detecting what you want it to. 

Pinpointing ability

• We repeatedly use a detector's pinpoint mode if available, or use the technique described in the instructions if not, to find where a detector thinks an object is.
• The best metal detectors get within a few centimetres of an object's true location. The worst were close to 10cm away on average.

Ease of use

• A panel of testers spend hours using the detectors we test, and rate each detector on how easy they are to adjust and how comfy it is to use.
• They also rate how clear and intuitive the display and controls are, and how useful any included instructions are.

Find out more about how Which? is not influenced by product manufacturers or retailers and how your support helps us to stay editorially independent.

How do metal detectors work?

The most common metal detectors are very low frequency (VLF) detectors.

They work by transmitting an electromagnetic field from the search (transmitter) coil into the ground. This is usually the outer coil of the VLF detector.

As you sweep the metal detector across the ground, any metal objects within the electromagnetic field will generate an electromagnetic field of their own.

This is received by the inner coil of the VLF detector and produces the sound alerting you that there's a potential find in the ground. 

More conductive metals produce a stronger response, and this is how the VLF detector is able to tell different metals apart.

VLF detectors can differentiate between different materials, provide information on depth and probable composition and size of the target.

They can be more susceptible to false signals from mineral-rich ground and salt water in wet beach sand.

Pulse induction (PI) detectors are more expensive to buy. They work in a similar way but send out short pulses of powerful electromagnetic fields, rather than a continuous one.

They are better at detecting lower conductivity metals like gold, can detect to deeper depths than VLF detectors and less sensitive to false signals from mineral-rich ground.

But they use a lot more power, so have much shorter battery life than VLF detectors. They also struggle to differentiate between metals as well as VLF detectors.

What affects how deep a metal detector can detect 

• Size of the coil Larger coils can detect deeper, but it's usually harder to tell the difference between types of metal.
• Size of the object Larger items can be detected at deeper depths.
• Shape of the object Larger surface areas (eg a coin) can be detected at deeper depths than smaller surface areas (e.g. a nail).
• Orientation of the object A coin lying flat, parallel to the surface, can be detected at a greater depth than a coin that's vertical, ie perpendicular.
• Composition of the object Metals with a higher conductivity (eg silver, copper) can be detected at greater depths than metals with lower conductivity (eg gold).

Metal detector features

Search coil Where the electromagnetic fields are transmitted and received. Larger coils can detect deeper, but also wider. This means it can detect several items at once.

Small coils have shallower detection, but because they're narrower, it's easier to separate good finds from trashy ones. Most detectors come with a medium-sized coil (8-11in) that offers an in-between performance.

Lower stem Where the cord connecting the coil and control box wraps around. Its length can be adjusted to suit your height. 

Control box/display Where the received signals are interpreted and you change the settings of your metal detector.

Grip Where you hold the detector. Some are padded, or ergonomically moulded, for a more comfortable grip.

Upper stem This can usually be adjusted as well as the lower stem, so you can get the arm cuff in a comfortable position. 

Arm cuff Where you rest your forearm while using the detector. Like the grip, some of these are padded for extra comfort. 

Common control box and display features

Search modes Different modes that will include or exclude certain metals/objects, known as a discrimination pattern. The metal detector won't make a sound for excluded types. Common search modes are:

• Zero disc (or all metals) where all metals are detected.
• Coins to detect most types of coin and exclude iron and foil items.
• Jewellery to find rings, bracelets, necklaces and so on and exclude most iron items.
• Relics to detect lower conductivity items like brass and bronze while excluding small iron pieces.

Some detectors have custom modes where you can set and store your own discrimination pattern.

Target ID (number) Provides a number (the scale depends on the model of detector) to identify the type of metal the detector is likely to be detecting.

Target ID (picture) Usually text or a digital picture that helps identify the type of object or material you may be detecting.

Discrimination Shows the current discrimination pattern. Segments that are filled in are including IDs, gaps are excluding IDs.

For example, in the picture above metals that register around 30 or above will make the detector send a signal; those less than that won't.

Detectors with more segments allow you to be more specific in which metals you include or exclude.

Depth indicator Gives an indication of the depth of the object. It is usually based on an object the size of a coin. Larger objects may appear shallower than the indicator shows, and vice versa for smaller objects. 

Sensitivity Controls to increase or decrease the detectors sensitivity. Higher sensitivity is typically used for deeper and/or smaller items.

If the signal is erratic and changing, due to mineral-rich grounds or electrical interference, lowering the sensitivity can stabilise this.

Operating frequency Changes the frequency of the electromagnetic field used. It can help reduce interference from other sources, like electrical pylons and other metal detectors. 

Pinpoint mode A mode to pinpoint the location  of a find. You hold the pinpoint button down and move the coil slowly over the location of a suspected find.

The point where the detector signal is loudest, or highest pitched, is when the find is supposedly under the centre of the coil.

Iron audio Allows you to hear, or not hear, the signal from iron objects.

Headphone jack Usually on the back of the control box. You can plug in headphones to better hear the signal. Some detectors can connect to Bluetooth headphones.

Get the most comfortable headphones for a day of metal detecting – Best over-ear headphones

Can metal detectors detect gold?

In a word, yes. Gold is a conductive metal, so can be detected by all metal detectors, but some models are better at it than others.

What is the best metal detector for finding gold?

You're more likely to find gold with the detectors we've tested when it's part of a larger object. If you're expecting to find gold nuggets, you'll likely have more success with a pulse-induction metal detector.

They penetrate deeper and are less affected by highly-mineralised environments, where pure gold is likely to be found. These types of detectors are significantly more expensive to buy, though.

We use a small 2.5g bar of gold in our tests and find some of the beginner detectors were better at finding it than others. Join Which? to reveal the best we've tested.

If you want a detector for a specific task, the National Council for Metal Detecting recommends the following:

'There are several retailers that specialise in metal detecting equipment in the UK, and we always recommend that you speak with them. They will assess your requirements before recommending the right machine for you.'

Which metals can detectors not detect?

Detectors work by inducing electromagnetic fields in the metal objects underground. If the metal has a low conductivity, these induced fields are weaker and are harder to detect.

Therefore, low conductivity metals such as stainless steel and titanium, are hard for metal detectors to pick up.

How much should you pay for a good metal detector

The price range is big for metal detectors, with some of the priciest models costing upwards of £3,000. But there are many models for around £500 or less.

We asked the National Council for Metal Detecting (NCMD) and they said:

'A starter machine is always a good idea, as more expensive machines can be daunting for a beginner just starting out.' 

We agree, our tests found you don't always need to spend big and can get a good detector for less than £200.

These are usually simple to use with limited customisation and settings, but were still better at detecting in our tests than some pricier ones.

If you spend more you'll get a metal detector with extra features, such as: making your own custom discrimination patterns; adjustable ground balance and operating frequencies; and integrated rechargeable batteries and Bluetooth connection for wireless headphones.

Everything you need to keep going for a full day out hunting for treasure – Best backpacks, best vacuum and Thermos flasks.

Beginners guide to metal detecting

As well as finding the best metal detector, there are also laws around where you can detect and what to do if you find something significant.

It can be daunting, but we have the basics to cover you if you're just starting.

Metal detecting code of conduct

1. Always get permission before going onto any land to detect. Don't trespass.
2. Fill in any holes you make and use a suitable digging tool, such as a trowel.
3. Respect the country code. Leave gates and property as you find them and don't disturb wildlife.
4. Don't leave a mess. Take rubbish away with you.
5. If you find anything unusual, including human bones, burials, archaeological remains and hoards, stop digging and get expert help. 
6. If you find items such as live ammunition, unexploded bombs or mines, mark the site carefully and report your find to the local police and landowner.
7. If your find legally counts as treasure, you have to report it by law.

The full code of conduct can be found at the National Council for Metal Detecting.

Where you can detect

You always need to have permission from the landowner (and tenant if the land is leased) to detect on any land.

In addition, the landowner owns everything found on their land unless they agree otherwise, so it is good to have a written agreement to avoid any misunderstandings.

The NCMD has a permission agreement form you can use.

Your garden, if you have one, is a good place to start. It gives you an easy space to get to grips with your metal detector before venturing out.

Beaches are also a good place to detect. Foreshores owned by the Crown Estate and a lot of Scottish beaches allow you to detect there, but it is best practice to double-check before going as detecting, isn't allowed on some.

Parks and commons will require you to contact the county council and relevant district councils to see whether you're allowed to detect in these areas.

Fields You'll need to get the landowner's permission. Recently ploughed fields can be a good place to detect, as the soil has been turned over, which brings new finds closer to the surface. They can be broken by the ploughing equipment, though.

Woodland and footpaths The public often has right of way on these, but you don’t automatically have the right to search and dig up the areas. Again, get permission from the landowner.

Protected sites You should never detect on these as it's a criminal offence to do so. These include historical sites, and sites of special scientific interest (SSSI).

What to do if you find something

While it's encouraged to report all finds, you're only legally obliged to do so if your find counts as treasure under the Treasure Act 1996. You can be fined and even imprisoned if you fail to do so. 

It applies to England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Different laws cover Scotland and the Isle of Man and further details can be found at the National Council for Metal Detecting.

There are several definitions of what counts as treasure, but to summarise:

• Any object, not a coin, that is more than 300 years old with 10% of its weight as precious metal (gold or silver)
• Prehistoric objects that contain precious metal
• Groups of two or more metal prehistoric objects
• Groups of two or more coins, more than 300 years old with 10% of its weight as precious metal
• Groups of 10 or more coins, more than 300 years old, of any metal
• Any object that is found in the same place as objects considered to be treasure
• Any object(s) more than 200 years old that provides exceptional insight into national culture or history because: it's a rare example of its type; because of where it is found or because of its connection to a particular person or event.

If you think you've found treasure:

• You have to report it to a coroner within 14 days of finding it, or within 14 days of you realising the find might be treasure.
• You should be contacted by your local finds liaison officer (FLO) to assist you in determining if the find is treasure and reporting it on your behalf.
• You will need to provide exact information on where you made the find.
• If your find is eventually deemed not to be treasure, the item is returned to the finder/landowner.
• If it is deemed treasure, you will be encouraged to donate the find and given a certificate, or you may be able to claim a financial reward.
• The finder with permission to have been on the land, the landowner, and sometimes the tenant (if the land is leased) are eligible to receive a share of the reward.

Start planning better holidays right here. Sign up for our free monthly Travel newsletter