You never know what treasure awaits under those shallow waters and piles of sand. But if you want to go treasure hunting on beaches, you may go through some difficulties like false detections when you don't have the right detector.
Beach environments are not like your average hunting grounds, so your detector should be suited for use in dry beach sand and saltwater. You may also need to go to shallow waters to get some great finds, so a submersible detector can be pretty helpful.
This article is a comprehensive list of the 6 best metal detectors for beach treasure hunting and all the things you should consider before buying one.
There's a lot to talk about, so let's get right into it!
Best Metal Detectors for Beach Comparison
Image | Product Name | Manufacturer | Weight | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Whites TDI BeachHunter | White's Electronics | 10.65 pounds | |
 | Garrett Sea Hunter Mark II | Garrett | 8.2 pounds | |
 | Garrett ATX Deepseeker | Garrett | 34.6 pounds | |
 | OMMO Metal Detector | OMMO | 6.41 lbs | |
 | Garrett AT MAX Waterproof | Garrett | 3.2 ounces | |
 | Canway Metal Detector | CANWAY | 6.05 pounds |
6 Best Metal Detectors for Beach Reviews
Looking for the right model may be hard to accomplish, especially since there are a lot of choices to choose from. Narrowed down to six, below are the options that will help you find the right one for you!
1. Whites TDI BeachHunter Extreme Pulse Induction Waterproof
The first one on this list has a lot of impressive features. It's sure to give you more reliable performance and great finds on your trip to the beach. And one of the many things you're going to like about this detector is its waterproof feature.
You're free to immerse it into shallow waters even up to 25 feet in depth and still get an accurate detection. There are tons of treasures that could be waiting in these depths that you won't find anywhere below beach sands.
It's specially designed to ignore the conductive qualities of saltwater. This will lead to fewer false triggers, which can get pretty frustrating if you've dug all the way down and find nothing.
Even in other treasure hunting grounds, this can still perform equally well. However, land searching will be more challenging since this doesn't have a digital target ID.
Adding to its long list of features is its Pulse Delay setting. You can easily adjust its sensitivity with this setting so you can find smaller targets that are hidden at great depths. It uses dual-tone audio with volume adjustments so you can easily identify if something has been detected.
To avoid any strain to your ears, you can also adjust its sound threshold. For utmost convenience, it's ready to use right out of the box, and it's designed to be lightweight.
It's an all-in-one detector, and this will definitely be a great tool for treasure hunting in beaches. The price it comes with can fit right into your budget. With this, you'll be getting your money's worth and even more.
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2. Garrett Sea Hunter Mark II w/ Underwater
To get great finds when going beach hunting, an accurate and durable detector is a must, and this one is on top of all that. It has great accuracy when it comes to detecting even little pieces of jewelry, and it will surely be able to resist any damage that comes with submerging it into saltwater.
This pulse induction metal detector can scour beach sands and surf waters with high accuracy and no false triggers from the conductive seawater. You can even use it for saltwater diving, reaching up to 200 feet in depth because it's pressurized.
There are also headphones that you can use so you can clearly hear it when it triggers. Seawater diving can get you more great finds because these are areas that usual hunters do not reach.
And since waters can be polluted with a lot of trash that can cause some metal detectors to see them as valuable items, this has a feature to save you the trouble. Thanks to its Trash Elimination mode, it will not waste your time and cause you frustration from digging up unnecessary items.
The stem of the detector is adjustable – making it easier to use on beaches; you can freely swing it around and cover much more area. You can also adjust its sensitivity, and there is a non-motion all-metal mode and also a setting for the detection threshold.
It has tons of great features, but the only downside is that it's heavier compared to other metal detectors. Therefore, when using it for long hunting sessions, be sure to take a few breaks so you won't end up with arm strain.
So, if you're looking for a metal detector that can do both beach hunting and seawater diving with optimum performance, then this is the best choice you can make.
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3. Garrett ATX Deepseeker Package
Another great addition to this list is this one. Its accuracy is higher compared to other detectors, and it doesn't create false triggers because of saltwater. Thus, it will definitely level up your treasure hunting game on the beach.
Even in extreme conditions, this can still detect small gold nuggets and pieces of jewelry buried in the sand and even in the depths of shallow waters. This is because it uses a pulse induction metal that enhances its reliability, and it's also fully waterproof.
There are two available types you can choose from for the Garrett ATX. You can either go for the Standard or the Deepseeker model; each of them has its unique advantages.
For the Deepseeker, you can search at greater depths, thanks to its enlarged search coil. It can reach depths of up to 18 inches deep. However, this will come at a higher price.
The Standard model, on the other hand, is much cheaper, and while it can still detect targets in shallow waters, it won't be able to reach as deep as the Deepseeker.
You can fully submerge it without having any problems with beach waves. Another feature it has is an Iron check and an advanced ground balance.
Although this does have one slight advantage, it has a heavier weight when compared to others. To avoid any strain from swinging it around, be sure to take quick breaks in between hunting.
But overall, with its many useful features, it still is one of the best beach metal detectors in the market. And if you don't mind spending a few extra dollars, this will prove to be a great investment.
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4. OMMO Metal Detector for Adults and Kids
If you're looking for a detector that you can use with your kids for some good old backyard treasure hunting, then look no further. This can give you all the features you need, including high sensitivity, durability, and, most of all, user-friendliness.
A lot of users love this because of its high precision; you won't have any trouble digging up things that you won't find useful. You can use it in your backyard, in beaches, and even in shallow waters. It can even spot very small valuable things from coins, jewelry to gold.
Every time it detects something, it will automatically create an audio tone that's just loud enough to alert you and not cause any nuisance to the people around you.
For easier use, it comes with an LED display where you'll be able to find essential information when going treasure hunting. The screen will show you battery status, sensitivity level, and depth.
There are three modes you can choose from: All metal, Pinpoint, and Disc. Metals of all types, like coins and jewelry, can be detected using the All-metal mode. As for the Disc mode, it detects only a specific metal. And the Pinpoint mode is best for more accuracy in pinpointing the exact target.
Submerging it into the water when you're on the beach won't be any problem because its search coil is fully waterproof. But be sure to only use it in shallow waters because its LCD is not resistant to water.
To fit the height of your kids, you can simply adjust its handle. Bonding with your kids will now be more enjoyable, and it's a great way to expose them to the beauty of nature. Check our kids metal detector full guide here.
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5. Garrett AT MAX Waterproof Metal Detector
Serious treasure hunting requires a serious detector with top of the line features that will be sure to get you the big prizes. This next detector can do exactly just that.
You will be able to detect a wide range of metals with this, like silver coins, jewelry, and brass targets. It's very sensitive, so you're sure not to miss anything valuable when you're treasure hunting. With its high sensitivity, it will be able to detect small valuable items.
Regardless of the soil type, it will be able to perform accurately, even in highly conductive ones like saltwater beaches and mineralized ground, thanks to its high-resolution ground balance of up to 175 points. False triggers will be the least of your problems, and you'll get to save more time.
An LCD screen displays all the information you need, so you can monitor everything. This LCD screen also has a backlight for low-light visibility.
To give you an idea of what the device has detected it has a Target ID, which will be able to identify your targets. The detector only alerts you with a beep if the target is potentially valuable to you, and if it isn't, then it will simply create a notice on the LCD screen.
Its headphones are equipped with Wireless Z-Lynk MS-3, which lets you hear real-time sounds from the device as it passes through an area. You're sure not to miss out on any great finds.
There are four modes you can choose from, namely the true all-metal mode, custom mode, coins mode, and no discrimination mode. The threshold and the frequency of the device can also be adjusted to your preference. And it can be used in shallow water or streams too. Read our full review here.
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6. Canway Metal Detector High Accuracy Adjustable
Taking the last spot in this list is this metal detector from Canway. It's really worth considering because it can give you a lot of advantages and make treasure hunting a lot easier and productive. A lot of users stand by its performance and its great accuracy.
To avoid hunching over when using it, it's designed with an adjustable handle that you can adjust to fit your height. For added comfort, it has an armrest design, and it's fairly lightweight, so you can carry it around effortlessly.
One of the many things it boasts of is its accuracy and sensitivity. You can use it to detect valuable targets and help you to avoid wasting your time in digging up unimportant targets because it automatically ignores junk metals.
Distinctive audio tones help you to easily detect the kind of metal your target is made of so you can decide whether it's worth the dig or not. There is a pinpointer function which accurately points towards your target.
Other than that, it also has an LCD screen that's complete with a backlight, so it's easier to read even with minimal ambient light. Everything is displayed on the screen, including the sensitivity level, the mode you're using, volume level, and also the battery level.
This is great for all types of hunting grounds like beaches, yards, and shallow streams. It's designed with a waterproof search coil. Overall, it's the perfect choice for everyone who's looking for a metal detector that's accurate and sensitive and can be used for a lot of different surfaces.
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Things to Consider Before Buying
There's a long list of factors that you should consider first before finally buying a metal detector. You have to make sure that it can give you an accurate performance while also being suitable for beach environments. These features determine if your detector is fit for the job.
So, before you go and buy one, take the time to check if the product you intend on buying passes these factors. If you are a beginner and want to learn more then check out our metal detecting tips and tricks post and list of beginner metal detectors here.
Accuracy and Sensitivity
False triggers can be very frustrating, especially when you take the time to dig up your target just to find nothing valuable. So, it's important to get a metal detector that will help you avoid this common treasure hunting pitfall.
Beaches, especially, are tricky hunting grounds. Seawater has conductive properties, so this can easily trigger your detector if it's not equipped with the necessary features. Some detectors solve this problem by having a high-resolution ground balance.
Your detector should also be able to zone out any metal that will have no value to you and only alert you with potentially valuable targets. This will help save your time, so you can scour more areas.
Some detectors even go as far as having features that help you identify your targets before you even dig it up, which is very helpful. It's also important that you can adjust the sensitivity of the device and easily choose the kind of targets you wish to find.
Waterproof
There are many great treasures that lie in shallow waters and streams and to get to them, your detector has to be waterproof. This is very important, especially when you go to beaches because there are many areas that are unexplored by treasure hunters.
If you're fond of seawater diving, also make sure that the entire device is waterproof because some devices only have waterproof searching coils, and they aren't suitable for tasks that require full water submersion.
Each detector has a different level of depth that they can handle, so you should check on that also.
User-Friendliness
To avoid hunching over and straining your back during long hours of scouring hunting grounds, make sure your detector has an adjustable handle. It will add more to your comfort if it has a tight and non-absorbent grip.
The weight of the device is also something that you should consider because a heavy detector will make swinging it around more difficult. And it can weigh you down and exhaust you faster. Wireless detectors are more convenient to use too.
LCD screens also help make treasure hunting a lot easier because it displays all your needed information, and some also have features that pinpoint the exact position of your target on the screen. It's more preferable if the screen has a backlight, so it's easier to see even during low-light conditions.
Lastly, it is important to check if you can easily adjust the device's volume and frequency, so you can customize these settings based on your preferences.
Additional Features
Metal detectors are handier when they have more additional features. This will also help you get more value for your money.
Some detectors have a set of modes that you can utilize like Disc mode and Coin mode. These settings will help in narrowing down your search and making sure that you get what you're looking for.
Other detectors also have enhanced wireless features that easily link your device to your headset without any delays. Make sure to choose a detector with additional features that will suit your needs the most.
Cost-Effectiveness
To avoid overspending on overly expensive metal detectors that can't give you an accurate and easy treasure hunting experience, always check its features. Upon checking, you can then see if the price is appropriate with its performance.
There's no need to go over your budget to get a good metal detector as there are many budget-friendly choices in the market. Also, make sure that it's durable because that will mean it can have a longer service life and can save you more money in the long run.
You can spend whatever amount your budget permits as long as the quality of the device is justified by its price. Check our recommendation for best metal detector for gold here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Both large and small search coils have advantages and disadvantages. Large ones are best for areas with low mineral deposits, unlike small coils which perform poorly in these environments. Large coils also carry more weight compared to the smaller ones.
False signals occur when your detector alerts you of a target when there is actually no target. This usually happens when you're in an environment that's rich in mineral deposits or in seawater.
This depends on the model of the device; some can reach far deeper than others. The general depth that most detectors can reach is up to 8 to 20 inches. But the ones that are designed for seawater diving can even go farther.
No, not all detectors can operate in seawater because this will require additional features like a ground balance with high resolution to avoid false signals/triggers and many more.
Discrimination describes the capability of the detector to distinguish between your target metals and other metals. This will help to narrow down your search and make sure you find what you're looking for.
Final Words
It can get pretty tricky to find the best metal detector for beach hunting with the many choices in the market. But with this article, you will surely find the right one to bring on your next trip.
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