2026 field guide · 50 machines & tools scored
Dig the signal,
not the junk.
Straight-talking reviews of metal detectors, pinpointers and recovery gear, from first-season coin machines to deep-seeking gold PI units. Every product gets an editorial Sift Score and is sorted by the ground it was built for.
- Reviewed
- 50
- Brands
- 12
- Categories
- 7
- Top score
- 9.6
Minelab×12Nokta Makro×8Garrett×7Fisher×6Bounty Hunter×3Tesoro×3White's×3XP Metal Detectors×3Detector Pro×2Lesche×1Quest×1Teknetics×1Minelab×12Nokta Makro×8Garrett×7Fisher×6Bounty Hunter×3Tesoro×3White's×3XP Metal Detectors×3Detector Pro×2Lesche×1Quest×1Teknetics×1
Editor's Top Picks
Five machines we'd put in your hands first
One winner per mission. Each one earned its tag in the field against everything else in its class.
Best Overall
Multi-FrequencyMinelab Equinox 800The machine we hand to anyone who asks for one detector that does it all.
Gold ProspectingMinelab GPX 6000Deep, quiet pulse induction for nugget country.
Multi-FrequencyXP Deus IIFeatherweight, fully wireless and fast on every target.
Coin & ParkGarrett ACE 400Easy tones, honest target ID and a price that won't sting.
PinpointersGarrett Pro-Pointer ATWaterproof probe that halves your recovery time.
Multi-FrequencyMinelab Equinox 800The machine we hand to anyone who asks for one detector that does it all.The Minelab Equinox 800 remains a top-tier choice for both hobbyist and serious detectorists thanks to its Multi-IQ technology, waterproof design, and adaptability across coin, relic, and beach hunting environments.
- Operating Frequency5-40 kHz (Multi-IQ)
- Waterproof Rating3 meters (10 ft)
- Weight2.72 lbs (1.23 kg)
Gold ProspectingMinelab GPX 6000Deep, quiet pulse induction for nugget country.- Weight2.9 kg (6.4 lbs)
- Operating FrequencyMulti-Period Sine (Pulse Induction)
Multi-FrequencyXP Deus IIFeatherweight, fully wireless and fast on every target.- Frequency Range4-100 kHz (multi-frequency coil)
- Weight1.1 kg (complete setup)
Coin & ParkGarrett ACE 400Easy tones, honest target ID and a price that won't sting.- Search Coil8.5" x 11" PROformance concentric
- Operating Frequency10 kHz
PinpointersGarrett Pro-Pointer ATWaterproof probe that halves your recovery time.- Waterproof Depth10 feet (3 m)
- Battery Type1x 9V battery
Signal strength ranking
Top 10 by Sift Score
Our ten strongest signals across every category, ranked by editorial score. Tap any row for the full teardown.
The full lineup
Every detector & tool we've reviewed
50 products across 7 categories. Filter by the ground you hunt, search by feature, sort by score.
9.6RelicGarrettAT Max- Fully waterproof design
- Wireless Z-Lynk audio
- Excellent ground balancing
9.5Multi-FreqMinelabEquinox 800- Multi-frequency detection power
- Fully waterproof design
- Fast target recovery
9.5GoldMinelabGPX 6000- Exceptional gold nugget depth
- Lightweight all-day comfort
- Simple intuitive controls
9.4PinpointersGarrettPro-Pointer AT- Fully waterproof design
- Fast target pinpointing
- Durable field-ready build
9.4Multi-FreqMinelabManticore- Exceptional multi-frequency depth
- Fully waterproof design
- Smart iron rejection
9.4RelicXP Metal DetectorsXP ORX- Ultra-lightweight build
- Fast target recovery
- Wireless audio ready
9.3Multi-FreqMinelabEquinox 900- Multi-frequency detection power
- Fully waterproof design
- Wireless audio included
9.3Multi-FreqXP Metal DetectorsXP Deus II- Fully wireless design
- Ultra-lightweight build
- Multi-frequency versatility
9.3RelicFisherF75- Fast target recovery speed
- Lightweight all-day comfort
- Deep relic & coin detection
9.3GoldGarrettAT Gold- Pinpoints tiny gold nuggets
- Fully waterproof design
- Built for mineralized soil
9.3PinpointersNokta MakroAccuPoint Pinpointer- Fully waterproof design
- Fast accurate pinpointing
- Multiple alert modes
9.2Dig & AudioLescheSampson T-Handle Digging Tool- Full-tang stainless steel
- Serrated root-cutting edge
- Ergonomic T-handle grip
9.2Beach & DiveMinelabCTX 3030- Fully waterproof design
- GPS location mapping
- Superior depth performance
9.2GoldMinelabSDC 2300- Fully waterproof design
- Superb gold sensitivity
- Compact fold-up build
9.2Beach & DiveNokta MakroPulsedive- Waterproof to 60m
- Detector + pinpointer combo
- Simple one-button control
9.2Coin & ParkNokta MakroSimplex- Fully waterproof design
- Lightweight all-day comfort
- Long battery life
9.1Multi-FreqNokta MakroLegend- True multi-frequency detection
- Fully waterproof design
- Fast target separation
9.1RelicGarrettAT Pro- Fully waterproof design
- Excellent target separation
- Reliable in mineralized soil
9.1GoldMinelabGPZ 7000- Unmatched gold detection depth
- Built-in GPS mapping
- Advanced ZVT technology
9.1Multi-FreqNokta MakroMulti Kruzer- Multi-frequency detection
- Fully waterproof design
- Wireless headphone included
9.1Multi-FreqMinelabX-TERRA PRO- Multi-frequency depth
- Lightweight all-day use
- Waterproof coil design
9.1Beach & DiveNokta MakroAnfibio Multi- True multi-frequency detecting
- Waterproof to 3m
- Lightweight all-day design
9.0GoldFisherGold Bug 2- Ultra-high 71kHz sensitivity
- Lightweight all-day comfort
- Submersible search coil
9.0Multi-FreqMinelabEquinox 600- Multi-frequency detection technology
- Fully waterproof to 3m
- Six versatile search modes
9.0RelicTekneticsG2- Fast target recovery
- Lightweight all-day comfort
- Accurate deep target ID
8.9GoldMinelabGold Monster 1000- Finds tiny gold nuggets
- Lightweight all-day comfort
- Automatic ground balancing
8.9RelicXP Metal DetectorsXP Deus- Fully wireless freedom
- Multi-frequency precision
- Lightweight all-day comfort
8.9Coin & ParkNokta MakroRacer 2- Ultra-lightweight design
- Fast target recovery
- Budget-friendly performance
8.8Beach & DiveFisherCZ-21- Dual-frequency saltwater performance
- Submersible to 250 ft
- Rugged diver-proven build
8.8RelicFisherF44- Fast target recovery
- Lightweight all-day comfort
- Weatherproof reliable design
8.8Coin & ParkGarrettACE 400- Accurate digital target ID
- Lightweight all-day comfort
- Great value for beginners
8.8RelicTesoroVaquero- Ultra lightweight design
- Legendary lifetime warranty
- Deep analog tone detection
8.7PinpointersDetector ProUniProbe Pinpointer- 360° precision detection
- Fully waterproof design
- Multiple alert modes
8.7Coin & ParkFisherF22- Lightweight all-day comfort
- Weatherproof coil design
- Beginner-friendly automatic modes
8.7Coin & ParkGarrettACE 300- Accurate digital target ID
- Lightweight all-day comfort
- Submersible search coil
8.7Multi-FreqQuestQ40- True multi-frequency detection
- Fast target recovery
- Waterproof to 10ft
8.7RelicTesoroTejon- Lightweight all-day comfort
- Deep target detection
- Lifetime warranty included
8.7Dig & AudioDetector ProHeadhunter Headphones- Crystal clear target tones
- All-day wearing comfort
- Durable field-ready build
8.7Coin & ParkFisherF19- Fast target recovery speed
- Weatherproof design
- Customizable user modes
8.6Multi-FreqMinelabVanquish 440- Multi-frequency detecting
- Waterproof coil design
- Lightweight all-day comfort
8.6GoldNokta MakroGold Racer- High-frequency gold sensitivity
- Lightweight all-day comfort
- Waterproof search coil
8.5Coin & ParkBounty HunterLand Ranger Pro- Easy digital target ID
- Lightweight all-day comfort
- Waterproof search coil
8.5RelicTesoroCibola- Ultra lightweight design
- Waterproof search coil
- Simple analog controls
8.4Coin & ParkGarrettAce 200- Beginner-friendly controls
- Lightweight all-day comfort
- Reliable coin discrimination
8.3Multi-FreqMinelabX-Terra 705- Multi-frequency Multi-IQ tech
- Lightweight all-day comfort
- Waterproof 9" coil
8.2Beach & DiveWhite'sMX Sport- Fully submersible 10 ft
- Great for beach hunting
- Reliable coin & relic detection
8.2Coin & ParkWhite'sCoinmaster- Reliable coin-hunting depth
- Lightweight all-day comfort
- Simple analog controls
8.1Coin & ParkWhite'sTreasurePro- Excellent iron discrimination
- Lightweight all-day comfort
- Reliable digital target ID
8.0Coin & ParkBounty HunterTK4 Tracker IV- Beginner-friendly operation
- Waterproof search coil
- Lightweight all-day comfort
7.6Coin & ParkBounty HunterGold Digger- Easy beginner-friendly operation
- Waterproof search coil
- Lightweight comfortable design
NO SIGNAL
Nothing matches that combination. Try a broader search or another category.
Head-to-head
Top 5 detectors, compared
The five highest-scoring detectors side by side. Depth, separation and ergonomics are our editorial sub-scores out of 10; the rest comes straight from the spec sheets. Click any row to open the review.
| # | Detector | Sift Score | Depth | Separation | Ergonomics | Frequency | Weight | Waterproof | Review |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Garrett AT MaxRelic & All-Terrain | 9.6 | 9.4 | 9.2 | 9.5 | 13.6 kHz | 3.03 lbs (1.37 kg) | 10 feet (3 meters) | Review |
| 2 | Minelab Equinox 800Multi-Frequency | 9.5 | 9.9 | 8.9 | 9.1 | 5-40 kHz (Multi-IQ) | 2.72 lbs (1.23 kg) | 3 meters (10 ft) | Review |
| 3 | Minelab GPX 6000Gold Prospecting | 9.5 | 9.8 | 9.2 | 9.8 | Multi-Period Sine (Pulse Induction) | 2.9 kg (6.4 lbs) | Coil waterproof to 1m | Review |
| 4 | Minelab ManticoreMulti-Frequency | 9.4 | 9.4 | 9.3 | 9.8 | Multi-IQ+ 5-40 kHz simultaneous | 3.1 lbs (1.4 kg) with coil | IP68, submersible to 5m | Review |
| 5 | XP ORX Metal DetectorRelic & All-Terrain | 9.4 | 9.7 | 8.7 | 9.7 | Multi-frequency HF technology | 1.17 kg (2.6 lbs) without coil | 2.5 meters (coil only) | Review |
Terrain guide
Match the machine to your dirt
Ground decides more than budget does. Pick where you'll swing most and we'll show you what works there and how to set it up.
Parks & Yards
Urban turf is crowded with pull tabs, foil and bottle caps. You need quick target ID, a smaller coil to separate coins from junk, and a machine light enough to swing all afternoon.
Dial it in
- 01Use a smaller or stock DD coil in trashy turf to separate adjacent targets.
- 02Learn the tone breaks before notching anything out: coins hide next to tabs.
- 03Cut neat plugs and refill every hole so the park stays open to detecting.
Our picks for this ground
Garrett ACE 4008.8 Sift ScoreMinelab Equinox 8009.5 Sift ScoreNokta Makro Simplex9.2 Sift ScoreBeach & Surf
Wet salt sand is conductive and throws single-frequency VLFs into chatter. Multi-frequency or pulse induction, a sealed housing and a long-handled scoop make the difference.
Dial it in
- 01Switch to a beach or salt mode as soon as you reach the wet sand line.
- 02Hunt the low-tide troughs and cuts where heavier targets settle.
- 03Rinse coil, shaft and connectors in fresh water after every saltwater hunt.
Goldfields
Small nuggets give faint signals and hot, iron-rich soil fights back. High-frequency VLF or PI machines with solid ground tracking keep the threshold quiet so faint targets stand out.
Dial it in
- 01Ground balance often and re-balance whenever the soil color changes.
- 02Keep the coil low and slow; small gold reacts only to the edge of the field.
- 03Check claim boundaries and permits before you swing on any goldfield.
Our picks for this ground
Minelab GPX 60009.5 Sift ScoreMinelab Gold Monster 10008.9 Sift ScoreFisher Gold Bug 29.0 Sift ScoreRelic Sites & Woods
Old homesteads and camp sites are carpeted with iron nails. Fast recovery speed, iron audio and a stable threshold let you hear the non-ferrous button hiding between two nails.
Dial it in
- 01Run iron audio on so you can hear iron instead of blanking it out.
- 02Swing slower around iron clusters and approach a signal from several angles.
- 03Always get written landowner permission and record what you find.
Our picks for this ground
Garrett AT Max9.6 Sift ScoreFisher F759.3 Sift ScoreXP Deus Metal Detector8.9 Sift ScoreTarget ID cheat sheet
What that number on the screen is telling you
Most modern detectors print a 0–99 target ID. Brands calibrate differently and depth or soil can shift a reading by several points, so treat these as neighborhoods, not addresses.
0–15Iron
Nails, wire and rust flakes. Usually a low grunt; dig only on relic sites.
- Repeatable beats loud. A number that holds steady from two directions is worth more than one big beep.
- Iron lies high. Flat iron and bottle caps can jump into the coin range. Listen for a broken tone.
- Gold hides with junk. Gold rings land among tabs and foil. If you're after jewelry, dig the mid tones.