How much is a good metal detector?

A genuinely good one starts around $200–400. That buys digital target ID, adjustable settings, and often full waterproofing — everything you need to find silver, jewelry, and relics without the machine holding you back.

How much does a beginner metal detector cost?

$200–400 for one worth keeping, or about $100 for a basic starter to test the hobby. The jump from $100 to $300 is the highest-return upgrade in detecting — it's where target ID and ground balance appear.

Why are some metal detectors so expensive?

Multi-frequency operation, full waterproofing, fast recovery in trash, and processing that works in mineralized ground. Those matter enormously in hard conditions and barely at all in a clean park — which is why expensive machines aren't automatically better for you.

Is it worth buying a cheap metal detector?

As a way to find out whether you enjoy the hobby, yes. As a long-term machine, no — you'll dig far more junk and lose depth, and you'll end up buying twice. If you already know you're committed, start at $200–400.

How much should I spend on my first metal detector?

$200–400, plus about $150–250 for a pinpointer, digging tool, and pouch. Spending more on your first machine rarely finds you more, because early results are governed by site selection and practice.

Answer · Updated August 7, 2026

How Much Does a Metal Detector Cost?

Short answer

A metal detector costs about $100 for a basic starter, $200–400 for a genuinely capable entry-level machine, $500–800 for mid-range multi-frequency, and $1,000–1,500 for a flagship. Most people should spend $200–400.

How much does a metal detector cost? Expect around $100 for a basic starter, $200–400 for a capable entry-level machine, $500–800 for mid-range multi-frequency, and $1,000–1,500 at the flagship end. For most people the right answer is $200–400.

The interesting part isn't the range — it's that the price-to-capability curve is steepest at the bottom. Going from $100 to $300 transforms what you can do. Going from $700 to $1,400 does not.

01Around $100 — the "do I like this?" tier

Analog machines with knobs, no digital target ID, and no ground balance. The Bounty Hunter Tracker IV is the honest representative here — it genuinely finds coins in a park.

What you're missing: target ID numbers (so you dig everything), ground balance (so mineralized soil kills your depth), and range. Buy at this tier to test the hobby, not to stay.

02$200–400 — where most people should buy

This is the sweet spot. Digital target ID, adjustable settings, decent depth, and sometimes full waterproofing — the Nokta Simplex+ is submersible to 10 feet with wireless headphones in this bracket, and the Garrett Ace 400 is here too.

Machines at this price find silver coins, jewelry, and relics routinely. The limiting factor becomes your site selection and patience, not your equipment.

03$500–800 — multi-frequency territory

This is where multi-frequency starts, which is the one capability you cannot get cheaply. Multi-frequency machines like the Vanquish 540 and Equinox 800 work on wet salt sand and stay sensitive to small gold and deep silver at once.

If beaches are in your plans, this tier isn't a luxury, it's the entry point. If they aren't, it's a genuine upgrade you may not need yet.

04$1,000–1,500 — flagships

Machines like the Minelab Manticore buy performance in difficult conditions: heavy iron, severe mineralization, hunted-out sites. In easy park soil, the improvement over a $400 machine is modest.

The honest guidance: nobody's first detector should cost this much. Get here after a season, when you know what's limiting you.

05The costs nobody mentions

A pinpointer ($100–170) — a handheld probe that finds the target inside the hole. It roughly halves recovery time and is the best accessory purchase in the hobby.

A proper digging tool ($30–80), a finds pouch ($20–40), and gloves. On beaches, a sand scoop ($50–200). Budget an extra $150–250 beyond the detector itself, and a spare coil ($100–250) once you know what your sites need.

06Used detectors

Detectors hold their value well, and superseded flagships are the best buy in the hobby — a discounted Equinox 800 is a lot of machine for mid-range money.

Test before buying: power it up, ground balance it, check the coil ears for cracks, and confirm the shaft doesn't wobble. Avoid discontinued brands where coils are finite.

Keep reading

Detectors worth a look

Nokta Simplex+ review
Beginners and second-machine buyers who want waterproof capability — creeks, lakes, rain, and freshwater swim beaches.
Garrett Ace 400 review
A first detector for parks, fields, and dry ground — someone who wants to be finding coins the same day it arrives.
Bounty Hunter Tracker IV (TK4) review
Curious first-timers, kids hunting with an adult, and anyone testing the hobby before committing real money.

Buying guides

Best Pinpointers for Metal Detecting
The best pinpointer for metal detecting is the Garrett Pro-Pointer AT — waterproof, adjustable, and hard to lose. Probes compared for dirt, water, and gold.
Best Pinpointer Metal Detector for Gold
The best pinpointer for gold is the Falcon MD20 — a very high frequency probe that finds flakes in quartz standard pinpointers miss. Gold probes compared.
Best Metal Detector for Kids
The best metal detector for kids is the Nokta Mini Hoard — light enough for a small child and capable enough to find real coins. Picks by age, from 5 to teenager.