Which Garrett metal detector is best?

The Ace 400 for beginners hunting dirt, and the AT Pro for relic hunting and freshwater. Both are long-running models with excellent parts availability.

Are Garrett metal detectors good?

Yes, particularly for beginners and relic hunters. They're simple, durable, and superbly supported. Their limitation is that the range is single-frequency, so wet salt sand causes falsing across the lineup.

Is Garrett better than Minelab?

For ease of use and support, Garrett. For raw capability and salt-beach performance, Minelab. Most beginners are happier starting on a Garrett; most people who stay in the hobby end up on a Minelab.

Garrett Metal Detectors

American-made, beginner-friendly, and supported forever.

Garrett makes the most beginner-friendly detectors in the hobby and backs them with the best US support network in the business. The Ace line is where an enormous number of detectorists started, and the AT series is still a relic-hunting favorite a decade after launch.

What Garrett doesn't do is multi-frequency. Its machines are single-frequency VLFs, which means wet salt sand is a weak point across the range — worth knowing before you buy for a beach.

01What Garrett is known for

Turn-on-and-go simplicity — no ground-balance ritual before you can swing.
Iron Audio and Pro Audio, both genuinely useful for reading difficult targets.
Complete kits: headphones and a coil cover in the box.
US-based parts, service, and warranty support that actually answers.

02Garrett reviews

Garrett

Garrett Ace 400

4.0Entry-level

A first detector for parks, fields, and dry ground — someone who wants to be finding coins the same day it arrives.

Read the review

Garrett

Garrett Pro-Pointer AT

4.5Mid-range

Anyone who wants one pinpointer that works everywhere — dirt, creeks, and surf — without thinking about it.

Read the review

The verdict

Buy Garrett for your first dirt-hunting detector or for relic work. Look elsewhere if salt beaches are your main hunt — that's the one thing the lineup can't do well.

Garrett FAQ

Which Garrett metal detector is best?: The Ace 400 for beginners hunting dirt, and the AT Pro for relic hunting and freshwater. Both are long-running models with excellent parts availability.
Are Garrett metal detectors good?: Yes, particularly for beginners and relic hunters. They're simple, durable, and superbly supported. Their limitation is that the range is single-frequency, so wet salt sand causes falsing across the lineup.
Is Garrett better than Minelab?: For ease of use and support, Garrett. For raw capability and salt-beach performance, Minelab. Most beginners are happier starting on a Garrett; most people who stay in the hobby end up on a Minelab.