Even for adults, treasure hunting is a fun and rewarding activity that brings light to our curiosity. Treasure hunting at the beach is even more interesting when you picture yourself at the beach, taking in the breeze and strolling through the banks, searching, wondering, and marveling at what you will find.
Due to their salty and rocky characters, beaches may pose some difficulty with operating your metal detector. Thankfully, some of the top-rated beach metal detectors have this issue sorted out for you. These beach metal detectors are normally designed with factors such as water resistance, slat and rock repelling, operating frequency, and other features taken into consideration so you don’t have to struggle.
Listed below are the 10 Best Metal Detectors for the beach in 2023; outlining their uniqueness, why they made the cut, and just how they can make your experience memorable, over and over again. Hopefully, one of the best metal detectors for the beach that we have reviewed is the one you are looking for.
OUR TOP PICK
Bounty Hunter TK4 IV
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Ideal for metal detecting in extreme ground conditions
- Features a motion all-metal mode, discrimination mode, 2 tone audio mode
- 8” waterproof coil – can even operate in water
- Preset ground balance – to neutralize response to mineral content in the ground
- Comes with a ¼” headphone jack and built-in speaker
- Very economical and can be used by the whole family
- Perfect for metal detecting on the beach
Weight: 4.2 lbs
Frequency: 6.7 KHz
Coil size: 8”
EDITORS CHOICE
Bounty Hunter
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Can be used in all environments not only at the beach
- Motion all-metal mode and trash elimination control
- Perfect for metal detecting on the beach
- Includes headphones for private searches in crowded places
- Adjustable stem height – perfect for the whole family
- Designed by one of the top metal detector engineers
- Ultralight for prolonged use and easy carry & storage
Weight: 2.2lbs
Frequency: 6.6 KHz
Coil size: 7”
BEST VALUE
Bounty Hunter BHJS Junior
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Perfect for metal detecting on the beach
- Adjustable stem – to allow kids with different heights to use it
- Lightweight and ergonomic design for easy and comfortable handling
- Discrimination control to fend off unwanted objects
- Low battery indicator
- Ready to use straight out of the box
- 6 ½” Closed Weather Resistant and Rust Proof Coil
Weight: 1.5lbs
Frequency: 6.6 KHz
Coil size: 6.5”
Tool Guards
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Well structured padded armrest – for prolonged and comfortable use
- Waterproof search coil – use on land or water to a depth of 6”
- Perfect for metal detecting on the beach
- Clear buttoned screen for clarity and simplicity
- Can be easily disassembled/assembled for easy transportation and convenience
- Comes with three operating modes: all, target or disc
- Adjustable stem – to allow people with different heights to use
Weight: 6 lbs
Frequency: 6.5 KHz
Coil size: 9.84”
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC PRO Series
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Perfect for metal detecting on the beach
- Highly portable telescoping design –for easy transport and carrying
- 10” waterproof coil – to increase accuracy
- Audio alert detection with volume adjustment and headphone jack
- 3 detection modes to filter out “garbage” metal
- 4 sensitivity modes to detect treasure as deep as 12 inches underground
- Product of highly revered National Geographic Society
Weight: 2lbs
Frequency: 7.8 KHz
Coil size: 10”
Ultimate
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Discrimination & pinpointer function – for accurate detecting of wanted and unwanted items
- High sensitivity, detects metal to a depth of 6 inches
- Waterproof search coil and stem for use in water
- Comes with an excellent guide book
- Includes a diggers pouch and tool
- Ergonomic arm support
- Perfect for metal detecting on the beach
Weight: 5lbs
Frequency: 6.6 KHz
Coil size: 8”
Bounty Hunter Discovery 3300
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Manual ground balance for highest performance in more adverse conditions
- Motion All-Metal, Discrimination, Notch, and Pinpoint modes for accurate detection
- Preset ground balance to neutralize response to mineral content in the ground
- Perfect for metal detecting on the beach
- 4 audio tones
- Digital 11-segment probable target ID for a wide range of targets
Weight: 2.5lbs
Frequency: 6.6 KHz
Coil size: 8”
Garrett AT Pro
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Ideal for deep seeking treasure hunters – 11” professional submersible search coil and waterproof housing for underwater metal detection
- Perfect for metal detecting on the beach
- Pro Mode Audio feature
- High-Res Iron Discrimination
- Digital Target ID
- Can be used in water up to 10-foot depth
- High frequency of 15 kHz – for accurate detection
Weight: 3 lbs
Frequency: 15 KHz
Coil size: 11”
Canway Beach Metal Detector
- What Make This Beach Hunting Metal Detector Stand Out
- Fitted with an adjustable stem with the length between 33” to 40”
- Elimination function to fend off unwanted scrap/junk metal
- Perfect for metal detecting on the beach
- Waterproof coil allows for operation on the beach, stream, yard,, etc.
- Complete pack – include a shovel and 2 carry bags
- Perfect for metal detecting on the beach
- Intuitive LCD control box with backlight to display depth of up to 7.1” and most functions
Weight: 6.05 lbs
Frequency: 6.6 KHz
Coil size: 8”
Treasure Cove TC-3020
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Ground control feature - Tunes out false signals
- 10 year warranty – for long term guaranteed use
- Waterproof search coil so you can hunt in shallow water or in muddy conditions.
- Audio feedback through speakers or headset tells the metal type
- Adjustable metal shaft & arm-supporting handle for comfort adjust to your height
- Comes in a kit with headsets, sand scoop, and a carry case
- Perfect for metal detecting on the beach
Weight: 2.5lbs
Frequency: 6.6 kHz
Coil size: 8”
How To Choose Beach Metal Detector – Buying Guide
Types of Detectors
Are all metal detectors the same? The simple answer is NO. There are a number of manufacturers, producing different detector models, with different technical and operational features as well as different performance characteristics. Metal detectors can be used for a wide variety of detecting activities and most detectors are designed to suit a specific range of metal detection functions.
The best metal detector for the beach has distinctive features and characteristics which some treasure hunters love and others not so much, again this is down to personal preference. Generally, treasure hunters can become quite attached to a particular brand, and if you know anyone who is already into prospecting they will likely recommend the brand they already use. Be sure to do your own research and consider your own needs before making your purchase.
Frequency of Use
When purchasing a metal detector, one needs to determine how often they will use it. If it is just for a weekend of treasure hunting, then there is no need for purchasing an expensive model. A simple model will do just fine. However, if one has decided to make metal detecting part of their life, it would be a good idea to invest in a great metal detector that has many features. Obviously, such a metal detector will be more expensive.
Waterproof
If you are looking to purchase beach hunting metal detectors to use near or in the water, waterproof or submersible metal detectors are the way to go. Waterproof metal detectors withstand splashes, wet grounds and can be dipped in water depending on their depth capacity. Waterproof metal detectors will definitely have waterproof coils and waterproof, alloy, or plastic constructed stems to withstand the salt. Their screens or control boxes are definitely not always waterproof unless indicated, so extra care should be taken. Submersible metal detectors can, however, fully dive into the water and are ideal for underwater detection.
Size
A good beach metal detector is ideally lightweight and easy to carry. You don’t want to be walking around with a metal detector beach that pulls weight down on you. Treasure hunting takes quite some time so you need something portable and easy to carry and transport.
Design
A good metal detector comes with a multifunctional design. To start off with you want your metal detector to be uttermost functional thus, a multifrequency and waterproof designed metal detector that can work both on land and water (even salt water) is a good start. Next, you want a beach metal detector built with anti-corrosive, weatherproof, and durable material. So always be on the lookout for such features, do some research on the material of your most likely purchase before you go for it. Some of the key tips are a stainless steel stem is better than a normal metal one, a small coil is better than a large one in wavy water because a large one can easily spot your target but it is also more likely to drag you around due to the weight it attracts!
Accessories
Good metal detectors come with many useful accessories and commonly available ones are;
- Sand scoops – to help you dig out your new-found treasure
- Pinpointers – to help you accurately track your detection
- Headphones– to help you clearly hear the weaker signals and cut out unwanted ocean sounds
- Harness – to help you carry your weight in the water (especially rough waters)
Multi-Frequency
Multifrequency sand metal detectors are a way to go if you are on a tight budget and want to invest in an all environment metal detector. Their multi-frequency abilities make them able to function on both water and on land. Multi-frequency detectors have discrimination controls that are able to eliminate unwanted metals. Keep in mind, though worth the investment, they may be a little costly than pulse induction metal detectors.
Pulse Induction
These are specially designed for beach sand and gold hunters. It may be however difficult to discriminate unwanted material such as black iron-rich sands. Pulse induction simply doesn’t function outside beaches, so if you want to use your beach metal detector on land, you have to invest in a different piece.
You might also like: Pinpointer Metal Detectors
Budget
Do you have a set budget in mind? Is this your overall budget including the detector and accessories or just for the machine alone? Some essential accessories you will need for treasure hunting are gloves, digging tools and a cover to protect your search coil. Find out what you need in a basic kit for a day out in the field here. No idea where to start? We recommend comparing this purchase to what you would spend on other hobbies or sports. Oftentimes it also comes down to a matter of personal preference. Are you the type of person who just wants the basics? Or do you want the latest and greatest with all the bells and whistles? This also has to be taken into account when choosing a metal detector.
The user
Who is the detector for? It is for yourself, a child, or for a gift? The Bounty Hunter Junior model we have covered has been made especially for children and suits the height of children for six years and up. All other models are suitable for older children and adults. If you are buying for yourself, it should be relatively easy to figure out which detector is best for you but if you are buying for someone else you may need to think carefully about what will suit them.
Technology
Are you good at adapting to new technology? The basic functions of any detector are easy to understand but if you want to do some serious detecting and find specific targets such as gold coins, then you will need to adjust the detectors’ functions to get the best performance. Not so good with technology? It is recommended to stick with a beginner or intermediate model. No problems adapting? Advanced level and up are suitable for you. If you have detected before then advanced level and up would be our recommendation for you.
FAQs
Q: Why is Saltwater Metal Detecting So Challenging?
This is due to the mineral salt and rock composition of the water which may be misleading to the metal detectors.
Q: What Other Accessories Do I Need To Hunt At The Beach?
- You need below accessories to hunt at the beach;
- Headphones
- Mesh pouch or your treasures
- Sand scoop
- Chest or Shoulder harnesses
- Pinpointers
Q: Will Saltwater Damage The Metal Detector?
If the material and design of your metal detector are not constructed to withstand saltwater then it definitely will be destroyed. If you are thinking of using a metal detector in saltwater, consider waterproof and alloy constructed metal detectors. Also, look for more features that have an affinity to saltwater.
Globosurf Overview
The breeze, the scenery, and the “morally conscience pirate” experiences at the beach are all we want. And what better way to indulge in and enjoy this experience without any hassle? The answer is the 10 Best Metal Detectors for the beach in 2023. One of these treasure tools is bound to make that experience euphoric and “a go-to” every day. So get your features figured out, pick out your beach metal detector “partner” from the above list, and head out to the adventure of your life!