If you’re considering buying a metal detector or upgrading to a more advanced model, you might be curious about the price range. Typically, entry-level metal detectors come at an average price of around $100. However, if you’re looking for a good-quality, more advanced metal detector, the cost may vary.
On average, a good-quality metal detector typically falls within the price range of $500 to $600. However, it’s important to note that there are variations in cost depending on the specific features and capabilities of the machine.
At the lower end, you can find decent metal detectors priced around $200. While these models may not have all the advanced features, they can still offer reliable performance for hobbyist metal detecting.
On the higher end of the price spectrum, there are more advanced and specialized metal detectors available, which can cost around $1200 or even more. These machines often come with enhanced features, such as advanced target discrimination, depth capabilities, and additional settings
In this article, I will tell you all the other things where the price of a metal detector depends on.
Furthermore, I will tell you what the extra costs are when you purchase a metal detector and how you can save some money when buying a metal detector. Last but not least, I will mention some good metal detectors with a good value of money. Enjoy reading!
The average price of a good metal detector (data from 15 famous machines)
As mentioned earlier, the average price of a good-quality metal detector falls within the range of $500 to $600. This average is based on the 15 most popular machines available from renowned brands such as Minelab, Nokta Makro, Garrett, and Fisher.
Take a look at the chart below to see the prices of a selection of good metal detectors. It’s worth noting that the most affordable options, offering reliable performance, can be found from brands like Quest and Nokta Makro.
What does the price of a metal detector depend on?
The price of a metal detector is determined by several factors, including the number of features it has, the brand, its age, whether it’s a PI or a VLF machine, where you purchase it, and the quality of the coil.
However, there are other important considerations that affect the price of a metal detector, such as the accessories that come with it and the timing of your purchase.
1. The amount of features
In general, the price of a metal detector tends to increase with the number of features it offers. Entry-level metal detectors typically have two basic features: discrimination and sensitivity functions.
These functions allow users to ignore certain metals and adjust the detector’s response to metal signals. Entry-level machines with these features usually fall within the price range of $80 to $200.
Examples of such entry-level metal detectors include the Bounty Hunter TK4 and the DR. ÖTEK detector. These models are great choices for beginners in metal detecting.
However, there are many additional features that can be found in more advanced metal detectors. These include ground balance function, pinpoint function, waterproof coil, lightweight design, foldability, multiple frequency levels, target ID function, and preset modes.
Metal detectors with all these advanced features are often more expensive than entry-level models. Their prices typically range from $200 to $1000, with an average price around $500. Some recommended models in this range include the Minelab Equinox and the Nokta Makro Simplex.
2. The kind of brand
The price of a metal detector is also influenced by the brand. Established and renowned brands tend to command higher prices due to their reputation for delivering high-quality machines and their strong brand awareness.
Despite the higher price, I highly recommend choosing a metal detector from one of the well-known and reputable brands. This ensures that you are investing in a reliable and top-notch metal detector with all the necessary features.
Some excellent brands to consider are Minelab, Garrett, Nokta Makro, Fisher, Quest, and XP. These brands have consistently delivered reliable and high-performance metal detectors, making them popular choices among enthusiasts.
3. The age of the machine
Manufacturers frequently release updated versions of metal detectors after a certain period. As a result, the prices of previous models tend to decrease.
Although the changes between models may be minor, opting for one of these previous versions can be a compelling choice due to the significant price difference.
A prime example is the Minelab Equinox series, which consists of four models. The differences between these machines are relatively small, while the price variations are considerable.
This makes it appealing to consider the Minelab Equinox 600 or 700 instead of the pricier 800 or 900 models, as you can still enjoy excellent performance at a more affordable price.
4. Pulse Induction (PI) vs Very Low Frequency (VLF)
In general, the most VLF metal detectors are much cheaper than a PI metal detector. The price of a pulse induction metal detector is often higher because the technique and electronica of the PI metal detector is more complicated compared to the VLF metal detector.
The most of the time, a pulse induction metal detector is used for detecting in rough bottoms with a lot of trash and ground mineralization. For the average user, I would recommend to use a VLF metal detector.
5. The place where you buy a metal detector
The price of a metal detector can vary depending on where you choose to make your purchase. Typically, prices at physical dealerships tend to be higher compared to online retailers, as dealers offer additional services.
If you’re looking for the most cost-effective option, opting for a reputable online platform is recommended. This allows you to conveniently compare prices across different sites and suppliers.
Well-known websites such as Amazon, Walmart, and the official brand websites are excellent choices to explore when searching for competitive prices on metal detectors
6. The coil and control box of the machine
The most valuable parts of a metal detector are the control box and the coil. There are many different coil sizes and shapes. In my other blog, you can read how every coil works and what the differences are between each coil.
In general, larger coils tend to have higher costs. Additionally, specialized coils like imaging coils, monoloop coils, and Double-D coils are often more expensive compared to the common concentric coil. Moreover, fully waterproof coils are typically priced higher than non-waterproof coils.
Similar to coils, the price of the control box is influenced by its electronics and features. The more advanced the electronic components, the higher the price is likely to be. Additionally, waterproof control boxes generally come at a higher cost than non-waterproof options.
7. The time that you buy a metal detector
Another thing that you should keep in mind is the time that you buy a metal detector. Just before Christmas, many metal detectors will be sold. This means that some suppliers will increase the price during these periods.
Therefore, I would advise you to buy the metal detector at times when there is less demand. The perfect time to buy a metal detector is during the off-peak months in the winter.
What are the extra costs when you buy a good metal detector?
When it comes to metal detection, simply having the metal detector itself is not sufficient. In most cases, the metal detector is not supplied with batteries, which means you’ll need to buy them separately.
Additionally, the metal detector typically does not come with a coil cover, necessitating the purchase of this protective skid plate. There are other essential items that are not included in the metal detector’s price, such as headphones, a suitable shovel, a pinpointer, and a pouch for storage.
It’s important to keep in mind that these additional items are essential for a complete metal detecting experience. Therefore, you should factor in their cost when budgeting for your metal detecting hobby.
How do I save some money when buying a metal detector?
I can understand that you are doubting whether to buy an expensive metal detector or not. Luckily enough there are some things that you can do to save money when buying a metal detector.
You can buy an occasion/refurbished metal detector instead of a new metal detector. Furthermore, you can go for a bundle that includes accessories. Last but not least, you should consider to rent a metal detector if you think that you only need it ones.
The first thing that you can do is to purchase an occasion metal detector instead of a brand new one. The most of the time, these detectors are still in good condition, but the price of the machine is much lower than a brand new machine.
Some sites that offer refurbished metal detectors are Ebay and Craigslist.
If you are certain that you want additional accessories, it’s worth checking if there are suppliers who offer bundled deals. Often, purchasing accessories as a bundle can be more cost-effective than buying them separately.
In my other blog, you can find detailed information on the essential accessories needed for metal detection.
Last but not least, if you think that you won’t frequently use the metal detector, you should consider to rent a metal detector instead of purchasing a new one. This will save you a lot of money! You can often rent a metal detector at the local metal detector shop.
Some metal detectors with good value for money
I can imagine that it could be really difficult to find a good metal detector that is not really expensive. In fact, there are some really good machines on the market that have a good value for money.
1. Garret metal detectors
In my opinion, the metal detectors of Garret are very good. The Garret metal detectors have features like a discrimination function, a sensitivity function and a pinpoint function. However, only a few Garret metal detectors also have a ground balance function.
Furthermore, almost every coil of a Garret metal detector is waterproof which means that you can always use it to detect underwater (notice that the control box is not waterproof).
2. Nokta Makro metal detectors
A very famous brand in the metal detecting world is Nokta Makro. This brand has some really good metal detectors with all the desired features. Think about a discrimination function, a sensitivity function, a pinpoint function and a ground balance function.
Especially the Nokta Makro Simplex + and the Nokta Makro Legend are very common metal detectors.
3. Minelab metal detectors
The most common metal detectors are from Minelab. Many people use the metal detectors because the machines have a really good value for money.
The most common machines are the Minelab Equinox machines. These machines are available in several models like the Equinox 600, the Equinox 700 and the Equinox 800.
What kind of metal detector is the best for my situation?
If you have never tried metal detecting before, I would recommend starting with an entry-level metal detector. The main reason for this is its affordability. If you discover that metal detecting is not your cup of tea after a while, you won’t have invested a significant amount of money.
Additionally, entry-level models are designed to help beginners become familiar with metal detecting. They typically feature a user-friendly display and only a few options to choose from, making it easier to understand and operate.
If you find yourself enjoying metal detecting and wanting to explore it further, you can always upgrade to a more advanced machine later on.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Metal detecting is adventurous, exciting and also very healthy. If you are lucky, you will find a object with value! This means that you can get (a part) of your money back.
A metal detector partially retains its value over time. This mainly depends on the condition of the coil after a certain period of time and whether there are newer models of the metal detector or not.
The average walk-through metal detector costs between the 3000 and 4000 dollar.
In general, waterproof metal detectors are a little bit more expensive than non-waterproof metal detectors. However, this is not a huge price difference since almost every metal detector has a waterproof coil.