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Best metal detectors in Australia

Our team has done the research and found the 8 best metal detectors for various price points and purposes.

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Ericka Pingol
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The best metal detectors in Australia

For this list, we picked metal detectors based on actual customer reviews and ratings on Amazon and key product features. For every category, we carefully chose parameters based on our research and determined products with the highest review score within those parameters.

Read more detail on our methodology below.

Minelab Vanquish 340 Waterproof Metal Detector

Best overall metal detector

Minelab Vanquish 340 Waterproof Metal Detector
Image: Supplied/Finder

Not yet rated

Pros

  • Waterproof
  • Beginner-friendly

Cons

  • Not suitable for rockier terrains
  • Some customers said the build feels cheap

Why we chose it

Minelab's Vanquish 340 Waterproof Metal Detector is our pick for the best overall metal detector you can get online. It has a rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars on Amazon.

This metal detector features Multi-IQ technology, a waterproof V10 coil and audio control. It is a compact and lightweight device, combining the power of multiple detectors in one. According to the company, the metal detector can detect silver, gold or jewellery. It also works well on a field or beach. Additionally, it has pre-programmed modes for the best performance and 4 discriminator segments for better control.

Customers praised the product's value for money, ease of use and compact size. It weighs about 1.2kg, making it a travel-friendly option for beginners and pros. The audio control automatically cancels noise and has a lag-free response. Several reviewers said it effectively detects various metals, even on sandy beaches. However, it loses a bit of its performance on rockier terrains.

Fisher Gold Bug Pro Metal Detector

Best metal detector for gold

Fisher Gold Bug Pro Metal Detector
Image: Supplied/Finder

Not yet rated

Pros

  • Can detect even the smallest gold nugget
  • Lightweight

Cons

  • Doesn't come with protective packaging apart from a box
  • Instructions are confusing according to some

Why we chose it

For gold detecting, we recommend the Fisher Gold Bug Pro Metal Detector as the best option. On Amazon, it has a rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars.

Fisher's Gold Bug Pro Metal Detector features a 19KHz operating frequency, signal strength indicator and discrimination mode for coins and relics. It also has a Computerised Ground Grab, which helps calibrate the detector to the ground where you are searching. Additionally, it has continuous ground condition readout and Target-ID for differentiating larger objects and smaller pieces.

The general sentiment is that this is an easy to use and accurate metal detector suitable for mineralised soils. Customers said it could detect even the smallest gold nugget. Its iron discrimination feature also helps differentiate iron pieces from gold ones. It can also detect and avoid ghost metals in no time. There were complaints about the packaging not being secured enough to protect the detector during transit, but this seems to be a minor issue.

OMMO Metal Detector for Adults & Kids

Best metal detector for beginners

OMMO Metal Detector for Adults & Kids
Image: Supplied/Finder

Not yet rated

Pros

  • Won't break the bank
  • Waterproof

Cons

  • Heavier than other metal detectors
  • Mode control switch is very small

Why we chose it

With a rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars on Amazon, our team chose the OMMO Metal Detector for Adults & Kids as the best metal detector for beginners.

This OMMO metal detector comes with a pointer screen display for ease of use during a search. It has 4 modes of operations: discrimination, tone, pinpoint and all metal. It is also waterproof and has a 10" coil for better metal sensitivity. Additionally, its stem is adjustable up to 43" to suit different heights.

Numerous buyers were impressed by this metal detector's durable build, performance and value for money. It can detect various kinds of metal, including gold and silver. Customers said the instructions are straightforward, which makes setting up a lot easier. It also comes with useful accessories, such as a headphone, shovel and carrying case. It is a bit bulkier than other detectors out there, but this isn't really a huge issue for most customers.

Minelab Go-Find 22 Metal Detector

Best cheap metal detector

Minelab Go-Find 22 Metal Detector
Image: Supplied/Finder

Not yet rated

Pros

  • Lightweight and compact
  • Suitable for kids and beginners

Cons

  • Not as durable as pricier models
  • Only has 2 detection modes

Why we chose it

If you're on a budget, we recommend Minelab's Go-Find 22 Metal Detector as the best cheap option. It has a rating of 4.1 out of 5 stars on Amazon.

Minelab's Go-Find 22 Metal Detector features pre-set modes for detecting metals. It also has a lightweight and compact design for easy packing and set-up outdoors. Additionally, the detector has an 8" waterproof coil and an adjustable stem to fit most people. It comes with a smartphone holder, shovel and carrying case as well.

Customers gave positive feedback on the product's affordability, ease of use and compact design. It has a straightforward operation, making it a solid choice for kids and beginners. The detector can also search for various metals, such as silver and iron. However, it only has 2 detection modes, which may be inadequate for pros.

Minelab Equinox 800 Multi-IQ Metal Detector

Best premium metal detector

Minelab Equinox 800 Multi-IQ Metal Detector
Image: Supplied/Finder

Not yet rated

Pros

  • Comes with heaps of features for beginners and pros
  • Compatible with wireless audio

Cons

  • Slippery handle
  • Doesn't come with an instruction manual

Why we chose it

The Minelab Equinox 800 Multi-IQ Metal Detector is our pick for the best premium metal detector you can get in Australia right now. It has a rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars from more than 600 Amazon reviews.

The Minelab Equinox 800 Multi-IQ Metal Detector features 8 custom search profiles for saving your favourite search settings in various modes. It has an operating frequency that ranges from 5KhZ to 40kHZ. It also has Target-ID for accurate and speedy recovery. Additionally, it has pre-set programmes for beginners and a waterproof design for detecting at the beach, in rivers and lakes.

Despite its hefty price tag, many customers loved this metal detector and its various features. It is compatible with wireless audio and has a gold detecting mode for detecting gold pieces in mineralised soils. It also has simultaneous multi-frequency for maximum performance and a wide range of frequencies for better detection control. A few customers said its handle is quite slippery, which may not suit those with sweaty hands.

National Geographic Junior Metal Detector

Best metal detector for kids

National Geographic Junior Metal Detector
Image: Supplied/Finder

Not yet rated

Pros

  • Has a padded arm strap and an adjustable stem to fit most kids
  • Comes with a simple learning guide for ease of use

Cons

  • Only detects metals at a close range
  • Some customers reported that it makes a constant beeping sound even when not detecting metals

Why we chose it

For kids, we picked the National Geographic Junior Metal Detector as the best option. On Amazon, it has a rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars.

The National Geographic Junior Metal Detector features a 7.5" waterproof dual coil with adjustable sensitivity to avoid false positives. It has a telescoping arm with a padded strap and adjustable height to suit kids of all sizes. Apart from being lightweight, this detector has an LED light that flashes when metal is detected. It comes with a full-colour learning guide as well.

Customers praised the device's compact design, ease of use and value for money. It weighs only 0.6kg, making it one of the most lightweight detectors on our list. It works well in detecting silver and iron, but not gold. Several reviewers said the padded arm is comfortable, even for extended periods. One major con for most buyers, however, is its subpar detection range. One critic said it could only detect metal within a 10" radius.

RM RICOMAX Metal Detector

Best metal detector for the beach

RM RICOMAX Metal Detector
Image: Supplied/Finder

Not yet rated

Pros

  • Large 10' coil for faster detection
  • Can detect various types of metals including aluminium, silver and gold

Cons

  • Control box is not waterproof
  • Not beginner-friendly

Why we chose it

With a rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars on Amazon from over 3,000 reviews, we chose RM RICOMAX's Metal Detector as the best one for the beach.

Featuring a large 10" search coil for faster metal detecting, this RM RICOMAX device has a waterproof stem and coil for use underwater. It also has a true discrimination mode that can detect iron, aluminium, gold, bronze and silver. Additionally, it has an LCD control box that shows the detection mode, sensitivity level and volume level for ease of use. It also has a pinpoint function and distinctive audio prompt that help avoid ghost metal during a search. The company offers a lifetime warranty for this device as well.

According to most buyers, the RM RICOMAX Metal Detector is an accurate and durable device with a budget-friendly price. It is made of high-quality materials, offering fast and reliable metal detection using various modes. It is also lightweight and compact. A few customers said setting it up is quite difficult, making it unsuitable for beginners. Its control box is also not waterproof, but this seems to be a minor issue.

Nokta Makro Simplex Waterproof Detector

Best waterproof metal detector

Nokta Makro Simplex Waterproof Detector
Image: Supplied/Finder

Not yet rated

Pros

  • Beginner-friendly
  • Offers extreme depth

Cons

  • A few users had difficulty hearing its alert tone
  • Some customers had issues with accuracy

Why we chose it

We recommend the Nokta Makro Simplex Waterproof Detector as the best waterproof metal detector available online. It has a rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars on Amazon.

Nokta's Makro Simplex Waterproof Detector offers up to 3 metres of detection depth and various high-end features for beginners and pros. It comes with pre-set search modes, including beach mode. According to the brand, this can search for coins, artifacts and jewellery on land and underwater. It also has a rechargeable battery.

Apart from being easy to use, reviewers loved its lightweight and sleek design. It also offers various features that even some pricier models don't have. Customers said it instantly detects metal on different terrains and surfaces. Set up is quick and easy, too. Several others wish it made a louder alert tone for convenience but added that it's not a huge issue at all.

Amazon prices last updated on 22 June, 2022 at 08:21 pm
eBay prices last updated on 24 June, 2022 at 02:51 pm

How did we pick this list?

21
Brands considered
64
Products compared
8
Best products chosen
  • We compared 64 metal detectors from 21 brands.
  • We then assessed hundreds of customer reviews and ratings on Amazon.
  • The products on this list are chosen by our editorial team and are not selected based on commercial relationships.

Why you can trust our picks

We considered the following metal detector brands:

  • Barska
  • Bounty Hunter
  • Discovery Kids
  • Dr. Ötek
  • Fisher
  • Garrett
  • Goplus
  • Kuman
  • Matchbox
  • Minelab
  • National Geographic
  • Nokta
  • OMMO
  • Oppsbuy
  • RM RICOMAX
  • Sakobs
  • Suncoo
  • vidaXL
  • Wedigout
  • Winbest
  • Zircon

For this list, we carefully picked products with the highest customer ratings on Amazon We ended up with a total of 64 metal detectors for comparison.

We then researched each product and its features. We also considered ratings and customer reviews on Amazon. We came up with what we believe are the 8 best metal detectors available right now in Australia.

We value our editorial independence, basing our comparison results, content and reviews on objective analysis without bias. However, Finder may receive compensation when you click some links on our site. Learn more about how we make money from our partners and why you can trust our guides.

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