Are you just starting with metal detecting and you want to start with something cheaper?
Don’t worry, there is plenty of choice on the market. We wanted to help you out so we gathered some of the best cheap metal detectors for sale so you can try metal detecting and see if it’s a hobby for you.
What Should A Metal Detector Do
Any treasure hunting enthusiast wants to have the best equipment and features on the device that will allow him to find the metal objects underground or underwater such as jewelry, coins, relics etc. There are deals with some advanced features such as creating the 3D image of underground, GPS or else are often too expensive for someone who wants to spend up to $200 on the device.
Do Cheap Metal Detectors Work?
But, on the market exist cheap metal detectors for sale that are as good as expensive ones and they will give you positive results even if they don’t have some of the advanced features mentioned above.
What Features Should A Metal Detector Have?
It’s desirable if they have waterproof search coil which will enable you to search underwater, at the beach, in wet ground or when weather conditions aren’t good. The best cheap metal detector we have found on the market have this ability and they have automatically set ground balance that will prevent false signals to happen which could frustrate you a lot. They happen because of minerals in the soil which can interfere with the signals you are receiving.
The Difference Between Expensive And Affordable Detectors
Control box should give you the main information about the target. More expensive models will have touch screens and display which shows you numerical values, exact depth of the target and vertical profile of the ground. But, even without these features, there are many good cheap metal detectors that don’t require you to spend a fortune and you can still do the metal hunting as a hobby with positive results.
What We’ll Do In This Article?
Here we represented to you technical specifications, mechanism, design and other important information about the most popular 5 models available on the market. If you are interested in buying a high-quality product with relatively low price, you should read the reviews of these best affordable metal detectors that could be your best pick.
6 Best Cheap Metal Detector Reviews
Best Budget Gold Detector
AMERICAN HAWKS Explorer Metal Detector
This is one of the cheap metal detectors for sale with all high-quality features that allow you to find treasures buried underground. It has operation frequency in the range from 5KHz to 6.5 KHz so it can detect a wide range of metals such as gold, silver, iron, coins, jewelry and other.
This best budget metal detector has three operation modes: all-metal, discrimination and notch filter mode. The first one allows you to find all metal targets up to 7 inches deep. When you are approaching the metal, the device will emit an audio alert from built-in speaker or headphones and the strength of the signal will be displayed on the display. This allows you to determine the size and depth of the target.
Second discrimination mode will eliminate all metals from search, except the one you choose. On the control box is the display with target indicator. You have discrimination and sensitivity control. Also, you can adjust the volume if you want to hear signal louder. The control panel indicates with red LED light when the battery is too low and it has a 3.5 mm headphone jack. Third mode displays the type of object you have found.
System works with two 9V batteries that are included in the package. The maximum static current is 12mA. Although it’s one of the cheapest metal detectors, it has another great feature that enables you a great experience of treasure hunting and that’s a ground balance. Its automatically set and it allows the device to adjust with various levels of minerals in the soil and therefore avoid any false signals you might receive.
The search coil is waterproof so you can search for metals even underwater, in wet ground or when it’s rainy outside. The control box isn’t waterproof so don’t put in the water because it will get damaged. The best cheap gold detector is 28 inches long, 5 inches wide and 9 inches high. It weighs 5 pounds so it’s lightweight and therefore easy to carry. Stem’s length is adjustable so it can be used by kids also. The package includes a carry bag, headphones and batteries. In case of damage, you have a 10-year limited warranty.
Best Cheap Underwater Metal Detector
JuniHo Metal Detector
Device’s length is 21.3 inches, width is 8.4 inches and height is 4.7 inches. It weighs 2.75 pounds so its not heavy and you will feel comfortable holding it for a longer period of time. Stem’s length can be adjusted from 30.7 inches to 42.1 inches. This is one of the good cheap metal detectors because you will have complete equipment for doing quality treasure hunting without having to spend a lot of money.
Its operation frequency is 5KHz and the operating voltage is between 7.2V and 9.6V. The standby current is 10mA with a maximum of 70mA. This system will require two 9V 6F22 alkaline batteries. It detects a wide range of metals: silver, zinc, copper, gold, iron etc so you can search for coins, jewelry and other valuable metals.
There are two modes: all-metal and discrimination. Use the first one if you want to find any metal in your way. But, if you have a specific interest in one type, then use the second mode. This is the best cheap metal detector because you can go even on beach treasure hunting or in shallow saltwater due to the waterproof 6.5-inch wide search coil. You can put this best and cheapest metal detector in the water all the way to the display screen. You have to keep it away from water or it will get damaged.
The control box has a display with the view meter so when you find the metal, the pointer will swing to the right. Also, there will be a beep sound. Don’t wear anything metal because it can interfere with the signal. The signal volume can be adjusted and you can even connect your headphones because it has an audio input so you can hear signals better. Headphones aren’t included. The cheap waterproof metal detector has a battery life indicator and controls for sensitivity and discrimination. Handle and armrest makes makes this device comfortable to hold.
Although the model is one of the cheapest metal detectors, it has high sensitivity with detection range up to 5.12 inches deep which was tested on US 25 cent. For objects with different size and structure, a range could be bigger or smaller.
Best Cheap Beach Metal Detector
Goplus MD-4030 Underground Metal Detector
It can be used for treasure hunting but also for cable detecting in walls, ceilings and floors. It can very accurately detect electrical and water pipes. Also, it can detect any metal object that you lost in your house. Its operating frequency is 5KHz and it can detect gold, silver, iron, copper and other metals.
This is one of the cheap metal detectors for sale on the market which provide you with high-quality performance, but don’t require you to spend a lot of money. It is made from steel, high density PP plastic and EVA cover. Search coil is waterproof so it can be used during bad weather. But unlike previous cheap metal detectors, this one shouldn’t be used for underwater searching.
System operates with two 9V 6F22 alkaline batteries which aren’t included in the package. They aren’t rechargeable so you have to buy new ones when red indicator on control box lights up. Operation voltage is from 7.2 V to 9.6V. Standby current is 10mA and the maximum current is 70mA. Detection range is up 5 inches which is tested on the US 25 cents. It can be different for other metal types and sizes.
Control box has a display with target indicator. The pointer will go right when you detect the metal. Also, there will be a sound alert when you approach to the metal object. You can adjust the volume of the signal and sensitivity range. If you want to hear signals louder you can attach your own headphones to audio input. There is also a control for switching between two search modes: all-metal and discrimination.
First mode allows you to detect all metals, while the second one eliminates the ones you don’t want to find. As one of the good cheap metal detectors, this model has automatically set ground balance and high sensitivity so you won’t get false signals and you will have correct locations of treasures. It is 23 inches long, 22 inches wide and 9 inches high. It weighs 32.7 pounds so its heavy in comparison to previous models.
Best Cheap Professional Metal Detector
New Home Innovations Metal Detectorl
Unlike the previous model, this one comes with a guide which describes in 72 pages everything about treasure hunting and what you have to know if you are new to this activity. This good budget metal detector has very simple controls and already preset settings so you just have to turn it on and search which makes it the best metal detector for the beginners.
It detects a variety of types of metals: iron, gold, silver, copper etc so it will easily find coins, relics, jewelry, gold nuggets or other. The search coil is waterproof so you can search for metal underwater or on land regardless of weather conditions.
The control box has very simple controls. You can adjust the sensitvity range and set discrimination mode. The volume is adjustable and there is a jack for headphones so you can hear more loudly the most faded signals or change of signals that will lead you to the target.
Pinpointing function enables you to specify the location of metal object. Detection range is up to 6 inches. System is operated with two 9V batteries that needs to be replaced when battery life indicator alerts that they are empty.
Package includes 5 in 1 folding shovel which is multifunctional: it can be used as a shovel, saw, pick, bottle opener and compass. Device is 24.1 inches long, 7.5 inches wide and 5.1 inches long. It weighs 2.65 pounds so it’s very lightweight.
Best Cheap Handheld Metal Detector
CANWAY GC-1028 Metal Detector
This device has all professional features so its the best cheap metal detector that you can find on the market. Control box has an LCD display that shows you sensitivity and depth range, battery life, volume strength etc. Unlike previous models, this one has a pinpointing function which is turned on with the red P/P button and it allows you to know the accurate location of the metal.
There are set, mode, enter and power buttons and navigation buttons for controlling the settings displayed on the screen. Device can detect a wide range of metals such as iron, aluminium, gold, bronze, silver etc and these groups are also shown on the display. You can choose between all-metal mode and disc/notch mode. First one allows you to detect any metal object in the ground, while the second one is used to eliminate all but one you have targeted.
Although its one of the cheapest metal detectors it has advanced features such as depth indication and high-adjustable sensitivity which will give you high-quality performance and best results. It has automatic ground balance so it will adjust to all minerals that can be found in the soil and interfere with the signal.
Search coil is 8 inches wide and it’s waterproof so you can search underwater, in rainy conditions, at the beach or other highly mineralised ground. Backlight is a user-friendly feature that will allow you to search for treasure when there is no much light outside. Another practical feature is the adjustable stem so you can set it according to your height or even adjust for kids to use it.
Item’s length is 47 inches, width is 4.7 inches and height is 6.3 inches. It can be adjusted between 41 inches and 47 inches in length. It weighs 5.95 so it’s lightweight. It has a soft handle and arm support so it’s comfortable to hold and you won’t get tired after a long time of using it. Package also includes shovel which is 15.94 inches long and 3.74 inches wide. Manufacturer offers a lifetime warranty.
Best Cheap Deep Metal Detector
INTEY Metal Detector
This model is 9.84 inches wide and 39.27 inches long. Stem’s length can be adjusted. Its control box has the viewmeter which indicates if the search coil is above the target. When you are above metal, the pinpointer will go right. You can switch between searching modes, adjust sensitivity range, turn on/off the device or adjust the volume.
As one of the previous cheap metal detectors, this one also has a pinpointing function that allows you to determine the exact location of the object. There is a red button for selecting this function. Also, the panel has an LED indicator that turns red when the battery is low. Audio input allows you to connect your headphones and hear signals better.
It has an arm support and soft handle so this is one of the cheapest metal detectors on sale which enables you to have the most comfortable treasure hunting without getting tired after some time. It weighs only 5.6 pounds and its made from high density ABS material so its very lightweight but durable at the same time.
The device targets a wide range of metal: iron, zinc, copper, gold, silver etc. Its one of the good cheap metal detectors which has advanced features such as ground balance, adjustable and high sensitivity and discrimination mode which allows you to search a specific type of metal objects.
Search coil is waterproof so it’s the best cheap metal detector to do beach treasure hunting or to search for metal in the highly mineralised soil and underwater. Package includes shovel which is 3.93 inches wide and 16.53 inches long and big carry bag which is suitable for th device and other accessories.
Where Can I Buy A Cheap Metal Detector
You have probably asked yourself where to buy cheap metal detectors and not spending hours in different shops to find the perfect good inexpensive metal detector. The perfect way to do it is to buy the cheapest metal detectors online. This way you’ll be able to read all the specifications as well as the reviews so you’ll know what you are buying. We’ve attached a link to every product we’ve listed so it’s easier for you.
Conclusion: The Best Low Cost Metal Detector
It can be quite hard to choose the right cheap metal detector. If I may suggest, the JuniHo model seems like a great choice. You can use headphones with it and it is waterproof. Be sure to also check out my article about the best diamond metal detectors and also the one about the best beach metal detectors.