Best Metal Detector For The Beach (2024) Top 5 Saltwater Model Reviews

One place many metal detectorists like to go when looking for valuable items is the beach.

However, there are plenty of factors to consider to ensure that your hunt is successful, and no problems arise. 

One such factor is choosing the best metal detector for the beach. 

Some metal devices work exceptionally well on beaches. However, not all of them are designed exclusively for beaches. 

This article will explore why some detectors cannot locate targets on the beach and which models are most likely to help you find treasures. 

Best Metal Detectors For The Beach in 2024

Here are the best beach metal detectors on the market in 2024:

Last update on 2024-05-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Can You Use a Metal Detector On The Beach?

You’re maybe wondering if I can use a metal detector on the beach? The answer is yes, you can use a detector on most public beaches. 

However, you need to check with the state and park office in charge of the beach’s maintenance. 

Typically, you wouldn’t need a permit to treasure hunt on a beach. It is only required when there is a chance of finding historical resources in a particular spot. 

Certain beaches are owned by private owners or organizations and are therefore off-limits. 

In some cases, the beach owners might allow you to prospect on a beach only if you’re trying to recover a lost item. 

You can get the necessary information from park officials. 

How to Choose A Detector For Saltwater Beaches?

Conventional metal detectors have a more challenging time in saltwater than their saltwater-friendly counterparts. 

The features listed below are highly recommended when choosing a device for saltwater beaches. 

Detector Technology

An entry-level VLF detector might not be suitable for treasure hunting in saltwater, but some high-end devices come with advanced technologies that can solve this problem. 

High-end models come with automatic and manual ground balance features. 

By adjusting the ground balance, detectors can ignore high levels of mineralization and look for valuable targets on a beach. 

Since both automatic and manual ground balance settings are available in metal devices, choosing the best one can be a tough decision.

The answer to this dilemma depends on the kind of product you use. 

In harsh beach conditions, VLF devices find it hard to balance, so the best course of action is to find a good metal detector and adjust its settings manually. 

Apart from VLF detectors, you can opt for Pulse Induction (PI) Metal Detectors. 

These devices ignore ground minerals, so you don’t have to spend time tuning the ground balance to reduce mineralization interference. 

This enables PI devices to detect valuables without being disturbed by the false signals caused by saltwater.

PI detectors are known to offer extraordinary depth scans and have greater sensitivity to locate smaller targets. 

Seasoned detectorists prefer PI devices over conventional machines, and they also make a great alternative for hunting gold. 

There are multi-frequency options too. These machines are closer to VLF detectors as they can be adjusted to more than one frequency. 

Waterproof Body

There is a vast difference between waterproof, weatherproof, and submersible detectors. 

Knowing the difference between these terms is very important as they show how a machine reacts with or around water. 

It can also help you in making a defined purchase. 

A machine that says fully submersible is made of entirely waterproof components. This means you can use it underwater without getting the circuit damaged. 

It’s important to look for the device’s maximum depth as it tends to vary from brand to brand. 

Some machines have submersible coils. Usually, these machines are not entirely waterproof or fully submersible. 

Many devices come with a submersible coil and a control box that doesn’t get wet. These types of devices are said to have a waterproof coil and a weatherproof design. 

If a detector has something like this referenced in the description, you can assume it’s not submersible. 

Even though it is not essential to have a fully submersible device, having one can make a significant difference on the beach. 

The possibility of a wave splashing up the beach and damaging your machine cannot be ruled out. 

Or you can trip over a rock and drop the device in the water. It can be hard to contemplate a simple fall burning a thousand dollars hole in your pocket. 

Search Coil Size

Coil size is another factor that’s worth considering. Coils that are smaller in size are sensitive to smaller targets. These coils also come in handy when pinpointing a target. 

Small coils are good picks for finding valuables among trash due to their lightweight nature and enhanced target separation. 

On the other hand, bigger coils are heavier and are less effective when separating targets from trash. 

Bigger coils are also tricky to swing around in the water as the large surface area creates more resistance. 

There are some positives too. Large-sized coils often can scan deeper. They can help you find targets that other detectorists might have missed. 

In addition, the coils can cover a larger area in a shorter period of time. 

The coils you get with your device are a combination of both these extremes. You can get other coils compatible with your device that help you find targets in different situations. 

When it comes to coils, there is no best or worst. Each coil has its abilities and is designed to locate a particular type of target.

It can be beneficial to use a smaller coil if you are dealing with detectors for the first time or you are not in good shape. 

Top 5 Best Saltwater Metal Detectors For The Beach

Several saltwater metal detectors claim to be the best for treasure hunting on a beach. 

However, some of them lack basic functions, and others have prices that are far beyond the reach of many.

If you are looking to buy metal detectors that come with all the essential features, you can refer to the list below. 

Nokta Makro Simplex+

The Nokta Makro Simplex+ is the best option for beginners who want to upgrade from their basic detector.

The detector operates at a frequency that is suitable for mid-level metal hunts. Moreover, the frequency can be adjusted to avoid electromagnetic interference. 

It has a completely submersible body and comes with headphones that are IP68 protected. 

You can use the detector underwater as it has a resistance limit of 10-feet. Due to these features, the Nokta Makro Simplex+ is a perfect machine for beach hunting. 

The control panel comes with a backlit LCD that makes it easier to read the screen in broad daylight. 

The Nokta Makro Simplex+ comes with both manual and auto ground balance systems. This can help both entry-level users and seasoned detectorists. 

Beginners can use the machine with automatic ground balance until they learn how to use the manual ground balance. 

Meanwhile, seasoned detectorists can configure the ground balance according to their preference. 

It also comes with four preset modes that program the machine to locate targets faster, and among these search modes, there is a dedicated ‘Beach Mode’. 

This mode makes balancing more manageable and enables the machine to handle mineralized soil easily. 

Pros: 

• Easy to assemble 
• It can be submerged underwater without loss of audio
• The LCD screen is easy to read and interpret. 

Cons: 

• The shaft seems a little weak 

Garrett ATX Deepseeker

If you want to make your beach hunt worthwhile, I recommend choosing the Garrett ATX Deepseeker. 

Since this is a pulse induction metal detector, you can use it to detect anything from a small gold nugget to fine jewelry in extreme conditions. 

The Garrett ATX is offered in two packages i.e. Standard and Deepseeker. If you choose the Deepseeker package you will get a 20-inch search coil for a greater depth reach. 

In the right conditions, this search coil can locate targets that are buried up to 18-inches deep. It is higher than any entry-level or mid-range detectors. 

This provides a great depth reach and is very convenient to use with the 10 x 12 inches coil. Even with the standard package you are not missing much. 

Another advantage of the ATX is its fully submersible body. You can use it to find targets that are located underwater up to 10-feet. 

Moreover, you don’t have to worry about unexpected waves splashing against the device. It also comes with features like advanced ground balance and Iron Check. 

There are some things that you need to keep in mind when hunting with the Garrett ATX. It weighs 5.5 lbs which means it is quite heavy and can make your arms sore. 

It falls in the high-end range, so you need to consider your decision carefully before purchasing it. 

It works flawlessly in saltwater conditions and is sensitive to smaller targets, but it’s not suitable for diving. 

Pros: 

• Suitable for finding gold
• A great diving detector
• Pulse Induction technology makes it immune to mineralization
• Fully submersible up to 10-feet
• It can scan up to 18 inches deep

Cons:

• Expensive 

Garrett Sea Hunter MKII

If you’re planning to go diving with a detector to find long-lost relics, gold, or other awesome stuff, the Garrett Sea Hunter MKII could be for you.

The Sea Hunter MKII is a pulsed induction metal detector with waterproof components that can withstand water pressure up to a depth of 200 feet. 

To make it better, the device comes with submersible headphones and has a higher sensitivity level for hunting. 

It features an interesting program which is labeled Discrete Trash Elimination Mode. This program eliminates trash items from the detection pattern so you can save time.

Though it can stand the deepest water pressure, it is not just a diving detector. It comes with an adjustable stem that attaches to the coil, making it suitable for beach use. 

On land, it picks up small targets easily.

Walking with the Sea Hunter MKII all day can be painful as it weighs 5.75 lbs. 

Discrimination is not the only program included in the Sea Hunter MKII; it also has a detection threshold setting and a non-motion all-metal mode.

The elimination threshold can be adjusted by turning the dial. The sea Hunter MKII does not have a bunch of features, but its performance will surely give you satisfying results. 

To sum it up, the Sea Hunter MKII is an incredible metal detector that offers exceptional performance both underwater and on the beach.

Moreover, it is cheaper than most underwater detectors in this range. 

Pros: 

• Comes at a reasonable price 
• Suitable for scuba diving
• High battery life
• Detects all kinds of metal

Cons: 

• Too heavy

XP DEUS

If you want to buy a metal detector that works on beaches, land, and varied terrains, the XP Deus is a perfect choice. 

It’s the most versatile device that you can find, with a plethora of features like multi-frequency technology, rapid response, and search modes. 

The machine operates wirelessly and gets software updates that add more features to it. 

The XP Deus comes with Gold Field Settings which can be helpful when looking for gold. It also has four ground balance modes. 

There is a preset ‘Wet Beach’ mode that allows the machine to hunt for the metal in wet sand. You can adjust the ground balance to use on the beach. 

Another important feature of XP Deus is its weight. It is recognized as one of the lightest metal detectors on the market as it weighs half of Garrett ATX. 

Lightweight detectors make all day hunting painless and convenient. 

However, it does have a few negative points too. The XP Deus is not fully submersible. You must not get the control box wet as it can damage the circuit. 

Although the Deus is more expensive than regular VLF detectors, it has a number of features that no other detector on the market offers. 

Pros: 

• Lightweight
• Rechargeable batteries 
• Wireless Technology
• Powerful Detection ability

Cons: 

• Not fully submersible

Whites TDI BeachHunter Extreme

The Whites TDI is another powerful waterproof detector that you can consider buying. It has a maximum depth reach of 25 feet and offers flawless detection. 

It is similar to most PI detectors on this list as it can ignore highly conductive minerals present in saltwater. 

The Whites TDI BeachHunter Extreme offers dual-tone audio along with adjustable volume and threshold. This lets the device produce discerning sounds.

You can change the machine’s sensitivity to locate smaller targets situated deeper into the ground with the help of Pulse Delay Setting. 

The detector is constructed to provide commendable depth reach even in challenging environments.

To make it even more effective, the company provides you with a 12-inch dual search coil. 

For experienced detectorists, the weight of this machine should not present a problem. It weighs only 5.2lbs, which is lighter than most machines on this list and shouldn’t cause sore arms. 

This beach detector is not just for beach prospecting. It comes with features like digital target ID that make it suitable for land searching.

The White’s TDI BeachHunter Extreme is an excellent alternative for prospecting in shallow water. 

With numerous features and a waterproof body, this detector is pretty much unbeatable at this price. 

Pros: 

• Works both on land and water
• Digital target ID
• It comes with a 12-inch dual search coil 
• Can detect target located 25-feet deep

Cons: 

• Low battery life

Frequently Asked Questions

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