The Best Metal Detectors for Beginners
In this Guide to Metal Detectors for Beginners we show you are top choices for the best beginners metal detectors. All these detectors really work well and WILL find buried coins, jewelry, gold, silver, etc. They range in price from $70 to $295. We advise you to get the best one that you can afford because the more you pay the better they work and the more features they have that help you find buried Gold, coins, jewelry and relics!
Our recommendation? The Garrett Ace 250 or especially The Garret ACE 350 if you can get one below $300 or the Fisher F2 but really you can't go wrong with any in the $100 and above range that we list.
Best buy for Less then $100
Under $100 are mostly breakable toys. The Bounty Hunter Tracker IV Metal Detector is better then the rest.

- 089723400045
- Five year warranty
The Tracker IV is a user-friendly instrument, offering tremendous value for the money, while delivering effective performance over a wide range of conditions and applications.
This was a no brainer for our Best Beginners Metal Detector Guide in the less then $100 category, There is a lot of cheap poorly made metal detectors in this price range though so watch it.
Available SALE Price: $ 99.98
You can click on this link to read our full Bounty Hunter Tracker IV Metal Detector Review
In the $100 – $200 you get some good quality Metal Detectors suitable for serious people on a tight budget.
This really is the sweet spot for the beginner metal detectors. in this price range you can get a high quality detector with the important features you need without getting overly complicated or expensive. Here are the top 3:
1) The ALPHA 2000 Teknetics Alpha Metal Detector

The Teknetics Alpha 2000 Metal Detector is a high quality lower Price Range Metal Detector. It features a digital screen readout (for things Like Target Depth, etc) AND a 3 tone discrimination pattern so you can "Hear" when you have found a good target.
One thing we really like about the Teknetics Alpha 2000 is that it is a true turn on and go Detector. No messing with ground balancing or setting of dials to thresholds.
So for ease of use combined with ability this is great.
But its not our number 1 choice in this price range .
You can click on this link to read our full Teknetics Alpha 2000 Metal detector Review
Best Beginners Metal Detector Guide under $200 Number 2 is the Fisher F2 Metal Detector
I have to go with the Fisher F2 as the best beginners detector in this price range. Check it out below!

The Fisher F2 is a high quality, deep ground penetrating Metal Detector!
- 8-Segment visual target identification and 4-tone audio I.D.
- Fast, sensitive target response
- 2-digit numeric target value
- One-touch pinpoint with numeric depth readout
- Coin depth indicator in motion search mode
The Fisher F2 really does have Top of the line features at an entry level price point!
The Fisher F-2 metal detector is the first model in the new F Series from Fisher metal detectors. The Fisher engineering team went back to the drawing board to design a totally fresh concept in metal detecting. The F series is perfectly balanced and feature packed.
This entry level model features the same great depth that Fisher is known for in a light weight and attractive looking design. From youngsters to seniors alike the F2 detector offers a well rounded offering of performance and ease of use.
If you are looking for a turn on and go first metal detector, you will be amazed with the performance and versatility of the F2. This model comes standard with an 8" concentric search coil that is waterproof and great for hunting on the land or on the beach. A full range of optional search coils are available for all types of treasure hunting.
You can click on this link to read our full Fisher F2 Metal detector Review
OK one more sub $200 metal Detector is the Whites Coinmaster
The Coinmaster is a great entry level detector. Whites is a trusted USA customer. My first metal detector was the original coinmaster and it worked great! I like the graphical interface which most people now adays are familiar with. The entire control panel is coated so nothing is exposed to dirt or moisture (it is NOT waterproof). It is a turn on and go metal detector with the ability to set controls as listed below. There is a Whites Coinmaster pro available as well but pricier.
Features include:
: Once you've detected a good target, the screen shows you how deep to dig. No extra steps, its automatically on the screen!
List price is only $179.95 so expect to pay closer to $150 or so.
Best Beginners Metal Detectors Guide from $200 – $300
Garrett Ace 250 Metal Detector -just a great beginners Detector!
You cannot go wrong with any of the Garret ACE series metal detectors!
- The Garrett ACE 250 comes with a Large 10" Scan Area For Quick & Accurate Scanning
- The Garrett ACE 250 also has a Electronic Pinpoint Feature With Coin Depth Gage For Quick Target Retrieval
- The ACE 250 has a Graphic Target Id With 12 Element Notch Discrimination For Greater Accuracy
- And best of all for the beginner, this has TRUE Touch-N-Go Technology
- Headphone Jack
The price is low but this Garrett Ace 250 Metal Detector is a serious metal Detector.
You can click on this link to read our full Garrett ACE 250 Metal detector Review
The Garrett ACE 350 Metal Detector gives you state of the art visibility and control!
Summary: This Is a winner at this price point it is just a great deal. Most $200 detectors don't have half these features.

The Garret ACE 350 Metal detector shown above!
With the one Touch operation, the ACE 350 powers on with the touch of a single button, adjusts easily for ground minerals and is immediately ready to begin searching. Some metal detectors require an engineering degree just to get them set up for hunting.
You can click on this link to read our full Garrett ACE 350 Metal detector Review

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