Best Underwater Metal Detectors Reviewed

Types of Waterproof Detectors

Before you choose an underwater detector, it’s important to understand the various options available and the differences between them. Here are the different types of waterproof metal detectors you need to know about and where you can use them:

Detector with Waterproof Coil

Some underwater metal detectors only have waterproof search coils and don’t have waterproof control boxes. As such, they can only be used in very shallow water, like puddles or shallow river banks. They’re also weather-proof and can be used in wet weather.

Most land metal detectors have waterproof coils, so it’s a stretch to call these types of detectors ‘underwater detectors’; it’s probably more accurate to call them water-resistant. Still, if you only need to use it in shallow water, it may be all you need.

Fully Submersible Detector (Shallow-depth)

Fully submersible detectors have both waterproof coils and waterproof control boxes so you can fully submerge the entire device without damaging it. However, in most cases, they can only be submerged to a shallow depth. The specific depth varies from model to model and will be listed in the manufacturer’s product description. These types of detectors are ideal for use in lakes, creeks, and for snorkeling or wading on the shore, but aren’t suitable for diving.

Detector Suitable for Diving

And finally, we have diving-friendly underwater metal detectors. Again, these detectors have both a waterproof coil and control box that can be fully submerged, but the difference is that this time, the detector is designed to continue working even at great depths (up to 200 feet or more). Use these types of detectors if you plan on taking it with you when you go scuba diving.

Underwater Metal Detectors Compared

How Underwater Metal Detectors Work

Underwater metal detectors work in much the same way as land metal detectors. Batteries power the detectors’ search coil (that’s the big, round, flat bit at the bottom), which transmits an electromagnetic field into the ground to ‘search’ for metal objects. Any metal objects that enter the field become energized and retransmits its own electromagnetic field, which is then picked up again by the search coil.

The control box (the display screen that the user interacts with to control the detector) processes the received signal and converts it into a 'target response.' The target response is something that alerts the user to the presence of metal. It might be an audible response, like a high-pitched noise or beep, or a visual reaction like light or display on the control box.

Some underwater metal detectors are capable of 'discrimination.' This means they can differentiate between different types of metals based on their conductive or ferrous properties. For example, you can set some metal detectors to ignore unwanted small pieces of metal like screws, or differentiate buried gold and bronze so that you can better decide which targets are worth digging up.

Different underwater metal detectors also use different electromagnetic frequencies and detection methods. Some use pulse induction (PI), whereas others use very low frequencies (VLF). We’ll talk more about the differences between these two types later.

What Makes A Good Underwater Metal Detector?

Water Type & Depth

The mineral content of the water can interfere with your metal detector’s sensor, so make sure you consider the mineralization of your chosen hunting ground before you buy a metal detector. If you plan on using your underwater metal detector in the ocean or on the beach, you’ll need a detector that’s salt-water compatible. Wet sand contains high levels of mineralization, so you’ll want to choose a detector that can deal with this.

Check the water depth rating before you buy too. This can range anywhere from 10 feet to 200 feet or even more, depending on the model you buy. The best, most versatile underwater metal detectors will have the greatest water depth rating.

Detection Type

Another factor to consider when you’re looking for an underwater metal detector is the detection type. We can broadly subcategorize underwater metal detectors into two sub-groups: VLF and PI. PI stands for Pulse Induction. These types of metal detectors work by firing off bursts of electronic pulses into the ground and picking up the receiving signal. They’re usually the best choice for saltwater hunting (i.e., on beaches or while diving) as they're relatively unaffected by high levels of mineralization. On the other hand, they don't discriminate, so you may end up wasting your time on unwanted targets.

VLF stands for Very Low Frequency. VLF detectors are less suitable for salt-water as they struggle to deal with high levels of mineralization. However, the silver lining is that they’re able to discriminate and allow you to ignore unwanted targets. They’re also often more affordable than PI detectors. If you only plan on hunting in freshwater locations, they’re a great option.

Accuracy of Product

Underwater metal detectors also differ in their accuracy. Poor accuracy will make it harder to get a precise location and find the right spot to dig. Choose a high-accuracy detector and look out for products with a ‘pinpoint’ mode as this will save you a lot of time.

Versatility

If you’re an avid hobbyist, the chances are you’re going to want to use your metal detector in all sorts of locations, so versatility is key. A good underwater metal detector will be compatible with both saltwater and freshwater and will work on dry land too.

Enhanced Audio/Audio Support

Traditional land metal detectors emit a high pitch sound from the detector itself when they find metal, but this wouldn’t work for underwater detectors as sound moves differently in water. For that reason, the best underwater metal detectors have enhanced audio support to allow you to hear the target response in wet conditions better. They might come with waterproof headphones that you can wear, or vibrate when metal is near for a more tactile target response. Some detectors emit different sounds for different types of metallic content.

Search Coil Size

When it comes to search coils, bigger is better. A good rule of thumb is that metal detectors can detect metal as deep as the diameter of the coil. In other words, the larger the diameter of the search coil, the deeper down you’ll be able to search.

Weight & Buoyancy

If you’re using your detector underwater, the last thing you want is to drop it and watch it quickly plummet down into the depths due to its heavy weight, never to be seen again. However, you probably don’t want it to be so light and buoyant that it keeps bobbing to the surface while you’re trying to run it along the seabed either. You want to find a water detector that sits somewhere in the middle and has ‘neutral buoyancy.' Check the net weight of any product you're considering buying and choose the one that you think fits the bill.

Number of Batteries

It might seem like a relatively unimportant factor, but think about batteries too. Different underwater metal detectors require different numbers of batteries. The more powerful, accurate, and advanced products typically need more batteries than less powerful products, so factor that into your budget. You can burn through batteries quickly if you’re not careful.

Usability

Of course, usability is one of the most important factors to consider. If you’re a hunting novice, pick something intuitive, easy to use, and beginner-friendly. If you’re a pro, you might want something more customizable that you can fine-tune to your exacting standards.

Price & Warranty

And last but not least, consider the price and warranty period. While there are definitely some great, affordable underwater metal detectors, the more expensive models tend to be more accurate and durable. The more you pay, the longer you can expect your detector to last. Expect to pay $500 - $2000 or more for a high-quality detector. Warranty periods vary between manufacturers, but the best products will offer at least a 2-year warranty.

1. Minelab Excalibur II

2. Fisher CZ21-8

Next up, we have the Fisher CZ21-8. This is a worthy runner up for the title of best underwater metal detector that only just missed out on the top spot. It’s submersible up to 250 feet; 50 feet more than our top pick, so this might actually be a better choice if you plan on going on super deep treasure-hunting dives. A lot of divers consider this to be the best saltwater metal detector ever made.

The audio response is pretty nifty; it emits a different pitch depending on the type of metal found. For example, if you find iron, it’ll emit a low-tone; for gold jewelry, you’ll hear a mid-tone; silver jewelry and coins elicit a high tone. I also appreciate how easy this machine is to use. It’s a no-thrills detector that is suitable for both beginners and advanced treasure hunters.

It’s pretty versatile and has a collapsible pole assembly, so you can use a short pole when diving for better handling and then fully extend it when you're using it on land or in shallow water, and you need a little extra length.  You can also hook it up to a chest harness to go hands-free. Oh, and it gets bonus points for looking the part too. The slick black design and headphones look pretty cool and professional.

3. Minelab Equinox 800 Multi-IQ

If you’re trying to find the best underwater metal detector for gold specifically, this is it. The Minelab Equinox 800 Multi-IQ a great, versatile all-terrain detector that’s easily adaptable for various ground conditions and target types. You can switch between different preset modes depending on your chosen hunting ground and what you’re looking for. Switch between park, field, beach, and gold modes at your leisure.

While it’s great for different terrains, you can’t take this one deep diving, unfortunately. Unlike the above two metal detectors, the Equinox 800 is only submersible up to 10 feet. Feel free to wade into shallow rivers and through the surf with it - just don’t take it scuba diving or snorkeling.

The metal detector comes bundled with a PRO FIND 35 pinpointer, which is awesome. Pinpointers help you to zero in on precise locations, so they’re a great accessory to have that’ll speed things up. It also comes with low latency headphones, USB charging cable, screen protectors, and more.

One thing in particular that I like about this detector is how ergonomic it is. It feels great to use, despite being a little on the heavy side, thanks to the adjustable armrest and clever, ergonomic design. Overall, I'd definitely recommend the Equinox 800 for any gold hunters or beachcombers.

4. Garrett AT Pro

Moving on to the Garrett AT Pro, the best small underwater metal detector on the market. At just 3.03 lbs, it’s a very lightweight and portable machine that is easy to handle and won’t leave your arms too tired even after long periods of use. Like the last waterproof detector we looked at, the AT pro isn’t dive-friendly. It’s fully waterproof, but it’s only submersible up to 10 feet. It’s available at a very reasonable price too. Though it was first released back in 2010, it’s still one of the very best value-for-money submersible detectors on the market.

The audio, in particular, deserves a lot of praise. It features 'Iron Audio,' which allows you to hear discriminated iron that other detectors would usually silence so that you can make your own mind up about whether or not you want to dig up the target.

The proportional audio modes use subtle pitch changes that, once you’ve learned them, allow you to judge the target’s size, depth, and shape.  If you don’t need to discriminate, you can switch to the standard audio modes for a full-strength beep regardless of the target’s amplitude. If you’re looking for a submersible detector to use in shallow water or on land, and you don’t want to break the bank, this is a great choice.

5. Garrett Sea Hunter Mark II

6. Fisher 1280-X Aquanaut

The Fisher 1280-X Aquanaut is another excellent mid-range waterproof metal detector, especially considering the price. Available at under $600, it’s probably the best underwater metal detector for the money, all things considered.

It boasts a whopping 75 hours of battery life and is great for beginners. There's no fine-tuning or complicated ground-adjustment necessary. All you have to do is turn it on, adjust the volume, sensitivity, and discrimination to your liking, and off you go. The detector itself makes all the rest of the adjustment for you by tuning itself to changing conditions.

The build quality is also excellent, which is no surprise considering it’s from Fisher Research Labs. They’re a brand known for producing high-quality, high-performance metal detectors and have been in the business since way back in 1931.

The search coil is extremely lightweight and filled with glass-bead epoxy, while the shaft is made out of fiberglass-reinforced ABS. The waterproof control housing is made with injection-molded ABS, and the whole unit is submersible up to 250 feet.

7. White’s Surfmaster DF

If you’re looking for the best underwater metal detector for the beach, look no further than the White’s Electronics Surfmaster Dual Field. The first thing to say about this detector is that it gets deep - very deep. Some users have report picking up signals from objects 20 inches in the sand, which is super impressive.

The reason it’s so great for the beach is that this thing was built specifically to work well on difficult beach ground, with excellent mineralization rejection, great handling, and neutral buoyancy for when you want to take it to the surf. It’s also submersible up to 100 feet, so it’s perfect for snorkeling, surf hunting, and diving to reasonably shallow depths.

It comes in a bundle with Piezo headphones, which do a great job of isolating your target response audio and eliminating outside noise. Other features worth mentioning are the excellent gain control, variable-sweep speed, adjustable pulse delay, and high gold sensitivity. The only potential downside is that it's not quite as good for all-terrain. It'll work well on the non-sandy ground, but it has pretty poor iron discrimination and no VDI, so it's much better on the beach than on the soil.

8. Wedigout 100 Feet

And last but not least, we have the Wedgiout 100 feet underwater metal detector. This is the best handheld underwater metal detector (budget option) if you don’t have a lot of cash to spend. It's very affordable, indeed. At less than $150, it's a steal. Despite being so cheap, it does what it’s supposed to, which is to detect metal accurately in the water and on the beach.

It’s a durable, compact little machine, which is really lightweight and easy to use. You can use it on any type of ground conditions, including black sand and regular soil. It also has automatic tuning, so you don't need to worry about adjusting the settings, which is great if you're new to metal detecting and don't want to bother with all those knobs and dials.

Just switch it on and start searching. When you find something, the detector will flash bright white light and vibrate. The vibrations will get stronger, and the flashes more frequent as you get closer to the right spot. It has a very small search coil and is more of a pinpointer than a metal detector, but it’s very precise and accurate and helps you to zero in on those hidden objects.

It’s also fairly well-built, which is surprising considering the price. The pinpointer is built with stainless steel and is durable, rugged, and built to last. I’m not saying it’s the best metal detector out there, but if you’re on a tight budget, it’s a great option to consider.

People also Ask (FAQs)

Can I fully submerge an underwater metal detector?

It depends on the model. If both the search coil and control box are waterproof, you should be able to submerge it completely. Different underwater metal detectors can be submerged to various depths, so check your product handbook to make sure.

Are there specific underwater metal detectors for gold hunting?

Yes, some metal detectors are designed to ignore other types of metal and cancel out ground mineralization. However, you can also simply adjust the settings on many other, regular metal detectors with discrimination to pick up only gold.

How long do the batteries last in underwater metal detectors?

It depends on the model of metal detector you’re using. The battery life could be anywhere from a couple of hours to 15 hours or more.

Can I use waterproof metal detectors on land?

Yes, in most cases, waterproof metal detectors can be used on land. However, this may not be true for all models, so check your product handbook to make sure.

Why is pulse induction better for saltwater detecting?

Pulse induction is better for saltwater detecting as it’s less affected by high levels of mineralization than other detection types.

What are the best brands of underwater metal detectors?

Garrett is one of the best and well-known underwater metal detector brands. Other good brands include Minelab, Fisher, and Whites

What extra accessories are good for underwater metal detectors?

Other accessories that you might want to use with your underwater metal detector include waterproof headphones, a mesh pouch to store your findings, a trowel or sand scoop, and a chest harness.

How much is an underwater metal detector price on average?

The average price of an underwater metal detector is probably around $1,000.  Prices range from $500 to $2000 or more depending on the model and brand.

Conclusion

Alright, that concludes this guide to the best underwater metal detectors. Hopefully, this article covered everything you need to know about waterproof metal detectors. Now it’s time to grab your machine and start hunting for underwater treasure!

If you’re still not decided on which one to go for, I’d definitely recommend you buy the Minelab Excalibur II. It’s a great all-round underwater detector that won’t let you down. If you have any more questions, let us know in the comments. Good luck. I hope you get some sweet finds!