10 Best Underwater Metal Detectors of 2021
Photo: Fisher
Hunting for treasures at the beach or the river can be very rewarding. And underwater metal detectors help to make those dreams a reality.
Sands beneath the waters have been known to hold valuable relics from the ages. All you need is a good detector, and you're off to a promising adventure. But how do you know a good metal detector? And what should you consider when buying one?
This underwater metal detectors review aims to answer those questions for you and additionally provide the following list of the market's top choices for your convenience.
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10 Best Underwater Metal Detectors – Review
- 1. Garrett Pinpointer 1140900 – Best Overall Underwater Metal Detector
- 2. Canway GC-1028 – Best Budget Underwater Metal Detector
- 3. Wedigout MD-750 – Best Beginner Underwater Metal Detector
- 4. Fisher F22 – Best Intermediate Underwater Metal Detector
- 5. Garrett AT Pro – Best Professional Underwater Metal Detector
- 6. Wedigout Pin Pointer – Best Underwater Metal Detector For Kids
- 7. Bounty Hunter 3410011 – Pro-grade Underwater Metal Detector
- 8. Wedigout MD-4030 – Entry Level Underwater Metal Detector
- 9. Fisher F75 – Ergonomic Underwater Metal Detector
- 10. Fisher 1280X-8 – 250-ft Submersible Metal Detector
- How to Buy the Best Underwater Metal Detector
- How to Use An Underwater Metal Detector
- Conclusion
10 Best Underwater Metal Detectors – Review
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1. Garrett Pinpointer 1140900 (Best Overall) |
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2. Canway GC-1028 (Best Budget) |
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3. Wedigout MD-750 (Best for Beginner) |
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4. Fisher F22 (Best for Intermediates) |
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5. Garrett AT Pro (Best Professional) |
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6. Wedigout Pin Pointer (Best For Kids) |
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7. Bounty Hunter 3410011 (Pro-grade Detector) |
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8. Wedigout MD-4030 (Entry Level Detector) |
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9. Fisher F75 (Ergonomic) |
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10. Fisher 1280X-8 (250-ft Submersible Metal Detector) |
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PRODUCT |
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1. Garrett Pinpointer 1140900 (Best Overall) |
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2. Canway GC-1028 (Best Budget) |
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3. Wedigout MD-750 (Best for Beginner) |
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4. Fisher F22 (Best for Intermediates) |
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5. Garrett AT Pro (Best Professional) |
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6. Wedigout Pin Pointer (Best For Kids) |
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7. Bounty Hunter 3410011 (Pro-grade Detector) |
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8. Wedigout MD-4030 (Entry Level Detector) |
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9. Fisher F75 (Ergonomic) |
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10. Fisher 1280X-8 (250-ft Submersible Detector) |
1. Garrett Pinpointer 1140900 – Best Overall Underwater Metal Detector
Photo: Garrett
- Power: 3 AA batteries
- Maximum Coin Depth: 5 inches
- Waterproof: 10 feet
- Search Modes: 3
- Weight: 9 ounces
This Garrett Pinpointer detector combines many helpful features, such as waterproofing down to 10 feet, three sensitivity levels, a lightweight design, and a highly visible bright orange color to make it the best underwater metal detector on this list.
It features a pinpointing tip and a 360° wide detection system, so you can easily detect potential treasures with the wider scan before pinning things down to a specific location. A quick press of its button re-tunes the device, narrowing down this detection field. Using it is relatively simple as you need just one button to perform all control functions.
This package also comes with a lanyard attachment loop for safety and a patented scraping blade to help you search the soil once you get a signal.
One thing lacking here, however, is the multiple search modes that you often find in other metal detectors. But as long as you don't mind making more digs, then this is a great offer at an attractive price.
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Cons:
2. Canway GC-1028 – Best Budget Underwater Metal Detector
Photo: Canway
- Power: 2x 9-Volt
- Maximum Coin Depth: 7.1 inches
- Waterproof: 1.7 feet
- Search Modes: 7
- Weight: 5.8 pounds
For those who like to pay as little as possible for top-quality, Canway offers the GC-1028 here. It comes with a shovel and a carrying bag to give you the full package at an attractive price.
You get features like an intuitive LCD control box with digital controls, an ergonomically designed and adjustable metal stem that grows from 33 to 40.6 inches, and a highly sensitive and accurate system that can detect metals down to 7.1 inches.
It also offers seven search modes, so you can easily choose and focus on what you're hunting. Then there's sensitivity adjustment, depth indication, discrimination settings, and a 3.5 mm jack to let you hear its different sounds for different metals.
The search coil is also waterproof and submersible, but the digital control box isn't. So, you can only use it at one to two-meter depths, which is still great for many hunters.
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3. Wedigout MD-750 – Best Beginner Underwater Metal Detector
Photo: Wedigout
- Power: 9V battery
- Maximum Coin Depth: 3.9 inches
- Waterproof: 100 feet
- Search Modes: 1
- Weight: 12.2 ounces
Many beginners will appreciate this Wedigout MD-750 underwater metal detector because of its simplicity and impressive features, such as its 100-ft waterproofing depth and its pulse induction system that allows for high sensitivity without issues.
Another feature that makes it one of the best diving metal detectors is its lightweight design at just 12.2 ounces and its compact 17-inch length.
It also offers a comfortable grip with a safety strap for your convenience. Then it vibrates with a light flash whenever it picks up a metal.
One downside with it, however, is the lack of extra search modes. This is because it uses pulse induction to search, a technology that can't differentiate between metals. On the positive side, though, you get a very-high precision detector with an up to 3.9-inch detection range.
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4. Fisher F22 – Best Intermediate Underwater Metal Detector
Photo: Fisher
- Power: 2x AA batteries
- Maximum Coin Depth: 8 inches
- Waterproof: 1.7 feet
- Search Modes: 4
- Weight: 3 pounds
Featuring better controls and more options for the advanced metal hunter, this Fisher F22 is ideal for intermediates who want more control and precision in their searches.
You get a high-quality system with an LCD monitor and digital controls with large digits, four operating modes, Fe-Tone adjustable audio for iron targets, and the ability to store settings in memory.
It also offers the option of three different search-coil sizes, including a 7-inch and two 11-inch options. Plus, there are lots of accessories to help you customize it to your taste, making it one of the best waterproof metal-detector offers on the market.
Note, however, that only the search coil is submersible. So you can't use it in deeper waters. Else, it's a perfect unit for advanced hunters.
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5. Garrett AT Pro – Best Professional Underwater Metal Detector
Photo: Garrett
- Power: 4x AA batteries
- Maximum Coin Depth: 12 inches
- Waterproof: 10 feet
- Search Modes: 6
- Weight: 3 pounds
Those who want the very best and who appreciate a top-grade metal detector will be impressed by the many features of this Garrett AT Pro. First off, it works excellently in both salt- and fresh-water.
Secondly, it's waterproof to 10 feet underwater and this sets it aside from the other detectors that only have a waterproof search coil, as you can easily hunt areas where other detectors can't perform.
Garrett also includes its comfortable MS-2 headphones and the AT Pro's proportional audio that helps you to better guess an object's shape, size, and distance from just the audio alert.
Although it's one of the best submersible metal detectors out there, you still may not like its price because it's relatively expensive. But when you go through its many impressive features, you'll probably agree that it's worth the price.
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6. Wedigout Pin Pointer – Best Underwater Metal Detector For Kids
Photo: Wedigout
- Power: 9V battery
- Waterproof: 10 feet
- Search Modes: 1
- Weight: 0.5 pound
Kids aren't left out when it comes to good underwater metal detectors. Here, Wedigout offers its Pin Pointer device, developed with many features like IP68 waterproof rating and the choice between wide-angle and pin-point detection.
IP (ingress protection) rating is the international code that rates how well devices are protected from the elements. With IP68, devices are rated to withstand a 1.5-meter submersion in water for thirty minutes.
This detector is small and easy to carry around, perfect for kids. Plus, the operation is simple and just needs the press of one button to turn it and its LED light on. Once a metal is detected, it vibrates and sounds an alarm, and this alarm will get louder as you get closer.
When you compare it to others, it becomes clear that it's more of a toy than a real metal detector. So, if you are looking for the best cheap waterproof metal detector, then you might want to look elsewhere because this is for kids.
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7. Bounty Hunter 3410011 – Pro-grade Underwater Metal Detector
Photo: Bounty Hunter
- Power: 1x 9V battery
- Maximum Coin Depth: 10 inches
- Search Modes: 7
- Weight: 2.4 pounds
For a pro-grade underwater metal detector at a nice price, check out this Bounty Hunter 3410011 unit. It features computerized ground balancing, offers 4-tone audio, and is backed with a 5-year warranty.
The entire underwater metal detector runs on a 9V battery and weighs just 2.4 pounds, making it both reliable and portable. Bounty Hunter includes a large 11-inch coil, which makes it easy to detect coins up to 10 inches deep.
It also offers many features like discrimination, seven operating modes, motion, no motion, and pin-pointing with depth indication.
What it lacks are accessories like a shovel and headphones for audio feedback. But if you consider its price though, then it's still a very attractive offer.
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8. Wedigout MD-4030 – Entry Level Underwater Metal Detector
Photo: Wedigout
- Power: 2x 9V batteries
- Maximum Coin Depth: 5.1 inches
- Search Modes: 2
- Weight: 5.1 pounds
If a shovel and headphones are important to you, then this package may be of interest. It includes an entry-level metal detector, a shovel, and headphones to complete the package.
The display is simple and features basic controls that still get the job done. This detector can find coins up to 5.1 inches deep and you've got both a visual and audible alert.
It offers two detection modes and allows you to filter out garbage with a simple turn of its discrimination knob. Even the included shovel is multi-functional, as it allows for digging, chopping, sawing, and shoveling.
Still, it's an entry-level unit. So, there are lots of other offers with more refined features. But, in its defense, it comes at a very low and attractive price.
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9. Fisher F75 – Ergonomic Underwater Metal Detector
Photo: Fisher
- Power: 4x AA batteries
- Weight: 4.7 pounds
Fisher's F75 is one of the best underwater metal detectors because of its focus on user comfort and the application of ergonomic design principles in making it.
What you get here is a unit with a nice weight, good balance in the hands, and an overall design that feels as natural as possible. This includes the large LCD monitor with a numeric target ID and an always visible menu.
You also get a large 11-inch bi-axial search coil, making it able to detect as far deep down materials as possible. Then, there is a back-light for night hunting, a rain-cover for bad weather, and lots of memory space to save your settings.
When it comes to price, however, then it's one of the costliest in this review. Its control system is also relatively complex compared to others. But if you want top-quality, then no price is too high, especially when it comes with a 5-year warranty.
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10. Fisher 1280X-8 – 250-ft Submersible Metal Detector
Photo: Fisher
- Power: 2x AA batteries
- Weight: 5.8 pounds
If you want a truly top of the line underwater metal detector, then this Fisher 1280X-8 could be what you're searching for. For starters, it's submersible down to 250 feet, and that's including its control box.
Another nice feature it comes with is its ease of use. Simply turn it on, set the volume, discrimination, and desired sensitivity levels and that's it. It will automatically itself to match every condition you, no need for fin-tuning or ground balancing from time to time.
You also get a fully collapsible pole that you can make short when diving and long when wading. Plus, the control box is removable, also enabling you to either wear it on the hip or chest. And lastly, it works very well in both salt- and fresh-waters.
One little setback is there's no LCD on the control box. But that's a small price to pay if you want to hunt in 250 feet.
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How to Buy the Best Underwater Metal Detector
Photo: Wedigout
1. Waterproof vs. Submersible
You should pay attention to these two terms because they are important, although they mean different things. A waterproof metal detector simply has a waterproof coil and this means you can submerge the coil, but not the entire metal detector, because their controls are usually not waterproof.
With submersible metal detectors, everything is waterproof, so you can submerge the entire metal detector, including its controls. Keep in mind, however, that each device has a depth rating, often between 10 and 100 feet, beyond which it will lose its waterproofing.
2. Pulse Induction vs. Very Low Frequency
Another big difference between underwater metal detectors is their underlying electromagnetic technology. There are the Pulse Induction (PI) and the Very Low Frequency (VLF) metal detectors, and each has its advantages.
PI detectors such as the Wedigout MD-750 , emit pulses that are not affected by mineralized water such as saltwater. This makes them ideal for treasure hunting in the seas, and they also offer good depth. Where they fail, however, is their inability to distinguish between treasure and trash, meaning you'll have to conduct more digs with them.
VLF detectors such as the Fisher F75 , on the other hand, can differentiate between treasure and trash, saving you time. Where they have issues is with the presence of minerals like salt. But they come with sensitivity and ground balance adjustments, which help you to reduce the distortions caused by the minerals.
3. Search-Coil
This is the round part that attaches to the end of the metal detector nearest to the ground. And as the name suggests, it uses a wire transmitter coil to create electromagnetic signals that it sends out. If these signals bounce off a metallic object, a receiver coil picks up the signal and alerts you.
You should note that physical dimensions are important here. So, the wider a search coil is, the deeper its signals can reach, and therefore, more finds for you. Many manufacturers offer additional coils as an option, in either smaller or larger sizes.
4. The Controls
The different designs out there range from digital controls to buttons or knobs, all with varying levels of user-friendliness. It's left for you here to choose what fits your style.
5. Search Modes & Discrimination
Some advanced detectors offer different search modes and this lets you select the exact type of metal that you are looking for, such as silver or gold.
Discrimination works in a slightly opposite way. If you are in an area with too much distortion, for instance, too much iron, you could set the discrimination to eliminate iron signals.
6. Sensitivity & Search Depth
Sensitivity refers to how easily the metal detector can pick up far-away signals. Many detectors come with a sensitivity control because there are times you want your detector to be less sensitive, such as near power lines or in areas of high mineral content.
Search depth refers to how deep into the soil your detector can detect metals. It's determined by many factors, including the soil's composition, the search coil's diameter, and the detector's frequency. A larger coil diameter or a lower frequency offers more search depth.
7. Ground Balance
This is a simple method to adjust your metal detector to ignore as many minerals in the soil as possible. Many modern detectors offer automatic balancing, or you can also do it manually. You must set it each time before you start hunting.
How to Use An Underwater Metal Detector
Photo: Garrett
Before you take your underwater metal detector anywhere, you must get to know it first. Read the instruction manuals, set it up, and get used to its different features. Also, try using it to detect some metals and get used to the detector's different signals.
Plan before going anywhere to hunt. You should be aware of the laws in that jurisdiction and know if metal detectors are allowed or not. Ask whenever you are not sure, especially if it's private property or on government land.
1. Assembly
Before you start, assemble the metal detector according to the maker's instructions.
2. Set Options
Once you switch it on, you'll need to set the available options, such as the search mode, the ground balancing, sensitivity, and discrimination. After that, you can begin.
3. Walk Slowly
Just talk your time with careful slow steps forward, while swinging the detector from side to side. Hold it directly in front of you, with the coil pointing forward and as parallel to the ground as possible. Also, try to keep the coil's height steady.
4. Dig Carefully
If you identify a target, continue to sweep that area, while slowly narrowing down the signal. Use a circular motion to isolate the exact location and then slowly dig up the area, taking care to disturb as little plants and their roots as possible.
Conclusion
We've come to the end of this underwater metal detectors review and you've seen the best offers out there, from detectors for kids to those for professionals, there's something for everyone.
For the best overall offer, we recommend the Garrett Pinpointer metal detector , with its simplicity and ease of use, plus a 2-year warranty coverage.
For those on a budget, we recommend the Canway GC-1028 metal detector , with its low price, LCD monitor, and full package, including a shovel and a bag.
Else, if you're planning to dive deep for your treasure hunt, then we recommend the Fisher 1280X-8 detector , with its easy-to-use design, 2-year warranty coverage, and 250-ft submersible depth.