Treasure hunting is a good game for family bond; Moreover, through it, you can teach your kids a lot of things, such as reading a map, types of metals, how a metal detector works and how to use it.
Here are the best metal detectors under $100 you can buy in 2024:
- Best Overall: Bounty Hunter TK4 Tracker IV Metal Detector
- Deep-Seeking: Canway Adjustable Waterproof Metal Finder
- Best for Beach: TACKLIFE Metal Detector
- Best for Natural Areas: DR.ÖTEK Junior Metal Detector
- Best for Silver & Gold: MARNUR Metal Detector
- Most Affordable: Kingdetector Metal Detector MD-4030 Pro
| 6 Best Metal Detectors Under $100 | ||
|---|---|---|
Best Overall | Bounty Hunter TK4 Tracker IV Metal Detector | |
Deep-Seeking | Canway Adjustable Waterproof Metal Finder | |
Best for Beach | TACKLIFE Metal Detector | |
Best for Natural Areas | DR.ÖTEK Junior Metal Detector | |
Best for Silver & Gold | MARNUR Metal Detector | |
Most Affordable | Kingdetector Metal Detector MD-4030 Pro | |
Best Overall: Bounty Hunter TK4 Tracker IV Metal Detector
Detect large objects up to 3ft
Ignore minerals in the ground
Disc/notch control & Sensitivity control
3 Modes of Operation
Waterproof Searchcoil
Nothing to complain
Bounty Hunter TK4 Tracker IV is my pick for the best overall metal detector under $100. It features an 8-inch waterproof search coil attached to an adjustable stem with comfortable armrest and handgrip. It looks quite good.
The search coil transmits an electromagnetic field around 6.7 kHz, which is ideal to detect large targets. In fact, Tracker IV can detect a large object up to 3ft underground, and detect coin-size targets up to 6 inches deep. It is preset to ignore minerals in the ground
Tracker IV has three modes of operation - All-Metal mode, Discrimination mode, and 2-Tone audio mode. It also features two knobs - one to adjust the sensitivity (the depth of detection) and the other to notch control (eliminate undesirable targets). This is a great metal detector under $100.
| Bounty Hunter TK4 Tracker IV Metal Detector Specifications | |
|---|---|
Dimension | 28.25 x 10 x 6.25 inches |
Weight | 3.7 lbs |
Depth Adjustment | Yes |
Operating Frequency | 6.7 kHz |
Highlight Features | Disc/notch control & Sensitivity control; Detect large objects up to 3ft |
Bounty Hunter TK4 Tracker IV is the best overall metal detector under $100.
Deep-Seeking: Canway Adjustable Waterproof Metal Finder
Waterproof search coil
Adjustable stem
Informative Large LCD
Distinctive Audio tones & Pinpointer
Detection depth up to 7.1 inches
A bit above $100 (including delivery charges)
Bounty Hunter TK4 Tracker IV is great, but Canway Metal Finder is even better. Canway Metal Finder also features a waterproof search coil and adjustable stem. The detection depth of Canway Metal Finder is really impressive to a $100 metal detector, up to 7.1 inches.
You can adjust the sensitivity and configure a pinpoint that the detector will notice you with a different sound when the frequency is detected. Canway Metal Finder features a large LCD that shows all the information you need - from battery indicator, volume to sensitivity, and detection depth.
However, you’ll have to pay more than $100 a little to get Canway Metal Finder home.
| Canway Adjustable Waterproof Metal Finder Specifications | |
|---|---|
Dimension | 6 x 12 x 16 inches |
Weight | 6 lbs |
Depth Adjustment | Yes |
Operating Frequency | 6.5 kHz |
Highlight Features | Detection depth up to 7.1 inches; Large LCD |
Canway Metal Finder features a large LCD and has the detection depth up to 7.1 inches.
Best for Beach: TACKLIFE Metal Detector
IP68 7.8-inch search coil
Cute LCD Display
Three audio tone
DISC Mode & Depth Indicator
Not so accurate
TACKLIFE Metal Detector is a perfect toy for your kids. It features a large LCD display with backlight. The display has cute icons and is very intuitive, informing you of the detecting depth, operating mode, overload warning, sensitivity level, and battery level, and so forth. It features an IP68 7.8-inch search coil so that you can explore underwater.
TACKLIFE Metal Detector has three different tones to indicate the metal detected - the low tone is for ferrous metals, nails, screws; the medium tone is for medium conductivity metals, ring, foil; the high tone is for high conductivity metals, copper, silver. And of course, it has DISC mode to ignore unwanted metals. However, since this is a kid's toy, it is not so accurate but usable.
| TACKLIFE Metal Detector Specifications | |
|---|---|
Dimension | 31.1 x 10.6 x 5.1 inches |
Weight | 2 lbs |
Depth Adjustment | No |
Operating Frequency | 6.6 kHz |
Highlight Features | Three audio tone; DISC Mode & Depth Indicator |
TACKLIFE Metal Detector is a cute and easy-to-use metal detector for kids.
Best for Natural Areas: DR.ÖTEK Junior Metal Detector
Cool design
Different lights & tones for different metal
Waterproof search coil and adjustable stem
Lacks depth adjustment
DR.ÖTEK Junior Metal Detector looks cool with angled-shape design. The stem is adjustable to fit the user’s heigh. It features an 8.3-inch waterproof search coil that can detect objects up to 7-inch underground.
DR.ÖTEK Junior Metal Detector features some basic functions of a metal detector. It lets you choose a specific frequency to exclude when searching. In all-metal mode, it sounds and lights for different metal. However, it does not let you adjust the sensitivity - the detection depth.
| DR.ÖTEK Junior Metal Detector Specifications | |
|---|---|
Dimension | 21.89 x 7.09 x 5.28 inches |
Weight | 2.2 lbs |
Depth Adjustment | No |
Operating Frequency | 6.5 to 6.8k Hz |
Highlight Features | Different lights & tones for different metal |
DR.ÖTEK Junior Metal Detector looks cool with angled-shape design, ideal for kids.
Best for Silver & Gold: MARNUR Metal Detector
Waterproof farge search coil
Adjustable Sensitivity, Stem, Notch
Backlight LCD Display
Durable
Not so lightweight and easy to use
MARNUR Metal Detector features a large search coil - 9.84 inches in diameter, which helps you search faster. It is sensitive, allowing you to search up to 8-inch underground. The LCD display is clear and has a backlight for low-light conditions. MARNUR Metal Detector detects 6 types of metal: Iron NI, TAB, Zn, Cu, Ag. It lets you adjust the stem length, sensitivity, and unwanted metal. It is durable, also very comfortable to use thanks to the ergonomic soft foam pad.
However, MARNUR Metal Detector is not so lightweight and easy-to-use for kids.
| MARNUR Metal Detector Specifications | |
|---|---|
Dimension | 21.61 x 11 x 5.1 inches |
Weight | 5.9 lbs |
Depth Adjustment | Yes |
Operating Frequency | |
Highlight Features | Adjustable Sensitivity, Stem, Notch; Up to 8 inches |
MARNUR Metal Detector features a large search coil that can detect 6 types of metal.
Most Affordable: Kingdetector Metal Detector MD-4030 Pro
Very affordable
Discriminate 4 types of metal
Easy-to-use console
Comes with a shovel and a headphone
Detection depth is not impressive
Kingdetector MD-4030 Pro is a good budget choice. It detects 4 types of metal - Iron, Nickel, Zinc, and Copper, which is not as many as MARNUR Metal Detector but enough for beginners. It features a console that you can set the sensitivity, volume, notch pinpoint with easy-to-use knobs.
Moreover, Kingdetector MD-4030 Pro comes with a shovel and a headphone, so you don’t need to purchase them separately. However, the detection depth is not impressive, only 5.1 inches.
| Kingdetector Metal Detector MD-4030 Pro Specifications | |
|---|---|
Dimension | 21.65 x 4.72 x 9.06 inches |
Weight | 5.5 lbs |
Depth Adjustment | Yes |
Operating Frequency | 5kHz |
Highlight Features | Discriminate 4 types of meta; Comes with a shovel and a headphone |
Kingdetector MD-4030 Pro is a budget metal detector for beginners.
How To Choose The Best Metal Detector Under $100?
First, you have to understand how a metal detector works. Every metal detector features a search coil, which transmits an electromagnetic field into the ground. If there is a metal object within the field, it will retransmit the field with its own frequency. Thanks to this, the metal detector can differentiate the type of metal it has found and allows you to ignore unwanted metal.
A high-frequency metal detector is ideal for small targets, while a low-frequency metal detector is ideal for large targets. Very low-frequency ones, which I review above, are suitable to find coins and jewelry.
The accuracy is the first priority when choosing a metal detector. Then, you’ll have to notice the detection depth. Other functions you may like to have are sensitivity adjustment, discrimination mode, notch mode, and a large informative LCD display.
Which Brands Make The Best Metal Detector Under $100?
Bounty Hunter
Bounty Hunter is a brand specialized in making metal detectors, headquartered in Texas. They produce a lot of metal detector models, from the simplest for starters to advanced ones for pro detectors, treasure hunters, and adventurers. They have the pioneer line that integrates the best technologies. And for kids, the starter line would be great - they are pretty affordable and quality.
Tacklife Tools
Tacklife Tools is a manufacturer in the US, making a wide range of tools, from inflators, portable power stations to hand tools, garden tools, and power tools. They are famous for focusing on details to make the most well-made, portable, exquisite products. They have a design team that has about 200 professional designers, always listening to customer's feedback, so good design and easiness-to-use are also their strengths.
King Detector
As the name has said, Kingdetector is a supplier of metal detectors. Their detectors are well-known for their accuracy and durability yet affordability. They provide metal detectors not only for the family bond but also for serious treasure hunters who are looking for mysterious treasure underground or in the sea. Kingdetector is also famous for its customer services. This is a brand you can trust.
FAQs
Which circuitry type is better?
Metal detectors use inductive sensors to detect the change in the electromagnetic field, which is an indication of the metal underground. There are some inductive sensor types. A standard inductive proximity sensor detects non-magnetic metals well (aluminum, copper, and brass) but is very bad at detects magnetic metals (steel). There are also ferrous only sensors (magnetic metals only) and non-ferrous only sensors (non-magnetic metals only). So unless you are aiming at detecting only a type of metals, I recommend having a metal detector that features a standard inductive proximity sensor.
Where can you legally metal detect?
You don't have to worry much about permission to metal detecting. You can legally metal detect in local parks, state parks, national forests, beaches, or of course, your backyards.
How much does a really good metal detector cost?
A serious metal detector for adventurers may cost above $1,000. A decent metal detector costs about several hundred dollars. However, you don’t need to spend that much if you are just looking for a toy for your kids - a metal detector under $100 would be enough.
How can you tell if metal is underground?
There is no trick. You need to search inch-by-inch with a metal detector to find metal underground. That’s the fun of the game, right? You can also go online searching for places that are likely to have treasure underground.
Can metal detectors go through concrete?
Concrete may contain rebar inside it, which is a problem when you metal detect through it. Otherwise, it is perfectly okay to metal detect through concrete.
Can a normal metal detector find gold?
All metal detectors find gold if it is within the detection range and not be blocked by other metal.
Conclusion
Treasure hunting is a good game for the family bond. I hope that you and your family will have good times with this game.
Harry RamosI’m Harry Ramos, who's crazy about all things green. I’m here to share some experience in my gardening adventure and how to choose the best products for your garden. Let's dig in, get our hands dirty, and celebrate the simple, earthy pleasures of the garden together!
