It is undeniable that treasure hunting is an expensive hobby, which many hunters have spent thousands of dollars on investing in a metal detector with bells and whistles.
Still, we know that not all of us can afford such a large amount of money like that. That’s why we’re going to share with you guys some of our best metal detectors under $200!
They might not have so many advanced or modern features like the high-end models, but they still can meet the standard quality to get the job done greatly.
So, to help you with your selection, do not take up much of your time but scroll down and take a look at our recommendations’ detailed reviews right away!
Here are the best metal detectors under $200 you can buy in 2025:
- Best Overall: DR.ÖTEK MT-XR Metal Detector
- Best For Beach: OMMO Metal Detector
- Best For Gold And Silver: RM RICOMAX Detector GC-1037
- Best For Relic Hunting: Bounty Hunter Discovery 3300 Metal Detector
- Best For Beginner: Garrett Ace 200 Metal Detector
- Best For Coin: Bounty Hunter QSIGWP Quick Silver Metal Detector
| 6 Best Metal Detectors Under $200 | ||
|---|---|---|
Best Overall | DR.ÖTEK MT-XR Metal Detector | |
Best For Beach | OMMO Metal Detector | |
Best For Gold And Silver | RM RICOMAX Detector GC-1037 | |
Best For Relic Hunting | Bounty Hunter Discovery 3300 Metal Detector | |
Best For Beginner | Garrett Ace 200 Metal Detector | |
Best For Coin | Bounty Hunter QSIGWP Quick Silver Metal Detector | |
Best Overall: DR.ÖTEK MT-XR Metal Detector
- Great volume
- Depth and sensitivity adjustable
- Lightweight
- Easy to use
- Excellent pinpointing ability
- Not so sensitive to gold
DR.ÖTEK MT-XR is excellent both at its built quality and abilities. The first advantage that should be mentioned here is its great volume. Many of you might take this feature for granted but in fact, it’s really important because many detectors’ volume can make your ears get ouch.
The model is constructed with lightweight materials, and equipped with a waterproof coil, built-in pinpointer and a large touch screen that display discrimination, target IDs and more.
Furthermore, we are into the ergonomic grip and convenience of the touch display that allows a fast access to all controls. By simply touching the screen with a single fingertip, we can check the signal and swing the detector at the same time without any challenges.
Besides, the pinpoint function has worked perfectly just like we expected and the discrimination mode has nothing to complain about.
Only one thing that we are not crazy about is its sensitivity to gold. We are not so sure but the product seems to lose its accuracy when it is put into the high-mineralized areas, which leads to some inaccuracies.
| DR.ÖTEK MT-XR Metal Detector Specifications | |
|---|---|
Dimension | 23.5 x 12.3 x 4.2 inches |
Weight | 3.54 pounds |
Max Depth | 10 inches |
Operating Frequency | 6.4 - 6.8 kHz |
Highlight Features | 5 search modes; 5-grade sensitivity control; waterproof search coil; large LCD screen |
DR.ÖTEK MT-XR is one of the most prominent detectors because of not only its competitive price but also its first-rated features.
Best For Beach: OMMO Metal Detector
- Accessories included
- Length can be adjusted to kid size
- Intuitive display screen
- Built-in pinpointer
- Easy to assemble
- The shovel is pretty easy to be out of shape
- The shaft is pretty hard to extend or shorten
OMMO is the product that will exceed your expectations of the low-price range metal detectors. The detector does not come alone but a full hunting set, from carrying bag, headset, battery and shovel. Such an amazing combo, right?
What’s more? This model is designed for both adults and kids since its length can be adjusted. That’s why it’s also suitable for being a gift for kids.
The reason why we choose this one as the best for the beach is because of its superior built-in pinpointer. With the extreme ground condition like the beach, a good pinpointer really saves our efforts as it allows us to locate exactly the kind of metal that we want among tons of trash and fake metal signals on the beach.
Still, of course, it’s not totally perfect. The included shovel seems to bend out of shape pretty quickly and the shaft is a little bit hard to lengthen and shorten. Though, we think that these are just small minors and they are expected as the pay-off for the too affordable price.
| OMMO Metal Detector Specifications | |
|---|---|
Dimension | 17.5 x 13.4 x 5 inches |
Weight | 2.8 kg |
Max Depth | 8 inches |
Operating Frequency | 6.4 - 6.6 kHz |
Highlight Features | 3 search modes; waterproof search coil; 9V battery; adjustable sensitive level |
OMMO metal detector is a worth-trying choice when you are looking for a gift for your kids or a cost-effective model for beach searching.
Best For Gold And Silver: RM RICOMAX Detector GC-1037
- Various target categories
- Folding shovel included
- Easy to assemble
- Various target categories
- Large LCD screen
- No ground balance adjustment
- Not so durable
If you search RM Ricomax GC-1037 on the Internet, there will not be many results as RM Ricomax is not a famous brand in the metal detector field. Despite not receiving high reputation, this brand still provides the market with few promising models, and one of them is this GC-1037.
It has a 2-digit numerical system that usually shows up in some high-end products. This is helpful as it can accurately identify which kind of metal by filtering out them with the 0- 99 ID target numbers when conducting a hunting.
Sensitivity is the ability to detect a specific type and size of a metal object. This is a great back-up feature since this machine does not have any ground balance adjustment. When you find out your tool is struggling to determine small objects, increasing its sensitivity is a great idea. However, this is not an instant-noodle skill that you can master in one day. You will need a short time to practice it.
Generally, RM Ricomax GC-1037 has all necessary features to get you started your gold hunting, though some users do complain that this machine is not so durable.
| RM RICOMAX Detector GC-1037 Specifications | |
|---|---|
Dimension | 20 x 11 x 6 inches |
Weight | 6.89 pounds |
Max Depth | 8.7 inches |
Operating Frequency | 6 kHz |
Highlight Features | 3 search modes; sensitivity adjustment; volume adjustment; 6 target categories; backlight LCD |
Many detectors have found gold with RM Ricomax GC-1037, so would you like to be the next one?
Best For Relic Hunting: Bounty Hunter Discovery 3300 Metal Detector
- Manual ground balance adjustment included
- Well designed
- Accurate
- Many extra features
- Slow processing
Bounty Hunter Discovery 3300 is a quality metal detector that has a lot of bells and whistles that many normal lower-price products wish to have.
One of the most impressive features is the manual ground balance adjustment. This is the ability that even some mid-end machines do not provide. It will enable you to increase the tool’s maximum depth when detecting in mineralized areas as well as make it more versatile and suitable for more types of grounds.
The whole unit is lightweight and well-designed, which makes users comfortable and come across no difficulties during use time.
The only real drawback here is that the loading speed and information processing are quite slow, which might cause you annoyance.
| Bounty Hunter Discovery 3300 Metal Detector Specifications | |
|---|---|
Dimension | 28.3 x 10 x 6 inches |
Weight | 2.5 lbs |
Max Depth | 11 inches |
Operating Frequency | 6.6 kHz |
Highlight Features | 3-digit target ID; 4 audio tones; 5 operating modes |
Bounty Hunter Discovery 3300 will meet your needs of a metal detector with many additional features.
Best For Beginner: Garrett Ace 200 Metal Detector
- Easy to use
- Great for beginners
- Shipped in ready-to-use condition
- No ground balance adjustment
- No pinpointing
To be honest, there are a variety of options for an entry-level metal detector, but to us, Garrett Ace 200 still steals the spotlight. Although it has been released for a pretty long period of time, it’s hard to find any better detector to start with than it.
The first cool feature that we want to show you is the coin depth indicator, so you will know the depth range of your wanted items.
Next, it is the pulse-width modulation. This can be considered as the traditional feature that has built the name for the Garrett brand. It will give you the sharper, and clearer audio sound, which makes it easier to distinguish each metal type.
Besides, it’s truly newbie-friendly! Just spend a couple of minutes reading the manual instruction and we’re sure that you will know what to do and how to make use of this guy. Moreover, unlike many other products that require easy to complex assembly, this comes in the ready-to-use condition. So, no matter which level you are in, you will not have to deal with such a put-together problem.
As a model that seems to be specifically designed for beginners, Garrett Ace 200 lacks some interesting elements such as ground balance adjustment and pinpointing. However, if you’re new to this hobby, we think that these two features are not so essential for you.
| Garrett Ace 200 Metal Detector Specifications | |
|---|---|
Dimension | 22 x 11 x 6 inches |
Weight | 4.2 pounds |
Max Depth | 12 inches |
Operating Frequency | 6.5 kHz |
Highlight Features | 4 sensitivity adjustments; digital target ID; 3 search modes; camlocks; coin depth indicator |
Garrett Ace 200 is an optimal choice that we highly recommend for amarteur hunters.
Best For Coin: Bounty Hunter QSIGWP Quick Silver Metal Detector
- Affordable
- Lightweight
- Handheld pinpointer included
- A lot of false signals
- No volume control
Now, here is the last suggestion for today’s article, the QSIGWP Quick Silver from Bounty Hunter manufacturer.
The biggest bonus that we want to give to this machine is that it includes a handheld pinpointer, which is the accessory that you often have to purchase outside. And, the great thing here is in spite of being an attached item, this works much more better than we have expected.
Weighing under 2.25 pounds, of course, this product will not cause you can of worms when trying to search in an extended period.
One of the most obvious issues that many buyers have to deal with when buying this is its showing a lot of false signals. Digging is a part of this searching game but having to dig too many wasted items will make this hobby so exhausted to continue, right?
Furthermore, there is no volume control while the volume itself is loud and deafening. So, remember to take this into account before your last decision.
| Bounty Hunter QSIGWP Quick Silver Metal Detector Specifications | |
|---|---|
Dimension | 28.3 x 6 x 10 inches |
Weight | 2.25 pounds |
Max Depth | 8 inches |
Operating Frequency | 6.6 kHz |
Highlight Features | Waterproof search coil; 3 tone audio identifications |
Frankly, Bounty Hunter QSIGWP Quick Silver still needs more improvements in its design but after all, it’s a not-bad option for an affordable metal detector.
How To Choose The Best Metal Detector Under $200?
We now have gone through the review part, but for some beginners, we bet that it’s still pretty confusing to make up your mind as you might have not equipped yourself with enough knowledge and information about a metal detector.
A detector might have tons of things to learn about but here is a quick buying guide to make you become a smart buyer:
Users
Users here means your skills’ level, your chosen hunting ground and desired targets. Before deciding to choose a detector, you have to ask yourself where and what kind of metal that you are going to mainly search for.
Although most detectors are versatile, they might not bring the same quality to all of their functions. For example, some are designed to compete under water while some can do their best on high-mineralized grounds. Or some are really excellent at gold finding while some are better at coin or relic hunting.
Your skill level should also be taken into consideration. With the price down from $200, many people think that you can solely get an entry-level machine with basic features, but actually, many detector manufacturing brands are trying to develop their product line and price range everyday to approach a wider range of customers. That’s why you can totally rest assured that no matter which skill level you are in, there is still an affordable choice that can fit the bill.
Tool’s Abilities
Some fundamental features of a metal detector includes discrimination, search modes, and search coil.
First, let’s talk about the discrimination. This is the ability that enables the tool to distinguish the value metals from litters. This feature can perform its full capacity, and save you from the stress of repeatedly digging up wasted bottles or cans when you tend to hunt in areas with lots of trash.
Next, it’s about the search modes. One detector often comes with at least three search modes. If there is any detector with only one mode, we don’t think that it’s worth the money. And, the most common mode that the majority of these machines have is the All Metal, meaning that it will receive every signal from all kinds of metal. It is often used when searching gold since the hunter doesn't want to pass by any gold nuggets, even the smallest.
Search coil is the last essential factor that we should be concerned about because it has a great impact on how deep your detector can see through. There are two kinds of search coils, which are DD and concentric. DD coil is more highly appreciated, but at a price range of under $200, the coils are primarily concentric to reduce the production cost. Besides, the detector might not be submersible, but the coil itself should be waterproof, so that it can deal with more kinds of ground conditions.
Which Brands Make The Best Metal Detector Under $200?
Garrett
Bounty Hunter
FAQs
Which circuitry type is better?
If you intend to DIY a detector circuit type, we suggest using the LC circuit combined with a proximity sensor.
How deep do most metal detectors go?
Questions about depth are often pretty hard to give a precise answer because, you know, it depends on a variety of factors, from the quality of the machine itself to the ground conditions, and objects’ size. Still, based on our experience, most metal detectors can search for a coin-sized item at the depth of 7 to 10 inches.
How can you tell if metal is underground?
When the detector receives signals from underground metals, it will beep or display on the screen.
Can metal detectors go through concrete?
Don’t worry, they can see through concrete.
Can a normal metal detector find gold?
Yes, of course! Not many detectors are designed for only hunting gold, although some are extremely outstanding at it. Instead, they often come with different search modes for different types of metal.
Conclusion
With those high-quality metal detectors, who can say that the cheapest is the dearest?
It is true that you will have to give up one or two additional features as a trade-off for the lower price, but overall, we still believe that our best metal detectors under $200 above can meet most of the requirements and complete every task efficiently.
Last but not least, there is nothing called right or wrong in choosing a metal detector as each might have different demands and purposes. The final decision is up to you, but we hope that our suggestions can be a reliable source for you to consult and make a good decision!
