Are you thinking about which metal detector to buy? Maybe you’re already a professional but haven’t scourged your surroundings in a while because you need a new detector and don’t want to spend a lot of money on it. Alternatively, maybe you’re a beginner wondering which detector to buy first.
Whatever the case is, I have great news! You can start this amazing hobby with less than $100. With such a low budget, what kind of detectors could possibly be available, and are they any good? Keep reading so I can fill you in on the details.
Will a Cheap Metal Detector Find Gold?
Yes! Even though some metal detectors are cheap, they still can find gold. Of course, not all of them can do so since it depends on its brand and quality.
Here are two common things I’ve seen and read:
- Unfortunately, some products state that their capabilities include finding gold, yet when you start looking, you only find cans.
- Clients believe they don’t find what they’re looking for because cheap metal detectors can’t find gold.
If you have the opinion that the second point speaks to, I must tell you that you’re wrong. There are cheap metal detectors skilled enough to find gold, but you must find the right models.
Best Metal Detectors Under 100 Dollars – The Top 10
Metal Detectors That Are Cheap but Good – Is there such a thing?
Lots of people believe that something can’t have good quality if it’s cheap. If you think about it, it’s like no one is allowed to buy inexpensive things – you must spend all your money. Otherwise, it’s not a good investment. What a way to think!
Of course, this is not the case, especially with metal detectors. There are many models that you can get cheaply, and they can help you find lots of hidden treasures.
If you’re here, you want to know if it’s possible to find a good quality metal detector while spending less than $100. I won’t waste any more time. Let’s get into the good stuff with my ten best affordable recommendations!
1. Bounty Hunter Gold Digger
The Gold Digger by Bounty Hunter is an incredible option under $100. With this model, you can find coins and other metal objects even up to 2 feet below the ground. The unit also has other fantastic characteristics. Here are some of its pros and cons:
| Pros | Cons |
| It can find different types of metal such as iron and gold | It’s not very accurate |
| It has a customizable discrimination mode so that you only find what you want | It’s heavy for some people |
| Its parts are resistant to different types of weather | It doesn’t include batteries |
With an easily adjustable interface, the Gold Digger helps metal lovers find all sorts of treasures. Many users have tested it and report that it’s very easy to use. People are also huge fans of its respectable depth. However, some users have complained that it doesn’t discriminate well when it comes to differentiating one material from another.
2. RM RicoMax GC 10-28
If you’re looking for a high-quality metal detector that’s not too expensive, I suggest you check out the RM RicoMax GC 10-28. It has a search engine that detects all sorts of metal, even if the treasure is hidden 10 inches below you.
| Pros | Cons |
| It has a customizable discrimination mode, so you can adjust which metal you want to find. | The display is not very bright, which can hinder visibility. |
| It displays many data points on an LCD control box. Therefore, you can get all the information you need about the kind of metal you found, the battery usage, and more. | It doesn’t include batteries. |
| It’s very lightweight. |
Thousands of customers love RicoMax because it offers incredible results for a good price. Besides, it’s easy to use, so you don’t have to worry about it if you’re a beginner – you can learn quickly!
3. Bounty Hunter TK4GWP1
Every metal lover goes through a learning curve when starting with metal detectors for the first time. This tends to apply even if they learn about the different types of metal detectors. However, with the Bounty Hunter TK4GWP1, you can’t go wrong as a beginner. Check out its pros and cons:
| Pros | Cons |
| It helps beginners learn the basics of metal detecting because of its user-friendliness. | It has a tricky feature. Users need to keep it in motion to locate the precise spot where the object is, and it can be difficult to get used to |
| It’s very accurate |
Overall, I think that the TK4GWP1 is an excellent model. This drawback is not a big deal compared to the benefits, making it an incredible item for such an inexpensive price.
4. Wedigout MD-430 Pro Edition
The Wedigout MD-430 has an ergonomic design and customizable features. For example, you can adjust the headphones and select the detection mode you want to use.
| Pros | Cons |
| It’s excellent for beginners | You might have some trouble adjusting it when you get it. The learning curve is not steep though |
| Children and adults can use it effectively. | You need to get comfortable moving it properly to get the best results |
| It’s very accurate |
5. Nokta Makro Mini Hoard
The Nokta Makro Mini Hoard is part of the first series of metal detectors made exclusively for children! Although there are lots of detectors out there, not all of them are child-friendly and inexpensive.
If you’re looking to share this beautiful hobby with your children, I suggest you check out the Nokta Makro Mini Hoard.
| Pros | Cons |
| You can easily transport it | It doesn’t include batteries |
| It’s very lightweight | It’s made of plastic, so it can break easily |
| It’s not as accurate as more professional models. |
Even though the Nokta Makro Mini Hoard is great for kids and is one of my top 10 metal detectors under $100, it’s not as good as other models because it’s not meant to be professional. It’s for children who want to have fun!
6. Bounty Hunter The Guardian
Bounty Hunter’s The Guardian is a great example of a handy, easy-to-use metal detector. Many metal-loving hobbyists decide to go with this model because they can easily carry it around and find hidden treasures wherever they go!
| Pros | Cons |
| It can find very small pieces | It doesn’t include batteries |
| It’s very accurate | It might not last long because it can break easily. |
7. Bounty Hunter QSI Quick Silver
The QSI Quick Silver by Bounty Hunter is an incredible model, but it sometimes has a defect that can ruin the experience if present. With this unit, you can find gold, iron, silver, and much more. Check out the benefits and the big disadvantage:
| Pros | Cons |
| It’s easy to use | Some users have complained that their product didn’t stop beeping |
| It’s very accurate | |
| It’s waterproof |
Though several people have confirmed having the beeping issue, other customers say that the device works very well and that it’s an incredibly inexpensive model that helps them find lots of hidden treasures and relics!
8. Minelab GO-FIND 11
This is one of my favorite models because it has a lightweight design, three different search modes, and different sensitivity levels. The Minelab GO-FIND 11 is perfect for the whole family. So, if there are multiple metal-detector hobbyists among you, get ready for this one! Take a look at its pros and cons:
| Pros | Cons |
| It’s portable | It can fail sometimes, making it not the most consistently accurate model out there. |
| It’s easy to use | |
| It’s durable |
9. Goplus MD-4030
The Marnur comes with two different operation modes, so you pick which one you like the most! Here are the upsides and downsides to remember:
| Pros | Cons |
| It’s very accurate | It’s not very durable |
| It has an adjustable stem | It doesn’t include batteries |
| It has a waterproof search coil |
10. Tacklife MMD02
The Tacklife MMD02 is the king of user-friendliness because it includes a display that allows you to see emoji-like smiley faces that indicate you have found something! It’s also precise, which is a great bonus!
| Pros | Cons |
| The display that uses emojis to indicate something has been found is a great touch. | It’s not very accurate with broad ranges. So, if you haven’t narrowed the buried item’s location, prepare for a rough time. |
| If you have an idea of where to look for the item you desire, you will have an easy time finding it. | It’s not very durable, as it’s easily breakable. |
What Is the Best Inexpensive Metal Detector?
Now that I suggested some of the best metal detector brands and models under $100, we can look at the model I like the most. Beyond being a personal preference, there’s objective merit to using it. This is none other than the RM RicoMax GC 10-28. It has everything: it’s easy to use, cheap, intuitive, accurate and discriminates well.
Best Beginner Metal Detector Under $100
In this category, I have to say that my top pick is the Bounty Hunter TK4GWP1 because anyone could use it and start finding hidden treasures and relics in a heartbeat. You can have a lot of fun even if you’ve never even seen a metal detector before.
To Wrap Up…
Not all cheap things are bad. I have to say that there are lots of incredible metal detectors out there that cost less than $100, and I only scratched the surface with my take on the best ones. With my mentioned top 10, you should know a clear idea of what you can find on the market to enjoy your new or current metal-detecting hobby as much as possible!
