The Best Underwater Metal Detectors to Buy in 2023

Metal detectors have been used by underwater hunters for years. The underwater metal detector is a device that can detect buried metals underwater and on land. They are invaluable when finding treasure in the ocean or hunting on the ground. When shopping for the best underwater metal detector, consider various variables before purchasing. We’ll go through a few of these characteristics in more detail below.

Metal detecting is fun because you get to look for hidden treasure. You can do it in the ocean, at the beach, or by a river. A hunting field is a location where people go in search of riches. Hunting grounds are hard to get into because you need special equipment. You should go hunting in a hunting ground at least once, even if you cannot use the equipment.

It is critical to comprehend the many sorts of detectors available. Underwater detectors are not cheap or easy, so get the right one. Many metal detectors will not work underwater.

I have put together a list of metal detectors for finding metal objects underwater. These reviews will tell you the pros and cons to make an informed decision.

Where Will You Use the Detector?

Before buying an underwater detector, make sure you know where you will be using it.

When people talk about a waterproof metal detector, they can mean many different things.

A water-resistant or waterproof detector is a type of detector that can be used in shallow water and cannot be submerged. These detectors are sometimes described as water-resistant or weatherproof.

There are numerous issues to consider. These are best for hunting in lakes or on beaches but are not good for diving.

A waterproof coil and control box detector can be put in the water. It can be used in water at depths of up to 200 feet or more.

Here is a list to help you decide what type of detector to buy.

  • Do you want a land detector that can also be used to hunt shallow riverbanks? If so, a waterproof coil may be enough – as long as you’re wary of getting the control box wet.
  • Do you wish to fish in streams, rivers, lakes, or along the beach? In this case, a completely submersible detector is crucial because you may never know when a big wave or an unforeseen fall could submerge your control box.
  • Do you wish to take your detector scuba diving? In this case, you need a fully underwater detector and can go deep. Vibrating alerts are also helpful.

You might want to buy a detector that works for land and underwater.

Do You Need to Buy Pulse Induction or VLF?

The depth of water is not all that matters. You also need to know the mineralization and other conditions in your area because it will affect what type of metal detector you need.

There are two broad categories of metal detectors: Very Low Frequency (VLF) and Pulse Induction (PI).

Pulse induction detectors are better for saltwater hunting, like beaches or scuba diving. This is because they are not affected by wet sand. They can find valuable metals and go deep. There is no discrimination, so you will need to dig up more unwanted targets.

VLF detectors are frequently a less expensive option to less sophisticated PI. They are not good for saltwater hunting but can find coins and jewelry. They don’t work well with heavy mineralization, so they are good for land and freshwater searches.

Even though the best VLF detectors have settings to help them work better in difficult conditions, they can’t do as well as PI machines when ignoring mineralization. But the good thing about VLF detectors is that they can tell you which targets are junk, and then you don’t need to waste time with those. A lot of factors must be taken into account. You need to think about your budget, how skilled you are, and which accessories you need. Ensure that you have enough money for other things, like digging tools and scoops.

5 Best Underwater Metal Detectors & Comparison

Best Submersible Detectors for Shallow Water Hunting

If you’re looking for a waterproof detector that can go in shallow water, the best choices are the Garrett AT Pro and Garrett ATX. They both can go into 10 feet of water, working well.

Don’t let similar names confuse you. The detectors are different. Make sure to read the reviews below to find out which is best for your home’s needs.

1. Garrett AT Pro


One of my favorite VLF metal detectors is the Garrett AT Pro. It can hunt for coins, jewelry, and relics. It can be fully submerged to 10 feet underwater.

This detector is small and easy to use. It can find small things like coins or jewelry. It’s good for most environments because it has a quick time for finding objects.

Garrett has two modes. “Pro” gives more detailed audio feedback. It can tell you how deep something is and how big it is. “Standard” simplifies the signal for beginners. Other features include an electronic pointer, custom search modes, notching discrimination, and a target depth indicator.

VLF detectors like the AT Pro are more prone to chatter in saltwater than PI models. It still performs admirably in seawater, but it is superior for hunting on dry land. The AT Pro has some disadvantages. Although there is no real all-metal option, the ‘Zero’ search mode offers similar results. It also lacks waterproof headphones, which must be purchased separately.

The AT Pro is one of the greatest metal detectors available, as it can be used both on land and in water. It is rugged and has many settings. The fast response time and waterproof design make it an excellent option for shallow water detecting.

2. Garrett ATX


The Garrett ATX is a pulse induction detector that is for extreme conditions. It can go in saltwater, and it has a durable design, which makes it great for underwater hunting. The DD coil and fantastic search depth show that this detector also has sensitivity like a PI model.

There are two ATX bundles available. A 10″ x 12″ DD coil is included in the regular box, ideal for tiny goods. The Deepseeker package consists of a 20″ Deepseeker mono search coil if you’re hunting for huge goods.

Like the AT Pro, the ATX is safe to use in water. It can go in the water up to 10 feet deep. But it is not good for diving.

The Pulse Induction technology of this metal detector ignores ground minerals, making it better for saltwater or heavily mineralized ground. It has non-motion and motion modes, manual ground balance, an LED signal indicator, and Iron Check.

The ATX is easy to use. It takes a minute to set up. It is also fast to put together when you are packing, which is important if you travel with the detector often.

The Garrett ATX’s most serious flaw is its price. This machine is expensive, but it has a durable design, pulse induction technology, and a big search coil. It’s also heavy and does not come with waterproof headphones.

The Garrett ATX is an excellent pick for underwater hunting despite these flaws. This equipment provides excellent depth and sensitivity in both saltwater and freshwater conditions. It is also very durable, which will last a long time.

Best Detectors for Diving

If you require a metal detector for scuba diving, be sure the machine’s depth rating is appropriate for the depth you intend to dive. If not, it could get damaged and be useless.

Here are three metal detectors that can be used at least 200 feet below the surface.

3. Garrett Sea Hunter MkII


If you want a pulse induction detector for diving, the Garrett Sea Hunter MkII is my top pick. It can go down to 200 feet underwater, including submersible headphones. The sensitivity is excellent.

Before, PI detectors couldn’t tell what kinds of trash targets they found. Garrett created a new detector called the Sea Hunter Mark II, which has a special mode to tell different types of trash targets apart from each other. This means that you will spend less time digging up things like pull tabs and still find valuable targets.

The Sea Hunter Mark II comes with many search modes. Some of them are Non Motion All Metal and Standard PI Discrimination. You can also choose one that will eliminate some metal or set the audio threshold.

Garrett has designed the Sea Hunter to be good at beach hunting and diving. The detector can be used with long or short stems, and it comes with straps for wet suits.

There are a few downsides to this. For example, there is no pinpoint mode, making it harder to target an accurate location. The detector doesn’t provide visual identification either.

Even so, this metal detector for diving is of great value. The discrimination function is also a bonus. It’s not an option with other types of metal detectors, like pulse induction detectors.

4. Tesoro Sand Shark


The most popular metal detector is the Tesoro Sand Shark. It’s around the same price as the Sea Hunter MkII and has many of the same features. These features include a 200-foot depth rating and pulse induction technology.

The Sand Shark is a pulse induction detector. It’s great for hunting in wet sand and saltwater. The battery lasts for 10-20 hours. There’s a drop-in compartment to make changing the battery easier.

The Sand Shark has features not found on all pulse induction models. According to the conditions, the dial for depth helps you change the depth by 50%. There are two operating modes and an option to change your audio frequency.

The pulse induction technology provides excellent sensitivity while being easy to use. Many different adjustment settings for this tool let you customize a performance to the environment.

The Tesoro Sand Shark metal detector is a fantastic machine. It provides fantastic value for money and is quite easy to use.

5. Fisher 1280-X Aquanaut


The Fisher 1280-X Aquanaut is a good choice if you go deep. It lasts for more than 75 hours and can be charged up to 200 feet below water, longer than most detectors.

Unlike the other variants in the “diving” section, the Aquanaut is a VLF detector with a low 2.4kHz frequency. This means it is more likely to have interference from wet sand and has features that counter this. Such as manual ground balance and discrimination to help people find what they want.

The 1280-X feature stops it from detecting little pieces of trash in the environment. It is also more sensitive than higher frequency models. The belt mount and waterproof headphones are also good features.

It is hard to find an underwater VLF detector that does not cost too much. The 1280-X has a maximum depth of 250 feet, perfect for diving. It also has sensitivity adjustment, manual ground balance, and discrimination settings.

Where to Buy a Waterproof Detector?

Most metal detector stores sell underwater models. You might need to go to a different store if you want a diving one, like the Tesoro Sand Shark. You should shop around for the best price and discounts on waterproof detectors. Online stores such as Amazon or Walmart often offer good prices and discounts.

eBay and Craigslist are also wonderful places to look for a used or second-hand detector. Just make sure you check the detector’s condition and how much it has been used.

Top Underwater Metal Detectors Available On The Market

If you want to find more jewelry and artifacts using detectors, you should try looking in deep water. However, most metal detectors can’t go very deep underwater, or they might not work at all!

You’re in luck if you’re looking for the best underwater metal detectors! There are currently some metal detectors specifically designed to be used tens of feet underwater without breaking.

In this article, we’ll help you choose the best underwater metal detector for your needs. We’ll go over the various types of detectors and what they’re helpful for. So without further ado, let’s get started!

1. We Dig Out Md-750 Underwater Handheld Metal Detector


Suppose you’re looking for a metal detector that can be used underwater to find relics. In that case, the Wedigout Underwater Handheld Metal Detector is a good option. It’s priced well and works well for the task.

This metal detector is small and easy to work underwater. It has a waterproof seal to function underwater up to 100 feet deep.

The MD-750 metal detector works by pulse induction technology. This means that its detection range is not affected by the type of medium it is used in. As a result, it’s ideal for metal detection in freshwater and saltwater, as well as on sand dunes!

The handheld compact design makes it easy to use underwater when you don’t have much gear around.

The Wedigout MD-750 has a built-in microprocessor that gives you a lot of sensitivity. This is better than other products in its price range.

This microprocessor also tunes its sensitivity automatically, so you don’t have to worry about making adjustments. This way, you can focus on picking up underwater treasures.

The metal detector works by vibrating when it finds something. The LED light will turn on to show you where the target is. You don’t need to buy any extra headphones to use with the metal detector.

Pros

  • Its size and price have a high sensitivity and detection stability.
  • Uses uninterrupted pulse induction technology to search for metals in various waters.
  • Removes the need for light and vibration-sensitive headgear.

Cons

  • While replacing the battery packs, the battery compartment requires very tight sealing.

2. Nokta Pulsedive Underwater Metal Detector & Pinpointer


This Nokta PulseDive Underwater Metal Detector is an excellent tool for finding metal underwater. It is easy to use and can surprise you with its performance.

This metal detector uses pulse induction technology, making it suitable for finding metals in freshwater and saltwater environments.

Because of the pulse induction, you can expect a stable signal even on different soils, such as black sand.

The metal detector is waterproof and can be used underwater up to 200 feet deep!

The detector has a built-in wireless module with Nokta’s 2.4 GHz wireless headphones.

The headphone is not included in the main package. However, you can still use the device by relying on vibrations and LED indicators. This makes it great for beginners who detect metals in deep underwater environments.

The device also has a dive mode. This locks the keys to keep the settings from being changed because of deep water pressure.

The detector has a 4-inch coil that is easily replaceable. The coil also comes with a hard-shell case to protect it from wear and tear.

Many people had mixed reactions to this metal detector. Some people said that their metal detector broke after a few uses. But don’t worry, because the company offers a 2-year warranty which replaces the metal detector if it breaks.

Pros

  • Operates at up to 200 feet deep
  • Key-locking feature to retain settings in deep waters
  • Includes a 2-year warranty

Cons

  • Doesn’t include the necessary headgear for operation

Multi-IQ


Low frequencies can show more detail on large targets, while higher frequencies are more accurate when detecting small targets. EQUINOX is a multi-band frequency control solution that provides the best results. The EQUINOX 600 has no single-frequency VLF detectors. The MultiIQ frequency range shown is valid with the EQUINOX 800 as well. The graphs are indicative. Actual sensitive levels vary by target ID types, size of target ground conditions, and advanced detection settings.

For more information about metal detecting, click here.

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