With $200 or less, you can still find a quality metal detector that will get you started in the metal detecting world, especially if you’re a beginner or working on a tight budget. Besides, this largely depends on what you want to use it for and how much experience you have. For instance, if you’re a beginner with no experience, you don’t need a device with many features and don’t have to read the manual for hours. With that said, we’regoing to share the best metal detector under $200 with you. Keep reading!
How Does the Metal Detector Function?
A battery in the metal detector’s upper section usually powers the transmitter circuit (red), sending electricity down a cable wire in the handle to the transmitter coil (red) in the detector’s lower portion. When electricity passes through the transmitter coil, it generates a magnetic field surrounding it. And when you sweep the metal detector over a metal object (like an old spanner), the magnetic field passes straight through it. The magnetic field induces an electric current flow inside the metal item.
Furthermore, the flowing electric current generates a new magnetic field around the metal object we’re looking for. The magnetic region usually cuts through it by moving above the receiver coil (blue). The magnetic area causes electricity to move around the receiver coil and up into the receiver circuit at the top, causing a loudspeaker to buzz, alerting you when you have detected something worthwhile.
Now that we understand how a metal detector works check out the best metal detectors under $200.
At a Glance:
Best Metal Detector Under $200
National Geographic Pro Series Metal Detector
- Its pinpoints mode enables you to operate and detect metal easily
- Lightweight making it easy to handle and carry around
- The three search modes and four sensitivity levels make it a powerful model.
- Can detect metals underwater and buried artifacts at great depths
- Features a learning guide
Best Metal Detector Under $200
Garrett Pro-Pointer Waterproof Metal Detector, AT
So let’s get started.
- How Does the Metal Detector Function?
- What Are the Best Lawn Mowers Under $300?
- National Geographic Pro Series Metal Detector
- Bounty Hunter Tracker IV Metal Detector, TK4
- Garrett Pro-Pointer Waterproof Metal Detector, AT
- SUNPOWER Professional Metal Detector for Adults
- SAKOBS Waterproof Metal Detector for Adults
- Factors to Consider Before Buying the Best Metal Detector Under $200
- 1. Ease of use
- 2. Types of displays
- 3. Budget
- 4. Build quality
- 5. Adjustable sensitivity
- 6. Adjustable shaft
- 7. Preset ground balance
- Frequently Asked Questions on the Best Metal Detectors Under $200
- 1. Can a metal detector under $200 find a treasure?
- 2. Can I really get a good metal detector under $200?
- 3. Could kids and teenagers use these metal detectors?
- Summary of the Best Metal Detector Under $200
What Are the Best Lawn Mowers Under $300?
| Award | Design | Metal Detectors | Retailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Metal Detector Under $200 | Best Pick | Check Price | |
| Best Metal Detector Under $200 | Staff Pick  | Check Price | |
| Best Metal Detector Under $200 | Budget Pick | Check Price | |
| Best Metal Detector Under $200 |  | Check Price | |
| Best Metal Detector Under $200 |  | Check Price |
National Geographic Pro Series Metal Detector
Best PickBest Metal Detector Under $200
Pros
- Its pinpoints mode enables you to operate and detect metal easily
- Lightweight making it easy to handle and carry around
- The three search modes and four sensitivity levels make it a powerful model.
- Can detect metals underwater and buried artifacts at great depths
- Features a learning guide
Cons
- Only the search coil is waterproof.
For a professional metal detector, we recommend the National Geographic Pro Series. It’s easy to use and comes with fully adjustable features making it a reliable detector under $200. Besides, its weight is merely 2.3 pounds, making it easy to operate. Also, its superior technology and powerful search features make it an ideal choice for professionals at a modest cost. Moreover, its ability to collapse and extend in a matter of seconds makes it an outstanding choice for all forms of hunting.
This metal detector can detect metals underwater and buried artifacts such as bronze, silver, gold, and other valuable metals at great depths. The waterproof search coil has a 10″ diameter and was compactly manufactured. Besides, the metal detector has three search modes and four adjustable sensitivity levels.
Bounty Hunter Tracker IV Metal Detector, TK4
Staff PickBest Metal Detector Under $200
Pros
- Features a long-lasting battery
- Easy to find the target due to quality time mode.
- Affordable metal detector
- Ideal for beginners and kids
- Features simple notch control
Cons
- In some time might give you false signals.
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If you’re looking for the best metal detector under $200 that you can comfortably use as a beginner, count on the Bounty Hunter Tracker IV Metal Detector. This metal detector is user-friendly, and you can quickly learn to use it. In addition, it features a conventional and durable design with low frequency and control knobs that you can use. Besides, this low-frequency entry-level metal detector is ideal for looking for things the size of a quarter up to about 8 inches beneath the ground. Also, it has a range of around 2 – 3 feet in which it may search for bigger things in the ground.
The detector has a moderate level of water protection and is immersed in shallow water. It also features three modes and two adjustable knobs. Therefore, the detector is ideal for searching for relics and coins. Besides, you will get a battery warning aperitif LCD with all of this. So, this detector is appropriate not only for newbies but for children also.
Ground balancing is an important component of metal detectors since it usually reduces any feedback noise from the minerals beneath the ground. You won’t need to change the ground balance on this model because it is already pre-set in the machine. Besides, the notch and disc features usually help differentiate between the primary and unwanted objects. Furthermore, it has pre-set ground balance features ideal for all kinds of mineralization.
Garrett Pro-Pointer Waterproof Metal Detector, AT
Budget PickBest Metal Detector Under $200
Pros
- Fully waterproof to 10 feet underwater for metal detecting
- Maximum sensitivity for enhanced detection of nuggets and other small targets
- Features adjustable sensitivity control; three sensitivity levels
- Extremely durable
- Comes with a beeping sound control
Cons
- Battery life is not that good.
The Garrett Pro-Pointer Waterproof Metal Detector is an easy-to-use and highly functional metal detector. Since it’s waterproof, you can take your treasure hunting to the next level with this metal detector, even underwater. This model is entirely waterproof, almost to a depth of 10 feet, so that divers may use it with them.
You can benefit from the high sensitivity levels of this unit and easily locate smaller targets since it has a brilliant hue, which allows you to see it when underwater. Besides, you can modify the field of detection of this detector using the rapid retune button, making it narrower and providing a more exact pinpoint. Conversely, it resembles a flashlight and weighs 8 ounces, allowing you to handle it with one hand for convenient handling comfortably.
SUNPOWER Professional Metal Detector for Adults
Best Metal Detector Under $200
Pros
- Features manual ground balance
- Has four operation modes, which can improve your detection efficiency
- Comes with an adjustable stem, which can adjust according to different environments.
- Three audio tones
Cons
- The control box is not waterproof.
If you’re looking for the best metal detector under $200 that’s simple but has outstanding performance, look no further than the SUNPOWER professional Meta Detector. The detector features an LCD that helps beginners detect when they begin learning. It’s a great detector and a reasonable one when you need to get one for your older child or a friend since it’s less expensive.
The metal detector features a manual ground balancing knob. Since most inexpensive metal detectors don’t have a ground balance or a preset ground balance, it’s a handy feature. Besides, when you engage in the DISC mode, you will hear three different tones: high, mid, and low. In addition, every audio tone contains a depth indicator of the metal type detected. With this capability, you can pinpoint the exact location of the object.
SAKOBS Waterproof Metal Detector for Adults
Best Metal Detector Under $200
Pros
- Comes with a carry bag
- Features a waterproof search coil
- Can detect metals underwater and buried artifacts at great depths
- Comes with an LCD screen that is easy to read
Cons
- Lack pre-set ground balance
When looking for a waterproof metal detector, the SAKOBS metal detector is another wonderful option to consider. This detector is adjustable and has several features that are ideal for beginners, in case you are looking for basic metal detectors under $200 for your child. Besides, it’s ideal for locating various metal kinds worth looking for, and its size is appropriate for adults. Additionally, the detector has a higher sensitivity than other metal detectors, such as those with search coils 10″ in diameter.
The detector’s differentiation mode allows you to identify objects you might want and remove those you don’t. Other smaller objects, such as jewelry and coins, can be found to a depth of nearly 8.5 inches. Furthermore, its LCD panel will display a variety of measurements, including the volume and digital target ID.
Factors to Consider Before Buying the Best Metal Detector Under $200
1. Ease of use
Before buying the best metal detectors, you must check whether the unit is easy to use. The detector should be easy to use in that you don’t need metal detecting skills to operate it, and it shouldn’t have any difficult program or any complexity.
2. Types of displays
Displays are into two categories. One uses a $100 metal detector, while another uses a $200 metal detector. The metal detector that costs $100 features an analog interface. This detector also features a needle that corresponds to the signal strength. It operates in such a manner that the closer the search coil comes to the target, the greater the conductivity rises, resulting in a louder tone as the needle responds more strongly.
Conversely, the $200 metal detector includes a digital display but no numerical target ID. However, the target discrimination, battery life, depth, and sensitivity are displayed visually.
3. Budget
If you’re an adult looking for an excellent metal detector, you may set your budget at $100-$200. It can provide you with higher-quality metal detectors. And for little or older kids, the metal detector with a budget of roughly $100 is ideal. A budget metal detector will still provide the fundamentals of metal detection. Besides, cheap metal detectors also got what it takes.
4. Build quality
When shopping for the best metal detector, check the weight, as this metal detector will be quite light. The weight ranges between 1 and 3 lbs. They are also well-balanced. A weighted metal detector may cause undue discomfort, and a poorly balanced device may mislead your location since it can impact swinging and detecting activities. Besides, most of the inexpensive metal detectors are composed of breakable plastic. Therefore, before purchasing such a metal detector, ensure it has a guarantee or is upgradeable if it fails.
5. Adjustable sensitivity
When looking for the best cheap metal detectors under $200, ensure they have adjustable sensitivity, regardless of how many levels it has because some metal detectors have only three levels. The detector’s sensitivity allows it to identify various objects at varying depths. It’s also right for hunting in less mineralized soils since lower sensitivity helps detect targets with high conductivity and enhanced sensitivity helps detect smaller targets at maximum depth; it’s possible in some instances.
6. Adjustable shaft
When buying the best metal detectors under $200, pay attention to the adjustable shaft, especially if you want to know if it is suited for adults or children; look at the maximum length. For example, an adult metal detector’s optimal length is 40 inches, and you can adjust it to a length of 50 inches. Besides, the recommended length or adjustable shafts for the child metal detector are 20′′ to 40.”
7. Preset ground balance
A metal detector would not do automatic ground tracking at such a cheap budget. Instead, it provides pre-set ground balancing characteristics ideal for most soil types. The pre-set ground balance metal detector is appropriate for parks and fields with little mineral interference (often called calm ground). However, this detector in high mineralization areas will become noisy and broadcast misleading indications.
Frequently Asked Questions on the Best Metal Detectors Under $200
1. Can a metal detector under $200 find a treasure?
To obtain the valuable treasure, you must tie together two variables. First, your location should be good as it should include many precious goods that you can detect, and second, you need to have a good metal detector to detect the concealed valuable object from the location. Then the answer is yes if you’re strong from the first factor since the metal detector has all of these aspects, which will also deceive any detecting wrongly.
2. Can I really get a good metal detector under $200?
Yes! Every metal detector on this list costs less than $200, and each function admirably. To be sure, the more money you pay on a metal detector, the more functions it offers. However, these detectors are ideal for beginners and those on a tight budget.
3. Could kids and teenagers use these metal detectors?
Yes, kids and teenagers can use these metal detectors, provided they have a clear grasp of operating them properly since the detectors mentioned above are the best for beginners.
Featured Image: nytimes.com
Summary of the Best Metal Detector Under $200
| Award | Design | Metal Detectors | Retailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Metal Detector Under $200 | Best Pick | Check Price | |
| Best Metal Detector Under $200 | Staff Pick | Check Price | |
| Best Metal Detector Under $200 | Budget Pick | Check Price | |
| Best Metal Detector Under $200 | | Check Price | |
| Best Metal Detector Under $200 | | Check Price |
