The short version: we've sorted every metal detector we sell into three honest tiers — beginner (roughly £100–£450), mid-range (£500–£1,100) and high-end (£1,100+). Headline picks: start with the Minelab Vanquish 360, buy the Minelab Equinox 900 if you want one machine for years, and step up to the flagship Minelab Manticore for the long haul.
Buying your first — or your next — metal detector should be exciting, not baffling. But spend ten minutes reading roundup articles online and you'll come away with a headache: dozens of models, a fog of acronyms, and a lot of writers who've clearly never swung a machine over a wet British field.
We've been selling and using metal detectors since 1995, from our shops in Scunthorpe and Wimborne, and we're an authorised Minelab, XP and Nokta dealer. So instead of another copy-and-paste list, this is the advice we'd give you across the counter — organised by budget tier, and by the kind of detectorist you are. Prices are a guide only; always check the live product page for today's price and any bundle or free-coil offers.
How Do You Choose a Metal Detector in the First Place?
Answer four honest questions about yourself and the shortlist almost writes itself.
1. What are you actually going to do with it?
Coins on farmland is a very different job from rings on a summer beach, or riverbank finds with the kids. Inland coin and relic hunting is the most common UK goal. If the beach is your main plan, you'll want a waterproof, salt-friendly multi-frequency detector — see our beach detectors section.
2. What's your budget — really?
That's what the three tiers are for: beginner (£100–£450) gets you properly started; mid-range (£500–£1,100) buys a serious all-rounder you won't outgrow quickly; and high-end (£1,100+) buys a flagship with every feature and the deepest coil range.
3. How much do you want the machine to do for you?
Most people just want to switch on and dig good targets. Modern Minelab machines are excellent at "turn on and go", with clear preset modes, while still letting you take manual control as you learn.
4. Where will you be swinging it — and for how long?
Weight matters more than the spec sheet suggests. If you have any wrist, elbow or shoulder trouble, prioritise a light machine such as the XP Deus II or XP ICON X, among the lightest serious machines made.
Beginner Metal Detectors (£100–£450): Where Almost Everyone Should Start
These are proper detectors — not toys. The good news in 2026 is that genuine simultaneous multi-frequency has arrived at beginner prices, so you no longer trade away performance to keep the cost down. Browse the full range in beginners' and children's detectors.
| Detector | Brand range | Frequency type | Waterproof | Guide price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minelab Vanquish 360 | Minelab Vanquish 60 | Multi-IQ (SMF) | IP68 to 5 m | from £259 |
| Nokta Score | Nokta Score | SMF | Waterproof | ≈ £299.95 |
| Minelab Vanquish 340 | Minelab Vanquish | Multi-IQ | Coil only | ≈ £199 |
| XP ICON | XP ICON | FMF, wireless | IP68 to 5 m | from £435 |
| Minelab X-Terra Voyager | Minelab X-Terra | Single frequency | Coil only | £149 kit |
| Minelab X-Terra Intrepid | Minelab X-Terra | Single frequency | Coil only | £99 kids |
Our beginner pick: Minelab Vanquish 360
The Minelab Vanquish 360 is the best first metal detector in the UK right now, the machine we now recommend to newcomers ahead of anything else at this price. It's the newest entry-level model in the Vanquish 60 Series and brings Minelab's proven Multi-IQ simultaneous multi-frequency technology into a lightweight (1.26 kg), fully waterproof design for around £259.
It removes the compromises beginners used to face: genuine multi-frequency, so it stays stable on wet salt beaches as well as inland; fully submersible to 5 metres (IP68); USB-rechargeable rather than eating batteries; and true "turn on and go", with Park, Beach and All Metal preset modes. It ships with the V10X coil and shares coil compatibility with the wider range, so it's a platform you grow into rather than out of. There's also a Vanquish 360 Starter Bundle for the complete package.
Also, Minelab added the 'pin point' feature to the Vanquish 360 when they redesigned from the Vanquish 340. This will help new users fine tune where the target is. This will save time and make for a more enjoyable experience than some of the other machines.
Best budget multi-frequency alternative: Nokta Score
The Nokta Score is a strong SMF alternative at around £299.95 — modern screen, wireless audio, and a favourite for value-focused beginners who want simultaneous multi-frequency. Nokta make good budget machines and for those who don't want to splash out on a Minelab, they can often be a good choice.
Best starter kit for gifts and younger detectorists: Minelab X-Terra Voyager
Buying for a child or as a gift? The Minelab X-Terra Voyager (£149) arrives as a complete kit with headphones, digging tool and backpack, while the simpler X-Terra Intrepid (£99) is the lightest, most fuss-free way to start a youngster off.
Mid-Range Metal Detectors (£500–£1,100): The Serious All-Rounders
Where most keen detectorists end up. You get more powerful simultaneous multi-frequency, deeper discrimination control and refined audio. Especially if the beach is on your list, this is the tier we'd steer you toward.
| Detector | Brand range | Frequency type | Waterproof | Guide price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minelab Equinox 700 | Minelab Equinox | Multi-IQ | IP68 to 5 m | ≈ £799 |
| Minelab Equinox 900 | Minelab Equinox | Multi-IQ+ | IP68 to 5 m | £1,049 |
| XP ICON X | XP ICON | FMF, wireless | IP68 to 5 m | from £519 |
| Nokta Legend 2 | Nokta Legend | SMF | Fully submersible | from £999.95 |
Our mid-range pick (and the machine we recommend most): Minelab Equinox 900
If we could recommend one detector to a stranger, it's the Minelab Equinox 900. It runs Minelab's most powerful Multi-IQ+ engine, has a 119-segment target ID scale, six selectable single frequencies (4/5/10/15/20/40 kHz), a carbon-fibre stem, vibration feedback and full EQX06/EQX11/EQX15 coil compatibility. It has the most features and comes with 2 coils as standard!
The Equinox 700 is the best-value way into the same Multi-IQ family. If you dont quite have the budget for the 900, the 700 will also do a great job. You just don't get the free 6" coil and you have less features/customisation.
Best value newcomer: XP ICON X
The XP ICON X brings genuine FMF multi-frequency in a light, fully wireless package from £519, adding three mono frequencies (4/14/28 kHz) over the standard XP ICON — the 28 kHz setting really helps on fine jewellery and thin hammered coins. See our XP ICON X vs Minelab Manticore comparison.
Best all-terrain SMF: Nokta Legend 2
The Nokta Legend 2 packs simultaneous multi-frequency, full waterproofing, a bright screen and a free backpack into a capable all-terrain machine from £999.95. This is Nokta's flagship-class features and value in one package. Once again a great budget option if you can't afford for extra £50 or so for the Equinox 900.
High-End Metal Detectors (£1,100+): The Flagships
The top tier is about the last few percent of performance, and a platform you can specialise for years. If you're confident you'll stay in the hobby, buying here once can beat upgrading through the tiers.
| Detector | Brand range | Frequency type | Best at | Guide price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minelab Manticore | Minelab Manticore | Multi-IQ+ (most powerful Minelab SMF) | Coin & treasure; iron separation | from £1,799 |
| XP Deus II | XP Deus | FMF, fully wireless | Lightweight; deep water (20 m) | from £1,399 |
| Minelab GPX 6000 | Minelab GPX (gold) | Pulse Induction | Gold prospecting & depth | Specialist |
| Minelab GPZ 8000 | Minelab GPZ (gold) | GeoZVT | Maximum gold depth (flagship) | Specialist |
Our high-end pick for UK coins & treasure: Minelab Manticore
The Minelab Manticore is the most capable coin-and-treasure detector Minelab makes, and our best-selling premium machine. It runs Multi-IQ+ with ~50% more transmit power than the original engine and adds the 2D Target Trace display — plotting each target across conductivity and iron axes at once, so a hammered silver coin next to an iron nail lands in a visibly different place on screen. It anchors the widest coil range we sell — the M8, M9 and M15.
Best high-end lightweight: XP Deus II
The XP Deus II is the flagship for detectorists who cover ground and hate carrying weight — fully wireless and exceptionally light. It's waterproof to 20 metres, the deepest rating of any mainstream UK detector, making it the natural choice for divers and deep-water hunters.
The specialist gold flagships: GPX 6000 & GPZ 8000
For gold prospecting, the GPX 6000 is a Pulse Induction machine with market-leading nugget sensitivity, while the newly launched GPZ 8000 uses next-generation GeoZVT for the deepest gold performance Minelab has produced. See our gold prospecting range and gold prospecting guide.
Single Frequency vs Multi-Frequency: What Are You Paying For?
A single-frequency detector sends one frequency at a time — fine for inland work, and cheaper. Simple machines like the X-Terra Voyager fit here. A simultaneous multi-frequency detector sends several at once for steadier target ID and reliable performance on wet salt beaches. Minelab's Multi-IQ (Vanquish 60, Equinox 700, X-Terra Elite) and the more powerful Multi-IQ+ (Equinox 900, Manticore) are the best-known examples, with XP's FMF and Nokta's SMF as strong alternatives. The reason we now steer beginners straight to the multi-frequency Vanquish 360 is that it delivers those benefits at a price that used to buy only a single-frequency machine.
Do You Need a Licence — and What Does UK Law Actually Say?
- Permission comes first, always. You must have the landowner's permission — there is no "finders keepers". Detecting on scheduled monuments or protected sites without consent is a criminal offence.
- England & Wales: the Treasure Act 1996 requires reporting treasure to the coroner, normally within 14 days. Other finds should be recorded with the Portable Antiquities Scheme (over 1.5 million objects logged).
- Scotland: different law — all archaeological finds must be reported to the Treasure Trove Unit, and the Crown can claim any object.
- Northern Ireland: you need a licence from the Historic Environment Division to search for archaeological objects.
- Beaches: much of the UK foreshore is Crown Estate land where recreational detecting is permitted, but some beaches are private or restricted — check first.
Joining the National Council for Metal Detecting (NCMD) or the AMDS gives you third-party insurance and a clear code of conduct. Around 1,000 treasure cases are reported every year in England and Wales alone. See our metal detecting FAQ.
What Else Do You Need Besides the Detector?
- A pinpointer — finds the target in the hole in seconds. The best first accessory.
- A proper digging tool — cut a neat, respectful plug and leave the ground as you found it.
- A finds pouch and finds box — for your finds and your rubbish (always take rubbish home).
- Headphones — help you hear the faint, deep signals that matter.
See the full range on our metal detecting accessories pages, or our detector bundles for machine-plus-essentials at a better price.
Our Verdict: Which Tier — and Which Machine?
- Just starting? Beginner tier — buy the Minelab Vanquish 360.
- Want one detector to do it all for years? Mid-range tier — buy the Minelab Equinox 900.
- In it for the long haul and want the best? High-end tier — buy the Minelab Manticore.
- Comfort, weight or deep water your priority? Look at the XP Deus II or XP ICON X.
Still not sure? Give the shop a ring or drop us a message — we detect ourselves, and we'll point you to the right machine, not the dearest one. That's been the deal since 1995.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best metal detector for beginners in the UK?
For most beginners, the Minelab Vanquish 360 is the best first machine — genuine Multi-IQ multi-frequency, fully waterproof and easy to use, from £259. The Nokta Score is a strong SMF alternative, and the X-Terra Voyager an ideal complete starter kit.
What counts as a mid-range metal detector, and which is best?
Mid-range machines cost roughly £500–£1,100. The Equinox 900 is the best all-rounder, the Equinox 700 the best value, the XP ICON X the lightest, and the Nokta Legend 2 a strong all-terrain SMF option.
Which is the best high-end metal detector in 2026?
For UK coins and treasure, the Minelab Manticore leads. The XP Deus II is best if weight and deep water matter (20 m waterproof), while the GPZ 8000 and GPX 6000 are the specialist gold flagships.
Do I need a licence to use a metal detector in the UK?
In England, Wales and Scotland no general licence is needed, but you must have the landowner's permission; detecting on scheduled sites without consent is illegal. Northern Ireland requires a licence. Finds are governed by the Treasure Act 1996 (England, Wales, NI) and Treasure Trove law (Scotland).
What is the difference between single-frequency and multi-frequency detectors?
Single-frequency transmits one frequency at a time — fine for inland, and cheaper. Simultaneous multi-frequency (Minelab Multi-IQ / Multi-IQ+, XP FMF, Nokta SMF) transmits several at once for steadier target ID and reliable wet-beach performance — the reason we steer beginners to the Vanquish 360.
Can I use a metal detector on the beach in the UK?
Usually yes — much of the foreshore is Crown Estate land where recreational detecting is permitted, though some beaches are restricted. Choose a waterproof multi-frequency machine such as the Vanquish 360, Equinox 700/900, Manticore or Nokta Legend 2.
Are Minelab detectors better than XP or Nokta?
None is simply "better". Minelab offers the widest range and most powerful multi-frequency; XP is ultra-light and fully wireless; Nokta offers excellent value and waterproofing. Many detectorists own more than one.