Best overall Nokta Simplex Ultra $299
Highest overall score (78/100) — the strongest balance of specs, value and recency in this group.
See on Amazon →Independent · sourced · Updated June 2026
Best Metal Detectors (2026)
The best overall metal detector is Nokta Simplex Ultra ($299). The best value metal detector is Minelab X-TERRA PRO ($330). The cheapest is Nokta Simplex Ultra at $299. 10 metal detectors compared from $299 to $4999 across 5 brands — every figure sourced, updated June 2026.
10 metal detectors compared on the specs that matter and US price — ranked cheapest-first. Every spec and price links to its source and the date we captured it.
Our data Across the 10 metal detectors we priced, the most expensive lists for 762% more than the best-specced one — Garrett ACE Apex at $580 — so the premium mostly buys the badge, not better hardware. Premium Myth study, as of July 2026.
Which metal detector should you buy?
Three buyer-intent picks from the algorithmic ranking below — no paid placement.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Prices verified 2026-06-27; live price may differ.
Key takeaways
- Lowest price: Nokta Simplex Ultra at $299 (confirmed $299 on metaldetectingshop.com).
- Typical price: from $299, median $949, up to $4999 — across 10 priced.
- Tracked: 10 products across 5 brands, current through 2026-06-27.
- Compared on: Operating frequency, Max depth inches, Weight (lb), Waterproof rating, Battery life hours, Battery type.
Best by the numbers
Objective winners — each is the leader on one measured spec, with the figure. No subjective ranking.
- Lowest price: Nokta Simplex Ultra ($299)
- Newest: Nokta The Legend 2 (2026)
- Lowest weightLbs: XP DEUS II (1.65 weightLbs)
- Highest batteryLifeHours: Fisher F75 (40 batteryLifeHours)
Top 3 by quality
An algorithmic overall ranking from the data on this page — value for money, spec strength, and recency. 100% data-driven, no paid placement.
-
Nokta Simplex Ultra Quality score 78/100 Best value -
Minelab X-TERRA PRO Quality score 66/100 Best value -
Nokta The Legend 2 Quality score 59/100 Newest
How we rank: Value 45% · Spec strength 35% · Recency 20%. Scores are computed only within this category from published specs and prices — never influenced by commissions or placement. Method & open data →
What to look for
How to read the comparison — what each key spec means and the range across these metal detectors.
- Weight (lb) — lower is better (this group: 1.65 to 5.3).
- Battery life hours — higher is better (this group: 10 to 40).
- Battery type — higher is better.
Comparison
| Compare | # | Metal Detector | Price | Operating frequency | Max depth inches | Weight (lb) | Waterproof rating | Battery life hours | Battery type | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nokta Simplex Ultra | $299 | 15 kHz | — | 2.6 | IP68, 5 m (16 ft) | — | Internal Li-Ion 2300 mAh, USB rechargeable | noktadetectors.com | |
| 2 | Minelab X-TERRA PRO | $330 | 5 / 10 / 15 kHz (PRO-SWITCH) + Beach 8 kHz | — | 2.9 | IP68, 5 m (16 ft) | — | Internal Li-Ion 3.7 V / 5100 mAh | minelab.com | |
| 3 |  Fisher F75 | $419 | 13 kHz | — | 3.5 | Coil waterproof only; control box not waterproof | 40 | 4 x AA batteries (alkaline recommended) | metaldetectingshop.com | |
| 4 |  Garrett ACE Apex | $580 | 5 / 10 / 15 / 20 kHz + Multi-Frequency + Multi-Salt (Multi-Flex) | — | 2.5 | Coil and lower shaft submersible; control box rain-proof only | — | Internal Li-Ion rechargeable, mini-USB charging | metaldetectingworld.com | |
| 5 |  Minelab Gold Monster 1000 | $899 | 45 kHz | — | 2.94 | Coil waterproof to 1 m (3.3 ft); control box splash/rain proof only | — | Li-Ion rechargeable (2x7.2V/2700mAh) or 8xAA batteries | minelab.com | |
| 6 | Minelab EQUINOX 900 | $999 | 4 / 5 / 10 / 15 / 20 / 40 kHz + Multi-IQ | — | 2.8 | IP68, 5 m (16 ft) | — | Internal Li-Ion 3.7 V / 5100 mAh | usa.minelab.com | |
| 7 | Nokta The Legend 2 | $999 | 4 / 10 / 15 / 20 / 40 kHz + Simultaneous Multi-Frequency (3-freq) | — | 2.6 | IP68, 5 m (16 ft) | — | Internal Li-Ion 6700 mAh, USB rechargeable | noktadetectors.com | |
| 8 |  XP DEUS II | $1449 | 4-45 kHz (49 selectable single) + Fast Multi-Frequency (FMF) | — | 1.65 | IP68, 20 m (66 ft) | 20 | Li-Po rechargeable (coil, remote, headphones each charge separately via USB) | xpmetaldetectors.com | |
| 9 |  Minelab MANTICORE | $1499 | 5 / 10 / 15 / 20 / 40 kHz + Multi-IQ+ | — | 2.9 | IP68, 5 m (16 ft) | — | Internal Li-Ion 3.7 V / 6800 mAh | usa.minelab.com | |
| 10 |  Nokta Magnetar 9000 | $4999 | — | — | 5.3 | IP68, 3 m (10 ft) | 10 | Li-Ion rechargeable pack 7.2V/48Wh; two batteries included (20 h total) | magnetar.noktadetectors.com |
Specs are as published by the manufacturer (or a reputable spec source where the official page was unavailable); prices are US launch MSRP. Full per-product records and all spec columns are in our open dataset.
Popular comparisons
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest metal detector?
Nokta Simplex Ultra is the cheapest at $299 (confirmed $299 on metaldetectingshop.com), as of 2026-06-27.
How much does metal detectors cost?
Across the 10 metal detectors with a published price, the median is $949, ranging from $299 to $4999, as of 2026-06-27.
Which metal detector is best by the numbers?
Lowest price: Nokta Simplex Ultra ($299). Newest: Nokta The Legend 2 (2026). Lowest weightLbs: XP DEUS II (1.65 weightLbs).
How many metal detectors are compared here?
10 metal detectors across 5 brands, with US price and key specs, current through 2026-06-27.
What is the best overall metal detector?
Nokta Simplex Ultra ($299) — Highest overall score (78/100) — the strongest balance of specs, value and recency in this group.
What is the best value metal detector?
Minelab X-TERRA PRO ($330) — Most specification per dollar of any metal detectors here at $330.
What is the most capable metal detector?
Garrett ACE Apex ($580) — Leads this group on the measured specs — a premium pick at $580.
More hardware comparisons
How we compiled this
Prices in USD (US MSRP or confirmed street price). Weights in lbs. Depths in inches. Frequencies in kHz. Battery life in hours. Null any value not confirmed by a primary source.
Last verified 2026-06-27. We re-check published specs and prices on a recurring cadence and update this page when they change.
Embed this comparison — free
Add the live cheapest-metal detectors list to your site. It reflects our latest data, and an attribution link is built in.