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5 Best Small Metal Detectors of 2025 (Reviewed & Compared)
Quick answer
Best Small Metal Detector For Most People 2026 – XP ORX With 9 Inch X35 Coil It weighs 1.7 pounds, has 35 selectable frequencies from 3.7 kHz to 27.7 kHz, 20 hours of battery life and a price tag of $549.00. Nokta PulseDive 2-in-1 for scuba and snorkeling Waterproof to 200 feet $229.00 The Garrett Pro-Pointer AT is available at $127.99 for finding dug targets.
Key takeaways
- A small metal detector weighs under 3 pounds and uses a coil of 9 inches or less.
- Coil size sets ground coverage. Frequency sets sensitivity to small gold.
- Only two of these five submerge fully: the PulseDive to 200 feet, the Deus II coil to 66 feet.
- A pinpointer is not a detector. It finds the target inside the hole after a detector finds the hole.
- Expect 6 to 10 inches on coin-sized targets from a 9 inch coil in average soil.
Small metal detector comparison chart
| Model | Price | Weight | Coil | Frequency | Waterproof | Battery | Warranty | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| XP Deus II WS6 Master | $799.00 | 1.65 lb | 9" FMF | FMF multi, or 49 single from 4 to 45 kHz | Coil to 66 ft | Coil 20 hrs | 5 years | Advanced, beach, underwater |
| XP DEUS RC | $799.00 | ~2 lb | 9" X35 Double-D | 35 selectable, 3.7 to 27.7 kHz | Coil only | Coil 15 hrs, remote 27 hrs | 5 years | Coins and relics, parks |
| XP ORX | $549.00 | 1.7 lb | 9" X35 Double-D | 35 selectable, 3.7 to 27.7 kHz | Coil only | 20 hrs | 5 years | Beginners, gold |
| Nokta PulseDive 2-in-1 | $229.00 | 14.8 oz | Scuba + pointer coils | 3 kHz pulse induction | Full unit to 200 ft | 2 hr charge | 2 years | Scuba, travel |
| Garrett Pro-Pointer AT | $127.99 | 6.5 oz | 360 degree tip | 11.5 kHz fixed | Full unit to 20 ft | 9V, ~30 hrs | 2 years | Pinpointing targets |
What counts as a small metal detector?
Small metal detectors, weighing less than 3 pounds, with a search coil of 9 inches or less, and telescoping down for transport. Electronics are full size machine matching. The name is used for three different products:
- Compact swinging detectors swept across the ground, like the XP ORX, DEUS RC and Deus II.
- Handheld dive detectors searched by hand underwater, like the Nokta PulseDive in scuba form.
- Pinpointers that locate a target inside the plug after your detector signals, like the Garrett Pro-Pointer AT.
A pinpointer cannot replace a detector, and a detector cannot recover a target cleanly without one. See how to use a pinpointer.
The 5 best small metal detectors reviewed
1. XP Deus II WS6 Master, best overall compact performance
XP Deus II WS6 Master FMF Metal Detector with 9" Coil
$799.00 $879.00 Save $80.00 Lightest full detector
Out of stock, check for restock
Check availabilityThe lightest machine here, and the strongest at around 750 grams. Fast Multi Frequency transmits at multiple frequencies at the same time and you can lock it to any one of 49 single frequencies from 4 kHz to 45 kHz, covering small gold at the high end to deep silver at the low end. The coil is waterproof to 66 feet, actual diving territory, although the WS6 headphone module is only rainproof.
Verdict: Buy it if you already detect regularly and want one machine for fresh water, salt beach, gold and coin ground. The menus take a few hunts to learn, so skip it as a first detector.
2. XP DEUS RC, best fully wireless all-rounder
XP DEUS RC Metal Detector, Fully Wireless with 9" Search Coil
$799.00 $940.00 Save $141.00 Longest remote battery
Out of stock, check for restock
Check availabilityThe original DEUS proved that a wireless detector could be a serious tool. The 9 inch X35 coil and RC remote weigh about 2 pounds together with 35 selectable frequencies from 3.7 kHz to 27.7 kHz to shift away from power line interference. Coil is about 15 hours, remote about 27. Pay attention to the water rating . The coil is water proof . The remote is not .
Verdict: Strong for park, pasture and permission hunting. If you want salt beach or submersion, the Deus II is the better spend at identical money.
3. XP ORX, best small metal detector for beginners and gold
XP ORX Metal Detector with 9" Searchcoil, FX02 Wired and WSAUDIO Wireless Headphones
$549.00 $763.53 Save $214.53 Best value
In stock, ready to ship
Add to cartOur most recommended first serious detector. It weighs 1.7 pounds and comes with four factory programs, two for gold and two for coin and relic, so a beginner can be hunting on day one without understanding ground balance. It has the same 9 inch X35 coil and 3.7 to 27.7 kHz range underneath as the DEUS RC. Discrimination 0-99 Manual or Automatic Ground Balance Five Levels of Iron Amplitude Rejection Includes Wire and Wireless Headphones
Verdict: The best balance of price, weight and capability here. The display is basic next to the Deus II, but nothing else delivers as much per dollar.
4. Nokta PulseDive 2-in-1, best for diving and travel
Nokta PulseDive 2-in-1 Set, Scuba and Snorkeling Metal Detector
$229.00 200 ft waterproof
Out of stock, check for restock
Check availabilityThe only machine here fully waterproof as a complete unit, IP68 to 60 meters. It switches in seconds from a scuba coil to a pinpointer coil so one purchase is for both underwater search and land pinpointing. It operates on 3kHz pulse induction, not VLF, which is entirely unaffected by salt and mineralization. The trade-off is no target ID so you dig every signal.
Verdict: The right tool if your hunting happens in water. Divers and beach hunters working the wet line get more from this at $229.00 than from any land detector at the same price.
5. Garrett Pro-Pointer AT, best waterproof pinpointer
Garrett Pro-Pointer AT Pinpointer with Holster
$127.99 Best seller
In stock, ready to ship
Add to cartThe Garrett Carrot is the most popular pinpointer in the hobby. It’s 20 inches deep, weighs 6.5 ounces and runs about 30 hours on one 9V battery. Audio and vibration are proportional to target size. Orientation doesn't matter with the 360 degree tip and Fast Retune narrows the field to separate close targets or tune out wet sand.
Verdict: Buy it alongside whichever detector you choose. At $127.99 it saves more damaged coins and wasted time than any other accessory in the hobby.
XP ORX vs XP Deus II: which should you buy?
The most common cross-shop in compact detecting, $250.00 between them. The ORX is the better buy on the ground. If water or salt is a problem the Deus II is the only way to go.
| Factor | XP ORX | XP Deus II WS6 Master |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $549.00 | $799.00 |
| Frequency | 35 selectable, one at a time | Simultaneous multi, or 49 single to 45 kHz |
| Salt beach | Unstable in wet salt sand | Designed for it |
| Submersion | Coil only | Coil to 66 ft |
| Weight | 1.7 lb | 1.65 lb |
| Learning curve | Hunt on day one | Expect a few sessions |
How to choose a small metal detector
| Specification | What to look for | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Weight and balance | Under 3 lb, control unit off the shaft | Fatigue ends most hunts, not depth. A hip-mounted remote feels lighter than its number. |
| Water rating | A depth in feet or metres, not "water resistant" | A waterproof coil handles surf. Only a stated depth means you can submerge the machine. |
| Frequency | 4 to 8 kHz for silver, 18 kHz plus for gold, multi for salt | Frequency decides what the machine notices. Multi stays stable in salt and mineralised soil. |
| Coil size and type | 9 inch Double-D for compact use | Separates targets in iron better than an 11 inch coil, which covers more ground but merges signals. |
| Battery | 15 hrs or more, USB charging | Check which component the number describes. XP quotes coil and remote separately. |
| Build and warranty | Telescopic stem, 2 years minimum | Warranty is a fair proxy for manufacturer confidence. XP covers these for 5 years. |
Pinpointers and dive units run from about $100-$250; hobbyist detectors with target ID and discrimination from $400-$700; simultaneous multi-frequency and a submersible coil from $700-$1,200. Find out the price of a metal detector.
How deep can a small metal detector go?
Average soil, coin size target, 9 inch coil, realistic field depth is 6 to 10 inches. Mineralized ground, wet salt sand and iron contamination cut that sometimes in half. Manufacturers do not publish depth specifications for these machines because depth varies more with soil than with hardware. The below ranges are not lab figures, but what our team and our customers report in the field.
| Target | Typical depth | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Small gold nugget or thin chain | 2 to 5 in | Needs a frequency above 18 kHz |
| Modern coin | 6 to 10 in | The benchmark most depth claims refer to |
| Silver coin or large copper | 8 to 12 in | Lower frequencies help |
| Belt buckle or large relic | 12 to 16 in | Bigger coils widen the gap here |
| Cache or large iron object | 18 in and beyond | Soil matters more than coil size |
An 11 inch coil covers more ground and goes a little deeper on large targets in clean soil. A 9 inch coil separates targets better in iron. Price will change these numbers but not as much as technique is. Learn how to improve detection depth and ground balance.
Frequently asked questions
Are small metal detectors good for finding gold?
Yes. Gold sensitivity depends on frequency, not machine size. The XP ORX reaches 27.7 kHz and includes two dedicated gold programs, and the XP Deus II reaches 45 kHz. Both sit in the range where small nuggets and thin gold chains produce a usable signal.
How deep can a small metal detector detect?
A 9 inch coil typically reaches 6 to 10 inches on a coin-sized target in average soil, and 12 to 16 inches on larger relics. Mineralised ground, wet salt sand and iron contamination reduce those figures. Sweep speed and ground balancing affect real depth more than price does.
Are small metal detectors just toys?
No. The machines in this guide carry the same electronics as full-size detectors. The XP Deus II WS6 Master runs 49 selectable frequencies and carries a 5 year warranty. Toy detectors run one fixed frequency, offer no discrimination, and typically cost under $100.
Can I use a small metal detector underwater?
Only if the manufacturer states a depth rating for the whole unit. The Nokta PulseDive is IP68 rated to 200 feet and the XP Deus II coil is rated to 66 feet. The XP ORX and DEUS RC have waterproof coils but non-waterproof remotes, so they handle shallow water only.
What is the lightest metal detector available?
Among the machines in this guide, the XP Deus II WS6 Master is lightest at roughly 750 grams, about 1.65 pounds. The XP ORX follows at 1.7 pounds and the XP DEUS RC at about 2 pounds. All three keep weight low by moving the control unit off the shaft.
Do I need a pinpointer as well as a detector?
You do not need one, but recovery takes far longer without it. A detector narrows a target to a few inches. A pinpointer such as the Garrett Pro-Pointer AT finds it inside the plug, which cuts digging time and reduces the risk of scratching a coin with a spade.
Is a 9 inch coil better than an 11 inch coil?
Each wins in different ground. A 9 inch coil separates targets better in iron and trash, centres targets more precisely, and weighs less. An 11 inch coil covers more ground per sweep and reaches slightly deeper on medium and large coins in clean soil.
How much should I spend on my first small metal detector?
Between $400 and $700 buys a machine you will not outgrow within a season. The XP ORX at $549.00 sits in that band and includes both wired and wireless headphones. Budget a further $127.99 for a pinpointer, which every detectorist ends up buying.
What does multi-frequency actually do?
Multi-frequency transmits several frequencies at the same time instead of one. That gives stable operation in salt water and mineralised soil, and better target identification across different metals. XP calls its version Fast Multi Frequency, used in the Deus II.
Can a compact detector work on a salt water beach?
Yes, if it runs multi-frequency or pulse induction. The XP Deus II handles salt beach through Fast Multi Frequency, and the Nokta PulseDive handles it through pulse induction. Single-frequency machines become unstable in wet salt sand and give false signals.
Can you take a metal detector on a plane?
Yes. Metal detectors are permitted in checked baggage on US flights, and compact telescopic models such as the XP ORX and DEUS RC collapse small enough for carry-on. Lithium batteries must travel in the cabin, not the hold, so remove them from checked bags.
What is the best small metal detector for a child?
The XP ORX at 1.7 pounds is light enough for most children aged eight and up to hold the coil level, which matters because a dragged coil finds nothing. Its preset programs remove the setup step entirely. Supervise digging and check local rules before you go.
Which small metal detector is best for the beach?
The XP Deus II WS6 Master for dry and wet sand, because Fast Multi Frequency stays stable in salt. The Nokta PulseDive for anything past wading depth, since pulse induction ignores salt entirely and the unit is rated to 200 feet.
Which small metal detector should you buy?
XP ORX at $549.00 if you want one machine to do most things. Best capability per dollar here.
XP Deus II WS6 Master at $799.00 if you detect seriously and need salt beach, fresh water, gold and coin ground from one machine.
XP DEUS RC at $799.00 if you hunt on land and the 27 hour remote battery matters more than submersion.
Nokta PulseDive at $229.00 if your hunting happens in water.
Garrett Pro-Pointer AT at $127.99 whichever detector you choose.
Everything ships from our Houston warehouse, 98 percent within 24 hours, free above $99. Call 844-344-4465 for a second opinion on your ground.
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