Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned detectorist, when it comes to metal detecting the equipment you use is incredibly important. However, a metal detector can vary greatly in terms of prices, with cheaper models in the $100 range while ones on the higher-end side tend to range into the thousands.
Cheaper models are designed with basic features and are incredibly user-friendly, which makes them ideal for beginners and hobbyists. Beginner models also work pretty well detecting lost jewelry, coins, relics, and other items. On the other hand, high-end models are usually more sophisticated and include advanced features, allowing precise pinpointing of precious metals deeper into the ground.
But, if you’re on a constrained budget and you’re looking for a reliable entry or mid-level metal detector, don’t worry, there are plenty out there. While higher-end models will be able to provide advanced features and fancy handling, a cheaper detector in the $100 range will be able to satisfy without breaking the bank.
Summary of Top Pick
While every $100 metal detector on our list are well-built and high-performing, our top pick for the best metal detector under $100 is the Bounty Hunter TK4 Tracker IV. This is mainly due to its rugged and waterproof build with simple control knobs, ergonomic design, and low-frequency operation. This is an easy to use option that is also incredibly efficient.
(Note : If you’re willing to stretch a little higher than $100 for a detector we have a few more options here.
Sakobs Metal Detector
The Sakobs metal detector is another excellent option under $100 that offers outstanding depth detection and plenty of impressive features for beginners.
While this is a basic model, it works well for detecting a vast range of metals including aluminum, nickel, iron, copper, silver, and even gold. It features a large 10-inch search coil with a high sensitivity, which makes it easy to hunt for smaller items such as jewelry and coins up to 8.5 inches in the ground. There is also a large LCD that makes it easier for you to read the volume levels, target ID, and other useful info.
This device is also ergonomically designed with an adjustable stem, a comfortable armrest, and a handle, so you can search all day without getting tired.
Pros
- Comes with a carry bag for easier transport
- Has a headphone jack for an enhanced detecting experience
- The LCD makes it easier to see useful information
- Allows you to find treasures deeper in the ground
Cons
- Batteries not included in the package
- Lacks ground balancing function
TACKLIFE Metal Detector
Uniquely designed with a large back-lit LCD that includes cute icons, the TACKLIFE Metal Detector is the ultimate metal detector for kids. The intuitive display helps you quickly garner the target’s depth, overload warning, battery level, operating mode, and sensitivity level.
It comes with a 7.8-inch IP68 waterproof search coil and shaft, allowing you to search for treasures underwater. The stem adjusts from 24 to 45 inches to fit users of varying heights comfortably.
For enhanced detection performance, this detector has three distinct audio tones including a low, medium, and high tone, to help you identify the type of metal detected more accurately. Besides that, it comes with a DISC mode, which helps cancel out signals from unwanted metals.
Pros
- Has a waterproof search coil and stem
- The stem can be adjusted to adapt to the user’s height
- Intuitive LCD Display with cute icons makes it great for kids
- Offers three distinctive audio tones for better target identification
- Ignores unwanted metals
- Helps you know the depth of your targets
Cons
- Lacks ground balancing control
- Control box not waterproof
Canway Metal Detector
The Canway Metal Detector features a lightweight, yet robust aluminum construction and a large 10-inch waterproof search coil that enables you to conveniently search underwater. The length of the shaft is adjustable from 33 to 40.6 inches, making it ideal for kids and adults alike. The armrest is ergonomically designed, so you may swing the coil comfortably without much effort.
With this detector, you can pick up buried metals to 8 inches in the ground. Besides that, you can adjust the device’s sensitivity level for enhanced detection and there is also a pinpointer feature that helps accurately identify targets.
This detector also comes with an LCD with an internal lighting system, especially convenient for night hunts. The display is convenient and intuitive to use, providing useful info such as detection depth, battery indicator, and sensitivity and volume levels.
Pros
- Waterproof coil allows hunting in shallow waters
- The stem can be adjusted for comfortable use
- Large back-lit LCD great for use during the night
- Distinctive Audio tones help easily identify the type of metal detected
- Pinpointer function saves plenty of time when digging
- Exceptional detection depth
- You can conveniently use it with or without headphones
Cons
- The control box is not waterproof
RM RICOMAX Metal Detector
Featuring a strikingly impressive LCD, the RM RICOMAX offers a wealth of useful features at a bargain price. It performs nearly at the level of professional models while being incredibly user-friendly for beginners.
One of its highlight features is its discrimination and tone modes, which lets you choose the type of metals you want to hunt. It also stands out for its pinpoint function, which more accurately detects where treasures are located.
It comes equipped with a massive 10-inch search coil that helps you detect objects buried up to 8 inches deep in the ground. The search coil is waterproof, so you can search on the beach or underwater without it getting damaged. It also has an adjustable stem, making it the ideal option for both kids and adults.
The bright LCD provides you with plenty of useful information including the sensitivity level, detection mode, battery condition, target depth, and volume levels. It also has an intuitive control interface with well-spaced buttons for easy use.
Pros
- A highly accurate and efficient device, saving a lot of time while detecting
- Helps you identify the depth of detected targets
- Headphone system comes handy when hunting in noisy areas
- Powerful waterproof search coil allows for deeper detection even in shallow waters
- The adjustable shaft provides extra comfort while sweeping
- Intuitive control interface makes it easy to use for the beginners
Cons
- The package doesn’t come with the batteries
Bounty Hunter Gold Digger
The Hunter Gold Digger offers the best value for the smallest price as it can pick up the signals of most metals, including gold. Featuring a robust and powerful 7-inch weather resistant coil, you can use this metal detector in your backyard, on the beach, or at the park. It can find gold and other smaller objects buried up to 7 inches, or larger ones up to 2 inches.
This detector also features an automatic ground balance function and trash elimination control that filters out unwanted signals, so you don’t have to waste your time digging up nonviable targets. It has an adjustable sensitivity and treasure meter, which fine-tunes it for better precious metal detection. The all-metal mode helps to identify all metals wherever you’re searching as well.
Pros
- Adjustable shaft makes it comfortable to use without much bending
- A great option for detecting all types of metals
- Incredibly simple to use control knob
- The sensitivity meter helps identify target depth
- Comes with a set of headphones for better listening in noisy areas
- Weatherproof search coil can be used underwater
Cons
- Doesn’t come with batteries
Bounty Hunter TK4 Tracker IV Metal Detector
The Hunter TK4 Tracker IV from Bounty is hands down the most popular and efficient detector you can snatch up for under $100. This metal detector stands out for its ease of use and ability to withstand even the harshest conditions.
First off, the Hunter TK4 Tracker IV boasts an attractive rugged construction and is ergonomically designed with an adjustable stem fitted with a comfortable hand grip and armrest. It is also incredibly lightweight to make swinging and lugging it around for hours, a complete breeze.
Its 8-inch waterproof search coil can be used to detect in shallow waters without any issues. The search coil operates on a low frequency of about 6.7 kHz, which helps detect coin-sized objects up to 6 inches deep and larger targets up to 7 inches underground.
Additionally, it features three modes of operation and dual-tone discrimination, for convenient adjustment of the level of discrimination, as well as audio signals to help identify the treasure type. It also has a preset ground balance, designed to ignore mineral signals when detecting in Highly-mineralized fields.
Pros
- Waterproof search coil allows hunting underwater
- Can detect all types of metals including jewelry and coins
- Designed to ignore minerals present in the ground
- The internal speaker provides a clear and loud audio signal
- Built-in notch control makes it easy to distinguish targets
Cons
- Lacks a pinpoint mode\
| Name | Dimensions | Weight | Coil Size | Search Modes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bounty Hunter TK4 Tracker IV | 28.25 x 10 x 6.25 inches | 3.7 Pounds | 8-inch waterproof coil | 3 |
| Bounty Hunter Gold Digger | 6 x 9 x 20.5 inches | 1 Pound | 7-inch weather resistant coil | 2 |
| RM Ricomax Metal Detector | 48 x 10 x 10 inches | 2.31 Pounds | 10 Inch Waterproof Search Coil | 4 |
| Canway Metal Detector | 6 x 12 x 16 inches | 5.44 Pounds | 10 Inch Waterproof Coil | |
| TackLife Metal Detector | 31 x 10 x 5 inches | 1.96 Pounds | 7.8" Waterproof Search Coil | |
| sakobs Metal Detector | 20.7 x 10.9 x 6.1 inches | 5.74 pounds | 10 Inch Search Coil | 3 |
Conclusion
With the above-mentioned hundred dollar metal detectors, finding the right one for your unique needs shouldn’t be difficult. All the options on our list are designed simply and easy to use, so you can try out the hobby and invest in a high-end model in the future. If you have a budget thats just slightly higher you can check out my $200 options.
