Best Underwater Metal Detector

Welcome to our complete guide to the best underwater metal detectors of 2023! Getting a suitable instrument can make all the difference if you are a treasure hunter or just like to explore underground settings. In this blog, we'll look at the best underwater metal detectors on the market in 2023 and tell you which ones to buy. Helping you make an educated choice and improve your underwater metal-detecting adventures.

What is an Underwater metal detector?

An underwater metal detector is a special tool that can find metal items that are buried in water. Divers, treasure hunters, and archaeologists often use it to find sunken objects, lost wealth, and even pipes or buildings that are under water.

These detectors are made to be waterproof, and based on the type, they can work at different levels. They work by sending out electromagnetic pulses or using pulse induction technology to find metal items that change the magnetic field. This lets people find things that are under the water and bring them to the top.

When picking an underwater metal detector, there are a few things to think about

• Waterproof capability
• Battery Life
• Target Identification
• Depth rating
• Sensitivity and Discrimination

When choosing an underwater metal detector, there are a few important things to think about:

• Waterproof Capability: Make sure that the device was made to be used underwater. With a high waterproof grade to keep it from getting damaged and make sure it works well in wet places.
  
• Depth Rating: Think about the deepest point where the detection can work well. Choose a model that fits the activities you want to do underwater, like hunting in shallow water or exploring the deep sea.
  
• Sensitivity and Discrimination: Look for a detector with sensitivity and discrimination settings that can be changed. This will let you filter out useless signals while accurately finding valuable metals.
  
• Target Identification: For a device that makes it easy to tell what the target is. Such as visible signs or audio tones, to tell the difference between the different kinds of metal and keep from digging too much.
  
• Battery Life: Check the battery life to make sure that your diving trips will last longer and won't be interrupted.
  
• Ergonomics and Weight: Think about the size, weight, and ergonomics of the detector, as comfort and ease of use are important for long sessions of underwater metal finding.
  
• Price and Warranty: Set a budget, and then compare models in that price range. Also, make sure there is a guarantee to protect your investment in case there are any problems.
  

By giving these things careful thought, you can choose the underwater metal detector that best fits your needs and gives you the best chance of finding secret treasures underwater.

 

Are metal detectors waterproof?

Most metal detectors are not waterproof by design. Standard metal detectors are made for use on land and cannot be used underground. But there are metal detectors on the market that are made to work in water.

These waterproof types are made to survive being in water, so you can use them to find metal beneath in shallow water, like on beaches, rivers, or lakes. Most of the time, they are made with waterproof housing and sealed control boxes to keep water from damaging the electronics inside. letting people search safely for metal items in wet places.

 

What are the best underwater metal detectors in 2023?

When it comes to underwater metal detectors, there are a few types that stand out because of how well they work and what features they have. Here are a few of the best choices you have:

Garrett AT Pro

This detector is known for its flexibility and can be used both on land and underground. It has great depth and awareness, so you can find targets even when conditions are tough.

Specifications

1. Operating Frequency: 15 kHz.
2. Search Modes:
   • Standard Mode: Ideal for most types of detecting including coins, jewelry, and relics.
   • Pro Mode: Provides more advanced features and enhanced audio discrimination.
3. Iron Discrimination Segments: Allows you to ignore iron and other unwanted targets.
4. Digital Target ID: Displays a numerical value to indicate the target's conductivity.
5. Iron Audio: Allows the user to hear discriminated iron and to alter the detector's mid-tone signal's range.
6. Ground Balance: Automatic and manual ground balance options for adjusting to different soil conditions.
7. Searchcoil: Comes with a 8.5" x 11" PROformance DD submersible searchcoil.
8. Waterproof: Can be submerged in water up to 10 feet (3 meters) deep, making it suitable for beach and underwater detecting.
9. Battery: Operates on four AA batteries, which typically offer 20-30 hours of use.
10. Audio: Features both standard and proportional audio modes. Proportional audio response lets the user hear subtle changes in a target's response.
11. Sensitivity/Depth Adjustments: Adjustable sensitivity for enhanced depth and target detection.
12. Weight: Weighs around 3.03 lbs (1.4 kg) with batteries installed.
13. Headphones: Comes with a 1/4" headphone jack for detecting without disrupting others, and is compatible with Garrett MS-2 and other wireless headphones.

 

Minelab Excalibur II:

Made especially for use underwater. The Excalibur II is very well known for how well it works underwater. It has good judgment, so you can tell the difference between different kinds of metal.

Specifications

1. Operating Frequency: 17.5 kHz BBS (Broad Band Spectrum) technology for excellent target sensitivity and discrimination capabilities.

2. Search Modes:

   • Beach Mode: Specifically optimized for beach detecting, providing advanced ground rejection.
   • Underwater Mode: Allows the detector to be submerged in water for underwater detecting up to 66 meters (200 feet) deep.

3. Waterproof: Fully submersible up to 66 meters (200 feet) underwater. This makes it suitable for underwater treasure hunting and shallow water diving.

4. Searchcoil: Comes with a 10" round Double-D coil, providing good coverage and sensitivity.

5. Sensitivity Adjustments: Adjustable sensitivity settings for fine-tuning the detector's performance based on the specific environment and targets.

6. Ground Rejection: Advanced ground rejection capabilities to minimize interference from mineralized soil in beach and underwater environments.

7. Target Identification: Visual target identification through a series of LEDs, as well as audio target identification. The Excalibur II provides both visual and audio feedback to help you identify targets.

8. Audio Response: Offers adjustable audio response and threshold tone to distinguish different types of targets based on the sound they produce.

9. Battery: Typically powered by a rechargeable NiMH battery pack for extended use. The battery life can vary based on usage patterns.

10. Weight: Weighs approximately 5.3 lbs (2.4 kg), making it relatively lightweight and easy to handle, especially underwater.

 

Fisher CZ-21:

The CZ-21 is fully underwater and can work at depths of up to 250 feet. It is known for being durable and reliable. It can find both small and big targets because it can recognize two different frequencies.

 Specifications

1. Operating Frequency: 5 kHz.

2. Search Modes:

   • All Metal Mode: Detects all types of metal with equal sensitivity.
   • VLF Discrimination Mode: Discriminates against trash items while maintaining high sensitivity to valuable targets.

3. Waterproof: Fully submersible up to 250 feet (76 meters) underwater, making it suitable for underwater treasure hunting and scuba diving.

4. Searchcoil: Comes with an 8" concentric searchcoil, providing good target separation and sensitivity.

5. Dual Frequency Detection: Uses multiple frequencies simultaneously to enhance target detection and minimize interference.

6. Audio Feedback: Features both visual target identification (via a meter) and audio target identification with adjustable tone discrimination.

7. Ground Balance: Manual ground balance control allows the user to adjust the detector to suit different soil conditions and reduce false signals.

8. Battery: Typically powered by rechargeable batteries or disposable alkaline batteries, depending on the user's preference.

9. Weight: Weighs approximately 5.3 lbs (2.4 kg), making it relatively lightweight and easy to handle, especially underwater.

10. Headphones: Comes with a standard 1/4" headphone jack for private audio detection. Using headphones can help in hearing faint signals in noisy environments.

Nokta Makro PulseDive:

This small and easy-to-carry device is great for swimming and hunting in shallow water. It has a built-in pinpointer and works very well in saltwater settings.

Specifications

1. Operating Frequency: 3 kHz.

2. Search Modes:

   • Pulse Induction (PI) Mode: Provides excellent depth and sensitivity in all terrains, especially in highly mineralized soil and underwater.
   • Pulse Induction (PI) Pinpointer Mode: Accurately pinpoints targets with a high level of stability and sensitivity.

3. Waterproof: Fully submersible up to 200 feet (60 meters) underwater, making it suitable for both shallow and deep water diving.

4. Detection Tip: The unit comes with a detachable and replaceable detection tip, allowing for easy maintenance and customization.

5. Audio and Vibration Alerts: Provides audio alerts with adjustable volume and vibration alerts, allowing users to detect targets by sound or vibration, ideal for noisy environments or underwater use.

6. Built-in LED Flashlight: Helps illuminate the target area, especially useful in low-light conditions or underwater.

7. Battery: Rechargeable lithium-polymer battery with a micro USB charging port. The device typically offers long battery life on a single charge.

8. Weight: Lightweight and compact design for easy handling and portability.

9. Accessories: The PulseDive typically comes with a belt holster, security lanyard, and a hard-shell carrying case for convenient storage and transportation.

Each of these devices has its own features and benefits that set it apart from the rest. So, the best one for you relies on your wants, budget, and how you plan to use it.

Best underwater metal detector for gold

The best underwater metal detector for gold is the Garrett AT Pro. Here are some key points about this exceptional device:

• Waterproof Design: Up to 10 feet deep, the Garrett AT Pro can be completely submerged. You can feel safe exploring rivers, lakes, and even the ocean beaches.
  
• Target Identification: With its advanced target identification system, this metal detector can tell the difference between gold, silver, and iron, reducing the number of fake signals.
  
• High Sensitivity: The AT Pro is very sensitive, so you can use it to find small gold pieces or flakes that are hiding under the water's surface.
  
• Multiple Search Modes: This detector is very flexible. It has different search modes, such as standard, pro, and custom, so you can adapt to different underwater settings and increase your chances of finding gold.
  
• Durability and Portability: The AT Pro is made of strong materials and is made to handle rough circumstances. It is also small and easy to carry, making it comfortable to stay beneath for a long time.
  

In conclusion, the Garrett AT Pro is a reliable and effective gold-hunting metal detector that works well underwater. Giving any treasure finder great results and a lot of options.

Professional underwater metal detector

There are a number of professional metal detectors for use underwater that are of good quality. Which one is best for you will depend on your wants and how much money you have. Here are some of the best and most well-known choices:

 

Garrett AT Pro:

This metal detector can be used on any surface and is waterproof up to 10 feet (3 meters). It has great target separation and classification that can be changed. So it can be used to find things on land and underground.
Specifications

1. Operating Frequency: 15 kHz.
2. Search Modes:
   • Standard Mode: Ideal for most types of detecting including coins, jewelry, and relics.
   • Pro Mode: Provides more advanced features and enhanced audio discrimination.
3. Iron Discrimination Segments: Allows you to ignore iron and other unwanted targets.
4. Digital Target ID: Displays a numerical value to indicate the target's conductivity.
5. Iron Audio: Allows the user to hear discriminated iron and to alter the detector's mid-tone signal's range.
6. Ground Balance: Automatic and manual ground balance options for adjusting to different soil conditions.
7. Searchcoil: Comes with a 8.5" x 11" PROformance DD submersible searchcoil.
8. Waterproof: Can be submerged in water up to 10 feet (3 meters) deep, making it suitable for beach and underwater detecting.
9. Battery: Operates on four AA batteries, which typically offer 20-30 hours of use.
10. Audio: Features both standard and proportional audio modes. Proportional audio response lets the user hear subtle changes in a target's response.
11. Sensitivity/Depth Adjustments: Adjustable sensitivity for enhanced depth and target detection.
12. Weight: Weighs around 3.03 lbs (1.4 kg) with batteries installed.
13. Headphones: Comes with a 1/4" headphone jack for detecting without disrupting others, and is compatible with Garrett MS-2 and other wireless headphones.

Minelab Excalibur II:

Professional divers often choose the Excalibur II. It works very well up to 200 feet (60 meters) deep undersea and is very sensitive to small targets in saltwater settings.
Specifications

1. Operating Frequency: 17.5 kHz BBS (Broad Band Spectrum) technology for excellent target sensitivity and discrimination capabilities.

2. Search Modes:

   • Beach Mode: Specifically optimized for beach detecting, providing advanced ground rejection.
   • Underwater Mode: Allows the detector to be submerged in water for underwater detecting up to 66 meters (200 feet) deep.

3. Waterproof: Fully submersible up to 66 meters (200 feet) underwater. This makes it suitable for underwater treasure hunting and shallow water diving.

4. Searchcoil: Comes with a 10" round Double-D coil, providing good coverage and sensitivity.

5. Sensitivity Adjustments: Adjustable sensitivity settings for fine-tuning the detector's performance based on the specific environment and targets.

6. Ground Rejection: Advanced ground rejection capabilities to minimize interference from mineralized soil in beach and underwater environments.

7. Target Identification: Visual target identification through a series of LEDs, as well as audio target identification. The Excalibur II provides both visual and audio feedback to help you identify targets.

8. Audio Response: Offers adjustable audio response and threshold tone to distinguish different types of targets based on the sound they produce.

9. Battery: Typically powered by a rechargeable NiMH battery pack for extended use. The battery life can vary based on usage patterns.

10. Weight: Weighs approximately 5.3 lbs (2.4 kg), making it relatively lightweight and easy to handle, especially underwater.

 

Fisher CZ-21:

The CZ-21 is a metal detector that works well underwater. That can be completely submerged up to a depth of 250 feet (76 meters). It works on two different frequencies and has advanced recognition features that make it easier to find important targets in different situations.
Specifications

1. Operating Frequency: 5 kHz.

2. Search Modes:

   • All Metal Mode: Detects all types of metal with equal sensitivity.
   • VLF Discrimination Mode: Discriminates against trash items while maintaining high sensitivity to valuable targets.

3. Waterproof: Fully submersible up to 250 feet (76 meters) underwater, making it suitable for underwater treasure hunting and scuba diving.

4. Searchcoil: Comes with an 8" concentric searchcoil, providing good target separation and sensitivity.

5. Dual Frequency Detection: Uses multiple frequencies simultaneously to enhance target detection and minimize interference.

6. Audio Feedback: Features both visual target identification (via a meter) and audio target identification with adjustable tone discrimination.

7. Ground Balance: Manual ground balance control allows the user to adjust the detector to suit different soil conditions and reduce false signals.

8. Battery: Typically powered by rechargeable batteries or disposable alkaline batteries, depending on the user's preference.

9. Weight: Weighs approximately 5.3 lbs (2.4 kg), making it relatively lightweight and easy to handle, especially underwater.

10. Headphones: Comes with a standard 1/4" headphone jack for private audio detection. Using headphones can help in hearing faint signals in noisy environments.

 

Nokta Makro PulseDive:

 

This small and flexible metal detector can be used both on land and underground. It works well for its size and is waterproof up to 200 feet (60 meters). The PulseDive comes with coils that can be switched out for different uses.
Specifications

1. Operating Frequency: 3 kHz.

2. Search Modes:

   • Pulse Induction (PI) Mode: Provides excellent depth and sensitivity in all terrains, especially in highly mineralized soil and underwater.
   • Pulse Induction (PI) Pinpointer Mode: Accurately pinpoints targets with a high level of stability and sensitivity.

3. Waterproof: Fully submersible up to 200 feet (60 meters) underwater, making it suitable for both shallow and deep water diving.

4. Detection Tip: The unit comes with a detachable and replaceable detection tip, allowing for easy maintenance and customization.

5. Audio and Vibration Alerts: Provides audio alerts with adjustable volume and vibration alerts, allowing users to detect targets by sound or vibration, ideal for noisy environments or underwater use.

6. Built-in LED Flashlight: Helps illuminate the target area, especially useful in low-light conditions or underwater.

7. Battery: Rechargeable lithium-polymer battery with a micro USB charging port. The device typically offers long battery life on a single charge.

8. Weight: Lightweight and compact design for easy handling and portability.

9. Accessories: The PulseDive typically comes with a belt holster, security lanyard, and a hard-shell carrying case for convenient storage and transportation.

When picking an underwater metal detector, you should think about things like the depth rate, target discrimination, sensitivity, and features that make it easy to use. 

Best waterproof metal detector for beginners

The Nokta Makro Simplex Ultra is the best portable metal detector for first-timers. Here are its most important parts:

• Search Modes: The Simplex usually has more than one search mode, such as All Metal, Field, Park, and Beach modes. These modes are meant to help people get the most out of their detectors in certain kinds of shooting situations.
• Frequency: It only has one frequency, which is around 12 kHz. This frequency can be used to find a lot of different things.
• Waterproof: It is possible to use the Simplex underwater in both freshwater and saltwater up to a 16 feet depth.  
  
• Wireless Audio: It comes with built-in wireless audio, so users can use suitable wireless headphones to listen to music without a cord.
  
• Control Box: The control box usually has a clear LCD screen that showed important details like the target ID, the depth indicator, and the power state.
  
• Ground Balance: It has a function that let you balance the ground automatically or by hand, which helps the device work well in a range of soil conditions.
  
• Sensitivity and Discrimination: The detection level can be changed so that users could find targets at different depths. Users can ignore certain types of metal with discrimination settings, which helped them focus on important goals.
  
• Built-in LED Flashlight: It comes with a flashlight that could be used in low light or for shooting at night.
  
• Battery: The Simplex generally has recharging batteries built in. 
  

Overall, the Nokta Makro Simplex Ultra is a good choice because it is waterproof, easy to use, can find targets accurately, and can be adjusted. This makes it the best choice for people who are just starting out with metal finding, making sure they have a fun and good time.

Are underwater metal detectors suitable for beginners?

Underwater metal detectors can be good for people who are just starting out. Because of how easy they are to use and how user-friendly they are. These devices are made to be waterproof and can find metal items even when they are under water. Like jewelry, coins, and old artifacts.

They usually have settings that can be changed, simple controls, and clear audio or visual input that lets you know when a target is nearby. With some basic understanding of how to use the gadget and practice in the right conditions underwater. Even people who are just starting out can enjoy the thrill of looking for secret riches under the waves.

Conclusion

As we go deeper into the underwater world, it becomes more important to have the right metal detector to find wealth or learn about items that are underwater. In the year 2023, there are a lot of amazing underwater metal detectors that work better, last longer, and have more features. From the flexible Minelab Excalibur II to the small Nokta Makro PulseDive, each of the above detectors has its own set of features and abilities to meet the needs of different users.