Sweep the ground and dig up coins, relics, and the occasional treasure.
Reviewed June 4, 2026
Ideal for those who are happy spending hours scanning ground that looks completely empty.
Where
Outdoors
Sessions
1–3 hr sessions
Learning
Easy to start
Ongoing cost
Low upkeep cost
Space
Outdoor space
Starter cost
~$790 to start
Outdoor conditions matter · Portable
How long you can keep getting better before you plateau.
Engages
Start here
Find your first target
Swing a detector and dig your first signal. The hunt begins.
Find something worth keeping
Recover a coin, relic, or piece of jewelry. The finds that hook detectorists.
Recover a real treasure
Unearth something genuinely special — old, valuable, or historic. The dream find.
Take a beginner Metal Detecting course
A structured course is the fastest way past the awkward beginner stage. Browse highly-rated metal detecting classes for beginners.
Take the free quiz to rank the full catalog by your time, motivation, and setup — about five minutes.
Real things to make, beginner to advanced. Start with whatever appeals — nothing’s locked, no set order.
~$790
Core gear to get going. Estimates from curated picks; actual spend varies.
Links open Amazon with your affiliate tag. Prices are ballpark catalog values.
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