With the Minelab Goldmonster 1000, the clue is in the name. This monster of a metal detector will set you back $899 but for good reason. Minelab is one of the leading companies in metal detection and has a few models made for gold detection on the market.

The Goldmonster 1000 uses an ultra-wide dynamic range of 45kHz VLF which is ideal for locating small nuggets and gold flakes as well as other metals. It features automatic ground tracking so you don’t need to adjust it every time you move locations. This unit comes with both a 10 inch elliptical and a 5 inch round DD coil which are both waterproof up to 1m so can adjust to your surroundings with ease.

It’s monochrome LED display lets you seamlessly change the detect modes from Deep All-Metal to Gold, adjust the sensitivity or switch to auto, and adjust the volume. It also shows you the strength of the current being received.

This metal detector can be easily collapsed and packed away for ease of travel and comes with a few accessories in the box. As well as the unit itself, you get a pair of headphones, digging tool, AC charger, and carrier for a replaceable charger.

All in all, the Minelab Goldmonster is a great tool if you’re a keen hobbyist and want a metal detector that’s easy to use, comes with accessories, and will adjust to different environments.

Another key name in the metal detector game is Garrett. The AT Gold is designed for those who want a metal detector with multiple features. It retails for around $750 and is ideal for intermediate detectorists who want to immerse themselves further into their hobby.

The great thing about this detector is that it is easily adjustable for different terrains. You can switch between manual and automatic ground balance or take advantage of its special Ground Balance Window. This allows you to spread the ground balance to reduce response to variations in the terrain. Plus it can be submerged up to 10ft if you’re willing to get stuck into underwater detection.

The AT Gold display has all the information you need and more. It will show you the depth, mode setting, and battery life, but will also give you a digital target ID. This will tell you what type of metal the target is by giving you a number.

This detector runs on an 18kHz VLF frequency and comes with a 5 inch DD coil. It runs on AA batteries so you’ll have to stock up as these can drain on a long day out detecting. In the box, they provide you with a pair of headphones, a waterproof ProPointer, and batteries to get you started.

The AT Gold is for those who want to take their detector to different environments and have the option to detect underwater. It is extremely easy to use and the display makes it plain what your target is most likely to be.

The Nalanda MD056 is our choice for those who are looking to expand their gold finding skills but don’t have the budget to go straight for a Minelab. It retails for around $140 so won’t break the bank but will aid you in discovering the treasure you’ll want to make bank.

This 18kHz high sensitivity VLF metal detector uses its 8.5-inch coil to find small particles of gold in shallow areas. The coil is waterproof but the digital control box is not, so you can’t fully submerge it like the Garrett AT Gold.

The digital control box will give you all the information you’ll need when out in the field. The backlit LED display will show you which type of metal you’ve targeted, an indication of depth, has an in-built speaker, and will tell you when your batteries are running low.

With five different detection modes to choose from, including pinpoint mode, custom mode, and memory mode. In memory mode, you can select which specific metal you want to target so you’re not wasting your time digging up lost cutlery.

In the box, you also get a pair of headphones that you can assign one of four different alarm tones and a multi-function folding shovel to aid you in digging up your new discovery.

With the digital display, different modes to choose from, and pinpoint option, the MD056 is easy to use and takes the stress out of operating if you’re not confident in the mechanics of gold detection. That combined with the price tag makes the Nalanda an attractive option for beginners-intermediate detectorists.

Bounty Hunter are known for their entry-level metal detectors perfect for new enthusiasts and hobbyists. The Tracker IV is a great addition to their range. There’s no fancy gadgetry, digital display, or knobs galore on this product. It is designed to be as straightforward as possible. This is why we’ve chosen it as the best metal detector for beginners.

It is only a 6.7kHz VLF detector so keep in mind that it will only find the gold that is on, or pretty close to the surface. It is also a motion metal detector which means it has to be moving to detect metal. Simply holding it over a target won’t trigger a signal.

The control box is the most simplistic on our list. There’s a target indicator dial, headphone input, sensitivity knob, discrimination notch knob, and a discrimination tone switch. That’s it. The lack of features makes the Tracker IV easy to operate with no complicated buttons or displays.

It retails at around $85. For that low price, you sacrifice any of the box candy you get with our other picks. No alternate coils, multi-tools, or headphones which you should invest in as there’s no volume control on this model.

There are three search modes included in this device, All-Metal, Tone, and Full Discriminate so you can adapt to different environments. A major demerit to the Bounty Hunter is that you can’t adjust the ground balance. This will seriously limit the number of different terrains you’ll be able to use it on.