Top 5 best metal detectors for kids update

Best Metal Detectors

Buying metal detectors for yourself or your children is not the same thing. If you want to teach your kids the wonders of metal detecting, you need to make sure you find appropriate pieces of equipment for them.

First, there are 3 key features you need to look for:

• Age appropriateness
• Weight, size, and maneuverability
• Function complexity

These are the 3 most important requirements an appropriate kids’ metal detector needs to fulfill.

The starting age usually recommended for using a metal detector is 4 years old. For kids aged below 10 years old, the equipment needs to be very simple to operate and carry around. In other words, you need to choose a metal detector that is lightweight, small, highly resistant, and with 2 or fewer controls (be it either buttons or knobs).

For kids aged above 10, you should consider buying slightly more elaborate pieces of equipment, which are usually better for getting the kids used to handling metal detectors from a young age. At this point, the metal detectors may include features such as a LED display, different search modes, and headphone input, among others. However, keep in mind the equipment should be as lightweight, easy to maneuver, and as resistant as possible.

The older the child, you can choose increasingly more difficult or elaborate functions. Or, if you prefer, you can opt to buy a professional-grade metal detector that is also kids’ appropriate. That will make it easier for them to get accustomed from a younger age and will most likely help them become hunting experts in the future.

Here are our top 5 best picks for kids’ metal detectors:

1. Bounty Hunter Junior

The Bounty Hunter brand manufactures specialized equipment for kids, so it’s almost always a safe choice.

In particular, the Bounty Hunter Junior model is one of the most popular metal detector models for young children (below 10 years old) currently available in the market. It’s easy to understand and learn to use. Also, it allows you to set discrimination values (to prevent your kids from picking up iron objects).

• It’s affordable;
• 2 controls (two knobs), one to turn the equipment on/off and adjust the sensitivity, and the other to adjust the discrimination (if you set it high, it avoids picking up iron objects or trash);
• Visual and very simple meter;
• It can reach up to 5 inches below the ground;
• Ideal for use in parks and sand hunting (but not anywhere near water);
• Very lightweight (weighs a little over 1 lb.);
• Simple and ergonomic design;
• It’s not waterproof and can’t be used underwater;
• The detection alarm is pretty simple and easy to understand. When it finds an item, it emits a sound. As your kid gets closer to the target, the sound will be louder.

2. National Geographic PRO Series Kids Metal Detector

This equipment is made by the professional metal detector manufacturer Minelab, which is considered one of the best metal detector manufacturers in the world.

Although it’s a bit more expensive than the Bounty Hunter Junior model, it may be worth it since it’s effectively just a smaller version of professional adult metal detectors.

• It can reach up to 12 inches below the ground;
• Lightweight (weighs a bit over 2 lbs.);
• It has an arm strap, making it easier for the kids to carry it;
• Stretchable arm, which will allow your kid to keep using it comfortably after growing up;
• It can be folded and become compact for storage;
• 3 detection modes: all-metal, no iron, and all metal excluding iron and aluminum;
• 4 sensitivity levels;
• Incorporated pinpointer function;
• The control panel has very few buttons and is easy to use;
• The LED screen that can indicate how far down the target is buried;
• Battery life indicator;
• The detection sound alarm is simple and easy to understand. As your kid gets closer to the target, the sound will be louder;
• It’s not waterproof;
• It’s not appropriate for highly mineralized sand or grounds.

3. Fisher F22 Weather Proof Metal Detector

This professional grade model is appropriate for kids aged above 10 since it’s a bit more complex. Some experts consider it the best model for entering the metal-detecting world and can even be used by adults.

• It can reach up to 9 inches below the ground;
• Lightweight (weighs a bit over 2.3 lbs.);
• 10 sensitivity levels;
• VLF technology;
• 4 operation modes: 3 preset modes (coins, artifacts, jewelry) and a custom mode;
• Iron identifier icon;
• Simple and easy-to-use control panel;
• 4-tone audio target ID;
• Incorporated pinpointer function;
• 20 levels of adjustable volume;
• Memory saves last used settings;
• Weather resistant;
• Not designed for underwater hunting.

4. Bounty Hunter Quicksilver

Made by the high-quality Bounty Hunter brand, the Quicksilver model is suitable for kids aged below 10. This particular model is considered by many as the best option for kids aged between 4 (the recommended age to start metal detecting) and 10 years old.

• Very easy to use;
• Discrimination feature (adjustable);
• LED screen;
• Battery life and target depth indicators;
• Headphone input;
• Preset ground balance, which allows the detector to ignore microscopic metallic ground minerals;
• 3 search modes: discrimination, all-metal, and tone;
• Visual target ID feature (the detector can roughly estimate what the target is), which allows you to ignore trash and undesired items;
• 3 audio tones (low, medium, high).

5. Tesoro Compadre Metal Detector

This is another excellent professional-grade metal detector. It’s relatively affordable and easy to use, while also being very effective. However, this model may have a downside for kids: it doesn’t have a LED or digital screen, which may become a bit boring, especially if they can’t distinguish between the various sounds it makes.

• It doesn’t have a digital screen;
• Simple design;
• Lightweight (weighs around 2.2 lbs.);
• 1 discrimination setting;
• 2 search modes;
• Incorporated mineral rejection system;
• It’s very resistant and designed for rough use;
• It only has a single knob control, which makes it very easy to use;
• The manufacturer offers a lifetime warranty.