Best Metal Detector For The Beach 2025 UK: My Top Picks & Tips
Our UK coastline is, quite simply, steeped in history.
Think about it – we’ve had millennia of human activity along our shores. From ancient settlements and Roman comings and goings to dramatic shipwrecks from various eras and, of course, all the bits and bobs people have lost on their seaside holidays more recently.
Every tide that rolls in and out has the potential to shift the sands and reveal something new. So it is no wonder people are getting into beach metal detecting in record numbers for 2025.
A quick note before we dive in: the “best” metal detector for the beach in 2025 is often a very personal choice, depending on what you specifically need and, of course, your budget.
These recommendations are based on my own years of testing, their performance specifically on UK beaches and the features that genuinely help beginners get good results and enjoy the hobby from the get-go.
Best High-End Beach Metal Detector: Minelab Equinox 900
Right, if you’re looking for the absolute top-tier beach metal detector performance and you’re ready to make a serious investment in your hobby, then the Minelab Equinox 900 is, in my opinion, an absolute beast on the beaches.
I’ve used the Equinox series extensively over the years, and the 900 builds on what was already a fantastic platform.
The magic behind it is Minelab’s Multi-IQ technology.
In simple terms, this means the metal detector is effectively running multiple frequencies through the ground at the same time.
This is a massive advantage on our UK beaches because it allows the machine to handle the conductive saltwater and those pesky mineralised black sands with remarkable stability.
The result?
You get more stable and reliable target identification, even on those deeper, fainter signals that other machines might miss or misinterpret.
It’s not just about clever electronics either. The Equinox 900 is surprisingly lightweight for such a capable machine, thanks to its carbon fibre shaft.
It’s also fully waterproof up to an impressive 5 metres (that’s about 16 feet!), so you don’t need to worry about those incoming waves, or even fancy a bit of wading in the shallows.
Another key feature for beach use is its excellent target separation – the ability to pick out a good target amongst nearby iron or other junk.
This is crucial on many popular UK beaches which can be quite trashy. While it’s packed with advanced features, I’ve found it to be surprisingly intuitive to get to grips with, especially if you’ve used any metal detector before.
Best Overall Value for Money Beach Metal Detector: Minelab X-Terra Pro
Now, if you’re looking for fantastic beach metal detector performance but the Equinox 900 is a bit of a stretch for the budget, then the Minelab X-Terra Pro is absolutely where I would point you.
I have been incredibly impressed with this machine since its release, and I know many other detectorists, from beginners to old hands, feel the same way.
The X-Terra Pro features Minelab’s PRO-SWITCH technology. This allows you to switch between several single frequencies (5, 8, 10, or 15 kHz for park and field modes), but crucially for us, it has a dedicated Beach Mode which uses an 8kHz frequency.
And let me tell you, it handles saltwater conditions remarkably well, especially for a metal detector in this price bracket.
Like its more expensive Minelab siblings, it’s fully waterproof to an impressive 5 metres, which is a massive plus. It’s also lightweight at around 1.3kg and, importantly for newcomers, it’s very easy to get started with.
It has an intuitive user interface and several pre-set search modes that take the guesswork out of initial setup.
Honestly, it’s a real workhorse and offers a suite of features that you’d typically expect to find on much pricier beach metal detectors.
It really hits a sweet spot, offering robust beach capabilities without demanding a huge initial outlay, which is why it’s my top pick for overall value metal detector for the beach.
It shows how manufacturers are now packing serious beach-handling tech into more affordable metal detector packages, making the hobby more accessible.
Best Mid-Range Beach Metal Detector: Nokta THE LEGEND
The Nokta Legend has seriously shaken up the mid-range beach metal detector market since its launch, and for very good reason.
I’ve personally seen this machine pull some absolutely incredible finds from some very tricky UK beach conditions, and many of my customers report the same.
Its standout feature is its Simultaneous Multi-Frequency (SMF) technology, which puts it in direct competition with much higher-priced machines when it comes to stability and depth on the beach.
This is a huge deal for a mid-range metal detector for the beach.
It’s a robustly built machine and is fully waterproof – newer versions are rated to 5 metres (around 16ft), though some earlier ones were 3m, so it’s always worth checking the specific listing you’re looking at.
It comes packed with features you’d expect on a top-end model, including a clear LCD screen, vibration built into the handle (which is fantastic for when it’s windy on the beach or for users who are hearing impaired), and even a handy LED flashlight.
Crucially for beach detectorists, it has specific beach modes designed to cope with saltwater and mineralization, and a very useful “Ferrocheck” feature.
This helps you better identify and discriminate iron targets, which can be a real godsend on many of our older, trashier beaches.
It’s also relatively lightweight, typically around 1.3kg to 1.4kg depending on the coil.
Some packages, like the “Pro Pack,” often come with excellent accessories like Bluetooth aptX Low Latency headphones, adding to the overall value.
This trend of offering comprehensive bundles is great for metal detectorists as it provides a more complete setup from the start.
Best Budget Beach Metal Detector: Nokta Simplex ULTRA
If you’re just starting out in beach metal detecting and want a genuinely capable beach metal detector that absolutely will not break the bank, then the Nokta Simplex ULTRA is my top recommendation in the budget category.
Nokta has done an incredible job packing an astonishing amount of technology and features into this detector for its price.
The headline feature for this budget metal detector is that it’s fully waterproof to 5 metres (around 16ft) – that’s usually unheard of at this price point and makes it instantly attractive for beach use!
It’s also very lightweight at just 1.2kg, which is brilliant for longer sessions, and it has a dedicated Beach mode that performs surprisingly well on wet sand for a single frequency machine.
While it operates on a single frequency (15kHz), which is a good all-round frequency, its performance in its beach mode has impressed many, including myself.
For beginners, it’s incredibly easy to pick up and use thanks to its simple, intuitive menu system.
You’ll be up and running in no time. It even boasts features like a backlit LCD screen, keypad backlight, an LED flashlight for those dusky evening hunts, and handle vibration – all things you often only see on much more expensive models.
The inclusion of carbon fibre in its shaft components also gives it a quality feel that belies its budget price.
This machine truly demonstrates that you don’t need to spend a fortune to get a detector that can genuinely handle UK beach conditions and provide a fantastic introduction to the hobby.
Choosing Your First Beach Metal Detector: What Really Matters?
Alright, so we’ve looked at some great detectors. But what are the key things you should be looking for when choosing your first beach metal detector, especially for our UK shores?
It’s not just about fancy features; it’s about what genuinely makes a difference when your coil hits that wet sand.
Waterproofing: Your First Line of Defence
This is non-negotiable for serious beach metal detecting, in my book. UK beaches mean you’re going to encounter wet sand, the surf line, and the occasional rogue wave that tries to catch you out! At the very minimum, you need a detector with a waterproof search coil.
However, for true peace of mind and the ability to detect right down to the water’s edge, or even in the shallow surf, a fully waterproof machine (where the control box and all components are sealed) is what I always recommend. This means you don’t have to panic if it gets a good splashing or even if you accidentally drop it in a rock pool.
You’ll often see an “IP rating” mentioned. For example, IP68, which all my recommended detectors feature, generally means the device is dust-tight and protected against continuous immersion in water under conditions specified by the manufacturer – for these machines, that’s typically down to 3 or 5 metres.
That’s more than enough for any beach detecting you’ll be doing!
Frequency & Technology: The Secret Weapon for Salty Sand
This is where things can sound a bit technical, but it’s super important for beach performance.
Single Frequency (SF) Detectors: These machines, like the excellent budget-friendly Nokta Simplex ULTRA, send out one specific frequency to search for targets. Modern SF detectors can be very effective, especially if they have good ground balancing capabilities and dedicated beach modes to help them cope with some of the challenges.
Multi-Frequency (MF) / Simultaneous Multi-Frequency (SMF) Detectors: This is where machines like the Minelab Equinox 900 and the Nokta Legend really shine on the beach. These detectors either send out multiple frequencies into the ground at the same time (SMF) or allow you to switch between different frequencies (like the Minelab X-Terra Pro with its PRO-SWITCH technology ). Why is this a huge advantage on UK beaches? Well, saltwater is highly conductive, and it can confuse the heck out of single-frequency machines, leading to lots of false signals and instability. Mineralised sand, especially “black sand,” adds to the problem. Multi-frequency machines can analyse the signals they receive across these different frequencies. This allows them to more intelligently “see through” the interference from the salt and ground minerals, giving you much more accurate target identification and often greater detection depth.
Pulse Induction (PI) Detectors: You might hear about PI detectors too. These are another type of technology that excels in saltwater environments and isn’t much affected by mineralisation. They can go very deep. However, the trade-off is that they often lack good discrimination – meaning they’ll signal on almost all metals, including lots of iron junk. They can be a bit more specialist and perhaps not the ideal first all-around machine for a beginner who also wants to learn about different target signals. For most beginners wanting versatility, a good VLF-based multi-frequency or a capable single-frequency machine with a beach mode is a better starting point.
Ground Balance: Taming the Beach
Our UK beaches can be a real mixed bag underfoot.
You’ll often find patches of “black sand,” which is sand with a high concentration of tiny iron particles, and general levels of mineralisation can vary wildly even across the same stretch of beach. This mineralisation can make many detectors scream with false signals, making it almost impossible to hear genuine targets.
Ground balancing is the process of tuning your detector to ignore these ground minerals, so it only alerts you to actual metallic targets.
Most modern beach metal detectors, even the beginner-friendly ones we’ve discussed, have very good automatic ground balancing (often called Auto Track or similar). This means the detector constantly monitors the ground and adjusts itself. Some machines also offer a manual ground balance option, which can be useful for very experienced users in extremely tricky spots.
However, for a beginner, a beach metal detector with reliable automatic ground balancing is key. It’s worth noting that good multi-frequency machines often handle ground mineralisation inherently as part of their advanced signal processing, making them seem very stable without much user input.
This ability of a detector’s automatic features to cope with challenging UK beach conditions is a massive factor in its true “ease of use” for a newcomer. If the machine can handle the difficult ground without you needing to constantly fiddle with settings, you can focus on your swing technique and learning target sounds, which makes for a much more enjoyable and successful early experience.
Discrimination & Target ID: Treasure from Trash
Beaches, especially popular ones, can be absolutely full of modern rubbish – think ring pulls, bottle caps, bits of foil, hairpins, the lot!
Discrimination is a feature that allows you to tell your detector to ignore the signals produced by certain types of unwanted metal. Target Identification (Target ID or TID) usually appears as a number on your detector’s screen (and often an accompanying audio tone) that gives you an idea of what the detected metal might be.
For example, iron usually gives a low number and a low, grunty tone, while coins and silver will typically give higher numbers and cleaner, higher-pitched tones.
A word of advice for beginners: don’t be tempted to crank up the discrimination too high straight away!
If you tell your detector to ignore too much, you risk missing good, desirable targets, as some valuable items can have similar conductivity to some junk items. It’s far better to start with minimal discrimination (or even in an “all-metal” mode if you’re feeling brave and the beach isn’t too trashy) and learn the different sounds and Target ID numbers your specific machine makes for various items.
Some detectors also offer “notch discrimination,” which allows you to selectively ignore very specific Target ID ranges, which can be useful once you’ve identified a common type of trash item you want to avoid.
Weight & Ergonomics: Comfort for the Long Haul
You’ll potentially be swinging your metal detector for several hours at a time, so comfort is really important. A lighter machine will cause less fatigue in your arm and shoulder.
Most of the beach metal detectors I’ve recommended are in the 1.2kg to 1.5kg range, which is generally considered good. Just as important as the raw weight is how well the detector is balanced. A well-balanced detector will feel lighter in the hand than its actual weight suggests.
Also, look for an adjustable shaft. You need to be able to set the length so that the coil rests comfortably on the ground a short distance in front of your feet when you’re standing upright, without you having to stoop or overreach.
Many modern detectors also feature collapsible or telescopic shafts, which are absolutely brilliant for easy transport to and from the beach and for storage at home.
Coil Size & Type: Your Eye Under the Sand
The search coil is the part at the end of the detector that you sweep over the ground. They come in various shapes and sizes.
Standard Coils: Most beginner and intermediate detectors come with a good all-round stock coil, often around 10 to 12 inches in diameter and usually a “Double-D” (DD) configuration (which refers to the shape of the wire windings inside). These are generally a good compromise for decent ground coverage and depth.
Smaller Coils (e.g., 6-8 inches): These are excellent for very trashy areas because they “see” a smaller patch of ground at any one time, making it easier to separate individual targets that are close together. They are also more manoeuvrable in tight spots.
Larger Coils (e.g., 13-15 inches): These can cover more ground with each sweep and can often detect targets a bit deeper than smaller coils. However, they can be harder to pinpoint accurately with and can struggle in very trashy areas because they might detect multiple targets at once, giving confusing signals.
For beginners on the beach, the stock coil that comes with your chosen detector is usually perfectly fine to start with.
Generally, for beach conditions, smaller to medium-sized coils (around 8 to 11 inches) are often recommended because they offer a good balance of ground coverage, sensitivity to smaller items (like lost rings), and better target separation in areas that might have a fair bit of modern litter.
A really nice development in recent years is the increasing compatibility of search coils across a manufacturer’s range.
For example, the Minelab X-Terra Pro is compatible with the extensive range of coils available for the Minelab Equinox series. This is a subtle but significant long-term benefit. If you start with an X-Terra Pro and later decide to upgrade to an Equinox, any extra coils you might have bought for your X-Terra Pro can still be used.
This makes the upgrade path smoother and more economical, and it’s a smart move by manufacturers to build that kind of ecosystem around their products.
Battery Life: Don’t Get Cut Short
There’s nothing worse than your detector dying on you just when you’re getting into the swing of things or you’ve hit a productive patch! Look for a detector that offers decent battery life.
Most modern metal detectors will give you anywhere from 10 to 20+ hours on a single charge, which is usually plenty for a good day’s detecting. Rechargeable Lithium-ion (Li-ion) or Lithium Polymer (LiPo) batteries are now very common and are super convenient.
Check if the detector can be recharged via a standard USB cable, as this means you can often top it up with a power bank if you’re out for a very long session or away on a detecting holiday.
Ready to Find Some Treasure?
Well, there you have it – my comprehensive guide to getting started with best beach metal detectors in 2025! It’s an incredibly rewarding pastime, offering fresh air, exercise, the thrill of the hunt, and a unique connection to our rich history.
We’ve looked at some fantastic beach metal detectors that are more than capable of handling our challenging UK beach conditions, from the budget-friendly yet surprisingly powerful Nokta Simplex ULTRA, through the excellent all-round value of the Minelab X-Terra Pro and the feature-packed Nokta Legend, right up to the high-performance Minelab Equinox 900.
Remember, the “best” metal detector for the beach is the one that suits your needs and budget, and helps you enjoy your time out on the sand.
More importantly, I hope I’ve armed you with the knowledge you need to choose wisely, to understand what makes a good beach machine, and to use it effectively and responsibly on our beautiful coastline. Learning to read the beach, understanding the tides, respecting the laws, and always prioritising safety are just as important as the detector you swing.
My very best wishes for your metal detecting adventures. May your sand scoop always feel heavy with interesting finds, and may your finds pouch be full of history!
Happy hunting!
About the Author
Piotr Lesniewski
Piotr is a Polish metal detectorist living in Scotland who discovered his passion for metal detecting as a child when exploring fields and beaches with his dziadek (grandfather). With over 10 years of experience, he now specialises in making metal detecting accessible to younger generations and promoting affordable Chinese-made detectors in the growing market.