METAL DETECTOR COMPARISONS
Detector vs Detector, Compared
Trying to choose between two machines? These head-to-head comparisons line up the detectors people actually cross-shop, on the things that matter in the field: depth, target ID, weight, waterproofing and value. Honest verdicts, no hype.
How to use these comparisons
Every comparison sits two detectors side by side and talks through where each one wins and who each suits. Start with the pair closest to your shortlist, then read the full review on either machine for the deeper picture. Where opinions in the detecting community are split, we say so rather than picking a winner for the sake of it.
HEAD TO HEAD
Browse comparisons
Every card opens a full side-by-side comparison. More pairings are added over time.
There's barely a tenner between these two at the budget end, and the Fisher F22 just nicks it for us. It's weatherproof where the ACE 300 isn't, li…
Read the comparison →Head to headGarrett ACE 300 vs Garrett ACE 400If you're torn between these two, find the extra £50 and get the ACE 400. It ships with a DD coil as standard (the 300 comes with a smaller concen…
Read the comparison →Head to headGarrett ACE 400 vs Nokta Simplex+This is a cracking head-to-head because they're about the same money. The Garrett ACE 400 is a dependable, easy beginner machine, but the Nokta Sim…
Read the comparison →Head to headGarrett AT Max vs Garrett AT ProHere's a rare one, where the cheaper machine wins. The AT Max adds built-in Z-Lynk wireless audio and a slightly lower 13.6 kHz, but it's around £…
Read the comparison →Head to headGarrett AT Pro vs Minelab Equinox 800The AT Pro is a proper workhorse and still turns up the goods. It's submersible to 3m, tough as old boots, and there's a coil or accessory for ever…
Read the comparison →Head to headMinelab Equinox 600 vs Minelab Equinox 800Honestly, this one comes down to how far down the rabbit hole you want to go. The Equinox 600 is a cracking machine and most weekend detectorists w…
Read the comparison →Head to headMinelab Equinox 600 vs Minelab Vanquish 540Both are Minelab multi-frequency machines, but they're aimed at different detectorists. The Vanquish 540 is the lighter, cheaper switch-on-and-go o…
Read the comparison →Head to headMinelab Equinox 600 vs Nokta LegendAt roughly the same money, the Legend just shades the Equinox 600 for us. You get deeper submersibility (5m versus 3m), more selectable single freq…
Read the comparison →Head to headMinelab Equinox 800 vs Minelab ManticoreOn paper the Manticore is the better detector. That 2D colour target display, 5m submersibility and superb separation in trashy ground are the real…
Read the comparison →Head to headMinelab Equinox 800 vs Nokta LegendThis one's far closer than the price gap makes it look. The Legend is superb value. It's multi-frequency, submersible to a full 5m, and endlessly t…
Read the comparison →Head to headMinelab Equinox 800 vs XP DeusIt's close and controversial, that much so I was scared to publish this, but IMO the Minelab Equinox 800 just takes this one, scoring 9.2/10 versus…
Read the comparison →Head to headMinelab Manticore vs XP Deus IITwo top-end flagships, and oddly the Deus II is the cheaper of the pair here, by around £200. It's lighter, fully wireless and edges ahead on outr…
Read the comparison →Head to headNokta Legend vs XP Deus IIThis is the value-versus-ultimate question in a nutshell. The Deus II is the better detector, lighter, more versatile, the full flagship experience…
Read the comparison →Head to headXP Deus vs XP Deus IIThe original Deus changed the game and is still a fantastic, feather-light machine for iron-infested sites. But the Deus II is a genuine generation…
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If there is a head-to-head you would find useful, suggest it and we will add it to the queue.
