
Why buy cheap metal detectors?
There are so many reasons why people want to buy cheap metal detectors. Here’s just a few and we know people who have been in these situations who have asked us for advice:
- You’ve lost a ring or another significant piece of jewelry – we’ve all been there. You’ve dropped a gold ring and can’t find it, no matter how hard you looked.
- You have to buy a group present – you’ve been tasked with coming up with a present that a few people have chipped in for and a metal detector sounds like a novel idea for a present.
- You’re looking for pipes – you’re undertaking a DIY project and want to know where some old pipes are in your yard.
- You want to get the grandchild, niece or nephew away from their screens – you want to buy the kids in your life a unique present to get them excited about exploring the outdoors.
- You’re just starting out – you’re keen to give treasure hunting a go but you’re not sure yet if it’s going to be worth investing in a high-end machine.
- Your child saved up to buy a metal detector – your kid saved their pocket money and money given to them from relatives because they want to buy a metal detector.
In this post, we’ll run through a range of good, cheap metal detectors for sale under $50 and under $100.
People also ask us, where can I buy a cheap metal detector? We always recommend buying from Amazon.

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Best cheap metal detector
Make
Model
Under $50
For beginners
Target depth
Waterproof
Weight
Battery included
Headphone jack
Warranty
Treasure Cove
TC-1003
Up to 3"
1.5 lbs
10 years
all-sun
Junior
Up to 3"
1.5 lbs
KingDetector
MD-1005
Up to 5"
1.3 lbs
EduToys
Metal Detector
Up to 1"
1.4 lbs
Inexpensive metal detectors
If you’re after cheap but good metal detectors but don’t have more than $50 to splurge, we recommend these four inexpensive metal detectors that we review on this page:
Treasure Cove TC-1003 Fast Action Child Metal Detector


What we love about the Treasure Cove TC-1003 Fast Action Child Metal Detector
This metal detector is not a toy. It uses real metal detecting technology. Treasure Cove thinks so highly of their metal detector, they offer a 10-year warranty. For a metal detector under $50, we think that’s an incredible statement of trust in their product.
It’s lightweight at about 1.5 pounds, making it light enough for the kids to handle it without tiring quickly. Though Treasure Cover says it’s for children aged 3 through 10, we think it’s better for five-year-olds and up.
The TC-1003 comes with a bonus sand scoop, which is perfect for beach fossicking, and you’ll find some suppliers offer a free carry bag as well. The search coil is waterproof, so it makes this cheap beach metal detector ideal for treasure hunting on the beach.
Being a small metal detector, it’s portable and travels well.
The price is also great.
Click to check the priceFeatures of the Treasure Cove TC-1003
The TC-1003 features include:
- Waterproof 6.5-inch search coil
- Depth targeting treasure buried up to 3 inches
- ‘All metal’ mode
- Audio alarm to help locate the target
- Audio feedback with single-tone audio
- An extendable metal shaft that expands to 7 inches in length.
The TC-1003 uses 1 x 9V battery (not included).
The not so good bits about the Treasure Cove TC-1003
We don’t like that you have to buy your own battery. They don’t cost much, so the manufacturer should really consider adding it. It’s so disappointing when you have an excited kid open a present only to discover they can’t use until you get to the shops to buy the right battery.
The search coil is quite small, so kids have to cover a lot of ground to find buried treasure.
Buy it nowall-sun Junior TS20 Metal Detector


What we love about the all-sun JuniorMetal Detector
First of all, we have to comment on the color. Most metal detectors are boring old black. How fresh do the yellow and aqua versions of the all-sun Junior Metal Detector? I want one of these simply because of the bright color change.
But seriously, there are some strong points to love about this metal detector. It has a headphone jack, so people around the detectorist won’t be bothered by the incessant beeping. Headphones also help filter out ambient noise and help the detectorist find their target more easily.
It’s really easy and fast to assemble. It has an attachable torch, so the kids can do their treasure hunting after dark. This is a good, affordable metal detector. It’s a bargain!
Click to check the priceFeatures of the all-sun TS20 Junior Metal Detector
You can detect coins, relics, jewelry, gold and silver with this budget metal detector.
- Fast assembly
- Sensitivity control knob
- Headphone jack
- Height adjustable
- Lightweight at 1.5 pounds
The not so good bits about the all-sun Junior Metal Detector
You’re not going to find treasure buried deeply, only to about 3 inches. It really depends on how big the object is, how deep it’s buried, that angle at which it’s buried and what material it’s made of.
You have to tune it with the sensitivity control knob or it will beep incessantly.
It doesn’t come with the required 9V battery! Oh why oh why won’t manufacturers include at least one battery so the unit will work straight out of the box? The torch that comes with it needs a AA battery.
The search coil isn’t waterproof, so if you want to beach or shallow river hunt, best look at the Treasure Trove TC-1003.
We can’t find any warranty information. That doesn’t mean there isn’t one, but suggests it would be for a short duration.
Buy it nowKingDetector MD-1005 Metal Detector for Kids

What we love about the KingDetector MD-1005 Metal Detector
This KingDetector MD-1005 Starter metal detector is very portable and lightweight at just 1.3 pounds. It’s designed with kids in mind, so it’s easy to operate and has
The search coil is made from a very hard sort of plastic. It’s durable and surprisingly sturdy for such an inexpensive metal detector.
It will detect up to about 5 inches, depending on the size and type of the object and the angle at which it’s buried.
The bright blue color is also appealing and a change from the usual black metal detector.
Features of the MD-1005
- Sensitivity control
- Detects a range of metal objects
- Easy to set up and simple to operate
- Battery life for up to 45 hours
- Very light at 1.3 pounds
Watch the video to see how easy it is to assemble and set up the KingDetector MD-1005.
The not so good bits about the MD 1005 Metal Detector
I can’t find any information about its warranty, so I assume it’s weak or non-existent.
The search coil isn’t waterproof, so the kids are limited to dry land and non-rainy and snowy days to go detecting.
There’s no discrimination or sensitivity control, so the kids are going to be digging up all kinds of trash with this detector. I just hope that doesn’t put them off this fun hobby.
Edu-Toys Metal Detector with Beep Alert

What we love about the Edu-Toys Metal Detector
One of the cheapest metal detectors for kids we could find, this Edu-Toys metal detector is lightweight and fully adjustable, extending from 24.5 inches to 39 inches long. The sensor ring also folds and swivels, making it easy to store this metal detector or take it with you on holiday.
As well as a beep to indicate target identification, a LED light flashes in the handle.
It has a sensitivity knob. You’ll probably need to tune it or you’ll get incessant beeping!
Despite the low price tag, this cheap metal detector is quite sturdy and not as flimsy as I thought it would be. The red handle is a nice touch to make it visually appealing to kids.
The manufacturer says it’s for ages 8 to 12, but we think it will be suitable for ages 5 and up.
The detector extends from 24.5 inches to 39 inches.
Click to check the priceFeatures of the Edu-Toys Metal Detector
- Easy to set up and use
- Robust shaft and search coil that will withstand the inevitable bumps from the young detectorist
- Sensitivity adjustment
- Extendable arm that’s easy to adjust to the appropriate size for the child
- Beep alert and flashing light to indicate targets found
- Portable
- Lightweight at 1.4 pounds.
The not so good bits about the Edu-Toys Metal Detector
Again, the manufacturer hasn’t supplied the 9-volt battery required to get this good inexpensive metal detector up and running, straight out of the box.
It will only detect items up to a few inches. But I wouldn’t expect much from such a low-cost machine. For fun and for the price, it’s a good, affordable metal detector.
There’s no headphone jack, so you’ll be relying on the beeps.
It’s not waterproof, but it will still detect in the sand. Just keep the unit dry and away from the water during a fun day out of beach fossicking.
We don’t recommend this one for finding a lost ring in your yard. It’s really just a stepping-stone detector. If your kids enjoy detecting but get frustrated with this detector, consider upgrading to something like the Bounty Hunter BHJS Junior Metal Detector or even the Garret ACE 150.
We’ll be back soon with more information about cheap metal detectors for looking for lost gold or silver jewelry in your yard, and the best cheap starter metal detector for the new metal detecting hobbyist.
Pro Detector MD-1008B Children Learning Metal Detector Machine


What we love about the Pro Detector MD-1008B Metal Detector
The MD-1008B is a popular metal detector for young treasure hunters. It gets good reviews and is rated quite highly by those who bought it.
This is the only kids metal detector we’ve reviewed on this page that comes with an LCD screen.
It’s easy to operate and has that all-important sensitivity control. It’s a VLF metal detector operating at a frequency of 55.3 kHz.
We love that it’s super lightweight at just 1.25 pounds. The kids won’t tire swinging this cat around.
Click to check the priceFeatures of the Pro Detector MD-1008B Metal Detector
- Easy to set up and use
- Robust enough to withstand the battering that comes with being used by a young detectorist
- Sensitivity adjustment control
- LCD display
- Very portable
- The lightest of the kids metal detectors reviewed on this page – 1.25 pounds
- Uses a 9 V battery (not included)
The not so good bits about the Pro Detector MD-1008B
It doesn’t have a waterproof searchcoil. It doesn’t come with the required 9 V battery, so add that to your shopping list.
Click to buy it nowLast modified: October 2, 2019