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August 21, 2018 / Comments (0)

Best metal detector for kids: the 2019 guide

Everything you need to know before buying the best kids metal detector for 2019

In our children’s metal detector reviews, we look at the pros and cons of each so you’ll know which metal detector will best suit your child, their age, where they’ll be hunting and what they’ll be hunting for.

Note that none of these metal detectors are toys. They are all fully functioning metal detectors. Let’s get into it.

Best Metal Detector for Kids

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A comparison of the best metal detectors for kids

Make

Model

Price

Type of metal detector

Waterproof

For ages

Adjustable

Depth

Weight

Headphones 

Warranty

Bounty Hunter

BHJS

$

VLF

6 - 12 years

Up to 5"

1.5 lbs

1 year

all-Sun

Junior

$

VLF

6 - 12 years

Up to 3"

1.5 lbs

Unknown

Treasure Cove

TC 100

$

VLF

6 - 12 years 

Up to 3" 

1.5 lbs

10 years

Nat Geo

Pro Series 

$$

VLF 

8 years+

Up to 10"

 lbs

2 years

Ground EFX

MC1

$

VLF

5 - 12 years

Up to 12"

3 2 lbs

1 year

Kids metal detector 101

Features to consider before buying a metal detector for kids

  • Adjustable height – this is especially important if the metal detector is going to be shared amongst a couple of young people.
  • Waterproof – you’ll want the search coil to be waterproof in case of accidents and it opens your family up to beach hunting.
  • Inexpensive – you don’t want to buy a top of the range metal detector if it’s only going to gather dust and sit at the back of a closet.
  • Lightweight – little arms tire very quickly when swinging a bulky metal detector so choose a lightweight metal detector.
  • Easy to assemble – little people will be eager to get started, so buying a metal detector that’s easy to assemble will keep the whining to a minimum.
  • Battery life – you won’t want to change batteries or have to recharge too often.
  • Robust – we all know what kids can be like. Their metal detector might take a few accidental bangs and beatings.
  • Warranty – you’ll want a metal detector with a reasonable warranty period in case something goes wrong with it.

Let’s take a look at the best kids metal detectors available today.

Kids metal detector reviews

Bounty Hunter BHJS Junior Metal Detector

Features of the BHJS Junior Metal Detector

The BHJS Junior Metal Detector is a superb starter metal detector for kids who want to try out metal detecting. It’s such an addictive hobby and the BHJS will make it even more enjoyable because the kids will be able to find and uncover treasures. We love that it’s lightweight so their little arms won’t tire quickly. It’s easy to assemble and adjust – if you have more than one kid wanting to use it, you’ll find the adjustable arm a plus.

It doesn’t have an LCD screen but kids can easily read the dial with some instruction. The further the needle swings to the right, the stronger the signal.

We also love that it can detect bigger objects to a depth of up to 3 feet. It will find smaller objects like coins to a depth of about 5 inches.

The down side is that it’s not suitable for treasure hunting in water. The search coil is only water resistant. If you’re set on beach hunting, then check out one of the other detectors that have a waterproof search coil.

Price  $ Click to check today’s super low price
Type of detector VLF operating a frequency of 6.6 kHz
Waterproof Search coil is water resistant
Suitable for ages 6 to 12 years
Adjustable Yes
Depth rating Up to 5 inches (for small coin-sized objects) and 3 feet for larger objects
Weight 1.5 lbs
Search coil  6.5″ weather resistant search coil
Batteries 2 x 9V alkaline batteries and a visual battery life indicator
Headphones included No, it has a built-in speaker
Warranty 1-year limited warranty
Made USA

Best for

Best metal detector for families

The is best for:

  • Coin hunting on land
  • Gold prospecting
  • Relic hunting on land

The pros

  • The price – great value
  • Lightweight and easy to operate
  • Target indicator
  • Discrimination control

The cons

  • Limited one-year warranty
  • No headphones
  • The search coil is only water resistant – don’t get this one if you want to go beach hunting
Click to check the price

See our full review of the BHJS Junior metal detector for more details.

all-sun Junior Metal Detector

Features of the all-sun Junior Metal Detector

The all-sun Junior metal detector

Price $ Click to check today’s low price
Type of detector VLF
Waterproof No
Suitable for ages 6 to 12 years
Adjustable Yes
Depth rating Up to 3 inches
Weight 1.5 lbs
Search coil 6.5 inch search coil
Battery   1 x 9V alkaline battery for the detector and 1 x AA for the torch. Not included.
Headphones included No, but it has in-built speakers and a headphone jack
Warranty Unknown
Made China

Best for

Best budget Metal Detector for kids and beginners

The all-Sun metal detector is best for:

  • coin and relic detecting
  • jewelry detecting
  • gold and other precious metal detecting

The pros

  • Lightweight and easy to assemble
  • Comes with a bonus torch
  • SUPER low price

The cons

  • No screen
  • Not waterproof
  • Limited depth search
  • Not made in the USA
Click to check the price

Read our full review of the all-Sun Junior metal detector.

Treasure Cove TC 1003 metal detector

Features of the TC 1003

We love that this super-cheap metal detector child’s metal detector comes with a 10-year warranty. Clearly Treasure Cove stands by their products.

The TC 1003 is portable and adjustable. It’s easy to take with you on vacation.

It comes with two search modes and uses a single tone to help locate the buried target. Grab the kit on Amazon and you’ll get a bonus sand scoop.

Price $ $ Click to check today’s super low price
Type of detector VLF
Waterproof Yes, waterproof search coil
Suitable for ages 6-12 years
Adjustable Yes
Depth rating About 3 inches (8 cm)
Weight 1.5 pounds
Search coil 6.5 inches waterproof
Battery   1 x 9V (not included)
Headphones included No
Warranty 10 years
Made Unknown

Best for

Best budget Metal Detector for kids and beginners

The TC 1003 is best for:

  • Coin and relic hunting
  • Jewelry hunting
  • Precious metal prospecting

The pros

  • So cheap! Really good value.
  • Bonus sand shovel
  • Easy to operate
  • Lightweight
  • 10-year warranty

The cons

  • No headphone jack
  • Only detects to about 3 inches
Click to check the price

Read our in-depth review of the TC 1003.

National Geographic PRO Series Metal Detector

Features of the National Geographic Pro Series

Branded under the National Geographic name, this kids metal detector is made by trusted American brand, Minelab.

We love that this metal detector has a waterproof search coil. Take it to the trails or the beach and you can also use it in the snow.

It’s very portable and collapses to 20 inches so you can easily stow it in the trunk of your car on family vacations.

The arm is adjustable, so the whole family will be able to use it. While significantly more pricey than the previously reviewed models, you get a metal detector with great credentials that the whole family will love using.

Price $$ Click to check today’s low price
Type of detector VLF
Waterproof Yes, it has a waterproof search coil
Suitable for ages 8 years and up
Adjustable Yes
Depth  Up to 10 inches, depending on the terrain and soil or sand mineralization
Weight 2.3 pounds
Search coil 10 inch waterproof search coil
Battery life Up to 20 hours
Headphones included No, but it has a headphone jack and adjustable audio
Warranty 2 years
Made USA (by Minelab)

Best for

Best metal detector for families

The National Geographic PRO series is best for:

  • Coin, relic and artifact hunting
  • Beach hunting
  • Jewelry hunting
  • Gold prospecting

The pros

  • All-metal and discriminate modes
  • 4 sensitivity modes
  • 100% satisfaction guarantee from National Geographic

The cons

  • Heavier than the lower-cost models but otherwise, no negatives!
Click to check the price

Read our full review of the National Geographic PRO series metal detector.

Ground EFX MC1 youth metal detector

Features of the EFX MC1

Designed with kids in mind, they’ll have a ball fossicking with the Ground EFX MC1 youth metal detector. It’s robust enough to withstand the inevitable bumps it will receive.

It has an analog face. The further the needle swings to the right, the closer to the object they are. We love that even at this price range, it includes a basic form of discrimination. This model has been supersceded, but there is plenty of stock still around so you’re bound to get it for a huge discount.

We love that it comes with a waterproof search coil. You’ll be able to enjoy treasure hunting at the beach and in shallow water with the kids.

Price $ Click to check today’s low price
Type of detector VLF
Waterproof Yes
Suitable for ages 5 and up
Adjustable Yes
Depth  Up to 12 inches, depending on the terrain and soil or sand mineralization
Weight 2 pounds
Search coil 6.5 inch waterproof search coil
Battery life 2 x 9V alkaline batteries required (not included)
Headphones included No and it doesn’t have a headphone jack
Warranty 1-year limited warranty
Made Unknown

Best for

Best budget Metal Detector for kids and beginners

The Ground EFX MC1 is best for:

  • Coin, relic and artefact hunting
  • Beach hunting
  • Freshwater hunting.

The pros

  • 2 search modes
  • Sensitivity adjustment
  • Waterproof search coil
  • Depth of up to 12 inches

The cons

  • No headphone jack and no volume control
  • The small-sized search coil means they will have to cover a lot more ground to find targets
Click to check the price

Read our full review of the Ground EFX MC1 youth metal detector.


The information in this post was sourced from the product manufacturers and our own experience. Please check product specifications before buying a metal detector. Some products come in kits and may contain different accessories and different sizes to what’s mentioned in this post. 

Last modified: October 2, 2019

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