Selecting the Right Garrett Metal Detector for Your Skills, Interests, and Budget

Garrett is one of the most trusted names in the world of metal detecting. With decades of experience and a reputation for high-quality, reliable detectors, Garrett offers a wide range of models for every skill level, interest, and budget. Whether you're a beginner just starting out, an intermediate hobbyist looking for more features, or an experienced detectorist seeking the best performance, there's a Garrett metal detector that's right for you.

In this guide, we’ll break down the different Garrett detectors to help you choose the one that best matches your skills, interests, and budget.

1. Understanding Your Skill Level

Before diving into specific models, it's important to assess your skill level. Metal detecting can be as simple or as advanced as you like, and Garrett offers detectors that cater to beginners, intermediate users, and seasoned professionals. Understanding your experience will help you find the detector that best suits your needs.

Beginners

If you're new to metal detecting, you'll want a detector that’s easy to use, with intuitive controls and basic features to get you started. Garrett offers a few excellent options for beginners that provide solid performance without overwhelming you with too many settings.

Garrett ACE 200 – This is the perfect entry-level model for those just starting their metal detecting journey. It’s simple to use, lightweight, and affordable, making it an ideal choice for new detectorists. The ACE 200 comes with adjustable sensitivity, a clear target ID system, and a depth indicator. While it’s basic, it still provides excellent functionality for general coin and jewelry hunting.
Garrett ACE 300 – A step up from the ACE 200, the ACE 300 adds more advanced features, including a higher frequency for better sensitivity to small targets. It’s still user-friendly and offers easy-to-understand controls, making it great for beginners who want a little more performance without breaking the bank.

Intermediate Users

If you have some experience with metal detecting and are looking for a model with more features, you’ll want something that gives you more control over your settings and better performance on a variety of terrains. Garrett’s mid-range detectors offer improved sensitivity, more sophisticated target identification, and advanced search modes.

Garrett ACE 400 – The ACE 400 is an excellent choice for intermediate users. It offers increased target depth, higher sensitivity, and more precise discrimination to help you separate valuable targets from junk. The ACE 400 also comes with a built-in digital target ID, which provides an audio tone and number to help you identify what’s underground.
Garrett AT Pro – The AT Pro is a versatile, all-terrain detector, making it ideal for users who want to expand their detecting experience into different environments. It’s fully waterproof up to 10 feet, has a manual ground balance feature for handling challenging soil conditions, and includes advanced features like custom search modes and adjustable sensitivity. The AT Pro is fantastic for relic hunting, coin shooting, and general detecting in diverse environments.

Advanced Users

For those who are serious about their hobby or even considering metal detecting as a part-time profession, Garrett’s high-end models offer the best performance and cutting-edge technology. These detectors are built for depth, precision, and flexibility.

Garrett AT Max – The AT Max is a high-performance detector that’s packed with features for advanced users. It comes with a larger depth range, wireless audio, and advanced ground balance settings. The AT Max is perfect for those who want to hunt in a variety of environments, from parks to beaches to even underwater. It’s a fantastic all-around detector with exceptional performance on challenging terrain.
Garrett Sea Hunter Mark II – If you’re an experienced detectorist focused on underwater or beach hunting, the Sea Hunter Mark II is an excellent choice. It’s designed for deep-sea and saltwater hunting, offering pinpoint accuracy in difficult environments. Fully submersible and highly sensitive, it’s perfect for those looking to dive into the world of underwater metal detecting.

2. Consider Your Interests

What are you hoping to find? Different Garrett models excel at different types of detecting, so aligning your interests with the right detector is key to your success.

Coin and Jewelry Hunting

If you’re primarily interested in finding coins and jewelry, you’ll want a detector that has high sensitivity to small targets and a solid discrimination system. Many Garrett detectors are ideal for coin and jewelry hunting, as they provide a good balance of target separation, depth, and ease of use.

Garrett ACE 200 or 300 – These entry-level models are great for general coin and jewelry hunting. They have the essential features you need without being overwhelming, making them ideal for beginners or casual hobbyists.
Garrett AT Pro – The AT Pro is also a fantastic option for coin and jewelry hunters, especially for those who want to hunt in challenging environments like wet soil or beaches. Its all-terrain functionality and advanced target ID make it a solid choice for finding valuable items in a variety of locations.

Relic Hunting

If you're more interested in relic hunting—seeking items like old tools, buttons, or artifacts—look for a detector that excels in deep searching and can handle mineralized soil, which is often found in historical sites.

Garrett AT Pro – This model is well-suited for relic hunting, thanks to its excellent depth capabilities, custom search modes, and ability to adjust ground balance. The AT Pro’s advanced features allow it to handle a wide range of conditions, including highly mineralized soil that’s common in relic-hunting areas.
Garrett AT Max – The AT Max is also an excellent option for relic hunters. With its enhanced depth and all-terrain capabilities, it’s built for deep searching, making it perfect for those who want to uncover hidden relics in challenging conditions.

Gold Prospecting

If you're interested in prospecting for gold, you’ll need a detector with a high frequency for detecting small gold nuggets. Garrett offers detectors that are specifically designed for gold prospecting, providing superior sensitivity in gold-rich areas.

Garrett AT Gold – The AT Gold is specifically designed for gold prospecting. It features high frequency (18 kHz), which is perfect for detecting tiny gold nuggets. It’s also waterproof up to 10 feet, making it great for prospecting in streams or rivers.
Garrett Ground EFX – If you’re looking for an affordable and effective option for gold prospecting, the Garrett Ground EFX offers great performance at a lower price point, especially for beginners who want to try their hand at gold hunting.

Beach and Underwater Hunting

Garrett’s waterproof and all-terrain detectors are ideal for beach and underwater hunting. If you're interested in finding treasure along shorelines or beneath the waves, Garrett has some excellent options that are specifically designed for these environments.

Garrett AT Pro – Not only is the AT Pro waterproof, but it also has excellent target separation and depth capabilities, making it ideal for beach and shallow-water hunting. Its versatility allows you to switch between land and water hunting easily.
Garrett Sea Hunter Mark II – If you’re planning to dive into the world of underwater treasure hunting, the Sea Hunter Mark II is the detector you’ll want. It’s fully submersible, offering deep detection in saltwater environments, and it’s perfect for finding coins, jewelry, and relics on the beach or underwater.

3. Set a Budget

Garrett offers detectors at various price points, so it's important to choose one that fits your budget. While it’s tempting to go for the most advanced model, you can find reliable, high-performance detectors at every price range.

Budget-Friendly Detectors (Under $250)

Garrett ACE 200: Affordable, easy to use, and perfect for general detecting.
Garrett ACE 300: A bit more advanced but still budget-friendly, great for those wanting more features without spending too much.

Mid-Range Detectors ($250 - $600)

Garrett ACE 400: A great choice for intermediate users with advanced features like a digital target ID.Garrett AT Pro: Ideal for hobbyists who want all-terrain capabilities and improved depth.

High-End Detectors ($600 and Above)

Garrett AT Max: A top-tier option for experienced users with advanced depth and wireless audio.
Garrett Sea Hunter Mark II: Perfect for underwater hunting, designed to withstand saltwater and deep-sea conditions.

Final Thoughts: Finding the Right Garrett Metal Detector for You

Garrett offers a wide range of metal detectors to suit every skill level, interest, and budget. Whether you’re just starting out with the ACE 200 or diving into advanced relic or gold hunting with the AT Max, Garrett’s detectors offer reliability, ease of use, and superior performance.

Take the time to evaluate your skill level, interests, and budget to select the right detector for you. With the right Garrett model in hand, you’ll be on your way to uncovering treasures, relics, and coins in no time! Happy hunting!