4 Best Kids Metal Detectors of 2026

The Garrett ACE 150 is Garrett’s entry model, but it’s certainly not a toy. It’s a quality piece of detecting kit that suits children from late primary age into secondary school with enough detecting power and technology to keep an amateur adult happy too.

The 150 is lightweight at 1.2 kgs and its ergonomics are designed so the weight isn’t all at the tip. It’s easy to swing and won’t tire kids out quickly. Its telescopic pole is a great help because it personalizes the detector to your kid’s height and arm reach – all this makes it conformable and a pleasure to use.

There’s only 3 buttons on the LED screen. The power button, the search modes, and the sensitivity. It’s more than enough to keep a kid enthused without confusing them.

The factory preset search modes are coins, all-metal, and jewellery – just select the mode you want and it’s time to head outside to detect with no manual required.

When you’ve got more experience the sensitivity button can really help enhance the search because it eliminates trash and focuses more on precious metals.

There’s a handy depth indicator that displays how far down you need to dig once a target is identified too, which is a great addition that means less digging and happier landowners. However, it can be a bit hit and miss.

On the downside, the 150 doesn’t have ground balancing so it might send out false signals on mineralised ground. You can combat this a bit with the sensitivity, but experienced detectorists will want adjustable ground balancing.

There’s also no battery life indicator so you’ll need to take a spare set, and the control box is not waterproof – however the search coil is. It’s fine to use in shallow freshwater but care is needed to keep the control box safe.

One final half gripe – there’s no internal pinpointer so you may find you’re digging bigger holes than necessary. However, for the price, you can’t expect everything!

Overall, this is a top-of-the-range metal detector for a good price. Garrett has not cheaped out on their entry-level model and used some, but not all, of their top technology. For example, its 6.5 x 9 inch PROformance search coil is the same as the more expensive models in their range.

It’s a great choice for older children who are capable of using its simple technology and want a step up from toy detectors, but it’s not suitable for very young children.

A great value option for kids, the MYLEK XP PLUS All-Terrain Metal Detector is a great beginners model. It’s a relatively basic, lightweight detector with simple functions – ideal for getting children interested in what metallic treasures they can find lying around.

It also comes with a selection of accessories, which is why it’s one of the best metal detectors for kids if you’re after value for money. There’s a small 3-in-1 shovel/pick included, for excavating any treasure, and it also has a compass fixed to the end. Alongside this, the detector comes with headphones and a pouch bag that can attach to a belt for storing finds.

The inclusion of these accessories makes it a good all-inclusive buy, with the compass and excavation tools providing a good sense of adventure. Although it’s not the most powerful or effective metal detector featured here, it works well enough to get children interested. Metals can be sensed up to a depth of 10 – 15 cm.

With a waterproof search coil, measuring 16.5 cm, it can also be used to search for metal in shallow water such as streams and rivers. It’s therefore perfect for taking and holidays and camping trips, especially as the shaft can be split in two (by undoing a screw) in order to make it compact for transportation.

The screen has a simple display with a needle that moves at it senses metals. There are also two dials to adjust volume and discern between different metals as well as a low-battery indicator light to make it obvious when the power is running out.

Although the detector is relatively easy to use straight away (once you have provided a 9 V battery), taking the time to read and understand the instructions can make the experience more effective.

If you want to get your children into metal detecting, the DR. OTEK Pinpoint Metal Detector is a great introductory tool. It’s suitable for ages 10 + and is a great way to ignite interest in the hobby.

Like a lot of metal detectors, this model can discern between different types of metal. Whilst kids probably won’t mind if they’re simply uncovering bottle caps at the start of their metal-detecting journey, it leaves room for them to learn and grow.

As they get more adept at using the detector, they’ll be able to appreciate that differently pitched ‘beeps’ indicate different metals (discerning between iron, mid-range metals, and silver).

The 21 cm coil can locate metals up to 18 cm below the ground, and has a pinpoint function to help identify exactly where they are.

With a folding spade included, and a belt-bag to carry it in, this DR.ÖTEK detector provides a full kit of parts, making it one of the best metal detectors for kids. The detector is splash-proof, and can be used on holidays at the beach or camping by the river, opening up a lot of possibilities for activities with the children.

Having said this, it’s worth bearing in mind that the metal detector is splash proof but not waterproof, so the coil shouldn’t be submerged.

With just three buttons on its control unit, and an easy-to-read LED display, the DR.OTEK Metal Detector keeps things simple. There’s an on/off button, pinpoint button, and sensitivity button.

Although it’s easy to go out and use this detector straight away with minimal instruction, getting the most out of its features will take a bit of time and getting used to.

6 x AA batteries are required, and they don’t come included. Although the batteries last a while with occasional use, it still needs more batteries than the majority of metal-detectors featured on this list.

All things considered, it’s an accurate and well-designed metal detector that will keep offering more to kids as they continue to learn how to use it.

The Hello-5ive Metal Detector is a budget-friendly beginner option for kids. It has a simple analogue display, with two adjustable dials – one to turn it on and off, and the other to change which metals are being detected.

The casing is black and light blue, making it more visually appealing to children, and there is a small trowel and hand rake with a matching colour scheme. Out of the detectors featured on this page, it’s the best metal detector for children aged 5 – 10. It strikes a good balance between not being too childish, but not being as expensive or complicated as more premium models.

It can detect to a depth of approximately 5-10 cm, and the ‘eliminator’ dial allows some distinction to be made between different metals. This can be used to eliminate iron, nickel and zinc.

Suitable for children of different heights, the stem can be extended from 47 cm to 78 cm. Another benefit of this is that it’s easy to store a carry the detector, particularly useful if taking it on holiday or transporting it to the beach. The coil also folds up flush against the stem to make it more compact.

It can be used on different terrain, and doesn’t require the ground to be totally dry – the 17 cm coil is waterproof and can be used in shallow water like rivers and the sea shore.

Overall, this is a good metal detector to use for fun and to get children interested in the idea of hunting for different metals. It’s unlikely to turn up any great treasures, but it still functions well enough to give kids the thrill of uncovering different metallic items sitting below the ground’s surface.