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Garrett is undoubtedly one of the best metal detector manufacturers in the world.
Metal detectorists, who constantly need improvements that help make treasure hunting convenient, are hard-pressed not to recognize this brand.
However, whenever I talk to people about detectors, they always have the same question: What is the best Garrett metal detector?
Since most of Garrett’s detectors are regarded as the finest in their price range, let’s take a look at some of the company’s top models and find out which is suited to you.
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What Is The Best Garrett Metal Detector?
Here are the best Garrett metal detector models in 2024:
Last update on 2024-12-22 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Is Garrett A Good Metal Detector Brand?
Garrett needs little to no introduction, even to a beginner who is starting afresh. It is a go-to brand for detectorists looking for machines equipped with the latest features.
Garrett Detectors are designed to help you find all kinds of treasures no matter which location you choose.
The company has been selling detectors since 1964.
Years of experience have enabled the company to develop machines equipped with advanced features and enhanced abilities.
Garrett has a wide range of products to buy that can help you find anything, including coins, relics, and precious metals buried underground.
Some of the devices are designed to work flawlessly in terrains where other devices cannot.
If used correctly, the machines made by the company are reliable and last for a long time.
Listed below are some of Garrett’s products that can give you a glimpse into the company’s superior expertise and craftsmanship.
Top 5 Best Garrett Metal Detectors 2024 – A Comparison
Garrett AT Gold – Best Garrett Detector For Gold
The Garrett AT Gold is a unique detector belonging to the All-Terrain series specifically designed to locate gold nuggets and jewelry.
With its waterproof body and powerful signals, the device can locate pieces of gold buried 10-feet underground.
As with other Garrett machines, the AT Gold features several advanced innovations. It comes with Iron Audio which helps you avoid trash and find valuables quickly.
The machine uses the Pro Audio mode to detect subtle changes in the response received from the target.
It can also help you determine the size, depth, and shape of the target. It has a faster recovery time that comes in handy when there are multiple targets buried nearby.
You can increase the detector’s sensitivity and depth scan limit by switching it to true all-metal mode.
In this mode, the machine will ignore all the discrimination settings and locate all kinds of metal.
If you want to find gold and nothing else, you can use the high-res discrimination feature included in the device.
You have to set the discrimination to 44 points to configure the machine to eliminate all other targets except for gold.
Pros:
- It can be submerged up to 10-feet
- Durable and light
- Powerful iron Audio and discrimination
- Digital target identification
Cons:
- Lacks LED screen backlight
Garrett ACE 250 – Best Metal Detector For Beginners
There are many qualities in the Ace 250 that make it suitable for beginners. The most important feature of this Garrett metal detector is its easy-to-use design.
You can start using the machine within minutes. It is amazingly lightweight and suitable for a full day of hunting.
The Ace 250 comes with a 6.5kHz VLF frequency which is decent enough to find good targets.
It has a simple display that gives you all the information you need about the target. If you’re using a detector for the first time, you won’t find it difficult to read the display.
For the users’ convenience, the company has added buttons on the interface and labeled each one of them.
The buttons are highly responsive and help you browse through the settings of the device.
The Garrett Ace 250 has some premium features like graphical target ID, coin-depth indicator, built-in search modes, coin depth indicator, discrimination settings, and pinpoint modes.
The coils are fully submersible and can be used for locating items in shallow water areas. It comes with a preset ground balance that saves you from digging up unnecessary trash.
There is no option to control the device’s volume, but you can manage this issue by using headphones that have volume control settings.
In addition to all that, the Ace 250 is very affordable and provides good value for such a low price.
Pros:
- It comes with notch discrimination to make finding valuable easier
- The device has Visual Target-ID and Audio feedback for locating the target
- User-friendly control panel
- Light body suitable for longer use
- High sensitivity
Cons:
- Volume not adjustable
- Preset ground balance
Garrett ATX Max – Top All-Round Garrett Detector
The Garrett AT MAX is one of the best metal detectors on the market that is equipped with many useful features. It performs exceptionally well on all terrains.
This VLF detector offers a deeper detection capability, and the latest models come with Z-Lynk Wireless technology.
You can use the AT MAX in saltwater too.
Featuring a waterproof body that can be submerged to a depth of 10 feet, you are sure to locate exactly what you are looking for.
If you have been facing trouble hunting in terrains with high mineralization, the AT MAX is the perfect pick for you.
It even finds targets on saltwater beaches thanks to its ground balancing capabilities.
You can set the ground balance to automatic or manual according to your convenience.
You can make your hunt accurate by selecting the high-resolution iron discrimination feature.
There are up to 44 points that you can choose from and as you go higher the machine eliminates the possibility of detecting trash items.
The Garrett AT MAX delivers a sharp audio alert, but what stands out about this device is the ability to adjust the threshold.
It helps you get accurate information about the target and prevents other detectors from interfering with your device’s signals.
The most attractive feature of the AT Max is the Z-Lynk Wireless Technology.
Wireless Technology is not that popular in detectors due to the delay in information transmission.
However, the Z-Lynk technology has a near-zero delay from the machine to the headphones.
Pros:
- It comes with a backlit display for better visibility
- You can adjust the frequency at your convenience
Cons:
- The price may be too high
Garrett AT PRO
The Garrett AT Pro is one of the newer Garrett models with pinpointing capabilities and different search modes.
It has a standard audio binary mode that sends powerful audio signals to locate objects buried deep underground.
This mode is perfect for detectorists who like to have the freedom to choose between normal and powerful detecting abilities.
Just like the All-Metal Mode, the AT Pro comes with a Pro Audio mode. In this mode, the machine allows you to detect the type of target located underground with a changing tone.
As the tone changes, you get an idea of the target’s shape, depth, and size. It also shows you targets that are buried alongside.
The Garrett AT Pro has been designed to function in all terrains, and its waterproof body helps it perform flawlessly.
You can use the detector up to 10-feet underwater. This makes it suitable for hunting metal on beaches, rivers, docks, and swimming holes.
It has iron discrimination capabilities that can be adjusted by the options on the control panel.
You can adjust the discrimination between one to forty levels and make your search more precise.
THe AT Pro comes with a Digital Target ID system that shows specific numbers on detecting a target.
These numbers help you to determine the type of object located by the machine.
The display shows numbers between 0-99; ferrous targets fall in the range closer to 1 and conductive targets near 99.
Pros:
- Requires less power to function
- Lightweight
Cons:
- Expensive price
Garrett ACE 300
The Garrett ACE 300 is like an upgrade to the ACE 250, but it’s still a great choice for beginners and intermediate detectorists.
It has a plethora of features such as various detection modes, waterproof body, pinpointing ability, and Digital Target ID.
With the ACE 300, you can find a lot of valuable items with ease.
The machine’s waterproof body allows it to be used in shallow water to locate coins, relics, and pieces of jewelry.
Due to enhanced sensitivity, the ACE 300 can also detect silver and gold and display their conductivity values on the screen.
It has 5 detection modes such as Zero-Disc, Coin, Relics, Jewelry, and the most important Custom mode. Each mode has properties that make it useful on the field.
The Zero-Disc mode powers all of the 12 discrimination pixels and identifies all types of metals present in the area.
This is useful for locating targets that are often concealed under or near trash items.
Meanwhile, the Custom mode allows you to create your search pattern by adding or eliminating segments.
This serves in making your treasure hunt successful and at finding more valuable items. However, the settings need to be recalibrated every time the machine is turned off.
Pros:
- 5 search modes
- Waterproof body
- High sensitivity
Cons:
- Preset ground balance
Garrett ACE 400
The Garrett ACE 400 is the top model in the ACE series. It replaces the Garrett ACE 350, and comes with more features than any other detector in the series.
The machine is a VLF metal detector with a frequency output of 10kHz. The ACE 400’s frequency is higher than the 8kHz frequency of the ACE 300.
Its enhanced sensitivity can be used to find small targets with low conductivity. It is also great for maintaining a balance between depth and sensitivity.
This makes coin and relic hunting easier. The ACE 400 weighs only 2.9lbs which is pretty light for a detector.
You can carry the detector along with you all day without getting tired. It comes with an adjustable stem that can be increased or decreased in length.
Garrett has also added cam locks to the stem to make the detector stable so that you don’t mess up on target detection.
The company has chosen to use its signature yellow color to coat the body.
It uses four AA batteries to give you a cumulative search period of 25 hours. The device also has a continuous battery-level indicator that comes in handy in the field when hunting for valuables.
Pros:
- Performs better than most detectors in this range
- It comes with Iron Audio and 4 iron discrimination segments
- Easy to use
- Digital Target ID for precise target location
Cons:
- Not waterproof
- Preset ground balance
Which Garrett Metal Detector Should You Buy?
While there are many devices created by the company, the Garrett AT MAX stands out due to its numerous features and advantages.
Let’s take a look at what makes the AT MAX the best garrett metal detector:
As mentioned above, it has more discrimination points than any other detector from the company.
To top it all, the AT MAX has a fully waterproof body which gives the detectorists the freedom to explore all kinds of prospecting locations that have water.
The Z-Lynk technology is another important feature that makes the AT MAX an interesting pick. Its wireless abilities enable detectorists to hunt for metal with precision and convenience.
Considering the key features mentioned above, it is pretty clear that if you’re planning to buy the best Garrett metal detector, the AT MAX is the right option to go for.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is The Difference Between The Garrett Ace 300 and 400?
The Garrett ACE 400 is an advanced model compared to the ACE 300. This means that all the features that are found in ACE 300 are also included in the ACE 400.
However, the company has also added extra features to the ACE 400 such as Iron Audio, DD search coils, headphones with audio control, and a much higher frequency.
Is Garrett A Good Metal Detector?
Garrett Metal detectors are equipped with the latest technologies that make metal hunting easier and convenient.
Moreover, the company has metal detectors that are suitable for specific activities and terrains.
If you choose a metal detector according to your needs, you will not have any problem while hunting.
Can the Garrett ACE 400 Find gold?
Though Garrett ACE 400 has a great frequency output, it only works well for coins and relics. The machine is not designed to detect gold in any form.
Is The Garrett Ace 300 A Good Metal Detector?
For beginners, Yes, the Garrett ace 300 is a good metal detector. Some of its features may seem appealing to intermediate detectorists too.
Its various detection modes, partly waterproof design, precise pinpointer, and digital target ID are some of the key attention-grabbing features.
The machine is perfect for detecting objects in shallow waters. It also shows the target ID for sensitive metals like gold and silver.
How Deep Can The Garrett Ace 400 Detect?
The Garrett ACE 400 is among the few detectors from the company with a high-frequency output.
Due to this, the device offers a depth reach of 8 inches. You can find coins and relics buried at this depth with ease.
Can Garrett AT Pro Find Gold?
The Garrett AT Pro is not so great at finding gold. Although it has a high-frequency output, its abilities are limited when it comes to small targets.
Which Is Better Garrett AT Pro or AT Gold?
The AT Pro and Gold are great metal detectors with almost identical features.
Both detectors have a Target ID display, offer good sensitivity, have a waterproof body that can be submerged up to 10 feet, and come with a manual ground balance adjustment.
Choosing between the two is a matter of preference. If you need an advanced device to help you find valuables underground, the AT Pro will match your needs quite well.
On the other hand, if you wish to find gold, the AT Gold will be a better fit.
Is The Garrett AT Pro Worth The Money?
The AT Pro is one of the finest metal detectors from Garrett. Its many features make treasure hunting a lot easier.
It can be used on all kinds of terrains, and its waterproof body enables you to use it underwater.
If you’re looking to get an upgrade from entry-level detectors, the AT Pro can be a great choice.
How Good Is The Garrett AT Pro?
The Garrett AT Pro is a very efficient metal detector. It is equipped with advanced features like search modes and iron discrimination, you will be able to find all kinds of valuables faster and avoid trash.
It is a great option for detectorists who want to upgrade from beginners to intermediate devices.
Is The Garrett Ace 250 Any Good?
The Garrett ACE 250 is the most basic detector from the ACE series. It was developed to help beginners get familiar with treasure hunting.
The machine comes with features like Target cursor ID, accept or eliminate discrimination, varied search modes, pinpointer mode, and a waterproof coil.