The 10 Best Metal Detector Wands

Editor's Notes

November 16, 2020:

If you plan to travel with your detector, portability may be an important factor. Most of these devices are of comparable size, but the lightest options on our list are two of our newest additions. The For Doc Pinpointer only weighs ten ounces, while the Ricomax Handheld weighs a mere six ounces. Both are good travel-friendly choices.

If you want your kid to get a taste of treasure-hunting, the recently included Kidzlane Junior is worth checking out. This device isn’t just a toy, as it can detect jewelry and coins. Brightly colored plastic and fun lights make it kid-friendly, while adjustable sizing allows you to customize it to your kid’s height and age, with the wand version meant for pre-school aged children.

If you enjoy ocean adventures, choose from several waterproof devices on our list. The Garrett Pro-Pointer comes with a flashlight for dimly lit, underwater searches. However, the best waterproof option on our list may be the Dr. Otek IP68, which can operate when submerged up to 32 feet.

For serious hunters or security personnel, close-range detection is probably the highest priority. The Garrett Super Scanner V remains on our list for its high sensitivity. It detects guns from about a four-inch distance and senses knives from five inches away. However, the most sensitive detector on our list is the V-Resourcing VLT023, which can sense a handgun from nine inches away, making it a great choice for high-stakes security for social events and schools.

June 14, 2019:

Though most metal detector wands on the market have similar functionality, one of the most obvious distinguishing features between them is the quality of construction. This is something that factored heavily into our ranking. Typically, models from more well-known brands were sturdier and could withstand heavy usage. The Garrett Super Scanner V and the Fisher CW-20 fall into this category.

Of course, how well each pick detected metal was also considered. The Garrett Pro-Pointer with its ability to scan in 360-degrees, providing uniform sensitivity, is a great choice for those trying to sniff out metal in tight spaces, like vehicle interiors.

We also looked at the social skills a device had -- or in other words what alert modes it had. Those working security at a house of worship or a courthouse likely won't want an alarm going off every few minutes. Therefore, we tried to highlight whether a detector had a vibrate mode or a headphones jack.