Headphones are the most underrated accessory in metal detecting. They let you hear the faint, deep signals that a detector’s speaker drowns out in the wind, they save battery, and they stop the constant beeping annoying walkers, landowners and everyone else at a rally. The catch is that the right pair depends on which detector you own, because plugs and wireless systems vary.
How we chose: from manufacturers’ specifications, current Amazon UK prices and ratings, and which detectors each pair is designed for. We haven’t tested every pair ourselves.
The short answer
- Best budget wired: Garrett Easy Stow (about £28). Folding, light and well reviewed.
- Best wired all-rounder: Garrett MS-2 (about £35). Volume control and a long coiled cable.
- For Minelab’s 3.5mm detectors: Minelab wired headphones (about £35-£40). Made for the Equinox, Gold Monster and other Minelabs with a 3.5mm socket.
- Best wireless for Minelab: ML85 (about £128), designed for the Manticore, or the ML105 (about £169), which also covers the Equinox 700/900 and X-Terra Pro.
- For XP Deus II: XP WSA ST wireless headphones (about £133).
First, check your plug
This is where most people go wrong:
- 3.5mm (1/8-inch) jack: the small plug used by phones and many modern detectors, including many Minelab models.
- 6.35mm (1/4-inch) jack: the larger plug used by many Garrett detectors and older machines. Garrett’s MS-2 and Easy Stow use this size.
- Adapters between the two cost a few pounds and work fine. Get a right-angled one if you can, because it’s less likely to snag.
- Wireless: Minelab’s newer detectors (Manticore, Equinox 700/900, X-Terra Pro) use Minelab’s own low-latency wireless system, and XP detectors use XP’s own. Ordinary Bluetooth headphones can lag slightly, which makes pinpointing harder, so detector-specific wireless headphones are worth it on these machines.
If you own a detector that came with headphones, such as the Minelab X-Terra Voyager or Vanquish 460 and 560, you may not need to buy any at all to start with.
Why wired is still the sensible first buy
Wired detecting headphones are cheap, never need charging, and have no delay between the detector and your ears. They’re also tougher, with coiled cables designed to survive being stepped on. Go wireless when the cable starts to annoy you, or when your detector is designed around wireless audio.
The best metal detecting headphones
Best budget: Garrett Easy Stow headphones (about £28)
Light, folding headphones from one of the biggest names in detecting, with a coiled cable and a 1/4-inch plug. They fold small enough to live in a finds pouch. Rated 4.4 stars from 471 Amazon UK reviews. Add a 3.5mm adapter if your detector uses the smaller socket.
Best wired all-rounder: Garrett MS-2 (about £35)
The detecting headphones you'll see at most rallies. They have a volume control on each earpiece, comfortable pads, a reinforced 10ft coiled cable and a right-angled 1/4-inch plug. Rated 4.4 stars from 480 reviews.
For Minelab detectors with a 3.5mm socket: Minelab wired headphones (about £35-£40)
Minelab's own wired headphones with a 3.5mm plug. The headphone set for the Gold Monster and Equinox (about £35) is rated 4.6 stars from 15 reviews, and the standard Minelab wired headphones (about £40) are rated 4.1 stars from 72 reviews. Both avoid the need for an adapter.
Best wireless for Minelab: Minelab ML85 (about £128)
Low-latency wireless headphones designed for the Manticore. Check the listing for compatibility if you own another Minelab. No cable to catch on brambles, and no lag when you're pinpointing. Rated 4.6 stars from 55 reviews. The older Minelab Equinox Bluetooth headphones (about £129, 4.5 stars from 86 reviews) are an alternative for Equinox owners.
Premium wireless for Minelab: Minelab ML105 (about £169)
Minelab's higher-spec wireless headphones for the Manticore, Equinox 700 and 900 and X-Terra Pro, supplied with a USB-C charger and an AUX cable so you can also use them wired. Rated 4.7 stars from 20 reviews.
For XP Deus II owners: XP WSA ST wireless headphones (about £133)
XP's own wireless headphones for the Deus II, which uses XP's wireless system rather than Bluetooth. Rated 4.6 stars from 12 reviews. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Quick comparison
| Headphones | Type | Plug or system | Price (approx.) | Amazon UK rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Garrett Easy Stow | Wired | 1/4" | £28 | 4.4 (471) |
| Garrett MS-2 | Wired | 1/4" | £35 | 4.4 (480) |
| Minelab headphone set | Wired | 3.5mm | £35 | 4.6 (15) |
| Minelab ML85 | Wireless | Minelab wireless | £128 | 4.6 (55) |
| Minelab ML105 | Wireless or wired | Minelab wireless | £169 | 4.7 (20) |
| XP WSA ST | Wireless | XP wireless | £133 | 4.6 (12) |
Prices are Amazon UK prices checked in September 2026 and change often.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use normal headphones for metal detecting? Yes, if the plug fits. Phone-style earbuds work to start with, but proper detecting headphones cover your ears to block wind noise and have tougher cables.
Are Bluetooth headphones OK? Ordinary Bluetooth headphones can add a slight delay, which makes pinpointing harder. Detector-specific wireless headphones are designed to avoid that.
Do headphones make you find more? They help you hear faint signals from small or deep targets that you’d miss through the speaker, especially on a windy day.