“Waterproof” is one of the most confusing words on a metal detector box. Almost every detector has a waterproof coil, but only some have a fully waterproof control box that you can take into the sea or a river. If you’ll wade into the surf, detect in rivers where you have permission, or just want to stop worrying about British weather, you need a fully waterproof machine.
How we chose: from manufacturers’ specifications, current Amazon UK prices and ratings, and how each performs on wet UK sand according to owners. We haven’t tested every detector ourselves.
The short answer
- Best value: Nokta FindX Pro (about £189). Fully waterproof to 16ft with a rechargeable battery and headphones included.
- Best for most people: Minelab Vanquish 360 (about £259). Multi-frequency and fully waterproof to 16ft.
- Best with extra features: Nokta Simplex Lite (about £200). Waterproof to 5m, with vibration and a torch.
- Best step up: Nokta Legend (about £600). Multi-frequency, waterproof to 10ft, and strong for gold.
- Best high-end: Minelab Equinox 700 (about £699). Multi-frequency and fully waterproof, and proven on UK beaches.
What “waterproof” actually means
| Label | What it means | Can you wade? |
|---|---|---|
| Waterproof coil | Only the coil can go under water. The control box is weatherproof at best | No |
| Water-resistant | Survives rain and splashes | No |
| IP68 / fully submersible | The whole detector can go under water, to a stated depth | Yes |
Most standard headphones aren’t waterproof, even when the detector is, so check before you go in deep. And always rinse a detector in fresh water after the sea.
Multi-frequency matters on wet sand
Wet salt sand behaves a bit like metal to a detector. Single-frequency machines tend to chatter or lose depth on it. Multi-frequency detectors, such as the Minelab Vanquish 360 and Equinox and the Nokta Legend, cope much better. If you’ll spend most of your time on the wet sand at low tide, it’s worth paying for.
The best waterproof metal detectors
Best value: Nokta FindX Pro (about £189)
Fully waterproof to 16ft (IP68), with an 11-inch waterproof DD coil, automatic search modes, a rechargeable lithium battery you charge by USB, and headphones in the box. It's single-frequency, so it's less stable on wet salt sand than a multi-frequency machine. Rated 4.4 stars from 506 Amazon UK reviews.
Best for most people: Minelab Vanquish 360 (about £259)
The fully waterproof version of the UK's most recommended beginner detector. It has Multi-IQ multi-frequency, IP68 waterproofing to 16ft, a 10-inch V10X coil, and Park, Beach and All Metal modes. It's the one to buy if you want beach and field performance in one detector. See our Vanquish comparison for the 460 and 560.
Best with extra features: Nokta Simplex Lite (about £200)
Waterproof to 5 metres, with vibration alerts, which help when you can't hear underwater, plus a backlit screen and a built-in torch for dawn tides. Single-frequency. Rated 4.4 stars from 276 reviews. The Simplex Ultra (about £300) adds Bluetooth and a carbon shaft.
Best step up: Nokta Legend (about £600)
Nokta's simultaneous multi-frequency detector, waterproof to 10ft (3m), with up to 20 hours from a USB-charged battery. It's also well suited to gold prospecting. Rated 4.6 stars from 42 reviews. The newer Legend 2 costs about £1,000.
Best high-end: Minelab Equinox 700 (about £699)
Multi-IQ multi-frequency, fully waterproof, with Park, Field and Beach modes and an 11-inch coil. It's a favourite with UK beach detectorists. Rated 4.5 stars from 44 reviews. See our Equinox vs Manticore comparison for the 900 and Manticore.
Don't forget a waterproof pinpointer
A pinpointer that can go in the water with you saves a lot of scooping. The Garrett Pro-Pointer AT (about £117) is waterproof to 6m, and the budget DR.ÖTEK IP68 pinpointer (about £43) is rated 4.5 stars from 3,500 reviews. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Quick comparison
| Detector | Price (approx.) | Waterproof to | Multi-frequency | Amazon UK rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nokta FindX Pro | £189 | 16ft (about 5m) | No | 4.4 (506) |
| Nokta Simplex Lite | £200 | 5m | No | 4.4 (276) |
| Minelab Vanquish 360 | £259 | 16ft (about 5m) | Yes | 4.6 (28) |
| Nokta Legend | £600 | 10ft (3m) | Yes | 4.6 (42) |
| Minelab Equinox 700 | £699 | Fully waterproof | Yes | 4.5 (44) |
Prices are Amazon UK prices checked in September 2026 and change often.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a waterproof detector for the beach? Not for the dry or wet sand. A waterproof coil is enough. You only need a fully waterproof detector to go into the water.
Can I use a waterproof detector in a river? Yes, where you have the landowner’s permission. Be careful of currents and protected sites.
Are waterproof headphones included? Usually not. Most detecting headphones aren’t waterproof, so keep them dry or use waterproof ones made for your detector.