The Minelab Vanquish is the detector most often recommended to UK beginners, but the range has become confusing. The original Vanquish 340 and 540 are still on sale, and Minelab has added a new generation, the Vanquish 360, 460 and 560. Here’s how they differ and which one to buy.
How we compared them: from Minelab’s specifications, the Amazon UK listings and their reviews, and current UK prices. We haven’t tested every model side by side ourselves.
The short answer
- Tightest budget: Vanquish 340 (about £199). Still the cheapest way into Multi-IQ multi-frequency, and it has by far the most reviews.
- Best value overall: Vanquish 360 (about £259). About £60 more than the 340, and the whole detector is waterproof.
- Best for fields: Vanquish 460 (about £349). Adds a Field mode and a custom User Profile, and includes headphones.
- Best for depth and big fields: Vanquish 560 (about £449). The larger 12-inch coil covers more ground and is fully waterproof.
- The 540 (about £389) is now hard to justify. The 560 costs about £60 more and adds full waterproofing.
What all Vanquish detectors have in common
Every Vanquish uses Multi-IQ, Minelab’s simultaneous multi-frequency technology. Instead of choosing one frequency, the detector runs several at once and sets itself up for the ground. You switch it on, pick a mode and start detecting. In UK conditions, that means it copes well with wet clay, mineralised soil and salty beach sand, which is where cheap single-frequency machines struggle. They’re all light, at around 1.2–1.3kg, and all collapse small enough for a rucksack.
The big difference: waterproofing
This is the main reason to choose the new generation.
- 340 and 540: the coil is waterproof, but the control box is only water-resistant. They’re fine in rain and on wet sand, but they’re not for wading.
- 360, 460 and 560: the whole detector is rated IP68 and submersible to 16ft (about 5m). You can take them into the surf, detect in shallow water where you have permission, and stop worrying about the weather.
If you’ll ever detect on a beach, this alone is worth the extra £60 of the 360 over the 340. See our beach detector guide.
Side-by-side comparison
| Model | Price (approx.) | Coil | Waterproof | Field mode | User profile | Amazon UK rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vanquish 340 | £199 | 10" x 7" DD | Coil only | Yes | — | 4.3 (703) |
| Vanquish 360 | £259 | 10" DD (V10X) | Fully, to 16ft | — | — | 4.6 (28) |
| Vanquish 460 | £349 | 10" DD (V10X) | Fully, to 16ft | Yes | Yes | 4.8 (24) |
| Vanquish 540 | £389 | 12" x 9" DD | Coil only | Yes | Custom mode | 4.3 (553) |
| Vanquish 560 | £449 | 12" DD (V12X) | Fully, to 16ft | Yes | Yes | 4.6 (15) |
Prices and ratings are from Amazon UK in September 2026. Prices change often, and the newer models have far fewer reviews so far simply because they’re new.
The detectors in detail
Minelab Vanquish 340: the budget choice (about £199)
The 340 is still the cheapest way to get Multi-IQ, and with 703 Amazon UK ratings averaging 4.3 stars, it's the most proven model in the range. It has Park, Field and Beach modes and a 10x7-inch waterproof coil, and it weighs about 1.2kg. The limitation is the water-resistant control box. Buy it if £199 is your limit and you'll mostly detect on fields.
Minelab Vanquish 360: best value (about £259)
The 360 keeps the 340's simplicity but makes the whole detector waterproof to 16ft (IP68). It comes with the new 10-inch V10X Double-D coil, weighs about 1.2kg (2.6lb), and has Park, Beach and All Metal modes. For most new detectorists, the extra £60 over the 340 is money well spent. You can detect in any weather and take it to the beach without worrying. It's rated 4.6 stars from its first 28 reviews.
Minelab Vanquish 460: best for UK fields (about £349)
The 460 brings back a dedicated Field mode (the 360 has Park, Beach and All Metal instead), which suits coins and artefacts on ploughed land and pasture, plus a customisable User Profile so you can save your own settings once you know what you're doing. It's fully waterproof like the 360, uses the same V10X coil, and includes wired headphones. It had the highest rating in the range when we checked (4.8 stars from 24 reviews), but stock was very low.
Minelab Vanquish 560: the top of the range (about £449)
The 560 has everything the 460 has, but with the larger 12-inch V12X coil. A bigger coil covers more ground with each swing and generally reaches a little deeper, which suits big, open arable fields and beaches. The trade-off is that it's harder to work between rubbish in trashy parks. It weighs about 1.3kg (2.8lb), is fully waterproof and comes with headphones. Minelab also sells a PRO-Pack version (about £529) with extras. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
What about the Vanquish 540?
The 540 was the top model of the original range, with a 12x9-inch coil, Park, Field and Beach modes, iron bias control and a custom mode. It’s still a very capable detector with 553 Amazon UK ratings, but at about £389 it now sits only around £60 below the fully waterproof 560. Unless you find it discounted, the 560 is the better buy. You can check the current 540 price on Amazon.
Which Vanquish should you buy?
- Mostly fields, strict £200 budget: Vanquish 340.
- Fields and the occasional beach trip, or you detect in all weathers: Vanquish 360.
- You’re serious about farmland and want room to grow: Vanquish 460.
- Large open fields and beaches, and you want the most depth: Vanquish 560.
Whichever you choose, budget for a pinpointer and a proper digging tool. Our kit list covers the rest.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Vanquish 340 still worth buying? Yes, if your budget is tight. It uses the same Multi-IQ technology as the rest of the range. What you give up is full waterproofing.
Can I take the Vanquish 360 into the sea? Yes. It’s rated IP68 and submersible to 16ft. Rinse it with fresh water afterwards.
Is a bigger coil always better? No. A 12-inch coil covers ground faster and can go a little deeper, but a 10-inch coil is lighter to swing and better at separating good targets from rubbish.
Is the Vanquish good for beginners? It’s the range most often recommended to UK beginners, because it sets itself up automatically. See our beginner detector guide for alternatives from other brands.