If you need to find the Best Beginner Metal Detector in 2025 for both beach and field use, then I assure you, you’re in the right place, and I still use it today.
They often say it’s not the man, it’s the machine that brings all the luck, but I disagree because when you play with today’s machines, you’re playing with an amazing multi-IQ frequency that blows all the others out of the water in terms of advancements.
Therefore, I believe it’s a bit of both when it comes to mastering the machines, and obviously, a bunch of luck thrown in too.
For anyone who knows me, I’m a huge metal detecting lover and love this hobby with a passion. For those who don’t really know me, if you hand me anything other than a Minelab detector, I would look at you stupidly. Minelab rocks for me!
My First Ever Real Detector
I think my very first metal detector wasn’t that much cop, and I just used to bring it down the beach (Swansea beach) for a mess around to just have a mess around. Didn’t find much with this cheap machine that I got given as a gift (probably by someone who didn’t like me much, just so the machine and its weird noises it produced annoyed me and did my head right in), yes it worked!!!
That was my first ever detector, then a few years later I got some very old machine (single frequency) and just used to potter out the back garden and never really found much worth shouting about.
Somehow, metal detecting always seemed to be on my mind, and after Covid came and went, I did some research on what cool detectors were out a couple years later and that’s when I stumbled on the Minelab company, and its amazing machines.
Then I actually put my hands in my pocket and invested in a Minelab Vanquish 440 as I watched so many YouTube videos and reviews, and just wanted a switch-on-and-go machine, and thought it was a steal.
I invested in a cheap £10 spade from B & Q, a Garrett digging tool, and a Garrett Pinpointer, and my life changed for the better, and I felt like I won the lottery.
Why Minelab Vanquish Range is Perfect For Beginners?
I could happily sit here all day giving you so many good reasons to start off with this amazing metal detector range but these are the main reasons why I got the machine and why you should.
1. Multi-frequency technology
With all the modern Minelab machines and ranges, their machines come with ground-breaking MultIQ technology, which covers all frequencies when picking out targets in the ground and maximising your chances of finding lots more good things while keeping out the bad stuff.
2. Switch on and go
With most of the advanced machines, you have to kind of play with them and take a while to adjust your settings before you can go detecting, but with the Vanquish range by Minelab, you can literally pick a mode, like coin mode, and then just leave the machine do its work. The whole simplicity of starting out seemed effortless, and that’s what sold it to me.
3. The Price Seemed Reasonable
When I started out i just wanted a machine that was simple to use, great for a beginner, and was affordable, and the Vanquish seemed to tick all the right boxes. Especially the mid-range 440 model, which helped me find my first-ever silver coin.
4. The Great Company Behind Machine aka Minelab
I love some of the other companies/brands out there, such as Garrett and Deu,s but for m,e Minelab always seemed to be more popular and focused on making great machines. Don’t even get me started on the Equinox range and the Manticore. So the stuff they will bring out in years to come, when I’m barely able to swing, should be just as amazing as the ones that came before it. That’s the thing with Minelab, they never disappoint! The future looks amazing with them.
5. It Comes With An In-Built Pin Pointer to Zone In On Targets
Sometimes, I get to the beach or some far away field and find that I have prioritised my day out back to front, and I forget my pin pointer when I am in a mad rush to get out the door to go metal detecting and get some final peace at last. Often when I do this, I tend to leave it behind to my utter frustration and then I am left with using the pin pointer, which is luckily comes as standard on all the Vanquish models.
It happened the other day when I was down at Swansea beach, and then I was left taking so much time to use my hands to find trash and the odd treasure. Now I make damn sure I have both of them with me, and a backup one is always left in the car.
Are There Any Other Real Contenders?
Yes, of course, there are, and some people may not like what I like, but that’s what makes us all special.
For me, though, it’s more than just a preference, it’s a wise choice based on watching and reading lots of information that helped me make an informed decision instead of rushing into buying a more complex machine that done my head in.
If you want simplicity, and just a great all-around machine that covers all the ferrous and non-ferrous metals out there, and that is pretty lightweight, affordable, and most definitely can find good things at great depths, especially in RELIC mode, then the Minelab Vanquish is most definitely for you.
Best Features On The Minelab Vanquish Range
🧠 1. Multi-IQ Simultaneous Multi-Frequency Technology
Instead of using just one frequency, the Vanquish scans multiple frequencies at once. This means better overall performance in all types of soil and better detection of both small and large targets without switching settings. Real advantage on mineralised ground (like wet sand or clay).
✔️ Why it’s great:
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Better depth and sensitivity than single-frequency detectors at similar prices.
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Performs well across parks, fields, and beaches without guessing which frequency to use.
2. Waterproof Coil System
The search coil on the Vanquish is waterproof (typically up to ~1 m) — so you can hunt wet sand, shallow beach water or river edges with confidence.
✔️ Why it’s great:
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Lets you hunt shallow water where many coins and jewelry are lost.
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More versatility than dry-land-only detectors.
(Note: the control box itself is generally not fully submersible, so avoid dunking the whole unit underwater.)
🔍 3. Multiple Search Modes & Pinpointing
Vanquish detectors come with several preset modes (like Coin, Relic, Jewellery, All Metal) and often a Pinpoint mode.
✔️ Why it’s great:
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Search Modes: Optimised presets help match the detector’s response to what you’re hunting.
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Pinpoint mode: Helps you zero in on a target’s exact spot so you dig less and find more.
4. Audio Feedback & Bluetooth (on 540)
Advanced audio helps you hear different target signals, with multiple tones and volume levels. The 540 also supports Bluetooth wireless audio for wireless headphones.
✔️ Why it’s great:
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Target tones help you distinguish types of metal just by sound.
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Wireless audio makes it more comfortable and reduces cable drag.
🛠 5. Iron Bias / Discrimination Control
Adjustable iron bias and discrimination lets you filter out junk like iron or bottle caps so you dig fewer bad targets. The 540 has 25 discrimination segments — more refined control than lower models.
✔️ Why it’s great:
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Reduces digging rubbish.
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Fine-tunes performance in trashy areas.
👍 6. User-Friendly & Lightweight Design
The Vanquish series is designed to be easy to use — intuitive controls, collapsible shafts for transport, and light overall weight make it beginner-friendly.
✔️ Why it’s great:
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Fast setup and comfortable long hunts.
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Great for beginners through intermediate detectorists.
📏 7. Depth Indicator
A simple depth gauge helps estimate how deep a target is — useful for planning how deep to dig.
✔️ Why it’s great:
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Saves time by avoiding deep holes for shallow targets.
🪪 Summary: Why These Matter
| Feature | Benefit |
|---|
| Multi-IQ | Better overall detection depth & responsiveness in varied ground |
| Waterproof coil | Beach & shallow water hunting capability |
| Search modes & pinpoint | Easier target identification and precise locating |
| Audio tones & Bluetooth | Clearer, more enjoyable feedback while detecting |
| Discrimination & Iron Bias | Reduced junk digging and more useful finds |
| Lightweight design | Comfortable, beginner-friendly use |
What Stuff Have I Found With It?
Over the few years i have been using the Minelab Vanquish on the fields of mainly Wales and the beaches of ONLY Wales, I found so much good stuff.
From Gold rings to silver rings, to silver chains, Pandora bracelets, and so many coins.
It’s definitely a beast of a machine for any beginner and what I love about it is that its perfect for beginners and perfect for the experienced who want to up their game when they pick the 540.
Minelab will soon be launching the new 60 series, so I can’t wait to review the 560 when I get my hands on one as they are fully waterproof and have in built battery for longer life and so many other cool features.
How Much Do They Cost? Where Can I Buy?
You can buy the best beginner metal detector in 2025 from all the best metal detecting shops from Crawfords to Dragon Detecting, and tell them Daz from WD sent you and who knows, perhaps they can get in touch with me and give us all a discount code for you to use.
As of December the 24th 2025, the prices range from £199 for the Minelab Vanquish 340, £279 for the 440 (best choice) and 540 at £389.
Final Words...
So if you want the Best Beginner Metal Detector in 2025 that kicks butt but is simple to use, has all the bells and whistles and is a beast when on both park, beach or field then the Minelab Vanquish range is the one for you. Trust me, I have two, and I will be getting the next model up in January 2026 when they come out.
For me, I just want to have something that isn’t too complex, has multi-IQ technology, and has all the best features that help keep me hunting for those elusive treasures on every Welsh beach and lonesome field.
Personally, I would go for a 440 as the price of these machines has dropped big time since the start of the new range being introduced so grab one now while you can. Trust me, you will thank me for getting one.
Darren Protheroe is the owner and creator of Wishful Detecting and aims to help share everything useful in the world of metal detecting and share all the best tips for beginners and share his mad adventures while on the road. Happy digging with me!