These five picks are grouped by use case. The Nokta Simplex+ is the most balanced choice here for budget relic hunters, but the right detector changes if you want simpler controls, wet-ground use, a gentler learning curve, or the lowest upfront cost.
Quick Comparison
| Detector | Best for | Trade-off | Who should choose it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nokta Simplex+ | Relic hunting on a budget with adjustable control settings | Not the simplest or cheapest choice | Buyers who want one detector that can handle a range of relic sites |
| Garrett Ace 400i | Newer hunters who want easy operation and straightforward use | Less useful in wet or moisture-heavy sites | Beginners who want a simple detector for dry ground |
| Garrett AT Pro | Hunting relics where moisture and wet targets are common | More detector than a dry-site hunter may need | Hunters who spend time near wet soil, muddy edges, or water-adjacent spots |
| Minelab Vanquish 340 | Beginner-friendly learning with an approachable relic setup | Fewer advanced controls | New hunters who want a gentler entry into relic hunting |
| Bounty Hunter Tracker IV | First-time detector buyers who prioritize affordability | The most basic option in the group | Buyers who want the lowest-cost way to start |
Who This Guide Is For
Relic hunting under this budget usually means old parks, home sites, fairgrounds, field edges, and similar places where targets are mixed in with trash, old soil, and changing ground conditions. You want a detector that is easy to learn, but not so bare-bones that it feels limiting after a few outings.
This guide is for buyers who want a straightforward detector for relic work. If you spend most of your time in saltwater surf, hunt a highly specialized site, or are chasing a different kind of target altogether, a different detector category may be a better fit.
1. Nokta Simplex+ — Best Overall
The Nokta Simplex+ is the most balanced choice in this group for budget relic hunters. The main reason it stands out is the adjustable control settings. That matters when you move between a cleaner field edge, a busy old lot, and a park that has seen decades of use. A detector with more adjustment gives you room to work without turning setup into a project.
This is the pick for someone who wants one machine with some room to grow. It sits in the middle ground if you do not want the most basic starter detector, but also do not want to spend more on features you may not use.
Choose it if you want flexibility and expect to hunt a mix of relic sites. Skip it if your only goal is the cheapest possible starting point.
2. Garrett Ace 400i — Best for Easy Operation
The Garrett Ace 400i is a strong fit for newer hunters who want simple operation. That makes it a smart match for dry parks, yards, and older sites where you want a detector that is easy to get comfortable with quickly.
The value here is not in adding a lot of complexity. It is in giving a newer hunter a detector that feels approachable from day one. If you are just getting started and want something that lets you focus on learning signals and site reading, the Ace 400i fits that job well.
The trade-off is that it is not the first choice for wet or moisture-heavy hunting. If your regular spots include damp soil, muddy edges, or creek-side ground, another model in this list makes more sense.
Choose it if you want an easy detector for dry-ground relic hunting. Skip it if wet ground is part of your usual hunting spots.
3. Garrett AT Pro — Best for Wet Ground
The Garrett AT Pro is the clearest choice when moisture and wet targets are common. That makes it a better fit for creek edges, muddy historic lots, wet grass, and other places where a dry-ground detector may feel less comfortable to use.
For relic hunters, this matters because some of the most interesting sites are also the messiest. If you hunt after rain or spend time around damp ground, the AT Pro is the model in this list that lines up best with that kind of work.
The trade-off is that it may be more detector than a dry-site hunter actually needs. If your sites are mostly parks, fields, and dry yards, you may not get much benefit from choosing a machine built around wetter conditions.
Choose it if your relic hunting regularly involves moisture. Skip it if you stay mostly on dry ground.
4. Minelab Vanquish 340 — Best for Learning
The Minelab Vanquish 340 is the most approachable pick for someone learning the hobby. It suits buyers who want a relic-friendly setup that does not feel overwhelming right away. If you are still getting used to swinging, digging, and sorting out signals, a simpler detector can help you spend more time learning the ground and less time wrestling with controls.
This is a solid choice for beginners who want a gentle start, especially if they are drawn to relic hunting but do not want a crowded control layout. It gives you a straightforward path into the hobby without asking you to master a more advanced machine on day one.
The trade-off is fewer advanced controls. That is not a problem for every hunter, but it does matter if you already know you want more adjustment from the start.
Choose it if you want a simple entry into relic hunting. Skip it if you want more control or need a detector built for wetter sites.
5. Bounty Hunter Tracker IV — Best Tight-Budget Pick
The Bounty Hunter Tracker IV is for buyers who need the least expensive way to get into the hobby. It is aimed at first-time detector buyers who want to start hunting without spending much up front.
That makes it useful as an entry point, especially if you are still deciding whether relic hunting is going to become a regular hobby. It gives you a very basic way to start learning the ropes before you decide whether to invest more later.
The trade-off is simple: this is the most basic option in the group. If relic hunting is the main reason you are buying, and you can spend more, the Nokta Simplex+ or Minelab Vanquish 340 gives you a better long-term fit.
Choose it if price matters more than anything else. Skip it if you can stretch the budget for more flexibility.
What to Look For in a Budget Relic Detector
When you are comparing detectors under $400, the useful features are the ones that help you work real sites, not just the ones that sound impressive on paper.
Adjustable controls
Adjustable settings matter when you hunt different types of ground. A relic site can change quickly from one area to the next. The more control you have, the easier it is to adapt without changing machines.
Moisture tolerance
If you hunt creek banks, muddy edges, or damp grass, moisture handling matters. A detector built for dry ground can still be useful in many places, but it is a poor match for wet conditions if that is where you spend most of your time.
Simple operation
New hunters usually do better with a detector that is easy to learn. A simpler machine helps you spend more time understanding what signals mean and less time fighting the settings.
Room in the budget for accessories
A detector is only part of the setup. It also helps to leave room for a pinpointer, a digger, headphones, and a pouch. If the detector uses the full budget, the rest of the kit gets harder to assemble.
Match the detector to the site
A dry park hunter does not need the same setup as someone working wet ground, and a new hunter does not need the same level of control as someone who already knows what they want.
Buying Advice by Type of Hunter
If you want one detector that covers the broadest range of relic sites, start with the Nokta Simplex+. It gives you more room to adjust without pushing you into a complicated setup.
If you are new and want the least confusing option for dry ground, the Garrett Ace 400i is a strong place to start.
If your hunting spots often include moisture, the Garrett AT Pro is the most relevant pick in this list.
If you want the easiest introduction to the hobby, the Minelab Vanquish 340 is a comfortable way to begin.
If your budget is extremely tight, the Bounty Hunter Tracker IV gets you in the door at the lowest cost.
Final Recommendation
For most buyers, the Nokta Simplex+ is the best metal detector under 400 for relic hunting. It offers the best balance of control and simplicity in this group, which makes it the most versatile choice for mixed relic sites.
Choose the Garrett AT Pro if you hunt wet ground or wet targets often. Choose the Garrett Ace 400i if you want an easy detector for dry sites. Choose the Minelab Vanquish 340 if you want a beginner-friendly setup. Choose the Bounty Hunter Tracker IV only if keeping the upfront cost as low as possible is the top priority.
FAQs
Is the Nokta Simplex+ good for relic hunting?
Yes. It is the strongest all-around pick in this group for relic hunting on a budget, especially if you want adjustable control settings.
Which detector is best for beginners?
The Minelab Vanquish 340 is the easiest to learn. If you need the lowest-cost entry point, the Bounty Hunter Tracker IV is the cheaper option.
Which detector is best for wet relic sites?
The Garrett AT Pro is the clearest choice when moisture and wet targets are common.
Is the Garrett Ace 400i good for old home sites?
Yes, especially if the ground is dry and you want simple operation.
Should a first-time buyer start with the Tracker IV?
Only if affordability matters most. If you can spend a bit more, the Vanquish 340 or the Simplex+ gives you more flexibility.