A waterproof metal detector is one whose maker rates the whole machine for submersion, not just the coil. Each pick below has that rating on the maker’s own page: the Minelab Equinox 900, Garrett Vortex VX9, Nokta The Legend and Minelab Vanquish 460 to 5 m (16 ft), and the Garrett AT Max to 10 feet. For most buyers the Equinox 900 is the pick; the Vanquish 460 is the lower-cost route.

This is desk research from maker pages, not field testing. Water ratings are quoted from the makers. Price bands are what Amazon listings showed on November 7, 2026.

If your water is mostly a salt beach, start with our best metal detectors for the beach . This page is for rivers, lakes, creeks, wading and rain, where the question is whether the detector can go under.

Picks at a Glance

Detector Maker’s water rating Frequency (per the maker) Usual Amazon price band Main trade-off
Minelab Equinox 900 IP68, to 5 m (16 ft), fresh and salt water Multi-IQ plus 4, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 40 kHz $900-1,000 Highest price here
Garrett Vortex VX9 Fully waterproof to 16 ft (5 m) 5, 9, 13, 18, 25 kHz, Multi-Freq, Multi-Salt $500-600 A newer line with fewer third-party coils
Nokta The Legend IP68, to 5 m (16 ft) Multi plus 4, 10, 15, 20, 40 kHz $600-700 Heavier than the Legend 2 that replaced it
Minelab Vanquish 460 IP68, to 5 m (16 ft) Multi-IQ $300-400 Few manual controls
Garrett AT Max Fully waterproof to 10 feet (3 m) 13.6 kHz single $600-700 Single frequency, shallower rating

Waterproof, Submersible or Only Rainproof?

Makers use three levels, and the words matter more than the marketing photo.

  • Fully submersible: the control box, cable and coil are rated together, usually as IP68 with a depth. Every pick here is in this group.
  • Waterproof coil only: the coil can go under, but the control box must stay dry. Minelab lists the Vanquish 340 coil as waterproof to 1 m (3.3 ft), and the Gold Monster 1000 coil to 1 m with the detector itself splash and rain proof.
  • Rainproof or weatherproof: fine in a shower, not in a river. Minelab rates the Gold Monster 2000 control pod IP55 (rainproof) with the coil waterproof to 1 m (3.3 ft).

Our waterproof vs water-resistant guide explains the ratings in more detail.

Other Common Detectors by Water Rating

Detector Maker’s rating
XP Deus II IP68, to 20 m (66 ft)
Minelab Manticore IP68, to 5 m (16 ft)
Minelab X-Terra Pro and X-Terra Elite IP68, to 5 m (16 ft)
Minelab Vanquish 360 and 560 IP68, to 5 m (16 ft)
Nokta Simplex Lite and Simplex Ultra IP68, to 5 m (16 ft)
Garrett AT Pro Submersible to 10 feet
Minelab CTX 3030 Waterproof to 3 m (10 ft)
Minelab Vanquish 340 Coil only, to 1 m (3.3 ft)
Minelab Gold Monster 2000 Coil to 1 m (3.3 ft); control pod IP55 (rainproof)

The deepest rating in this table, the Deus II, is on our beach and depth lists, so it is not repeated as a pick here.

1. Minelab Equinox 900: Best Waterproof Detector for Most Buyers

Minelab’s tech specs rate the Equinox 900 IP68 and waterproof to 5 m (16 ft), and the same page lists it for fresh and salt water. It runs Multi-IQ or single frequencies of 4, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 40 kHz, with All Metal, Park, Field, Gold and Beach modes. The box includes the EQX11 11 inch and EQX06 6 inch double-D coils and ML85 wireless headphones, and Minelab lists a weight of 1.27 kg (2.8 lbs).

It earns the top spot because it is one detector for a creek in the morning and a salt beach in the afternoon, with a small coil for rocky stream beds. The wireless headphones are for dry land; for submerged use, plan on waterproof headphones made for the Equinox . Our Equinox 900 review and Equinox 800 vs 900 comparison cover the rest. Check the Equinox 900 on Amazon .

Choose it for: Fresh and salt water with the widest frequency choice.

2. Garrett Vortex VX9: Best Waterproof Garrett

Garrett lists the VX9 as fully waterproof to 16 ft (5 m), with frequencies of 5, 9, 13, 18 and 25 kHz plus Multi-Freq and Multi-Salt, a 3-tier MD-MF Target ID display, seven search modes including Beach and Thin Coins, and a total weight of 3 lbs (1.38 kg) with the 8.5 x 11 inch coil. Like the rest of the Vortex line, it has Z-Lynk wireless built in.

The VX7 has the same 16 ft rating and Multi-Salt with fewer frequencies and settings, so it is the cheaper Garrett route if you do not need the full menu. Our Vortex VX9 review has the detail. Check the Vortex VX9 on Amazon .

Choose it for: Garrett owners who want full submersion and salt handling.

3. Nokta The Legend: Best Value at the 5 m Rating

Nokta rates The Legend as IP68 and fully submersible to 5 m (16 ft). It offers multi-frequency plus single frequencies of 4, 10, 15, 20 and 40 kHz, ships with a 12 x 9 inch waterproof DD coil (LG30) and Bluetooth aptX low latency headphones, weighs 1.3 kg (3.0 lbs) and, per Nokta, runs up to 20 hours per charge.

The newer Legend 2 is lighter and has a larger battery, but costs more. Match the part number 11000838 on the listing, because Nokta sells several Legend packages. Our Nokta lineup guide and Legend review cover the packages. Check The Legend on Amazon .

Choose it for: Multi-frequency and a 5 m rating for less than the Equinox 900.

4. Minelab Vanquish 460: Lowest-Cost Fully Submersible Pick

Minelab’s tech specs list IP68 to 5 m (16 ft), Multi-IQ, Beach, Park and Field modes plus a User Profile, Bluetooth LE audio, wired headphones in the box, the V10X 10 x 7 inch coil and a weight of 1.16 kg (2.6 lbs).

It has the fewest controls here: three tones, fixed ferrous volume and auto noise cancel only. That is the point for a buyer who wants to wade a creek without learning a menu. The Vanquish 560 adds a larger coil and more tone and iron settings. Check the Vanquish 460 on Amazon .

Choose it for: A simple, fully waterproof detector at the lowest price on this list.

5. Garrett AT Max: Best Single-Frequency Pick for Fresh Water

Garrett rates the AT Max fully waterproof to 10 feet (3 meters). It runs at 13.6 kHz with eight sensitivity and depth adjustments and a true all-metal mode with iron audio, and Garrett sells it with wireless headphones.

It is the shallowest rating and the only single-frequency pick here. Garrett pitches the AT series as all-terrain detectors, so think creeks, lakes and wet fields rather than salt surf, where the multi-frequency picks are the better tools. Our AT Pro vs AT Max comparison covers its cheaper sibling. Check the AT Max on Amazon .

Choose it for: Fresh water and wet ground with a familiar Garrett all-terrain layout.

Gear That Needs Its Own Rating

  • Pinpointer. Garrett rates the Pro-Pointer AT waterproof to 20 feet (6 m), IP68. Our pinpointer list compares others.
  • Headphones. Nokta states on its Gold Kruzer page that its wireless headphones are not waterproof and cannot be used underwater. Check every headset’s rating before it goes in the water.
  • Scoop. In water you dig with a scoop, not a trowel. See our sand scoop list .

Final Recommendation

Buy the Minelab Equinox 900 for fresh and salt water with the most frequency choice. Pick the Garrett Vortex VX9 if you prefer Garrett, Nokta The Legend for a 5 m rating for less, the Minelab Vanquish 460 for the simplest and cheapest fully submersible detector, and the Garrett AT Max for fresh water with a single-frequency all-terrain machine.

FAQ

What is the best waterproof metal detector?

For most people, the Minelab Equinox 900: Minelab rates it IP68 to 5 m (16 ft), lists fresh and salt water use, and includes 11 inch and 6 inch coils. The Garrett Vortex VX9 is the Garrett equivalent at the same 16 ft rating, and the Minelab Vanquish 460 is the lower-cost fully submersible choice.

Is a waterproof coil the same as a waterproof detector?

No. Many detectors have a submersible coil on a control box that is only rainproof. Minelab rates the Gold Monster 2000 coil to 1 m (3.3 ft) and its control pod IP55 (rainproof), for example. Only treat a detector as submersible when the maker rates the whole machine.

Can I use wireless headphones underwater?

Do not assume so. Nokta, for example, states on its Gold Kruzer page that its wireless headphones are not waterproof and cannot be used underwater. Check the headphone rating separately and use waterproof wired headphones made for your detector when you submerge it.

Which waterproof detector is best for saltwater?

A multi-frequency one. The Equinox 900, Vortex VX9 (Multi-Salt), The Legend and Vanquish 460 all offer multi-frequency or beach modes. The AT Max is single frequency and Garrett pitches it as an all-terrain detector, so it suits fresh water and wet ground better than salt surf.

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