A pinpointer helps you speed up the target recovery time while you have more time to look for good targets. If you haven’t had a pinpointer, you should get one. And today, it’s our pleasure to give you a comprehensive guide on finding the best pinpointer metal detector.
Here are the best pinpointer metal detectors you can buy in 2025:
- Best For Lawn: SUNPOW Metal Detector Pinpointer IP68 Waterproof
- Best For Professionals: Garrett 1140900
- Deepest Underwater Detection: DR.ÖTEK IP68 Waterproof Metal Detector Pinpointer
- Best For Beginners: RM RICOMAX Pinpointer Metal Detector
- Best For Antique Coins: TACKLIFE Pinpointer Metal Detector
- Best For Gold: ForDoc pinpointer-2019 Design Metal detectors
| 6 Best Pinpointer Metal Detectors | ||
|---|---|---|
Best For Lawn | SUNPOW Metal Detector Pinpointer IP68 Waterproof | |
Best For Professionals | Garrett 1140900 | |
Deepest Underwater Detection | DR.ÖTEK IP68 Waterproof Metal Detector Pinpointer | |
Best For Beginners | RM RICOMAX Pinpointer Metal Detector | |
Best For Antique Coins | TACKLIFE Pinpointer Metal Detector | |
Best For Gold | ForDoc pinpointer-2019 Design Metal detectors | |
Best For Lawn: SUNPOW Metal Detector Pinpointer IP68 Waterproof
- Simple to use – one-button operation design
- Reliable - ROHS, CE, and FCC certified
- Find deeper metals than other counterparts – the max depth of metal detecting up to 4.5”
- Beeps don’t increase the closer you get to the metal
If you are the type of hunter who loves hunting bronze, silver, aluminum, and so on around lawns, then the SUNPOW should have a place in your arsenal.
It is designed to survive underwater up to 32 feet and offers three detecting modes that can find metals up to 4.5” with high precision and strong anti-interference. It would work best in a small-scale area that larger metal detectors hardly do.
It is ROHS, CE, and FCC certified.
Particularly, the one-button operation design makes it easy to use, perfect for both adults and kids.
| SUNPOW Metal Detector Pinpointer IP68 Waterproof Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 8.8 ounces |
Dimension | 10.9 x 2.5 x 2.5 inches |
Material | Plastic |
Highlight Features | one-button operation design ROHS, CE, and FCC certified the max depth of metal detecting up to 4.5” |
The SUNPOW Metal Detector Pinpointer IP68 Waterproof offers excellent performance of metal detecting in a small scale, which is the reason we chose it as the best for lawns.
Best For Professionals: Garrett 1140900
- Allow you to find one or several kinds of metals at a time – three sensitivity modes
- Able to detect targets at wet conditions – IP68 waterproof rating
- Hands-free capability – built with a lanyard attachment loop
- Wish there were more buttons to help function selections
If you’re a professional hunter, we’d like to introduce to you the Garrett 1140900.
It features a rugged ABS shell, a reliable press button with high sensitivity, an ergonomic handle, and a lanyard attachment loop.
But making it different from others is the capability to instant narrow detection fields or tune out the environment for accurate pinpointing of specific targets. There are three sensitivity modes that can help you find either one big metallic item or various targets.
It also can help you identify edges of big metals as well as gauge their distance and size. The IP68 waterproof rated exterior, on the other hand, allows it to find metals at wet beach sand or mineralized ground.
| Garrett 1140900 Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 6.9 ounces |
Dimension | 9 x 2.5 x 2.5 inches |
Material | Plastic |
Highlight Features | three sensitivity modes IP68 waterproof rating built with a lanyard attachment loop |
Built with unparalleled detecting accuracy and customizable settings, the Garrett 1140900 is a perfect choice for professionals
Deepest Underwater Detection: DR.ÖTEK IP68 Waterproof Metal Detector Pinpointer
- Let you know once detecting an object without making disturbing noise – four LED flashing alarms
- Offer superior performance of metal detecting underwater - Able to work underwater up to 32’
- Precisely and quickly locate your targets – the 360-degree pinpointer design with high sensitivity
- There’s no indicator when it turns off
- The vibrations could be stronger a little bit
This pinpointer takes your metal detecting relics to the next level.
It is compact enough for easy holding, super-sensitive for 360-degree detection, and fully waterproof up to 32’ underwater.
A cool thing is it doesn’t use disturbing speakers to alarm you about the detected objects. Instead, it is built with four bright LED flashing indicators. A very thoughtful revolution for those hunters who frequently work in wildlife.
Last but least, it is energy-efficient thanks to the 5-minute automatic shutdown feature.
| DR.ÖTEK IP68 Waterproof Metal Detector Pinpointer Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 14.4 ounces |
Dimension | 11 x 2.7 x 2.5 inches |
Material | Metal |
Highlight Features | four LED flashing alarms Able to work underwater up to 32’ the 360-degree pinpointer design with high sensitivity |
If you intend to detect metals in wet conditions or underwater, try the DR.ÖTEK IP68 Waterproof Metal Detector Pinpointer. It gives the deepest underwater detecting range.
Best For Beginners: RM RICOMAX Pinpointer Metal Detector
- Never let you miss any target – built with a combination of LED light indicators, vibration, and beep sound
- Tell you more precisely about the object location – the beep sound goes louder, the closer to the target
- Energy-saving – beep sound lasts for 10 seconds once detecting a target
- The instructions could be more detailed
RM RICOMAX Pinpointer Metal Detector is quite light (only 5.9 ounces in weight), easy to hold, and compact.
It is only 10.8” long and designed with a belt holster that can be easily carried around or during a trip. It works great in the small-scale area and can tell you precisely the target location by using a combination of LED light indicators, vibration, and beep sound.
The closer to the target, the louder the sound, and it will keep beeping for 10 seconds for energy-saving. The light indicator is bright enough to be used anywhere, even in low light environments.
| RM RICOMAX Pinpointer Metal Detector Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 8.8 ounces |
Dimension | 11 x 2.2 x 2 inches |
Material | metal |
Highlight Features | built with a combination of LED light indicators, vibration, and beep sound the beep sound goes louder, the closer to the target beep sound lasts for 10 seconds once detecting a target |
Don’t worry if you’re just a beginner in metal detecting relics, the RM RICOMAX Pinpointer Metal Detector is our recommendation for you
Best For Antique Coins: TACKLIFE Pinpointer Metal Detector
- Able to be fully submerged and work underwater for up to 48 hours
- Ideal for detecting shallow antique coins – the max metal-detecting depth of 2”
- Provide added security and hands-free capability - a wrist strap and belt ring
- Reliable - backed by a 24-month warranty
- Weak audio
- A bit expensive
If you’re an antique coin collector, check out the TACKLIFE Pinpointer Metal Detector.
It can be fully submerged then still function well underwater for up to 48 hours – something that other models hardly do. The max depth it can detect metals is around 2 inches so this pinpointer would work best for finding shallow antique coins.
For added security and hands-free capability, it is also built with a wrist strap and belt ring. Last but not least, your purchase is backed by a 24-month warranty.
| TACKLIFE Pinpointer Metal Detector Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 6.7 ounces |
Dimension | 9.4 x 1.5 x 0.87 inches |
Material | metal |
Highlight Features | the max metal-detecting depth of 2” a wrist strap and belt ring backed by a 24-month warranty |
When it comes to antique coins detecting, the TACKLIFE Pinpointer Metal Detector is always our most favorite choice
Best For Gold: ForDoc pinpointer-2019 Design Metal detectors
- Submersible underwater up to 48 hours – the IP66 waterproof rated exterior
- Accurately find gold and jewelry on a small scale - 360-degree sensor with audio and vibration features
- Easy to hold – small and grippy design
- The sound, light, and vibration can’t work independently
This model is the 2019 upgraded version by ForDoc with an emphasis on an IP66 waterproof rated exterior that is fully submersible underwater for 48 hours or even longer.
By providing three different detecting modes along with a 360-degree sensor with audio and vibration features, it can precisely locate various types of metal on a small scale. The biggest selling point is not only silver and coins, it can find gold and jewelry as well.
The ergonomic design allows you to hold it firmly with ease and is very comfortable for kids.
| ForDoc pinpointer-2019 Design Metal detectors Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 9.6 ounces |
Dimension | 9.1 x 1.51 x 0.91 inches |
Material | ABS |
Highlight Features | the IP66 waterproof rated exterior 360-degree sensor with audio and small and grippy design |
Due to its decent detecting precision, the ForDoc pinpointer-2019 Design Metal detectors are our shiny contenders for gold.
How To Choose The Best Pinpointer Metal Detector?
One-button operation
You should always go with a pinpointer metal detector with a one-button operation. This will enhance the target recovery time, giving you more time to detect.
Keep in mind that you will need to learn to master the power button for other tasks like returning, changing the sensitivity, along with other features. It may take some time to master the button, but well worth the effort.
Battery life
While the type of battery of a metal detector varies among brands and models, the battery life is quite uniformed. Most models can work for 20 to 30 hours with an automatic shut-down feature that will help you save power.
If you store the pinpointer for more than one week, you should remove the batteries from the tool to avoid accidental drainage or leakage.
It’s worth noting that not all lower-end pinpointers have batteries included, meaning you have to buy them separately.
Weight/size
This is not really a factor to worry about because pinpointers were invented as compact, portable, lightweight, handheld tools already. However, you can still choose one that feels comfortable in your hand because it’s obvious that not all hands are the same.
Types
When it comes to the type of pinpointer metal detector, you have two options.
The first type is the one attached to the regular metal detectors.
This type is widely used, especially with high-end metal detectors. It isn’t apparent on those machines but you can access a mode to use for location endeavors, increasing the sensitivity towards the location of the metal.
The second type is a handheld tool.
Metal detectors of this type come in small sizes and provide a narrower location for you. As for this type, there’s a metal detector in the pinpointer.
When the detector discovers something, you can place the pinpointer in that area or a hole and it will vibrate or make a sound when it gets close to the metal.
Which Brands Make The Best Pinpointer Metal Detector?
Garrett
This company has had 56 years of experience in the industry since its first metal detector in 1964. It has built a good reputation among consumers for delivering both quality and affordability.
DR.ÖTEK
If you want a professional-quality pinpoint metal detector, this is the brand for you. Here, you can find one-button operation models that are very easy to use and come at reasonable prices as well.
TACKLIFE
With the use of advanced technology, this company makes innovative products with the aim of optimizing performance and user experience.
FAQs
Is a pinpointer necessary for metal detecting?
Yes, it is. A pinpointer will pinpoint the exact location of an object for you while a full-size search coil may not achieve such precision.
How do you pinpoint with a metal detector?
As soon as you hit up a target, you need to swing slowly over it. Remember to keep the detector level and the closest to the ground possible when you sweep.
Step 1: Create an “X marks the spot,” which will be the X’s first line. The detector will ping every time the coil passes the target.
Now, decrease the swinging length by around 20 centimeters right and left, and swing the detector over your target until it pings constantly. You will feel where the target lies on the first X line, mark this spot.
Step 2: Now, turn your body at a 90-degree angle and repeat the process.
How much is a pinpointer metal detector?
Entry-level models can cost less than $100 while a higher-end model can cost up to $200, but they are generally cheaper than a regular metal detector.
Are cheap pinpointers any good?
They are good at homing in on a target. They excel at smaller detection fields and locate a target faster and more easily than a metal detector. But cheap models will lack additional features like waterproofness, depth detection, and returning.
Can you find gold nuggets with a pinpointer metal detector?
Yes, there are actually multiple models on the market that will enhance the gold nugget detecting process.
Conclusion
We hope that this detailed guide on choosing the best pinpointer metal detector has made it clear as day to day about important things that make a great product. Hopefully, with the new tool, you will be able to have great discoveries underground.
