5 Alternatives to the Garrett Ace 300 Metal Detector

If you’re comparing against the Garrett Ace 300, the main thing to remember is that it’s a straightforward VLF beginner/intermediate detector: easy to use, decent target separation for the money, but not a machine built for serious wet-sand work or advanced ground handling. The best alternative depends on whether you want a cheaper entry point, a step up in performance, or a much more capable detector that just happens to cost a lot more.

MINELAB Equinox 800 Multi-Frequency Waterproof Metal Detector — £1886.91, 4.7★

This is in a completely different league on price, costing roughly £1,601 more than the Garrett Ace 300. That sounds extreme because it is: the Equinox 800 is not a like-for-like alternative, it’s a premium upgrade. The big draw is simultaneous multi-frequency operation, which gives it a major advantage in mixed ground where a single-frequency detector can struggle to balance depth and target ID stability. In practical UK use, that means better behaviour on mineralised plough, wet pasture, and especially on the beach where salt can make cheaper single-frequency machines chatter or lose depth. The EQX 11" Double-D coil is also a proper all-rounder: wider coverage than the Ace 300’s standard coil, better ground coverage per sweep, and usually stronger performance in trash because DD coils slice through mineralisation more cleanly than concentric designs.

Feature-wise, the Equinox 800 also offers four detect modes and wireless headphones, which matters more than it sounds. Those modes let you tailor the machine for coins, relics, beach, or gold hunting rather than making you rely on one generic setup. The waterproof build is another huge practical difference: if you hunt in rain, streams or surf, the Equinox is far more versatile than the Ace 300. Build quality is significantly more premium too, with a more modern control layout and better field ergonomics, though it is still light enough to swing for long sessions.

The trade-off is obvious: if you’re a newcomer, the Equinox 800 can be overkill. Its target ID accuracy is excellent, but only if you learn how to interpret it properly; a beginner can still dig plenty of junk if they over-trust the numbers. Verdict: choose this if you want a serious detector that can grow with you, especially if you hunt beaches, wet ground or varied UK sites and don’t mind paying for it.

Garrett ACE 300i Metal Detector — £275.99, 4.4★

This is the closest direct alternative and only about £9.95 cheaper than the Ace 300. In practical terms, it’s a near-identical family machine, so the choice here is less about performance leap and more about availability, bundle, and whether you prefer the 300i version’s market positioning. The ACE 300i is still a single-frequency VLF detector with the same general beginner-friendly approach: simple discrimination, easy controls, and a familiar Garrett feel. It’s designed to be approachable rather than technically intimidating.

The practical impact of that is good news for a first proper machine. If you want a detector that will find coins, jewellery and general lost property without a steep learning curve, the 300i does that job well. Ground balance is not the sort of advanced manual system you’d get on more serious machines, so it’s easier to use but less adaptable in difficult soils. The coil setup is also in the same general class, so you’re not buying a dramatic depth improvement or a major jump in target separation.

Build quality is solid in the way Garrett machines usually are: robust enough for regular use, but not premium-feeling compared with higher-end waterproof detectors. Weight and battery setup are typically friendly for long sessions, which matters if you’re out for several hours and don’t want arm fatigue. The main limitation is that the ACE 300i doesn’t really solve the reasons people start looking at alternatives in the first place — namely more depth, better iron handling, or waterproofing.

Verdict: choose the ACE 300i if you like the Garrett platform and want essentially the same style of detector at a very similar price, perhaps because it’s easier to get hold of or comes with a better deal.

Hazlewolke Professional Metal Detector with 14'' Large Double-D Waterproof Search Coil — £179.99, 4.3★

At roughly £106 cheaper than the Garrett Ace 300, this looks tempting on paper because of the headline specs: 14-inch Double-D coil, four modes, backlight LCD, pinpointer function, and waterproof coil. The large DD coil is the standout feature. In the field, a bigger coil can mean more ground coverage and potentially more depth on larger targets, which is appealing if you’re searching pasture, parks or open fields. The DD design also helps in mineralised ground compared with a concentric coil.

However, a bigger coil is not automatically better. On trashy UK sites — old picnic areas, iron-infested pasture, hedgerows and ploughed land with modern junk — a 14-inch coil can become a liability because you’ll hear more targets at once and lose some target separation. That means more time unpicking signals and more chance of masking small finds near iron. Build quality on budget brands is usually the other caveat: the detector may be feature-rich, but the shaft, arm cuff, seals and control box finish rarely feel as refined as Garrett or Minelab. Waterproof coil is useful, but it is not the same as a fully waterproof control box, so don’t assume beach wading or heavy rain use is equally safe.

Target ID accuracy on detectors in this class can be inconsistent, especially at depth. The numbers may look impressive on the LCD, but in real use they can bounce more than on a better-engineered machine. Battery type and runtime also tend to be less reassuring than on mainstream brands, so check whether it uses standard batteries or a rechargeable pack and what the real-world life is. Verdict: choose this if you want maximum spec-for-pound value and mostly hunt open ground, but be cautious if you need dependable separation and long-term durability.

Professional Metal Detector for Adult, 14’’ Double-D Coil, IP68 Waterproof, lightweight — £149.99, 4.3★

This is the cheapest option here and around £135.95 less than the Garrett Ace 300, which makes it attractive if budget is the main driver. The IP68 waterproof rating is the headline feature, and if that rating is genuine it gives you more confidence in wet conditions than the Ace 300. For UK users, waterproofing matters more than many people first think: rain, muddy stubble, wet grass and shallow water are all part of normal detecting life, and a sealed detector can be less stressful to use.

The 14-inch Double-D coil again suggests more ground coverage and decent handling in mineralised soil, while the four detection modes and DSP chip imply a modern feature set. In practice, though, detectors at this price point often make compromises in signal processing, discrimination stability and target ID consistency. A good detector gives you repeatable IDs and clean audio response; a budget detector may give you a lot of information, but not always trustworthy information. That matters when you’re deciding whether to dig a faint whisper or move on.

Build quality is where the price gap usually shows most clearly. Lightweight is good for comfort, but it can also mean lighter plastics, less rigid shaft sections and less refined waterproofing around buttons and seals. If you’re a beginner who wants to test the hobby without spending much, that’s acceptable. If you’re an experienced detectorist used to a stable, well-balanced machine, you may find the ergonomics and audio less satisfying over a long session.

Verdict: choose this if your priority is the lowest possible entry cost and you want waterproofing plus a large coil, but accept that target ID accuracy and long-term durability are likely a step below Garrett.

Garrett ACE 400i Metal Detector — £379.94, 4.6★

This is the most sensible upgrade if you like the Garrett feel and want a genuine step up rather than a sideways move. It costs about £94 more than the Ace 300, and that extra money goes into better performance rather than just more buttons. The ACE 400i is still a VLF detector, but it’s the more capable sibling for users who want improved discrimination and better handling of more challenging sites. In practical terms, that means fewer wasted digs on iron and a better chance of separating a desirable target from nearby junk.

The benefit of moving up within the Garrett range is that the learning curve stays manageable. You’re not jumping into a complex multi-frequency platform; you’re staying with a familiar interface while getting more confidence in the field. That’s especially useful for UK coin shooting in parks, pasture and farmland where target ID accuracy and audio response matter more than flashy spec sheets. A better discrimination pattern can save real time when you’re trying to cherry-pick non-ferrous targets from a bed of nails, bottle tops and foil.

Build quality is what you’d expect from a more expensive Garrett: sturdy, dependable, and field-friendly rather than fancy. Weight is still sensible for longer sessions, and battery life is usually practical for a day’s detecting. The main limitation is that, like the Ace 300, it is not a fully waterproof all-terrain machine, so if you want beach surf, river wading or all-weather confidence, you’d still look elsewhere.

Verdict: choose the ACE 400i if you want the best direct upgrade from the Ace 300 without leaving the Garrett ecosystem. It’s the best match for users who want better performance but still value simplicity and familiar controls.

Overall, the best alternative depends on your budget and where you detect. If you want a real performance jump, the ACE 400i is the most logical upgrade. If you want a premium all-rounder for mixed UK ground and beaches, the Equinox 800 is far superior — but expensive. If you’re mainly price-shopping, the budget 14-inch coil machines offer more features on paper, but they’re a compromise on build quality and dependable target ID.