Ace 300 saves money, X-Terra Pro brings the better field machine

Display

The Garrett Ace 300 uses a simple LCD with basic target ID segments and an uncomplicated layout that is easy for beginners to read quickly. The Minelab X-Terra Pro has a more modern interface, better backlighting, and a more informative display that gives you clearer feedback on target ID, settings, and mode selection. For daytime park detecting the Ace 300 is perfectly usable, but in poor light, at dawn, or when you are moving through settings quickly, the X-Terra Pro is noticeably better. Winner: Product B, because the screen and interface are more advanced and more useful in real field conditions.

Performance

This is the biggest separator. The Ace 300 is a single-frequency detector at 8 kHz, which is a sensible all-round frequency for coins and general finds, but it is still an older platform with limited ground handling compared with modern multi-purpose machines. It has preset discrimination patterns, adjustable sensitivity, and basic notch control, which is fine for learning, but it is not the most precise tool in iron-littered or mineralised ground. The X-Terra Pro is the stronger performer because it uses Minelab’s Multi-IQ multi-frequency platform, giving it better target separation, more stable ID, and better depth consistency across different soils and targets. It also offers stronger ground balance control, including automatic and tracking-style handling depending on mode, which matters a lot in UK ploughed fields and variable pasture. In practice, that means less chatter, better recovery around iron, and more confidence on deeper non-ferrous signals. Winner: Product B, decisively.

Build quality and design

The Ace 300 is lightweight and straightforward, with an adjustable stem, comfortable handle, and a design that prioritises simplicity over sophistication. It is not waterproof, and the control box is not built for wet conditions, so you need to be more careful in rain, wet grass, or around surf. The X-Terra Pro is the more modern and better-engineered detector overall, with a sleeker waterproof design and a more robust feel for regular field use. Its coil and lower shaft setup are more suited to hard use, and the machine is better balanced for long sessions. Coil choice also matters: the Ace 300 typically ships with an 8.5 x 11 inch concentric coil, which is decent for coverage but less forgiving in trash; the X-Terra Pro’s coil system is more field-ready, and its stock coil options are better matched to modern target separation. Winner: Product B, because it is more durable and better suited to all-weather UK detecting.

Battery life

The Garrett Ace 300 runs on 4 AA batteries, and in real use you can expect solid runtime, typically around 25 to 30 hours depending on sensitivity, speaker use, and temperature. That is respectable and easy to manage because AA batteries are cheap and available everywhere. The X-Terra Pro uses a rechargeable internal battery system with USB charging, which is more convenient for regular users and weekend detectorists, though runtime will vary by mode and backlight use. In practical terms, both are good enough for a day out, but the Garrett wins on simplicity and the ability to swap batteries instantly in the field. Winner: Product A, narrowly, for convenience and field serviceability.

Price and value for money

At £285.94, the Ace 300 is £63.06 cheaper than the X-Terra Pro at £349.00. On raw price, Garrett is the better entry point, especially for someone who wants a reliable starter detector without stretching the budget. But value is not just about the sticker price; it is about what you get for the money. The X-Terra Pro’s multi-frequency performance, better target ID accuracy, stronger ground balance, and waterproof capability make the extra spend easier to justify if you detect more than occasionally or if you want one machine that can grow with you. For a first detector on a tight budget, the Ace 300 is good value; for long-term ownership, the X-Terra Pro is better value. Winner: Product B, because the performance jump is worth more than the £63 premium.

Game library/features

If by features you mean detection modes, discrimination options, and target handling, the X-Terra Pro wins comfortably. It offers more flexible search profiles, better iron handling, clearer target ID stability, and more advanced ground management. The Ace 300 is simpler: it has basic discrimination patterns, notch discrimination, and a straightforward interface that lowers the learning curve. That simplicity is useful for absolute beginners, but it is also limiting once you start hunting in busier sites or want to squeeze more out of difficult ground. The X-Terra Pro gives experienced detectorists more control and better results without becoming complicated. Winner: Product B, because it has the richer and more capable feature set.

Overall user experience

The Ace 300 is the friendlier machine if you want to switch on and start learning the basics immediately. It is lightweight, easy to understand, and backed by a very large number of reviews, which suggests it has been a dependable choice for many users. The downside is that it can feel outclassed when the ground gets difficult or when you want more accurate target ID at depth. The X-Terra Pro feels like a proper upgrade: more capable in mineralised soil, better in rain and wet conditions, and more confidence-inspiring when you are trying to separate good targets from iron. For UK detectorists, especially those who hunt fields, pasture, and mixed ground, that extra capability matters far more than the lower starting price. Overall summary: the Garrett Ace 300 is the cheaper, simpler starter machine, but the Minelab X-Terra Pro is the better detector and the one I would buy if you want the stronger all-round performer.

Final verdict

Buy the Garrett if you want an affordable, easy-to-learn detector for parks, dry fields, and casual use. Buy the Minelab if you want a more modern machine with better depth, better target ID, better ground handling, and real waterproof confidence. The winner is the Minelab X-Terra Pro.