Buying guide
Minelab vs Garrett: which brand fits your hunt
Neither brand wins across the board, so compare the two models you are choosing between. Garrett gives a 3-year limited warranty on its detectors, pinpointers and searchcoils, while Minelab's changes with the model.
01
The picks
Three matchups, Minelab first in each: multi-frequency, a first detector, then gold. Each frame shows facts from the maker's page.
1. Minelab Equinox 900
Minelab's multi-frequency pick: Multi-IQ plus single frequencies of 4, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 40 kHz. The whole detector is rated IP68 to 16 ft (5 m).
The listing is a bundle: it names an EQX 15 coil and a case with the detector.
2. Garrett Vortex VX9
Garrett's multi-frequency pick: MD-MF plus five single frequencies, 5, 9, 13, 18 and 25 kHz, on a detector submersible to 16 ft (5 m). Its page gives two weights, 3 lb and 2.9 lb.
3. Minelab X-Terra Voyager
A first Minelab, on one frequency, 5.82 kHz. The box holds wired headphones, a collapsible digger and a backpack, and the warranty is 12 months.
4. Garrett ACE 400
A first detector at 10 kHz on an 8.5 x 11-inch DD coil, with Iron Audio and headphones included. Garrett publishes no water rating for it, so keep it out of water.
Sold as a bundle: the listing names a carry bag with the detector.
5. Minelab Gold Monster 1000
Minelab's gold pick here runs 45 kHz, with Gold and Deep All Metal modes. Only the coil is waterproof, to 3.3 ft (1 m).
6. Garrett Goldmaster 24k
Garrett's gold pick runs 48 kHz, a little above the Gold Monster 1000, with approx. 45 h of battery by its maker's estimate. It weighs approx. 3.0-3.4 lb.
02
Side by side
The same facts for every pick, read on each maker's page. Open a model for its full spec sheet.
| Model | Technology | Frequencies | Waterproofing | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minelab Equinox 900 | Multi-frequencyMulti-IQ | 4-40 kHz4, 5, 10, 15, 20, 40 kHz | 16 ftDetector, IP68, 5 m | 2.8 lb1.27 kg |
| Garrett Vortex VX9 | Multi-frequencyMD-MF | 5-25 kHz5, 9, 13, 18, 25 kHz | 16 ftDetector, 5 m | 3 lb (1.38 kg) in the comparison table2.9 lb in the page textGarrett publishes both. |
| Minelab X-Terra Voyager | Single frequency | 5.82 kHz | 3.3 ftCoil only, 1 m | 2.8 lb1.3 kg |
| Garrett ACE 400 | Single frequency | 10 kHz | Not published | 2.9 lb1.32 kg |
| Minelab Gold Monster 1000 | Single frequency | 45 kHz | 3.3 ftCoil only, 1 m | 2.94 lb1.33 kg |
| Garrett Goldmaster 24k | Single frequency | 48 kHz | CoilWaterproof part | 3.4 lb |
Facts from the pages of Minelab and Garrett, read Oct. 16, 2026.
03
How to choose
Read the warranty per model
Garrett keeps 3 years for its detectors. Minelab gives 3 years on the Equinox 900, control box and coil. It gives 2 years on the Gold Monster 1000 and 12 months on the X-Terra Voyager.
Match the water rating to the site
In the multi-frequency pair, both go to 16 ft, and Minelab states its figure as IP68. Among the first detectors, the Voyager's coil goes to 3.3 ft (1 m). Garrett states no water rating for the ACE 400.
Count the frequency options
The Equinox 900 lists six single settings beside Multi-IQ. Beside Garrett's MD-MF, the Vortex VX9 lists five. Each of the four others runs one frequency.
04
What to know before you buy
UnearthKit is an independent guide. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Minelab, Garrett, Nokta, XP, First Texas Products (Fisher, Teknetics, Bounty Hunter), or any other brand named on this site. Brand names are used only to identify products.
Garrett says its metal detectors are made in America. Minelab's site links to its parent company, Codan Limited. Neither fact tells you how a model performs.
Minelab lists ten detector families: Go-Find, X-Terra, Vanquish, Equinox, Manticore, Gold Monster, GPX, GPZ, SDC and CTX. Our Minelab and Garrett pages list every model on file.
We checked the sellers on Oct. 17, 2026. Minelab itself held the Buy Box on the Voyager listing, and a detecting dealer held it on the Equinox 900 and Gold Monster 1000. A third-party seller held it on all three Garrett listings, so check the seller before you pay.
05
Questions
Answered from the makers' pages, read Oct. 16, 2026.
Not across the board. In the multi-frequency pair, the Equinox 900 lists six single frequencies against five on the Vortex VX9. Garrett gives a 3-year limited warranty on every detector, where Minelab's varies.
Garrett says its metal detectors are made in America. We have not checked where each part comes from.
Minelab, on our table: 8 of its 17 detectors on file are rated as a whole detector, against 5 of 12 for Garrett. Our waterproof guide compares picks such as the Equinox 900, rated to 16 ft.
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