Best Metal Detector Headphones

Best Headphones For Metal Detecting

The top headphones for metal detecting are:

❶ Garrett Submersible Headphones

The Best Waterproof Headphones

The Garrett Submersible Headphones are excellent for working underwater to depths of 200 feet.

For starters, the padded ear cups are designed to keep water out of your ears. While the headband isn’t the most comfortable on the market, it’s practical and specifically designed to stay on while diving. Its 2-pin connection is tight, screwed in to ensure water stays out of the jack connection. 

Our only complaint is that there isn’t any volume control. That said, the underwater audio is excellent.

They are compatible with Garrett CSI Pro, AT Gold, AT Pro, ATX, Infinum LS and Sea Hunter Mark II.

❷ Garrett Clearsound Easy Stow

The Best Headphones Under $100

Garrett Clearsound Easy Stow is easy on the budget, takes up minimal packing space, and the volume control has a wide range. They are lightweight, comfortable to wear, breathable so you don’t get sweaty ears, and you can flip the earpiece if you want to hear the outside world as you work.

However, remember that while these are not fragile, they are less robust than some heavier models. 

❸ Detectorpro Gray Ghost

The Best Headphone For Gold Prospecting

Detectorpro Gray Ghost are some of the best metal-detecting headphones you can find for seeking out jewelry, coins, or relics, thanks to their ability to pick up on the “ghost” sounds many other brands miss. However, they use signal-limiting circuitry to ensure a hit won’t blast your ears. They are also incredibly durable, perfect in rougher terrain. 

Its ability to pick up on tiny objects and hear sounds others won’t is invaluable when looking for precious nuggets and large flakes.  

Another option is the DetectorPro Gray Ghost with the Gold Series Headphone. However, it is only compatible with the Equinox 600 and 800 and Gold Monster. 

❹ 3M WorkTunes

The Best Headphones For Hearing Impaired

3M WorkTunes is the best Bluetooth-only wireless metal detector headphones and an excellent choice for the hearing impaired. These reduce outside noise by 24dB, so a sudden loud noise won’t distract. The high-fidelity speakers will also help with clarity, allowing people to hear the range of tones. Many people find they work perfectly without their hearing aids. 

The 3M has a built-in microphone and can integrate with your phone. Additionally, the USB rechargeable lithium-ion battery has 30 hours of playtime. They just work with bluetooth metal detectors, though.

❺ Garrett MS-3 Z-Lynk Wireless Headphones

Best For Garrett Detectors

Garrett MS-3 Z-Lynk Wireless Headphones are the best choice for Garrett AT Pro or Garret AT Max metal detectors, provided you don’t require a waterproof set. These are high-end, luxury comfort, durable, and it has a frequency response of 30-18,000 Hz. 

The Garrett At Pro wireless headphones are made possible due to the Z-Lynk, which allows metal detectors lacking wireless capabilities to go cord-free. The Garrett Z Lynk wireless technology also transfers faster than Bluetooth.

Lastly, the volume control is huge, so you can adjust it without removing your gloves.

❻ Minelab ML 80 Bluetooth Wireless

Best For Minelab Detectors

Minelab ML 80 Bluetooth Wireless is the best headphones for Minilab detectors:

• Equinox 600
• Equinox 800
• Vanquish 540

Although Bluetooth, it has an auxiliary cable and a 3.5mm jack for non-wireless headphones for a metal detector. 

These apt-X low latency headphones have a minimal receiver delay and excellent sound. Plus, they are easy to charge from a USB port. 

❼ Bounty Hunter Metal Detector Binaural Headphone

Best For Bounty Hunter Detectors

Bounty Hunter Binaural Headphone HEAD-PL is the best for Bounty Hunter Detectors.

This affordable and beginner-friendly set adjusts to fit larger heads, has a true stereo sound that can be switched to mono, and the large volume dials (yes, one for each ear) can be used without removing your gloves.

Also, despite their bulky appearance, they are lightweight.

Top 7 Features To Look For In Metal Detecting Headphones

The best metal detecting headphones fit your budget and will work with your metal detector. Thus, always check compatibility before purchasing. A 30-hour battery life is useless if the headphones won’t interface with the metal detector. 

In addition, look out for these 7 features:

➜ Comfort of Headphones

A set of headphones for metal detecting should fit snuggly. But sometimes an earpiece runs small, or a headband lacks padding, and folks find it hard to wear them for more than a handful of hours.

So if you have sensitive spots or outsized features, pay attention to metal detector headphone reviews written by people built like you (i.e., large ears or a small head). 

➜ Audio Features and Audio Quality

It’s essential to consider the audio features of headphones. Find out:

Does it have volume control? (Not all do)

What is the frequency range?

Do you want to be able to connect it to your phone and take calls?

Is there a mono stereo switch? 

Is there a receiver delay? If so, by how much?

➜ Warranty

Find out the warranty for headsets. Even better, read metal-detecting reviews to discover how much effort it took to get the company to fulfill its promises.

Did customer service help right away? Or was trying to get the defective pair like talking to a wall? 

➜ Battery Life On Wireless Metal Detector Headphones

Wireless metal detector headphones need recharging. Some can last up to 30 hours; others die in a blink. Also, find out how long the battery lasts when all the features are used.

For example, 30 hours might sound impressive until you discover that drops to a single hour if you’ve used them during a phone call. 

➜ Size

The size of metal detector headphones doesn’t matter to everyone. But if you are the type of person that travels a lot, the amount of space headphones eat up can be a huge deal. 

➜ Length Of Wire

Wired metal-detecting headphones each have their own cord length. People of shorter stature find long wires annoying, as the excess will get in the way and tangle.

On the other hand, people of taller stature routinely find themselves working hunched over and getting a backache due to the cord being too short. 

Some cords can be extended, but not all brands. Cords also come in different styles. For example, coiled ones will stretch and then retract as you move, allowing give without excessive length.

However, some coils lose their bounce, leaving you with a flabby, limp wire. 

➜ Rotating Ear Piece

Some pairs of headphones will have a rotating earpiece. The feature is essential to folks who want to keep one ear “free” to listen out for rattlers, bears, or other potential hazards.

However, ensure the sound can be fully transferred to a single ear. Rotating earpieces is useless if you lose half the tones from your metal detector.

Do Metal Detectors Need Headphones?

Do metal detectors need headphones, and do I want headphones, are two separate issues. Metal detectors work without headphones, so you don’t need them. But you might want them.

If you are serious about metal detecting, quality headphones will improve your ability to discern the range of tones emitted from the machine. You may have a superb set of ears, but without the headphones, you’ll miss the faint “ghost” signals, as surrounding noise––chirping crickets, a gust of wind, swearing sunbathers––distract your focus. 

In short, without headphones, your experience is not going to be as enjoyable or successful.

➜ Go to the best headphones list

What Are The Advantages Of Using Headphones?

Headphones for metal detecting raise skill level and success. They block out a substantial amount of surrounding noise while allowing the wearer to hear the deeper signals and a wider range of frequencies. Thus, people venture forth with their metal detectors in all kinds of weather, including storms, yet can still hear the tones thanks to headphones.

In addition, if you ever want to explore underwater, metal detecting headphones are non-negotiable. They add clarity while eliminating much of the underwater noise that makes hearing your machine near impossible. 

Metal-detecting headphones also enable the hearing impaired to use a metal detector. Look for quality sets with volume control, clarity, and a wide range of frequencies. 

Lastly, wired headphones will extend the battery life of a metal detector. It takes less energy to power the headphones through the jack than to blast sound out of the speakers.  

Wired Versus Wireless Headphones

Headphones for metal detectors come wired or wireless, and both have pros and cons. Many folks want the advantages of each, so get a pair that is wireless but can also be used plugged into the jack. However, if you are venturing underwater, you must have wired. 

Pros Of Wired Headphones For Metal Detectors

There are many pros to wired headphones, despite how annoying having a cord flapping around can be. For instance:

• Will extend the battery life of your metal detector
• Don’t require charging
• No receiver sound delays
• Often have the highest sound quality in that price range
• Some allow you to dive underwater

Cons Of Wired Headphones For Metal Detectors

The cons of wired headphones:

• The wire gets tangled in bushes and grass
• Tall people often struggle to find a long enough wire
• The wire gets in the way when digging plugs
• If you set your machine down before taking off the headphones, they fall off 

Pros Of Wireless Headphones For Metal Detectors

Metal detecting wireless headphones offer a far more enjoyable experience for many:

• Don’t get caught in branches and brush
• Don’t have to worry about your height vs. the cord
• They are better for your posture
• No cord to get in your way when digging
• Can put the machine down or hand it over to a friend without risking your headphones being yanked
• Some will allow you to hook up to a phone

Cons Of Wireless Headphones For Metal Detectors

As much freedom as wireless headphones have provided people, they are not perfect. 

For example:

• They require charging
• The battery can die before you are ready to stop
• Some lower-quality models have significant receiver delay
• Can’t take them underwater
• Some low-quality models have static 

Weatherproof Versus Waterproof Headphones

Waterproof headphones are essential if you dive with your metal detector. However, waterproof headphones often don’t have a volume control, which can be incredibly frustrating when using them on land. Waterproof headphones often have a limited list of compatible metal detectors. 

Thus, many people settle for a waterproof connector to add durability and weatherproofing, but the actual headset is not waterproof. Many non-waterproof headphones for metal detectors come with a waterproof connector, so it’s a great feature, regardless of whether you dive. 

FAQs

Conclusion

Wearing headphones while metal detecting will improve your focus and success and make you far less annoying to be around. The best headphones for you will suit your budget and specific needs.  

What are the best headphones for metal detecting?

Below you can see our picks based on our experience.