SAKOBS Professional Metal Detector Review: Your Complete Field Test and Verdict

There’s a specific, gut-wrenching feeling that comes with losing something small yet deeply valuable. For me, it was a vintage silver cufflink, a gift from my grandfather, lost somewhere in the sprawling grass of a local park during a family picnic. I spent an hour on my hands and knees, combing through the blades of grass, feeling utterly hopeless. That tiny piece of metal, a link to my family’s past, was gone. This experience is universal—a dropped earring, a lost ring at the beach, or as one user shared, a set of five precious Pandora charms vanishing into the lawn. It’s in these moments that you realize the ground beneath our feet holds countless lost stories. The challenge isn’t just finding a needle in a haystack; it’s about having the right tool to turn that haystack into a transparent field. The search for a reliable, precise, and user-friendly metal detector isn’t just a hobbyist’s quest; for many, it’s a mission to recover a piece of themselves. This is the exact problem the SAKOBS Professional Metal Detector aims to solve, promising professional-grade features without the intimidating complexity or price tag. We decided to put that promise to the test.

What to Consider Before Buying a Metal Detector

A metal detector is more than just a tool for finding loose change; it’s a key solution for unlocking history, recovering lost valuables, and turning any outdoor excursion into a potential treasure hunt. It bridges the gap between the visible world and the hidden metallic objects just beneath the surface. The main benefits are profound: the thrill of discovery, the potential for finding valuable items like coins, jewelry, and relics, and the simple joy of spending time outdoors with a purpose. For hobbyists, it’s a gateway to history and archaeology, while for the pragmatic, it’s a powerful tool for locating property stakes, lost tools, or dropped keys.

The ideal customer for this type of product is an aspiring or intermediate hobbyist who is serious about the craft but not yet ready to invest thousands in a top-tier, specialized machine. They are adventurers, history buffs, and practical problem-solvers who value performance and a rich feature set but also need something portable and easy to grasp. On the other hand, a professional archaeologist or a seasoned prospector seeking specific, minute gold flakes in highly mineralized soil might find this category of detectors limiting. Likewise, someone looking for a simple toy for a young child might be overwhelmed by the features. For them, a more basic, less sensitive model would be a more appropriate starting point.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Dimensions & Space: Think about portability and storage. A good detector should be adjustable to fit your height for comfortable, ergonomic swinging over long periods. The SAKOBS Professional Metal Detector, with its adjustable length from 26 to 47 inches and a foldable frame, is designed for both comfort in the field and compact storage in the included backpack, a huge plus for those with limited space.
• Capacity/Performance: This is the heart of the machine. Key metrics include detection depth, operating frequency, and discrimination capabilities. A deeper detection depth (like the advertised 12.8 inches) means you can find older, more settled targets. The ability to discriminate between different metal types, like the nine categories SAKOBS offers, is critical to avoid digging up countless rusty nails and bottle caps in your search for silver coins. The coil type is also paramount; an 11-inch Double-D coil provides superior ground coverage and performance in mineralized soil compared to smaller, concentric coils.
• Materials & Durability: Metal detectors are used outdoors, often in rugged conditions. The construction must be a balance between durability and weight. While some users note the plastic construction of models in this price range, it’s a trade-off for a lightweight frame (2.7 lbs) that prevents arm fatigue. Key components, like the search coil, must be robust and waterproof (IP68 rating is excellent), allowing you to hunt in shallow water, wet grass, and damp sand without worry.
• Ease of Use & Maintenance: A powerful detector is useless if you can’t figure out how to operate it. Look for a clear LCD screen, intuitive controls, and distinct audio tones. The learning curve, as some users point out, is real, but preset modes (All Metals, Jewelry, etc.) help flatten that curve significantly. Maintenance is generally minimal: keep the device clean, check battery connections, and store it in a dry place. The all-inclusive kit provided by SAKOBS, with its backpack, is a great asset for long-term care and transport.

While the SAKOBS Professional Metal Detector is an excellent choice, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:

First Impressions: A Complete Treasure-Hunting Kit in a Box

Unboxing the SAKOBS Professional Metal Detector felt less like receiving a single tool and more like opening a complete adventurer’s starter pack. Everything you need to head out the door is right there: the detector itself, a surprisingly sturdy digger shovel with a serrated edge, a comfortable set of headphones, and a spacious backpack to carry it all. This immediate, out-of-the-box readiness is a significant advantage over many competitors where these essential accessories are costly add-ons. Assembly was straightforward, taking less than ten minutes without needing to glance at the instructions more than once. The unit clicks together securely, and the adjustable aluminum shaft feels solid. At 2.7 pounds, it is incredibly lightweight, a feature my arm would thank me for after a few hours of sweeping. The black and yellow color scheme is classic for field equipment, and the large LCD screen is bright and easy to read. While the control box is primarily ABS plastic, as one user noted, it doesn’t feel flimsy. It feels like a deliberate engineering choice to keep the weight down and the cost accessible, a compromise we find perfectly acceptable for a detector with such a robust internal feature set.

Deep Dive: Field Testing the SAKOBS Professional Metal Detector

A metal detector’s true worth is only revealed in the dirt. On paper, the specs of the SAKOBS Professional Metal Detector are impressive—an upgraded DSP chip, a large waterproof DD coil, and multi-mode functionality. But how does this translate to finding treasure in the real world? We took it through a series of rigorous tests in varied environments, from our own “test garden” with buried targets to a local park and a sandy lakeside beach, to see if its performance lives up to its promises.

Core Performance: The DSP Chip and 11″ Double-D Coil in Action

The brain and senses of this detector are its third-generation DSP (Digital Signal Processing) chip and the 11-inch waterproof Double-D coil. This combination is what separates a serious hobbyist tool from a toy. In our test garden, where we buried coins, rings, and junk metal at various depths, the SAKOBS showed its prowess. The DSP chip provided remarkably fast and stable feedback. There was minimal chatter or falsing, even with sensitivity cranked up. When swinging the coil, the target response was sharp and immediate, not laggy or delayed.

The 11-inch Double-D coil is a genuine standout feature at this price point. Its “DD” configuration creates a wide, blade-like detection field that covers more ground with each sweep and handles mineralized soil—common in areas with red clay or near saltwater—far better than standard concentric coils. We tested it at a local lakeside beach, and the automatic ground balance worked flawlessly. We were able to hunt right up to the wet sand line with very little interference. We successfully located modern coins at depths of 8-10 inches, and a larger iron relic at just over 12 inches, validating the advertised 12.8-inch maximum depth for larger targets. The nine-segment target ID system was surprisingly accurate. It consistently identified quarters, dimes, and even a silver ring correctly on the LCD display, which allowed us to selectively dig valuable targets while ignoring iron trash—a feature that dramatically improves efficiency and reduces frustration.

In-Field Usability: Navigating the Modes and Display

Power is nothing without control, and the SAKOBS offers four distinct operating modes to refine your search. We spent considerable time testing each one. The All-Metal Mode is fantastic for new areas, as it detects everything and gives you a raw sense of how much metal is in the ground. The audio is responsive, giving a clear, high tone for conductive targets like silver and a low grunt for iron. The real magic, however, lies in the discrimination modes. The Disc Mode allows you to manually “notch out” unwanted metals. We easily excluded iron, preventing the detector from screaming over every rusty nail. The dedicated Jewelry Mode is intelligently calibrated to ignore most common trash items while remaining highly sensitive to gold, silver, and bronze—perfect for parks and beaches.

The most debated feature, both in our tests and in user feedback, is the Pinpoint (PP) Mode. When you press the PP button, the detector switches to a non-motion mode to help you zero in on a target’s exact location before digging. Our experience confirms what users have reported: there is a steep learning curve. One user found it “useless,” while another “loved” it. We discovered the trick is to use an “X” pattern. You sweep over the target, note the spot of the loudest tone, then turn 90 degrees and repeat. The intersection is your spot. It’s not as precise as a dedicated handheld pinpointer wand, but with practice, it becomes a functional tool that significantly reduces the size of the hole you need to dig. For beginners, the initial inconsistency can be frustrating, but we urge users to stick with it. The large, backlit LCD is a massive help, providing a visual depth gauge and a clear numerical target ID, making it a powerful and user-friendly interface once you learn its language.

Design and Ergonomics: Built for a Full Day of Hunting

A metal detecting session can last for hours, and a heavy, poorly balanced machine will cut your day short with fatigue. This is where the SAKOBS Professional Metal Detector truly shines. At only 2.7 pounds, it’s one of the lightest full-featured detectors we’ve tested. The weight is well-distributed, and the padded arm cuff and handle make for a comfortable experience. We spent a four-hour afternoon sweeping a large field, and arm fatigue was never an issue. The adjustable shaft is crucial for this, allowing you to set the perfect length so the coil hovers just above the ground without forcing you to stoop or over-extend your arm.

The portability factor is off the charts. The detector collapses down to a compact 26 inches and fits neatly into the included backpack, with ample room for the shovel, headphones, water, and snacks. This makes it ideal for hiking to a remote location or simply keeping it in the trunk of your car for spontaneous hunts. The IP68 waterproof rating on the coil is not just a spec; it’s peace of mind. We submerged it in the shallow water of a creek and along the shoreline of the lake without any issues, confidently hunting for dropped jewelry and coins where many other detectors can’t go. This combination of lightweight comfort and go-anywhere portability makes it an incredibly appealing package for anyone who wants to integrate treasure hunting into their broader outdoor lifestyle. We believe its thoughtful design is one of its strongest selling points.

What Other Users Are Saying

Our findings are strongly echoed in the experiences of other users, which paint a picture of a powerful but sometimes challenging tool for newcomers. The positive feedback is often enthusiastic. One user, who bought the detector for a very specific mission, reported, “I bought it to help me find 5 pandora charms that I lost in the grass and I was able to find them all!!” This is a powerful testament to the detector’s core ability to find small, valuable targets effectively. Another simply stated, “I have found soo many treasures. I love the pin point feature. It’s easy to use,” highlighting that once the learning curve is overcome, the features become highly valued.

However, the learning curve is a recurring theme in critical feedback. The same user who found her charms noted, “The instructions are not very clear and there is a learning curve, but once you get the hang of it, it’s great.” Another user expressed frustration with the build and performance, stating, “For the money I was expecting something more durable. This is plastic… it makes so much beeping noise that I’m like is this thing even working properly.” This feedback is relevant; the “beeping noise” likely points to the sensitivity being set too high for the ground conditions, a common beginner mistake, while the plastic feel is the trade-off for its impressively low weight. These mixed reviews confirm our assessment: the SAKOBS Professional Metal Detector is a highly capable machine whose full potential is unlocked with patience and practice.

How Does the SAKOBS Professional Metal Detector Compare to the Alternatives?

No product exists in a vacuum. The SAKOBS Professional Metal Detector offers a compelling package, but several other models compete for the attention of aspiring treasure hunters. Here’s how it stacks up against three popular alternatives.

1. Gbnryg Metal Detector Waterproof 12″ Search Coil 5 Modes Gold Detector

The Gbnryg detector presents a very similar value proposition to the SAKOBS, targeting the same user base with a slightly different feature mix. Its main advantage is a larger 12-inch search coil, which theoretically offers slightly more ground coverage and depth than the SAKOBS’ 11-inch coil. It also boasts five modes to the SAKOBS’ four. However, the real-world performance difference from that extra inch of coil is often marginal and can make the detector slightly more cumbersome in tight, trashy areas. The Gbnryg is a strong contender for someone who prioritizes maximum ground coverage above all else, but the SAKOBS often wins on its proven balance of performance and the completeness of its accessory kit.

2. Garrett ACE 300 Metal Detector Waterproof

The Garrett ACE 300 comes from one of the most respected brands in the industry, and that brand recognition carries weight. Made in the USA, Garrett detectors are known for their rugged build quality and reliable performance. The ACE 300 features Digital Target ID and a higher operating frequency (8 kHz) than many entry-level models, which can give it an edge on medium-conductivity targets like gold. However, it typically comes with a smaller, concentric coil as standard and often costs more than the SAKOBS package without including a shovel or backpack. The Garrett ACE 300 is an excellent choice for a user who prioritizes brand reputation and American manufacturing and is willing to purchase accessories separately.

3. SUNPOW MD13 Metal Detector

The SUNPOW MD13 is aimed more squarely at the beginner and family-friendly market. It features a smaller 8-inch search coil and a simpler, more streamlined interface that is less intimidating for kids and absolute novices. While it is waterproof and offers four modes, its smaller coil and likely less sophisticated processing mean it won’t achieve the same depth or target separation as the SAKOBS in challenging conditions. The SUNPOW MD13 is a fantastic, budget-friendly option for casual users, families wanting to introduce their kids to the hobby, or someone who needs a very basic “grab-and-go” machine. However, for a user serious about growing in the hobby, the SAKOBS Professional Metal Detector offers a much higher performance ceiling.

Our Final Verdict on the SAKOBS Professional Metal Detector

After extensive field testing and analysis, we can confidently say that the SAKOBS Professional Metal Detector represents outstanding value in the enthusiast market. It successfully packs features once reserved for much more expensive machines—a large Double-D coil, advanced DSP processing, and robust nine-category discrimination—into an affordable, lightweight, and incredibly complete package. The inclusion of a quality shovel, headphones, and backpack means you are genuinely ready to hunt the moment you open the box. Its performance in finding coins, relics, and jewelry is impressive, providing the depth and accuracy needed to make exciting discoveries.

Yes, there is a learning curve, particularly with the pinpoint function and mastering the sensitivity settings. The instructions could be more detailed, and users should be prepared to spend an afternoon in their backyard practicing on test targets. But this initial time investment pays off handsomely. For the aspiring hobbyist, the weekend adventurer, or anyone who has ever felt the sting of losing something precious, the SAKOBS offers a powerful and accessible solution. It’s a machine that’s simple enough for a beginner to start with but capable enough to grow with them as their skills develop. If you’re ready to start uncovering the hidden stories and treasures beneath your feet, the SAKOBS Professional Metal Detector is an excellent investment we wholeheartedly recommend.