When you picture a metal detector, you probably imagine a device that has a long shaft with something that looks like a small steering wheel attached to the bottom end. The user walks along the beach, ...

First developed for World War II, motion detectors have come a long way from the radar that pilots used way back then.

Scanning parks and beaches with one of these can be a unique and fascinating hobby.

Editor's Note: January 29, 2026: We've checked to make sure that our recommendations are still available and competitively priced. We’re in the process of testing a new round of metal detectors to ...