Rank #10 in Best Metal Detectors 2026: 10 Ranked, and the Coil Spec That Says 12cm
ETOOLAB Metal Detector for Adults, 6 Modes, 12in Coil
Price and rating as shown on Amazon when we collected them. Both change.
The ETOOLAB UK-MD12 is the tenth entry in this guide, priced at £109.99. It is a battery-powered detector with six selectable modes, a backlit LCD showing target ID, depth and battery level, and a telescopic shaft the bullets say runs from 55 cm to 140 cm. In the box, according to the listing, you get a carrying backpack, headphones, a digging shovel with its own bag, two 9V alkaline batteries and an English manual. Its Amazon rating is 5.0 out of 5 — earned from four ratings.
The number that does not hold is the coil. The title advertises a '12" IP68 Waterproof' coil and a bullet repeats 'IP68 Waterproof 12-Inch Search Coil'. Twelve inches measures 30.5 cm across. The specification table on that same page gives the item dimensions as 28.5L x 14W x 44H centimetres: an item 28.5 cm long is shorter than the coil it is meant to carry, and a listed height of 44 cm is well short of the 140 cm the bullets say the shaft reaches when extended. Not every field clashes — the table answers 'Are Batteries Required' with Yes and the bullets promise two 9V batteries in the box, and those two agree. Everything on this page is taken from the Amazon listing, not from any test we carried out.
How those 4 ratings break down
An average hides its own shape. This is the spread behind the 5.0 stars.
Specification
Exactly as published on the Amazon listing, field for field.
| Price | £109.99 |
|---|---|
| Rating | 5.0 out of 5, from 4 ratings |
| Search coil | 12 inches, claimed in the title and bullets |
| Item dimensions (as listed) | 28.5L x 14W x 44H centimetres |
| Shaft | Telescopic, 55 cm to 140 cm |
| Detection modes | 6 — All Metal, DISC, Jewellery, Memory, Iron Removal, Pinpoint |
| Batteries | Two 9V alkaline supplied, around 30 hours of use |
| Unit count (as listed) | 1 1 |
What buyers actually say
Quoted from customer reviews on Amazon
“Finding a waterproof metal detector that behaves on wet sand is harder than it sounds — my last one went berserk with false signals the moment it touched the sea. This one stayed quiet and only beeped on real targets. I waded in ankle deep with the search coil under water for half an hour, then rinsed it under the tap. It pulled out a silver ring and a handful of coins. The manual is clear the control box stays dry, and I've had no issues.”
“This was the selling point for me. The shaft runs from 55cm all the way up to 140cm, so my son can use it without dragging the coil along the ground, then I extend it for myself. It's light enough that he carries it round for a whole afternoon without moaning. We now do Sunday morning hunts in the woods together, and it has turned into a proper hobby we share instead of more screen time. Works as a metal detector for kids and grown-ups both.”
What it is up against
The rivals it was ranked against in Best Metal Detectors 2026: 10 Ranked, and the Coil Spec That Says 12cm.
Rank #1
Minelab X-Terra Elite All-Terrain Waterproof Metal Detector
£479.00
Rank #2
Minelab Vanquish 360 Waterproof Metal Detector with V10X Coil
£259.00
Rank #3
DR.ÖTEK MTXR Metal Detector for Adults, 5 Modes, 10in Coil
£85.99
Rank #4
SUNPOW Metal Detector for Adults, 5 Modes, 30cm Coil Claim
£79.98
Questions people ask
How big is the search coil on the ETOOLAB UK-MD12?
The title and the bullet points both say 12 inches, described as IP68 waterproof. The specification table on the same page lists the item dimensions as 28.5L x 14W x 44H centimetres, which is shorter than a 12-inch coil by the listing's own numbers.
Is the ETOOLAB UK-MD12 waterproof?
The listing rates the coil IP68 and says it handles wet sand, damp grass, riverside mud and shallow streams. That rating is given for the coil, not for the control unit.
How many detection modes does the ETOOLAB UK-MD12 have?
Six, as listed in the bullets: All Metal, DISC, Jewellery, Memory, Iron Removal and Pinpoint.
How long is the shaft?
The bullets say the telescopic shaft extends from 55 cm to 140 cm, with no tools required. The specification table separately lists the item dimensions as 28.5L x 14W x 44H centimetres.
What comes in the box with the ETOOLAB UK-MD12?
The bullets list a carrying backpack, headphones, a digging shovel with its own carry bag, two 9V alkaline batteries giving around 30 hours of use, and a clear English manual.
What rating does the ETOOLAB UK-MD12 have?
5.0 out of 5 from 4 ratings, with every rating in the breakdown at five stars.
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