The Garrett ACE 150 is a reasonable first detector for learning in your own yard: it is push-button simple, costs $150 to $175 at Garrett’s store, and comes with a waterproof 6.5-by-9-inch coil. You get three search modes, four sensitivity levels, three audio tones and a coin depth indicator, and not much else. That keeps it easy to learn, but you will outgrow it quickly. For a little more, the ACE 200 adds a 0-99 digital target ID. For $250 to $300, the ACE 300 adds pinpointing, adjustable frequency and more modes.
This review is desk research from Garrett’s product pages, checked on October 3, 2026. Nobody at Backyard Prospectors has used this detector.
Key specs
| Spec | ACE 150 | ACE 200 | ACE 300 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garrett price band (Oct 3, 2026) | $150 to $175 | $175 to $200 | $250 to $300 |
| Search modes | 3 | 3 (Coins, Jewelry, Zero-Disc) | 5, plus pinpoint |
| Sensitivity levels | 4 | 4 | 8 |
| Target ID | Target ID legend, 3 tone levels | Digital 0-99, 3 tone levels | Digital 0-99, 3 tone levels |
| Frequency | Not listed on Garrett’s ACE 150 page | 6.5 kHz, fixed | 8 kHz, adjustable |
| Depth indicator | Coin depth | Yes | Yes |
| Coil | 6.5" x 9" submersible concentric | 6.5" x 9" submersible concentric | 7" x 10" concentric |
| Headphone jack | 1/4" | Yes | Yes |
| Power | Battery condition indicator and low-battery alert | 4 AA included | 4 AA included |
| Warranty | 3 years, limited | 3 years, limited | 3 years, limited |
What the ACE 150 does well
It is easy to learn. Garrett describes simple push-button controls and One-Touch operation. You switch it on, pick one of three modes and start sweeping. A first detector should teach you slow, overlapping sweeps and neat digging, and having fewer settings keeps your attention on technique.
The coil is waterproof. Garrett calls the 6.5-by-9-inch concentric searchcoil submersible, so wet grass, puddles and the edge of a lake are fine. The control box is not rated for water.
Tones and depth help you decide. Three tone ID levels separate low, medium and high conductivity targets. The coin depth indicator gives a rough idea of how far to dig, which helps you keep yard plugs small.
It comes with a 3-year warranty and is made in the U.S., according to Garrett.
Where it falls short
- No numeric target ID. Garrett lists a Target ID legend and three tones for the ACE 150. The 0-99 digital ID starts at the ACE 200. Once you start learning what targets read as, a number is useful.
- No listed pinpoint mode. Garrett’s ACE 150 page does not mention electronic pinpointing. The ACE 300 page does. You will pinpoint by sweeping across the target from two directions, or with a handheld pinpointer.
- No ground balance or frequency control. Those appear on Garrett’s higher models (the ACE 300 has adjustable frequency). In heavily mineralized ground or wet salt sand, a starter like this is out of its depth.
- Little room to grow. Four sensitivity steps and three modes are enough to learn on, not enough for trashy old homesites.
ACE 150, ACE 200 or ACE 300?
- ACE 150 (under $200): a yard, a few weekends, the lowest price.
- ACE 200 (under $200, slightly more than the ACE 150): the same simplicity plus a 0-99 digital target ID and camlocks for a steadier shaft. For most beginners, the small price difference is worth it. View the Garrett ACE 200 on Amazon .
- ACE 300 ($250 to $300): if you already know you will keep detecting. It adds five modes plus pinpoint, eight sensitivity levels, adjustable frequency for interference, and better iron resolution.
Who should buy it
Buy it if: you want to learn the basics in your own yard or a local park, the detector will be shared with kids, and the budget is tight.
Skip it if: you want numeric IDs, plan to hunt mineralized ground or the beach, or expect to stay in the hobby. In that case, start with the ACE 200 or ACE 300.
Before you dig in the yard, read the yard detecting checklist for buried utilities, irrigation lines and how to cut a neat plug. The first 30 minutes checklist is a good first-session plan, and the audio tones guide explains what the three tones mean.
FAQ
What is the difference between the Garrett ACE 150 and ACE 200?
Garrett lists a 0-99 digital target ID and camlocks for the ACE 200, which costs slightly more. The ACE 150 uses a target ID legend and three tones. Both have three search modes, four sensitivity levels and a 6.5x9-inch waterproof concentric coil.
Is the Garrett ACE 150 waterproof?
Only the coil. Garrett describes the 6.5x9-inch searchcoil as submersible. The control box is not rated for submersion.
Sources
- Garrett, ACE 150 product page (PN 1138070, $150 to $175 price band, three search modes, four sensitivity levels, three tone ID levels, Target ID legend, coin depth indicator, 6.5x9-inch submersible concentric coil, 1/4-inch headphone jack, battery indicator, push-button controls, 3-year warranty).
- Garrett, ACE 200 product page (PN 1141070, $175 to $200 price band, digital target ID 0-99, Coins/Jewelry/Zero-Disc modes, four sensitivity levels, 6.5 kHz, camlocks, 4 AA batteries).
- Garrett, ACE 300 product page with ACE comparison table (PN 1141150, $250 to $300 price band, adjustable frequency, electronic pinpointing, Iron Check, modes, sensitivity, coil sizes).
- Garrett, ACE series listing (current ACE lineup and prices).
- Amazon, Garrett ACE 200 listing (B01DT5IFPY) (title and seller checked October 3, 2026: sold by Garrett Metal Detectors).