XP makes the lightest, most technically refined metal detectors money can buy. Their flagship DEUS II runs at 1.8 lb (810 g) fully assembled, has zero cables (everything is wireless), and submerges to 66 feet. No other consumer detector matches that combination.
The trade-off: XP is also the most expensive mainstream brand. The DEUS II in its full RC + WS6 + 11" coil configuration runs $1,599+. Add a second coil and a pinpointer and you are quickly past $2,000. For buyers who want the absolute pinnacle of detector engineering, XP is the answer. For buyers on a budget, this guide will tell you when XP is worth it and when a Minelab Equinox 900 saves you $600 with no real trade-off.
Below: top picks by use case, complete configuration breakdown for the DEUS II (the configuration confusion is real), the new XP ICON line, and the XTREM Hunter deep-seeker bundle. Plus the comparison everyone asks: DEUS II vs. Minelab Manticore.
Quick Verdict: Best XP Metal Detectors of 2026
| Best for... | Pick | Why it wins |
|---|---|---|
| Best overall | DEUS II RC + WS6 (11" coil) | Fast Multi-Frequency, fully wireless, 1.8 lb, IP68 to 66 ft. The most refined detector on the market. |
| Best for diving | DEUS II (any configuration) | 66 ft submersibility puts it in dive-grade territory most surface-hunters never need. |
| Best for coverage | DEUS II with 13x11" coil | The largest stock coil. Maximum ground per swing in fields and farms. |
| Best for trashy sites | DEUS II with 9" HF coil | Smaller coil + high-frequency option for tight target separation in iron-trash. |
| Best for deep cache hunting | DEUS II + XTREM Hunter | Two-box deep-seeker bundle. Detects buried boxes, jars, and large relics far beyond normal coil depth. |
| Best entry-level XP | XP ORX | XP technology at a lower price point. Single-frequency selectable VLF, fully wireless. |
| Newest XP detector | XP ICON / ICON X | XP’s 2026 platform. New mid-tier between ORX and DEUS II. |
Why Choose an XP Metal Detector?
XP is a French company founded in 1998. They engineered the first fully wireless detector (the original DEUS in 2008) and have refined that core philosophy ever since. Where Minelab focuses on broad lineup depth and Garrett on rugged simplicity, XP optimizes for one thing: refinement.
Five reasons detectorists choose XP:
- Lightest detectors made. The DEUS II at 1.8 lb fully assembled is roughly 30 percent lighter than competing flagships. After a 4-hour hunt, the difference is genuinely felt.
- Fully wireless system. Coil to remote, remote to headphones, all wireless. No cables to snag on brush, the swing arm, or the coil cord.
- Best-in-class submersibility. IP68 to 20 m (66 ft). Most other "waterproof" detectors stop at 10 to 16 ft.
- Firmware updates. XP pushes meaningful updates that improve the detector over time. The DEUS II shipped in 2022 and has had multiple performance updates since.
- Magnetic charging. Coil, remote, and headphones all charge via magnetic connectors. Cleaner and more durable than USB-C ports that fail in field conditions.
The Complete XP Metal Detector Lineup at a Glance
| Model | Configuration | Technology | Waterproof | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DEUS II RC + WS6 (11") | Most popular config | FMF (Multi) | IP68 (66 ft) | 1.8 lb |
| DEUS II RC + WS6 (13x11") | Maximum coverage config | FMF (Multi) | IP68 (66 ft) | 2.0 lb |
| DEUS II RC (9" HF coil) | Trashy sites / small targets | FMF (Multi) | IP68 (66 ft) | 1.6 lb |
| DEUS II Special MI-6 | DEUS II + MI-6 pinpointer bundle | FMF (Multi) | IP68 (66 ft) | 1.8 lb |
| DEUS II WS6 Master | Headphone-only config (no remote) | FMF (Multi) | IP68 (66 ft) | 1.8 lb |
| XTREM Hunter Bundle | Deep-seeker add-on for DEUS II | Two-Box / PI | No | 5.5 lb |
| XP ORX | Mid-tier wireless | VLF (selectable) | Coil only | 1.95 lb |
| XP ICON / ICON X | 2026 mid-tier release | FMF (Multi) | IP68 | ~2.0 lb |
| XP DEUS (original) | Predecessor (still in stock) | VLF | No | 2.0 lb |
Best XP Metal Detector by Use Case
Best Overall: XP DEUS II (RC + WS6, 11" Coil)
The DEUS II represents XP’s latest advancement in detector technology. Successor to the legendary original DEUS, it delivers faster processing, improved target separation, and true waterproof capability to 66 feet.
Key features:
- Fast Multi-Frequency (FMF): XP’s proprietary technology processing multiple frequencies simultaneously with exceptional speed
- Fully wireless: No cables. Coil, remote, and headphones all communicate wirelessly
- Ultra-lightweight: 1.8 lb assembled. The lightest full-featured detector available
- Deep waterproof: Submersible to 20 m (66 ft) with the WSA waterproof antenna accessory installed
- Magnetic charging: Easy magnetic connections for coil, remote, and WS6 headphones
- Instant recovery: Reacts faster than competing flagships to closely-spaced targets
Best for: Serious detectorists who want the absolute lightest, most refined detector available. If weight, wireless freedom, and maximum waterproof depth matter to you, the DEUS II is the answer.
Limitations: Premium pricing. The configuration matrix is initially confusing (see "Configurations Explained" below).
Best for Maximum Coverage: DEUS II with 13x11" Coil
For detectorists who want to cover the most ground per swing, the DEUS II with the 13x11" elliptical coil is the largest stock configuration XP offers.
Why choose the 13x11":
- Greater coverage: 30 percent more ground per swing vs. the 11" round
- Improved depth: Larger coil pushes deeper on coin and relic-sized targets
- Open-area performance: Optimal for fields, farms, and beach hunts
- Same waterproof rating: IP68 to 66 ft with the 13x11" coil
The trade-off: Larger coils lose target separation in trashy sites. If you hunt iron-heavy old home sites, drop down to the 9" coil instead.
Shop the DEUS II 13x11" config →
Best for Deep Caches: DEUS II + XTREM Hunter Bundle
For detectorists targeting deeply buried caches and large relics, the DEUS II + XTREM Hunter bundle pairs XP’s flagship FMF performance with a powerful two-box deep-seeking system built for extreme depth.
XTREM Hunter capabilities:
- Extreme depth: Detects large targets at depths beyond standard coils
- Cache hunting: Ideal for buried boxes, jars, and hidden valuables
- Large relic detection: Find safes, cannons, and oversized metal objects
- Dual-purpose setup: Use the standard coil for everyday detecting, switch to XTREM for deep targets
Best Entry-Level XP: XP ORX
The ORX delivers XP’s wireless platform at a meaningfully lower price than the DEUS II. Single-frequency selectable VLF (4, 8, 13, 19 kHz on the X35 coil; 14, 27, 54, 80 kHz on the HF coil), fully wireless, with the same MI-6 pinpointer compatibility.
The trade-off vs. the DEUS II: no Fast Multi-Frequency simultaneous-multi mode, smaller selectable-frequency range, no submersibility (the ORX coil is waterproof but the rest of the unit is not). For inland coin and relic hunters, the ORX captures most of XP’s benefits at significantly less cost.
Newest XP Platform: XP ICON / ICON X
The XP ICON line is XP’s 2026 platform release, sitting between the ORX and DEUS II in price and capability. FMF technology, IP68 waterproof, and the same wireless ecosystem. For buyers who want a newer XP platform without DEUS II pricing, the ICON is the answer.
DEUS II Configurations Explained
XP sells the DEUS II in many configurations and the naming is initially confusing. Here is what each one means.
The two main components: RC and WS6
- RC (Remote Control): The hand-held remote with the LCD screen. Settings, target ID display, ground balance, and discrimination all happen here.
- WS6 (Wireless Stereo headphones): Wireless headphones with built-in detector electronics. Can run the detector standalone in "WS6 Master" mode without the RC.
You can run the DEUS II three ways:
- RC only: Use the remote with separate audio output. The cheapest config.
- WS6 Master only: Run the entire detector through the headphones. Compact but limited interface.
- RC + WS6: The full setup. Remote for settings, headphones for audio. The configuration most buyers end up with.
The coil options
- 9" FMF round coil: Best for trashy sites, tight target separation, and small targets
- 11" FMF round coil: The all-around standard. Most balanced for typical hunting
- 13x11" FMF elliptical coil: Maximum coverage. Best for fields, farms, and beach
- 9.5x5" HF2 elliptical coil: High-frequency for small gold and tight target work
Mix and match RC, WS6, and coil size to build your config. The most popular: RC + WS6 with 11" FMF coil.
XP DEUS II vs. Minelab Manticore
The flagship-vs-flagship comparison every detectorist asks about. Both detectors are top-tier multi-frequency machines targeting the same buyer.
| Feature | XP DEUS II | Minelab Manticore |
|---|---|---|
| Price (full config) | $1,599+ | $1,499 |
| Weight | 1.8 lb | 2.9 lb |
| Waterproof | IP68 to 66 ft | IP68 to 16 ft |
| Wireless | Coil, remote, headphones (full system) | Headphones only |
| Target ID | Numerical | 2D (ferrous + conductivity) |
| Multi-frequency depth | Excellent | Slightly deeper on iron-masked targets |
| Best for | Diving, all-day hunts, weight-sensitive buyers | Iron-trash sites, target ID precision |
Short answer: get the DEUS II if you value weight, wireless freedom, and dive-grade waterproofing. Get the Manticore if you hunt iron-heavy old sites where the 2D target ID actually helps. Both are excellent detectors. Neither is wrong.
XP DEUS II Specifications
| Specification | DEUS II |
|---|---|
| Technology | FMF (Fast Multi-Frequency) |
| Frequencies | 4 kHz to 45 kHz simultaneous |
| Waterproof rating | IP68, 20 m (66 ft) |
| Weight | 1.8 lb (810 g) with 11" coil |
| Battery life | 25+ hours (coil) |
| Wireless | Yes, full system |
| Display | Remote control with LCD |
| Audio options | WS6, WSAII, WSA, Bone Conduction |
| Warranty | 5 years |
How to Choose the Right XP Metal Detector
Step 1: Pick your platform
- Want the flagship: DEUS II (RC + WS6 + 11" coil)
- Want XP technology cheaper: ORX or the new ICON
- Want deep cache hunting: DEUS II + XTREM Hunter bundle
Step 2: Pick your coil
- Trashy / iron-heavy sites: 9" FMF
- All-around hunting: 11" FMF (most popular)
- Open fields / max coverage: 13x11" FMF
- Small gold / fine targets: 9.5x5" HF2
Step 3: Add accessories
- Pinpointer: XP MI-6 (the matching XP pinpointer; integrates with the DEUS II remote)
- Carry bag: XP-branded protective bag
- Backup headphones: WSAII for diving, WS6 standard for surface
Best XP Metal Detector FAQ
Is the XP DEUS II worth the investment?
For serious detectorists, yes. The combination of multi-frequency technology, ultra-light weight (1.8 lb), and dive-grade waterproof capability (66 ft) makes it the most refined detector available. The investment makes sense if you detect frequently and value weight savings on long hunts. For occasional hunters, a Minelab Equinox 900 captures most of the capability for $600 less.
Which DEUS II coil should I choose?
The 11" FMF coil offers the best balance of coverage and sensitivity for most conditions. Choose the 9" coil for trashy sites and tight spaces. Choose the 13x11" for open fields where you want maximum ground coverage. Choose the 9.5x5" HF2 for small gold and fine target work.
Can I use the DEUS II underwater?
Yes. The entire DEUS II system (coil, remote, and WS6 headphones) is waterproof to 66 feet. This is genuinely dive-grade. No other consumer detector at this price hits that depth.
How does the DEUS II compare to the Minelab Manticore?
The DEUS II is lighter (1.8 vs. 2.9 lb), has fully wireless system architecture, and goes deeper underwater (66 vs. 16 ft). The Manticore has 2D target ID display and slightly deeper detection on iron-masked targets in old sites. Both are top-tier flagships. Pick based on weight sensitivity (DEUS II) or iron-trash performance (Manticore).
What is the difference between the XP ORX and DEUS II?
The ORX is single-frequency selectable VLF; the DEUS II is Fast Multi-Frequency simultaneous-multi. The ORX is not submersible; the DEUS II is rated to 66 ft. The ORX is roughly 60 percent of the DEUS II price. For inland coin and relic hunting, the ORX is a strong value. For beach, surf, or saltwater, the DEUS II is required.
Is the original XP DEUS still worth buying?
The original DEUS is being phased out as the DEUS II takes over the lineup. Used DEUS units are excellent value and well-supported by XP. New buyers should go with the DEUS II or ORX rather than the discontinued original.
What is the XP ICON?
The XP ICON is XP’s 2026 platform release, slotting between the ORX and DEUS II. FMF technology, fully waterproof, and the same wireless ecosystem. For buyers who want a newer XP platform without DEUS II pricing, the ICON is the answer.
What is the XP warranty?
XP provides a 5-year warranty on the DEUS II when purchased from an authorized U.S. dealer. This is one of the longest warranties in the industry. Always buy through an authorized dealer to keep the warranty intact.
What is the XTREM Hunter bundle?
The XTREM Hunter is a two-box deep-seeker accessory that pairs with the DEUS II for cache hunting. It detects large buried targets (boxes, jars, safes, cannons) at depths beyond what standard coils can reach. The bundle includes both the standard DEUS II detector and the XTREM Hunter coil/electronics. Switch between them depending on the hunt.
Where to Buy XP Metal Detectors
Shop XP metal detectors at Serious Detecting:
- Browse the full XP collection →
- Shop the DEUS II →
- Shop DEUS II RC →
- Shop DEUS II Special →
- Shop DEUS II WS6 Master →
- Shop XP ICON / ICON X →
- Shop the XP ORX →
- Shop the XTREM Hunter Bundle →
- Shop the original XP DEUS →
- Shop XP MI-6 Pinpointer →
- Shop XP Carry Bags →
Or call us at (844) 771-0707 to talk through your specific use case.
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