Last updated: 24 October 2026. Prices are dealer street prices as of October 2026. Disclosure: I earn a commission on purchases made through links here, at no extra cost to you.
- XP ICON and ICON-X metal detector review: the short answer
- XP ICON-X features and specs: ICON vs ICON-X
- XP ICON performance: target ID, depth and ground balance
- Best lightweight metal detector for hobbyists? Weight and wireless design
- How does the XP ICON perform on the beach? Waterproofing explained
- XP ICON metal detector pros and cons
- XP ICON vs XP Deus II and Minelab Equinox 900
- Who should buy the XP ICON metal detector?
- FAQ and where to buy
- Metal detecting laws: know before you dig
XP ICON and ICON-X metal detector review: the short answer
Picture hour four at the park. Your swing arm feels like cooked spaghetti, and your metal detector feels like a brick. The XP ICON and ICON-X were built to fix that. Both are French-made XP metal detector models from spring 2026, and each is a wireless detector under 850 g. This ICON review also works as an ICON-X metal detector review 2026.
Is the XP ICON worth buying?
Yes, for the right buyer. The XP ICON and ICON-X are among the lightest wireless multi-frequency detectors you can buy. They weigh about 845 g and 830 g with the remote, and both are waterproof to 5 m. They suit beginners and second-machine buyers, but they are not a cut-price Deus II.
One honest note: this review draws on published sources, like maker pages, dealer listings, editor reviews and owner reports, not a hands-on test. I’ll flag where the proof is thin.
XP ICON-X features and specs: ICON vs ICON-X
On XP ICON metal detector price, the ICON-X costs about £80 to £84 (or $100 to $130) more than the ICON, depending on the kit. Here’s what that buys, per XP’s official specs.
| XP ICON | XP ICON-X | |
| UK price (remote / with headphones) | £435 / £519 | £519 / £599 |
| US price (remote / with headphones) | $569 / $699 | $699 / $799 |
| Mono frequencies | 4, 14 kHz | 4, 14, 28 kHz |
| Programs | 3 factory + 3 user | 6 factory + 6 user |
| Reactivity levels | 5 | 7 |
| Ferrous resolution | 1 point | 0.5 point |
| Weight with remote | ~845 g | ~830 g |
| Stem | Lite | Lite, carbon middle section |
| Waterproofing | IP68, 5 m | IP68, 5 m |
| Battery | ~11 h | ~11 h |
| Warranty | 3 years, 5 if registered | 3 years, 5 if registered |
Register your detector to get the full five years. Who needs the ICON-X? Pick it for iron-heavy sites, small targets with the 28 kHz mode, or six saved setups. Budget park hunters will likely be happy with the standard ICON. Ready to buy? Shop the XP ICON or shop the XP ICON-X.
XP ICON performance: target ID, depth and ground balance
First, some jargon. FMF stands for “Fast and simultaneous Multi Frequency.” Instead of sending one frequency into the ground, the coil sends many at once, up to 40 kHz on the stock 11″ coil. As a multi-frequency metal detector for gold and coins, the ICON-X has a 28 kHz mode that helps with small targets, though no gold-field tests exist.
XP ICON target ID accuracy and depth
XP gives no depth figure, and UK Detectorist’s review notes that no controlled depth tests exist yet. If a shop quotes you inches, treat it as marketing. On XP ICON target ID accuracy, owner reports look good but are only anecdotes:
- One owner paired an ICON remote with a Deus II 9″ coil and found everything in his test bed. He felt it didn’t match his Deus II, though.
- A forum poster said it sounded almost the same as a Deus II on one coil, with slightly weaker separation on a musket-ball target.
- In heavy magnetite ground, one long-time Deus II user got less iron info and dug deep iron his Deus II would have flagged. That’s one report, not a rule.
The ICON-X’s finer 0.5-point ferrous resolution targets that gap, but no controlled data backs it up.
XP ICON ground balance settings
The XP ICON ground balance settings are Grab, Manual and Auto (tracking), plus a 28-segment Multi-Notch.
Tech note: ICON-X reactivity (how fast it recovers between targets) runs 0 to 6, against 1 to 5 on the ICON.
Best lightweight metal detector for hobbyists? Weight and wireless design
Weight is the big win, and it makes the ICON a strong pick for best lightweight metal detector for hobbyists. Treasure Hunting World calls the low weight a real edge, not a gimmick. Without the remote, the pair drops to about 735 g and 710 g.
It’s also a compact wireless metal detector with headphones. The coil, remote and headphones talk with no cables, at about 4 ms latency, and the stem folds to 58 cm. The MI-6 pinpointer pairs wirelessly, and the Go Terrain app logs finds by GPS. Deus II 9″, 11″ and 13×11″ FMF coils fit too, though the ICON remote still limits some features. XP ICON metal detector battery life is about 11 hours, with roughly 3 hours to recharge.
A few catches. The remote speaker is quieter than a Deus II’s, so owners suggest headphones. One veteran ICON-X user also reported a screen freeze he could repeat, and it cleared only after the battery ran flat. XP is said to know, and I found no public fix. Still, no wave of failure reports has shown up.
Tech note: XP’s updater is login-only and lists no version numbers or changelog, so reviews may reflect other software builds.
How does the XP ICON perform on the beach? Waterproofing explained
Probably well, but it’s unproven. XP and dealers say it stays stable in salt and wet sand, and FMF suits salt, so that’s plausible. Independent beach tests of the standard ICON are still limited, so treat the claims as promising, not proven.
As a waterproof detector, the whole system is rated IP68 to 5 m. For a waterproof metal detector for beach hunting that goes underwater, you need the optional BH-02 bone-conduction headset, because the WSA ST headphones are only rainproof. The ICON has a Beach and Surf program, and the ICON-X adds Wet Beach. Our waterproof metal detector buying guide covers the wider field.
XP ICON metal detector pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Very light: ~830 to 845 g with remote | Fewer programs and frequencies than a Deus II |
| Fully wireless, with Deus II coil compatibility | Less iron information reported in heavy magnetite |
| IP68 to 5 m | Quieter remote speaker; headphones advised |
| Simple: power on, pick a program | Reported ICON-X freeze; no public firmware notes |
XP ICON vs XP Deus II and Minelab Equinox 900
| ICON-X | Deus II | Equinox 900 | |
| Weight | ~830 g | from ~750 g | 1.27 kg |
| Waterproofing | IP68, 5 m | IP68, 20 m | IP68, 5 m |
| Battery | ~11 h | Remote up to 25 h, coil up to 20 h | ~12 h |
| Coils in box | 1 | 1 | 2 (11″ and 6″) |
| Price | £599 / $799 with headphones | from £799 | ~$999 |
XP ICON vs XP Deus II
A UK dealer says the Deus II stays the better machine on hard, heavily hunted ground. It wins on tuning, diving and battery life, while the ICON wins on price and simplicity. Our XP Deus II review has the full picture.
XP ICON vs Minelab Equinox
The Equinox 900 weighs about 430 g more, but it comes with two coils. Add XP’s 9″ coil to an ICON-X and you land near £938, against about £1,049 for a three-coil Equinox 900 with wireless headphones. Our month of Equinox 900 depth testing shows it in the field.
Who should buy the XP ICON metal detector?
- Beginners: it’s a beginner detector you won’t outgrow fast. It’s also a strong pick for the best wireless metal detector for beginners and the best mid-range metal detector for beginners (start with our beginner detector guide).
- Coin hunters: light weight and simple programs suit anyone seeking the best metal detector for coin hunting over long sessions.
- Beach hunters, but keep the evidence caveat in mind.
- Deus II owners wanting a light backup that shares coils.
There’s no single best metal detector for everyone. Look elsewhere if you need deep diving or heavy tuning (Deus II), or more coils per dollar (Equinox 900, Triple Score). Torn between this and a budget pick? Our Simplex Ultra vs XP ICON beginner guide breaks it down.
FAQ and where to buy
What is the XP ICON metal detector price?
The ICON starts at $569 or £435, and the ICON-X at $699 or £519, as of October 2026.
Where to buy XP ICON metal detector kits?
Use XP’s dealer locator to find an authorised dealer. Buying from one also protects your warranty.
Metal detecting laws: know before you dig
US national parks ban metal detecting under 36 CFR 2.1(a)(7). US Forest Service guidance says federal land bars digging up archaeological resources without a permit. On private land, get the owner’s permission, ideally in writing. In the UK, you need permission everywhere and must report Treasure within 14 days. This is general information, not legal advice.
Ready to choose? Buy the XP ICON now or upgrade to the XP ICON-X. Still torn? Read our XP Deus II review first.
Happy hunting! 🪙
My name is Paul and I am the founder of Detector For Metal, a dedicated resource for metal detecting enthusiasts seeking to uncover historical treasures and connect with the past using the latest technology. As a stay-at-home dad and family man, I’ve found metal detecting to be the perfect hobby that combines family adventure with historical learnings for the whole family.
As a father, I’m deeply committed to passing on this hobby to the next generation of detectorists, starting with my own children. I share advice on everything from metal detecting with kids to exploring the top 10 metal detecting sites you never thought about. My methodical approach to the hobby goes beyond the thrill of discovery—it’s about creating family traditions while preserving history and sharing the stories of those who came before us.
