15 Best Underground Wire Locators [In-Depth Review + Guide]

Underground wires are everywhere. Even in your own home, most of your electricity network is probably hidden in the walls and the ground of your place. And once in a while, you might encounter problems in these wires. Or, you might want to renew your old underground wiring system and you must require the best underground wire locator.

How do you make sure that you accurately find all the wires that are hidden in your walls so that you can safely work with them?

This is where the best underground wire detector comes into play. Wire locators are used not just by electricians, but also be the people who have some outdoor or indoor excavation to do. An underground wire locator offers you a safe, fast and accurate way of locating the path and depth of wires that are invisible.

A wire locator consists of a powerful transmitter and receiver that send and receives a greater signal which results in faster detection.

How do I find a wire underground?

You are going to need an underground wire locator for that. These devices use high frequencies to detect the presentence of wires and metal pipes in the ground. You can find quality underground wire locators here in this review.  

What is the best underground wire locator?

Noyafa NF-816-C Underground Cable Wire Locator is one of the best wire locator products on our list. It has an ergonomic design and a powerful operational performance. It has a wide working range and it delivers accurate results.  

How do you use underground wire locator?

A wire locator consists of a transmitter and a receiver. The torsiometer sends the signal and when it hits a wire or a metal pipe, it comes back and is received by the receiver. Depending on the signal that is received, the wire locator would tell you the depth of the wire.

Savings For Underground Wire Detectors [Today DEALs]

Buying Guide: 7 Things No One Will Tell You About Underground Wire Detector

Wire locators come in various price ranges and each product has its features in terms of design and performance. You can find from basic to professional grade underground wire locators online. Still, if you are shopping for wire locators for the very first time, there are some things that you need to be aware of.

If you keep these things in mind, it would help you find a wire locator that would be just right for your needs.

Here are some of the most important factors that you need to consider when buying the underground electrical wire locator online     

1. Wire Detection Mode

There are generally two kinds of detection modes that are supported by most underground wire locators. These modes are passive and active. These methods are used to locate whether energized or un-energized cables. If you an find a single device that supports both these detection methods, it would be much better for you.    

2. Operating Frequency

The wire locator that you are buying needs to have a high working frequency. Generally, a frequency that is lower than 1KHz is considered a low one and above 33KHz is considered a high frequency.

Low frequency can’t pass through a bad conductor. Still, if you work with a really high frequency wire locator, it could mess up the readings. You would need to buy a wire locator that allows you to adjust the frequency.    

3. LCD Display

You can find basic to modern LCD displays that show you in Realtime, the depth as well as path of the wire. An LCD display is not necessary, some kind of tune can be used for detection, but an LCD makes things a little bit easier.

LCD screen shows you the exact location of an underground when the machine detects somethings. LCD display becomes crucial when you want to do focused locating of an underground wire.  

4. Detection Range

Depending on the frequency that a wire locator uses, it affects the detection range that it has. It is also sometimes called detecting the depth of the wire. Some wire locators use sonde frequency to measure the depth of a wire.

You would find the detection range for an underground wire locator written with the product description. You can check out the products that we reviewed here for the best detection range underground wire locators.        

5. Design

You can get either handheld wire locators or the ones that come with a stick. Both designs have their own advantages. Handheld machines are easy to carry around. The stick designs allow you to work in an easier way because you won’t have to bend over.

You can use these devices while standing upright while maintaining a straight posture. It depends on your preference. Go through the pros and cons of both these designs to work out which one would be the best for you.       

6. Portability 

If you are buying a professional grade underground wire locator that you are going to be using at your workplace, you should buy a product that is easily portable. If the device comes with a carrying bag or somethings like that, it would be much easier for you to handle.

Also, you should look for compact design devices that are lightweight and that don’t take up much space. Portability become quite important when your job requires you to take the wire locator at work with you.     

7. Price 

Underground wire locators can go anywhere from a $100 to over a grand. You should buy a product as per your use requirements. If you are not going to be using at so often, you should go for cheaper options that doesn’t cost must.

And for professional use, obviously, you would want to buy a product that you can use for a long period of time. In that case, you can check out more high-end underground wire locators. The bottom line is, your use would determine the kind of product that you should buy, and then you can work out the price range.

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If you are looking for the best underground wire finder that you can buy online, then you are in the right place. We have gathered together a list of the 15 best wire locators that you can buy in 2020. All these products are tested, verified and would deliver lightning fast performance.

So, without any further delay, let’s get started with our review of the 15 best underground wire detectors that you can buy in 2020.

Top 15 Best Buried Electrical Wire Detector Of 2020 [Review]

Best Wire Detectors	Rating	Best Features	Price
1. TEMPO Communications Cable Locator	4.5/4	Can locate Wires and Pipes, Includes a Lightweight Receiver, Adjustable Settings	Check Price
2. TEMPO 508S Mini Wire Locator	4.5/4	Traces Wires in Walls and Ceilings, Can detect Cables that are about 3 feet deep, Adjustable for Higher Accuracy	Check Price
3. Noyafa NF-816-C	4.5/4	Portable Design, Battery Operated, Easy to use	Check Price
4. Mastech Wire Tracker	4/5	Finds Open and Short Cables in the Wall, Affordable price, Can track cables in walls or ground	Check Price
5. Kolsol	4/5	Fast Performance, 3 feet Range, Can locate metal wires as well as metal pipes	Check Price
6. Armada Technologies Pro290	4/5	Fast Performance, 3 feet Range, Can locate metal wires as well as metal pipes Compact design, Lightweight, Includes a Built-in Speaker	Check Price
7. RIDGID 19238 NaviTrack Scout	4/5	Includes a Multidirectional Antenna, High Accuracy, Durable Quality	Check Price
8. Seesii MS6818	4/5	Detects Interruptions and Short Circuits, Durable quality, Accurate Performance	Check Price
9. WonVon Cable Finder/Locator/Tester	4/5	Includes Self-check function, LCD display, Detects cables/electrical/water pipes	Check Price
10. UCONTRO	4/5	Safe to use, Wide operating Range, Excellent Performance	Check Price
11. TEKCOPLUS	4/5	Approved Device, 2 meters working range, 10kn signal transmission range	Check Price
12. Noyafa NF-820 Upgraded	3.5/5	Can detected cables as far as 5 feet depth, Sensitivity can be adjusted, Easy to use	Check Price
13. Amprobe AT-3500	3.5/5	Super-Fast Performance, Two Testing modes, Can measure up to 5 meters	Check Price
14. Anti-Jamming Underground Cable Tracker	3/5	Can trace single metal lines and 2-core cables, Includes alligator clips, battery operated design	Check Price
15. Leica DD130	2.5/5	Includes a Quality Transmitter, Pinpoints up to 33 feet, IP54 dust and waterproof rating	Check Price

1. TEMPO Communications Cable Locator [Most Accurate]

Overview: TEMPo Communications 501 Tracker II cable locator is a professional grade wire locator that is perfect for professional electricians. It delivers accurate results in a really short amount of time.

TEMPO Communications Cable Locator Review

This product would help you trace the path as well as detect the depth of wires and conductors that re buried in the ground or the walls of your home. It comes with features like direct connection, inductive clamp and inductive antenna that you use to detect alive or dead underground wire connections.

It is a lightweight product that comes with a carrying box. You can adjust the receiver sensitivity if you want really accurate results. It is a high-frequency wire detector that you need to check out.

2. TEMPO 508S Mini Wire Locator [Best For Personal And Home]

Overview: If you are looking for an underground wire locator for personal use at home, you should get this mini wire locator by TEMPO. The 508s is meant to be used on a small scale and it doesn’t offer a massive detection range. Still, it would work just fine for your home walls.

TEMPO 508S Mini Wire Locator Review

This product would help you trace energized or de-energized wires in your walls and as well as ceilings. TEMPO 508S is not suited for detecting really deep, underground wires. It can detect a length of about 1000 feet and a 3 feet depth.

The wire locator would help you figure out the approximate depth of an underground wire before you start digging it up. And the best part is, you can adjust the transmitter as well as the receiver settings for more accurate results.

3. Noyafa NF-816-C [Best Portable Cable Wire Locator]

Overview: Noyafa is one of the most popular electrical equipment brands which is known for its quality underground wire locators. This particular product, the NF-816-C is an affordable price wire locator that you can use at home as well as for professional purposes.

Noyafa NF-816-C Underground Cable Wire Locator  Review

You can use this device to track the length as well as the depth of cables that are in the ground as well as the ones that are in the walls. You need to be careful when using this device and do not use it on a cable that is connecting to an electrical supply.

It works at 200KHz frequency and it can go as far as 1000 feet. Also, it can detect a w ire depth up to 2 feet. The transmitter is battery operated and works accurately. It is a highly recommended wire locator that you need to check out.

4. Mastech Wire Tracker [High Accurate And Affordable]

Overview: This product has an intuitive design that is easy to use. Mastech Wire Tracker is totally safe to use. It has a wide working range and the performance is highly accurate. You can use it for finding all sorts of underground wires.

Mastech Wire Tracker Review

You can use this product to find open or short cables in the walls of your home or underground. Not just cables, you can also find hidden fuses and safeguards with this tool. This product would also help you find open or short conduits in the ground.

Its working range is pretty great, and the accuracy is also quite good. It is easy to use an underground wire locator that you need to check out. It doesn’t weigh. You can easily take it to any of your professional electrical jobs.

5. Kolsol [Best For 3 Feet Depth And 1000 Feet Length]

Overview: Kolsol Underground Wire Locator is an easy to use cable locator that is trusted by a huge base of users all over the world. It offers accurate results and the best part is, it is available in a reasonable price range.

Kolsol Underground Wire Locator and Cable Tester Review

This product would prove to be a great time and money saver for you. You can use it yourself at home, without needing any kind of professional assistance. It can trace a wire up to 1000 feet in length and about 3 feet depth.

It won’t be that effective for live wires, so we don’t recommend using it for that. You can use it to locate energized cables. It is easy to use, and the controls are pretty simple as well.

6. Armada Technologies Pro290 [Professional Grade]

Overview: Armada Technologies Pro290 is a state-of-the-art underground wire locator which is meant for professional grade use only. This product has a compact design and it is fitted in a box that you can easily carry around.

Armada Technologies Pro290 Underground Wire Locator Review

It comes with a built-in speaker and volume controls that you use to control the detection sound. This machine is easy to use and maintain. The antenna that comes with it is detachable so you can separate it if you want to clean up this tool.

It uses an easy to track 33KHz frequency and you can set it up in less than a minute. Armada technologies pro290 has an operational range for wire length up to 1000 feet and wire depth up to 3 feet. It is an ap powerful underground wire locator that you need to check out.

7. RIDGID 19238 NaviTrack Scout [Best Pipe and Wire Locator]

Overview: RIDGID NaviTrack underground wire locator use multidirectional antenna technology that maximizes the signal strength to detect underground pipes and wires. This product is a professional grade wire locator that is a bit expensive.

RIDGID 19238 NaviTrack Scout Underground Pipe and Wire Locator Review

It has easy to controls and the machine is quite ergonomic. RIDGID 19238 comes with an LCD display that lets you know about the presence of an underground wire in real-time. The underground pipe and wire locator uses a micro mapping display to mark poles in front and back of the target wire or pipe so you can easily pinpoint the location. It is a durable quality product that is highly recommended by users all over the world. 

8. Seesii MS6818 [Portable Wire Tracker For Wires And Pipes]

Overview: Seesii MS6818is a portable wire tracker that you can use to detect telephone cables and underground pipes. This product has a simple to use design which is easy for you to handle. It is a professional grade wire locator that is best suited for professionals.

Seesii MS6818 Portable Wire Tracker Review

You can use this tool to detect electrical lines, water/gas supply pipes and to detect short circuits as well. It can be used for detecting fuses as well. Seesii MS6818 can detect tracing sockets as well as distribution sockets with this product as well.

The transmitter is battery operated but the batteries are not included in the package. You can any AAA batteries for this wire locator. It is an easy to use tool that you need to check out.

9. WonVon Cable Finder/Locator/Tester [Durable Quality]

Overview: The WonVon Cable finder is a modern wire locator which is equipped with the latest signal transmission and receiving technologies that make the job of locating wires a lot easier for you.

WonVon Cable Finder/Locator/Tester Review

The best thing about this tool is, it comes with a function of AC/DC voltmeter which you can use to measure up to about 400 volts. It has a self-check function which shows the tool’s working status on the display. Its LCD display is pretty awesome as well.

It shows you the entire progress of your wire detection process on the screen. Wonvon cable finder is not just good for detecting wires, you can detect cables and pipes with it as well. It is a highly recommended best buried cable detector that you need to check out.

10. UCONTRO [Underground Electrical Wire Detector]

Overview: UNCONTRO is a well-known tool for locating underground wires. This product is known for its state-of-the-art design and its impressive feature that are responsible for its fast and accurate results. This product is Pet Safe and easy to use.

UCONTRO Underground Wire Locator Review

It is primarily used to locate invisible pet fence wire lines before you start digging a space outside your home. You can also use it to trace phone lines as well. This product has an elegant design that is available in a reasonable price range.

This tool is quite portable, and you would find it to be simple to use. It comes with headphones that you can use to pinpoint the exact location of the wires that are underground wires. With all the features that it has to offer, this wire locator would be a great choice for personal use.

11. TEKCOPLUS [Heavy Duty Buried Cable Detector 2020]

Overview: If you are looking for a heavy-duty wire locator to detect deep underground wires, you should look up this wire locator by TEKOCOPLUS. This product generates a strong signal and the receiver is pretty accurate as well.

TEKCOPLUS Underground Cable Locator Review

This product has a transmission range of about 3 meters. It can withstand high voltage with ease, you won’t have to worry about the tool burning down or anything. This product is made with durable quality materials. The signal output level of this wire locator is 21Vp-p.

It is best suited for locating underground non-energized, high as well as low voltage wires. TEKCOPLUS offers quick results with lightning-fast speed. It is a highly recommended cable locator that is trusted by a huge base of users all over the world.

12. Noyafa NF-820 Upgraded [Suited For Professinals]

Overview: This product is an upgrade to the previous version of the Noyafa Wire locator that we talked about in this review. This product has an excellent build quality and the performance is insanely accurate.

Noyafa NF-820 Upgraded Cable Wire Locator Review

This product is primarily used for installation and maintenance of weak current system and communication lines. This tool can detect wires up to 5 feet range. The signal sensitivity of receiver is also pretty great. You can adjust it for more accurate output.

It comes with an AC interference rejection feature which allows you to easily track and pinpoint where the signal is coming from. Noyafa NF-820 can trace single conductors and 2 core cable as well. It comes with a rechargeable lithium battery for the transmitter.

13. Amprobe AT-3500 [Buried Cable Detector Up to 4.9 Meters]

Overview: Amprobe AT-3500 is a CE and ACMPA compliant underground wire locator that has been tested and verified for safety. You can locate energized or de-energized underground wires with this tool.

Amprobe AT-3500 Underground Cable Locator Review

It is ready to use a wire locator that you use right off the bat. Amprobe AT-3500 comes with a passive and active testing mode and both deliver accurate results. This cable locator can measure signal depth accurately up to about 4.9 meters.

It operates at a low 33KHz frequency which is kind of a standard for accurate locating. The cable finder is easy to use, and the controls are pretty simple. This product is a highly recommended underground wire locator that you need to check out.

14. Anti-Jamming Underground Cable Tracker [Best Budget]

Overview: This product is manufactured by DANOPLUS and is one of the best Anti-Jamming cable tracker that you can find online. This product has a reasonable price range and the design is quite compact. You can easily take it with you at your work.

Anti-Jamming Underground Cable Tracker Review

It can trace wires that are underground, deep in the walls, multicore cables. Anti-Jamming cable tracker doesn’t let the active current interfere with the readings. It comes with alligator clips and it operates at a very low voltage.

This underground cable tracker can detect cable length as far as about 20KM and the cable depth of about 2m can easily be detected with this tool. The transmitter is battery operated which comes with a lithium battery that is easily charged and the charging lasts a long time. You can adjust the signal sensitivity for both the transmitter as well as the receiver.

15. Leica DD130 [Underground Wire Location Detection Kit]

Overview: Leica 6014157DD130 is a complete underground wire location kit that offers you all the tools needed to detect wires underground. The kit includes a signal transmitter, a receiver and carrying bag which you can use to take this tool to your work.

Leica Underground Wire Locator Review

The trace range of this tool can be extended by adding additional frequencies. This machine would help you pinpoint the exact location of a wire. The range is about 33feet for the depth of the wire. This product is IP54 rated for being dust and waterproof.

Leica wire locator has a sturdy construction quality which would work just fine even under intense weather conditions. It also offers you signal strength indication features. This is one of the best tools for wire tracing that you can find online.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Final Words

An underground wire locator makes your life easier and a little bit safer when working on an underground project. Even if you don’t generally do electrical work, you still might want to invest in this handy product to safely do excavation work. You need an underground wire locator that is just right for your needs.

We have talked about the 15 underground wire locators here and the list includes professional-grade products as well as compact, portable wire locators that you can use on a small scale.

So, make sure you check out this review for finding the underground electrical wire detector for personal or professional use. You can also check out our buyer’s guide for insights about the things you need to look for when buying wire locators online. Stay tuned with technomono blog for more latest news about the Trending electrical Technologies and lifestyle products.

Last update on 2021-03-01 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API