Are you searching for the right portable sluice box to purchase? Whether you are a novice or a long-time prospector below, you’ll find information to help you make the right decision about the best portable sluice box for you.
Believe it or not, portable sluice boxes come in various sizes, with different features and options. For most people, finding equipment that is lightweight and portable is an ideal option. Be sure to use the table of contents below to quickly navigate to the sections of this post that are most beneficial to you.
Portable Sluice Box Equipment, Reviews, And Buyer Guide
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The 5 Best Portable Sluice Box Options And Reviews
Table of Contents
Below are our top picks for the best sluice boxes available.
1. Royal Folding Backpack Sluice Box
This folding stream sluice is an excellent option because of its quality construction, functionality, and portability. This is also a trusted sluice box; over 30,000 boxes have been sold to date.
Key Features Of The Royal Folding Backpack Portable Sluice Box
- .063″ Aluminum Body with Wide Flare Opening
- 50″ Long X 9″ Wide
- 8 Zinc Plated 18 ga. Steel Riffles
- 16 ga. Aluminum Expanded Metal
- NEW deep V Ribbed Black Rubber Matting for easy Gold ID
- Nylon Carry Strap for easy Transport
- All screws secured by ny-lock nuts
- It fits neatly within a 5-gallon bucket or backpack
- Weight 7.25 lbs.
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We like this sluice box because of its high-quality construction. We also like that Royal chose to use a deep v ribbed rubber matting. This box is perfect for backpacking and folds from 50″ to 15″ for easy transportation & storage.
2. Keene A52 High Production Hand Sluice
The Keene A52 sluice box is a trusted product in the prospecting world. Keene offers high production quality and a versatile sluice.
Key Features Of The Keene A52 Hand Sluice Box
- *All parts are made and manufactured in the United States
- *50″ long and 10″ wide sluice box
- *Constructed out of high quality .063″ aluminum.
- *Removable 18″ wide flare designed to increase water flow
- *The flare is lined with 12 inches of raised micro-riffle matting
- *Lined with a custom made, double ribbed carpet
- *25″ long riffle board with multiple riffle designs to accommodate high and low water flows
- *Easily convert into power sluices, dredges, or double-length units with a variety of interchangeable parts
- *Heavy-duty latching system that makes assembly and disassembly a breeze
- Weight 12 lbs.
- *Includes full pictorial instructions
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The Keene A52 Hand Sluice Box is versatile and can adapt to function with power sluices. It is an excellent option for prospectors to consider as they build their arsenal of equipment. The wide flare opening leading to the 10″ width of the channel is an upgrade from the standard 8″ from other suppliers. We also like the quick-latch system, and that it is a product made in the U.S.A.
3. Stansport Aluminum 50-inch Sluice Box
The Stansport Aluminum Sluice is a great box for effectively processing large amounts of material quickly.
Key Features Of The Stansport Portable Sluice Box
- Lightweight aluminum box construction
- Efficiently concentrates large amounts of material
- Removable riffles and expanded metal mesh
- Easy carry handles
- Size: 50 inches
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This sluice box because of its ease of use and quick set-up. We also like that it is made of lightweight aluminum and includes convenient handles. We recommend upgrading to the 50″ size because it is foldable and compact than the straight 30″.
4. Keene A52S – Super Sluice Box
The Keene A52S Super Sluice is the Cadillac of portable sluice boxes. This upgraded box is equipped with a folding leg system that adjusts to four different positions. The height of each leg is also adjustable.
The screen system included with Keene A52S allows you to classify material, unlike other boxes, quickly. This feature also slows the water underneath the screen up to half the speed! Additionally, this allows the riffles to become even more effective.
The combination of the screen, riffle design, and mix of carpet matting make this an extremely effective box, even in heavy black sand areas.
Key Features Of The Keene A52 Hand Sluice Box
- Adjustable Legs With Tilt And Swivel Adjustment
- Super Classifier Screen Removes The Need For Pre-Classifying Material before Sluicing
- Multi-Stage Riffle-Board System Processes Material More Effectively
- Riffle-Board Includes Standard Rubber Matting, Hungarian Riffles, Expanded Metal, Double Ribbed Carpeting, Keene Miracle Matting, and a Section Of More Aggressive Dredging Riffles
- Weight 18.5 lbs
- Made proudly in the U.S.A. with only the finest of components and backed by the customer service that made us famous
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If you’re in the market for an upgrade or are willing to pay a little more to start with an excellent sluice box, the Keene A52S Super Sluice is a great option.
The classifying screen, adjustable legs, upgraded riffles, and high-quality matting separate this box from other portable sluice boxes. Keep in mind, because of the classifying screen, the sluice needs large amounts of water with less pitch running through it at a good velocity to separate materials effectively.
5. Compact 30″ Sluice Box by Royal
The Royal 30 Compact Sluice Box is a great portable option for a great price. The wide, 11″ flare is removable and fits neatly inside the 7″ wide bed.
Key Features Of The Royal Compact 30″ Portable Sluice Box
- .063″ Aluminum
- 1/16″ Aluminum Body
- 30″ Long x 7″ Wide x 2.5″ Tall
- NEW deep V Ribbed Rubber Matting for Quick Gold ID
- 5 Zinc Coated Steel Riffles Over Expanded Aluminum Riffles
- Removable flare stores neatly inside pan
- 4″ Black anodized carrying handle
- Proudly Made in the U.S.A. by Royal Manufacturing.
- Weight: 3.7 lbs.
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This box’s sturdy yet lightweight features make it a great option for any prospectors looking for a smaller sluice to add to their mining arsenal. And, out of the top five listed here, it is the cheapest option.
Top 5 Portable Sluice Box Options QUICK REVIEW
| Sluice Box Brand | Sluice Box Image | Sluice Box Key Features | More Info Or Purchase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Folding Backpack Sluice Box |  | .063″ Aluminum Body, Wide Flare Opening, 50″ Long X 9″ Wide, Deep V Ribbed Black Rubber Matting, Weight 7.25 lbs. | BUY NOW |
| Keene A52 High Production Hand Sluice | | Made In USA, 50” Long X 10” Wide, .063” Aluminum,custom made, Double Ribbed Carpet, Easily Converts With Power Sluice, Weight 12 lbs. | BUY NOW |
| Stansport Aluminum 50" Sluice Box |  | Light-Weight Aluminum Construction, Removable Riffles, 50" version is foldable, Weight: 8 lbs. | BUY NOW |
| Keene A52S Super Sluice Box | | Adjustable Legs With Tilt And Swivel, Super Classifier Screen, Deluxe Riffle-Board, 50" Long X 18" Wide, Weight: 18.5 lbs. | BUY NOW |
| Royal Compact 30" Sluice Box | | .063” Aluminum, 30” Long x 7” Wide, 5 Zinc Coated Steel Riffles, Removable Flare Stores In Pan, Weight: 3.7 lbs. | BUY NOW |
More Portable Sluice Box Options
Portable Sluice Box Parts And Equipment
A few other tools are handy to have around and will make prospecting with your portable sluice box a little easier. Below is a brief list of these tools.
Essential Gold Mining Tools and Equipment
- backpacks
- Gold pans
- digging tools
- magnets
- pinpointers
- tweezers
- hand tools
- metal detectors
- Gold dredge
- miner’s moss
- riffles
- classifying screens
- stands
Prospectors should consider carrying all of the above items when using a sluice box or highbanker. Each tool is helpful to have available and essential for a prospector’s tool bag.
We hope this sluice box overview helps you to find the right option for you and more gold.
Happy Prospecting! And you can’tr, you can’t find the gold if you never look for it. Get out there and find it!
Looking for a sluice box option with a little more power? Check out our post on the best highbanker options: 3 Best Highbankers & Power Sluice Options With Reviews