As much as I love knives, it’s hard to deny the incredible utility you get from a multitool. A multitool has a knife, but it also has a host of other useful implements that come in handy. But over the years, multitools have taken many forms.
In this article, I’ll show you the best multitools for a selection of applications. Just about every hobby, job, device, and lifestyle has a special multitool made just for it. But every tool on this list has a lot of functionality, and you can’t go wrong with any of them!
Spoiler alert! You should know that Leatherman is king of the multitool hill. You will see a lot of Leatherman on this list.
Let’s get started.
10 Best MultiTools
- Best Overall Multitool – Leatherman ARC
- Best Oversized Multitool – Gerber Dual-Force
- Best Mid-Size Multitool – Leatherman Wave
- Best Compact Multitool – Leatherman Skeletool
- Best Keychain Multitool – Victorinox Classic SD
- Best Hard-Use Multitool – Leatherman Surge
- Best Outoor Multitool – Leatherman Signal
- Best Budget Multitool – Gerber Truss
- Best Swiss Army Knife – Victorinox Huntsman
- Best EDC Multitool – SOG PowerPint
1. Best Overall Multitool – Leatherman ARC
The Leatherman ARC is an update to the industry-shattering FREE series. The big selling feature of the FREE series was its one-hand operability, but the ARC added more. It has a DLC-coated CPM MagnaCut blade and a toolset more reminiscent of classic Leatherman tools like the Wave. It’s just the tool everyone wanted, and since it came out last year, it’s sold like hotcakes!
If you want to learn more, we have an entire article about the Leatherman ARC!
2. Best Oversized Multitool – Gerber Dual-Force
The Gerber Dual-Force combines two features that make it an absolute pleasure to use: the pliers, and the screwdriver. First of all, the pliers aren’t your grand-daddy’s multitool pliers. These are true slip joint pliers! They allow you extreme gripping power on nuts and bolts of all sizes.
Second, the screwdriver borrows the technology of the Gerber Center-Drive. From the outside, the driver may look bent, but when you open it, the full hex bit is perfectly centered with the tool. That means you don’t have to adjust your grip to screw things in. That’s really handy if you use the screwdriver a lot!
3. Best Mid-Size Multitool – Leatherman Wave
The Leatherman Wave is a Goldilocks multitool. It’s not so small that you can’t use it hard, but it’s not so big that you can’t reasonably carry it. I think that’s why it’s been so darn popular for so long.
In addition, it has one-hand accessible tools on the outside, a sturdy lockback mechanism for all internal tools, and replaceable wire cutters in the pliers. This has been one of the best-selling multitools around for decades now, and from the looks of things, it’s not going anywhere!
Check out what Jonah had to say about it:
“Great Tool”
I love my Leatherman Wave so much! it is built well and Leatherman has an amazing warranty. Have this on my hip almost every day. Only one thing though, my pliers came with a bit of wiggle in them, but not enough to mess with the functionality of the tool. If they do cause issues do to the wiggle, I can always send it in for service!
Don’t pass up on Leatherman’s flagship tool if your looking for a quality tool.Jonah F. on May 26, 2021
4. Best Compact Multitool – Leatherman Skeletool
The multitool was predicated on the idea that you can put the functionality of an entire toolbox in your pocket, so compact has always been the name of the game. But the Skeletool takes a different approach. It combines a smaller toolset into something even more small and pocketable than the competition. And since it has a smaller toolset, each of its tools has the space it needs to be large enough that you can really use it. It’s super popular because in addition to being small, it can clip to bags and belt loops, and can even store a bit inside itself!
5. Best Keychain Multitool – Victorinox Classic SD
Keychain multitools have a balance to strike. On one hand, it needs to be nice enough for some real use, otherwise it’s just wasted space. On the other hand, it needs to be cheap enough that you can afford to have it confiscated when you forget to take it off your keychain and get in confiscated at a security checkpoint. That’s where the Classic SD comes in. Its blade makes quick work of packaging and slivers, its scissors take care of loose threads, and the file is a great way to deal with a hangnail. And if you need to replace it, it costs less than a tank of gas!
6. Best Hard-Use Multitool – Leatherman Surge
Most multitools really lean into the pocketability aspect of the tool, but not the Surge. Rather, it leans into sheer functionality. Its plier jaws, scissors, and blade are all much larger than any other Leatherman, and where other tools have saws, the Surge has a T-Shank tool holder. That T-Shank comes standard with a wood saw blade, but it can be swapped for the included file, or a myriad of hacksaw, masonry, and jigsaw blades available at your local hardware store. Not only is this overbuilt tool ready for whatever hard work you can give it, but it’s customizable to the job at hand!
Even Kimmer agrees!
“A Beast of a Multitool”
This is the best Leatherman in terms of tool selection in my opinion. It has the T shank interchangeable saw blade, the replaceable wire cutters, plain knife, serrated knife, scissors, a bit driver with interchangeable bits, an array of flat screwdrivers, bottle opener, can opener, awl, pliers of course, and a few other tools. It’s a bit on the bigger size, and is pretty heavy, but man can it get work done, I haven’t left the house without it!Kimmer S. on Jul 26, 2020
7. Best Outdoor Multitool – Leatherman Signal
The Signal isn’t like most multitools. It trades its mostly mechanical toolset for something a bit more outdoor and survival-focused. This includes a Ferro rod, signal whistle, and integrated sharpener to help you with all kinds of bushcraft tasks. It also is one of the very few multitools that has a proper lock to keep it shut, which helps you keep your tools safe from the world and keep you safe from your tool.
See why Jonathan loves it!
“Perfect ECD for me”
I honestly can’t compliment this thing enough. Build quality is top-notch, you can tell this thing can take a beating. The Cerakote looks great, the tools are useful and well thought-out, the hammer especially is more useful than you’d think on a multitool, and the carabiner is absolutely perfect for simply clipping onto your belt loop. It’s light enough that I honestly forget it’s there.Made in the USA, built like a tank, replaceable wirecutters, and it looks great to boot. What more can you ask?
Jonathan W. on Aug 17, 2019
8. Best Budget Multitool – Gerber Truss
The Gerber Truss usually runs for about $50, however it’s on sale more often than it’s not. Sometimes you can even find it in combos with other knives! But it’s not just affordable, it’s extremely handy. It packs a total of 17 tools into its small body and stows away neatly in its included nylon belt sheath. I especially appreciate the innovative lock system it uses, as locking tools is a bit of a luxury feature when it comes to multitools. Gerber is known for making quality tools to meet budget price points, and this is no exception!
9. Best Swiss Army Knife – Victorinox Huntsman
Pliers-based multitools get all the glory these days, but there is still a large community of Swiss Army Knife. And Swiss Army Knives were the original multitool, for crying out loud! Victorinox is the king of the SAK hill, and they have tools in every size, shape, and toolset you can imagine. One of the most popular is the Huntsman. I suspect that’s because it’s got a saw and scissors, making it handy around a campsite. And don’t be afraid of the corkscrew! It’s great for untying knots, mounting the tool to poles, and more!
10. Best EDC Multitool – SOG PowerPint
When it comes to a pocket-sized multitool, it doesn’t get much more power-per-pound than the PowerPint. This little gets away with its shorter plier arms because of SOG’s proprietary Compound Leverage system in the pliers. This multiplies the pressure you put in, allowing you the same gripping strength as a much larger tool. In addition, the PowerPint has two blades, a file, a pair of scissors, and a host of other useful tools. My favorite is the hex bit driver hidden in the plier jaws!
What Multitool Should I Get?
Carefully consider what you do regularly that could use a set of tools. Do you just need a few essentials? Or do you need to be ready to pull out the kitchen sink on a whim? And if you’re still not sure what you need? Check out our Multitools Buyers Guide YouTube video below.
Why Do People Carry Multitools?
Quite simply, people carry multitools because it’s convenient! Hauling around your Milwaukee Packout just isn’t practical when you can always keep your workshop essentials by your side.
Now, multitools will never be as good at driving screws as a screwdriver, cutting wires as a wire cutter, or gripping bolt heads as true pliers. But what’s incredible is that, although not as well as its dedicated counterparts, a multitool can do all of these things well enough to get you by, and it fits in your pocket! To me, that’s reason enough to carry one. And if you take anything away from this article, let it be this: No matter what life you live, there is a multitool that will complement your life and make it easier. All you have to do is look!
