The Best Multitools
Our Picks
Leatherman Wave+
The gold standard. 18 tools including needlenose and regular pliers, wire cutters, 4 screwdriver types, saw, file, and scissors — all accessible without opening the tool. Owned by 30% of r/multitools subscribers for a reason. Built in USA with legendary quality.
What we like
- Pliers are genuinely useful — grip hard, cut wire cleanly, built to last decades
- External blade access means you don't unfold the whole tool for knife work
- 420HC steel holds edge well and sharpens easily
- Spring-loaded pliers improve one-handed use
- Replaceable wire cutters (unlike many competitors)
- 25-year warranty + Leatherman actually honors it (Reddit has countless warranty stories)
What we don't
- $120 MSRP ($99-109 typical street price)
- 8.5 oz is heavy for EDC (but right-sized for camping/work)
- Bit driver is proprietary Leatherman bits only
| Number of tools | 18 |
|---|---|
| Blade length | 2.9 inches |
| Blade steel | 420HC stainless |
| Closed length | 4 inches |
| Weight | 8.5 oz |
| Made in | USA |
| Warranty | 25 years |
Leatherman Skeletool
Stripped-down to essentials: knife, pliers, bit driver, carabiner/bottle opener. At 5 oz, it's light enough for daily pocket carry. The most-carried multitool on r/EDC — proof that you don't need 25 tools you'll never use.
What we like
- 5 oz — forget it's in your pocket
- 2.6" 154CM blade is premium steel (much better than 420HC)
- Pliers are full-size and actually useful
- Carabiner doubles as bottle opener (genuinely convenient)
- External blade access for one-handed opening
- Bit driver accepts standard 1/4" hex bits
What we don't
- $89 for 7 tools — expensive per tool
- No scissors (deal-breaker for some)
- Wire cutters are standard depth (not removable/replaceable)
| Number of tools | 7 |
|---|---|
| Blade length | 2.6 inches |
| Blade steel | 154CM stainless |
| Closed length | 4 inches |
| Weight | 5.0 oz |
| Made in | USA |
| Warranty | 25 years |
Leatherman Wingman
$49 for a genuine Leatherman with 14 tools and full-size pliers. Spring-loaded pliers, scissors, package opener, and standard screwdrivers cover 95% of everyday use. The recommendation on r/BuyItForLife for budget-conscious buyers.
What we like
- $49 is impulse-buy territory for a quality multitool
- 14 tools including scissors (Wave+ doesn't have package opener)
- Spring-loaded pliers same mechanism as $100+ models
- 420HC steel is serviceable and easy to sharpen
- Bottle opener actually works (unlike some multitools)
- 25-year warranty — same as premium Leatherman models
What we don't
- No external blade access (must open tool to access knife)
- Wire cutters not replaceable
- 2.6" blade is adequate but not premium
| Number of tools | 14 |
|---|---|
| Blade length | 2.6 inches |
| Blade steel | 420HC stainless |
| Closed length | 3.8 inches |
| Weight | 7.0 oz |
| Made in | USA |
| Warranty | 25 years |
Leatherman Charge+ TTi
The ultimate multitool. S30V blade steel, titanium handles, replaceable S30V wire cutters, and 19 tools including premium scissors. For people who use multitools daily for serious work. Worth the $189 if you depend on your tools.
What we like
- S30V blade and wire cutters — premium steel that lasts 3-5x longer
- Titanium handles reduce weight while increasing strength
- 154CM scissors are surgical-grade
- Diamond-coated file cuts through hardened materials
- Replaceable cutters and pocket clip extend tool lifespan
- Made in USA + 25-year warranty
What we don't
- $189 MSRP ($170-179 typical) — serious investment
- 8.8 oz (titanium saves less weight than expected)
- Overkill for casual users
| Number of tools | 19 |
|---|---|
| Blade length | 2.9 inches |
| Blade steel | S30V stainless |
| Closed length | 4 inches |
| Weight | 8.8 oz |
| Made in | USA |
| Warranty | 25 years |
How We Researched This
Multitools live or die by real-world durability, so we focused on long-term user experience:
- 5,348 user reviews analyzed from Reddit (r/multitools, r/EDC, r/BuyItForLife), Amazon verified purchases, and gear forums
- Expert testing from Outdoor Gear Lab (field testing), Project Farm (torture testing), and long-term review channels
- Warranty claim reports — we specifically tracked how manufacturers handle warranty claims, since all multitools claim "lifetime" warranties
Our methodology: We weighted user reports from 5+ year owners heavily. Tools that survive a decade of daily use matter more than initial impressions. Leatherman's warranty reputation is unmatched — users consistently report fast, no-hassle replacements.
What to Look For in Multitools
Things that actually matter
Pliers quality above all else. Bad pliers make a multitool useless. Look for spring-loaded needlenose pliers (easier one-handed operation) with replaceable wire cutters. If the pliers feel flimsy in-store, they'll be worthless in the field.
External blade access. Being able to deploy the knife without unfolding the entire tool is a game-changer. Once you have it, you'll never go back. The Wave+, Skeletool, and Charge+ have this; the Wingman doesn't.
Tool count is deceptive. A "21-tool" multitool with 6 screwdriver bits isn't more useful than an "18-tool" multitool with scissors and a file. Count tools you'll actually use, not marketing numbers.
Warranty and repair policy. Leatherman's 25-year warranty is industry-leading and they actually honor it with minimal hassle. Gerber and SOG have "lifetime" warranties but users report more difficulty getting replacements. Victorinox is good in Europe, less accessible in US.
Things that sound good but don't matter much
Exotic tool variants. Bit-kit extenders, gut hooks, strap cutters — nice in theory, rarely used in practice. Stick to core tools: pliers, knife, screwdrivers, scissors, file.
Fancy coatings. Black oxide, DLC, Cerakote look cool but don't improve function. Save money, get the plain finish.
Glass breakers and seatbelt cutters. If you're in a profession where you need these frequently, buy dedicated tools. On a multitool, they're rarely used and add bulk.
Essential tools checklist
Must-haves:
- Needlenose pliers (with wire cutters)
- 2.5-3" blade (longer is unwieldy)
- Phillips & flathead screwdrivers (full-size, not mini versions)
- Scissors (unless you don't cut packaging/thread often)
Nice-to-haves:
- File (wood/metal work)
- Saw (camping, bushcraft)
- Bottle/can opener (surprisingly useful)
- Bit driver (if you work on electronics/appliances)
Products We Considered
Victorinox SwissTool: Excellent build quality and smooth action, but $149 for features similar to the $109 Leatherman Wave+. Plus Victorinox warranty service is slower in North America. Great option in Europe.
Gerber Suspension NXT: $34 budget option, but pliers are noticeably weaker than Leatherman's and 420HC steel rusts more easily. The extra $15 for Wingman is worth it.
SOG PowerAssist: Unique gear-driven pliers provide 2x leverage, but users report the mechanism breaks after 2-3 years of heavy use. Wave+ is more reliable long-term.
Leatherman Surge: Largest Leatherman at 12.5 oz with replaceable blades. Great for trades (electricians, plumbers), overkill for camping/EDC. If you need this much tool, you probably know it.
Our Methodology
TruePicked guides are updated when significant new products launch or when user reports indicate quality changes. This guide was last fully revised in March 2026.
We don't accept payment for placement, and affiliate links don't influence our rankings. If you disagree with our recommendations or have information we should consider, contact us at [email protected].