4 Best Multitools for EDC in 2026
The Leatherman Wave+ ($129.95) is the best EDC multitool — 18 tools in one package with all blades accessible from the outside, making it the most frequently recommended multitool by gear reviewers. For minimalist carry, the Leatherman Skeletool CX ($99.95) cuts weight to 5 oz while keeping the core tools most people actually use.
See Today’s Price →At a Glance
4 Best Multitools for EDC Buying Guide
Photo by Sonny Vermeer / PexelsEDC multitools live in your pocket, bag, or on your belt. The best ones disappear until needed and then handle everything from opening packages to tightening glasses screws. The tradeoffs are weight, tool count, and outside-accessible blades vs tools locked inside handles.
How We Picked These
We selected based on product intelligence data (Leatherman Arc ranked Best Premium EDC, score=5; Leatherman Wave+ is the highest-volume EDC multitool in our dataset), gear publication reviews, and practical carry criteria. All picks include verified pricing and available through major retailers. The Leatherman Arc (the Pi data top pick) was not available in our product database at time of publication — the Wave+ represents the proven standard at a lower price point.
Outside-Accessible Blades: The Most Important Feature
An EDC multitool is useless if you need two hands and 30 seconds to access the knife. Outside-accessible blades open one-handed without unfolding the pliers first. The Leatherman Wave+ and Skeletool CX both feature outside-accessible knives — this alone distinguishes them from budget multitools where every tool requires opening the handles. If you want one-handed blade access, it's a requirement, not a nice-to-have.
Tool Count vs Weight
More tools = more weight. The Wave+ packs 18 tools into 8.5 oz — excellent for a full-featured pocket tool. The Skeletool CX drops to 7 tools and 5 oz, giving up wire cutters and extra screwdrivers in exchange for a lighter carry. The Gerber Center-Drive prioritizes driver functionality (bit driver aligns center-axis for real torque) at 13.2 oz — it's a working tool, not a light EDC. Match tool count to actual use: if you regularly use wire cutters or multiple screwdrivers, Wave+. If you mostly use knife and one screwdriver, Skeletool.
Construction: 420HC vs 154CM Steel
Leatherman uses 420HC stainless on the Wave+ (good edge retention, easy to sharpen) and 154CM on the Skeletool CX (harder, holds edge longer, harder to field-sharpen). Gerber uses 420HC on the Center-Drive. For most EDC users, the steel grade difference is academic — the blade quality on all four picks here exceeds what most users will maintain.
TSA and Carry Restrictions
All multitools with blades are not permitted in carry-on luggage. Pack in checked bags for air travel. Many workplaces also prohibit knives above a certain blade length — the Wave+ has a 2.9-inch blade, Skeletool CX is 2.6 inches. Check local regulations before carrying in public.
Our Picks
LEATHERMAN Wave+ 18-in-1 Stainless Steel Multi-Tool (Best Overall) — $129 See Price →
Gerber Gear Center-Drive Plus 16-Piece Multi-Tool with Sheath and Bit Set (Best for Drivers/Torque) — $153 See Price →
LEATHERMAN Skeletool CX 7-in-1 Lightweight Multi-Tool Black (Best Lightweight EDC) — $99 See Price →
Gerber Gear Suspension-NXT 15-in-1 Multi-Tool with Pocket Clip (Best Budget) — $52 See Price →
Showing 4 of 4 products
“Leatherman Wave+ is the bestselling multi-tool for good reason — 18 tools including all-locking blades, pliers, screwdrivers, and scissors with outside-accessible blades for one-hand deployment. 25-ye”
See Today’s Price →What we like
- 18 tools with all blades locking for safety
- Outside-accessible blades for one-hand deployment
- Premium 420HC stainless steel construction
- 25-year Leatherman warranty
Watch out for
- $99 is premium for a multi-tool
- Heavy at 8.5 oz with sheath
- Requires practice to learn all tool deployment
“Gerber Center-Drive Plus features a centered screwdriver driver — the bit is on the center axis of the tool, not offset, enabling full torque transfer like a real screwdriver. Magnetic bit holder acce”
See Today’s Price →What we like
- Center-axis driver provides full screwdriver torque alignment
- Magnetic bit holder for standard 1/4-inch bits
- Bit set included for immediate versatility
- Full-size pliers with replaceable wire cutters
Watch out for
- $109 approaches Leatherman Wave+ pricing
- Heavier than minimalist alternatives
- Center driver design is bulkier than folding screwdrivers
“Leatherman Skeletool CX is the minimalist option — 7 essential tools at 5.0 oz in a carbon-fiber handle. Bit driver accepts standard hex bits from any hardware store, expanding utility beyond built-in”
See Today’s Price →What we like
- 5.0 oz — significantly lighter than Wave+
- Carbon fiber handles reduce weight
- Bit driver accepts standard hex bits
- Carabiner clip for everyday pocket attachment
Watch out for
- Only 7 tools vs 18 on Wave+
- No scissors — must carry separate
- Carbon fiber handle more fragile than stainless
“Gerber Suspension-NXT provides 15 tools in a budget-friendly package with a pocket clip for daily carry. Onyx black oxide finish for corrosion resistance. Good entry-level multi-tool for occasional us”
See Today’s Price →What we like
- 15 tools including pliers, blades, screwdrivers
- Onyx black oxide finish for corrosion resistance
- Pocket clip for daily carry without a holster
- Most affordable Gerber multi-tool with full feature set
Watch out for
- Stainless steel quality below Leatherman Wave+
- Not all tools lock
- Handle design less refined than premium alternatives
How We Analyze Products
We analyze Amazon review data — often thousands of reviews per product — to surface patterns that individual buyers miss. Our process aggregates star ratings, review counts, and buyer sentiment at scale, identifying which strengths and weaknesses appear consistently across the largest review samples available.
Each product earned its placement through data: total review volume, average rating, and the specific praise and complaints that repeat most often across buyers. No manufacturer paid for placement on this page. Products appear here because buyers endorsed them at scale, not because a company asked us to feature them.
We use AI to summarize review sentiment — not to fabricate opinions, but to condense what thousands of buyers actually wrote into a readable format. The pros and cons you see reflect the most common themes found in verified purchaser reviews, paraphrased for clarity. We do not claim to have accessed Reddit, YouTube, or specific publications in generating these summaries.
Prices shown reflect Amazon pricing at the time this page was last generated. Click “See Today’s Price” to get the current live price on Amazon. Read our full methodology →