Best Multitools for Electricians (2026)
The Leatherman Wave+ is the standard for electrical trade use — strong needlenose pliers that handle 12 AWG, all-locking tools, 14 outside-accessible tools, and a 25-year warranty. The Gerber Center-Drive is best for electricians who use the screwdriver function most.
See Today’s Price →At a Glance
| # | Product | Award | Price | Our Score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  LEATHERMAN Wave+ 18-in-1 Stainless Stee… |
Best Overall | $129 | 9.3 | Buy → |
| 2 |  Gerber Gear Center-Drive Plus 16-Piece … |
Best for Screwdriver Use | $153 | 8.7 | Buy → |
| 3 |  LEATHERMAN Skeletool CX 7-in-1 Lightwei… |
Lightest Pick | $99 | 8.4 | Buy → |
| 4 |  Gerber Gear Suspension-NXT 15-in-1 Mult… |
Best Budget | $52 | 8.2 | Buy → |
Showing 4 of 4 products
LEATHERMAN Wave+ 18-in-1 Stainless Steel Multi-Tool
“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 Gear Center-Drive Plus 16-Piece Multi-Tool with Sheath and Bit Set
“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 7-in-1 Lightweight Multi-Tool Black
“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 Gear Suspension-NXT 15-in-1 Multi-Tool with Pocket Clip
“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
Multitools for Electricians (2026) Buying Guide
A quality multitool keeps an electrician working when the specific tool for the task is back at the truck or toolbox. Needle-nose pliers, wire cutters, a knife, flathead and Phillips drivers, and a wire stripper cover the most common in-wall and panel work situations. The difference between a general-purpose multitool and one suited for electrical work comes down to jaw strength, tool accessibility, and whether wire stripping notches are included.
Leatherman Wave+ — The Electrician Standard
The Leatherman Wave+ (18 tools) is the most widely used multitool in the electrical trade: its needlenose pliers are rated for hard wire, the wire cutter can handle 12 AWG solid copper, all tools lock open for safety, and 14 tools open from the outside without unfolding the pliers. The 25-year Leatherman warranty covers manufacturing defects. The Wave+ weighs 8.5 oz and fits in a standard multitool belt pouch. The Skeletool CX is lighter at 5 oz but drops to 7 tools — adequate for light tasks but limiting for serious wiring work.
Gerber Center-Drive: One-Hand Access
The Gerber Center-Drive Plus puts the bit driver on the centerline of the tool, allowing full-size torque without awkward offset angles — critical when driving screws into a panel or tight junction box. The pliers are full-size and the outside-accessible tools include the driver and file. At 7.2 oz, it is slightly heavier than the Wave+. Gerber backs it with a limited lifetime warranty. For electricians who primarily use the screwdriver function of a multitool, the Center-Drive layout is superior to the offset driver on competing models.
Important: Multitools Are NOT Electrician's Pliers
Multitool pliers are not rated for use as lineman's pliers on live circuits. The handles are not insulated to 1000V like dedicated Klein 2000-series or Knipex insulated pliers. Use a multitool for low-voltage tasks, securing wire to stud plates, bending non-metallic conduit, and quick driver use in accessible locations. For panel work on live circuits, insulated hand tools rated to ASTM F1505 are required. A multitool supplements your main tool set — it does not replace dedicated electrician's pliers or insulated screwdrivers.
Bit Sets and Accessories
Leatherman sells a separate bit kit with 21 double-sided bits (Phillips, Torx, hex, square) that expand the Wave+ and Skeletool into a versatile driver for panel cover screws and conduit connectors. Gerber's bit driver accepts standard 1/4-inch hex bits. Carrying 4–6 commonly used bits in a small pouch covers 95% of electrical driver needs without carrying a full screwdriver set. See our Best Wire Strippers and Stanley vs Klein Tools comparisons.
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 →