Best Multitools for Electricians (2026)

The Leatherman Wave+ is the standard electrician multi-tool recommendation because it covers the full range of trade tasks in a single tool. 18 tools with all blades locking is the critical safety specification for trade use — a non-locking blade under torque in a confined electrical panel is a cut hazard. Outside-accessible blades allow one-hand deployment without opening the handles, important when the other hand is holding a component or stabilizing in a tight space. Premium 420HC stainless steel construction is what separates the Wave+ from budget multi-tools in the trade context: the blade holds edge under repeated hard use, the pliers handle copper and aluminum wire without deforming, and the tool maintains deployment precision after years of daily use. The 25-year Leatherman warranty backs the build claim with actual service coverage — for a tradesperson carrying this daily for a career, that warranty has real value. At $129.95, the Wave+ is $24 less than the Gerber Center-Drive Plus (rank 2, $153.94). The Center-Drive Plus offers the center-axis driver advantage for screwdriver-heavy work; for electricians whose primary tasks are cutting, stripping, and pliers work with occasional screwdriving, the Wave+ covers the task mix better. Against the Skeletool CX (rank 3, $99.95), the Wave+ is $30 more for 18 tools vs. 7 and locking blades throughout. For electricians who need the full trade capability, the Wave+ is the correct investment.

The Gerber Center-Drive Plus earns Best for Screwdriver Use through the center-axis driver design — the screwdriver bit sits on the center axis of the tool rather than offset to the side like folding screwdrivers on standard multi-tools. This means full torque transfer to the screw head, matching a real screwdriver rather than the angular-force compromise of offset drivers. For electricians driving high volumes of screws — device terminals, panel screws, box covers — the center-drive design reduces cam-out and wrist strain compared to standard multi-tool screwdrivers. The magnetic bit holder accepts standard 1/4-inch hex bits, and the included bit set provides immediate versatility for Phillips, slotted, and Torx fasteners common in electrical work. Full-size replaceable wire cutters are a maintenance advantage: when cutters dull from repeated wire cutting, the inserts replace rather than requiring a new tool — meaningful for electricians who cut wire daily and would otherwise wear through multi-tool cutters within a year of heavy use. At $153.94, the Center-Drive Plus is $24 more than the Wave+ (rank 1, $129.95). The Wave+ covers more tool types; the Center-Drive Plus wins specifically on screwdriver torque. For an electrician whose workflow is heavily screwdriver-dominated (panel termination work, device installation), the center-drive justifies the premium. For an electrician who needs the full 18-tool Wave+ capability across diverse tasks, the $24 savings and broader tool coverage make the Wave+ the better choice.

In the electrician context, the Skeletool CX earns Lightest Pick for all-day tool belt carry without the weight penalty of the Wave+ or Center-Drive Plus. Electricians who carry a full belt — pliers, wire strippers, voltage tester, drill, fasteners — feel every ounce. At 5.0 oz vs. Wave+ 8.5 oz, the Skeletool CX saves 3.5 oz of permanent belt weight across a full workday, and that difference compounds over a career of daily carry. For electricians, the 7-tool limitation is more consequential than for general EDC users. No scissors, fewer screwdriver options, and reduced tool coverage compared to the Wave+ means the Skeletool CX works best as a supplement to dedicated electrical tools (wire strippers, voltage tester, nut drivers) rather than a standalone job site multi-tool. The carabiner clip allows attachment to a tool belt loop or bag D-ring without a dedicated holster slot. At $99.95 vs. Wave+ ($129.95), the Skeletool is $30 less with 11 fewer tools. For the full electrician multi-tool covering the broadest task range, the Wave+ is the better investment. The Skeletool CX is the recommendation for electricians who already carry dedicated cutting and driving tools and want the lightest possible supplemental multi-tool for occasional tasks — weight-first buyers who accept the tool count trade-off consciously.

For electricians who cannot justify the Wave+ ($129.95) or Center-Drive Plus ($153.94) investment, the Gerber Suspension-NXT at $52.99 provides 15 tools — including the pliers and blade that are the primary electrician multi-tool use cases — in a pocket-clip package for daily carry. The onyx black oxide finish resists corrosion in damp working conditions. At less than half the Wave+ price, it covers the budget constraint when the tools need to exist but the investment ceiling is low. The limitations in an electrician context are real: not all tools lock (a safety concern for cutting under sustained pressure), build quality is below the Wave+ 420HC standard (pliers will deform under heavy daily use that the Wave+ handles without issue), and overall precision of tool deployment is less refined. For an electrician who uses a multi-tool for light incidental tasks — occasional screw, opening packaging, rare cuts — the Gerber is adequate. For an electrician who relies on it as a primary daily cutting and pliers tool, the Wave+ ($129.95) is the correct minimum investment. Against the Skeletool CX (rank 3, $99.95) — 7 tools but Leatherman precision — the Gerber offers 8 more tools at $47 less. For electricians who need broad tool coverage at the lowest possible price, the Gerber wins on count and cost. For those who prioritize Leatherman precision over budget, the Skeletool is the step up.