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The Best 5Reviewed by Mike Hunter·May 24, 2026

Best EDC Multi-Tools

Top 5 EDC multi-tools reviewed and ranked.

Quick answer

Leatherman Wave Alpha is our top pick for edc multi-tools — an averaged 4.8/5 across 3 published reviews at about $199.95. Runner-up: Leatherman Wave+ (~$103.95).

Read the Leatherman Wave Alpha review →$199.95 · Check Price on Amazon

At a glance

Tap any product for the full review
1Leatherman Wave AlphaTop Score
(3 sources)
$199.95Best for: buyers who want the best-built, best-cutting full-size Leatherman
$199.95 · Check Price on Amazon
2Leatherman Wave+
(3 sources)
$103.95Best for: anyone who uses a full-feature multi-tool regularly and wants the best value
$103.95 · Check Price on Amazon
3Leatherman Skeletool CX
(3 sources)
$99.95Best for: minimalists who want quality pliers and a knife without the bulk
$99.95 · Check Price on Amazon
4Victorinox Huntsman
(3 sources)
$107.45Best for: buyers who want broad light-duty utility in the lightest, most pocketable format
$107.45 · Check Price on Amazon
5Gerber Armbar Drive
(3 sources)
$51.4Best for: budget buyers who want a real locking knife and a driver in a slim tool
$51.4 · Check Price on Amazon
Verdict is reader-supported. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Some links on this page are affiliate links — if you click through and buy, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Our ratings are sourced from independent publications, not sponsors.
Reviews aggregated from
Cleverhiker.comGearjunkie.comOutdoorgearlab.comProtoolreviews.comThegadgeteer.comT3.comKnifeinformer.comFieldandstream.com

The full ranking

How we rank →
Leatherman Wave Alpha
#1 · Top Score
★ Premium Pick
Best for: buyers who want the best-built, best-cutting full-size Leatherman
Leatherman Wave Alpha
from 3 sources$199.95as of Jun 7

The Leatherman Wave Alpha, launched in October 2025, is the premium evolution of the best-selling Wave platform. It is the first Wave with a MagnaCut reverse-tanto blade, adds full-size one-handed scissors, and wraps it all in contoured topo-textured G10 handles. GearJunkie scored it 9.8/10, calling the MagnaCut blade and full-size scissors meaningful upgrades fans have asked for, and The Gadgeteer praised the scissors as cutting exquisitely. At $199.95 it costs about $80 more than the Wave+ and ships without a pouch or clip, but for buyers who want the best-built, best-cutting Wave, the Alpha is the new flagship.

Strengths
  • — First Wave with a premium MagnaCut reverse-tanto blade for elite edge retention and rust resistance
  • — Full-size, one-handed outside scissors, the largest cutting surface on any plier-based Leatherman
Watch-outs
  • — At $199.95 it costs roughly $80 more than the original Wave+
  • — Ships without a pouch or pocket clip in the box
$199.95 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →vs. Leatherman Wave+ →
Leatherman Wave+
#2
Best for: anyone who uses a full-feature multi-tool regularly and wants the best value
Leatherman Wave+
from 3 sources$103.95as of Jun 7

The Leatherman Wave+ has been the benchmark full-size multi-tool for years, and it remains the best all-around value in the category. Its 18 tools include outside-opening blades and a saw, spring-action scissors, replaceable wire cutters and a full set of drivers, all backed by a 25-year warranty. OutdoorGearLab scored it 74/100 and called the value undeniable, while CleverHiker rated it a perfect 5.0/5 as its overall favorite. The main knocks are weight and a proprietary bit format, but for someone who actually uses a multi-tool regularly, the Wave+ delivers the most capability per dollar of anything here.

Strengths
  • — 18 tools cover nearly every EDC need: pliers, two blades, saw, file, scissors and screwdrivers
  • — Four tools open from the outside, so blades and saw deploy without unfolding the pliers
Watch-outs
  • — At around 8.5 oz it is heavy for pocket carry without the included sheath
  • — Proprietary flat-bit driver is not compatible with standard 1/4-inch bits
$103.95 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →vs. Leatherman Wave Alpha →
Leatherman Skeletool CX
#3
Best for: minimalists who want quality pliers and a knife without the bulk
Leatherman Skeletool CX
from 3 sources$99.95as of Jun 7

The Leatherman Skeletool CX is the gold standard for minimalist EDC, distilling a multi-tool down to pliers, a premium 154CM blade and a bit driver in a 5 oz package. OutdoorGearLab scored it 75/100 and ranked it third of 22 tools tested, praising how it carries better than any other full-size device, and KnifeInformer rated it 80% while CleverHiker gave it 4.7/5. The trade-off is obvious: it conspicuously lacks scissors and a file, fulfilling a minimalist EDC role rather than a pocket toolbox role. For someone who wants a quality knife and capable pliers without the bulk, it is the best choice in this lineup.

Strengths
  • — Just 5 oz, among the lightest full-size tools, and it genuinely disappears in a pocket
  • — Premium 154CM blade steel, a clear step up from the 420HC on most Leathermans
Watch-outs
  • — Minimalist design omits scissors, a file and a secondary serrated blade
  • — Proprietary bit driver is not compatible with standard 1/4-inch bits
$99.95 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →vs. Leatherman Wave Alpha →
Victorinox Huntsman
#4
Best for: buyers who want broad light-duty utility in the lightest, most pocketable format
Victorinox Huntsman
from 3 sources$107.45as of Jun 7

The Victorinox Huntsman is the classic mid-size Swiss Army Knife, packing 15 tools, including scissors, a saw, can and bottle openers, an awl and a corkscrew, into a 3.4 oz frame. CleverHiker rated it 4.7/5, calling it remarkably portable considering its 15 functions, and Field & Stream endorsed it as a fully loaded adventure companion with tight, intentional action. It is the lightest, most pocketable tool here and the only one without pliers, trading locking strength and gripping power for breadth and Swiss craftsmanship. At around $40 with a lifetime warranty, it is the value classic of the category.

Strengths
  • — 15 tools, including scissors, can/bottle openers, saw, awl and corkscrew, in a 3.4 oz frame
  • — Each tool opens and closes with precise, deliberate Swiss-made action
Watch-outs
  • — No blade lock, which limits confidence on tougher cutting tasks
  • — No pliers, so it cannot grip or cut wire like the Leatherman tools
$107.45 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →vs. Leatherman Wave Alpha →
Gerber Armbar Drive
#5
Best for: budget buyers who want a real locking knife and a driver in a slim tool
Gerber Armbar Drive
from 3 sources$51.4as of Jun 7

The Gerber Armbar Drive is a slim, butterfly-style EDC tool that leans into simplicity: a 2.5-inch locking blade, a magnetic bit driver, solid scissors, a pry bar, awl and bottle opener in a 5.2 oz frame. CleverHiker rated it 4.6/5, calling it a sleek, modern multitool ideal for everyday carry and light-duty tasks, and GearJunkie praised the scissors as one of the least-rickety mechanisms it had seen on a multi-tool. The blade lock release is its weak spot, narrow and tricky with gloves, but at under $55 with a real knife and a driver, the Armbar Drive is the budget pick for minimalist carry.

Strengths
  • — At 5.2 oz and 3.5 inches closed it is one of the most portable multi-tools available
  • — 2.5-inch locking blade behaves more like a dedicated folding knife than a multi-tool blade
Watch-outs
  • — Blade lock release is narrow and finicky, especially with gloves
  • — The screwdriver/driver is non-locking
$51.4 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →vs. Leatherman Wave Alpha →

Spec comparison

5 products
SpecLeatherman Wave AlphaLeatherman Wave+Leatherman Skeletool CXVictorinox HuntsmanGerber Armbar Drive
Tools16187158
Blade SteelCPM MagnaCut420HC154CM——
Weight8.25 oz8.5 oz5.0 oz3.4 oz5.2 oz
Key ToolsPliers, blade, saw, file, scissorsPliers, 2 blades, saw, file, scissorsPliers, wire cutters, blade, bit driver2 blades, scissors, saw, can/bottle openerLocking blade, driver, scissors, pry bar
OriginMade in USAMade in USAMade in USAMade in Switzerland—
Warranty25-year limited25-year limited25-year limitedLifetime—
Closed Length—4.0 in4.0 in3.58 in3.5 in
Extras———Corkscrew, awl, tweezers, toothpickAwl, bottle opener, hammer face
Blade Lock———NoneYes

Frequently asked questions

What is the best edc multi-tool?
Leatherman Wave Alpha is our top pick for edc multi-tools, with an averaged rating of 4.8/5 from 3 published reviews. The Leatherman Wave Alpha, launched in October 2025, is the premium evolution of the best-selling Wave platform. It is the first Wave with a MagnaCut reverse-tanto blade, adds full-size one-handed scissors, and wraps it all in contoured topo-textured G10 handles. GearJunkie scored it 9.8/10, calling the MagnaCut blade and full-size scissors meaningful upgrades fans have asked for, and The Gadgeteer praised the scissors as cutting exquisitely. At $199.95 it costs about $80 more than the Wave+ and ships without a pouch or clip, but for buyers who want the best-built, best-cutting Wave, the Alpha is the new flagship.
Is there a cheaper alternative worth considering?
Gerber Armbar Drive (around $51.4) rates 4.3/5 in our analysis. The Gerber Armbar Drive is a slim, butterfly-style EDC tool that leans into simplicity: a 2.5-inch locking blade, a magnetic bit driver, solid scissors, a pry bar, awl and bottle opener in a 5.2 oz frame. CleverHiker rated it 4.6/5, calling it a sleek, modern multitool ideal for everyday carry and light-duty tasks, and GearJunkie praised the scissors as one of the least-rickety mechanisms it had seen on a multi-tool. The blade lock release is its weak spot, narrow and tricky with gloves, but at under $55 with a real knife and a driver, the Armbar Drive is the budget pick for minimalist carry.
How does Verdict rank these products?
Every rating on Verdict is the numerical average of scores published by independent review sites, YouTube reviewers, and Reddit buyer reports. No editor adjusts the order — the ranking is whatever the source data produces. See our methodology page for the full process.
When was this guide last updated?
This guide was last re-checked in May 2026. We re-run our research pipeline for each category on a rolling basis so prices and rankings reflect current market reality.

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