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A multitool is one of the easiest pieces of everyday carry gear to overbuy. It is tempting to assume the best multitool is simply the one with the most tools, the biggest pliers or the most premium materials. In real EDC, that is rarely the whole story.
Weight matters. Pocket comfort matters. The screwdriver matters. Whether you genuinely need pliers matters. A full-size multitool can be invaluable for field work and repairs, while a lighter knife-style or Swiss Army-style tool may make far more sense for office and urban carry.
The All Guy Takeaway: The best EDC multitool is not the one with the longest feature list. It is the tool whose size, weight and functions match the problems you actually run into.
Our Quick Picks
Best Overall: Leatherman ARC
Best Value Full-Size: Leatherman Wave+
Best Lightweight Pliers-Based EDC: Leatherman Skeletool CX
Best Premium Alternative: Victorinox Swiss Tool Spirit X
Best for Screwdriver-Heavy Work: Gerber Center-Drive
Best Knife-Style Compact Multitool: Gerber Armbar Drive
Best Compact Pliers Multitool: SOG PowerPint
Best Modular Multitool: ROXON Flex Companion
Best Pliers-Free EDC: Victorinox Compact
How We Chose the Best EDC Multitools
The All Guy evaluated these multitools using current manufacturer specifications, tool selection, carry comfort, weight, screwdriver capability, plier usefulness, locking mechanisms, blade access, portability and the role each model fills. We have not personally field-tested every multitool in this guide, so manufacturer claims are treated as sourced information rather than represented as our own testing.
We also did not rank these by tool count alone. A lighter tool with six useful functions can be a better EDC choice than a heavier tool with twenty functions you rarely use.
1. Leatherman ARC β Best Overall
The Leatherman ARC is the strongest overall choice for someone who wants one premium multitool for everyday carry, work and general utility. Its appeal is not simply that it is expensive or highly featured. The combination of one-hand-friendly access, a broad tool set, bit-driver compatibility and a premium MagnaCut knife blade makes it unusually well rounded.
Leatherman lists 20 tools and a weight of about 8.6 ounces. That is still full-size territory, but the FREE-style architecture makes the tool easier to operate than many traditional multitools because the implements are externally accessible and designed for one-hand use.
Best for work EDC, property and vehicle tasks, gear setup and users who want one top-tier multitool. Skip it if you only use a multitool occasionally or want a truly lightweight pocket tool.
2. Leatherman Wave+ β Best Value Full-Size
For many readers, the Wave+ is the more rational buy than the ARC. It gives you a proven full-size layout with pliers, replaceable wire cutters, two blades, scissors, files, a saw and bit-driver capability without moving into premium-tool pricing.
Leatherman lists 18 tools and a weight around 8.5 ounces. It does not have the ARC's MagnaCut blade or newer operating system, but its feature set remains extremely practical for home, vehicle, camping and jobsite use.
Best for someone who wants a serious full-size multitool without paying for the top of the line. Skip it if pocket comfort matters more than breadth of capability.
3. Leatherman Skeletool CX β Best Lightweight Pliers-Based EDC
The Skeletool CX is one of the best answers to the question: what if you want pliers, a real blade and a driver but do not want a brick in your pocket? It intentionally strips away secondary tools and focuses on the functions many people use most.
At about 5 ounces, it is substantially easier to carry than the ARC, Wave+ or Center-Drive. The tradeoff is obvious: you give up scissors, files, saws and much of the redundancy found on full-size tools.
Best for minimalist EDC and users who specifically want pliers plus a knife and driver. Skip it if you expect a full workshop in your pocket.
4. Victorinox Swiss Tool Spirit X β Best Premium Alternative
The Swiss Tool Spirit X takes a different premium approach from Leatherman. Victorinox emphasizes polished fit and finish, smooth tool action and a refined feel rather than making one-handed access and bit ecosystems the center of the design.
Victorinox lists 24 functions at roughly 7.4 ounces, making the Spirit X lighter than several full-size competitors despite its broad tool selection. Its curved handles also make it comfortable in hand during plier use.
Best for users who want premium construction and excellent fit and finish. Skip it if one-hand blade access or interchangeable driver bits are major priorities.
5. Gerber Center-Drive β Best for Screwdriver-Heavy Work
The Gerber Center-Drive earns its place because it solves one problem better than most multitools: actually using a screwdriver. The center-axis driver is designed to line up more like a conventional screwdriver, which matters when you are turning fasteners repeatedly instead of making an occasional adjustment.
Its one-hand sliding pliers and work-focused layout make it a strong fit for maintenance, facilities, field service, garage and truck use. The downside is size and weight. At roughly 9.5 ounces, this is closer to a compact working tool than minimalist EDC.
Best for users whose multitool use centers on screwdrivers and repair work. Skip it if you mainly need a light pocket companion.
6. Gerber Armbar Drive β Best Knife-Style Compact Multitool
The Armbar Drive belongs here because not everyone needs pliers. It carries more like a folding knife while adding a useful driver, scissors, awl, pry bar and bottle opener.
At around 3.1 ounces, it is much easier to carry than a full-size multitool. That makes it a particularly good fit for office, urban and lighter-duty EDC where the user wants more than a knife but does not need repair-focused pliers.
Best for slim pocket carry and everyday utility. Skip it if pliers are one of the main reasons you want a multitool.
7. SOG PowerPint β Best Compact Pliers Multitool
The SOG PowerPint fills the gap between tiny keychain tools and full-size pliers-based multitools. It gives you genuine pliers in a substantially smaller package, which is exactly what many EDC users want.
SOG lists 18 tools and a weight around 4.2 ounces. Its Compound Leverage plier system is a key differentiator, though the compact size inevitably means less comfort and leverage than a full-size tool during heavier work.
Best for readers who want compact pliers without full-size bulk. Skip it if you expect prolonged or heavy-duty plier use.
8. ROXON Flex Companion β Best Modular Multitool
The ROXON Flex Companion brings modularity into a category that is usually fixed. Traditional multitools force you to accept the manufacturer's tool assortment. The Flex system lets you customize the implement mix around the functions you actually care about.
That flexibility is valuable for enthusiasts and people with specialized needs, but it also adds complexity. Not everyone wants to think about configuring a multitool when a fixed Wave+, Spirit X or Skeletool already covers the basics.
Best for EDC enthusiasts who want customization. Skip it if you prefer a proven fixed tool set with no setup decisions.
9. Victorinox Compact β Best Pliers-Free EDC
The Victorinox Compact is a reminder that a useful multitool does not need pliers. For office, urban and light everyday carry, a Swiss Army-style tool can make more sense than a heavier repair-focused multitool.
The Compact keeps size and weight down while still giving you a practical blend of blade, scissors, pen, tweezers and other small utility functions. That makes it easy to carry consistently and less visually aggressive than many larger multitools.
Best for office EDC, urban carry and users who prioritize compactness. Skip it if real repair work or plier capability is part of the mission.
Full-Size vs Compact vs Swiss Army-Style Multitools
Before comparing individual models, decide what kind of multitool user you are. Full-size tools make the most sense for regular repairs, work and users who actually need capable pliers. Compact pliers tools trade leverage and comfort for lower weight. Knife-style and Swiss Army-style tools are ideal when everyday utility matters more than repair capability.
Full-size: ARC, Wave+, Center-Drive and Spirit X.
Compact pliers: Skeletool CX and PowerPint.
Pliers-free / knife-style: Armbar Drive and Victorinox Compact.
Do You Actually Need Pliers in Your EDC?
Pliers make sense if you routinely tighten hardware, pull fasteners, bend or grip material, perform field repairs or work around vehicles, facilities or equipment. If most of your daily needs are opening packages, trimming loose material, turning an occasional screw or using scissors, a pliers-free tool may be the smarter carry.
A lot of people carry too much multitool because pliers are treated as mandatory. They are not. The best tool is the one you will actually keep with you.
What Matters Most in an EDC Multitool
Weight: a capable tool that is too heavy to carry consistently is a poor EDC choice.
Driver design: if you frequently work with screws, bit compatibility and driver ergonomics can matter more than tool count.
Scissors: for many everyday tasks, good scissors are more useful than a saw or serrated blade.
Blade access: outside-accessible or one-hand-friendly blades can improve daily usability.
Carry method: pocket clip, loose pocket carry and sheath carry can completely change how realistic a tool feels for everyday use.
Tool quality over tool count: twenty mediocre tools are not automatically better than six excellent ones.
Can You Travel With a Multitool?
Travel rules deserve caution. Many multitools contain blades and should not be assumed to be acceptable in carry-on baggage. Regulations can vary by country, airport and tool design. Check current TSA, airline and destination rules before traveling, and consider a bladeless alternative when necessary.
Which EDC Multitool Should You Buy?
Choose the ARC if you want a premium all-around multitool and expect to use it often. Choose the Wave+ if you want most of the capability for less money. Pick the Skeletool CX if weight and pocketability matter more than tool count. The Spirit X is the refined premium alternative, while the Center-Drive is the work-focused option for screwdriver-heavy tasks.
For lighter carry, the Armbar Drive and Victorinox Compact make more sense than forcing a full-size pliers tool into your pocket. The PowerPint is the compact pliers choice, and the ROXON Flex Companion is the most interesting option if customization matters.
Build Out the Rest of Your EDC
A multitool is only one piece of a practical everyday carry setup. Start with the complete EDC guide, then compare the best EDC flashlights and build around the gear you actually use rather than trying to carry everything at once.
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