You never know when you’re going to need a multi-tool around the house, in the office, or on the go. They’re always there when you need them, and you’ll find they’re useful on the most surprising of occasions. They can be used for DIY projects, home repairs, or even on a job site!
The wide range of Leatherman multi-tool choices may be the best-known, but they’re not the only great options out there. But if you already own a Leatherman tool and you’re looking for a new tool, you should know there are alternatives out there.
You might not have heard of all of these but any of these would be suitable alternatives for anyone that’s looking for a great multi-tool. Worthy of being put to use on any job site or just a quick job around the house. Just like Leatherman most of these alternatives offer a lifetime warranty and pricewise they’re also very competitive.
Below, we’ve got a list of the best multi-tools for you beyond just the most popular Leathermans. You’ll find there’s a tool that delivers exactly what you need no matter what you do or where you go. Now, on to the list.
#1 Best Multi-Tool Overall
Leatherman Wingman Multitool
- Perfect balance between price and quality
- Above-average quality of steel used for the tools
- Simple and user-friendly
Pros
Quality at an affordable price; durable stainless steel design; features 14 different tools, one-handed opening, and pocketclip; rides well in your pocket; and feels solid.
Product Ratings
Features
9.9/10
If you’re looking for a multi-tool that delivers but doesn’t break the bank, the Leatherman Wingman is worth a try.
You can’t help but love the one-handed opening, and the tools slide in and out with ease. The spring-action pliers are among the best of any multi-tool. The knife blade is solid, built with 420HC Stainless Steel that can handle a lot of regular use and still hold an edge. You get 14 quality tools—not as many as other feature-rich multi-tools, but more than enough for use around your home, office, or on the road.
The multi-tool feels nice and solid in your hands and weighs just over half a pound. It’s compact enough to fit into your pocket, but the accompanying nylon sheath makes it easy to attach it to your belt. If you want to carry it in your pocket, the pocket clip keeps it within quick reach.
Price
9.9/10
$40 isn’t too high a price to pay for this bad boy! With 14 tools, this isn’t the most versatile of the multi-tools. However, it’s the best overall because it combines reliability, durability, and affordability into one highly useful tool.
Overall Editor Score
9.9/10
#2 Most User-Friendly Multi-Tool
Gerber 22-41545 Black Diesel Multi-Plier
- Great for work, travel, home, and outdoor use
- Feels good in your hand; comfortable grip design
- Cutters and knives are VERY sharp
Pros
Incredibly versatile, can be used anywhere, solidly built, black carbon steel looks bad-ass, razor sharp blade, and very durable pliers.
Product Ratings
Features
9.7/10
The Gerber Black Diesel multitool comes in black with an overall length of 6.61″ and weighs 8.6 oz. Gerber also offers a lifetime warranty on this tool.
If you’re looking for a multi-tool that makes your life easier, this is the one for you. First off, it comes with 12 different tools, including durable, razor-sharp knife blade, needlenose pliers, wire cutters, cross point screwdriver, file, scissors, saw, can opener, bottle opener, and multiple screwdrivers. It’s ideal for use at home, on the job site, or even while camping.
The Gerber Diesel feels solid and is well-designed to handle regular use. The knives hold their edge well and the pliers are durable (though some users have complained of wiggle after regular use). The pliers pop out with the flick of your wrist, and you’ll love the one-handed operation of the blade. All in all, it doesn’t get more user-friendly than this.
Price
9.4/10
$70 is a pretty high price to pay for 12 tools. However, it’s a durable knife that makes your life easier, so it’s worth considering if you can’t bring yourself to buy a Leatherman.
Overall Editor Score
9.6/10
#3 Best Outdoorsman Multi-Tool
Gerber Bear Grylls Ultimate Pro
- Designed by Bear Grylls to be the ultimate outdoorsman’s tool
- Decent weight; feels durable in your hands
- All the features you’ll need to survive/camp/hunt/fish
Pros
Tools are easy to lock into place, comfortable grip, spring-loaded pliers with extra torque and gripping strength, tools intended for outdoors use, and feels solid in your hand.
Product Ratings
Features
9.9/10
This is the best of the line of Gerber multi-tools designed by the awesome Bear Grylls. It’s made for the outdoorsman, so it comes with all the tools you’ll need to camp, hunt, fish, or survive any wilderness situation. You get needle-nose pliers, both fine-edge and serrated knives, a saw, a Phillips screwdriver, small and medium flat drivers, a lanyard ring, a bottle opener, a can opener, scissors, and wire cutters.
The texturized rubber grip makes it less likely to slip out of your hands, and the spring-loaded jaw makes it easy to pop out the pliers one-handed. However, the rest of the tools (knives, saws, screwdrivers, etc.) are not designed for one-handed use.
The tool weighs 8.6 ounces and feels solidly built, the mark of the quality steel used. This knife is 4.8″ long with a drop-point for smooth cuts. The tool also comes with a mildew-resistant military-grade sheath with a carbide sharpener in the sheath.
Price
9.9/10
If you’re the kind of person who loves to camp, hunt, fish, or hang out in the great outdoors, this is the tool for you. $45 is nowhere near too high a price for a tool that will come in handy in any situation.
Overall Editor Score
9.9/10
#4 Best Tactical Multi-Tool
SOG PowerAssist Multi-Tool B66N-CP
- Tool locks reduce the risk of injury, but don’t interfere with easy operation
- Highly durable tool; can handle a lot of regular heavy-duty use
- Designed for military/law enforcement applications
Pros
Designed for heavy-duty use, comes with a wide assortment of tools, durable design, easy to open, perfect for law enforcement officers, and solidly built.
Product Ratings
Features
9/10
This is the multi-tool to carry if you don’t mind a bit of extra heft, but want a tool that can handle all your daily use. The extra weight is an indicator of the high-quality materials (420 stainless steel) used to build it. It’s bulkier than the other tools on this list, yet definitely one of the most durable.
The gears built into the handle increase the torque on the pliers, giving you an impressive amount of cutting and gripping power. Half of the tools can be opened from the outside of the tool for maximum convenience, but there is a tool lock to reduce injuries.
You get 16 tools in one, including pliers, two blades, four screwdrivers, v-cutter, full-serrated blade, three-sided file, blasting cap crimper, bolt grip channel, bottle opener, can opener, ruler, straight-edge blade, V-cutter, and wire crimper. It’s the ultimate tool to use for law enforcement or military operations, as it comes with everything you need for any on-the-job situation.
Price
8.8/10
At $60, this is one of the pricier tools on the list. However, considering its heavy-duty design and very practical range of features, it’s worth considering if you need a tactical multi-tool.
Overall Editor Score
8.9/10
#5 Most Unique Multi-Tool
Swiss+Tech ST53100 Micro-Max 19-in-1 Key Ring Multi-Function Pocket Tool
- The perfect compact tool for men; great for use in the car, at the office, or at home
- Wonderfully portable at just 3.2 ounces and 1.3 x 1.89 x 0.24 inches
- Hang it on your keychain and take it wherever you go
Pros
Incredibly unique design, comes with a very extensive range of tools, designed to fit on your keychain, limited lifetime warranty, and lightweight.
Product Ratings
Features
8.4/10
If you’re looking for an uber-portable tool that you can fit on your car keychain, this is the best choice for you. It’s lightweight, compact, and delivers a surprising range of tools—19 of them to be specific, including multiple screwdrivers, wrenches, rulers, wire cutters, strippers, and crimpers.
You’ll love the fold-out design of the tool. It’s designed to be collapsible and attach to your keychain, but fold it if you need pliers, a screwdriver, or a wrench.
Be warned: it’s not as durable or long-lasting as the other tools on this list. It’s built more for convenience than heavy-duty use. The stainless steel is lightweight and compact, and the design isn’t able to handle a lot of heavy screwing, cutting, or drilling. However, it’s very handy in a pinch and will be useful for any minor repairs or fix-it jobs around the home, office, or in your car.
Price
8.9/10
Is $9 too much to pay for such a clever little tool? Absolutely not! It’s inexpensive, handy in case of an emergency, and small enough to fit in your pocket or on your car keys. Totally worth the expense.
Overall Editor Score
8.7/10
#6 Best Wallet-Sized Multi-Tool
Wallet Ninja Multitool with Deluxe Money Clip
- Compact, portable, and ultra-useful
- Very durable; lifetime warranty
- Handy in a surprisingly wide range of circumstances
Pros
This product fits in his wallet, is created using durable stainless steel, and is a handy, multi-purpose tool to have anywhere he goes. Additionally, it comes with a lifetime guarantee and clearly labeled instructions.
Product Ratings
Features
8.8/10
This is the multi-tool for the man who doesn’t want to carry a Leatherman on his belt! It slips into his wallet, but it’s a tool that provides 18 different functions: screwdrivers, hex wrench, ruler, bottle opener, can opener, fruit peeler, box and letter opener, and more. He’ll never be stranded with this bad boy in his wallet.
It’s made from heat-treated steel that is durable and resistant to breakage and damage. It also comes with a lifetime guarantee to never dull, bend, or rust.
Price
8.6/10
At $12, this is a great little tool at a great price. It’s guaranteed to be useful in many, many situations!
Overall Editor Score
8.7/10
#7 Best Pocket Multi-Tool
Leatherman Skeletool
- Fits in any pocket without bulging
- Perfect for any emergency situation
- Get at your tools without opening the multi-tool
Pros
Compact, lightweight, durable, great for daily use, made from high carbon stainless steel, and all tools are accesible from the exterior.
Product Ratings
Features
7.9/10
This is the multi-tool for anyone who wants to carry around something practical but doesn’t like bulging pockets. At just 1 inch thick, 1 inch wide, and 4 inches long, this is the compact multi-tool that fits in any pocket, purse, or bag. It weighs just five ounces, and though it only comes with 7 tools (carabiner/bottle opener, bit driver, removable pocket clip, needlenose pliers with wire cutters, and stainless steel combo blade), it has everything you need for your daily life.
One of the best things about the Skeletool is the fact that you can access all of your tools without needing to flip it open. This isn’t common with multi-tools, which usually need to be flipped open to get at the tools. Great for quick and convenient access!
Despite its lightweight design, the multi-tool feels solid and durable and is made of the same 420HC Stainless Steel used for other Leatherman blades. With its one-handed operation, it’s easy to get at any tool you need for any job.
Price
7.6/10
$55 is a bit pricey considering you only get 7 tools. However, it’s more compact and lightweight than the other tools on this list, so it’s worth paying a little more for a design that’s compatible with your active lifestyle.
Overall Editor Score
7.8/10
#8 Best Travel Multi-Tool
Leatherman Style PS
- Meets the TSA regulations for permittable carry-on
- Comes with all the tools you’ll need while you travel
- Beautifully sized; compact and lightweight
Pros
Can be packed in your carry-on luggage, highly durable yet lightweight, good selection of tools, handy for travelers, tools can handle regular use, and keychain-sized.
Product Ratings
Features
7.4/10
This is the multi-tool you’ll want if you spend a lot of time on airplanes. The fact that it has no knife blade means you can bring it through TSA security, but it comes with 8 tools (spring-action needlenose pliers, spring-action regular pliers, spring-action wire cutters, spring-action scissors, Flat/Phillips screwdriver, tweezers, nail file, and carabiner/bottle opener) that will serve you well on your travels.
The screwdriver may not be the most reliable of tools, but the rest of the features can handle daily use on your trip. You have everything you need to enjoy your travels (bottle opener, wink wink), and you can bring the knife with you wherever you go. The glass-filed nylon handle is lightweight and durable, and the stainless steel is resistant to both rust and scratches. The ergonomic design and one-handed operation make it a very useful little tool.
Price
7.8/10
$24 is a bit of a high price to pay for a tool small enough to hang on a keychain, but it’s worth it if you travel often and find yourself in need of tools when on the go.
Overall Editor Score
7.6/10