Best Oscillating Multi-Tool Reviews 2024

Best Oscillating Multi-Tool Reviews

Choosing the best oscillating multi-tool used to boil down to just a couple of brands. Not anymore. Advancement in battery, motor, and vibration control technologies offers more viable options than ever.


As we considered the landscape, our team was unanimous in our selection of cordless oscillating multi-tools. Corded models are absolutely relevant, they’re less expensive, and there are some outstanding options available. However, when we laid out the requirements of earning the “best” label, everyone wanted the convenience of battery power.

Our Best Oscillating Multi-Tool Top Picks

Also in this Article

Best Oscillating Multi-Tool Overall

Milwaukee M18 Fuel Oscillating Multi-Tool 2836

Best Oscillating Multi-Tool Overall

Let’s clear the air here—if cutting speed is your highest priority, there’s Milwaukee, and then there’s everyone else. On a single cut, Milwaukee’s M18 Fuel is way ahead of the competition. Plus, there’s very little vibration when you’re cutting.

Combined with the physical design, the overall control of the tool is better, making your cutting even faster because they help you reduce mistakes during the cut.

While Milwaukee’s performance tops the charts in our testing, it’s not a complete runaway. This model still uses a clunkier accessory change system. There are several other interface designs that we’d rather use.

Price: $229.00 bare, $329.00 kit with a 5.0Ah battery and charger

Best Oscillating Multi-Tool Vibration Control

This generation of multi-tools features some outstanding improvements in vibration control with several brands making huge improvements. Two models stood out in our testing with lower vibration than the rest.

Milwaukee M12 Fuel Oscillating Multi-Tool 2526

Best Oscillating Multi-Tool Vibration Control

The big story for Milwaukee is that their design has finally overtaken Fein in vibration control. Their M18 Fuel version is very close, but Milwaukee’s M12 Fuel joins Makita with the best oscillating multi-tool vibration control of the group we tested.

Milwaukee’s M12 Fuel oscillating tool earns another big win for the ergonomics of its design. Its 12V foundation is lighter than the 18V models, it’s short enough to reach tighter spaces better, and its slim handle makes maneuvering into awkward positions easier.

Price: $149.00 bare, multiple kit options $199.00 – $259.00

Makita 18V LXT Brushless Sub-Compact Oscillating Multi-Tool XMT04

Best Oscillating Multi-Tool Vibration Control

Makita’s XMT03 is good quality but has been in need of an upgrade for a while. When we first saw the XMT04—Makita’s updated Sub-Compact model—we weren’t 100% sure what to expect. Then we started cutting and sanding… what a difference!

Makita nailed the vibration control in this model, dropping it to levels that beat almost all of its competitors. At the same time, they increased the cutting and sanding speed significantly. To top it all off, this model has a StarlockMax interface, although it still has a pin holding the blade in place, so it’s not completely hands-free.

Price: $249.00 bare, $429.00 kit with a 2.0Ah battery and charger

Best Oscillating Multi-Tool for the Money

Flex 24V Brushless Oscillating Multi-Tool FX4111-1A

Best Value Oscillating Multi-Tool

Flex brings a legit Pro-level cordless oscillating multi-tool to the table with performance and design that we don’t expect from a first-generation tool. It was one of the fastest cutting in our tests and has five electronic speeds to choose from. Its isolated head design does a nice job of reducing vibration, though it’s not as low as Fein, Makita, and Milwaukee.

The ergonomics of the tool are excellent, too. It has a slimmer handle than many with an overmold that promotes a secure grip and comfort. Add to that a Starlock hands-free accessory interface and you get a compelling package.

The best part is the price. $199.00 gets you the tool, a 2.5Ah battery, and a fast charger, making it our best-value pick for Pros.

Price: $129 bare, $199.00 with a 2.5Ah battery and charger

Best Budget Oscillating Multi-Tool

Skil PWRCore 12 Brushless Oscillating Multi-Tool OS592702

Skil 12V Brushless Oscillating Multi-Tool Review

Skil’s PWRCore 12 oscillating multi-tool is a solid value if you’re looking for a brushless package on a budget. For just under $100, you get a brushless tool with a 2.0Ah battery, an upgraded PWRJump charger, and a nice blade/sanding set to get you started. Even though it doesn’t have the performance level of the stronger PWRCore 20 brushless model, the price is right and it’s a lighter package than most of the 18V/20V max models.

Price: $99.99 kit with a 2.0Ah battery and charger

Best Oscillating Multi-Tool Blade Change

Starlock (Multiple Brands and Models)

Best Oscillating Multi-Tool Blade Change

There were no surprises in our blade change evaluation as Starlock still dominates in speed and ease. By simply pressing the interface into the blade, it snaps the lock on it and you’re ready to go. When it’s time to change it out, the release ejects it from the tool without any additional help.

Bosch and Fein collaborated to create the Starlock interface and use it extensively. We also see it on Festool’s cordless Vecturo, Flex’s 24V, and Makita’s 18V Sub-Compact multi-tools.

Even though Starlock has a significant advantage, Craftsman and DeWalt have a clamping-style interface that’s also very easy to use.

Best Corded Oscillating Multi-Tool

Fein MultiMaster Series

While we greatly prefer our cordless OMTs, we can certainly acknowledge that corded models still play a huge role in this sector. If that’s what you’re after, there isn’t a better oscillating multi-tool than the Fein MultiMaster series.

Fein set the benchmark for vibration control with the MultiMaster line and it’s taken many years for anyone to come even close. Even though there’s competition, MultiMaster OMTs are still outstanding in this category. The line has three key products—the 300, 500, and 700 models. It’s all based on what level of performance you need. If you’re not sure, we recommend running straight down the middle with the 500 to get the best balance of size, weight, performance, and vibration control.

Price: $219.95 – $299.95

Best Oscillating Multi-Tool Blades

CMT Orange Tools OMT Blades and Accessories

CMT Orange Tools has a wide range of oscillating multi-tool blades that covers both standard and Starlock interfaces, and nearly every application you can hope to tackle. Whether you’re working with wood, metal, multiple materials, or masonry, we highly recommend taking a look at what CMT Orange Tools has to offer.

Best-Selling Oscillating Multi-Tools

If our top recommendations didn’t ring your bell, check out some of the best-selling OMTs from major retailers (based on the time of writing). These lists change frequently based on sales volume, so they’re a good place to see what’s the most popular and what some of the best deals are. Even if you’re not ready to pull the trigger just yet, bookmark this page and check these links when the time comes.

Amazon

  • DeWalt 20V Max XR Brushless Kit DCS356C1 – $199.00
  • Hammerhead 2.2-Amp Corded HAMT022 – $33.99
  • Makita 18V LXT Bare Tool XMT03Z – $111.99

Acme Tools

  • Fein MultiMaster MM 700 Max Top Set 72296861090 – $399.95
  • DeWalt 20V Max XR Brushless Kit DCS356C1 – $199.99
  • Festool 18V Vecturo Set Kit 576590 – $799.00

Home Depot

  • DeWalt 20V Max Atomic Kit DCS354D1 – $179.00
  • Milwaukee M18 (brushed) Bare Tool 2626-20 – $139.00
  • Ryobi 18V One+ HP Brushless Bare Tool PBLMT50B – $129.00

Lowe’s

  • DeWalt 20V Max XR Brushless Kit DCS356C1 – $199.00
  • Kobalt 24V Max Brushless Bare Tool KMT 224B-03 – $99.00
  • Craftsman V20 Cordless Bare Tool CMCE500B – $79.00

More Oscillating Multi-Tool Recommendations from Brands We Trust

Best Professional Oscillating Multi-Tools

Best Bosch Oscillating Multi-Tool – 18V Brushless GOP18V-34N

Bosch was part of the team that developed the Stalock system, so it’s no surprise our favorite Bosch model features it. With both 12V and 18V models available, it’s the higher performance of the 18V system that we’re drawn to in this case.

The newest version steps up in speed with a 3.4° oscillating angle, up from the 2.8° swing on the previous model. The top end of the oscillating rate remains the same with an adjustable 10000 – 20000 OPM, but the arc swing alone promises significant improvement in cutting and sanding speed. Bosch also turned the battery interface 90°, so you should have an easier time making those flush cuts.

Price: $159.00 bare tool

Best DeWalt Oscillating Multi-Tool – 20V Max XR Brushless DCS356

Even though the performance is better, the physical design didn’t change much. The handle fits comfortably in your hand and the variable speed paddle trigger gives you control over both the speed and grip location.

Between this model, the 20V Max Atomic, and the 12V brushless, we still prefer the DCS356. It has three speeds instead of one and a higher top-end speed.

Price: $169.00 bare, $229.00 kit with a 2.0Ah battery and charger

Best Festool Oscillating Multi-Tool – 18V Brushless Vecturo OSC 18

When Festool made a cordless version of the Vecturo multi-tool, the product team made a great move by shifting from a proprietary accessory interface to StarlockMax. The rest is classic Festool. As we expect from Festool, this is a highly refined system that goes beyond the tool. It starts with an ergonomically sound physical design with the performance and life of a brushless motor.

From there, you have accessories for dust collection, precise positioning, a depth stop, and the OSC-A adapter that they connect to.

Price: $399.00 bare, $635.00 with accessories, $799.00 with accessories and batteries (2 x 4.0Ah)

Best Fein Oscillating Multi-Tool – 18V Brushless Multimaster 700

Now that every multi-tool in Fein’s lineup is under the Multimaster name, it’s no surprise we recommend trying the MultiMaster. But which one? The best is the cordless MultiMaster 700. It’s not just because it has the most aggressive cutting with a 4° arc (sometimes you actually want the lower angle). The biggest advantage is its brushless motor. Compared to the 300 and 500 models, you’ll get more efficient battery use and longer tool life. When it comes to performance and vibration control, it’s clearly in the elite top group.

The trade-off? The 700 is the largest of the three cordless options, so look at the other models if you want something more compact.

Price: $289.95 bare, multiple kit options $399.95 – $519.95

Besy Hilti Oscillating Multi-Tool – 22V Nuron SMT 6-22

If you’re familiar with the Hilti Nuron lineup, you might be satisfied just to know that Hilti has a cordless oscillating multi-tool in the lineup now. However, Hilti wasn’t satisfied with simply delivering a me-too product. The SMT 6-22 comes out of the gate hot, with a 10000 – 20000 six-mode electronic speed selection and an aggressive 4.0° arc.

Better yet, its isolated head design does a fantastic job of isolating vibration. While it’s not quite at the top for vibration control, it’s close. Plus, this model has a Starlock Max-compatible interface. If you’re on the HIlti Nuron platform and need an OMT, there’s no reason to look to other brands for a cordless model.

Price: $219.00 bare

Best Kobalt Oscillating Multi-Tool – 24V Brushless KMT 224B-03

Lowe’s has an update to Kobalt’s cordless model with some changes worth considering. It’s still brushless, but the top speed downshifts from 20,000 OPM on the previous model to 18,000 OPM on this one. Speed control shifts from a speed dial to an electronic 3-speed switch and variable speed trigger plus a loc-on button. The oscillating angle remains at 3.6°.

So if the top speed is down, why buy this instead of the previous model? Vibration control. It’s significantly better in this model and well worth a little lower top speed to get.

Price: $99.00 bare, $149.00 kit with a 1.5Ah battery and charger

Best Metabo HPT Oscillating Multi-Tool – 18V Brushless CV18DBLQ5

Metabo HPT has a few noteworthy items on their CV18DBLQ5 brushless oscillating multi-tool. Using the variable speed dial, you can set the speed from 6000 to 20000 OPM, giving you a lower slow speed than most when you need the best control. There’s also an auto mode that adjusts the speed based on the load the tool senses. The downside is that its 3.2° oscillating angle makes the cutting a little slower than some of its competition.

This is the only cordless model currently in the lineup and it’s an 18V tool, so it’s compatible with both 18V and 36V MultiVolt batteries, but not the AC adapter. Keep in mind Metabo HPT backs this and other lithium-ion tools with a lifetime warranty.

Price: $84.00

Best Ridgid Oscillating Multi-Tool – 18V Brushless R86240

With the latest generation of 18V tools, Ridgid is breaking away from the larger size of Octane for more compact, lighter models. In the case of the R86240 oscillating multi-tool, it’s a break away from the JobMax system as well. The latest multi-tool is just 2.0 pounds without a battery and 3.0 pounds with a 2.0Ah Max Output pack.

Controlled with a slide switch and variable speed dial, the tool’s 10000 – 20000 OPM and 3.6° oscillating angle are on par with what we expect. While the physical design is a change from the ergonomics of the JobMax, Ridgid keeps the pivoting accessory interface that we’d love to see change into something else in the future.

As we’re writing, the kit comes with a pair of 4.0Ah batteries and is less than buying a two-pack of those batteries by themselves.

Price: $129.00 bare, multiple kit options available

Best Prosumer Oscillating Multi-Tools

Best Craftsman Oscillating Multi-Tool – V20 Brushless RP CMCE565

Craftsman’s latest cordless multi-tool is very different from its predecessor. While it maintains the same basic form factor, slim handle, and clamping accessory system, there are some big upgrades.

The first is that as part of the Brushless RP system, it now sports a brushless motor and is capable of 19,000 OPM. That’s lower than the 22,000 OPM top speed of the CMCE501, but the brushless motor offers more power to keep the tool from bogging down. Another big change is that it changes from a slide switch and speed dial to a variable speed trigger.

Overall, this is a significant step forward for Craftsman’s oscillating multi-tool game.

Price: $99.00 bare

Best Ryobi Oscillating Multi-Tool – Gen 2 18V One+ HP Brushless PBLMT51

Ryobi’s 18V HP Brushless upgrade made its way onto the PBLMT51 oscillating multi-tool, making it a more legitimate Prosumer option than before. It has a slender handle profile that angles up to make sure the battery doesn’t get in the way of your flush cutting.

In its second generation, it retains the same 10000 – 20000 OPM speed as before but gains cutting speed thanks to an increase to a 3.8° oscillating angle. It also has a tool-free accessory interface instead of the hex wrench style the P343 had. Overall, it’s a huge step forward from the pre-HP Brushless efforts.

Price: $119.00 bare

Best DIY Oscillating Multi-Tools for Home Use

Best Greenworks Oscillating Multi-Tool – 24V MTG305

For those of you on or considering Greenworks’ 24V battery system, they put together a solid OMT package. It’s a 6-speed design that runs as high as 18000 OPM and has a 3.2° arc—perfect when you’re prioritizing control. This model runs a brushed motor with a standard accessory interface, helping keep the price affordable for DIYers.

Price: $79.99 bare, $119.99 kit with a 2.0Ah battery and charger

Best HART Oscillating Multi-Tool – 20V HPMT01

HART makes a compelling case for DIYers with the HPMT01. It drifts from the standard design trend with a one-finger trigger and a handle design that’s comfortable to use. Using the dial in front of the trigger, you can set its 20000 OPM top speed lower for a more controlled approach when you need it.

At just 1.6 pounds bare, it’s one of the lighter models available and the 1.5Ah battery that comes in the kit doesn’t add a ton to it. It’s also one of the most affordable options we recommend. The bare tool is just $61 and the kit is $89.

Price: $64.00 bare, $89.00 kit with a 1.5Ah battery and charger

What is an Oscillating Multi-Tool Used For?

Oscillating multi-tools take care of some of the most awkward cuts that other power tools can’t make. With the blade extending below the housing, it can make true flush cuts for trimming baseboards on flooring installation, trimming exposed conduit in electrical boxes, and many others.

Because you can also install the blade at a wide variety of angles, an OMT can also make cuts in awkward spaces where other saws can’t reach or might damage surrounding material.

By switching out for a sanding pad, they make highly effective detail sanders, though they don’t remove material as efficiently as dedicated orbital or belt sanders.

As you look around at the available accessories, you’ll find many more applications as well. You can remove grout, sealant, and caulk, as well as scrape adhesive and cut through many materials such as wood, metal, PVC, PEX, drywall, cement board/Hardieboard, and more.

Oscillating Multi-Tool Buying Guide – What We Look For

Everyone has different priorities when searching for the best oscillating multi-tool. Some Pros just want the fastest performance, while others might value vibration control the highest. Regardless, our team looks for the same general characteristics even if they’re in a different order.

Cutting and Sanding Speed

To test speed, we compare how fast we can cut wood, drywall, or nails; remove grout; and sand. We also test how the blade affects your ability to work when you’re switching between tasks.

Vibration Control

Vibration control has been dominated by Fein for a long time. Their technology has been so far ahead of everyone else that it hasn’t been competitive at all. That’s all changing, though.

As we test speed, we build our first impressions of each tool’s vibration control. Then, our three-man testing team spends time cutting and sanding to rank them into groups and assign their final scores.

Ergonomics

When we consider the best oscillating multi-tool ergonomics, it starts with weight. Cordless models tend to be heavier than corded ones, of course, but working with a compact battery can shave it down a bit.

Length can get in the way if you’re working in tighter spaces, so we measure that.

We also consider the handle design. Most use a grinder-style barrel grip with varying diameters. A design that feels good in our hands is great. However, we also check how it feels as we use the tool in the variety of angles we often have to switch to in the field.

There’s the issue of how the battery connects to the tool as well. If it’s in the way of your grip or forces you to adjust your angle of attack into a cut, it can be a pain point. We’re looking for battery connections that power the tools without throwing off their balance or force grip changes.

Blade Change

Starlock set a new bar for oscillating multi-tools a few years ago with a completely hands-free and super-fast blade change. There’s still no other system that comes close to its speed and convenience.

For the rest of the group, there are several versions of tool-free changes. We work them all to see how securely they hold the blade along with how convenient and quick the changes are.

While it works for some folks, we generally stay away from models that require a tool to change the blade.

Value

When it’s your bank account funding your tool purchases, we get that you want the most bang for your buck. For us, value is much more than just how much the multi-tool costs. It’s what you get for the money and some give you more than others. We weigh pricing against the performance and design of each model to calculate a value score.

Additional Features to Look For

  • Variable speeds
  • Brushless motor

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