Best Oscillating Multi-Tool – Buyer’s Guide

Makita is one of the few brands that prioritise impeccable quality control. You can buy the Makita DTM51Z while knowing for sure that it’ll continue to deliver excellent performance for years. And with its 18V battery, that performance will be powerful enough for both general DIY work and heavy-duty projects. 

Like most of the cordless power tools, this machine comes without the battery or charger. Fortunately, it accepts the interchangeable LXT batteries, which can also power circular saws, power drills, hammer drills, and a bunch of other tools necessary for your arsenal.

Sadly, Makita ships this multi-tool without any blades. As you’ll see later on, nearly all brands send at least one free blade to satisfy entry-level users. 

You can vary the oscillation rate of this multi-tool by adjusting the speed dial located at the side. And thanks to the ergonomic grip, you won’t encounter any problems while trying to fine-tune the speed while you work. 

We won’t be exaggerating when we say that Ryobi revolutionised the multi-tool industry with the R18MT-0. Instead of going for the typical non-adjustable build, Ryobi added a unique head that pivots inside a 90-degree range. This way, you can use this tool to reach virtually inaccessible areas where you need to make precise cuts. 

Unlike Makita, Ryobi is generous enough to send three free blades: a plunge cutter, flush cutter, and sanding pad, plus five sanding sheets. However, Ryobi doesn’t ship the battery or the charger with the tool. But as we said earlier, this is the norm for cordless power tools. 

If you think you won’t use the oscillation multi-tool that often, investing in a product from Dewalt or even SabreCut would be pretty absurd. Alternatively, you should consider the WorkPro multi-tool. Even though it works via a 300W motor, it can oscillate with a maximum rate of 23,000 OPM, meaning that you won’t fall short of performance. 

But if this tool can deliver such high speed, how come it’s so affordable? Well, WorkPro had to sacrifice the overall build quality. The unit barely weighs 1.8 kg, which will make it a bit harder to maintain stability, especially when you work with the maximum speed. 

Unlike the previous multi-tools, this one doesn’t feature a user-friendly blade change. After positioning the blade above the oscillatory head, you’ll have to secure it in place with a nut and bolt, which you should then tighten with an Allen wrench. 

Thanks to the high wattage, the SabreCut SCMTK400 should be ideal for professional workers who want to cut, grind, scrape, or sand heavy-duty materials. 

Just like most high-end tools, this model lies well into the noisy extreme, even when driven on the slowest oscillation speed. This fact makes it less ideal for personal DIYers, but it might not be that significant inside busy workshops. 

You can change the oscillation speed of this model via a 6-speed dial. Unfortunately, this dial is placed at the rearmost part of the tool, which won’t be as convenient as the sensitive trigger featured in the Dewalt DWE315KT. However, having the speed fixed at certain levels should be more efficient for inexperienced workers.

The first corded multi-tool on our list comes with a 300W motor. While this isn’t the most powerful rating on the market, it’s still good enough for moderate projects. 

Thanks to the brilliantly designed trigger, you can easily adjust the oscillation rate by varying your grip pressure. This convenient system is paired with an ergonomic design, enabling you to work for extended periods of time with minimal strain. 

The tool-free blade change takes the “user-friendliness” concept to a whole new level — just flick the lever, pull the old blade, and push the new one in place. 

On the negative side, Dewalt charges a bit too much for this multi-tool. Similarly, each blade you buy in the future will also be pricey.