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Buying guide

Best oscillating multi-tools

Chosen from what the Amazon listings state, not tested by us. How we pick

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Top picks at a glance

Compare them all

  • Best overall

    Fein MultiMaster MM 500 Plus Top: 350 W corded, 30+ accessories

    QuickIN tool change takes under three seconds, according to Fein.

    Check price on AmazonAffiliate link

  • Best value

    Bosch AdvancedMulti 18: kit with 2.5 Ah battery and charger

    A 2.5 Ah battery, AL 1830 CV charger and carrying case are included.

    Check price on AmazonAffiliate link

  • Most features

    Fein AMM 500 Plus Top: cordless MultiMaster, AMPShare, bare

    Uses AMPShare batteries shared with Bosch Professional and other alliance brands.

    Check price on AmazonAffiliate link

An oscillating multi-tool swings its blade a few degrees back and forth thousands of times a minute. That lets it plunge into a floorboard, trim a door frame flush for new flooring, cut out old grout and sand into corners that no other tool reaches. The things that separate a good one are the blade mount, how quickly and firmly blades change, the oscillation angle and how much vibration reaches your hand. Starlock, StarlockPlus and StarlockMax mounts give a firm three dimensional fit and fast changes. This guide compares corded and 18 V cordless multi-tools using the power, mount, speed range and box contents each listing states, and it is clear about which are bare tools. Clamp small work, keep fingers away from the blade, expect fine dust, and wear eye, ear and dust protection as the manual and HSE guidance advise.

All products compared

Details as stated in the Amazon listing or by the manufacturer. See the current price on Amazon.

The products in detail

No. 1 · FEIN

Fein MultiMaster MM 500 Plus Top: 350 W corded, 30+ accessories

Fein's corded MultiMaster with a 350 W motor, anti-vibration system and QuickIN tool free blade change, sold with more than 30 accessories in a case.

In its favour

  • QuickIN tool change takes under three seconds, according to Fein.
  • Anti-vibration system and a 350 W overload proof motor are listed.
  • Over 30 accessories are included for sawing, grinding and removing material.

Good to know

  • Corded, so you need a socket or extension lead nearby.
  • The listing does not state the oscillation angle.
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link

Listing title: FEIN Multimaster MM 500 Plus Top, Powerful MultiTool with Over 30 Acce...

No. 2 · FEIN

Fein AMM 500 Plus Top: cordless MultiMaster, AMPShare, bare

The cordless version of Fein's MultiMaster with a brushless motor and metal gearbox. It runs on AMPShare 18 V batteries, which are not included.

In its favour

  • Uses AMPShare batteries shared with Bosch Professional and other alliance brands.
  • Brushless PowerDrive motor and an all metal gearbox, according to Fein.
  • More than 30 accessories are described for sawing, sanding and tile removal.

Good to know

  • No battery or charger in the box, so it suits existing owners.
  • Speed range tops out a little lower than the corded MM 500.
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link

Listing title: FEIN Rechargeable Battery Multimaster AMM 500 Plus TOP 71293863000 Akk...

No. 3 · metabo

Metabo MT 18 LTX BL QSL: brushless, metaBOX, bare

Metabo's brushless 18 V multi-tool with a StarlockPlus mount and a magnetic quick change holder, sold without battery in a metaBOX.

In its favour

  • Widest listed speed range here, 8,000 to 20,000 per minute.
  • Magnetic holder pre-fixes the blade for quick changes, according to Metabo.
  • Comes in a metaBOX 145 L with a 32 mm plunge blade.

Good to know

  • No battery or charger in the box, so it suits existing owners.
  • Oscillation angle is not stated in the listing.
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link

Listing title: Metabo MT 18 LTX BL QSL 18V Cordless Multi-Tool, Body Only with Case

No. 4 · HIKOKI

HiKOKI CV18DMA: low vibration StarlockMax tool, body only

HiKOKI's brushless 18 V multi-tool with StarlockMax mounting and User Vibration Protection, sold body only in a system case with starter accessories.

In its favour

  • StarlockMax mount accepts Starlock, StarlockPlus and StarlockMax accessories.
  • User Vibration Protection for low vibration and noise, according to HiKOKI.
  • One handed tool change and a dust collector are listed.

Good to know

  • Body only: battery and charger are extra.
  • Speed range and oscillation angle are not given.
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link

Listing title: HiKOKI CV18DMAW2Z Low-Vibration 18V Cordless Multitool with brushless ...

No. 5 · Bosch

Bosch AdvancedMulti 18: kit with 2.5 Ah battery and charger

Bosch's green DIY range multi-tool with a 2.5 Ah battery, charger, blades, sanding plate and a case. A complete kit for home renovation jobs.

In its favour

  • A 2.5 Ah battery, AL 1830 CV charger and carrying case are included.
  • AutoClic gives three second keyless blade changes, according to Bosch.
  • Two saw blades, a delta sanding plate with sheets and a depth stop are included.

Good to know

  • Uses the green Bosch Power for All 18 V battery, not the blue Professional system.
  • Speed range and oscillation angle are not listed.
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link

Listing title: Bosch Cordless Multifunction Tool AdvancedMulti 18

No. 6 · Bosch Professional

Bosch GOP 18V-34: 3.4 degree Starlock multi-cutter, solo

Bosch Professional's slim 18 V multi-cutter with a 3.4 degree oscillation angle and Vibration Control, sold solo with one plunge cut blade.

In its favour

  • 3.4 degree oscillating angle speeds up cuts in small areas, according to Bosch.
  • Vibration Control and a slim ergonomic grip are listed.
  • Snap in accessory change for compatible Starlock blades.

Good to know

  • Solo: no battery or charger, only the tool and one blade.
  • Speed range is not stated in the listing.
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link

Listing title: Bosch PRO Multi-Cutter Cordless Multi-Cutters

No. 7 · DEWALT

DeWalt DCS356N and DCF887N bundle, both bare

A bare DeWalt XR bundle of the DCS356 brushless multi-tool and the DCF887 impact driver. Good value for existing XR owners who want both tools.

In its favour

  • Brushless multi-tool with variable speed up to 20,000 oscillations per minute.
  • Variable speed with a soft start and a dual grip position are listed.
  • Includes the DCF887 impact driver as well.

Good to know

  • Both tools are bare, with no battery, charger or accessories listed.
  • Blade mount and oscillation angle are not stated.
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link

Listing title: DEWALT DCS356N 18v XR Brushless Oscillating Multi-Tool Body Only & DCF...

No. 8 · Makita

Makita DTM52ZJX2: LXT multi-tool with accessory kit, solo

Makita's brushless 18 V LXT multi-tool sold solo with a Makpac accessory kit. A natural pick for anyone already using Makita batteries.

In its favour

  • Runs on Makita's LXT batteries, shared with hundreds of tools.
  • Supplied with a Makpac accessory kit, according to the listing.
  • Suited to cutting, sanding and scraping.

Good to know

  • The accessory kit contents and blade mount are not listed.
  • No battery or charger included, so you need LXT packs.
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link

Listing title: MAKITA DTM52ZJX2 Multifunction Tool 18V LXT (Solo) with MAKPAC Accesso...

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Drill and Bit chooses every product independently, based on what its Amazon listing states. We may earn a commission on purchases made through the affiliate links above. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.