Top 5 Best Multi-Tools for Your EDC (Practical & Cool Options) (2024)

Looking for a solid multi-tool to use for your everyday carry? Here are our top choices.

Why carry a dozen single tools when you can pack a single tool with a dozen options?

From the Swiss Army Knife onwards, guys have been in love with the versatility and compact nature of the world’s best multi-tools. And whether you’re a 9-to-5er or a seasoned outdoorsman, a multi-tool should be a staple in your everyday carry setup.

For this guide, we combined hands-on multi-tool testing and experience with expert opinions from friends in the outdoor industry and law enforcement.

That should give you a comprehensive overview of how to choose the best multi-tool for your EDC, no matter what you’re up to on an everyday basis.

Quick Take

Here are our top three recommendations from the list:

Read on for more info and the complete list…

Best Multi-Tools for Your EDC

Here’s a list of the 5 best multi-tools for Your EDC in no particular order.

Leatherman Wave Plus

Leatherman is the biggest name in multi-tools for a good reason: They consistently produce the most finely tuned, well-designed gear in the widest range of sizes, with the most tool options.

The catch? They’re often the largest investment you’ll make in a multi-tool as well.

That said, the Leatherman Wave Plus is such a fantastic buy-it-for-life multi-tool that it’s well worth dropping some extra cash on.

As the Wave has been redesigned through years of testing and use by thousands of people, it’s continued to be refined — and in the new Wave Plus, the addition of replaceable wire cutters cements its place as my choice for the title of “best multi-tool for everyday carry.”

All the usual suspects are here: Pliers, wire cutters, crimpers, strippers, a couple of blades, and a range of screwdrivers. The addition of spring-action scissors, ruler markings, and a bottle opener make it truly an all-purpose tool.

• Material: Stainless steel
• Closed Length: 4 in
• Weight: 8.5 oz

But the real kicker? This whole tool and all of its locking features can be operated with one hand. It’s truly one of the finest designs out there for a full-size multi-tool.

Airo ONETool

If you’re not already familiar with Airo Collective, you’re missing out because their heavily researched, detail-oriented approach to everyday carry gear has really left us impressed.

Their original Stealth Wallet has been a longtime favorite here at The Modest Man, as it combines a thin and streamlined design with a clean aesthetic.

And with the release of their Airo ONETool, Airo Collective is taking their first steps into crafting even more high-quality EDC gear for guys everywhere.

It’s truly impressive how much they have packed into a keychain-friendly multi-tool here. Coming in right at three inches in length, the main body is no thicker than a house key — and even with the rubber O-ring and bit driver, it’s still super slim and lightweight.

That’s because Airo Collective has spared no expense in the manufacturing here, going for lightweight-yet-durable titanium as their base material.

• Material: Laser-etched titanium
• Length: 3 in
• Weight: .64 oz

Overall, this is the coolest keychain multi-tool we’ve had the chance to use. It looks great, and really feels like a premium tool in every way.

Bigi Design Titanium Pocket Tool

To some extent, every EDC gear brand is design-focused; it comes with the territory when you’re trying to make a unique piece of kit that will appeal to everyone.

But lately, I’ve been extremely impressed with the design sensibilities from Bigi Design (check out their pens, too).

Question for you — how many knives have you lost to the TSA? I sincerely hope it’s less than the number I’ve handed over after forgetting them in my backpack before trying to board a plane.

Well, Bigi’s Titanium Pocket Tool is exactly what I wish I would have had every time I went to the airport. It’s a TSA-approved multi-tool — with a removable blade as the keystone of its 10 tool functions.

• Material: Titanium
• Length: 3 in
• Weight: .9 oz

That means that in addition to always keeping a razor-sharp edge with your tools, you can also pop out the blade and breeze through airport security.

OrbitKey Multi-Tool v2

OrbitKey’s cleverly designed Key Organisers have been on our radar for quite some time, as they seamlessly combine streamlined key storage with a handsome exterior.

But one of their stronger suits is that they’re easily compatible with keychain multi-tools, like the brand’s latest Multi-Tool v2.

At under two and a half inches in length, the Multi-Tool v2 is the smallest tool on our list. Even so, it packs an impressive nine tool options, including a box cutter, bottle opener, pry bar, flat-head screwdriver, Phillips screwdriver, letter opener, metric ruler, imperial ruler, and a coarse file.

• Material: Stainless steel with black titanium coating
• Length: 2.48 in
• Weight: Not specified

If you already have one of their Key Organisers, this tool will slot right into your EDC setup. But even if not, it’s still quite easy to attach to a conventional keychain.

Leatherman Micra

You really can’t cover just how dominant Leatherman is in the multi-tool category with just one of their products, so here’s another one.

The Leatherman Micra is pocket-sized, keychain-ready, extremely customizable option for everyday carry.

You can choose from six baseline colors to start your masterpiece, then take it through the Leatherman Custom Shop to add your own images, text, and graphics to make it your own. And at around $50 even after customizations, that makes the Micra a fantastic gift option, too.

• Material: Stainless steel
• Closed Length: 2.5 in
• Weight: 1.8 oz

If you want a keychain or pocket-sized tool that still has a full-sized blade and scissors, this is the way to go.

And to wrap things up, let’s take a minute to answer the questions we’ve heard most often about multi-tools for everyday carry.

What Multi-Tool Is the Best?

We like Airo’s ONETool the most, but Leatherman’s Wave Plus is a great option if you want more features.

What Multi-Tool Do Navy Seals Use?

Navy Seals build specialized multi-tools on the basis of the Gerber Multi-Plier 600.

Are Leatherman Multi-Tools Good?

Leatherman multi-tools are some of the best in the world, with an attention to design details that’s hard to match.

Which Multi-Tool Will You Add to Your EDC?

Whether a tiny keychain version or a heavy-duty model, almost every guy could benefit from carrying a multi-tool. Try one out — you’ll probably use it a lot more than you might think.

Questions? Comments? Leave them below!