The Best Oscillating Tools (Review) in 2023 | Autance

For an all-singing, all-oscillating multi-tool pack, you can’t go wrong with this extensive and effective battery-powered tool kit from DIY favorite, Dewalt. This is an impressive 28-piece multi-tool kit, with enough blades and head attachments to make short work of that home improvement snagging list, including heads for sanding, grout removal and cutting metal pipes, all packed in a neat carry bag. You can opt for the multi-tool body only as the unit has a universal accessory adaptor to take other blades but as a start-up kit, the whole pack is a great way to go. We particularly like the tool-free quick-change for accessories, which is really easy to do.

When it comes to the best oscillating tools, there’s a lot to like about the Dewalt multi-tool.  Well-balanced in the hand, it’s light enough to use for prolonged periods without straining your arm. And it comes with some nice little extras, such as a tool guide, so you can set the precise depth and height of the cut and also an LED light so you can still work accurately in dimmer or fading light.

This is a super-powerful, corded multi-tool that makes really light work of even the toughest jobs thanks to its 3.8amp motor and heavy duty 3.2 degrees oscillating angle. It is a little bulkier than some other multi-tool models, yet despite its heavyweight credentials, the Dremel sits ergonomically in the hand. It is also nicely controlled by its easy to reach on/off switch and separate variable speed dial.

An electric corded model, the power and handling of the Dremel Multi-Max makes it the ideal oscillating tool for those large or complicated jobs or professional renovations. It comes with a large pack of 36 interchangeable accessories to cover all your sanding, cutting and grinding needs and all are easily fixed into place with a smooth-working quick lock system. For the toughest, most challenging jobs, then this Dremel oscillating multi tool is your vibrating main man.

There’s something of a split personality about the Sonicrafter F80 oscillating multi-tool from Rockwell and it’s all down to the angle of its blade.

With this solidly built unit, you not only get a meaty 4.2amp motor to prevent stalling under pressure, but you can choose between two angles for the head, depending on whether you want to go soft or hard. The first angle – 3.4 degrees – gives you steady precision and continuous control for those delicate or small space jobs. Then flip it up to 5 degrees for a monster grind when fast and aggressive is needed to get a job done.

The Starlock Plus comes with reassuring Bosch credentials and as a quality oscillating multi-tool, it certainly matches up to expectations. With a more than decent 13-foot cord powering it beefy 4amp motor, there’s some juice in its tank to take on those really big projects where only precision, power and performance will do. The variable motor has a top speed of 20,000 OPM but can easily be powered down to tackle delicate jobs and is surprisingly quieter than expected. Ear-protectors would be advised for the full-on speed but for less powerful jobs you should be able to still hear yourself think!

The oscillating tool comes with a good variety of blades to tackle most materials and boasts one of the slickest attachment units in our best oscillating multi tools review, thanks to its Starlock system that grips as if its life depended on it. And the subsequent torque transfer is certainly felt in the accuracy of its performance, whether that’s cutting, grinding, scraping or sanding. The Starlock Plus is also interchangeable with other accessories from the Bosch Starlock range, but disappointingly, there is no adaptor for other brands’ accessories.

This is a great value oscillating multi tool kit that works just as well for the beginner as it would for more hardened DIY-er looking for an all-round tool that can just get on with the job. The Porter Cable oscillating tool has a nice long flex to power the 3amp motor and comes complete with a very impressive total of 52 accessories and a tough plastic tool box. OK, this oscillating multi-tool may be a little noisier than some of the more expensive models, but it does get on with the job, and more than adequately we’d say.

A little heavy in the hand, the Porter oscillating multi-tool does however sits balanced in your grip and is actually a reassuring chunk to get a hold of. There’s a tool-free accessory change so you can quickly switch blades when the DIY job demands. And to keep your cutting straight, there’s an easy to use depth and cutting guide for extra precision and control.

With its value price tag, the Genesis is a good multi-tool to have on charge for when those everyday DIY jobs come to call. Although it has a smaller motor than some others in this review, it can pack quite a powerful oscillating punch, up to 21,000 OPM say its makers. That’s more than enough for cutting through tough materials such as metal and hard wood while the multi-tool can also be used more precise or delicate jobs, although the speed is not variable, so there is limited control over the power. Operated by a simple on/off switch, it’s a case of just plug in, fit your chosen blade and off you go.

The Genesis multi-purpose oscillating tool comes with a selection of blade heads and sanding pads, including a super-small 30mm saw blade that’s great for those tight corners and spaces. It is a tad noisy but the vibration in your hand is pleasantly low and it also comes with an adapter so you can use accessories from other multi-tools.

The Makita oscillating tool is a very nicely engineered multi-tool that runs on an 18V lithium ion battery but offers the power quality of a corded machine. A single charge gives you around 20 minutes of run time, which may not be quite sufficient for a more prolonged DIY job, but you do get a variable speed of between 6,000 and 20,000 OPM, with no powering down. The overall design of this oscillating multi-tool has also reduced the vibration on the hand and offers a noticeably reduced noise level, compared to some others. Oh, and it has a cool ‘soft start’ feature so you can gently bring up the power level when taking on a more delicate job, while 3.2 degree oscillation angle can be used for faster, more aggressive cutting and sanding.

You will need to buy the additional blade and head accessories for this multi-tool but it does also have a universal head so it should be able to adapt to accessories you may already have in your workshop. This is a solid, well-made and easy to handle large oscillating multi-tool that would look equally at home in the tool bag of the amateur DIY’er as it would in the kit box of the hard-working contractor.

If you are looking for an everyday domestic multi-tool that is built to last, then you can’t really go too wrong with this solid variable speed oscillator from DIY stalwarts, Black & Decker. In B&D’s distinct black and orange colorway, this multi-tool would look good sitting on your work bench, just waiting for the opportunity to get on and oscillate! And when it does, it performs as well as you would expect, a robust feel in the hand and consistent power thanks to its corded supply.

The Black & Decker multi-tool runs on a 2.5 Amp motor, which steadily delivers between 10,000 and 20,000 OPM, and which you can easily control through its six-speed dial. We really like the quick accessory change feature, with a tool-free blade release that is slick and easy to use, especially mid-job. The multi-tool also comes with a starter supply of accessories, including a rigid scraper, a wood/metal blade and 12 sandpaper sheets. They’ve even thrown in a carrying bag for when the job takes you away from home.

The Ryobi JobPlus is the Transformer of the multi-tool world. Not only does it have an interchangeable head for all your oscillating accessories, but the body can mix it up too, with its power base section also compatible with other top attachments from the Ryobi range.

The result is a cool multi-tool you can adapt to the job at hand. That’s fantastic but bringing it back to basics, how does the JobPlus perform as an actual oscillating hand multi-tool?