Best Cordless Oscillating Multi-Tools
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An oscillating multi-tool makes flush cuts in trim, plunge cuts in drywall and wood, and handles scraping and sanding in places a saw cannot reach. This guide compares eight cordless models using manufacturer specifications. Nobody at WorkshopCompare has used these tools; everything below comes from stated specifications and how the tools are designed.
Speed range, oscillation angle, accessory interface and whether a battery comes with the tool are the main differences. Several are sold as complete kits and several as bare tools, so the cost depends heavily on the battery system you already own. Price tiers are ranges, not exact prices.
Our Top Picks
- For a starter kit with accessories: Skil PWRCore 20 Brushless Oscillating Multi-Tool Kit
- For V20 owners who want accessories in the box: Craftsman V20 Oscillating Tool Kit
- For tight spaces and light carrying: Metabo HPT 18V MultiVolt Oscillating Multi-Tool
- For a sub-compact body that takes all three Starlock formats: Makita 18V LXT Sub-Compact Brushless StarlockMax Multi-Tool
- For controlled speed selection and a StarlockMax interface: Bosch 18V Brushless StarlockMax Oscillating Tool
- For a kit with a fast charger: Flex 24V Brushless Oscillating Multi-Tool Kit
- For M18 owners: Milwaukee M18 FUEL Oscillating Multi-Tool
- For ONE+ owners: RYOBI 18V ONE+ HP Brushless Multi-Tool
Comparison Table
| Product | Price Tier | Battery System | Suited To |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skil PWRCore 20 Brushless Oscillating Multi-Tool Kit | $50–100 | Skil PWRCore 20 | Starter kit |
| Craftsman V20 Oscillating Tool Kit | $100–200 | Craftsman V20 | Kit with accessories |
| Metabo HPT 18V MultiVolt Oscillating Multi-Tool | $100–200 | Metabo HPT 18V MultiVolt | Light, tight spaces |
| Makita 18V LXT Sub-Compact Brushless StarlockMax Multi-Tool | — | Makita 18V LXT | Sub-compact body |
| Bosch 18V Brushless StarlockMax Oscillating Tool | $200+ | Bosch 18V | StarlockMax interface |
| Flex 24V Brushless Oscillating Multi-Tool Kit | $200+ | Flex 24V | Kit with fast charger |
| Milwaukee M18 FUEL Oscillating Multi-Tool | — | Milwaukee M18 | Existing M18 owners |
| RYOBI 18V ONE+ HP Brushless Multi-Tool | — | RYOBI 18V ONE+ | Existing ONE+ owners |
The Picks in Detail
Skil PWRCore 20 Brushless Oscillating Multi-Tool Kit
The Skil kit bundles a 2.0Ah battery, a charger, a wood blade, a segment blade, a sanding pad and nine sandpapers, so it can cut and sand straight from the box. It has a digital brushless motor, a 3.6-degree oscillating angle, constant speed technology that draws more power under load, and a tool-free blade change.
The compact 2.0Ah battery limits run time, so it suits short jobs better than a full day of demolition. It is in the $50–100 tier, the lowest listed in this group.
- Battery, charger, blades and sanding accessories included
- Constant speed technology for tougher materials
- Tool-free blade change
- Compact 2.0Ah battery limits run time
- Oscillating angle of 3.6 degrees
Craftsman V20 Oscillating Tool Kit
The Craftsman V20 kit includes a 2.0Ah battery, a charger, wood and wood/metal blades, a sanding platen and sandpaper, plus a storage bag. A variable speed dial adjusts the pace and a tool-free universal attachment handles blade changes. An LED work light shows the cut line.
Check what the universal attachment fits before buying extra blades. The motor is brushed, the kit includes one battery, and the Versatrack clip is sold separately.
- Battery and charger included in kit
- Blades, sanding platen and sandpaper included
- LED work light and variable speed dial
- Brushed motor, not brushless
- Kit includes one 2.0Ah battery
Metabo HPT 18V MultiVolt Oscillating Multi-Tool
Metabo HPT lists six speed settings from 6,000 to 20,000 OPM, a weight of 2.6 lbs, and acceptance of both Starlock and OIS accessories. The low end of that speed range is useful for sanding and scraping, where full speed can be too aggressive. User Vibration Protection is built in for comfort over longer use.
It is a bare tool with a brushless motor that accepts 18V and 18V/36V MultiVolt batteries, sold separately. It sits in the $100–200 tier.
- Six speed settings from 6,000 to 20,000 OPM
- Lightweight at 2.6 lbs
- Accepts Starlock and OIS accessories
- Tool only, battery and charger not included
Makita 18V LXT Sub-Compact Brushless StarlockMax Multi-Tool
This Makita is a bare sub-compact tool with a speed dial from 10,000 to 20,000 OPM and a 3.6-degree oscillation angle. It accepts StarlockMax, StarlockPlus and Starlock accessories, which covers the three Starlock formats. Makita rates its Anti-Vibration Technology at up to 85% reduced vibration.
It has a large slide switch with a lock-on button. The tool works only with Makita 18V LXT batteries and ships without battery or charger.
- Variable speed dial from 10,000 to 20,000 OPM
- Accepts StarlockMax, StarlockPlus and Starlock accessories
- Lock-on button on the slide switch
- Tool only, battery and charger not included
- Works only with Makita 18V LXT batteries
Bosch 18V Brushless StarlockMax Oscillating Tool
Bosch lists up to 20,000 oscillations per minute across six speed settings, a 4-degree oscillating angle, Auto-Stop that halts the tool at the end of a cut, and Adaptive Speed Control. The 3-D StarlockMax interface is designed for quick blade changes.
The grip area is reduced and vibration dampened. It is a bare tool that works only with Bosch 18V AMPShare batteries; battery and charger are not included. This is the $200+ tier.
- Up to 20,000 OPM with six speed settings
- Auto-Stop at the end of cuts
- StarlockMax 3-D accessory interface
- Tool only, battery and charger not included
- Works only with Bosch 18V AMPShare batteries
Flex 24V Brushless Oscillating Multi-Tool Kit
The Flex 24V kit oscillates at up to 20,000 OPM and ships with a 2.5Ah lithium battery and a 160W fast charger. A 3D Starlock connection passes power to the blade, and a keyless blade eject lets you change accessories without touching a hot blade. The motor is brushless and vibration suppression isolates the tool from the user.
It works only with Flex 24V batteries, and the kit includes one battery. It is in the $200+ tier.
- Up to 20,000 OPM
- Battery and 160W fast charger included
- Keyless blade eject
- Kit includes one battery
- Works only with Flex 24V batteries
Milwaukee M18 FUEL Oscillating Multi-Tool
Milwaukee lists a 10,000 to 20,000 OPM speed range, a 4.2-degree oscillation angle and tool-free blade changes. It is a bare tool on the M18 platform, and the battery is sold separately. It is generally used for cutting, sanding and scraping in tight spaces.
- 10,000 to 20,000 OPM speed range
- Tool-free blade change
- M18 FUEL line
- Tool only, battery and charger not included
- Works only with Milwaukee M18 batteries
RYOBI 18V ONE+ HP Brushless Multi-Tool
RYOBI sells this HP brushless tool bare or in a kit with a 2Ah battery and charger. RYOBI lists an included detail sanding pad and sandpaper, and it is intended for cutting, sanding and scraping around the home. It is on the 18V ONE+ platform.
If you already own ONE+ batteries it is a low-friction addition.
- Brushless motor
- Available as bare tool or kit
- Fits the 18V ONE+ battery system
- Tool only, battery and charger not included
How to Choose a Cordless Oscillating Multi-Tool
Match the accessory interface. The blade mount determines which accessories fit. Starlock, StarlockPlus and StarlockMax are related but not fully interchangeable formats. Makita lists all three, Bosch lists a StarlockMax interface, and Flex lists a Starlock connection. Metabo HPT lists Starlock and OIS. Check which format your tool accepts before buying blades. Craftsman describes a universal attachment. Buy blades with the same mount as your tool.
Think about what you will cut. Flush cuts in trim, plunge cuts in drywall and removing grout or caulk are the usual jobs. A wide speed range lets you slow the tool down for sanding and scraping. Constant speed or load-sensing features are meant to keep the blade moving under pressure.
Compare vibration claims with care. Makita, Bosch, Flex, Metabo HPT and others describe vibration reduction, but each brand measures differently, so the percentages are not directly comparable. A lighter tool also helps with fatigue.
Kit or bare. The Skil, Craftsman and Flex tools come with a battery and charger; the Metabo HPT, Makita, Bosch, Milwaukee and RYOBI are sold bare. See tool-only vs kit for how to weigh that. For a compact kit battery, a short job is fine; for demolition work you will want a larger pack, covered in our battery size guide.
The Milwaukee and RYOBI buttons above go to Home Depot.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an oscillating multi-tool used for?
It moves an attachment side to side in a small arc, which allows flush cuts, plunge cuts, scraping and sanding in places a saw cannot reach, such as door casings and baseboards.
Does a higher OPM mean a better tool?
Not by itself. Higher OPM generally cuts faster, but oscillation angle, motor power and blade quality matter too. A wide range that goes low is useful for sanding.
Can I use any brand of blade?
Only if the mount matches. Check whether your tool uses Starlock, StarlockPlus, StarlockMax, OIS or a universal attachment before buying blades.
Is a brushless motor necessary?
It is not required, but a brushless motor is generally more efficient and has fewer wearing parts, which helps run time and tool life.