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This article was first published in the April 2016 issue of WIRED magazine. Be the first to read WIRED's articles in print before they're posted online, and get your hands on loads of additional content by subscribing online.
WIRED asked professional handyman Adrian Lambert to put these four shape-shifting multitools to the test.
He sawed, drilled, routed and sanded his way through wooden offcuts to find out which tool is the most versatile. Using as many attachments as possible, each was judged on its efficacy, convenience and value for money.
The Multievo offers ten attachments (available separately) for tasks as diverse as inflating a dinghy and hedge-trimming. The trim saw was handy for cutting through knotted planks, and the jigsaw handled letters' curves with ease. A warning: this kit is affordably priced, but the add-ons are not. 8/10 £80
Attachments included One Battery 14.4V Li-ion Speed 1,550rpm
Sharpening, sanding and polishing are the Dremel's specialty, but we also found it prettty adept at grinding and cutting. The circular saw attachment is small but it sliced through metal with ease. "This is great for doing fiddly jobs, but it's not going to replace any of my other essential power tools," Lambert says. 7/10 £175
Attachments included Five Battery 10.8V Li-ion Speed30,000rpm
[note]
B&Q's no-frills own brand Mac Allister multitool undercuts the competition in price, but the key difference here is the power cord. Being tethered makes it awkward to use, and changing accessories means laboriously unscrewing a puck. "It's cheap and it's no less effective than the DeWalt," Lambert says. "But it lacks the good design that saves you time and effort in the long run." 6/10 £50
Attachments includedFour Power 220V corded Speed 20,000rpm
DeWalt DCS355N
DeWalt is known for its tough hardware - and is priced accordingly. Its quick-change system lets you switch accessories without a chuck key. The trigger is pressure sensitive: a gentle squeeze elicits a response, whereas using more force makes a racket. "It's overkill for the average DIYer," Lambert says. "But professionals would love one of these." 7/10 £190
Attachments included Seven Battery 18V Li-ion Speed 20,000rpm
This article was originally published by WIRED UK
