Nextool Electric Multi-Tool Review: A Budget Tool With a Unique Trick

Introduction

Every so often a multi-tool shows up that genuinely does something different. The Nextool electric multi-tool is bigger than most of what you will find in this category, heavier than an everyday carry option, and it hides a feature I had never seen in a multi-tool before: a built-in electric bit driver. Even more surprising, it manages all of this at a price under fifty dollars, putting it firmly in true budget territory.

This is not a tool trying to replace a Leatherman for backpacking. It is aimed at a very specific kind of user, and for that user it could be a genuinely clever purchase. Here is what you need to know.

What You Get in the Box

Nextool leans into the idea that this is a tool kit multi-tool rather than a holster multi-tool, and the packaging reflects that. You get a zippered case that holds everything together, which works well for what it is.

Inside the case you find a set of 4mm bits with genuinely good storage organization, a Type-C to Type-A charging cable, and the tool itself. The bit storage is one of the nicest touches here, and it is the kind of detail worth hoping for in future models.

Charging is refreshingly simple. The tool charged fine overnight on a standard 65W charging brick with a high-drain cable, so you do not need anything exotic to keep it powered.

Everyday Tools: Blade, Openers, and Scissors

The outside-accessible tools start with a locking blade. The steel appears to be 420J2 or a similar 420 stainless equivalent, which is not premium steel but is perfectly serviceable for general tasks. There is also a combined can opener and bottle opener, the same pairing you will find on many established multi-tools.

Tucked inside is a large flathead driver, which is a welcome inclusion for electronics work, plus a two-dimensional Phillips driver. That Phillips design is not a favorite, though with proper heat treatment it could still earn its place alongside the main driver.

The scissors turned in a surprisingly good performance when tested on paracord with extra internal strands, which is a deliberately difficult material. It will not cut clean at the very tip, but that was still better performance than most multi-tool scissors manage.

One caution: the electric driver’s button sits where a finger can hit it accidentally during normal use, and there is no lockout to prevent that. Keep it in mind while handling the tool.

Size, Weight, and Pliers

This is a large tool by multi-tool standards. It measures roughly four and a half inches in length, closer to five inches with the driver extension, and weighs 9.8 ounces (278 grams), which matches the figure printed on the box. That puts it in heavy-duty territory. For comparison, heavier options like the Surge sit around 12 ounces, so this is substantial but not extreme.

The weight and length are not just for show. The extra length gives real leverage advantage to the pliers, and the pliers themselves are spring-loaded, which makes them noticeably more comfortable to use. In hand, the tool feels well balanced, and the whole kit in a pocket is noticeable but easy enough to forget about until needed.

The Electric Bit Driver

The headline feature is the electric driver at the end of the tool. Forward rotates clockwise for tightening, reverse rotates counterclockwise for loosening. It accepts the included 4mm bits and holds its position when not powered, so you can break a screw loose manually and then use the motor to extract it the rest of the way. That is a genuinely useful workflow.

In stress testing against dried hardwood pallet wood and notoriously strip-prone screws, the driver did more than expected but clearly is not a high-torque unit. It did not cam out or damage the screws in the test, and the driver itself survived unharmed, but this is not a drill and it is not meant for driving screws into wood.

Who This Tool Is For

The intended use is electronics work: assembling and disassembling devices, opening enclosures, removing small screws. The tool set, the flathead sizing, and the gentle torque all point that direction.

It is also a compelling option for anyone with wrist issues such as carpal tunnel or arthritis. Long, heavily threaded machine screws that would hurt to turn by hand can be broken free manually and then extracted with the motor, saving real time and strain. Since saving time is the whole point of a multi-tool, that is a feature with a genuine purpose.

Things to Consider Before Buying

A few honest caveats. There is no lockout on the electric driver button, so accidental activation is possible. The included bits skip a number 2 Phillips, which is an odd omission, though the modest torque means the driver may not have used one much in powered mode anyway. A diamond file would also have been a natural addition for electronics work, where you sometimes need to flush a metal component so parts slide together.

Long-term battery behavior is another consideration. If the tool sits unused for a long stretch, some charge drain over time is likely, so do not expect maximum power if you pick it up a year later.

Buying Advice

At under fifty dollars, this is a spring-loaded plier multi-tool with a decent tool set, comfortable ergonomics, extra leverage from its length, and a unique powered feature that nothing else in this price bracket offers. If you regularly tear down electronics, or you need powered screw extraction because of wrist strain, it is an easy recommendation.

If you need a high-torque driver, look elsewhere. If you want a convenient all-in-one kit for the desk drawer so you stop hunting for separate drivers and bits every time something needs taking apart, this fits that role very well.

Conclusion

The Nextool electric multi-tool earns its place as a budget pick with a genuinely unique trick. It is heavy, it is long, the steel is basic, and the button needs care, but the combination of spring-loaded pliers, a thoughtful tool set, and a working electric bit driver at this price is hard to argue with. For the right user, it is a smart and practical buy.