Intro
Every DIY project eventually reaches a point where your standard power tools hit a wall. You need to cut a door frame flush with the floor to fit new flooring, but a circular saw is too large and a handsaw leaves a ragged edge. You need to scrape old tile adhesive off a wall, but a chisel and hammer will take hours and probably gouge the plaster. You need to sand into a tight corner, but your orbital sander's round pad leaves an untouched triangle of old paint. This is exactly the kind of work an oscillating multi-tool was invented to handle. Unlike a drill that spins or a jigsaw that reciprocates, an oscillating tool vibrates its blade or attachment through a tiny arc — typically just a few degrees — thousands of times per minute. This motion lets it cut, sand, scrape, and grind in places no other power tool can reach: flush against a skirting board, inside a cut-out for an electrical box, or between tiles when regrouting. For anyone renovating a room, fitting a kitchen, or maintaining an older property, a good oscillating multi-tool quickly earns its keep.
Generalities
When choosing an oscillating multi-tool, three specifications matter most: motor power, which determines how quickly you can cut through hardwood or metal; oscillation angle, which affects cutting speed and aggressiveness; and the accessory mounting system, which determines how fast and securely you can swap blades and attachments between tasks. A wider oscillation angle and a stronger motor mean faster, cleaner cuts, while a tool-free blade-change system saves valuable time when you are switching between cutting, sanding, and scraping multiple times in a single project. WORX has established itself as a brand that delivers capable tools at a price point accessible to serious DIYers rather than just trade professionals, and their Sonicrafter range of oscillating tools has been steadily refined over several generations.
In this review we look at a 250-watt corded oscillating multi-tool from the WORX Sonicrafter lineup, supplied with a 19-piece accessory kit. We cover the motor performance and oscillation angle, the tool-free blade change mechanism, the included accessories and what they enable, and how the tool handles across common renovation tasks — from flush-cutting door architraves to sanding in corners and removing old grout. We also honestly address what this tool does well and where it falls short compared to more expensive alternatives.
Description
The WORX WX686.1 Sonicrafter is powered by a 250-watt corded motor that drives the oscillating head through a 3.2-degree arc at high speed. This combination of power and oscillation angle is at the upper end of what you find in this price bracket — many competing multi-tools in the sub-€100 range use 200-watt motors with narrower 2.8-degree oscillations. In practical terms, the extra power translates to faster plunge cuts into hardwood, cleaner flush cuts along skirting boards, and less bogging down when you are scraping stubborn adhesive. The corded design means unlimited runtime, which is a genuine advantage for renovation work where you might be sanding or scraping for extended periods — no battery to swap or recharge mid-task.
WORX has integrated several thoughtful design features that make the WX686.1 more pleasant to use than many competitors in its price class. The on-board key storage is a standout: the hex key needed to change blades is stored magnetically in the tool body, so it never goes missing in the bottom of your tool bag. The blade change system itself is simple — loosen the bolt with the stored key, swap the blade, and retighten — and while it is not as fast as the lever-based quick-change systems found on premium brands, it is secure, reliable, and takes under 30 seconds once you are familiar with it. The slim grip and rubberised overmould coating on the body provide a comfortable, slip-resistant hold whether you are working overhead cutting pipework or down at floor level trimming a door frame.
In day-to-day use the WX686.1 feels balanced and easy to control. At 2.18 kilograms it is not the lightest oscillating tool on the market, but the weight is well distributed and the tool sits comfortably in the hand during extended use. The variable speed dial lets you match the oscillation rate to the task — lower speeds for delicate sanding on painted surfaces where you do not want to burn through, higher speeds for aggressive cutting and scraping. The tool vibrates as all oscillating multi-tools do, but the vibration damping is respectable for this price point and does not leave your hand numb after a few minutes of use.
The included 19-piece accessory kit gives you a genuine head start rather than the token selection that budget tools often bundle. You get a rigid scraper blade for removing adhesive and paint, a 35-millimetre standard cutting blade for general wood and plastic work, an 80-millimetre HSS half-circle saw blade for metal cutting, an abrasive pad for sanding, and fifteen sanding sheets in coarse (#40), medium (#80), and fine (#120) grits. This is enough to handle the most common renovation tasks — cutting door frames, scraping old tile adhesive, sanding in corners, and trimming pipework — without immediately needing to buy additional blades. The tool uses the standard oscillating tool accessory interface, so blades and attachments from most major brands will also fit.
The WX686.1 measures 38 by 14.8 by 7.5 centimetres and weighs 2.18 kilograms. It holds an impressive 4.6 out of 5 stars from 431 customer reviews — one of the highest-rated oscillating tools in its class, reflecting genuinely satisfied users. The price of approximately €81 positions it firmly in the mid-range for a corded multi-tool with a comprehensive accessory kit. WORX offers their standard manufacturer warranty, and the availability of spare parts and additional accessories through major retailers means the tool is easy to keep running and expand over time.
Pros and cons
Pros
- 250-watt motor delivers more power than many competitors at this price — cuts through hardwood, metal, and adhesive faster with less bogging down under load.
- 3.2-degree oscillation angle is wider than the typical 2.8-degree arc found on budget multi-tools, giving noticeably faster cutting and more aggressive scraping performance.
- On-board hex key storage is magnetically integrated into the tool body — a genuinely practical feature that means the blade-change key never goes missing.
- 19-piece accessory kit includes rigid and flexible cutting blades, an HSS half-circle saw blade, a sanding pad, and 15 sanding sheets across three grits — enough to start most renovation tasks immediately.
- Standard oscillating tool accessory interface accepts blades from most major brands, so you are not locked into a proprietary ecosystem when buying replacements.
- Strong 4.6 out of 5 star rating from 431 reviews shows consistent customer satisfaction across a large user base — rare for a mid-priced power tool.
- Corded design provides unlimited runtime for extended sanding and scraping sessions — no batteries to swap or recharge in the middle of a renovation project.
Cons
- Blade changes require a hex key rather than a tool-free lever — it is secure and the key is stored on the tool, but lever-based systems on premium brands are genuinely faster.
- At 2.18 kilograms it is on the heavier side for an oscillating tool — not a problem for short tasks, but your arm will notice the weight during extended overhead cutting or scraping.
- Corded-only design limits portability compared to cordless oscillating tools — you will always need a power socket nearby, which can be inconvenient for quick remote jobs.
- Vibration level, while respectable for the price, is noticeably higher than premium brands like Fein or higher-end Bosch models — prolonged sanding sessions can be fatiguing.
- The included sanding sheets are a starter set — 15 sheets across three grits will not last long on a full room renovation, and you will need to buy additional sheets fairly quickly.
Use cases
The WORX WX686.1 is ideal for ambitious DIYers and home renovators who need a capable, well-accessorised oscillating multi-tool for flush cutting, sanding in corners, scraping old adhesive, and precision trimming across a wide range of household renovation projects.
Flush Cutting Door Frames and Skirting
Fitting new laminate, engineered wood, or tile flooring almost always means trimming the bottom of door architraves and skirting boards so the new flooring slides neatly underneath. The WX686.1 with a wood-cutting blade makes perfectly flush cuts against the floor — something no circular saw, jigsaw, or handsaw can do as cleanly. The 250-watt motor powers through softwood architraves in seconds without burning or splintering.
Sanding in Tight Corners
Standard orbital sanders leave an untouched strip along skirting boards, in corners, and around radiator pipes because their round or rectangular pads cannot reach into these spaces. The WX686.1's triangular sanding pad with the included sanding sheets gets right into those corners, letting you sand old paint, filler, or woodwork flush to the edge. The variable speed control lets you dial back the oscillation for delicate painted surfaces.
Grout and Adhesive Removal
Removing old grout between tiles or scraping dried tile adhesive off a wall with hand tools is back-breaking work. The rigid scraper blade on the WX686.1 makes short work of both — the oscillating motion chips away grout cleanly without damaging adjacent tiles, and the wide scraping blade lifts old adhesive far faster than a manual scraper. This is one of the jobs that transforms an oscillating tool from convenient to genuinely essential.
Precision Cutouts for Sockets and Pipes
Cutting a rectangular opening for an electrical back box in plasterboard, or trimming around protruding pipework when fitting a plinth or panel, demands precise plunge cutting. The WX686.1 allows you to simply push the blade directly into the material — no pilot hole needed — and cut exactly the shape required. The narrow blade profile means tight-radius cuts and corners are crisp and clean.
Metal and PVC Pipe Trimming
Whether you are cutting copper pipe in a tight stud wall cavity where a pipe cutter will not fit, or trimming PVC waste pipe flush to a wall, the included HSS half-circle blade handles both with ease. The controlled oscillating motion means no flying sparks like an angle grinder and a much cleaner cut than a hacksaw in confined spaces — perfect for plumbing and heating modifications.