Which Kreg Jig To Buy: What Is Right For Me?

Thank you to Kreg for sponsoring this guide on which Kreg Jig to buy! All opinions are entirely my own. This post also contains affiliate links, but nothing that I wouldn’t recommend wholeheartedly. Read my full disclosure here.

Are you a beginning woodworker looking to buy your first pocket hole jig? It’s easy to get overwhelmed by all of the options for jigs to drill your pocket holes.

Today I’m clearing things up and narrowing things down for you with my top 3 options of Kreg pocket hole jigs. And we actually own ALL THREE of these, so we have real building experience with each of them. 

Pocket Hole Basics

Before we jump into which Kreg Jig to buy, let’s start with some basics. 

What is a pocket hole?

A pocket hole is an angled hole for a screw to join together two pieces of wood.

Pocket holes are created by drilling a hole into a single piece of wood at a 15-degree angle. Then, drill a self-tapping screw into the angled hole to bring the second piece of wood together with the first piece.

Why is pocket hole joinery great for beginner woodworkers?

Pocket holes are great for beginners because it is one of the simplest ways to join wood and is more efficient than gluing. The jigs do a lot of the hard work for you! 

Which Kreg Jig To Buy: Top 3 Options for Woodworkers

We own three different pocket hole jigs from Kreg Tool (the 720PRO, the 520PRO and the 320) and we love them all for different reasons. If you’re shopping for a pocket hole jig, you’re probably wondering which Kreg Jig to buy, right? 

Now, not everyone needs three different models like we have, haha. Depending on how often you use pocket-hole joinery and what type of wood projects you create, you’ll consider which new jig to purchase. 

The main difference between different models of Kreg jigs

There are a lot of things that all of the different jigs have in common: a drill guide (designed at the perfect angle for pocket holes) and a bit with a stop collar along with a driver bit to put your pocket hole screws in. All of the jigs feature a drill guide hole that is made with hardened steel. The bodies of the jigs are made with impact-resistant polymer bodies. 

The biggest difference between some of the smaller options (that are really budget-friendly) and the more advanced jigs with more features is whether it has a built-in clamp or not. 

In our comparison below, both the 520Po and 720Pro have a built-in clamp and the 320 does not. Having a clamp built into the Kreg pocket hole jig will allow you to work faster and more efficiently (and there’s less room for mistakes). 

However, if you don’t need to drill a lot of pocket holes setting up the clamp each time isn’t too bad – so a smaller and portable jig may work just fine for you. 

YouTube Video

We cover each of these options and all the features in this video. So you prefer to watch versus read it, here’s the YouTube video:

If you love DIY videos, be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel!

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Let’s jump in and review our top three recommendations so you can figure out what the best Kreg jig is for you.

Option 1: 720Pro

The Kreg 720Pro is the pocket hole jig that we use most often, so it is usually what I recommend if you’re serious about woodworking. You probably recognize it if you’ve seen any of our pocket-hole projects.

It is great for quick and easy building and worth the investment if you are going to be drilling lots of pocket holes and many different projects. 

720Pro Overview

Of all the different types of Kreg jigs, this one is the easiest to use and set up. We love it and highly recommend it. It is really the ultimate joining setup for woodworkers! 

• It can be used on materials from 1/2″ to 1 1/2″ thick and there are no adjustments needed on the jig with the clamp because it automatically adjusts to your material thickness. 
• The wood stays put once clamped because it has an anti-slip surface that grips the wood. 
• If you need to drill smaller pocket holes, you can use a micro drill guide with the 720Pro (and also the 520). 

The process of using the 720Pro is simple: set your stop collar on the drill bit, clamp the jig to a workbench, clamp wood into the jig, and drill your pocket holes! 

What makes 720Pro different from other pocket hole jigs?

These are the features that you’ll only find on the 720Pro.

• Can only be used on a benchtop, which means that it isn’t as portable as other options. 
• Automatic clamp, which means no adjustments are needed on the actual jig. You can work quickly and efficiently (even if you’re switching back and forth between different sizes of wood). 
• Built-in storage for your bits on the bottom of the jig. No more losing them in your workshop (this saves me a ton of time). 
• Attaches to ShopVac for dust collection.
• Can use it with the custom-plug cutter drill guide so you can make your own plugs. 

What’s the difference between the 720 and 720Pro?

When you go to purchase a 720, you’ll be faced with the decision to buy a 720 or a 720Pro. The jigs themselves are exactly the same. The only difference between 720 and 720Pro is that the Pro comes with a docking station (wings that come down on the sides of the jig). The 720Pro also comes with a clamp, whereas the 720 does not. 

The docking station gives you more stability and another bonus is that the tops open up, so you can use it for storage of your extra accessories (like driver bits and the hex wrench). 

Also, the docking station winds have an adjustable repetitive position stop so you can work faster drilling your pocket holes at the same relative spot.

Admittedly, we don’t use this feature much. We usually mark our boards where the pocket holes should be located and then just use those marks to make the pocket holes. 

Who should buy a 720Pro?

The 720Pro is the best option for someone who will be building furniture and doing other larger woodworking projects regularly and has room to store the tool in their workshop. If you will only use the pocket hole jig a couple of times a year, you may want to go with a cheaper or smaller option. 

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Option 2: 520Pro

The 520Pro is referred to by Kreg as their “most versatile jig” and we’d have to agree. The versatility is mostly because you can use the 520Pro on either the benchtop or on the go.

It is slightly smaller than the 720Pro and at a cheaper price point, but requires a bit more setup to adjust the drill block to your thickness settings. 

520Pro Overview

• Just like 720Pro, you can use it on 1/2″ to 1 1/2″ thick material. 
• The 520Pro as it is does not come with any sort of docking station, but there is one that is sold separately if you’re interested in some additional accessories. 
• You can use a micro-pocket hole drill guide with the 520Pro, which allows you to make a pocket hole that is 25% smaller. It is great for projects where you are using narrow stock or thin material (like 1/2″ thick). We used it on this cookbook stand and it came in handy there. 
• Unlike the 720, you cannot hook up your Shop Vac to pull out the sawdust as your drill, so keep that in mind if that is important to you. 

What makes 520Pro different from other pocket hole jigs?

Here are the unique features that you’ll only find on the 520Pro jig: 

• Can use it either on the benchtop (by clamping into place) or portable (clamping to your work piece). 
• The handle, which contains the clamping mechanism, rotates all the way around so you can find something comfortable for you. 

Who should buy a 520Pro?

The 520Pro is a great option for someone who wants to get into woodworking with pocket hole joints and works a little bit in their garage and a little bit in their backyard or even on the go. 

Even with the extra setup required, it only takes about 30 seconds or so to make the adjustments needed on the jig before you can start drilling your pocket holes. 

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Option 3: 320

Now the 320 Pro is the smallest pocket hole jig we own. Although it is small, it is mighty! If you’re brand new to woodworking and/or have a small budget, it is a great option that can still make the perfect pocket hole for your projects!

320 Pro Overview

Along with its small, compact size, you’ll also notice that there is no built-in clamp with this jig – like there was with the 520Pro and 720Pro. So instead of the clamp being built into the jig, you put the wood into the jig. This one works a bit differently, you clamp the jig to the wood to an external clamp.

You can still use the same material thickness from 1/2″ to 1 1/2″ (like we saw with the other jigs). 

To use the 320, you’ll need to make a couple of small adjustments on the jig with the adjustable stops (according to your thickness), but that only takes 30 seconds or so. Then you’ll need to clamp the jig into place, which you can do with any outside clamp you have in your workshop. 

What makes 320 different from other pocket hole jigs?

Here’s a few things that are completely unique to the 320 jig: 

• Twist-apart drill guides allow you to add or remove spacers to make your pocket holes closer together or further apart (additional spacers and drill guides are sold separately). 
• Very small and portable in a convenient carrying case.

Who should buy a 320?

The best thing, in my opinion, about the 320 is how small it is and how affordable it is – which can be a big barrier for the bigger jigs. If your budget is small, but you still want to get into using pocket holes – you can do it on a budget with the 320. 

Yes, you’ll need to take some more time to set it up and clamp it into place – but it still drills the same pocket hole. In other words, the results are the same. 

The other place that the 320 really shines is with repairs because it is so small. So if you’re mostly using the pocket hole jig for furniture repair and other types of repairs that may be tight, it is your best option. 

Other Pocket Hole Options

Older models

In 2021, Kreg released new models of their pocket hole jigs, but there are still older models available out there. Even Kreg is still selling the discontinued K 4 (assuming to get rid of their older inventory). You can also find older versions available used in Facebook groups or new on eBay. 

These options will be a little more affordable, so it’s a great option if you’re on a budget. You won’t get the newer features – like the automatic adjusting clamp. Instead, you’ll have to use a guide block to set the jig clamp up, which takes more time. But they still do the job! 

Note: the older versions do not come with the easy-set drill bit with the markings on the side of the bit. This is something that I highly recommend you buy separately if you buy an older model. They are a game changer! 

Smaller options

There are a few models that are even smaller than the 320 that I covered above. 

• Kreg R3: Similar to the 320 in size and price. 
• Kreg 310: This is exactly like the 320, but it only comes with 1 of the drill guides (not both) and no spacers. 
• Kreg Mini: This little guy is just a single drill guide. It does not have any guides or stops so you need to position it manually each time, which can be very time-consuming. Good option if you only need to drill a few pocket holes here and there. 

Bigger options

• Kreg XL: Functions a lot like the 320 jigs with the twist-apart drill guides, but with this one everything is a little bit bigger.
  • You’ll get extra large pocket holes (twice the strength) made especially for 2x4s or 4x4s. Remember: you can’t use any other pocket hole jig on 4x4s – so if you use those a lot with your builds, this one is a great option. 
• Kreg Foreman: One of the most expensive tools that Kreg Tool sells – definitely the most expensive and advanced pocket hole jig. It’s really more made for people who do woodworking full-time and make a lot of pocket holes (like Etsy store owners) or people who have a lot of room in their workshop. You can create pocket-hole joints in half the time.
  • The primary difference between the Foreman and the different Kreg jig models is that there is a motor built into the machine, so there’s no need to use a drill. You can create the pocket holes with one motion.
  • All you do is pull down on the large control handle to clamp your wood into place and push a button to raise the drill bit through the table and drill the pocket hole. 

Which Kreg Jig To Buy: Table Comparison

We’ve covered a lot of information, let’s sum it all up!

	720Pro	520Pro	320
Where To Use	Benchtop only	Benchtop or portable	Portable
Clamp	Built-in clamp (automatic adjustment)	Build-in clamp (rotates 360-degrees)	External clamp only, can use without clamp (screw into place)
Material thickness	1/2″ – 1 1/2″	1/2″ – 1 1/2″	1/2″ – 1 1/2″
Set-up Process	Adjust stop collar on bit	Adjust stop collar on bit and thickness on drill guide	Adjust stop collar on bit and material stops on jig, clamp into place
Storage	Bit storage built-in		Carrying case
Accessories	Micro-pocket hole drill guide Custom plug cutter	Micro-pocket hole drill guide	Expansion pack with more spacers and drill guides
How Many Pocket Holes You Drill	Regularly	Often	Rarely
Price point	$$$	$$	$

No need to get overwhelmed when shopping for your first pocket hole jig. Whether you go with the 720Pro, 520Pro, 320 or another option – you’ll love using the jigs to create easy pocket holes for your woodworking projects.

We hope you found this guide of which Kreg Jig to buy helpful! Let us know if you have any other questions about which Kreg jig might be right for you.

Next, you can check out all of our projects that use pocket hole joinery to get some inspiration of what to build when you purchase the jig! All of these projects linked below also have free woodworking plans that you can download!