Kreg Pocket-Hole Jig 720PRO vs Kreg Pocket-Hole Jig 520PRO

The 720PRO clamps and sets thickness in a single motion, which removes the setup error that produces most bad pocket holes. The 520PRO gives you a built-in clamp and three presets for considerably less money.

Kreg Pocket-Hole Jig 720PRO

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Sets the material thickness automatically as it clamps, which removes the one setup step that ruins pocket holes.

• Automaxx clamping sets the thickness and clamps in one motion for stock from 1/2 in. to 1-1/2 in., so the commonest setup mistake is designed out.
• Material support wings reposition along the body, holding longer workpieces square to the guide instead of letting them tip.
• Bit and screw storage inside the wings, so the parts you need are attached to the tool rather than in a drawer.
• Gripmaxx anti-slip material on the clamping faces, which keeps the workpiece from creeping under drill pressure.

• The most expensive jig in the range by a clear margin, and it drills exactly the same hole as the cheapest.
• Bulkier than the 520PRO, and it is a bench tool rather than something to carry to a repair.
• The automatic thickness setting still assumes you selected the right screw length for that thickness, which it cannot do for you.

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Kreg Pocket-Hole Jig 520PRO

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A built-in trigger clamp and three thickness presets, which is most of the flagship's usefulness at a fraction of the price.

• A built-in trigger clamp, so the jig holds the workpiece itself and both your hands stay on the drill and the stock.
• Three material thickness presets, which covers the common 1/2 in., 3/4 in. and 1-1/2 in. cases without measuring.
• The drill guide is spaced for 1x2, 1x3 and 1x4 stock, so hole positions on common boards need no marking out.
• Small and portable enough to take to the work rather than bringing the work to it.

• Presets rather than automatic setting, so thickness is still a decision you can make wrong.
• Three presets cover the common thicknesses and nothing in between, unlike the 720PRO's continuous range.
• No material support wings, so longer boards need supporting some other way.

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Side by side

The bottom line

Our overall pick is the Kreg Pocket-Hole Jig 720PRO - Sets the material thickness automatically as it clamps, which removes the one setup step that ruins pocket holes. Choose the Kreg Pocket-Hole Jig 520PRO instead if most home shops, where the built-in clamp is the feature that matters and the automatic thickness setting is a luxury.

Want the full picture, including the other options we compared and the popular one we'd skip? Read the complete The Best Pocket Hole Jigs: 4 Compared (and One to Skip).