Which pocket-hole jig is right for your project? From luxury to beginner options, this DIYer tested them all—here are the best of the best.
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Pocket holes have been used in woodworking and cabinet joinery for hundreds of years and have helped make creating tight joints and solid construction easier. While you can drill pocket holes without a pocket-hole jig, using one allows you to be more precise and ensure you have the correct angles for your project and are getting the tightest joints.
As a homeowner and chronic DIYer, I can tell you that learning about the basics of pocket-hole jigs has absolutely changed the game for my woodworking projects. After getting multiple projects under my belt, I decided to use my latest project, a closet storage refresh, to research and test some of the best pocket-hole jigs on the market. Whether you’re starting your journey or a seasoned pro, we’ve tested and found the best pocket-hole jigs for every project.
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The best overall pocket-hole jig is the tried and true Kreg 720Pro. Kreg is a storied brand working since 1989 to perfect its pocket-hole jigs. While Kreg has been patenting jigs since the 90s, the 720Pro was released in 2021, and after 30 years of development and innovation, we feel it is truly the Cadillac of pocket-hole jigs. The 720Pro comes fully stocked, including the upgraded jig, onboard storage for all drills and accessories, a vacuum adaptor for integrated dust collection, and multiple bonus items, including a clamp, docking stations, free project plans, and 160 Kreg pocket-hole screws.
The jig is lighter than expected, with a solid build constructed with a steel frame and impact-resistant polymer. When testing, I took advantage of the unit’s upgrades, including the anti-slip grip, automatic material thickness setting ability, and vacuum attachment, differentiating it from older models. The automatic thickness measurer was helpful in my specific project when switching between one-by-two boards and plywood, saving me time manually switching my depth.
The thickness measurer works in tandem with the anti-slip grip to ensure the wood for your project stays secure so you can drill the best pocket holes every time. This tool allowed me to complete my project more efficiently while ensuring I had no issues with slipping or sloppy joints. The shelves I built with the 720PRO are the most secure, and I’m excited to use this jig for my future projects.
Item Weight: 7.9 lbs. | Item Dimensions: 13.56 x 9.25 x 6.81 inches | Material Thickness Range: 1/2″ to 1 1/2″ | Material Thickness Setting: Automatic Adjustment with Automaxx | Mobility: Bench-top | Dust Collection: 2 Position Dust Blade
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The Vevor Pocket Hole Jig Kit may have been one of the biggest surprises throughout testing. I didn’t have as much hope for this jig since it was the least expensive option we tested, costing less than half that of the other jigs.
When testing, this jig surprised me with its solid build and outperformance of more than one of the pricier options. This bright orange jig has an aluminum alloy body and a stainless-steel extension rod that makes it light enough to be portable but still has enough weight to perform well. On my first use of this jig, I did have a slight learning curve in ensuring the bolts were fully tightened after adjusting for my material width.
After some adjusting, I got a solid clamp that resulted in smooth holes and tight joints for my shelves. The drill bit included with this jig was less sharp than others tested and would likely need to be replaced if being used for a larger project, but it produced clean holes for the smaller project I used it for. As a homeowner on a budget, I frequently find myself diving into new projects and buying the tools to complete them. When I started my woodworking journey, I purchased a different budget option, and after trying the Vevor Pocket Hole Jig, I’m upset I didn’t choose this one. While I have other jigs I use more due to their upgraded features, this is a great option for anyone who doesn’t want to break the bank.
Item Weight: 4.0 lbs. | Item Dimensions: ‎11.4 x 2.36 x 3.94 inches | Material Thickness Range: 1/2″ to 1 1/2″ | Material Thickness Setting: Manual Adjustment | Mobility: Portable
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If you’re new to woodworking, the Wen Pocket Hole Jig Kit is our pick. The Wen Pocket-Hole Jig is a solid and reasonably priced jig that comes with everything you need to get started on your first woodworking project. From the actual unit (which is well-built) to its kit that comes with everything from a drill bit and mounting plate to an assortment of screws and hole plugs, it’s truly an all-inclusive option.
I used this unit without the mounting bracket as a portable jig for most of the testing, and it lived up to its high reviews online. I could easily adjust the thickness measurement and had a solid clamp in no time to start drilling. One thing I did notice with this unit was that it was very slippery on the bottom, making it a little more difficult to get a solid clamp. I mounted this jig to see if that would impact performance, and it was much more stable and gave me great results.
A feature of this jig I didn’t see as often with others was the ability to offset your hole width. This wasn’t necessary for my project, but if that’s something you may need for yours, it’s a nice option. Overall, I liked this jig. It’s a great starter pack and was great to have for drilling pocket holes and saved me when I was two screws short for my project.
Item Weight: 4.61 lbs. | Item Dimensions: 11.1 x 5.39 x 3.94 inches| Material Thickness Range: 1/2″ to 1 1/2″ | Material Thickness Setting: Manual Adjustment | Mobility: Portable or Mount to Bench
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The Drill Master Portable Pocket Hole is my pick for the best heavy-duty jig that we tested. This jig is made of solid aluminum and steel, making it next to indestructible and a great option for those looking for a long-term use jig. One of my favorite features of this pocket-hole jig is how sturdy it is when mounted. Throughout my testing, I noticed that many of the mountable jigs only came with two screw holes for mounting, which did work but allowed some wobble when used. The Drill Master comes with four holes placed strategically to allow for the most solid mount, which made using this jig much easier.
While using it as a portable unit, it was less solid but still a great tool. My only concern with this jig would be the provided drill bit. At some points, the bit seemed too big for the jig, which caused some friction on the unit and a less clean cut. I tested this jig with a different bit and didn’t have the same issue, so you may want to buy a backup bit if you’re going to purchase this jig. After adjusting the bit and mounting this jig, I was able to quickly and accurately drill clean and consistent pocket holes. This pocket jig doesn’t have all the bells and whistles, but it does a great job, and it’s built to last.
Item Weight: 4.59 lbs. | Item Dimensions: 9.5 x 5.0 x 3.5 inches| Material Thickness Range: 1/2″ to 1 1/2″ | Material Thickness Setting: Manual Adjustment | Mobility: Portable or Mount to Bench
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If you’re looking for a higher-end bundle to start your woodworking experience, the Milescraft 1327 Pocket Jig 400 is an amazing option. With one of the more solidly built pocket-hole jigs we tested and many additional features, this one is a great option for those looking to upgrade or who have a more heavy-duty first project.
The Milescraft 1327 Pocket Jig 400 kit has everything you need for woodworking. From an integrated storage drawer, optional mount, dust collector attachment, and high-quality drill bits, drivers, and screws, this kit has it all. I loved working with this kit and it’s likely my runner-up to best overall. It was a heavy jig that made drilling insanely easy.
The storage drawer helped me avoid losing everything and kept it in one easily accessible place, and I was impressed with the quality and usability of both the dust attachment and the included screws. Adjusting the clamp and drill holes was simple and easy, and the only thing I think this jig was missing was the ability to detach for mobile use. The Milescraft 1327 Pocket Jig 400 is a beast and an amazing deal and the best kit I’ve found.
Item Weight: 5.7 lbs. | Item Dimensions: ‎14.25 x 6.73 x 5.75 inches | Material Thickness Range: 1/2″ to 1 1/2″ | Material Thickness Setting: Manual Adjustment | Mobility: Portable or Mount to Bench | Dust Collection: Optional Dust Collection Attachment
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The worst part about starting a new hobby is finding room for all your new supplies. Woodworking is no different and can take up a lot of space between the wood and the needed tools for your project.
Thankfully, the Powertec 71844 Aluminum Pocket-Hole Jig Set is a great option for those with little space. The Powertec 71844 is a versatile model with features that will make your life in a small workspace much more enjoyable. I currently do my woodworking out of my garage, which is not a small space – but I previously worked out of a small shed and always had criteria for new tools. I would look for tools with easy cleanup, a small storage footprint, durability, and versatility when possible and the Powertec checks all those boxes. While there were multiple units with dust ports, many were separate from the unit and something I likely would lose.
The Powertec has an integrated dust port that was not only connectable to my wet/dry vacuum but also was small enough to connect to my vacuum cleaner to minimize dust in my space. It’s a small but heavy unit that gave solid clamps and allowed me to drill clean and accurate holes. It’s easy to store with a minimal footprint and has the versatility of having a removable base stand for projects with a larger material thickness without requiring a second jig. The Powertec is my number one choice for those looking for a jig that can do it all in a small footprint.
Item Weight: 3.94 lbs. | Item Dimensions: ‎9.75 x 4.75 x 5.25 inches| Material Thickness Range: 1/2″ to 1 1/2″ | Material Thickness Setting: Manual Adjustment | Mobility: Portable or Mount to Bench | Dust Collection: Integrated Dust Port
When buying a pocket-hole jig, consider a few things before deciding which will work best for your project.
Pocket jigs are made with numerous materials ranging from plastic to steel. Depending on your project scope and budget, a lower-end plastic jig may work, but for something you’ll use often, it would be a better investment to purchase a metal jig.
Before purchasing a jig, make sure it’s compatible with the wood thickness you’ll be using for your project. Most jigs can handle boards between ½” and 1½”, but some can handle boards outside that thickness.
When purchasing a pocket hole jig, you should be aware of three different sizes of pocket hole diameters. While most jigs on the market have a standard â…œ” diameter, there is an XL option with a ½” diameter. If you work with thicker materials, you may want to get an XL jig.
While all jigs function to do the same task, they aren’t all created equal. Depending on your situation and your project, it may make sense to splurge on a jig with more features. Some features that aren’t standard but are helpful when woodworking are built-in storage, an integrated dust collection method, a mounting ability, screws and drill bits, and more. We’ve detailed some options in this article on which features may be helpful in specific situations.
As a homeowner with champagne taste on a beer budget, I’ve had many DIY experiences with woodworking and using pocket hole jigs. While my first woodworking project was building Adirondack chairs to better enjoy my outdoor fire pit, I’ve used pocket hole jigs for everything from shelving to building a custom headboard and will continue to use my favorite jigs from this piece to build cabinets for my garage soon.
To find the best pocket-hole jig on the market, we did our research. After looking at the hundreds of options online and in local stores, we narrowed our list down from over 20 to a top nine that we would test in person. There are many different brands on the market and even more models from each, so we considered price, accessibility, features, and use cases to bring you the best. While some of the jigs do have additional features, they all meet the industry standard for material thickness range and drill depth, which we could compare side by side. Over the course of a few weeks, I used the different pocket hole jigs in different building projects and on different material thicknesses to see how they held up. After reviewing testing notes and usability, we could confidently pick our top six pocket-hole jigs.
At Family Handyman, we put our tools to the test to ensure we know which are truly the best. To find the best pocket hole jig, we narrowed our list to nine different jigs and put them to work. With multiple DIY projects requiring pocket jigs, I tested each option while upgrading my closet with built-in shelving and storage. The materials used for the shelving were on the thinner side, so I also tested each jig on a scrap piece of 2×4 to see how each held up on a thicker cut of wood. Over a few weekends, I was able to put each to the test and have found six different pocket hole jigs I love, that are the best on the market in their respective categories.
The depth of your pocket jig should be set to the thickness of whatever you will be joining. In the case of a 2×4, since a 2×4’s real thickness dimension is 1.5 inches, you will need to use the 1.5-inch Kreg settings for a 2×4 or any 2x board.
The purpose of a pocket jig is to ensure that pocket holes are drilled at a precise angle to achieve a good joint when woodworking. You can drill pocket holes without a jig, but they can be inconsistent in angle and appearance, resulting in weak joints and a less attractive finished project.
No! Pocket holes should not go all the way through. When drilling pocket holes, there will be a small section that’s not drilled through. This ensures the screw has a space to make contact to ensure strong joints, and it also prevents wood fraying or cracking on the end grain of your wood.
