Get the Kreg 720PRO if:
- You build at a bench and drill a lot of pocket holes.
- You want the jig to clamp and set thickness by itself.
- You want dust pickup and a docking station without buying extras.
The short answer
Bench jig that clamps itself, dust pickup? 720PRO
Handheld jig you take to the workpiece? 520PRO
These are Kreg’s two “PRO” jigs, and they work differently. The 720PRO is a bench jig: you push the drill guide against the board and its Automaxx clamp grabs it and sets itself to the board’s thickness (1/2 in. to 1-1/2 in.). It comes with a docking station, a jig clamp and a dust port. The 520PRO is handheld: you clamp it onto the board with a pump handle and set a thickness range with a gauge, so it works in almost any position on big panels.
Best for bench work
Pick the Kreg 720PRO if
- You drill lots of pocket holes at the bench. Automaxx clamping grabs the board and sets the thickness for you.
- You want dust pickup. A chip port and vacuum adapter are built in.
- You want more in the box: a docking station with support wings, a jig clamp, 160 screws, and 3 in. and 6 in. driver bits.
720PRO box: jig, docking station with wings, jig clamp, dust adapter, adjustable stop, 160 screws, 3 in. and 6 in. #2 driver bits, one downloadable plan.
Check the Kreg 720PRO on AmazonBest for big panels
Pick the Kreg 520PRO if
- You work on sheet goods and long boards. You bring the jig to the work, and Kreg says it works in almost any orientation.
- You want quick clamping by hand. The VersaGrip pump handle clamps and the reverse trigger releases.
- You want a smaller jig that stores easily. The handle rotates 360°.
520PRO box: jig, material thickness gauge, stop collar, 6 in. #2 driver bit, 60 screws.
Check the Kreg 520PRO on AmazonBefore you buy: I compared the two jigs as Kreg sells them, not drill bundles. When I checked on Oct 8, 2026, both were sold by a third-party seller, not Amazon. Listings change, so check who the seller is and that it’s new before you order. The 520PRO listing is the current KPHJ520PRO2 model.
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Key specs
4Kreg 720PRO
spec rows won
spec rows won
1Kreg 520PRO
spec rows won
spec rows won
5even or
unclear
unclear
This counts the rows below where one is clearly better. It’s a tally, not an overall rating. The 720PRO wins on what’s in the box. The 520PRO wins on where you can use it, and for some shops that matters more.
A green check means that number or feature is clearly better. No check means it's a tie, the gap is tiny, or the makers measure it differently. Every figure comes from Kreg, not from Amazon.
| Kreg 720PRO | Kreg 520PRO | |
|---|---|---|
| Clamping | Automaxx auto-clamping, adjustable pressure | VersaGrip pump handle, reverse-trigger release |
| Thickness setup | Automatic, 1/2–1-1/2 in. | Gauge sets 1/2, 3/4, or 1-1/2 in. range |
| Use position | On the bench; base flips horizontal or vertical | Almost any orientation |
| Docking station and jig clamp | Included | Sold separately |
| Dust collection | Built-in chip port and vacuum adapter | Not listed |
| Repeat-hole stop | Adjustable stop included | Not listed |
| Screws included | 160 | 60 |
| Driver bits included | 3 in. and 6 in. | 6 in. |
| Micro pocket holes | Micro-Pocket 730 drill guide sold separately | Micro-Pocket 530 drill guide sold separately |
| Warranty | Lifetime on drill guides | Lifetime on drill guides |
Spec notes
- Thickness: both jigs drill for 1/2 in. to 1-1/2 in. stock. The 720PRO sets itself; the 520PRO uses a gauge to pick a range. Kreg’s manuals say that at the low end of a range you might need a shorter screw so the tip doesn’t poke through.
- Repeat-hole stop: Kreg lists an adjustable stop for the 720PRO but not for the 520PRO. Not scored, since the 520PRO is meant to be moved from spot to spot.
What it can handle
These are common pocket-hole jobs, checked against Kreg’s listed thickness range and box contents. I haven’t tested either jig. If a job falls outside Kreg’s range, it gets a CAN’T.
- Can do Inside the maker's limits, with what's in the box
- Just barely At the maker's limit, or needs a part sold separately
- Can’t Past the maker's limit, or not something they support
| Job | Kreg 720PRO | Kreg 520PRO |
|---|---|---|
| Builds | ||
| Face frames (3/4") | Can do3/4 in. is inside its range. | Can do3/4 in. is one of its settings. |
| Cabinet boxes | Can do3/4 in. plywood is inside its range. | Can doWorks in almost any orientation on panels. |
| 2x4 builds (1-1/2") | Can doTop of its 1/2–1-1/2 in. range. | Can do1-1/2 in. is one of its settings. |
| Thickness | ||
| Thin stock (1/2") | Just barelyBottom of its range; may need a shorter screw. | Just barelyBottom of its range; may need a shorter screw. |
| Under 1/2" | Can’tBelow Kreg’s 1/2 in. minimum. | Can’tBelow Kreg’s 1/2 in. minimum. |
| Setup | ||
| Repeat holes | Can doAdjustable stop included. | Just barelyNo stop listed; mark and line up each hole. |
| Bench mounting | Can doDocking station and jig clamp included. | Just barelyDocking station sold separately. |
| Dust pickup | Can doChip port and vacuum adapter built in. | Can’tNo dust collection listed. |
Ranges are Kreg’s. Check the screw chart in the manual for each thickness.
Notes and sources
How the verdicts were made: thickness ranges and box contents come from Kreg’s product pages and manuals. Nothing here comes from hands-on testing or owner reviews.
Thin stock: 1/2 in. is the bottom of both jigs’ range, and both manuals say a shorter screw may be needed there, so both get JUST BARELY.
Drilling: both need a drill. If you’re choosing one, see the Milwaukee M12 vs Bosch 12V drill comparison.
Sources:
- Kreg 720PRO product page (features, box contents): kregtool.com
- Kreg 720PRO manual (thickness setup, screw chart): KPHJ720PRO_NA.pdf
- Kreg 520PRO product page (features, box contents): kregtool.com
- Kreg 520PRO manual (thickness setup, screw chart): KPHJ520PRO2_NA.pdf
Who should buy which
Get the Kreg 520PRO if:
- You work on big panels and long boards that are hard to bring to a bench jig.
- You want a smaller jig that’s easy to carry and store.
- You don’t mind setting the thickness range with a gauge.
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Skip it if
Skip the Kreg 720PRO
if you mostly drill into big panels where they lie, or you need a jig you can carry around.
Skip the Kreg 520PRO
if you drill many pocket holes in a row at the bench and want dust pickup.
Questions about this pair
What is the difference between the Kreg 720 and 520?
The 720PRO is a bench jig that clamps itself and sets the thickness automatically, with a docking station and dust collection included. The 520PRO is a handheld jig you clamp onto the work with a pump handle, and you set the thickness range with a gauge.
What thickness can they drill?
Kreg lists 1/2 in. to 1-1/2 in. for both. The 520PRO uses three settings: 1/2 in., 3/4 in. and 1-1/2 in.
Do they come with a drill bit and screws?
Kreg lists 160 screws plus 3 in. and 6 in. driver bits for the 720PRO, and 60 screws plus a 6 in. driver bit for the 520PRO.
Can I add dust collection to the 520PRO?
Kreg doesn’t list dust collection for the 520PRO.
Spec notes
- Amazon listings compared: Kreg 720PRO (B08BQC8TGZ) and Kreg 520PRO, model KPHJ520PRO2 (B0DNR7ZP6M). Both are the jig on its own, not a drill bundle.
Specs checked October 8, 2026 against Kreg's own pages and manuals. Links are in "Notes and sources" under the chart above.