The 10 Best Pocket Hole Jigs
This wiki has been updated 25 times since it was first published in November of 2018. When you're connecting 2 adjacent boards with a screw, a pocket hole jig will become your new best friend. This brilliant invention creates an accurately-placed opening in no time. Today’s models are geared toward all types of woodworkers, from neophytes to experienced professionals. Here we list bare bones options as well as ones loaded with handy accessories, for all budgets and carpentry needs. When users buy our independently chosen editorial recommendations, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
1. Kreg R3 Master System
2. Kreg Master System
3. Porter-Cable 560
Editor's Notes
December 02, 2020:
We removed the Drillpro Kit, primarily because of its lack of straightforward instructions. Pocket hole jigs can be a little hard to understand, especially for beginners, and a good set of instructions is imperative. We also removed the Impakt Tools Portable because of availability issues.
We added the Kreg R3 Master System, bringing the number of Kreg models on our list to five. Although Kreg is known as the gold standard for pocket hole jigs, there are still valid reasons for choosing one of the other brands on our list. For example, the dust port of the Massca DIY isn’t found on any of the Kreg options, so it could be a better choice for those who want to maintain a clean workspace. Or, the considerably low price of the General Tools 850 Heavy Duty would make it a good choice for those who couldn’t afford the Kreg version.
If you’re a professional woodworker, or just a hobbyist who has a lot of projects coming up, you may want to consider a pocket hole machine. These do essentially the same job as the jigs listed here, but since they’re larger and usually provide their own work surface, can create accurate holes much faster.
A dowel jig might also be useful if you're interested in other hidden joinery tools. These help you properly create the holes needed for using dowels to join larger wood pieces, such as bookcases, or bed frames.
January 08, 2019:
When making our selections, we looked at the overall quality, ease of use, and price of each model. The Kreg Master System and Porter-Cable 560 are from industry leaders whose products have stood the test of time. In addition, since many buyers aren’t planning to use their pocket hole jig too often, we were sure to include several more basic choices that will get smaller jobs done with ease.
4. Kreg R3 Jr.
5. Kreg K5
6. Massca DIY
7. Milescraft 1323
8. General Tools 850 Heavy Duty
9. Kreg Mini
10. Massca Set
Alex Rennie is a writer from Los Angeles, CA, and holds a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Missouri. Having been a successful residential and commercial carpenter for six years in New York City, he has a comprehensive knowledge of woodworking, power tools, and the world of home DIY. His passion for construction and carpentry keep him up to date on the latest gadgets and techniques, and he never misses an opportunity to patch up a drywall dent or sand down a rough edge. In his spare time, he enjoys hiking the Santa Monica mountains with his family and their dogs, and fostering rescue animals.