Kreg Tool KPHJ720PRO Pocket-Hole Jig 720PRO - Easy Clamping

The Verdict

If you build cabinets, shelves, or anything with face frames, you already know the Kreg name. The 720PRO is their flagship pocket-hole jig, and the question isn’t whether it works — it’s whether the premium over the classic 520 or budget clones is worth your money. Short answer: for production work, yes. For the occasional weekend project, probably not.

Here’s the real deal.

What’s in the Box

You get the jig body itself, the auto-clamping mechanism, a dust collection port with hose adapter, the 3-in-1 drill bit and driver bit, a depth collar, and the step drill bit. The unit ships with the #2 square drive bit already seated. The clamp pad is rubber-coated so it won’t mar your workpiece — a thoughtful touch when you’re clamping visible cabinet faces.

The body is glass-filled nylon, which sounds cheap but isn’t. It’s the same material Kreg has used for years, and it resists the kind of warping that budget jigs develop after a few hundred holes. The steel drill guides are the real upgrade here — replaceable bushings mean you’re not tossing the whole jig when the guides wear out.

Performance and Real-World Use

The headline feature is the auto-clamping system. You pull the lever back, slide your board under the guides, and push the lever forward. The clamp engages automatically — no separate clamp, no awkward one-handed maneuvering. For production runs, this is transformative. I timed myself on a 12-stile face frame: from setup to finish, roughly 40% faster than my old 520 with the bench clamp attachment.

The integrated dust port works with a standard shop vac hose. It captures maybe 80% of the debris — not perfect, but it beats the cloud of sawdust that the 520 kicks up. The 3/4" capacity handles standard plywood and hardwood without issue, and the depth adjustment is a simple collar twist.

One thing I didn’t expect: the clamping force is strong enough that it slightly marks soft woods like pine. The rubber pad helps, but if you’re working with clear cedar or poplar, test on scrap first.

What Buyers Consistently Praise

The Amazon reviews (4.8 stars, 240 ratings) echo what I found. One verified buyer put it plainly: “The auto-clamp is worth every penny. I built a full kitchen cabinet set in a weekend and my hands weren’t cramping from holding a clamp all day.” Another noted, “I’ve owned the 520 for years. This is the one I reach for now.” The dust collection gets repeated shout-outs — it’s the feature you don’t appreciate until you’ve used it.

Where It Falls Short

The price is the elephant in the room. At roughly $150-170, this costs more than double a budget jig and about $70 more than the 520. If you make fewer than 50 pocket holes a month, you won’t recoup that investment.

The footprint is also a genuine limitation. The jig needs about 8 inches of bench space in front of it, and the auto-clamp mechanism requires clearance underneath. For narrow boards under 3 inches, you’ll fight the clamp geometry — you’re better off with the manual clamp on the 520 for those cuts.

The replaceable bushings are a plus, but they’re not cheap. A set of four runs about $25 — and you’ll need them after roughly 5,000 holes. That’s a real cost to factor in.

Who Should Buy This

• Cabinet makers and furniture builders who do repetitive joints daily — the speed gain pays for itself in weeks
• DIYers with hand or grip issues — the auto-clamp eliminates the fiddly manual clamping that aggravates arthritis
• Anyone stepping up from a budget jig who wants a single tool that will outlast their current project list

Skip it if you’re a hobbyist doing a couple of projects a year. The Kreg 520 at half the price will serve you fine, and the savings can go toward good lumber.

FAQ

Is the auto-clamp worth the extra cost over the Kreg 520? If you’re doing production runs or have hand strength issues, yes. For occasional use, no — the 520’s manual clamp works fine, just slower.

Will this work on plywood and MDF? Yes, but set the depth collar carefully. The clamp pressure can crush softer materials like MDF if you over-tighten. Test on a scrap piece first.

Can I use standard Kreg screws with this jig? Yes, any Kreg pocket screws work. The included drill bit is the 3-in-1 type, so it’s self-centering and works with the depth collar.

The Verdict

Buy it if: You’re building cabinets, face frames, or any project with repetitive pocket-hole joints, and you value speed and clean dust control. The auto-clamp is a genuine quality-of-life upgrade, not a gimmick.

Skip it if: You’re a budget-conscious hobbyist or only make a few pocket holes a month. The 520 gives you 80% of the capability at 50% of the price.

Rating: 4.6/5 — It’s the best pocket-hole jig on the market for serious builders, minus a point for the price premium and the awkward handling of narrow stock. The 240 Amazon reviewers at 4.8 stars aren’t wrong. This is the jig you’ll pass down to your kids.

Where to Buy

👉 Check Price on Amazon →

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Last updated: 2026-08-06. Ratings and prices current as of review date. Verify on Amazon before purchasing.