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Anyone who gets into joinery will bump into the Kreg name sooner rather than later. This brand of tools designed for crafting holes provides many different options.
Making a top choice for both amateurs and professionals, chances are you’ll want to buy a couple of different models for yourself.
Hoping to cut right to the chase? Below are the best Kreg jigs:
- Best Overall: Kreg Tool K5
- Runner-up: Kreg K4MS
- Best for the Money: Kreg Pocket-Hole Jig 320
Comparison of the Best Kreg Jigs
Product | Specs | Price |
|---|---|---|
Kreg Tool K5  | ||
Kreg K4MS  | ||
Kreg Pocket-Hole Jig 320  | ||
Kreg K4  | ||
Kreg KMA2800  | ||
Kreg Tool Company KHI-PULL  | ||
Kreg Tool Company KHI-HINGE  | ||
Kreg KMA3200  |
What Should I Look For When Buying a Kreg Jig?
Kreg jigs are notorious for their practicality and ease of use. Depending on what you intend to use it for, you’d better watch for the following:
What’s In It For You
There are simple jigs, and there are systems packed with loads of accessories. But even the simple jigs require at least a clamp and a wrench which, if not included in the package, you’ll have to buy separately. Do your best to find a product with just enough extras for the types of projects you’ll be working on.
What Kind Of Control It Gives You
Especially with pocket hole jigs, the angle of the drill is very important. The default angle for the most common woodworking projects is 18-degree. DIY-ers will find this angle more than reasonable. But if you anticipate you’ll want to work at different angles, try to pick a Kreg jig that lets you change the angle as you see fit.
How Accurate Is The Drilling
Drilling holes requires precision. One of the things that mess up with their setup is poor alignment, which occurs when the workpiece slips while you’re drilling. Another issue could be a hole drilled too short or too deep. The more accuracy you’re getting from your Kreg jig on any of these aspects, the better.
Review of the Best Kreg Jigs
While you may know that you need a Kreg jig, it’s not always easy to pick one. Hopefully, our selection of the best Kreg jigs for different purposes will shed more light. Check out your best options and eliminate the guesswork from deciding which one you need.
Best Overall:
Kreg Tool K5
PROS
CONS
Our Review
We’ve selected the Kreg Tool K5 system as the best overall as it provides a truly advanced jig and premium accessories in one package. The hardened-steel drill guides mounted on this jig actually come with a lifetime warranty. And the manufacturer is giving buyers access to 6 home project plans that even the newbies can tackle.
With a fast and simple setup, the tool lets you easily adjust the thickness of the workpiece. The removable dust port will swivel from one side to another, as needed. Whereas the jig can sit on two large support winds to accommodate long workpieces in a jiff. Everything you’ll need is already in the package!
What Makes This Product Stand Out?
The best overall product can stand up to a wide range of projects. It does so due to its excellent construction and all the built-in adjustment options. But also due to the premium accessories. The most notables are the Automaxx Face Clamp system that allows you to secure various thicknesses without adjusting the clamp, and the Portable Base, ideal for really small projects.
Runner-up:
Kreg K4MS
PROS
CONS
Our Review
The second-best choice is the K4MS system, which you’ll probably prefer in case that the best overall is providing a lot more than you need. With this Kreg jig and all the accessories it includes, you’re getting a more affordable option for relatively smaller projects.
The large clamping recess lets you secure the tool to the workbench with any common clamp, and the toggle-clamp is easily adjustable and ready to secure the workpiece in a snap. The drill guide features 3 different hole sizes, it is removable, and it also comes with a lifetime guarantee.
What Makes This Product Stand Out?
With this L-shaped master system, you get to drill at a tighter angle, creating compact pocket holes of under 1-1/2-inches. For increased efficiency and minimum torque, each hole of the drill guide has a wood-chip relief hole. It just lets you drill a hole in one plunge, with minimum effort and minimum tear on the drill.
Best for the Money:
Kreg Pocket-Hole Jig 320
PROS
CONS
Our Review
At its core, this is one of the simplest pocket hole jigs you’ll ever encounter. It is a very small and portable jig, yet it comes with two drill guides, not just one, like the ones from other manufacturers. What’s more, those drills feature a twist-apart design, for increased versatility.
The setup is extremely simple. The tool has an anti-slip base, but also comes with a clamp adapter. And it works with materials of common sizes like 1/2-, 3/4-, or 1-1/2-inches. From repairs to indoor or outdoor projects, it’s a small but mighty, must-have Kreg jig.
What Makes This Product Stand Out?
Kreg’s 320 pocket hole jig is a winner. If your budget is limited and you can only choose one Kreg jig, you’ll want to start with this one. If you afford to buy a system, you will probably still consider purchasing this one, too. The balance of small, compact design and amazing utility is simply hard to overlook.
Best Kreg Pocket Hole Jig:
Kreg K4
PROS
CONS
Our Review
The K4 Kreg jig makes an excellent choice for seasoned workers, but also for those who are just starting out and have great ambitions. The package includes, aside from the jig, a stepped drill bit and a 6-inch square driver, the pocket-hole plug set, and Kreg’s starter screw set.
Designed as a 3-hole drill guide, it can clamp any workpiece from 1/2 to 1-1/2 inches thickness. The toggle clamp mounted on the benchtop base allows you to easily secure the wood. Whereas the removable drill guide block can serve for either new holes or repairs.
What Makes This Product Stand Out?
This product can work on a bench, but it is also portable. Given its lightweight and compact body, it can be taken anywhere, for any kind of repair. It works simple, it has all the necessary measurement scales built-in, and it can help with projects of various complexity levels.
Best Kreg Crown Molding Kit:
Kreg KMA2800
PROS
CONS
Our Review
To get perfect crown moldings without having to deal with compound cuts or joints coping, you’ll want to use the KMA2800 Crown-Pro tool. The compact design makes it a good fit for a wide range of miter saws. And with its angle-finder, you’ll know exactly how to set it up for success.
This product does what’s intended, and the curved design makes it accommodate any spring angle. Ready to tackle pretty much any crown molding, it will make your work significantly easier and spare you from any guesswork.
What Makes This Product Stand Out?
This crown molding jig is the best Kreg product in this category for many reasons. It features a unique design, with lots of carefully crafted details, even including 8 non-slip feet. Its angle finder makes setting a breeze. And you’ll most likely find it to fit your budget.
Best Kreg Cabinet Hardware Jig:
Kreg Tool Company KHI-PULL
PROS
CONS
Our Review
This jig is extremely handy when it comes to cabinet hardware installation. Ready to clamp on a wide range of surfaces, it comes with adjustable guides that let you drill the holes in a snap. The measuring scales imprinted on it allow you to repeat the drilling without much hassle. And whether you want single or multi-hole knobs, it will over-deliver.
Just like the guides, the edge is adjustable, meaning you’ll position it without too much fuss. And the hardened-steel drill guides give you accuracy in drilling holes anywhere you need it. To top it off, it is lightweight but sturdy, a pleasure to work with.
What Makes This Product Stand Out?
Specifically designed for drilling holes to mount cabinet hardware, this product features all the right details. It gives the adjustable options you’d need, facilitating accurate operation. Equally important, it lets you repeat the process with the same accuracy, once you’ve finished setting it up.
Best Kreg Door Hinge Jig:
Kreg Tool Company KHI-HINGE
PROS
CONS
Our Review
Hinge positioning is never easy, but when you use Kreg’s special kit for this job, cabinet door installation is truly enjoyable. This tool will actually help you drill holes for concealed hinges, without having to measure or mark anything on your furniture.
All settings are done on the jig, through the adjustable cams, and with the imprinted measuring scale. All it takes is setting it up as per the instructions you’re getting with your hinges. Then, you put it on the furniture, and you’ll be able to drill precise holes without flaws.
What Makes This Product Stand Out?
When you order this product, you get the jig, along with a carbide-tipped drill bit. The drill comes with its own setting to ensure drill press accuracy. And the bit guide with stop collar makes this tool highly reliable. You set it up in a jiffy and drill just as fast and easy, without worrying you’ll overdo it.
Best Kreg Shelf Pin Jig:
Kreg KMA3200
PROS
CONS
Our Review
This shelf pin jig is the best choice you can make for the job. It comes with an adjustable fence and with locating pins, to make your work easier. It also has a jig extender in case you work on projects that require more versatility. Not to mention that it provides a hex drill bit with a stop collar and a practical Allen wrench in the package.
Whether you’ll connect multiple shelf pin jigs with it or use just one, the process is as straightforward as possible. You get precision with your measurements and straight drilling, every single time.
What Makes This Product Stand Out?
To take out the guesswork, it has a symmetrical design. You use it on one side of the shelf, and when you move it to the other side, you can be sure you’ll get the same perfect positioning for your holes. It also comes with sample shelf pins in the box and a more than detailed user manual.
In summary, here are the best Kreg jigs:
- Best Overall: Kreg Tool K5
- Runner-up: Kreg K4MS
- Best for the Money: Kreg Pocket-Hole Jig 320
What is a Kreg Jig and What Does a a Kreg Jig Do Exactly?
A Kreg jig is a tool that takes out all the guesswork from making holes. Pretty much anyone who works with wood must occasionally or more often set up joints or install hardware to it. To make those joints strong and secure, it takes drilling screws along the grain.
The beauty of working with a Kreg jig is that you’re not only setting up solid joints fast and easy. You’re also creating accurate holes that either hide the screws or simply give your furniture a more elegant look.
In a nutshell, this jig comes with guided slots that, once you set up, will allow you to drill perfect holes for various purposes.
How Does a Kreg Jig Work?
Given the purpose of this tool, its design aims to offer you stable support for the workpiece, along with guidance for drilling the holes in it, at an angle or straight. So, there’s a base with a clamp, where you place the wood, and a drill guide sitting perpendicularly on the base.
First, you measure the wood, see how thick it is, and determine the length of the required drill. Then, you set the stop collar on a stepped drill bit, which will prevent you from drilling too deeply. Finally, you start drilling the holes through the drill guide.
Your hole is ready when you hit the stop collar.
Kreg Jig Tips, Tricks, and Hacks for Success
There are quite a few different types of Kreg jigs on the market. And while you may not need them all, you will certainly need at least one. Apart from making the right choices, there are also some tips and tricks that will set you up for success. Here they are:
Try The Drill Guide Block
Systems like K4 and K5 come with this drill guide block in the package, while simple Kreg jigs won’t include it. You’d better get this one and use it anytime you can’t use a clamp with your workpiece. It can be directly screwed onto the workpiece!
Consider A Micro-Pocket Drill Guide
A micro-pocket drill guide is meant to replace the default guide block that comes with your Kreg jig. It works with K3, K4, and K5 jigs, and it allows you to tackle smaller projects, where you have a thinner stock, or you need to create low-profile, compact holes.
Work With Self-Tapping Kreg Screws
Drilling the perfect hole solves just half of your problem. For the best possible results, you should use self-tapping Kreg screws to fill those holes. As you insert it into the pocket following the pilot hole, the screw will drill into the mating piece. That way, you only need to drill one workpiece, not both.
Comparison Overview: How Does It Stack Up?
Overwhelmed by the many different Kreg jig models? Not sure what to make of all the numbers following their names? Here are the most popular products and their highlights:
Kreg K4 vs K5
The Kreg K4 and K5 jigs are successive models, systems specifically designed for different intended uses. In a nutshell, the K4 is more suitable for DIY-ers who would tackle somewhat smaller projects. It also has a more affordable price, and, as a distinctive design feature, it has a built-in toggle clamp.
By contrast, the Kreg K5 jig is more suitable for advanced users. It delivers more power, ready to handle large scaled pieces. It comes with a higher price tag. For more versatility with various project sizes, it has a special ratchet arm clamp and was designed with a removable dust port.
Kreg R3 vs K4
The Kreg R3 is considered a portable pocket-hole jig, ideal for working on smaller-scale projects, for those who tackle such chores a few times a year. It is extremely easy to set up and use, and given its small size, you’ll rather attach it to the workpiece than the other way around. As you can imagine, it’s a simple jig, not a system.
The Kreg K4 is, as mentioned, a system for more advanced pocket hole drilling. It’s the next in line, after the R3, carrying an L-shaped design. While it can produce the same holes as the R3, it works faster, in a shorter time, making things easier for the operator. The price is higher, as it also includes accessories in the package.
How to Use a Kreg Jig
By definition, a Kreg jig is meant to help you work on a wood piece. To get started, you must have your workpieces all set, and then you can focus on how to use the Kreg jig. Here are the steps you’ll have to go through:
- Begin by setting your measurements, starting with the workpiece where you’ll drill the pocket holes;
- Then, go to the jig and use its settings to adjust the depth of the wood, according to what you just measured on the workpiece;
- With the jig set, place the workpiece on it and use its clamp to secure it tightly in place;
- Make sure you place it so that you’ll be drilling the holes on the side of the wood that won’t be visible with your final woodworking project – the inner side of the furniture piece;
- Make sure you place it so that you’ll be drilling the holes on the side of the wood that won’t be visible with your final woodworking project – the inner side of the furniture piece;
- Finally, adjust the stop collar position on the drill bit, use an Allen wrench to loosen it first, change its position to where you need it, and then tighten it back.
- Then, you can attach the drill bit to your hammer drill and make the holes through the drill guides.
- Drill down, until the drill stop will hit the drill guide’s upper side and stop you.
- Once you’ve drilled the holes, you can use a clamp to secure the two workpieces together and start pushing the screws in the holes until they meet the other workpiece and you’ve got your joinery all set!
If anything seems unclear at this stage, feel free to review the process we just described by watching the following video:
Conclusion
Joining wood or drilling holes has never been simpler than when using a jig. But as it turns out, not all jigs work the same. Luckily, the Kreg jigs and systems are always a safe choice, provided you pick the one that will suit your needs. Make sure you get back to this best Kreg jig buying guide anytime you want to add a quality jig to your woodworking arsenal!
People Also Ask
Let’s wrap it up with a couple of general questions that first-time buyers have about the many Kreg jigs out there. Want to know what to expect money-wise and regarding the differences between these tools and others? Here are your answers:
How Much Is A Kreg Jig?
As you’ve seen in our selection of best Kreg jigs and their reviews from above, Kreg focuses on jigs for pocket holes, but not only. A simple model like the one you’d use for crown molding would be around $30. Prices go up as you look at their pocket hole line. The simplest pocket hole jig is around $50, while the advanced K5 system is nearly $200.
What Screws Should I Use With A Kreg Jig?
If you want quality all the line, you should pair the pocket holes you’re drilling using a Kreg jig with screws from the same manufacturer. Using screws from other brands is not impossible, but the quality of the joints won’t be as good as you’d hoped.
The Kreg screws aren’t just a better choice in terms of quality. They also come with a square driver hole, making a perfect match for the driver you get in the box of your jig.
Which Kreg Jig Do I Need?
Kreg has a full line of jigs, from the portable, pocket model known as R3 to the all-in-one systems, K4 and K5. If you’re only occasionally drilling such holes, the pocket model will be enough. If you’re more serious about your work, but you handle thin stock, an L-shaped model like the K4 or K5 system is a better choice. While for really large, thicker stock, the Kreg Jig HD is more suitable.
Kreg Jig vs Biscuit Joiner - What’s The Difference?
Both a Kreg jig and a Biscuit joiner will let you join two pieces of wood. The difference is that with the Kreg jig you set up pocket hole joints, which give extra strength. Whereas with the Biscuit joiner, you set biscuit joints, which are more suitable for alignment.
Working with a Kreg jig only involves drilling the holes and the screws. Working with a Biscuit joiner is far more complicated – you must cut one biscuit slot on each side of the joint, apply glue on the biscuit, insert it into the slots, clamp the joint, and wait for it to dry. The Kreg is both faster, simpler to use, and more accurate.
Kreg vs Rockler Drawer Slide Jig - What’s The Difference?
Both tools can be used for mounting slides in a cabinet, with a few differences. The Rockler is considerably more expensive, and it simply can’t hold the drawer box for you to attach the drawer slide. On the plus side, it comes with a few more settings for you to tweak.
The Kreg jig is simpler to use. It lets you mount the slides, and once you flip the jig, you’ll also be able to rest your drawer on it. This means that one can mount the slide portion on the drawer box with its help, too.
And so, the Kreg jig appears to be more versatile and ready to make your job easier. Just note that you’ll need to use two Kreg jigs for this operation.