So, you’ve decided to invest in a Cricut machine. Congratulations! You’re about to make the best crafting decision of your life. It’s a handy device for hobbyists looking to infuse efficiency into their DIY projects. With the uncanny ability to precisely cut various types of materials, Cricut machines produce an outcome that sparks a smile every time.

But, with the countless options that have littered the market, you’re probably engulfed in a wave of confusion, wondering which Cricut to buy. Luckily, you’ve come to the right place because we’ll walk you through the best products to buy, coupled with the key buying factors to consider.

1. Cricut Maker

Perfect for beginners and seasoned crafters, the Cricut Maker is armed with a rotary blade that effortlessly and accurately slices through any material. With two cutting mats included, this handy device has a staggering 25 sewing patterns and 50 ready-to-make designs that are free and right at your disposal.

Simply take your pick from the Cricut Design Space app, lay it out on your respective device and let the machine mark all the pieces for you. So, this makes crafting a breeze for beginners and professionals.

The Cricut Maker has a scoring tool and pens, which means it grows with you as you learn and master every new craft. With a useful docking slot, the machine holds your smartphone or tablet while you’re busy. And, you can charge your device while it’s connected to the convenient USB port.

Pros	Cons
Suitable for endless crafting projects	Pricey
Scores and writes
ü  Tool holder included
Rotary blade for seamless cutting
Ideal for beginners and professionals
Cutting mats included

2. Cricut Explore Air 2

With the uncanny ability to flawlessly slice cut through over 100 different types of materials, the Cricut Explore Air 2 is a worthy investment. These from HTV vinyl, faux leather, specialty paper, premium vinyl, adhesive foils, and poster board to cardstock.

The machine includes a Premium Fine Point Blade and Housing, Black Fine Point Pen, adhesive 12” X 12” cutting mat for HTV and vinyl designs, and Cricut Design Space.

So, you can craft party favors, customized home décor, stickers, wall art, personalized apparel, greeting cards, home-made gifts, and everything in between. The world is your oyster. Users also get a free two-week trial to Cricut Access.

Pros	Cons
Bluetooth embedded	Software is not compatible with some devices
Premium fine blade and housing included
A smart set dial
Can cut over 100 various types of materials
Free 2-week trial to Cricut Access

 

3. Cricut Joy

Whether you’re new in the DIY world or a seasoned crafter on the quest for added convenience in the completion of projects, Cricut Joy is a great option. It cuts, writes, and designs labels, which makes infusing a personal touch to your projects easier than ever.

Despite its compact nature, the machine can make continuous cuts of up to 4 feet and repeated cuts of up to 20 feet via Cricut Smart Materials. With no cutting mat required, simply load and go. Cricut Joy is a beast in crafting labels for various home organization projects.

Pros	Cons
Compact and portable design	Not ideal for heavy-duty cutting
Perfect for versatile labeling, cutting, and writing
Makes continuous cuts of up to 4 feet
No cutting mat needed
Lightweight

 

4. Cricut 29-0001

If you’re seeking to step up your die-cutting career by a few notches, then the Cricut 29-0001 is cost-effective for you. It cuts shapes, letters, and phrases with one press of a button, thus eliminating the need for a computer.

Its uncanny ability to cut characters from 1” to 5.5” in height and 11.5” wide makes it perfect for designing paper crafts such as greeting cards and scrapbooks. It can also work well with vellum, vinyl, paper, and cardstock. Using the Cricut 29-0001 is a walk in the park.

Simply place your paper on the cutting mat, feed it into the machine, insert the cartridge, make your cutting selection, and hold down the ‘Cut’ button. Moreover, users have free rein to customize the style and size of their cuts via the controls.

Weighing 9 pounds, this lightweight machine has a handle for enhanced portability. The Cricut 29-0001 comes bundled with a 6” X 12” cutting mat, user manuals, George and Basic Shapes cartridge, and a power adapter.

Pros	Cons
Compatible with various materials	Limits users’ graphic design abilities
Perfect paper-craft results
Lightweight and compact
Users don’t need a computer
Inexpensive

 

Buying Guide

Now that you have a better idea of which Cricut to buy that would best fit your needs, let’s explore a few essential buying factors that will permit a more informed decision.

Cutting Speed

The Cricut Explore Air and Cricut Maker have a cutting speed of nearly double compared to other models. Higher cutting speed is ideal for getting through numerous projects in a shorter timeframe.

Materials

We recommend choosing Cricut machines that over versatility, thus allowing you to work with numerous types of materials. But, if you have a certain material in mind, then it’s essential to double-check the specification on your chosen model to ascertain compatibility.

Pens and Blades

From blades (knife and rotary), scoring wheels, and points (deep and fine) to bonded fabrics, when buying a replacement, ensure the specified model on the packaging is compatible with your Cricut machine’s model number. The same applies to Cricut pens.

Pressure and Depth Adjustment

It determines how well your selected material is cut. So, make sure you choose the ideal setting for each material you feed into the Cricut machine to get the finest results. For instance, if you’re slicing thicker material, the depth and pressure will be contrary if what you’d use if you were cutting card.

Closing Remarks

Armed with this information, you can now take your pick on the Cricut machine that will perfectly meet your needs and expectations. Then, you can craft incredible pieces that will leave a lasting impression on anyone who stumbles upon them.

Still not sure on the Cricut machine to buy? Leave a comment in the box below, and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.