Which Cricut machine is best?
If you’re into craft projects like scrapbooking or making homemade party decorations, a Cricut machine can make your life much easier — and more creative. Instead of hand cutting materials like construction paper, cardstock, felt or vinyl, this handy machine can cut letters, shapes and graphics with expert precision.
Cricut offers a range of machines, which differ in the materials they can cut, the tools they provide and their cutting speed. Choosing the right model depends mainly on how you plan to use it — some machines work best for quick, everyday projects and others offer professional quality performance.
What is a Cricut machine?
Some crafters have heard the virtues of a Cricut machine but aren’t sure what it actually does. Simply put, a Cricut machine is an electronic cutting machine that cuts with speed and precision that you just can’t get from hand cutting.
It usually works with any material you can cut with scissors or a utility knife. You can find some Cricut machines that can even cut leather and wood. The machines can connect to your computer wirelessly or receive designs downloaded from your computer, so you can plan the perfect design with cut-out letters, numbers, shapes, patterns and/or other graphics.
Depending on the model, a Cricut machine can use various tools with a blade, including a rotary cutter, a scoring tool or a pen.
Best Cricut machines
This Cricut machine is an excellent option for a wide range of DIY projects because it can cut over 60 materials, including leather. It features embedded Bluetooth, so you can design and cut wirelessly. The Smart Set dial makes it extremely easy to choose the right material settings.
Sold by Amazon
A model that’s perfect for DIY newbies or experienced crafters alike, this Cricut machine makes quick work of simple, everyday projects. It can cut over 50 different materials without a cutting mat and is compatible with tools for cutting and writing. It also features a small, streamlined design that won’t take up too much room in your crafting space.
Sold by Amazon
If you’re interested in heat transfer projects, this compact machine is an excellent option. It offers three heat settings, an insulated safety base and an auto-shutoff feature for safe operation. It can transfer patterns to customize a range of unusually shaped items, too, including shoes, hats and stuffed animals.
This Cricut machine can cut, draw, score and more at two times the speed as previous models. It features six different tools for cutting and other embellishing and is compatible with more than 100 materials, including cork, bonded fabric and vinyl. It works with a free design app, too, so it’s easy to customize your projects.
Sold by Amazon
If you want total creative control over your crafting projects, this is the Cricut machine for you. It can cut over 300 materials, including leather, balsa wood and poster board. It includes a rotary blade, a knife blade and a fine point pen, but it’s compatible with other Cricut tools if you want to expand your options. It also comes with 50 ready-to-make projects, so you can start creating right away.
Sold by Amazon and Home Depot
For simple everyday crafting projects, this Cricut machine is an excellent option. It can cut over 100 materials, including premium vinyl, faux leather, adhesive foils and specialty paper. It can make custom stickers, home decor, party favors, greeting cards, custom apparel and more. You can easily design your projects from your computer, phone or tablet too.
Sold by Amazon and Home Depot
For larger heat transfer projects, this is definitely the best Cricut machine for your crafts. It measures 9 inches by 9 inches, so it’s large enough for T-shirts, aprons, tote bags and more. It only requires 60 seconds to provide professional iron-on results, but it’s still lightweight and easy to store.
Sold by Amazon and Home Depot
This handy Cricut machine can help you personalize professional-quality mugs to give as gifts. It produces peel-proof, dishwasher-proof designs in just a matter of minutes. It’s also compatible with a convenient design app that lets you customize your project and then easily send it to the machine.
Sold by Amazon and Home Depot
For anyone considering the Cricut Maker, this bundle offers an outstanding value. In addition to the machine, it also comes with plenty of tools and supplies to help you get started, including exclusive vinyl designs, glitter iron-on sheets, vinyl sheets and more. It comes with a free trial membership to Cricut Access too.
Sold by Amazon
This Cricut model can cut over 300 materials, including leather, matboard and even the most delicate fabrics. It’s also compatible with 13 different tools that can cut, write, score, foil and embellish your projects. Its operating speed is two times faster and its cutting force is 10 times stronger than previous models.
Sold by Amazon
Cricut Explore Air 2 Machine Bundle
If you’re considering the Explore Air 2, you may want to upgrade to this bundle. Not only does it include the versatile machine, but it also comes with a tool kit that includes a spatula, scraper, scissors and more. It also includes a Getting Started Guide e-book to help beginners learn the ins and outs of the machine.
Sold by Amazon
Sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter for useful advice on new products and noteworthy deals.
Jennifer Blair writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
Copyright 2021 BestReviews, a Nexstar company. All rights reserved.