Which Cricut machine is best?
This July I’ve compared the best Cricut machines of 2018. The Cricut Maker, Explore Air 2, and Expression 2 have each secured themselves a winning spot.
If you’re looking to buy a Cricut machine but aren’t sure about all of the differences, I don’t blame you.
They have similar names, designs, and a confusing list of features. One of them will even stop working this August.
More on this in a bit.
I’ve rewritten all of my Cricut machine reviews and put them in one place so that it’s easy to compare.
Comparison of the Best Cricut Machines of 2018
I’ll start with a Cricut comparison table to highlight the differences. Later on, I’ll go into the features of each model so that you can decide which model is the best for you and the types of crafts you’ll want to work on.
At the end of each section, I’ll highlight the best deal for each machine (or just click below in the comparison table).
I removed the Cricut Mini from the table above. It has been discontinued by Cricut.
Cricut Maker (Best overall)
Cricut Maker: Best overall machine of 2018
Of the 6 Cricut models I’ve reviewed, the Cricut Maker (full review here) is the newest, released in August of 2017. It’s receiving a ton of hype, but is it justified?
Yes.
The Maker is the fastest and most powerful machine created by Cricut, but it’s also the most expensive.
If you’re looking for the best Cricut machine for cutting fabric, this is it. Felt, silk, canvas, denim, it cuts all of them accurately. It’s a complete game-changer.
The Cricut Maker is designed to be used with a tablet or phone.
It has a ledge on the top for setting your tablet up and it’s capable of powering your device directly.
If you prefer to use it with a PC, it supports Cricut’s Design Space software as well.
I’ll go into the two new tools specifically designed for it: the Knife Blade and the Rotary Blade.
Keep in mind: most of the tools Cricut releases moving forward are going to be designed for the Maker and its Adaptive Tool System, so you’re investing in the future of Cricut with this machine.
The Knife Blade
The Knife blade was just released in May 2018. It’s designed to make cutting thick materials (like balsa wood) a snap.
It works with the Adaptive Tool System to give your machine 10x the cutting power of the Cricut Explore line.
So, what can we use it for? Here are just a few materials it’s capable of cutting:
- balsa wood
- craft foam
- chipboard
- leather
- metal
It’s the real deal, and almost as useful as the next tool…
The Rotary Blade
The second exclusive tool is the Rotary Blade. It is the reason the Cricut Maker is the best machine available for cutting through fabric (even silk).
The Rotary Blade gently passes over your fabric, cutting it without the need for any backing. With a regular blade, delicate fabrics (like crepe paper) are often ripped or torn, especially if the blade has dulled.
This means with the Maker you don’t need any backing for the fabric you cut, you just load it directly on to your cutting mat.
I’ve used this over and over and it’s like putting glasses on for the first time: the world just looks different and beautiful with the Rotary Blade.
If you find yourself cutting fabric often, you need to try out one of these machines ASAP.
Sewing pattern library
The Cricut Maker also comes with access to a sewing pattern library. If you aren’t familiar with sewing patterns, I’ll break it down.
A sewing pattern is a template for tracing a cut pattern on to the material you’re going to sew.
Typically you’d mark the pattern on to your fabric and then cut it out by hand. With the Cricut Maker and its sewing pattern library, you can skip both of those steps and have the machine immediately cut them out for you.
This is huge (especially for quilters). A project that took 2 hours to prep now would take only 15 minutes.
The adaptive tool system
Typically a cutting machine can move your cutting mat in and out of your machine, and the blade side-to-side. This is sufficient for a quick cut on most materials, but with some (thicker materials, fabrics) it doesn’t always do the trick.
The Adaptive Tool System adds a set of gears to the blade that allow it to lift and turn, intelligently controlling the cut pressure and rotation.
This is the equivalent of cutting in 3D. It also makes the Cricut Maker the strongest machine (10x stronger than the Explore series) and the best at cutting fabric.
No more cartridges
If you use cartridges the Maker is the first machine from Cricut that doesn’t support them, a sign of things to come.
If you still rely on them, they do have a Cartridge Adapter that allows you to link them through Design Space directly.
Cricut Maker: Pros and Cons
Pros
- Best overall machine reviewed!
- Best Cricut for cutting fabric (including crepe paper and silk)
- Best Cricut for cutting thick materials (like leather or balsa wood)
- Uses tools that no other machine can
- Rotary Blade. Cuts through almost any fabric without needing to use a backing material.
- Knife Blade. Like an X-Acto knife, it can cut through heavy materials like matboard or balsa wood.
- Features the Adaptive Tool System. Controls the direction of your blade while adding 10x the cutting force of other machines.
- Cuts paper and vinyl quickly with its 2x fast mode.
- Future compatibility. All new tools will be designed for the Adaptive Tool System.
- Supports Bluetooth and wireless cutting.
Cons
- It’s expensive, with an MSRP $100 more compared to the Cricut Explore Air 2.
- It can be slow. Using the Rotary Blade or Knife Blade slows the machine down to a crawl.
- You can’t easily load your pre-existing sewing patterns into Design Space. You’re limited to the commercial patterns provided unless you’re capable of re-creating them in Design Space or importing them as SVGs.
- Can’t be used on its own, requires an internet connection or a connected iPad/iPhone/Android device.
- The accessories aren’t included and you’ll spend at least another $40 to add them on.
Verdict
There’s a reason that I placed the Cricut Maker at the top of this comparison.
It’s the best Cricut machine that you can buy today, especially if you’re someone who works with fabric.
- Best overall machine reviewed
- New Rotary Blade, making it the best Cricut for cutting fabric
- New Knife Blade, letting it cut thicker materials than any other machine
- Future-proof with the new Adaptive Tool System
- Bluetooth & wireless cutting
If you aren’t going to be cutting fabric or thicker materials you might be better off with the next Cricut machine in this review: the Explore Air 2.
Cricut Explore Air 2 (Best deal)
Cricut Explore Air 2: Best deal
The Cricut Explore Air 2 is the most popular model of Circut cutting machine available right now.
It’s pretty much identical to the original Cricut Explore Air model except for two differences: color and speed.
The Explore Air 2 has a 2x fast mode for working with paper, vinyl, iron-on, and cardstock. It also comes in three pretty colors: mint green, pastel pink, and sky blue.
If you use Cricut cartridges, the Explore Air 2 supports them. However, it doesn’t have a touchscreen or keyboard so you’ll need an active internet connection or iPhone/iPad/Android to use them.
Machine design
The machine design and its accessory drawers are my favorite features of the Cricut Explore Air 2. The machine is a pleasure to open. Its colorful panels gently glide open at the touch of a button.
It really feels like Cricut consulted crafters before they made this machine. All aspects of the storage are perfectly placed and convenient. The smaller accessory drawer even has a magnetic strip for securely holding replacement blades.
Quality of cuts
This is where the Explore Air 2 excels. Compared to every other Cricut model reviewed, other than the Maker, it cuts faster and more accurately.
When cutting paper or vinyl you can use its 2x fast mode which trades accuracy for speed, so make sure to perform a test cut on your material first.
Cricut Explore Air 2: Pros and Cons
Pros
- Best bang for your buck. Compared to the Cricut Maker you’ll save ~$150 while cutting vinyl, paper, and most materials just as accurately and quickly.
- A beautiful design, with three modern-yet-vintage colors.
- Cuts paper and vinyl quickly with its 2x fast mode.
- Supports Bluetooth and wireless cutting.
Cons
- It can be difficult to cut through fabrics.
- You can’t cut through thicker materials, like balsa wood or leather.
- Requires an active internet connection or connected iPad/iPhone/Android to use.
- Unlike its Silhouette counterpart, the Cameo 3, it has no touchscreen.
- Its software (Design Space) is simplistic and can be difficult to use for complicated designs.
Verdict
If you aren’t going to be cutting fabric or leather, this is the machine to buy.
It’s a good deal cheaper than the Cricut Maker and still has a beautiful design that Cricut clearly put a lot of work and attention into.
Like the Cricut Maker, most of the downsides are issues with Design Space and not the machine itself.
You can get around a lot of its software issues by designing in another program (like Sure Cuts A Lot) and importing your SVGs, which you can do for free.
- Best bang for your buck
- Features 2x fast mode for quickly cutting paper and vinyl
- Beautiful, vintage-inspired design (available in three different colors)
- Bluetooth & wireless cutting
Cricut Cuttlebug (Best for embossing)
Cricut Cuttlebug: Best machine for embossing
The Cricut Cuttlebug sits in a class of its own among the Cricut models in this review.
It’s not intended like the Maker to cut through a huge variety of materials.
It’s also not like the Explore Air 2, capable of making intricate vinyl decals.
However, it has a feature that neither of them has: it can be used offline, with no power, without a computer.
Worried about your software crashing? No problem, the Cuttlebug can’t even use it!
The Cuttlebug takes us back to the origin of at-home crafting, with manual dies (like a cookie cutter) and an extremely portable machine (around 7 lbs).
It’s simple to use, great for children, and a superb introduction to crafting.
It’s the least expensive Cricut machine you can buy, but with one downside. You’ll have to spend a lot of money on manual dies that won’t be useful if you upgrade to a digital machine later.
Cutting quality
If you’re just working with cardstock and simple paper designs, this machine might work for you. It’s limited to cutting material less than 0.125″ thick, but that still includes a pretty wide variety:
- paper (including tissue)
- cardstock
- thin metal
- foil
- some fabrics (like felt)
- chipboard
- foam
It’s also great for creating confetti!
Cricut has released a ton of dies for making confetti out of foil, thin metals, cardstock, or just plain paper.
Embossing
If you’re looking to emboss cards and paper, it might be worth buying a Cuttlebug even if you already have a Maker or Explore Air 2.
In fact, it’s your best choice for embossing and designed for this very purpose. Most of my crafting friends who own one purchased it just to emboss cards and foils.
But, it’s still a manual die cutting machine. This means you’re limited to embossing patterns that you can find pre-designed on dies.
Cricut Cuttlebug: Pros and Cons
Pros
- The cheapest machine available today.
- Best Cricut for embossing.
- Lightweight and portable.
- Simple interface, no software to use.
- Doesn’t require power or internet to work.
Cons
- Limited to using manual dies, which are expensive and won’t work with digital machines if you upgrade. You also can’t make your own designs.
- Very small cutting area.
- Cuts a very limited range of material.
- Dies are expensive and unlike the digital machines, you can’t use free designs.
Verdict
If you’re only looking for a machine to emboss, the Cricut Cuttlebug is your best choice.
It’s the cheapest machine I’m reviewing and comes with many significant downsides.
If you’re considering an introductory machine because you aren’t sure if you’ll stick with crafting, this could be a good choice.
Even if you think you’ll stick with crafting this could still be a decent choice. You’ll have an embossing machine to use alongside your Cricut Maker or Explore Air 2.
If you won’t be embossing, or if you think that you’ll want to cut vinyl, avoid the Cuttlebug.
- Best machine for embossing
- Easy to use, with no software to learn
- Lightweight & portable
- No power or internet required
Cricut Expression 2 (Best standalone machine)
Cricut Expression 2: Best standalone machine
The Cricut Expression 2 is the only digital machine available from Cricut that is designed to function as a standalone device. This means no software required, no internet required.
The Expression 2 instead works with Cricut cartridges. Cartridges are collections of designs and fonts grouped by theme. They’re stored on a single physical cartridge that you plug into your machine.
Previously, you could also use the Expression 2 with the older Cricut Craft Room. As of May 2018, Cricut is discontinuing Craft Room so the Expression 2 will only function as a standalone machine.
The Expression 2 is also no longer manufactured by Cricut, so if you want to buy one you’ll have to locate one used.
Touchscreen
Since the Cricut Expression 2 can no longer be used with Cricut Craft Room, it’s best to think of it as a standalone machine. This makes the LCD touchscreen even more important because it’s the only way to create your designs.
Relying on the touchscreen means you’re relying on cartridges. You won’t be able to use any designs or fonts except for those which come on cartridges.
If you haven’t used it before, the touchscreen can be a bit limiting when compared with Design Space or other modern software, but it’s not all that bad. You can still move, tile, and manipulate images all without a computer.
Cartridges
It’s impossible to talk about the Expression 2 without talking about cartridges. The machine is purely cartridge-based since Cricut retired their Craft Room software. So I’ll give a brief overview of the pros and cons of cartridges.
Cartridges are sets of images and fonts that are related by a theme, like Easter or the beach. Each set can contain dozens of fonts, projects, or images and typically cost between $5-$30.
Relying on cartridges makes using the Expression 2 a lot more approachable for beginners. Creating your own design can be fun, but staring at a blank canvas and wondering where to start induces panic in all of us.
With a cartridge, I can make a vinyl decal or thank-you card in a minute, without spending a lot of time worrying about the design. This makes them a great way of getting familiar with different materials and styles of crafting.
But, cartridges are expensive and the Expression 2 can’t be used without them. This means you can’t download free SVGs (designs) or use the fonts on your computer.
Cartridges are linked to a single Cricut account. If you’re given a cartridge, or buy one from a thrift shop, it’s likely already linked to another account and you won’t be able to link it to your account to use with other machines. (This actually isn’t an issue with the Expression 2, since the cartridges don’t need to be linked.)
Using cartridges locks you into the Cricut brand. Cartridge designs can’t be exported out of Cricut.
If you decide there’s a new machine you want in the future, you may have over $300 of designs that require you own a Cricut to use them.
Cricut Expression 2: Pros and Cons
Pros
- Best standalone Cricut. It’s used without a computer or an internet connection.
- Simple touchscreen interface.
Cons
- Relies on cartridges, which are expensive and limit you to preexisting designs.
- Doesn’t support Bluetooth, iPad/iPhone/Android apps, or Design Space.
- Slower and less accurate cuts compared with the Maker/Explore Air 2.
- Only available used, so if something breaks it will be out of warranty and could be difficult to fix or find a replacement.
- Only has a single tool holder, so it cannot cut and write simultaneously.
Verdict
If you want a Cricut digital cutting machine that can be used without a computer or internet, the Cricut Expression 2 is the best choice for you.
It comes with a lot of downsides but that’s the price you pay for a truly standalone machine.
Cricut Explore One (Best entry-level machine)
Cricut Explore One: Best entry-level machine
If you’re looking at the Explore One and thinking… doesn’t this look an awful lot like the Explore Air 2… you’re not alone.
Cricut released the Explore One as an inexpensive alternative to the Explore Air 2. It comes with optional Bluetooth and only a single tool holder (it can’t cut and write simultaneously).
It also doesn’t have 2x fast mode, meaning it’s a bit slower at cutting paper and vinyl.
If you’re just looking to get your feet wet and buy a reliable digital Cricut machine, this is the best choice for you. It’s available from Cricut’s website at a significant discount.
Cricut Explore One: Pros and Cons
Pros
- Best entry-level Cricut.
- An inexpensive alternative to the Explore Air 2.
- The cheapest machine that works with Design Space and cartridges.
Cons
- Only has a single tool holder, so it cannot cut and write simultaneously.
- Doesn’t come with Bluetooth, so you’ll have to purchase an adapter.
- Requires an internet connection to work
- Doesn’t support 2x fast mode.
Verdict
If you don’t need Bluetooth or 2x fast mode, the Explore One is a cheaper alternative to the Explore Air 2.
- Best entry-level machine
- A cheaper alternative to the Explore Air 2
- Works with Design Space or cartridges
Cricut Mini (Strongly advise against purchasing)
Cricut has announced they will no longer support Cricut Craft Room on July 15, 2018.
This means the Cricut Mini will no longer function as it requires Craft Room to work. If you already have a Cricut Mini you can contact Cricut for a $75 rebate for use toward a Cricut Explore machine.
I strongly recommend against purchasing this machine.
The Cricut Mini is an older machine that is a great entry-level machine for a beginner who might not stick with crafting long-term.
Because it’s smaller (16″ x 7″ x 4″), it’s more portable (5.25 lbs).
As you can see from the image above, the interface is incredibly simple. It only has two buttons: power and cut.
Discontinued by Cricut, you can typically find them used for $30-$50.
Since they’re a bit older, they also work with older software, using Craft Room instead of Design Space (Explore Air 2/Maker).
The downside of this is if you decide to stick with Cricut and upgrade to a more recent model, you’ll have to learn the software all over again.
Its size and portability also come with a downside, it uses its own special 8.5×12 cutting mats, meaning that you’ll have to repurchase your mats if you upgrade to a Maker, Explore, or Expression machine.
The Mini does come with a cartridge port or you can use digital cartridges with its Craft Room software.
While not as fast or accurate as the Maker or Explore series, it can still cut a variety of materials:
- vinyl
- cardstock
- fabric (with stabilizer)
- magnet material
- chipboard
Cricut Mini: Pros and Cons
Pros
- The cheapest machine available today, ~$40 used. If you aren’t sure if you’ll stick with crafting, you can often find a bundle that comes with a few cutting mats and cartridges.
- Lightweight and portable.
- Simple interface, with just two buttons.
Cons
- Craft Room is being discontinued in June 2018, so this machine will not work without significant modification.
- Uses a smaller cutting mat and can only cut up to 8.5″ x 12″.
- Can’t cut through thicker materials, like balsa wood or leather.
- Doesn’t support Bluetooth or the iPad/iPhone/Android apps.
- Slower and less accurate cuts compared with the Maker/Explore Air 2.
- Only available used, so if something breaks it will be out of warranty and could be difficult to fix or find a replacement.
Verdict
Do not purchase.
Cricut has announced they will no longer support Cricut Craft Room on July 15, 2018.
This means the Cricut Mini will no longer function as it requires Craft Room to work. If you already have a Cricut Mini you can contact Cricut for a $75 rebate for use toward a Cricut Explore machine.
Features to consider
Okay, that’s my overview and recommendations for each machine. I’ll now briefly go over the individual features and explain when they might matter to you.
Cutting speed
There’s a wide range of cutting speeds available. The Cuttlebug stamps out a design like a cookie cutter. The Cricut Maker/Explore Air 2 both have a 2x fast mode for cutting vinyl and paper.
If you’re going to be cutting a lot of material I recommend a machine with 2x fast mode. If you’re running your own business it will pay for itself with the time you’ll save.
Automatic depth and pressure adjustment
Cricut introduced what they call “Cut Smart” technology with the creation of the Cricut Explore line. They started from scratch and built a new cutting architecture from the ground up, examining every aspect of the cutting system.
They also completely redesigned the cutting blade, with a new blade tip formulated form tungsten carbide. This reduces wear and breakage while increasing cutting accuracy.
On the right you can see the before and after, looking at the letter R which was used due to its sharp edges and curves.
When developing the Cricut Explore electronic cutting machine, delivering a precise cut became one of the primary goals for our product team. We wanted to deliver a precise cut regardless of the material used or the image shape or size —from very small circles to large, intricately designed shapes.
Based on consumer feedback, the team identified three key areas that define precision:
- Circles must be perfectly round regardless of size
- Angled corners must be sharp on any image
- Size of any image must cut exactly as it is designed in the software
If precision is important to you, you’ll want either the Cricut Maker, Explore Air 2, or Explore One. Those are the three machines currently available with “Smart Cut” tech.
Tools & accessories
If you’re interested in cutting fabric or working with Cricut’s new Adaptive Tool System, the Cricut Maker is your best (and only) choice.
The Maker is the only machine that supports the two most recent tool innovations: the Knife Blade & the Rotary Blade.
The Knife Blade takes advantage of the increased cutting power of the Cricut Maker to cut through thick materials like balsa wood.
The Rotary Blade changes how you cut your fabric. Since it uses a blade that rolls over, instead of tearing through, you can cut through fabrics (like silk) even without backing.
These new tools work with the Adaptive Tool System which allows the blade to both lift and turn. This makes it possible to control the pressure of your cuts as well as the rotation of the blade.
The Cricut Maker, Explore One, and Explore Air 2 all come with a double tool holder. This means you can write and cut at the same time.
The double tool holder is great for making wedding and party invitations with a handwritten look.
Conclusion
Cricut Maker
- Best overall machine
- Best Cricut for cutting fabric
- Best Cricut for cutting thick material
Cricut Explore Air 2
- Best deal
Cricut Cuttlebug
- Cheapest Cricut machine
- Best embossing machine
Cricut Expression
- Best stand-alone machine
Cricut Explore One
- Best entry-level machine
Cricut Mini
- Do not purchase, its software has just been discontinued.
If you’re like me, you probably want to compare all the Cricut machines in one place again, so click here to return to the chart at the top.
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