Today, we will talk about which Cricut machine is right for you. Whether you’re thinking about getting your first Cricut or upgrading the Cricut you have, this will help you make that decision.
There are now nine options on the market, making it more confusing to know which Cricut machine might be the right purchase. Let me help!
Which Cricut Machine Is Right for You?
Before we begin, I want to say that you can’t go wrong with any of these Cricut machines. They all work. They’re all amazing. I use them all in my crafting. Which one is right for you will depend on what type of crafter you are and which machine is best for the way you craft or your space.
Spend time learning about each of the machines and then make a decision for yourself. If you get through all of this info and you still can’t decide which machine you need, leave a comment and let me know what type of crafting you want to do, and I can help!
Want to see all of these different machines up close? Click play on the video below, and I’ll walk you through each machine.
Can’t watch the video or miss some of the information? Keep reading to get all of the details!
Cricut Machine Comparison
I am going to compare the following machines as far as features and things you need to know before purchasing.
- Maker (the original Cricut Maker, Cricut Maker 3, and Cricut Maker 4)
- Explore (the Cricut Explore Air 2, Cricut Explore 3, and Cricut Explore 4)
- Cricut Joy (both the original Joy and Joy Xtra)
- Cricut Venture
Let’s start with the simplest Cricut machine, which is the Cricut Joy. Then, I’m going to step my way up through the Explore series, the Maker series, and then Cricut Venture.
We’re going to start simple and work our way up. I’m going to go over each machine, what it does, and what the differences are between it and the other machines.
Cricut Joy
The Joy is the smallest Cricut machine. If you are limited on space or want to travel with your Cricut machine, the Joy is hands down the machine I recommend.
Because of its size, there are some things it can NOT do.
The first thing it can NOT do is Print Then Cut.
A lot of people like to make stickers with their Cricut machine, print them out with their printer, and then cut around them – the Joy can not do that.
If you want to make anything with Print Then Cut, Joy is not the machine for you.
The Joy also only has a fine-point blade. That limits the materials you can cut. You can cut thin materials like cardstock, vinyl, iron-on, etc. Want to see everything I have cut with my Joy? Check out this post for more details.
You can add foil lines with the Cricut Joy and the foiling tool. You do need to have the foiling tool specific for Joy machines, it is different than the one for Maker and Explore machines. Learn more about the foiling tool here.
Outside of the Fine Point blade and the Foil tool, there are no additional tools/blades. Not even a scoring tool.
There are also size limitations with the Joy. It has a max cut width of 4 1/2 inches wide. If you use the Smart Vinyl or Smart Iron-on, you can cut up to 12 feet in length.
You need the smart vinyl that is intended for this Cricut Joy. There are smart vinyls for Joy Xtra, Explore 3 & 4, Maker 3 & 4, and Cricut Venture as well, so make sure you get the one for the original Joy.
Cricut Joy Card Mat
Cricut Joy is perfect for making cards with the Card Mat. You can use the Cricut Joy to create customized cards quickly and easily.
The card mat cuts pre-folded cards. Since Joy doesn’t cut wide enough to cut a card while it’s flat the card mat allows you to cut cards that are folded.
Cricut also has a Card Mat for other Cricut machines so make sure you get the right Card Mat for your machine.
Learn more about how to use the Card Mat in my full tutorial.
Cricut Joy Pens
All Cricut machines can draw with pens. Cricut Joy uses a different pen size and type than the other machines. If you have Explore or Maker pens they won’t work in the Joy and Joy pens won’t work in Maker, Explore, or Venture machines.
Cricut Joy Xtra
Joy Xtra is the newest Joy machine on the market. If you are limited in space but want the ability to Print Then Cut, you’re going to love Joy Xtra!
Cricut Joy Xtra can do everything that the original Joy can do but it also has a sensor that allows you the ability to Print Then Cut. It is a very compact machine which means it’s perfect for crafters who like to create on the go.
This machine can cut Smart materials that are at least 6 inches and up to 20 feet long. The maximum width is 8.5 inches. Individual images can be up to 8.5″ wide and 48″ long, and repeated images can be 8.5″ wide and 20 feet long!
On a mat, the maximum cut size is 8.25″ wide and 11.75″ long.
You can Print Then Cut sheets of paper up to 8.5″ by 11″ and there is a Card Mat specific for this machine.
If you already own a Foil Tool or pens for the Cricut Joy all of those will work with Joy Xtra.
If I’m being honest, Joy Xtra is my favorite machine right now. I reach for it more often than others because its size is perfect for most of the crafts I make.
Cricut Explore Series
The latest machines on the market in this series are the Cricut Explore 3 and Cricut Explore 4.
You can use fine-point and deep-point blades in all Explore machines. This allows you to go a little bit thicker than the Joy. This means cutting magnet sheets, cork, some leather, felt, etc.
You’re stepping up just a little bit in what materials you can cut when you go to the Explore. It also steps up in width. You can cut up to 11 1/2 inches wide x 23 1/2 inches long with the longer mat.
The Explore Air 2 has a dial where you can choose your material, but you can always flip the dial to custom to see the full materials list in Design Space. This is the last machine with the dial option.
The Explore Air 2 is the last machine that has a cartridge slot. If you have those old cartridges from legacy machines, you need to sync them with Cricut Design Space.
Explore Air 2 is the last machine to have the cartridge slot to do that. You can still link them with the newer machines, you just have to call Cricut to do so. If that is super important to you, you might want to consider the Cricut Explore Air 2.
I mentioned that the original Joy doesn’t do Print Then Cut, the rest of the Cricut machines have this feature.
Explore Air 2 is the only one that has the old version of the Print Then Cut sensor. What does that mean?
That means the Explore Air 2 can only do Print Then Cut on white paper. If you foresee yourself doing a lot of Print Then Cut, and you want to do it on different colors of paper, I would skip Explore Air 2 and at least move up to Explore 3.
Scoring Tool
When you move to the Explore series of machines from the Joy you add the ability to use a scoring tool.
The scoring tool is a stylus that goes in the pen holder of your machine, and it will score paper, making it easier to fold with precision.
Explore Air 2 vs. Explore 3
What is the difference between the Explore Air 2 and the Explore 3?
There are not a lot of differences, but there are some.
Upgraded Print Then Cut Sensor
The Air 2 can only do Print Then Cut on white paper. The Explore 3 can Print Then Cut on different colors of paper with the upgraded sensor.
Speed
The Explore 3 is faster, especially when you’re cutting Smart materials.
Matless Cutting
You can use Smart materials for matless cutting in the Explore 3 machine. These materials include Smart Vinyl, Smart Iron-on, and Smart Sticker Paper Cardstock.
Larger Cut Sizes
Matless cutting increases the maximum width to 11.75 inches, but the length goes up to twenty feet.
Roll Holder Accessory
With Explore 3 you can purchase an additional Roll Holder accessory that helps feed Smart materials into the machine without having to cut it off the roll.
To learn more about everything the Explore 3 can do, I have a full tutorial that will answer all your questions.
Cricut Explore 3 vs Explore 4
When it comes to the differences between the Explore 3 and Cricut Explore 4 machines, the only real difference is speed.
Explore 4 cuts up to twice as fast on the mat. I didn’t find a huge difference cutting matless but the materials on the mat were so much faster. This includes Print Then Cut projects.
Another difference is that Explore 4 comes in two different colors. You can get it in the seashell color or sage.
You can watch me compare these two machines side by side in my Explore 4 review.
Cricut Maker Series
For the Maker series, you have three options – the Cricut Maker, the Maker 3, and now the Maker 4.
Don’t get confused, there is no Maker 2. Some will say when Cricut started releasing the original Maker in different colors, that was the Maker 2, but there was no other change and Cricut never called it a Maker 2.
When Cricut released the Explore 3 and the Maker 3 at the same time, they skipped the number 2 to keep things consistent.
Maker Vs. Explore
When you upgrade from the Explore series to the Maker series, what is the difference?
There are quite a few differences. Let’s look at them all.
Cutting Force
The Maker has a lot more cutting force than the Explore and Joy machines. With each type of machine, you gain force. Explore has more than Joy, and Maker has more than Explore.
The Maker is a powerful machine that opens up different capabilities and materials.
There are so many materials that you can cut with your Maker. I could never actually try all of them.
More Blades
There is nothing that the Explore machines can do that Maker machines can’t do. Just like there isn’t anything that the Joy machines can do that Explore machines can’t do.
With the Maker machines, you get the Adaptive Tool System. This includes a whole collection of tools and blades that don’t work with any other machines.
Scoring Wheel
You can use the Scoring Stylus, but why would you when you can use the single or double Scoring Wheel? If you’ve ever dealt with your paper cracking when being scored, you’re going to love the Scoring Wheel.
To use the Scoring Wheel, you will need the Quick Swap Housing. If you already own that with another tip, you don’t need to purchase an additional one.
Rotary Blade
You can also purchase a Rotary Blade. This blade opens up a ton of fabric-cutting options. If you’ve ever used a handheld rotary cutter for fabric, this is just like that but mini-sized.
With the Rotary Blade, the fabric options expand in ways you could never imagine with other Cricut machines.
Knife Blade
The blade I think most people are excited about with the Maker machines is the Knife Blade. This is a craft blade like an Xacto knife that fits in the Cricut machine.
This blade allows you to cut wood, chipboard, leather, and other thick materials easily.
Engraving Tip
The Engraving Tip uses the Quick Swap Housing. You only need one Quick Swap Housing and it works with many different Maker tips.
I love to use the Engraving Tip to engrave metal. It works better than off-market versions that work with Explore machines, and this one won’t void your warranty.
Other Quick Swap Tips
Other tips that work with the Quick Swap Housing are the Deboss Tip, Perforated Tip, and Wavy Blade.
Deboss will give you a debossed look into the cardstock. The Perforated blade creates a perfect tearaway line. The Wavy blade is similar to the Rotary blade, but as it rolls, it cuts in a wavy line.
All of those tips work well, I just use them less often than the other ones.
Upgraded Print Then Cut Sensor
Just like the Explore 3 machine, all the Maker machines have the upgraded Print Then Cut sensor. This allows you to print onto different colors of cardstock and other materials, including sticker materials, and then cut them out with your Maker machine.
Cut Size
The original Maker machine has the same cut size as the Explore Air 2. That is a maximum width of 11.5 inches and a maximum length of 23.5.
Makers 3 and 4 have the same cut size as the Explore 3 and 4. On a mat, those limits are the same as the original Maker and Explore machines, but with Smart materials, you can cut a width of up to 11.75 inches and a total length of 20 feet.
Smart Material Roll Holder
The same Roll Holder accessory that works with the Explore 3 & 4 works with the Maker 3 & 4. This is a great accessory if you’re using Smart materials like Iron-on or Vinyl.
Faster Cut Speed
Maker 3 cuts even faster than the original Maker when cutting Smart Materials. I think it’s even faster cutting materials on mats. You’ll be shocked at how fast it truly is.
Quieter
I have found that the Maker 3 & 4 and Explore 3 & 4 are a little quieter than the Air 2 and original Maker. If you’re looking for a quiet machine, these are great options.
Maker 3 vs Cricut Maker 4
Just like the Explore 3 and 4 the biggest difference between these two machines is how fast it cuts on the mat. There isn’t really a difference with Smart materials, but on the mat, I was really impressed with how much faster it cuts and draws.
You can see these two side by side in my Maker 4 review. That will hopefully help you decide which machine is right for you.
Cricut Venture
Cricut Venture is the big dog on the block. This machine is not for those with limited crafting space. It is the largest machine Cricut has ever released and can cut designs that we’ve only dreamed of.
Optional Stand
Cricut Venture is large and heavy. The optional stand is a great addition. It includes catching baskets on both the front and back that help reduce static.
I love the ability to move the machine where I want it and then get it out of the way when I’m not using it without having to lift it every time.
Venture Blades
Cricut Venture is like a larger-sized Explore machine. It cannot use the specialty Maker blades like the Rotary Blade or Knife Blade, but it can cut all the same materials that you can cut on Explore or Joy machines.
You do need a different fine-point blade for the Cricut Venture.
Cricut found that the Regular or Premium Fine Point blade had a very short life in Venture. They developed the Performance Fine Point blade to get the best performance with this machine.
I don’t think anyone wants to be changing blades all of the time, I recommend you only use Performance Fine Point blades in your Cricut Venture. I think you will be happier with the cuts and performance.
Cutoff Blades
Venture comes with a manual cutoff blade, which is great for trimming your materials right off the machine and getting a nice clean line.
You can also purchase an Auto Cutoff blade that will automatically cut the material off when it’s done cutting the design.
Other Blades
Like the Explore machines, you can also use a Deep Point Blade and Foiling Tool in Cricut Venture. You can also use the Bonded Fabric Blade housing (pink housing) with a Performance Fine Point Blade to have a blade specific for cutting bonded fabric with your Venture.
Larger Cut Sizes
When I say larger cut sizes, I mean larger cut sizes.
With Smart Materials, you can cut up to 24 inches wide and 12 feet long. You can also repeat these cuts up to 75 feet long!
You can use 13-inch by 25-inch Smart Paper and cut a maximum size of 12 inches by 22 inches.
On the 12 x 24 mat, you can cut 11.75 inches by 23.75 inches.
On the 24 x 28 mat, you can cut up to 23.75 x 27.75 inches.
For Print Then Cut, the maximum size for printing is 24 inches by 28 inches. You do need to leave room in the corners for registration marks.
There is so much to learn about Cricut Venture. My Complete Guide is a great resource if you really want to learn more about what this machine can do.
If you cut very large designs or many repeated cuts Cricut Venture may just be the right machine for you.
Which Cricut Machine Should You Choose?
That’s a ton of information. We talked about nine different machines, and there is a lot of information to digest. Hopefully, that helps you at least begin to decide which Cricut machine might be right for you.
You can go with Joy and keep it simple. I do think the Joy is a great starter machine. If you are intimidated by a Cricut machine, the Joy is a great place to start. It’s simple. It only has one blade plus the foil tip.
It’s just easy and simple to use and is a great machine to start out on.
I will warn you: if you get the Joy, it’s sort of an introduction into the Cricut world, and once you get introduced to it, you will want to move up.
I find that people with the Cricut Joy usually end up with one of the other machines. If you want to get started with crafting and are intimidated, Cricut Joy is a great and affordable option.
The Maker series cuts way more materials than the Explore series. If you think that once you get a machine you’re going to want to cut all the things, I’d just get the Maker right out of the gate.
It is a more complicated machine, but you’re going to be happier in the long run that you don’t have to upgrade later on.
If you’re someone who cuts thinner materials like paper and vinyl but cuts large designs or a lot of the same designs Venture just may save you time and be the right machine for you.
I always recommend thinking about the crafter you are today and the crafter you are going to be in the future. If you think you’re crafting needs will change and you can afford a bigger machine now that may be the right choice.
Learning Your Cricut
Now that you have a new machine on the way, how do you learn how to use it? Try the links below to get started with Cricut crafting right away!
- Free 7-Day Cricut Class – Sign up when you get your machine, start with day one, and work through day seven. I think that will answer most of your questions.
- Cricut One-Hour Crash Course – If you’re the type of person who doesn’t have seven days, I have a one-hour crash course. I tried to fit all of the information I could into one hour.
- Cricut Materials Video – If you have any questions about any Cricut material and which machine cuts what, that’s the video for you.
Hopefully, this helped you decide which Cricut machine is for you, and you have your machine on the way. I know you will love it and make amazing projects with your machine!
Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel so you get even more ideas for using your machine!
