WHICH CRICUT MACHINE SHOULD YOU BUY | UPDATED 2024 CRICUT MACHINE EXPERT BUYING GUIDE!

Summary

This 2024 Cricut Machine buying guide offers a comprehensive review of seven Cricut models, catering to both seasoned crafters and beginners. The guide highlights unique features, price points, and the ideal user for each machine, from the compact and budget-friendly Cricut Joy to the professional, wide-format Venture. It covers similarities like Bluetooth connectivity and the use of Cricut Design Space software, while emphasizing differences in cutting capabilities and material compatibility. The aim is to simplify the selection process, ensuring buyers find the perfect machine for their crafting needs and budget.

Takeaways

• 😀 The guide aims to simplify the decision-making process for choosing a Cricut machine, suitable for both seasoned crafters and beginners.
• 🔍 There are seven Cricut machines on the market, each with unique features, and the guide will help determine which one fits project needs and budget.
• 🛠️ All seven machines use Bluetooth technology for wireless cutting and are compatible with Cricut Design Space software.
• ✂️ All machines can cut popular materials like adhesive vinyl, iron-on, and card stock, with varying size limitations.
• 💰 The guide provides retail prices but suggests waiting for sales, as all machines go on sale and can be purchased from various retailers.
• 🌟 The Cricut Joy and Joy Extra are compact and lightweight, with no buttons and a single slot for blades and pens, cutting over 50 materials.
• 🖨️ The Cricut Joy Extra has print-and-cut capabilities, unlike the original Joy, and can cut materials up to 8.5 inches wide with smart vinyl.
• 🎨 The Cricut Explore Air 2 is popular for cutting over 100 materials and has print-and-cut features, suitable for beginners and those on a budget.
• 👗 The Cricut Maker is versatile with 10 times the cutting force, compatible with 13 tools, and ideal for cutting fabric and thicker materials.
• 🏎️ The Cricut Explore Air 3 and Maker 3 are upgrades from their predecessors, offering matless cutting with Cricut Smart Vinyl and faster cutting speeds.
• 🌐 The Cricut Venture is a wide-format professional cutting machine, capable of cutting large projects and materials up to 24 inches wide.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of the Cricut Machine buying guide?

The guide aims to simplify the decision-making process for choosing a Cricut machine by discussing the unique features, project needs, and budget considerations for different models.

How many years has the speaker been a Cricut content creator?

The speaker has been a Cricut content creator for almost 6 years.

What are the two new Cricut machines released in 2023 mentioned in the guide?

The two new machines released in 2023 are the Cricut Venture and the Cricut Joy Extra.

What is a common feature among all seven Cricut machines discussed in the guide?

All seven machines use Bluetooth technology for wireless cutting and utilize the Cricut Design Space software for designing or creating projects.

What is the retail price of the Cricut Joy Extra?

The retail price of the Cricut Joy Extra is $199.

What is the main difference between the Cricut Joy and the Cricut Joy Extra?

The main differences are the cutting width and the print and cut capabilities; the Cricut Joy Extra can cut up to 8.5 inches wide and has print and cut capabilities, while the Cricut Joy cannot.

What is the retail price of the Cricut Explore Air 2?

The retail price of the Cricut Explore Air 2 is $249.

What type of crafter would benefit most from the Cricut Explore Air 2?

Beginners and those on a budget who want to cut popular materials like vinyl, iron-on, and card stock, and also utilize print and cut features.

What is the retail price of the Cricut Maker?

The retail price of the Cricut Maker is $399.99.

What materials can the Cricut Maker cut that the Cricut Explore Air 2 cannot?

The Cricut Maker can cut materials such as Basswood, chipboard, leather, and fabric, which are not possible with the Cricut Explore Air 2.

What are the key differences between the Cricut Explore Air 3 and the Cricut Maker 3 compared to their predecessors?

The key differences are the ability to cut matless using Cricut smart vinyl, allowing for longer cuts, and the machines' increased cutting speed, which is twice as fast as the original models.

What is the retail price of the Cricut Venture?

The retail price of the Cricut Venture is $999, though it has been seen on sale for $799.

What type of crafter is the Cricut Venture best suited for?

The Cricut Venture is ideal for crafters needing to cut very large projects regularly, such as wall decals, large signs, acrylic signs for events, and other large-scale crafting needs.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Introduction to the 2024 Cricut Machine Buying Guide

This paragraph introduces the 2024 Cricut Machine buying guide, aimed at simplifying the selection process for potential buyers. The speaker, a Cricut content creator with six years of experience, outlines the purpose of the guide: to provide insights into the unique features of seven different Cricut machines, catering to both seasoned crafters and beginners. The guide will cover the retail prices, similarities among the machines, such as Bluetooth connectivity and the use of Cricut Design Space software, and the ability to cut popular materials like adhesive vinyl and card stock. The speaker also mentions the release of two new machines in 2023, the Cricut Venture and Cricut Joy Extra, and emphasizes the importance of waiting for sales to purchase these machines at a reduced price.

05:02

🔍 Detailed Comparison of Cricut Joy and Joy Extra

The speaker provides an in-depth comparison of the Cricut Joy and Cricut Joy Extra, highlighting their similarities and differences. Both machines are noted for their compact and lightweight design, lack of buttons, single blade and pen slot, and the ability to cut over 50 materials including vinyl and card stock without a cutting mat. The Joy weighs 3.9 lbs and can cut materials up to 4.5 inches wide, while the Joy Extra, weighing 6 lbs, can cut up to 8.5 inches wide. The Joy Extra also features print and cut capabilities, which the standard Joy lacks. The paragraph suggests that these machines are ideal for those with space constraints, beginners, and those looking for budget-friendly options for smaller projects.

10:02

🛠 Features and Benefits of the Cricut Explore Air 2 and Maker

This paragraph delves into the features of the Cricut Explore Air 2 and the Cricut Maker, including their retail prices and capabilities. The Explore Air 2, priced at $249, can cut over 100 materials and is compatible with six tools, including the standard fine point blade and the deep point blade for thicker materials. It also has print and cut capabilities. The Cricut Maker, retailing at $399.99, offers enhanced features with 10 times the cutting force, the ability to cut over 300 materials, and compatibility with 13 tools, including the rotary blade for fabric and the knife blade for wood. The paragraph positions the Explore Air 2 as a great beginner machine for popular materials and projects, while the Maker is recommended for those seeking versatility and the ability to work with a wider range of materials and tools.

⚡ Upgraded Capabilities of the Cricut Explore Air 3 and Maker 3

The Cricut Explore Air 3 and Maker 3 are introduced as upgraded versions of their predecessors, with the ability to cut smart materials without a cutting mat and at twice the speed of the original machines. Both machines maintain the material cutting capabilities and tool compatibility of their predecessors but offer enhanced performance. The Explore Air 3 is priced at $299.99, and the Maker 3 at $399.99. The paragraph explains that these machines are suitable for crafters who require the ability to make longer cuts and need faster cutting speeds, without the limitations of a cutting mat.

🌟 Introducing the Cricut Venture: The Wide-Format Cutting Machine

The Cricut Venture is presented as Cricut's professional wide-format cutting machine, designed for large-scale projects. With a retail price of $999, often found on sale for $799, the Venture is capable of cutting over 100 materials, including those cut by the Explore series, and can work matless with Cricut smart vinyl. It is the fastest Cricut machine, with a cutting speed of up to 25 inches per second. The Venture can cut materials up to 24 inches wide and images up to 75 feet long on a mat. The paragraph targets crafters who frequently work on large projects, such as wall decals, signs, and acrylic projects, and highlights the machine's speed and large cutting area as key benefits for professional use.

Keywords

💡Cricut Machine

A Cricut Machine is a cutting machine used for various crafting projects, from vinyl decals to fabric and more. It is the central focus of the video, as the guide aims to help viewers choose the right Cricut for their needs. The script discusses multiple models, each with unique features, to cater to different crafting requirements and budgets.

💡Wireless Cutting

Wireless cutting refers to the ability of the Cricut Machines to connect to devices like computers, iPads, or phones via Bluetooth, eliminating the need for a physical USB cord. This feature is highlighted as a commonality among all seven machines in the script, emphasizing the convenience it offers to crafters.

💡Cricut Design Space

Cricut Design Space is the software used to design or create projects for the Cricut Machines. It is a key component in the crafting process, allowing users to lay out their designs before cutting. The script mentions that all seven machines utilize this software, indicating its importance in the Cricut ecosystem.

💡Adhesive Vinyl

Adhesive vinyl, also known as vinyl, is a popular material used in crafting, especially for making decals and stickers. The script notes that all Cricut Machines can cut this material, showcasing the versatility of the machines in handling common crafting materials.

💡Cricut Joy

The Cricut Joy is a specific model of the Cricut Machine, mentioned in the script as a budget-friendly and beginner-friendly option. It is compact and lightweight, making it suitable for those with limited space or who travel with their crafting tools. The script also discusses its capabilities and limitations compared to other models.

💡Print and Cut

Print and cut is a feature available in some Cricut Machines, allowing users to print images or designs directly onto materials before cutting them out. This feature is highlighted in the script as an upgrade in certain models like the Cricut Joy Extra, enhancing the machine's functionality for more complex projects.

💡Cricut Maker

The Cricut Maker is a higher-end model in the Cricut lineup, with capabilities that surpass those of the Explore series. The script describes it as having 10 times the cutting force and the ability to cut over 300 materials, including thicker materials like leather and fabric, making it ideal for more advanced crafting projects.

💡Cricut Explore Air 2

The Cricut Explore Air 2 is a popular machine within the Cricut community, as mentioned in the script. It can cut over 100 materials and is equipped with print and cut capabilities. The machine is positioned as a great option for beginners and those on a budget, looking to work with popular crafting materials.

💡Cricut Smart Vinyl

Cricut Smart Vinyl is a special type of vinyl that allows for cutting without the need for a cutting mat. The script discusses how certain Cricut Machines can utilize this smart vinyl for longer and matless cuts, providing more flexibility and convenience in the crafting process.

💡Cricut Venture

The Cricut Venture is described in the script as Cricut's wide-format professional cutting machine, designed for larger projects. It is capable of cutting a wider range of materials and sizes compared to other models, making it suitable for professional crafters or those needing to produce large-scale projects like wall decals or signs.

💡Cutting Force

Cutting force refers to the power with which a Cricut Machine can cut through materials. The script highlights the Cricut Maker's superior cutting force, allowing it to handle a wider variety of materials, including thicker ones like leather and Basswood, which is a significant advantage for crafters with diverse material needs.

Highlights

Introduction to the 2024 Cricut Machine buying guide, addressing the challenge of choosing from seven different Cricut machines.

The guide is aimed at both seasoned crafters and beginners, offering a detailed comparison to simplify the decision-making process.

The creator has been a Cricut content creator for almost six years, providing experience-based insights without sponsorship bias.

New additions to the Cricut lineup include the Cricut Venture and the Cricut Joy Extra, introduced in 2023.

All Cricut machines use Bluetooth technology for wireless cutting and the Cricut Design Space software.

Every machine can cut popular materials like adhesive vinyl, iron-on vinyl, and card stock, with differences in size limitations.

The Cricut Joy Extra, priced at $199, offers an upgrade from the Cricut Joy ($179) with a wider cut capacity and print-and-cut capabilities.

The Cricut Explore Air 2, retailing at $249, is a popular choice, capable of cutting 100+ materials and featuring print-and-cut capabilities.

The Cricut Maker, priced at $399.99, offers 10 times the cutting force of the Explore Air 2 and can cut 300+ materials, including wood and fabric.

The Cricut Explore Air 3 and Maker 3, released in May 2021, provide faster cutting speeds and the ability to cut matless using Cricut Smart Vinyl.

The Cricut Venture, a wide-format professional cutting machine, retails at $999 and offers the fastest cutting speed at 25 inches per second.

The Venture can cut single images up to 12 feet long or repeated images up to 75 feet long, making it ideal for large projects.

Recommendations are given for the type of crafter that would benefit from each machine, considering factors like project types and budget.

The guide emphasizes the importance of waiting for sales to purchase Cricut machines at a better price.

The creator shares personal experiences and practical applications of each Cricut machine, providing valuable insights for potential buyers.

Transcripts

welcome to my 2024 Cricut Machine buying

guide with seven Cricut machines out on

the market trying to choose one can be

really overwhelming so I am here to

simplify the decision-making process for

you whether you're a season crafter or

just getting started I'll delve into the

unique features of each Cricut Machine

and help you determine which one fits

with your project needs and with your

budget by the end of this guide you'll

be equipped with all the knowledge

necessary to make the perfect pick for

your Cricut projects so let's dive in

I've been a Cricut content creator for

almost 6 years now so I have purchased

several Cricut machines as you can see I

have all but the Cricut Explore air 3

I've purchased all of these with my own

money over the years I've never had a

sponsorship with Cricut which allows me

to fully give honest thoughts and

reviews I do have an older video on this

but Cricut just came out with two new

machines in 2023 the Cricut Venture and

the Cricut Joy extra so I wanted to give

an updated guide the seven machines

include the Cricut Joy the Cricut Joy

extra which came out in September 20

2023 the Cricut Explore Air 2 the Cricut

maker the Cricut explor air 3 the Cricut

maker 3 and the cricet Venture which

came out in July 2023 in this video I

want to talk about the price of each

machine the differences between them and

what type of crafter can benefit from

each one but first I want to give some

of their similarities I only found a few

similarities between all seven machines

so I quickly wanted to share that they

all use Bluetooth technology for

wireless cutting so that means you can

connect your Cricut Machine to your

computer your iPad or your phone without

needing a USB cord another similarity is

all seven use the Cricut design space

software to design or create your

projects also every single machine cuts

out the most popular materials which

would be adhesive vinyl iron non vinyl

or HTV and card stock they just have all

these different size limitations and

things like that that I will go over I

will give the retail price for all of

these machines which was the price that

they were when they they came out on the

market but I will say every single one

of these machines go on sale so I would

never pay full price for them I would

definitely wait for a sale there are

several places that you can purchase

these machines if you go through

Cricket's website and sign up for Cricut

access then you get 10% off the machine

but you can also purchase them from so

many other places like Amazon Target

Walmart Michaels and several other

places now I'll talk about each machine

and I'll start with the Cricut joy and

cricet joy extra on the left we have the

Crick Joy extra the retail value for

this is

$199 and on the right we have the Cricut

Joy which is

$179 I want to talk about their

similarities first because they have a

lot both machines have no buttons you'll

select everything on your computer using

Bluetooth they also only have one slot

for your blades and pens they are both

very Compact and lightweight compared to

the other Cricket machines The Joy

machine is only 3.9 lb and the Cricut

Joy extra is only 6 lb the these cut the

same amount of materials which is 50

plus materials including vinyl ironon

card stock and infusible ink you can use

cricet Smart vinyl with these which

allows you to cut without a cutting mat

this also allows you to make longer Cuts

both machines allow you to cut

individual continuous shapes up to 4T

long and make repeated Cuts up to 20 ft

long when using Cricut smart material

these both have the same three tools you

can use with the machines the fineo

blade the foil transfer tool and pens

and markers so lots of similarities but

I want to give you a couple differences

the first difference is the width size

they can cut the Cricut Joy can cut a

Max size of 4.5 in with smart materials

with a cutting mat it can cut up to 4.25

in the Cricut Joy extra can cut a Max

size of 8.5 in wide with smart material

and a Max size of 8.25 with a cutting

matte so it can cut a little bit wider

the other main difference between the

two is the Cricut Joy extra ra has prin

and cut capabilities and the Cricut Joy

does not so that is a huge upgrade for

the Cricut extra so who would benefit

from the Cricut Joy machines I think

these are great companion machines to

either the Explorer or maker machine I

love taking mine out when I want to make

something quickly it's very convenient

with these being so small they are great

if you don't have a lot of space or if

You' like to travel with your Cricut

machines the Cricut Joy extra is a great

upgrade from the original since it can

cut wider and has PR and cut however if

you're wanting to make larger t-shirts

you're still somewhat limited with size

these machines are also very budget and

beginner friendly if you're looking to

make cards tags labels decals smaller

ironon or HTV projects then these are

excellent machines for that you can also

make stickers with the extra these are

also great for projects with longer

catch such as banners with the smart

vinyl next let's talk about the Cricut

explorer Air 2 the retail value on this

is

$249 and it's a very popular machine

machine in the Cricut Community it can

cut 100 plus materials including vinyl

ironon card stock faux leather bonded

Fabric and more this machine also has

print and cut capabilities you can make

stickers in several other projects with

that this machine is compatible with six

tools the standard fineo blade bonded

fabric Blade the Deep point blade if you

are wanting to cut a little thicker of

material scoring stylus the foil tool

and it also has drawing capabilities

even though you can use the bonded

fabric blade and deep point blade if you

are wanting to cut thicker material or

fabric a lot you'll most likely want to

go with the Cricut maker and I'll talk

about that in a little bit the max

material width you can cut with the

explor Air 2 is 11.5 in and the max

length is 23.5 in so now the big

question what type of crafter can

benefit from this machine I feel like

this is a a great beginner machine if

you are completely new to the Cricut

world you can cut popular materials on

this like vinyl ironon and card stock

and you also have the prin and cut

feature as well so if you are looking to

make vinyl decals t-shirts cards

stickers DIY home decor this is an

excellent machine for you it is also a

great option if you were on a budget

next I'm going to talk about the Cricut

maker machine the retail value on this

machine is

$399.99 the Cricut maker does everything

the Cricut Explore air too can do but

has several added features the Cricut

maker has 10 times The Cutting force and

cuts 300 plus materials which includes

everything I mentioned with the Cricut

Explore Air 2 plus Basswood chipboard

leather fabric those are just a few of

the extra materials this also has print

and cut capabilities as well this

machine uses an Adaptive tool system

which allows Cricut to expand the amount

of tools or blades this machine can use

this machine is compatible with 13 tools

which include the fineo blade the rotary

blade for cutting fabric the knife blade

for cutting wood and thicker materials

the scoring wheel to create creases and

folds for like cards the foil transfer

tool it has drawing capabilities and it

also has the quick swap tools which

include the debossing blade perforation

blade wavy blade and Engraving tool the

max material width and length for the

Cricut maker is the same as the Cricut

Explore Air 2 which is 11.5 in for the

width and 23.5 in for the length now

what type of crafter can benefit from

this machine you'll want to think about

what type of crafts you want to do and

and if you think that it will change or

evolve as you continue to craft if you

don't want to be limited to what type of

projects you want to make or materials

you can cut this is a great machine for

you I find the maker machines to be the

most versatile because they can do

everything that explore series can do

but more if you're wanting to cut fabric

this machine is a must have if you are

wanting to cut thicker materials such as

leather chipwood or Basswood then I'd

recommend the maker as well like I

mentioned earlier this has the adap tool

system so you can use the engraving

debossing perforation and wavy blades as

well this machine is more pricey than

the explore Air 2 so you kind of need to

think about what projects you're wanting

to create next I want to talk about the

Cricut Explore air 3 and the Cricut

maker 3 these came out in May of 2021

they are similar to the other two

explore and maker machines but have some

added features the Explorer air3 is

$299.99 and the Cricut maker 3 machine

is

$399.99 the Cricut Explore air 3 cuts

the same amount of materials and uses

the same tools as the Cricut Explore Air

2 machine the Cricut maker 3 also cuts

the same amount of materials and uses

the same tools as the Cricut maker but

there are some upgrades with these

machines you are able to cut matless

using both machines using Cricut smart

vinyl this means you are not limited to

the length of the cutting mat you can

also purchase the Cricut roll holder to

use with the smart vinyl which I find

really convenient it even has a paper

cutter to cut the vinyl when the

cricut's done cutting these machines

also cut the materials two times faster

than the original ones and honestly I

was shocked when I first used it how

fast it actually does cut but it is

still very precise and mine has been

making very nice Cuts you can cut up to

11. 7 in wide and 12 ft long using

Cricut smart vinyl so compared to the

original machines you can cut much

longer Cuts however you do need to use

the smart vinyl if you're using the

cutting mat the max size is 11.5 in by

23.5 in so which crafter would benefit

from these machines the explore air3 and

maker 3 machines can do everything the

Air 2 and maker can do but they have two

key differences they can cut smart

materials which negates the need for a

cutting mat and makes longer cuts the

other is that they can cut two times

faster than the original machines so

it's kind of up to you which ones you

choose and what is in your budget moving

on to the final Cricut Machine it is the

Cricut Venture this is cricut's wide

format professional cutting machine the

retail price for this is

$999 but I have seen it on sale already

for

$799 I do recommend the docking stand to

go with it which is a separate price

this machine is 33.9 lb you can see it

looks quite different than the other

machines I have a full video on how to

use this machine and I will link it down

in my description box this is also

cricut's fastest machine with a cutting

speed of up to 25 in per second The

Venture Cuts 100 plus materials which is

everything the explore series can cut

and also can cut matless with Cricut

smart vinyl it does have print and cut

capabilities as well the max with the

cricet vure can cut is 24 in with smart

material and 23.5 in on a mat this is

compared to the 11.5 in on the Explorer

or maker using smart material it can cut

single images up to 12 ft long or

repeated images up to 75 ft long on a

mat it can cut up to 27.5 in long you

can use any of the explore blades with

the Venture this includes the fineo

blade the scoring stylus the foil tool

and pen p and markers so now what type

of Crafters can benefit from this

machine if you are needing to cut very

large projects all the time such as wall

decals large signs such as porch signs

or yard signs large acrylic signs for

like weddings poster board projects my

mom is a teacher and we have made large

card stock images for her bulletin

boards at school other ideas is large

card stock characters birthday party

decor and if you have a large printer

you can print big print thin cut

projects if you have your own business

you can batch projects with these the

machine is super fast and you can cut

more designs at once with this obviously

this is a very pricey machine and it is

very big so it does take up a lot of

room so if you don't have a lot of Craft

Space then you would want to keep that

in mind as well I hope you found this

video helpful I'll put some links down

in my description box for these machines

also let me know if you have any

questions about the machines and I will

try my hardest to get back to you if

you're new here I would love it if you

subscribe to my channel I share all

things cricket and crafting and I would

love to have you

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