What Cricut Machine Should I Buy?


This post may contain affiliate links, sponsored content and products received at no cost.
6:00 AM
What Cricut Machine should you buy? This is a real question that I get asked all the time. It's a huge investment to purchase a machine and you want to make sure you are going to use it...and it will do what you want it to do.  I love my Cricut Machines and have worked with Cricut as a craft blogger since 2017. I love the user friendly interface, strong support system, technical support and the easy "plug and play" set up for the machines.

What Cricut Machine Should I Buy?


What Cricut Machine should you buy? This is a real question that I get asked all the time. It's a huge investment to purchase a machine and you want to make sure you are going to use it...and it will do what you want it to do.


I love my Cricut Machines and have worked with Cricut as a craft blogger since 2017. I love the user friendly interface, strong support system, technical support and the easy "plug and play" set up for the machines.


I received product in exchange for this post, all opinions are my own. Affiliate links are included. Thank you for your support!


What Cricut Machine should I buy? There's 3 families of machines and you want to make sure you are purchasing the right one for your needs. The Cricut Maker is the ultimate crafting machine, the Cricut Explore Air family is fast and incredibly functional, and the Cricut Joy is ideal for budget and space saving crafters.

If Santa is bringing  you a Cricut Machine, then LUCKY you! It's a fabulous tool that can do so many things. There are 3 different Cricut Machine families, and they each have their strong points.


The Cricut Maker 3 is the newest and top of the line machine. I just received mine and it's amazing!
Cricut Maker 3 Bundle


If Santa is bringing  you a Cricut Machine, then LUCKY you! It's a fabulous tool that can do so many things. There are 3 different Cricut Machine families, and they each have their strong points.  The Cricut Maker 3 is the newest and top of the line machine. I just received mine and it's amazing--I'll do a full review soon.

The Cricut Maker is the most versatile of the Cricut Machines. 


Ask yourself these questions:


Do you want to be able to cut fabric?
Do you want to use materials like acrylic or metal?
Do you want to engrave things?
Do you want to score paper?
Do you want to cut thin wood?
Do you want to add foil accents to paper?
Do you want the ability to cut over 300 materials?


If you answered yes to ANY of them, the Maker is the perfect machine for you.


The Cricut Maker is the most versatile of the Cricut Machines.  Ask yourself these questions:  Do you want to be able to cut fabric? Do you want to use materials like acrylic or metal? Do you want to engrave things? Do you want to score paper? Do you want to cut thin wood? Do you want to add foil accents to paper? Do you want the ability to cut over 300 materials?  If you answered yes to ANY of them, the Maker is the perfect machine for you.

I will always recommend the Cricut Maker 3 or Cricut Maker and here's why:


The Cricut Maker has the adaptive tool set...which means there are accessories that allow the Cricut Machine to grow with you. The learning curve for using the Cricut is not that difficult, which means after a little time of cutting paper, vinyl or iron-on...you are going to feel more adventurous and want to try all the mediums.


I've had several people tell me that they bought the Cricut Explore Air 2 and then WISHED they had just waited and purchased the Maker.


If it is in the budget, go big with the 
Cricut Maker 3.


I will always recommend the Cricut Maker (1 or 3) and here's why.  The Cricut Maker has the adaptive tool set...which means there are accessories that allow the Cricut Machine to grow with you. The learning curve for using the Cricut is not that difficult, which means after a little time of cutting paper, vinyl or iron-on...you are going to feel more adventurous and want to try all the mediums.  I've had several people tell me that they bought the Cricut Explore Air 2 and then WISHED they had just waited and purchased the Maker.  If it is in the budget, go big with the Cricut Maker.

Now, how do you decide between the Cricut Maker 3 or Cricut Maker?


Which Cricut Maker Machine should you buy?


Again, I'd go with the latest and greatest machine. 


Cricut will keep rolling out new tools and products geared toward the Maker 3, so it's ideal for staying ahead of the curve.


The Cricut Maker is a tremendous machine and no shame should be felt in just purchasing it and getting right to work creating.
Cricut Maker 3
Cricut Maker 3 Essentials Material Bundle
Cricut Maker 3 Everything Material Bundle
Cricut Maker 3 Smart Materials and Tool BundleCricut Maker Champagne
Cricut Maker Essentials Material Bundle
Cricut Maker Everything Material Bundle
Cricut Maker Rose
Cricut Maker Blue


Now, how do you decide between the Cricut Maker and the Cricut Maker 3? Which Cricut Maker Machine should you buy?

All the machines, save the Joy, are about the same size. I store my machine on my desk, and supplies for it in my craft room and on a rolling cart. 


The supplies to use the machine can build up for sure! So just know that when you are heading in to buy the machine...it's kind of like filling a cup with no bottom. 


There will always be something else you want/need to make your crafting game perfect.


All the machines, save the Joy, are about the same size. I store my machine on my desk, and supplies for it in my craft room and on a rolling cart.   The supplies to use the machine can build up for sure! So just know that when you are heading in to buy the machine...it's kind of like filling a cup with no bottom. There will always be something else you want/need to make your crafting game perfect.

Let's go through the Cricut Machines and see what each of them can do. I'll try to educate you as best as I can so you can make the right choice for you.


Click here to compare Cricut Maker, Explore Air 2 and Joy Machines 


The Cricut Joy (Cricut.com or Amazon) is the smallest machine that is great for a space and budget saving device with loads of possibilities and the card making mat--only available for Cricut Joy. Check out more on Cricut Joy on this post.  Cricut Joy: (Cricut.com or Amazon) Vinyl Paper Cards (only machine with the Card Making Mat) Smart Vinyl Continuous Cuts Markers Infusible Ink  I love Cricut Joy because of its size. Not everyone has a luxurious craft suite with all the bells and whistles...but they still want to craft! This is the most budget friendly too.   You can totally make a wide variety of things to sell and launch a Cricut Business from home with just the Cricut Joy.

Cricut Joy (Cricut or Amazon) is the smallest machine that is great for a space and budget saving device with loads of possibilities and the card making mat--only available for Cricut Joy. 

Check out more on Cricut Joy on this post.


Cricut Joy: (Cricut or Amazon)
Vinyl
Paper
Cards (only machine with the Card Making Mat)
Smart Vinyl
Continuous Cuts
Markers
Infusible Ink


I love Cricut Joy because of its size. Not everyone has a luxurious craft suite with all the bells and whistles...but they still want to craft! This is the most budget friendly too. 


You can totally make a wide variety of things to sell and launch a Cricut Business from home with just Cricut Joy.


The Cricut Explore Air (Cricut.com or Amazon) is a very economical choice for a cutting machine with lots of applications. The Explore Air family is terrific for school classrooms, craft rooms and starting a Cricut business. The latest machine, the Cricut Explore Air 3 has Smart material capabilities, cuts faster and is not limited by mat size...plus more options than the 2.  Cricut Explore Air family: 100+ Materials (Cricut.com or Amazon) Vinyl Paper Markers Infusible Ink Fabric Cutting (with fusible backing) Foil Leather Deep Cut Blade  The Cricut Explore Air 2 will always hold my heart, since it was my first machine. It's super dynamic and can cut super fast! Knock out all the holiday gifts on your list, personalize everything, cut all the basic materials--that frankly, you'll use 90% of the time even if you buy the Cricut Maker, and have a really rocking machine.  The Cricut Explore Air 3 kicks up a notch more with the ability to cut longer pieces and without the cutting mat, great for big home decor!

The Cricut Explore Air (Cricut or Amazon) is a very economical choice for a cutting machine with lots of applications. The Explore Air family is terrific for school classrooms, craft rooms and starting a Cricut business. 

The latest machine, the Cricut Explore 3 has Smart material capabilities, cuts faster and is not limited by mat size...plus more options than the 2.


Cricut Explore Air family: 100+ Materials (Cricut  or Amazon)
Vinyl
Paper
Markers
Infusible Ink
Fabric Cutting (with fusible backing)
Foil
Leather
Deep Cut Blade


The Cricut Explore Air 2 Mint will always hold my heart, since it was my first machine. It's super dynamic and can cut super fast! Knock out all the holiday gifts on your list, personalize everything, cut all the basic materials--that frankly, you'll use 90% of the time even if you buy the Cricut Maker, and have a really rocking machine.


The Cricut Explore 3 kicks up a notch more with the ability to cut longer pieces and without the cutting mat, great for big home decor!


The Cricut Maker (Cricut.com or Amazon) is the most versatile of the Cricut Machines and can do a wide range of things. The Cricut Maker and the Cricut Maker 3 both are phenomenal, with the newest, Cricut Maker 3 having Smart capabilities. The Cricut Maker has the Adaptive Tool feature, which allows for a variety of tools to be used and a huge variety of materials.  The Maker 3 (there is no Maker 2) is an upgraded version of the Maker, the tools are same for both machines. The Maker 3 is able to cut Smart materials without a mat! Plus, it can cut up to 12 feet in length, you are not limited by mat size! Yay!   The Smart materials for the Maker measure 13 inches wide and can cut 11.7 inches wide, so there is some excess waste on the sides to fit in the machine.  It also cuts faster than previous machines, so it's much more time efficient. If you are trying to decide between the Maker and the Maker 3, decide if you want to cut big long pieces, not have to use a mat and cut faster.   The Maker 3 will probably be the new machine that they gear new products for going forward...so there's that to consider.  Cricut Maker family: 300+ Materials (including balsa wood, leather and acrylic) (Cricut.com or Amazon) Vinyl Paper Markers Infusible Ink Engraving Tool (metal, acrylic, wood) Debossing Tool Fabric Cutting Foil Leather Knife Blade Rotary Cutting Wheel Scoring Wheels (single and double) Wavy Blade Perforation Blade

The Cricut Maker (Cricut.com or Amazon) is the most versatile of the Cricut Machines and can do a wide range of things. The Cricut Maker and the Cricut Maker 3 both are phenomenal, with the newest, Cricut Maker 3 having Smart capabilities. The Cricut Maker has the Adaptive Tool feature, which allows for a variety of tools to be used and a huge variety of materials.


The Maker 3 (there is no Maker 2) is an upgraded version of the Maker, the tools are same for both machines. The Maker 3 is able to cut Smart materials without a mat! Plus, it can cut up to 12 feet in length, you are not limited by mat size! Yay! 


The Smart materials for the Maker measure 13 inches wide and can cut 11.7 inches wide, so there is some excess waste on the sides to fit in the machine.


It also cuts faster than previous machines, so it's much more time efficient. If you are trying to decide between the Maker and the Maker 3, decide if you want to cut big long pieces, not have to use a mat and cut faster. 


The Maker 3 will probably be the new machine that they gear new products for going forward...so there's that to consider.


Cricut Maker family: 300+ Materials (including balsa wood, leather and acrylic) 

(Cricut Maker 3 or Cricut Maker on Cricut or Amazon)
Vinyl
Paper
Markers
Infusible Ink
Engraving Tool (metal, acrylic, wood)
Debossing Tool
Fabric Cutting
Foil
Leather
Knife Blade
Rotary Cutting Wheel
Scoring Wheels (single and double)
Wavy Blade
Perforation Blade


Which Cricut Machine is right for me? Get the answer to all your questions!

What can you make with the Cricut Machine? Check out this post! 


What Cricut machine should you buy? What can you afford? What are you planning to do with your machine? What kind of craft set up space do you have? Find out all the reasons for each machine in this informative post at doodlecraftblog.com.

Okay, so which Cricut Machine will you decide to buy?

Is $400+ in your budget?


Are you going to start a business?


Are you excited to make all the things?


Go with the Maker 3 and get making! Cricut Maker 3 Bundle


If you need to start with a budget friendly machine, just go for it! Get a machine and learn how to use it. Then if you decide you need an upgrade, an old machine sells on marketplace for nearly the same amount as new. 

Okay, so which Cricut Machine will you decide to buy?  Is $400+ in your budget? Are you going to start a business? Are you excited to make all the things?  Go with the Maker 3 and get making!  If you need to start with a budget friendly machine, just go for it! Get a machine and learn how to use it. Then if you decide you need an upgrade, an old machine sells on marketplace for nearly the same amount as new.


Hopefully this helps you decide which Cricut Machine to get!
Let me know if you have any questions!


Like, Pin and Share!




Check out these informative posts too!




Check out this link for tons more things you can make with your Cricut!

100 things to make with the Cricut cutting machine. Perfect for starting a Cricut home business for the holidays.


Thinking about making money this holiday season with a Cricut? Here's all the tips and tricks I've got about making money with a Cricut machine. 

Having a Cricut is worth it regardless of whether or not you want a side hustle...but sometimes making some dough on the side is the best way to justify the machine.


HOw to start a business with Cricut from home. Perfect for a side hustle at the holidays or just to supplement income. How to make money from home using your Cricut cutting machine.

Check out this post on 5 ways to make money with the Cricut Explore Air 2, which has key tips that can be applied to any of the Cricut electronic cutting machines. 

here's 5 ways to make money with the Cricut explore air 2, which can be applied to any of the Cricut electronic cutting machines.







postscript

Comments