5 Different Types Of Cricut Machines You Should Know
Cricut Machines make your projects easy for clear-cutting, plotting and crafting, helpful for makers, creators, and craftsmen. These Cricut machines give you the freedom to do craft projects, from paper crafts to vinyl decals. The best part is how easy it is to use! If you don’t have a computer or laptop, you don’t need to worry; connect your smartphone or tablet to the Cricut machine. Whether you’re a hobbyist or make stuff to sell, the best Cricut machines help you achieve your goals.
No matter your DIY passion, having the proper supplies and tools is vital to a successful crafting project. If you plan to buy a Cricut machine for your business or home, check out this comparison of different types of Cricut machines.
The Cricut makes 3 different types of Cricut machines: Cricut Maker, Cricut Explore, and Cricut Joy. The Cricut Maker machine line is for serious hobby crafters and professionals. The Cricut Maker 3 machine is Cricut’s flagship crafting and cutting machine; it has the most features and cuts the most materials. Cricut’s other machines are also worth a look.
Design anything you want and upload it to the Cricut Design Space app on your iPad, Mac, or iPhone. From there, you can create it on your Cricut machine. In these different types of Cricut machines, each machine has interchangeable blades and pens so you can cut, write, draw, and more. Working with iron-on materials, you’ll probably want to look into Cricut’s heat presses, which we’ve also detailed below.
- Cricut Maker 3 — Best Overall
This Cricut Maker 3 is the ultimate machine that can cut more than 300 smart materials, from paper and vinyl to fabric, leather, and balsa wood. You can use 13 interchangeable tools for cutting, writing, debossing, scoring, foiling, engraving, etc. Make your projects up to 13 inches wide.
The Cricut Maker 3 can replace the Cricut Maker as the flagship model of Cricut. There isn’t much difference between both machines, except that the Cricut Maker 3 uses smart materials and is faster. Smart materials can be bought in larger rolls to create projects up to 12 feet tall, while the Cricut Maker only does your projects up to 24 inches tall and 12 inches wide. If you’re not going to be doing long projects, the Cricut Maker is great to get most of the functionality of the Maker 3 for very little money.
- Cricut Explore Air 2 — Best Value
The Cricut Explore Air 2 machine is a full-size, full-service cutting machine that can do the Maker 3 for very little money. It cut more than 100 different smart materials. Your craft projects can be up to 12 inches wide and about 2 feet long. Swap up to 6 different tools to cut, score, write, and foil. If you plan to work mainly with paper, iron-on, vinyl, and infusible ink, you don’t need to spend much for a more upscale machine.
Remember that the Explore Air 2 is not the latest Explore model; it will be the Explore 3. When comparing the Explore Air 2 to the Explore 3, the main difference is you can use smart materials up to 12 feet tall. Also, the Explore 3 is fast and gives an extra inch of width for projects.
- Cricut Joy — Best Compact Machine
Although the Cricut Joy machine is more limited in what it can do, it is small and easy to use. The Cricut Joy is perfect for beginner crafters, those with limited crafting areas, or anyone who might prefer a second machine on the go. It uses smart materials so that you can create projects up to 4 feet tall. Since this is a small machine, the widest project you can create will be 5.5 inches. Remember that most smart materials and accessories for the Cricut Explore and Cricut Maker lineups will not be interchangeable with Cricut Joy materials.
- Cricut EasyPress 2 — Best for Iron-On
The Cricut EasyPress 2 machine is like your regular iron. The heat is distributed evenly throughout the heating plate. For iron-on and infusible ink, projects are better to use Cricut EasyPress 2 to set the temperature and length of time. Choose your size: 9-by-9 inches or 12-by-10 inches, depending on your project size.
- Cricut Mug Press — Best for Mugs
Infusible ink has become one of the best materials to work with. Once you iron your infusible ink blank, it will never crack, peel, or discolor. It is inserted into the item. The Cricut Mug Press is a must-have if you plan to make mugs. Draw your patterns/design in the Cricut Design Space app, cut it out on your Cricut machine, and then place it around your mug and drop it into the Cricut Mug Press. Tie it closed, set it on fire, and the Cricut Mug Press does the rest of the job. A mug created by you arrives! It will be dishwasher safe; The pattern/design is forever put in the mug.
Conclusion
With this comparison of different types of Cricut machines, the Maker 3 is the preferred machine for a wide range of projects. It can cut fabric and leather, which means you can make outfits. Also, you can cut balsa wood, which has opened up many projects. And with other different types of Cricut machines, you can create greeting cards, decor, labels, signs, decals, 3D flowers, stencils, iron-on designs, infusible ink projects, etc.
But, if you want something simple and affordable, you have many options in these different types of Cricut machines. The Explore Air 2 is a medium model and a great value. The Cricut Joy is a compact machine perfect for newbies due to its ease of use. Also, it is an entirely portable second machine for travel, and it is great for those who don’t have a large crafting area. In addition to machines, Cricut’s heat presses help you for good results. Further, there are many Cricut accessories that you can use to make various things. As a result, this comparison of different types of Cricut machines helps you choose which machine is perfect for your needs and budget.
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