Skip to Content (Press Enter) Skip to Footer (Press Enter)

Cricut Machine Comparison Guide

If you’re looking to get started in Cricut but you don’t know which machine to get started with, look no further! Find out the features and benefits of the Cricut Joy, Cricut Explore and Cricut Maker machines by comparing what each one has to offer. In no time at all, you’ll discover the digital cutting projects you can achieve with the Cricut collection.

Cricut Joy Shop now Cricut Joy Shop now Cricut Explore 3 Shop now Cricut Maker 3 Shop now

Perfect for

Popular projects such as custom stickers, labels, T-shirts etc. Quick, everyday, fun projects A wide range of DIY hobbies Pro-level DIY performance & versatility

Material compatibility

50+ materials
Including vinyl, iron-on, cardstock, peel-and-stick label paper and more
50+ materials
Including vinyl, iron-on, cardstock, peel-and-stick label paper and more
100+ materials
Including craft favourites like cardstock, vinyl and iron-on, as well as more specialty materials like vellum, cork and bonded fabric
300+ materials
Everything Cricut Explore cuts, plus fabric, leather, balsa wood & more - materials up to 2.4mm

Smart material compatibility

Yes Yes
5.5in wide, up to 20ft long
Yes
13in wide, up to 75ft long
Yes
13in wide, up to 75ft long

Max material width

(With a mat)
8.5in / 21.5cm 4.25in / 10.7cm 11.5in / 29.2cm 11.5in / 29.2cm

Max cut length

4ft / 1.2m 4ft / 1.2m 12ft/ 3.6m
With Smart Materials
12ft/ 3.6m
With Smart Materials

Tools

3
  • Cricut Joy Blade
  • Cricut Joy Foil Transfer Tool
  • Cricut Joy Pens & Markers
3
  • Cricut Joy Blade
  • Cricut Joy Foil Transfer Tool
  • Cricut Joy Pens & Markers
3
  • Fine-Point Blade
  • Deep-Point Blade
  • Pens & Markers
  • Scoring Stylus
  • Foil Transfer Tool
  • Bonded-Fabric Tool
13
  • Fine-Point Blade
  • Deep-Point Blade
  • Pens & Markers
  • Scoring Stylus
  • Foil Transfer tool
  • Bonded-Fabric Tool
  • Rotary Blade
  • Knife Blade
  • Scoring Wheels (Single & Double)
  • Engraving Tool
  • Debossing Tool
  • Wavy Blade
  • Perforation Blade

Product size

W x D x H
12.5 x 6 x 5.5 in
31.7cm x 15.2cm x 13.9cm
8 x 5.4 x 4.3 in
20.3cm x 13.7 x 10.9cm
22.2 x 7 x 5.9 in
56.4cm x 17.8 x 15.0cm
22.1 x 7.1 x 6.2 in
56.1cm x 18.0cm x 15.7cm

Product weight

5.9lb / 2.7kg 3.7lb / 1.7kg 11 lb / 5kg 15.4lb / 7kg

Print Then Cut

Yes No Yes
Max image size: 6.75 x 9.25in
Yes
Max image size: 6.75 x 9.25in

Built-in mobile device stand

No No Yes Yes

Compatible with roll holder

No No Yes Yes

Free Software

Works with free mobile app as well as Cricut Design Space Works with free mobile app as well as Cricut Design Space Cricut Design Space Cricut Design Space

Connectivity

Bluetooth® only
Internet connection required
Bluetooth® only
Internet connection required
Bluetooth® & USB
Internet connection required
Bluetooth® & USB
Internet connection required

Included in the box

Checkout our bundles to get more with your machine!
Blade and housing, fine point pen (black, 0.4mm), Cricut Mini Weeder, welcome card, power adapter, free trial membership to Cricut Access (for new subscribers), 50 ready-to-make projects online and materials for a practice cut
Blade and housing, fine point pen (black, 0.4mm), StandardGrip mat (4.5 x 6.5 inches), welcome card, power adapter, free trial membership to Cricut Access (for new subscribers), 50 ready-to-make projects online and materials for a practice cut
Premium fine-point blade and blade housing (pre-installed), accessory adapter (pre-installed), quick start guide, USB cable, power adapter and power cord and material for test cut
Premium fine-point blade and blade housing (pre-installed), accessory adapter (pre-installed), quick start guide, USB cable, power adapter and power cord and material for test cut

General Q&A

See machine specific Q&As below!

Blade replacement depends on how much you use your Cricut machine and which materials you choose. They are designed to last well, but replacement blades are easily available for when you do require a new one. To get the most out of your blades, ensure you use the correct blade, housing and machine settings for your material.
All blades require a specific housing, colour coded for easy pairing. If you already have the correct housing for your blade and are simply replacing the blade, you will only need to replace the blade itself. If you are purchasing a new blade, you will need to buy the matching housing. This excludes the Quickswap range, which is interchangeable.

Cricut Joy Q&A

Cricut Joy is a more compact, portable alternative to the Cricut Explore and Maker machines. Designed for smaller, everyday projects, the cutting width is 4 inches.

Cricut Explore 3 Q&A

The Explore 3 is ideal for crafters who wish to make their papercraft projects more intricate, as well as for creating personalised vinyl and iron-on designs. The Cricut Maker comes with an additional rotary blade for working with fabric-based projects, as well as for working with heavier and thicker materials. The Maker features all of the functionality of the Explore 3, with a more powerful cutting system.

Cricut Maker 3 Q&A

Yes, Design Space is exactly the same for the Cricut Maker as for previous machine models. Use the same URL (https://design.cricut.com) to download it and the same Cricut ID to sign in.
However, Design Space will adjust available options – such as tools, material cut settings and materialload options – based on your machine selection.

Top