Which is the Best Cricut for Beginners in 2024

Which is the best Cricut for beginners? There’s no one-size-fits-all solution to this question. Instead, I can help you decide on the right Cricut cutting machine for you. Keep reading to find out my overall best pick and all the details on Cricut cutting machines currently available.

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Cricut currently has seven cutting machines available for purchase:

12/02/2024 05:59 pm GMT

Before we discuss choosing the right Cricut for you, I’d like to discuss a few similarities and considerations you should keep in mind.

Note: If you’re not sure what a Cricut cutting machine or die-cutting is, check out the Frequently Asked Questions at the end of the post.

Cricut Cutting Machine Similarities

First, each one can use Bluetooth to connect to a Mac or Windows PC, laptop, phone, or tablet (Android and iOS) wirelessly. All but the Cricut Joy Series can also be connected directly to the computer or PC by a USB cord.

Second, all Cricut Machines use the Cricut Design Space software for design and cutting. Cricut Design Space is a free, user-friendly application available for your Mac or Windows laptop, computer, phone, and tablet (Android and iOS).

Third, you have unlimited space to upload images in Cricut Design Space.

If you are new to graphic design applications, I think you will like Cricut Design Space. It’s not as complex as professional applications like Adobe Illustrator and Corel Draw. It is easy to learn and quick to master, and it has a lot of neat features, too.

Before I owned a Cricut, I had almost no experience with graphic design programs (and graphic design, generally) and had not worked with Cricut Design Space. I took an online course that taught me almost everything about Cricut Design Space, and it was very helpful.

There are also a few things to note about Cricut Access and Cricut Design Space. It is easy to confuse the two.

Cricut Access is Cricut, Inc.’s subscription service that provides access to images, graphics, fonts, special features, projects, classes, and more. It augments crafting in Cricut Design Space, but it is not a required purchase. (A few years ago, Cricut was going to create a mandatory subscription for its products, but it was ultimately canceled and subscriptions are not required in order to use a Cricut cutting machine.)

Cricut Design Space provides some free graphics and fonts for you to use if you eschew Cricut Access and opt for a third-party solution or make all of your own images and fonts.

Cricut Cutting Machine Considerations

Before you choose a Cricut cutting machine, there are a few questions you need to ask yourself. Jot down your answers and keep them in mind as you read about the Cricut cutting machines.

Function

• What type of crafts do you want to create? 
• Are you interested in making t-shirts, mugs, and tumblers? 
• Do you want to expand into other crafts like jewelry-making, leather work, and wood work? 

Use

• Do you want to craft as a hobby?
• Are you considering making and selling crafts?
• If not now, do you think you might sell crafts in the future?

Budget

• What is your overall craft budget?
• What is your budget for the Cricut cutting machine?
• If this is your first Cricut, you may need to buy additional tools, accessories, and materials.

Space

• How much space do you have for crafting? 
• Are you limited to the corner of a room? 
• Is your craft space about the size of a closet?
• Do you have an entire room to craft in?

Technical Requirements

Cricut Design Space has specific technical requirements that your Windows computer, Mac, iPad, and mobile device must meet to run the program. Will your computer, iPad, or mobile device meet these requirements? 

Graphics and Fonts

• Which graphics and fonts will you use for your craft designs?
• Will you subscribe to Cricut Access?
• Are you considering a third-party subscription?
• Will you buy images and fonts individually?
• Do you plan to create your own designs and fonts?

Learn about the Cricut Access subscription in my post, Cricut Access Subscription: Do You Need It?

What do I own? Which did I choose for my first Cricut machine?

When I initially learned about digital die-cutters, I felt completely overwhelmed. I researched all about the different brands and what they had to offer before I made my first purchase. I chose the Silhouette Cameo Plus because it was superior to Cricut in several areas.

But when I tried to learn how to use the Silhouette cutting machine and its software, I felt almost immediately defeated because I not only needed to learn how to use the cutting machine, but I was new to the digital die-cutting world and did not understand basic terminology that I needed to know to craft successfully.

Eventually, I gave myself permission to consider Cricut and try Cricut Design Space. With that permission and the course I took for Cricut Design Space,  I purchased a Cricut Maker and overcame all my fears and frustrations that caused me to put my Silhouette Cameo away. 

Now, I understand the graphics concepts, can use Cricut Design Space as an expert, and even create many of my own graphics using Adobe Illustrator and other graphic design applications.

I am not criticizing Silhouette. I was a crafting beginner without die-cutting and graphic design experience and knowledge, and the Silhouette machine and its software were too advanced for me at the time, and I felt intimidated. Silhouette, Inc. makes a great machine and even better software, and I use mine from time to time.

I needed something more user-friendly and easier to understand, and the Cricut Maker fit that bill. Cricut also makes great machines with easy-to-learn software. Cricut was the right initial choice for me, and I want to help you avoid the mistakes that I made.

I purchased the Cricut Maker 3, Cricut Explore Air 2, Cricut Joy, and Cricut Joy Xtra a little while after I purchased my Cricut Maker because it’s important for me to demonstrate and teach on all of their machines. I now rotate the machines I use in video and written demonstrations. But even my first purchase wasn’t the Cricut Maker. And it’s not my favorite. 

My favorite Cricut machine is the Cricut Explore Air 2.

Overall Best Cricut Machine for Beginners

My overall pick for the best Cricut for beginners is the Cricut Explore Air 2, with the Cricut Joy Xtra a very close second. Both can be purchased for a reasonable price even when they are not on sale, which leaves room in the budget for accessories and materials. 

Both are winners: the Explore Air 2 for being a workhorse and the Joy Xtra for functionality in a small package. The Explore Air 2 can cut more than 100 materials, and the Cricut Joy Xtra supports print-then-cut for stickers. 

I use these two Cricut cutting machines more frequently than my other ones. They both cut beautifully. If, however, you are looking for a machine that can cut thicker materials, you’re looking for portability, you’re going to cut fabric, or you’re going to use your machine commercially, you will probably want to choose a different machine. 

Read on to learn about what each machine can provide and how it can help you reach your crafting goals.

Cricut Digital Die-Cutting Machines

Now that you know how you would like to use your new Cricut cutting machine, let’s discuss the seven die-cutting machines that Cricut currently sells. When I talk about the Cricut cutting machines, I organize them into three families:

1. Cricut Joy Series
2. Cricut Explore Series
3. Cricut Maker Series

The Cricut Venture stands alone as Cricut, Inc.’s professional-grade cutting plotter.

Cricut Venture

The Cricut Venture is Cricut’s professional-level cutting plotter and the only machine from Cricut that can cut widths greater than 12 inches. I don’t recommend this cutting machine for beginners, and I reserve judgment on recommending it for crafting professionals.

It is very expensive, and many professional-grade cutting plotters are available from other brands. This Cricut machine is out of scope for consideration since we’re evaluating Cricut machines that are best for beginners.

Cricut Maker Series

Cricut has two Maker series machines: the Cricut Maker and the Cricut Maker 3; there is no Cricut Maker 2. The Maker 3 is Cricut’s flagship product.

The Cricut Maker series machines share these characteristics:

• they can use 13 different tools.
• Both cut more than 300 different types of material.
• Both support Cricut QuickSwap tools using a single housing.
• Both machines have two clamps: one for tools and one for pens.
• Both can cut heavy-duty materials up to 2.4MM.
• Both machines support Print Then Cut functionality.
• Both of these machines are heavy at approximately 15 pounds each.
• Both machines have professional-grade components.
• Both machines have 10 times the cutting power of other Cricut machines.
• Both machines can cut lightweight and heavyweight fabrics without bonding them. 

The Cricut Maker series machines can cut a wide variety of thicker materials, such as Balsa wood, Basswood, chipboard, cardboard, and foam.

The Maker series machines have professional-grade components with 10 times the cutting power of the other Cricut machines. 

Also, to facilitate cutting 300+ materials and deeper cutting, Cricut has created a single housing that can hold several different blades in an adaptive tool system. These are called QuickSwap Blades, and all of them fit into the QuickSwap Housing. 

The Quickswap Tools are exclusive to the Maker Series machines, and the Explore and Joy series machines cannot use them. 

The Cricut Maker series machines support engraving, embossing, debossing, scoring, and perforation. You will need the corresponding QuickSwap Blades and a single Quickswap Housing in order to use these features.

The Maker series machines also exclusively use the Rotary Blade and Knife Blade. The Rotary Blade can be used to cut lightweight and thicker fabrics without having to apply a bond to the fabric.

Sewing enthusiasts will need to know the difference between the Cricut Rotary Blade and the Cricut Bonded Fabric Blade.

• The Rotary Blade has a wheel shape and cuts fabric like a handheld rotary cutter. It doesn’t require fabric bonding. It is a Quickswap Blade that requires the Quickswap housing.

• The Bonded Fabric Blade is similar to the Fine Point Blade in that it is a single-tip straight blade that does not roll. It can cut lightweight fabrics, but you will need to add bonding to the fabric prior to cutting with this blade.

• The Rotary Blade can only be used with the Cricut Maker and the Cricut Maker 3, whereas the Bonded Fabric Blade can be used in the Cricut Maker series and Explore Series machines.

Read more about Cricut Blades in my Guide to All Cricut Blades.

The two Maker series machines do have differences between each other.

• Cricut Maker 3 supports matless cutting.
• Cricut Maker 3 can cut Cricut Smart Materials.
• Cricut Maker 3 can make long, continuous cuts using Smart materials.
• Cricut Maker 3 is twice as fast as Cricut Maker when cutting smart materials. 

So, which Cricut Maker series machine is best? 

• If you plan to make and sell crafts, consider the Cricut Maker 3 for its speed, flexibility, and professional-grade components.
• Consider the Maker 3 if you want to make long, continuous cuts without a mat.
• Buy the Cricut Maker 3 if you are unsure what crafts you’d like to make or if you think you might expand your interests in the future.
• Buy the Cricut Maker 3 if you are a Sewist or enjoy fiber arts crafts.

Cricut Explore Series

Cricut has two Explore-series machines: The Cricut Explore Air 2 and the Cricut Explore 3.

There are five notable similarities between these two Cricut cutting machines:

1. Both machines use six tools: the Fine Point Blade, Deep Point blade, Scoring Stylus, Foil Transfer Tool, Bonded Fabric blade, and Cricut Pens.
2.  Both machines have two clamps: one for tools and one for pens.
3.  Both machines cut over 100 different types of materials, such as adhesive vinyl, heat transfer vinyl, card stock, and more. 
4. Both support Print Then Cut functionality.
5.  Both machines are much lighter weight than the other large Cricut cutting machines at around 11 pounds each.

How do these two machines differ from each other?

• The Explore 3 supports Cricut Smart Materials for long, continuous cuts.
• The Explore Air 2 does not support Cricut Smart Materials.
• The Explore 3 is twice as fast as the Explore Air 2.

How do these machines differ from the other Cricut cutting machines?

• They can cut to a depth of only 2MM, so they do not support thicker materials.
• They do not use the adaptive tool system with QuickSwap housing and blades. 
• They can’t emboss, deboss, or perforate materials. They can score, however, with the Cricut Scoring Stylus.
• They can cut lightweight, bonded fabrics with the Bonded Fabric Blade.
• They cannot use the Rotary Blade for cutting fabrics.

So, which Cricut Explore Series machine is best?

• If you only cut lightweight materials and need speed, choose the Cricut Explore 3.
• If you only cut lightweight materials and also need to make long, continuous cuts using Cricut Smart  Materials, choose the Cricut Explore 3.
• If you only cut lightweight materials and don’t need to make long cuts or use Smart Materials, choose the Cricut Explore Air 2.

Cricut Joy Series

The Cricut Joy series machines have these similarities:

• Both are lightweight, compact, and portable.
• Both are perfect for small projects like greeting cards and labels.
• Both can cut more than 50 materials.
• Both support matless cutting.
• Both use Smart Materials sized just for them.

The Joy series machines differ from other Cricut cutting machines. 

• Both use Bluetooth only to connect with your desktop or laptop computer, tablet, or mobile. 
• Neither can connect via a USB cable. 

This means that your desktop or laptop computer must have Bluetooth connectivity to use either of the Cricut Joy series machines. If your desktop or laptop does not have Bluetooth, you will need to install a Bluetooth adapter. 

The two machines also have several differences from each other:

• Cricut Joy Xtra supports Print Then Cut for making stickers, labels, and more. The Cricut Joy does not.

• They have different maximum cutting widths. The Cricut Joy cuts support a 4.5” cutting width, whereas the Cricut Joy Xtra can cut wider materials.

• One weighs almost twice as much as the other, but still remains portable. The Cricut Joy weighs 3.7 pounds, and the Cricut Joy Xtra weighs 6.03 pounds.

So which Cricut Joy series machine is the best? 

• Both are affordable and have a small footprint. 
• Either is great for occasional crafting. 

The addition of Print Then Cut to Cricut’s portable solutions is a big win for Cricut, as the lack of this feature was the main drawback to Cricut Joy. Also, the wider cutting widths and support of US Letter-size materials means that you can cut all of Cricut’s Insert and Cutaway Card sizes with the Cricut Joy Xtra.

I just can’t find a reason to buy the Cricut Joy when the Cricut Joy Xtra fixes almost all of the limitations that Cricut Joy has.

Cricut Matless Cutting

You can make long, continuous cuts with a Cricut cutting machine using Cricut Smart Materials.

Five of the seven Cricut cutting machines can use these Smart Materials to cut designs without a cutting mat. These cutting machines can make long, continuous cuts for designs like wall decals and banners.

You can still make these long and large cuts without using Cricut Smart Materials, but you will need to use a cutting mat. Cricut will cut large designs in pieces, but these cuts will need to be assembled to complete the design.

If you plan to make banners and large designs, consider getting a Cricut cutting machine that supports matless cutting and Cricut Smart Materials. 

Cricut Smart Material Cutting Machines:

• Cricut Joy
• Cricut Joy Xtra
• Cricut Explore 3
• Cricut Maker 3
• Cricut Venture

Small Considerations for the Best Cricut for Beginners

There are a few other things to take into consideration before choosing your Cricut cutting machine.

Storage Tray

The Cricut Maker and Explore series machines all have a small storage tray for basic tools and accessories. The Cricut Joy series does not have a storage tray.

USB Outlet

The Maker series machines have an extra USB outlet that you can use to charge your mobile or tablet while it sits on the mobile device stand that also comes on these cutters.

Roll Holder

The Explore 3 and Maker 3 machines have an optional roll holder you can purchase that holds Cricut Smart Material rolls during cutting.

Smart Set Dial

Smart Set Dial: The Explore Air 2 uses a Smart Set Dial for some cut settings, but all machines support cut setting selection in Cricut Design Space.

Available Colors

Available Colors: The Explore Air 2 comes in colors, the Cricut Maker machine has several colors to choose from, the Maker 3 is Zen Blue, and the Explore 3 is mint green.

Sunsetting

I think it’s possible that Cricut is phasing out the Cricut Maker because it has been hard at times to find one for sale. Please take this with a grain of salt, as it is just my opinion based on circumstances in the first quarter of 2024. Cricut maintains that they are still selling both the Cricut Maker and Maker 3.

I have not run across any inventory issues for the Cricut Explore Air 2, and Cricut’s stance on it remains the same as well.

If you want a Cricut Maker and are having a hard time finding a new one, consider a Cricut Refurbished or Open Box machine. It may be worth it if you’re interested exclusively in a Cricut Maker.

Recommendation

I no longer see a reason to recommend the Cricut Joy Cutting Machine to anyone since the Cricut Joy Xtra is also small and portable and now supports Print Then Cut for stickers and labels.

Best Cricut for Beginners by Function

• For the crafter starting a small business to sell crafts: Cricut Maker 3 or Cricut Venture.
• For scrapbooking: Either the Cricut Joy Xtra or Explore Air 2.
• For the occasional crafter of lightweight materials: Cricut Joy or Cricut Joy Xtra.
• For the occasional crafter who likes to do a little of everything: Cricut Maker.
• For the Sewist: Cricut Maker.
• For crafters making labels, cards, and stickers: Cricut Joy Xtra.
• For the hobby crafter who wants to make everything: Maker 3.

Check out this comparison tool on Cricut.com to see a side-by-side comparison of the features and functionality of all Cricut cutting machines.

Other Machines by Cricut

Legacy machines such as the Cuttlebug, Cricut Personal, Create, Expression and Expression 2, Mini, Cake, Cake Mini, Imagine, Explore, Explore One, and Explore Air have been discontinued by Cricut.

The cutting machines currently available for sale are the Cricut Joy, Joy Xtra, Explore Air 2, Explore 3, Maker, Maker 3, and Venture. 

Cricut also sells several different heat presses and specialty machines. These include:

• Cricut EasyPress Mini
• Cricut EasyPress
• Cricut Autopress
• Cricut Mug Press
• Cricut Hat Press
• Cricut also sells lighting, materials, tools, and accessories.

Materials and Accessories

At the beginning, I asked you to keep in mind that you will need to purchase materials, tools, and accessories if this is your first Cricut cutting machine. 

You will need to purchase materials based on the types of crafts you think you will make. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Card stock
• Adhesive Vinyl
• Heat Transfer Vinyl
• Infusible Ink
• Transfer Tape
• Specialty materials

You will also need to purchase craft blanks like t-shirts, tumblers, mugs, wood, and more.

Cricut crafting also requires the use of a few essential tools, such as weeding tools, pin pens, scrapers, paper trimmers, and more. 

There are also accessories to consider that will make crafting easier, such as a roll holder, weeding trash can, mat extension support, and more. 

Read The Best Cricut Tools for Beginners to get a list of the tools and accessories you will need to craft with your Cricut.

Sublimated crafts require a sustained and consistent temperature of 400 degrees. Most household irons can’t reach that temperature and maintain it consistently for a stretch of time. Therefore, if you plan to sublimate crafts personally and commercially, you will need to get a heat press.

You can use a household iron to apply heat transfer vinyl. But if you plan on selling those crafts, I also highly recommend getting a heat press.

There are many decent brands to choose from. Consider HTVRONT, PYDLife, Fancierpress, and others, which offer solid, affordable options.

Read Everything You Need for Sublimation to see which tools and accessories you will need to begin sublimating crafts.

There are many brands of adhesive vinyl and heat transfer vinyl to consider other than Cricut branded materials. You may have heard of some of these brands already. Here are a few of those brands:

• Oracal
• Siser
• HTVRONT
• Teckwrap

You can learn about them in my posts, The Best Permanent Vinyl for Cricut, and the Different Types of Heat Transfer Vinyl.

You’ll need to look at Cricut Smart Materials if you want to make long, continuous, matless cuts with your Cricut. See which machines support Cricut Smart Materials, as not all Cricut Machines do.

Read the Guide to All Cricut Blades if you want to use Cricut’s QuickSwap tools for scoring, perforation, debossing, engraving, and making wavy edge cuts.

You can also learn about Cricut mats in my post, The Guide to Cricut Cutting Mats.

Cricut sells bundle deals where you can purchase the machine and a set of materials to use with it. If you think you might want to purchase a Cricut bundle for your machine and materials, check out my post on the Best Cricut Bundle Deals.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Cricut cutting machine?

Cricut’s cutting machines are electronic die-cutting machines used to create hundreds of types of crafts. For example, you can use a Cricut machine to cut cardstock into shapes to create a gift box or cut HTV/Iron-on into various shapes and put them on a t-shirt.

What is die-cutting?

Die cutting is using a machine (manual or electronic) to cut out materials into shapes. For example, Cricut cutting machines are electronic die cutters. You use them to cut material into shapes that are used to make finished crafts.

What is Cricut Access?

Cricut Access is a subscription service provided by Cricut that includes fonts, graphics, sentiments, monograms, craft projects, and more that are already designed and ready for your Cricut cutting machine to cut out. There are more than 130,000 images, thousands of projects, and more than 500 fonts ready for you to use.

Additionally, Cricut Access members frequently get exclusive discounts. Learn everything about Cricut Access in my post, Cricut Access Subscription: Do You Need It to learn all about it. You can also try Cricut Access free for 30 days before deciding if it’s right for you.

What Comes in the Box with the Cricut?

Check out what comes with each Cricut Machine on Cricut’s website.

Should I buy that used Cricut I saw on Facebook Marketplace?

Pre-owned Cricut cutting machines can be found online in many places. If you choose to buy one, you run a risk that it malfunctions and has been bricked (turned off for use by Cricut). You also run the risk of warranty invalidation. 

I recommend buying a new Cricut machine directly from Cricut so that this doesn’t happen to you. If there are any problems within the warranty period, Cricut can take care of them for you. Cricut also now sells refurbished machines.

When is the best time to buy a Cricut cutting machine?

Cricut cutting machines are on sale frequently throughout the year. Wait until they go on sale to buy one. The end of the year is a great time to consider buying one because of the holidays, and Cricut’s best sales are happening. If they aren’t on sale now, just wait a few weeks until they go on sale again.

How can I best save money when I buy a Cricut cutting machine?

You can get 10% off Cricut.com purchases, including machines (up to $50 savings per item with Standard and up to $100 savings per item with Premium) if you already have a Cricut Access subscription.

Couple this with Cricut sales and enjoy deep discounts on materials, tools, and more.  Read my article Cricut Access Subscription: Do You Need It to learn all about Cricut Access.

Additionally, Cricut typically has a deal with Rakuten, so if you use it, don’t forget to activate a shopping trip.

Why didn’t you talk about Cricut EasyPress, AutoPress, Mug Press, Hat Press, and Venture?

This post focuses exclusively on Cricut cutting machines for beginners. There is so much information to convey that it would be overwhelming if I included the heat press machines. The Cricut Venture is for commercial use and is not necessarily a beginner machine.

My computer doesn’t have Bluetooth. What do I do?

The Cricut Maker and Explore series machines can be directly attached to your computer or laptop through a USB cable. Only the Cricut Joy Series requires Bluetooth and doesn’t connect directly with a cable.

If your PC or laptop doesn’t have Bluetooth and you want or need to connect wirelessly to your Cricut machine, purchase a Bluetooth adapter for your computer.

Do I need an internet connection to use my Cricut?

You will need an internet connection initially to register your Cricut. After that, however, it can be used offline. But if you want to use Cricut Access or you’ve stored your projects online with Cricut, you will need an internet connection.

Can I use a Chromebook with Cricut Design Space?

Officially, Cricut Design Space is not supported on Chromebooks, UNIX, or Linux systems. However, it is supported on Windows PC or Apple Mac desktops and laptops. The Cricut Design Space App is available for iOS and Android.

Conclusion

We’ve just covered a lot of information about the different types of Cricut cutting machines. I hope that you’ve been able to determine the best Cricut for you. If you have any questions, please