The world of DIY crafting has been revolutionized by smart cutting machines, and Cricut continues to lead the charge with an impressive lineup for 2025. Whether you’re a seasoned pro creating custom merchandise or a beginner looking to personalize your space, there’s a Cricut machine designed to bring your vision to life. The key is finding the right model that matches your skill level, project ambitions, and creative workflow.
From compact, on-the-go cutters to wide-format commercial powerhouses, the options can be overwhelming. This comprehensive roundup breaks down the top 10 Cricut machines and essential bundles available. We’ve analyzed features, capabilities, and included materials to help you make an informed decision and invest in the perfect tool for your crafting journey.
The Best Cricut Machines for Every Creator
- Cricut Joy Smart Cutting Machine | Writable Vinyl Starter Kit
- Cricut Maker 4 – Smart Cutting Machine (Seashell) | Digital Content Bundle
- Cricut Explore Air 2, Mint
- Cricut Joy Xtra Cutting Machine
- Cricut Venture | Wide-Format Smart Cutting Machine (25 inch)
- Cricut Mug Press + 12 Blank Mugs (12oz Each)
- Cricut Explore 3 & Digital Content Library Bundle – Blue
- Cricut Maker 4 Machine Ultimate Bundle
- The Ultimate Accessories and Supplies Bundle for Cricut Makers
- Cricut EasyPress 3 & Machine Bundle
Cricut Joy Smart Cutting Machine | Writable Vinyl Starter Kit
The Cricut Joy is the ideal compact cutting machine for crafters with limited space or those who need a portable option. Its small footprint makes it perfect for quick projects like custom cards, labels, and decals. This smart cutter is designed to help you personalize, organize, and customize crafts on-the-go with remarkable ease.
This bundle is an excellent starter kit, including the machine, a card mat, a roll of Smart Label Writable Vinyl, a fine point pen set, and a 3-piece tool kit. You also receive a digital content bundle of 30 images to begin your projects immediately after registering your machine. It’s a complete system for anyone ready to turn innovative ideas into action.
Cricut Maker 4 – Smart Cutting Machine (Seashell)
For the serious crafter who demands versatility, the Cricut Maker 4 is a top-tier choice. This machine works with over 300 materials, from basic vinyl and cardstock to advanced options like leather and matboard. It’s not just a cutter; it’s a multi-tool platform that can draw, foil, score, engrave, and deboss, opening up a world of creative possibilities.
The Maker 4 is compatible with most inkjet printers for creating full-color stickers using the Print-Then-Cut feature. The bundle includes a materials sampler, a fine-point pen, a weeder tool, and 25 digital images to get you started. If you need a machine that can handle virtually any material and technique, the Maker 4 is built to perform.
Cricut Explore Air 2, Mint
A beloved and reliable model, the Cricut Explore Air 2 remains a fantastic option for DIY enthusiasts. It cleanly cuts over 100 different materials, including premium vinyl, iron-on, cardstock, and specialty papers. This machine makes it simple to produce a wide array of projects, from custom stickers and home decor to personalized apparel and greeting cards.
Out of the box, you get a Cricut Premium Fine-Point Blade, a 12×12 inch Light Grip Mat, a black Fine-Point Pen, and access to Cricut Design Space software. It also comes with a two-week free trial of Cricut Access, giving you a vast library of designs and fonts to work with from the start.
Cricut Joy Xtra Cutting Machine
The Cricut Joy Xtra builds on the popular Joy platform with enhanced capabilities. It works with 50+ popular materials like vinyl, iron-on, and cardstock, providing more flexibility for your projects. Its compact design is maintained, making it a space-saving solution that doesn’t compromise on functionality.
A key feature is its compatibility with home inkjet printers, allowing you to create full-color designs for stickers and other items using the Print-Then-Cut function. The machine is engineered for precision, capable of cutting intricate designs with impressive accuracy, making it a great upgrade for Joy users or a robust first machine.
Cricut Venture | Wide-Format Smart Cutting Machine
The Cricut Venture is a professional-grade, wide-format machine designed for small businesses and serious crafters. With a 25-inch cutting width, it can handle large-scale projects like banners, oversized decals, and long rolls of material with commercial speed. Its space-saving 45-degree design includes built-in mat and roll supports for efficient workflow.
This powerhouse can precision-cut over 100 materials and operates at speeds up to 25.4 inches per second. It can cut single images up to 12 feet long and repeated images up to 75 feet. The Venture is also compatible with seven different tools for writing, foiling, scoring, and more, making it an incredibly versatile system for high-volume production.
Cricut Mug Press + 12 Blank Mugs
Specialize in creating professional-quality custom mugs with the Cricut Mug Press. This dedicated heat press machine features a one-touch setting that takes the guesswork out of the process, transforming blank mugs into lasting works of art. The bundle includes 12 white ceramic mugs, so you can start creating immediately.
The patent-pending heat plate uses zone heating to ensure consistent, peel-proof results that are dishwasher safe. For the best outcome, use it with Cricut Infusible Ink transfer sheets, pens, or markers. This is the perfect tool for anyone looking to start a small mug business or create memorable gifts for friends and family.
Cricut Explore 3 & Digital Content Library Bundle
The Cricut Explore 3 is a smart cutting machine that offers twice the speed of previous Explore models, allowing you to complete projects faster without sacrificing precision. It’s an excellent machine for all crafters, capable of achieving astonishing cuts, scores, and drawings with jaw-dropping speed and accuracy.
This bundle includes a digital library of 30 images to kickstart your creativity. The included Premium Fine-Point Blade lets you make precise, intricate cuts from a variety of over 100 materials, including cardstock, vinyl, iron-on, glitter paper, cork, and bonded fabric. It’s a powerful and efficient machine for high-quality DIY crafts.
Cricut Maker 4 Machine Ultimate Bundle
This Ultimate Bundle for the Cricut Maker 4 is the complete package for crafters who want everything at their fingertips. The Maker 4 itself is twice as fast as its predecessor and offers a pro-level cutting experience, working with 13 different blades and tools for scoring, writing, debossing, foiling, and engraving.
The bundle is packed with materials to test various crafting styles, including rainbow vinyl, infusible ink, an iron-on sampler roll, a card making kit, and essential tools. It’s perfect for beginners and professionals alike, providing all the necessary components to start making shirts, cards, decals, and more right out of the box.
The Ultimate Accessories and Supplies Bundle
This comprehensive accessories bundle is not a machine, but it is an essential addition for any Cricut owner. It includes a massive assortment of materials and tools in one convenient kit, saving you the hassle of purchasing items separately. It is compatible with Cricut Maker and all Explore Air machines.
You receive a storage box, glitter heat transfer vinyl, permanent adhesive vinyl, transfer tape, stencil sheets, sticker paper, weeding tools, cutting mats, a vinyl scraper, colored pens, and fabric transfer papers. The premium vinyls are designed for long-lasting results, with the adhesive vinyl offering up to three years of outdoor durability.
Cricut EasyPress 3 & Machine Bundle
Perfect your heat transfer projects with the Cricut EasyPress 3. This tool applies heat and pressure evenly for professional-looking results on shirts, bags, and other fabrics. When paired with a Cricut cutting machine, it completes your workflow for creating custom apparel and textile projects.
This bundle typically includes the EasyPress 3 itself, which heats up quickly and maintains a consistent temperature, along with a compatible mat or other accessories. It’s designed to be a safer and more effective alternative to a traditional household iron, ensuring your iron-on vinyl and Infusible Ink designs adhere perfectly and last through many washes.
Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best Cricut Machine for You in 2025
Choosing your first, or next, Cricut machine can feel a bit overwhelming with all the options available. I’ve been through it, and the best way to start is by getting honest about what you plan to make. Your primary projects will dictate which machine offers the best value for your money.
First, consider the material types and thickness you want to work with. If you’re mainly into paper crafts, vinyl decals, and iron-on for t-shirts, a standard cutting machine like the Cricut Explore series is a fantastic and cost-effective choice. However, if you have your heart set on cutting thicker materials like balsa wood, basswood, or thick leather, you’ll need the added power of a Cricut Maker. The Maker’s adaptive tool system and rotating blade handle these tougher jobs with ease, making it the workhorse of the lineup.
Next, think about your available workspace and portability. The compact Cricut Joy is a game-changer for small apartments or for anyone who wants to craft on the go. It’s small, lightweight, and uses slim, portable mats. In contrast, the Cricut Maker 3 and Explore 3 are larger and designed for a more permanent craft station setup, but they offer the huge benefit of Smart Materials that cut without a mat for certain projects, which can be a massive time-saver.
Your budget is, of course, a major factor. Remember to factor in the long-term costs. The machine itself is just the initial investment. You’ll also need to buy blades, mats, and all the wonderful materials you want to cut. While the Cricut Joy is the most affordable upfront, its material size is limited. The Explore Air 2 often represents the best middle-ground, offering a wide range of capabilities at a frequently discounted price. The Maker series is the premium investment, but if you’re a serious crafter, its versatility justifies the cost.
Finally, don’t forget about the software and connectivity. All Cricut machines are powered by the Design Space software, which is free to use. I recommend trying it out on your computer or tablet before you buy to make sure you’re comfortable with it. All modern machines connect via Bluetooth, but having a USB option is a good backup. For a smooth start with your 10 Best Cricut Machines – Reviews & Buying Guide 2025, matching your ambition to the machine’s capability is the key to satisfaction.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between a Cricut Maker and a Cricut Explore?
The core difference is in the tool compatibility and cutting force. The Cricut Maker has a more powerful motor and an adaptive tool system that allows it to use specialized tools like the rotary blade for fabric, the knife blade for thick materials, and the engraving tip. The Cricut Explore can cut a wide variety of common materials like vinyl, cardstock, and iron-on, but it cannot handle the very thick or delicate materials that the Maker can. If you see yourself cutting balsa wood or sewing patterns, the Maker is for you.
Do I need a computer to use a Cricut machine?
Not necessarily! While you can use a computer, all Cricut machines are also compatible with the Cricut Design Space app on iOS and Android smartphones and tablets. The Cricut Joy, in particular, is designed with mobile use in mind. So, you can design and cut your projects directly from your mobile device, which offers a lot of flexibility for where you craft.
What are Cricut Smart Materials and do I need them?
Smart Materials are a line of Cricut-branded vinyl, iron-on, and poster board that are designed for use with the “Maker 3” and “Explore 3” machines. Their key feature is that they can be cut without using a standard grip mat for certain long or large projects, which speeds up the process. You don’t need them to use these machines, as they still work with all the classic materials on mats, but they are a convenient option if you want to save time on bigger jobs.
How much does it really cost to get started with Cricut?
This is a great question. Beyond the cost of the machine, you need to budget for ongoing supplies. A starter bundle can be a good value. At a minimum, you’ll need a cutting mat (around $7-$10) and your chosen material (vinyl rolls start around $8, cardstock packs are around $10). Replacement blades are also a periodic cost. It’s easy for the accessory costs to add up, so I suggest starting with a project in mind and buying supplies for that, rather than buying everything at once.
Is Cricut Access, the subscription service, worth it?
Cricut Access is a monthly or annual subscription that gives you access to a vast library of images, fonts, and ready-to-make projects. It also offers member discounts on materials and machines. For a new user, it can be very helpful as it removes the stress of designing everything from scratch. If you craft frequently and use a lot of pre-made designs, the subscription can pay for itself quickly. If you prefer to create your own designs or source them elsewhere, you can absolutely use Design Space for free.