How to Choose a Cricut Machine: Joy, Explore or Maker

On this page (7 sections)

1. How do you choose a Cricut machine?
2. Is Cricut Joy right for your projects?
3. Is Cricut Explore the right middle ground?
4. When should you choose Cricut Maker?
5. Which Cricut machine fits common projects?
6. Do you need a bundle or extra content?
7. What should you decide before buying?

Choose Joy 2 for small everyday projects, Explore for 12 in cutting with common materials, or Maker for the broadest material and tool range among these models. Start with what you want to make most, then check the machine's cutting width and compatible tools.

You don't need the machine with the longest feature list. A compact model may fit your cards and labels, while a wider range of materials can matter if you plan to work with leather or wood.

This guide compares the Joy, Explore and Maker families through 4 specific models. For a wider overview, start with our complete guide to Cricut cutting machines.

How do you choose a Cricut machine?

Choose by project size, materials and tools, in that order. These factors show whether Joy, Explore or Maker fits your plans before you compare bundles.

Treat this as a starting point, not a ranking. Think about your next 5 projects and whether they need common materials such as cardstock and vinyl or specialized tools.

The best Cricut machines for beginners guide compares options for getting started. If you're still deciding whether a machine fits your plans, read whether a Cricut machine is worth it.

What should you consider when choosing a Cricut machine?

Write down the projects you expect to make and the materials they need. Then compare those needs with each model's cutting width, material compatibility and tools.

Use this short checklist:

1. Name the projects you plan to make most often.
2. Note their largest expected size.
3. List the materials you need to cut or mark.
4. Check whether you need drawing, foiling, scoring or Print Then Cut.
5. Confirm the tools you need are compatible with your chosen model.
6. Consider the machine's size and where you'll store it.

This keeps a one-off project from driving the purchase. If you only expect to make a single large sign, consider whether you'll repeat similar work before choosing a machine for that capability.

Is Cricut Joy right for your projects?

Cricut Joy 2 Essential suits small everyday projects, such as cards, labels and simple decals. It has a 4.5 in cutting width and weighs just over 2 lb, while Cricut Joy Xtra is another compact option that supports full-color stickers.

Cricut Joy 2 Essential works with 75+ materials, including vinyl, iron-on, printable materials and cardstock. It also writes, draws, foils, scores and cuts designs, and works with a home inkjet printer for full-color projects.

Choose it if a narrow cutting width matches your everyday projects. The bundle includes materials such as Smart Vinyl, Smart Iron-On, Value Cardstock, Insert Card Sets and Printable Vinyl.

Cricut Joy Xtra works with 50+ materials, including vinyl, iron-on, cardstock and stickers. It cuts, writes, draws and foils, and supports Print Then Cut with most inkjet printers.

Compare these models if stickers are a regular project. Cricut Joy Xtra includes a Fine-Point Blade, pen, mini weeder, practice-cut materials and 30 bonus images, while Cricut Joy 2 Essential includes supplies for up to 35 projects.

For more detail on the compact models, read Cricut Joy 2 vs Joy Xtra. If you need to compare broader material ranges, move on to Explore and Maker.

Is Cricut Explore the right middle ground?

Cricut Explore 5 Essential suits 12 in cutting projects with common craft materials. It works with 100+ materials, including vinyl, iron-on, cardstock and printable materials.

Cricut Explore 5 Essential cuts, writes, draws, foils and scores. It works with 6 tools, including a separately sold Deep Cutting Tool for thicker materials such as foam and rubber.

It works with a home inkjet printer to cut around printed images for full-color projects. The bundle includes Smart Vinyl, Smart Iron-On, Value Cardstock, Insert Card Sets and Printable Vinyl, with supplies for up to 65 projects.

Choose it if you need 12 in cutting and support for 100+ materials. Check tool compatibility for any specialty material before planning a project around it.

Explore may be more machine than you need if you mainly make small cards or labels. Our Cricut Maker vs Explore comparison looks at how their capabilities differ.

When should you choose Cricut Maker?

Choose Cricut Maker 4 for its broader material and tool range. It works with 300+ materials, including leather, wood, vinyl, iron-on, cardstock and stickers.

Cricut Maker 4 can cut, draw, foil, score, engrave, deboss and perforate. It also supports Print Then Cut with most inkjet printers for projects such as full-color stickers.

Its wider range makes sense when you have projects that need those capabilities. If your regular work is mostly vinyl decals, iron-on and cardstock, compare those needs with Explore before choosing.

The bundle includes a Fine-Point Blade, sampler materials, a pen, a Light Grip Mat, a weeder and 30 bonus images. Don't assume those included tools cover every supported task; match the required tool to each planned project.

Compare details in our Cricut Maker 4 vs Explore 5 guide. If you're planning to cut fabric, see whether Cricut can cut fabric and check the material and tool requirements for your intended project.

Which Cricut machine fits common projects?

Match each project to the machine's material compatibility and supported tasks. Use cutting width as a separate check when your design needs a particular size.

Material counts don't measure how well a machine fits your work. A model that supports your exact materials and tools may be enough, even if another supports more.

Cricut Explore 5 Essential offers 12 in cutting performance, while Cricut Joy 2 Essential has a 4.5 in cutting width. Confirm the usable design size for your chosen material and task before planning a project around those widths.

Do you need a bundle or extra content?

A bundle can help you start when its included materials match your first projects. Compare what comes in the box with the tools and supplies you already own.

Cricut Explore 5 Essential and Cricut Joy 2 Essential include tools and materials for a range of projects. Cricut Maker 4 and Cricut Joy Xtra also include tools, supplies and digital content, but their included items differ.

Design Space is free to use with these machines, and each model comes with digital content. Cricut Access is optional and offers a larger library and certain features through a paid subscription.

Treat bundle project counts as estimates based on project size, rather than a fixed output. Cricut bases the Explore and Joy 2 counts on average projects measuring 4 x 6 in using the included materials.

Read whether you need Cricut Access before paying for a content subscription. If you expect to use designs from a paid library, weigh that ongoing cost alongside the machine and supplies.

What should you decide before buying?

Choose a Cricut machine with the capabilities your repeat projects need. Keep the decision tied to your materials, cutting width and tools.

Use these decision rules:

• Pick Cricut Explore 5 Essential for 12 in cutting performance and a broad range of common materials.
• Pick Cricut Maker 4 when you expect to use its broader material range and specialized tools.
• Pick Cricut Joy Xtra if you want a compact machine that supports Print Then Cut stickers.
• Pick Cricut Joy 2 Essential for small cards, labels and simple decals when a 4.5 in cutting width fits your plans.

Before you buy, confirm tool and material compatibility for your planned projects. Then compare the bundle contents with your supply list.

If your work mostly involves vinyl and cardstock, compare Explore and Joy around project size. If you want to work with leather or wood, compare Maker's supported tools; our complete guide to Cricut machines can help with the next step.

Frequently asked questions

How do I choose a Cricut machine?

Choose by the projects you expect to make most: Joy 2 suits small cards and labels, Explore handles 100+ materials, and Maker supports 300+ materials and more types of tool work. Match your project size, materials and required tools to a specific model before comparing bundle contents.

Is Cricut Joy or Explore better for beginners?

Either can suit a beginner, depending on the projects you plan to make. Cricut Joy 2 Essential offers a 4.5 in cutting width for small cards, labels and decals, while Cricut Explore 5 Essential offers 12 in cutting performance and works with 100+ materials, including vinyl, iron-on and cardstock.

Should I choose Cricut Maker or Explore?

Choose Explore if your plans focus on common materials such as vinyl, iron-on and cardstock. Choose Maker if you need its broader material and tool range, including support for leather and wood, and confirm that the tools required for your specific projects are compatible before you buy.

Can Cricut machines make full-color stickers?

All 4 models in this guide can cut around full-color designs printed with a compatible home inkjet printer. Print your design first, then use the machine to cut around the printed image; choose materials suited to your printer and machine, and confirm the size requirements for your intended stickers.

Do I need Cricut Access to use a Cricut?

No, Cricut Access is optional, and all 4 machines work with the free Design Space app and include digital content. Access adds a larger content library and certain features through a paid subscription; see our guide to whether you need Cricut Access to decide if those extras fit your plans.