Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links and I may earn a small commission if you purchase through these links.

If you’re a crafting enthusiast, you know the right tools can make all the difference. And when it comes to precision cutting and custom designs, the Cricut machine is a game-changer. But with so many options, do you choose the right one for your needs? We’ve got you covered. 

In this post, we’ve researched and handpicked the seven best Cricut machines to buy in 2023. From budget-friendly models to high-end options, we’ll help you find the perfect fit for your next crafting adventure and even guide you on the aspects you must check before purchasing.

What to Look for in Cricut Machines

Purpose: 

Consider what you will use the machine for, such as cutting, drawing, or embossing. This will help you determine which Cricut model will best suit your needs.

Material compatibility:

Check if the machine can work with the materials you plan to use, such as paper, vinyl, fabric, or leather. Ensure the machine is compatible with the thickness and size of the materials you want to work with.

Cutting size:

 Consider the maximum cutting size of the machine, especially if you plan to work on large projects. Some machines can cut up to 12 feet without requiring a mat, while others have smaller cutting sizes.

Software and connectivity: 

Check if the machine has user-friendly software and is compatible with your computer or mobile device. Consider if the machine has Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connectivity for easy file transfer and updates.

Price: 

Cricut machines vary in price depending on their features and capabilities. Consider your budget and choose a machine with the best value.

Here are some examples of the best Cricut machines you will find on the market:

1. Cricut Explore Air 2  

This powerful machine features Bluetooth connectivity and is compatible with iOS, Android, Windows, and Mac. It comes in a mint color and weighs 14 pounds. The item dimensions are 6.99 x 21.13 x 5.93 inches, with an automatic operation mode. It is designed to be incredibly user-friendly and can easily cut through more than 100 materials thanks to its Premium Fine-Point Blade. 

The Cricut Explore Air 2 uses many materials, including glitter paper, cork, and Infusible Ink. It also has app-based control for wireless Bluetooth connectivity and built-in storage for the blades and tools you need for the job. In addition, it comes with a LightGrip Machine Mat and is compatible with six tools for cutting, writing, and foiling. You can also purchase unique accessories such as the Deep-Point Blade, Bonded-Fabric Blade, Foil-Transfer Tool, and Scoring Stylus for added options (blades & tools sold separately).

It includes a Cricut Explore Air 2 machine, Premium Fine-Point Blade + Housing, Fine Point Pen in black, LightGrip Mat in 12″ x 12″, USB cable & power adapter. It has a one-year warranty, so you know your investment is well-covered. With the Cricut Explore Air 2 incredible performance, you’ll have everything you need to create customized cards, home decor, and much more products easily at will.

Highlighted features:

• It comes with extra blades and tools like the Deep-Point Blade 
• Lightweight and portable, weighing only 14 lbs.  
• App-based control system
• It has a maximum width of 21.13 inches
• Over 100 materials for professional designers to choose from

 What we like:

• Cut over 100 materials for versatile design options.
• 1-year warranty for product protection.
• App-based controls simplify project creation.
• Wide range of tools and blades for limitless creativity.

What we don’t like:

• The machine may need constant calibration, which may be time-wasting and expensive.

2. Cricut Maker 3 

The Cricut Maker 3 is an automatic cutting machine with 2X faster speed and 10X cutting force. Weighing 23.3 pounds, It can cut thicker materials like paper, fabric, mat board, and leather with its Rotary Blade and can make precise cuts on thicker materials with the Knife Blade. It can also cut innovative materials up to 12 feet long, such as Smart Vinyl, Smart Iron-On, and Smart Paper Sticker Cardstock. It measures 26.25L x 11W x 11.2H inches, demonstrating its compact design.

This machine has app-based wireless Bluetooth connectivity with a cloud-based Design Space app that works on mobile phones and laptops (iOS, Android, Windows, and Mac), giving you access to hundreds of design templates. There is also built-in storage on the top and bottom flap, a docking slot, and a USB port for charging your mobile or computer devices.

It is compatible with 13 tools (sold separately), like a Knife Blade, Rotary Blades, and Scoring Wheels. It also includes a Premium Fine-Point Blade, a welcome book, a USB cable, a power adapter, 100 ready-to-make projects, and a free trial membership for new subscribers. With the Cricut Maker 3, you can easily create custom cards, home decor items, and other crafts.

 Highlighted features:

• Maximum width of 11inches
• Cuts 300+ different types of material, including fabric, paper, and leather. 
• Wireless Bluetooth Connectivity 
• Additional tools like Rotary Blades and Knife Blades.
• Includes 100 ready-to-make commercial projects 

 What we like:

• The Bluetooth connectivity feature makes it easy to connect with devices,   
• Being compatible with more than 300 materials, you can create more unique crafts
• The knife blade makes it possible to cut through more rigid materials than traditional rotary blades
• Designers have a variety of materials to work with, giving them more room for creative ideas

What we don’t like:

• Sometimes, the Bluetooth connectivity of the machine could be better and may disconnect during a print. 

3. Cricut Explore 3 and Roll Holder Bundle  

This bundle includes an automatic operation mode Vinyl Cricut Explore 3 cutting machine, a roll holder, and a built-in trimmer for matless cutting. The cutting machine has been designed to be faster than its predecessor and can cut, draw, score, and more with absolute speed and precision. 

Compatible with all-new Cricut Smart Material, the Cricut Explore 3 is perfect for working on projects up to 12ft without a machine mat and works with 6 different tools for cutting and embellishing 100+ materials like cardstock, vinyl, iron-on, glitter paper, cork, and bonded fabric (sold separately).

 Also in the bundle is a roll holder for aligning rolled materials for precision cuts. The holder fits Cricut Smart Materials from 4 to 75 feet (3 to 22.8 meters). The Cricut Explore 3 and Roll Holder Bundle is the budget kit ideal for avid crafters looking to take their Cricut machines to the next level since it has all they need.

 Highlighted features:

• Large cutting area of materials up to 12 ft long  
• Six interchangeable tools to cut and decorate more than 100 types of materials 
• Automatic Trimmer.
• Auto Adaptive Tool System 
• USB Powered 

 What we like:

• Compatible with Cricut Smart Material for ease of use
• Automatic mode for precise cutting and drawing
• Works with 6 tools on 100+ materials for versatility
• Can cut and trim material up to 12 feet without a mat.

What we don’t like:

• It does not work well with a Cricut Explore 3

4. Cricut Joy Smart Cutting Machine 

The Cricut Joy bundle includes the Cricut Joy Smart Machine, which has cut over 50 materials, including vinyl, cardstock, adhesive foil, and specialty papers. With its wireless Bluetooth connectivity, you can easily set it up and control it with the Cricut app. Weighing only 3.9 pounds, it can easily fit into a cubby and be packed away for easy storage when not in use. In just 15 minutes, this clever machine can draw any shape you want and write in any style you can imagine.  

It also includes 42 R10 cards in 4 colors (11 Tulip, 11 Powder Blue, 10 Whispering Blue & 10 Lavender (3.5″ x 4.9″), and 42 Silver Holographic Inserts (3.25″ x 4.6″), as well as 42 White Envelopes (3.6″ x 5.1″). The bundle comes with the Joy Card Mat, designed to work with all Cricut Joy cards, regardless of size or type, and is compatible with all Cricut Joy cutting machines. Measuring 4.5″ x 6.25″, this mat has a protective film that helps keep the crafting area safe and markings to help you accurately position cards of different sizes. 

 Additionally, it comes with the Cricut Joy Glitter Gel Pens in a variety of 10 sparkling colors that are water-based, acid-free, and non-toxic, so they won’t damage the paper or bleed through your projects. This compact cutting machine lets you take your crafts on the go and gives you the tools you need to create beautiful projects with minimal effort.  

Highlighted features:

• Wireless Bluetooth connectivity. 
• 42 cards and inserts included. 
• Joy card mat included for extra stability. 
• Variety pack of ten sparkle gel pens. 
• Compatible with all Cricut Machines. 

 What we like:

• It’s easy to set up with no cords needed. 
• Designers can automatically adjust settings for different types of material. 
• It’s possible to create custom designs with precision cuts. 
• You can design every inch down to 0.4 mm accuracy. 

What we don’t like:

• The smaller cutting width may be limiting when working on larger projects.  

5 Cricut EasyPress 2 Heat Press

This all-in-one heat press offers precise temperature control up to 400oF (205°C), an insulated safety base, and an auto-off feature. It is lightweight at 0.2222 ounces and easy to store. With dimensions of 16.93 x 15.16 x 7.63 inches, it fits easily into any workspace. The ceramic-coated surface ensures a smooth, even finish on your fabric while the press heats up in under two minutes. It is ideal for T-shirts, Tote bags, and even aprons.

The machine is compatible with nearly all the leading iron-on (HTV) brands, infusible ink, and sublimation products and requires no assembly or batteries when purchased. With its adjustable time and temperature settings, you can customize your project for the best results. Plus, with a 12″ x 10″ (30 cm x 25 cm) working area, you can quickly take on even the most intricate prints. It comes with a 1-year warranty covering manufacturer defects, giving you peace of mind that your new machine will serve you well. 

Furthermore, the EasyPress 2 has been certified as safe by UL, CSA, and ETL standards and is also RoHS compliant. It comes with a Raspberry – 12″ x 10″ (30 cm x 25 cm) Safety Base Welcome Booklet, which provides helpful information about operating and maintaining your Cricut Machine. With all these features, it’s no surprise why it’s one of the top-rated Cricut Machines available today.  

Highlighted features:

• Precise Temperature Control (up to 400°F/205°C)
• An Insulated Safety Base and Auto-Off feature
• Lightweight at 0.2222 ounces 
• It fits materials with a width of up to 25cm
• Compatible with most leading iron-on (HTV) brands, Infusible Ink, and Sublimation products 

 What we like:

• A ceramic-coated surface that ensures a smooth, even finish on fabrics  
• Adjustable time and temperature settings to customize your projects  
• Large working area, at 12″ x 10″ (30 cm x 25 cm), so you can quickly take on even the most intricate prints 
• A 1-year limited warranty offering additional assurance and safety.

 What we don’t like:

• Sometimes, the machine might overheat to unsafe levels.

6. Cricut Mug Press US Heat Press

This heat press has a unique patent-pending heat plate with zone heating, allowing you to achieve full coverage with a single press. It features an auto-off safety feature, so you won’t have to worry about accidentally leaving it on. This heat press comes with a one-year warranty and is designed for use with compatible sublimation mug blanks, poly-coated, 11 – 16 oz (350 – 470 ml) straight wall only; mugs with a diameter of 82-86 mm +/- 1 mm (3.2-3.4 in). 

You can use Infusible Ink Transfer Sheets, Pens, or Markers (sold separately) to create custom mugs, and the heat press conforms with applicable product standards like UL, CSA, FCC, or IEC standards 

It requires no manual temperature or pressure settings, making customizing your Infusible Ink-compatible mugs easy. It also produces minimal vapors, which should be used in a well-ventilated area. With this machine, you’ll be able to create unique custom mugs that will last a lifetime

Highlighted features:

• Patent pending heat plate with zone heating  
• Auto-Off safety feature  
• One-year warranty 
• Designed for compatible sublimation mug blanks, 350 – 470ml capacity  
• Certified by TUV and Intertek standards

What we like:

• Ideal for creating unique mugs with Infusible Ink transfer sheets, pens, or markers.
• Minimal vapor production, making it suitable for indoor use in well-ventilated areas.
• Fully customizable with quick temperature and pressure adjustments for the perfect look.
• Built with premium materials for long-lasting durability.

What we don’t like:

• To some people, the item might be overpriced

7. Cricut Hat Press Smart Heat Press Machine  

This machine is designed to provide edge-to-edge heat, so you can easily customize any hat. It has a curved, ceramic-coated heat plate that is 5″ x 3″, providing three heat settings. Additionally, you can send precise time and temperature settings directly to the press via Bluetooth connection. The included Cricut Hat Pressing Form allows you to create a stable, firm surface to press on hats.

It also has safety-conscious features, such as auto-off, a comfortable grip, and a safety base. This machine conforms with applicable product standards like UL, CSA, FCC, or IEC standards and works with significant brands of iron-on (HTV), Infusible Ink & sublimation products. This device must be activated using the Cricut Heat app and an internet-connected mobile device.

Additionally, the machine has the color Zen Blue and weighs 8.22 pounds. Its dimensions are 15.5″ x 9.3″ x 6.6″. Regarding allergies, it contains walnut shells, so please bear this in mind if you have any nut allergies. 

Highlighted features:

• Built-in Bluetooth Connectivity 
• Ceramic-Coated Heat Plate  
• Maximum width of 9.3 inches
• Three heat settings to choose from; Low, Medium, and High. 
• Safety Base and Auto-Off feature

What we like:

• Bluetooth connectivity makes controlling temperatures and times easy.
• Ceramic-coated heat plate provides long-lasting performance.
• Three heat settings to choose from.
• Auto shut-off and safety base prevent overheating.

What we don’t like:

• Sometimes the Cricut machine may not be entirely new on arrival.

FAQs:

Q: What is the cost of Cricut machines?

A: Entry-level machines range from $100 to over $300 for advanced models. Some include extra accessories that can increase the price.

Q: Which Cricut model is the best?

A: The Cricut Maker 3 is the best option. It has Adaptive Tool System technology and the broadest range of materials and features.

Q: Which Cricut model is best for beginners?

A: The Cricut Joy is an excellent option for beginners, easy to set up and use, and powerful enough to complete crafting projects quickly.

Q: What can you engrave with Cricut machines?

A: Cricut machines can engrave various materials, including wood, metal, leather, paper, and glass, with popular items like jewelry, keychains, personalized mugs, and glasses.

Q: Is a subscription necessary to use Cricut machines?

A: No, a subscription is not required. While some Cricut machines come with a free Design Space membership trial period, thousands of free designs are available in the Cricut Design Library for use with any Cricut machine.

Conclusion 

With a wide range of models and features, a Cricut machine is suitable for every user’s needs. The seven best Cricut machines presented in this blog post are all great options for users looking for quality and value. From simple and affordable models to more advanced and feature-rich models, there is sure to be one that meets your crafting needs.