7 Best Cricut Machine Models 2025 in the United States

The Cricut Maker 4 is a versatile smart cutting machine designed for crafters who want to work with a wide variety of materials. It offers a strong cutting force and a large cutting area of 144 square inches, allowing you to tackle both small and bigger projects with ease. This makes it well-suited for cutting popular materials like vinyl, cardstock, and iron-on HTV, as well as tougher options like leather and matboard. The machine doesn't just cut—it can also draw, foil, score, engrave, and deboss, providing creative flexibility beyond basic cutting tasks.

It works seamlessly with Cricut Design Space, a free app available on multiple platforms that helps you design and customize projects. Included in the Engagement Bundle are various materials and tools to get you started right away, along with access to a rich library of digital images and project templates to inspire your work. Connectivity is straightforward, supporting wireless connection to your devices, which simplifies setup and use. However, the machine’s size and weight (around 23 pounds) mean it's less portable and better suited for a dedicated craft space.

Considering cost factors, while it comes with a generous starter pack, some users might find the price and ongoing subscription for access to the full image library something to bear in mind. The Cricut Maker 4 is well-suited for hobbyists and serious crafters seeking a reliable, all-in-one cutting solution that supports a broad range of creative projects.

The Cricut Explore 4 is designed as a beginner-friendly cutting machine that makes DIY projects easier and faster. Its standout feature is cutting speed—up to twice as fast as earlier models—helping you finish crafts more quickly. This machine handles over 100 materials, including vinyl, iron-on, paper, and felt, with the ability to cut directly on special 'Smart Materials' without needing a cutting mat, which saves time and effort. The cutting size is generous enough for most home craft projects, and it includes tools for writing, scoring, and even foiling, offering creative versatility beyond simple cuts.

Connectivity is seamless via Cricut's Design Space software, which supports digital designs and offers step-by-step guidance, perfect for beginners. The bundle includes a mix of vinyl and iron-on sheets, a cutting mat, blades, and accessories to get you started right away. On the downside, while the machine supports many materials, heavier or thicker materials may require specific blades or tools sold separately. Also, the software relies on an internet connection for full functionality, which might be a limitation if you prefer offline use. Lastly, the included digital guides are only available electronically, so no printed manuals are provided.

The Cricut Explore 4 suits those new to crafting who want an easy-to-use, versatile machine with plenty of creative options and essential supplies to begin projects immediately.

The Cricut Joy is a compact and beginner-friendly cutting machine that’s great for small DIY projects like decals, labels, and cards. Its active cutting area of about 46 square inches suits simple and quick crafts rather than large or complex designs. The machine offers Bluetooth connectivity, allowing you to design and send projects wirelessly through the Cricut Joy app on mobile devices or computers with Bluetooth, although it doesn’t work with Chromebooks.

It supports Cricut’s own Smart Vinyl materials, which are easy to use and designed for precise cuts, but the cutting force and material compatibility are more limited compared to larger Cricut models, meaning it’s not ideal for thicker materials or heavy-duty crafting. One nice bonus is the included digital guide and starter kit with vinyl rolls and cutting mats, which helps beginners get started without needing extra purchases.

The machine’s small size makes it very portable and easy to store, but this also means it’s best suited for crafters who want convenience and simplicity over advanced features or large-scale projects. For those new to crafting or looking for a lightweight tool for everyday personalization, the Cricut Joy is a solid choice, though serious hobbyists or those needing more cutting power and bigger sizes might find it limiting.