What Cricut Should I Buy in 2024

Let's answer the question, what Cricut should I buy? There are 7 available Cricut machines and each one is a little different. We'll look at all of them and I'll share my recommendations to help match the right Cricut to your crafting needs.
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Cricut Joy cricut.pxf.io/AodjOo
Cricut Joy Xtra cricut.pxf.io/rQLQgQ
Cricut Explore Air 2 cricut.pxf.io/B0kJx4
Cricut Explore 3 cricut.pxf.io/za3gWG
Cricut Maker cricut.pxf.io/JzyOgN
Cricut Maker 3 cricut.pxf.io/y22GvG
Cricut Venture cricut.pxf.io/zN4zMr
Try Cricut Access cricut.pxf.io/EaXd6D
Use code 10-CREATIVE for $10 off any cutting machine or heat press. Excludes: materials, accessories, mystery boxes, etc. US and CA only. Expires 12/31/24
Chapters
0:00 Introduction
1:17 What is Cricut?
2:01 Current Cricut machines
2:42 Joy machines
4:09 Explore machines
5:32 Venture machine
6:34 Maker machines
7:53 Price and deals
9:03 Recommendations
10:59 Final thoughts
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[@dianafuld3450]

Well done presentation - I like that you are organized, well-spoken, and you know your subject matter. Thank you! I am considering buying a Cricut, so this helped me understand the differences between their 2024 models. Next, I need to figure out what I would actually USE the Cricut to do. LOL!

[@kerryanntalbert7812]

You did an amazing job with this video!! Thank YOU!!!!

[@tasheemawillis3640]

So helpful thank you

[@briannarocha3479]

This is soo helpful! Thank you!!

[@kaystarlo]

Great organized and informative video. Thank you

[@shaimam4402]

awesome i was so confused as new learner in this field .. THANKS !!!

[@SarahVanderkooy]

So glad it was helpful!

[@meenusingh150]

You are so good in explaining, it really helps, ❤

[@SarahVanderkooy]

Thank you!

[@dabailey1000]

There actually is an Explorer prior to Explorer Air 2. I have it and love it as I can still use cartridges in it. ❤️

[@SarahVanderkooy]

Yes the original was great! So glad it's still working for you, happy crafting 😁

[@TheMysticWildFlower]

Hey do you ever use the silhouette? Thanks For making this video 💜 new to it all. Very excited. Been a long time wanting to get a machine 😊

[@SarahVanderkooy]

I owned a Silhouette years ago and loved it, they make great machines. I just don't own any currently. Thanks for watching!

[@TheMysticWildFlower]

@@SarahVanderkooy thank youu. I'm gonna gig to curate a sex museum here in the Caribbean. Sex Ed and Wellness will be my focus. I'm on here wondering if a machine like this will be useful for museum merch, workshops ect. Thanks For your lovely videos and advice 🇹🇹✨💕

[@darrinlindsey]

I'm totally new to this. Looking to purchase a Maker 3, probably. But, what is "Smart Material"?

[@SarahVanderkooy]

Smart material can be run through the Maker 3 without a mat. Other materials need to be placed on the sticky mat in order to be cut. With smart materials you can cut longer than the standard 12 inch mat too.

[@kimberlydavis5960]

I have watched several of your videos as I’m trying to decide if I should purchase the cricut maker3 or the S1 (20 or 40). Of course the maker is significantly lower priced and it appears that you can cut “wood” with it but I’m wondering if you can make good quality puzzles and toys such as perpetual calendars and other items that might be used by preschools that require letters, numbers words be “engraved”.

[@SarahVanderkooy]

Yes you can cut wood with a Cricut, but I would reserve that for small basic projects. It takes a long time and the blade dulls quickly. Your only option for wood is thin balsawood or basswood. If you want to get into wood crafts like you mentioned a laser is definitely the way to go. I use both a laser and Cricut but I use them for very different types of crafts.

[@magoomagee954]

This was a great video, thank you! Can you tell me which machines use the USB? I have the Joy and have had nothing but problems with the Bluetooth-only connection.

[@SarahVanderkooy]

The Joy and Joy Xtra are the only 2 machines that cannot use USB. They have to be run on Bluetooth. Everything else has a corded USB option.

[@magoomagee954]

@@SarahVanderkooy Thank you SO much! ❤️

[@nascar427]

Great tutorial/comparison. What paper do you suggest for sticker paper? Laser or inkjet?

[@SarahVanderkooy]

I only use ink jet paper and the new/improved sticker sets from Circuit are awesome. Look for the waterproof sticker sets. I also like Neato label sticker sheets, those can be found on Amazon.

[@nascar427]

OK, I will have to look into it. thanks. I have done all my printing so far on my color lazer printer on the HTVRont sticker paper and have had good results so far.@@SarahVanderkooy

[@Larushka19]

I want to create big cardboard decorations for birthday parties. Would you go with Venture or maker 3? Thank you!

[@SarahVanderkooy]

The Venture will cut huge pieces of material but not cardboard. Only thick cardstock. I've done poster board cutout with it. The Maker 3 can cut cardboard but you are limited to a 12x12 piece at a time.

[@tarabouchard7091]

Aloha, im super new to this and im wanting to buy a cricut machine to make designs for hats and possibly tote bags....is all the vinyl the same or is there a specific kind I need ? cause im seeing this transfer tape and then I also see iron on vinyl.

[@SarahVanderkooy]

Great question. There are a few different kinds. Adhesive vinyl sticks to hard surfaces, permanently. You use transfer tape to move the cut design to the piece. Like vinyl words on a sign. HTV (heat transfer vinyl) also called iron-on vinyl is adhered to fabric with heat, it's not sticky on it's own. If you want to make hats and totes you would cut HTV and press it onto the fabric with an EasyPress or iron. Hope that helps!

[@tarabouchard7091]

om my gosh so helpful. one more question please. so if I get the cricut maker 3. do I need to get anything additional to be able to cut heat trasfer foil? so much to consider and at the same time I dont want to buy things that I dont need. I super appreciate your help. @@SarahVanderkooy

[@abigailsmith1997]

I am starting to get into book binding and I want to make custom book covers. Which cricut would you recommend?

[@SarahVanderkooy]

Most cardstock and other thick papers can be cut with the regular blade that comes with any Cricut. Depending on how thick the material is you may need to deep point or knife blade, in that case the Maker 3 would be the right option.

[@melissaconley3660]

I do not own a printer and I'm looking for the least expensive cricut that will allow me to use multiple colors on my stickers. I saw in this video the cricut joy extra can do stickers with multiple colors but it looks like you need a printer. Can you tell me which one would be best for this please? Thank you. Your video was very helpful :)

[@SarahVanderkooy]

A Cricut cannot print, it can scan printed items and cut them into stickers. They can also draw with pens. No matter which Cricut you opt for you will need a separate printer for stickers. That being said, the Joy Xtra is a great option for stickers and lots of other projects.

[@jimhogan3446]

Can the Maker 3 be connected to my computer with a usb cord ?

[@SarahVanderkooy]

Yes, and it comes with the cord.

[@jadeahlucero8075]

Can you write whatever you want or create your own design and size

[@SarahVanderkooy]

Yes. You can use the images in Design Space or add anything you want. That includes your own designs you create outside of the software or designs you buy from Etsy or elsewhere.

[@BilingualbabiesA]

I am a complete beginner. I got interested because I saw a tutorial on 3D puff vinyl print. Can I make that with the joy extra?

[@SarahVanderkooy]

You can definitely cut puff vinyl with any Cricut machine using the standard blade that comes with it. It's a type of iron on or HTV and applies nicely to fabric with heat.

[@BilingualbabiesA]

@@SarahVanderkooy thanks for the quick response ☺️. Can I use a normal home iron instead of the cricut heat press?

[@cheyannegonzales5491]

​@@BilingualbabiesA I heard from a couple different sources yes you can

[@m.m9136]

So I'm in the process of creating a candle business. I'm looking for a device that can print labels for me. No cricuts can help with this?

[@SarahVanderkooy]

A Cricut is not a printer so you would need a printer first. Cricut can help you design the labels then cut them out after you print. I use an expensive Canon ink jet to print on speciality vinyl or sticker paper to make my candle labels.

[@miou196]

Do these connect to iPad ? Or I’ll have to get computer

[@SarahVanderkooy]

Yes an iPad or phone work too, there is a Cricut app you can download. No need for a computer.

[@miou196]

Just made my purchase bought explore 3. thank you for this video !

[@user-uj6xv6ks1n]

Where can I buy these machine?

[@SarahVanderkooy]

There are links in the description or try a craft store, Walmart or Target.

[@user-ct4wz9mb3d]

Is the explore Air 2 better then the Explore 3? 2:10

[@SarahVanderkooy]

The Explore 3 is an upgrade from the Explore Air 2. All the same features but with the ability to use Smart materials.