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Head-to-head · Best Vinyl Cutting Machines

Cricut Explore Air 2 vs Cricut Joy

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

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The short answer

Cricut Joy comes out ahead by a clear margin (3.8 vs 4.4). The gap is mostly about Compact crafting on the go — read the strengths below before deciding.

Cricut Explore Air 2
Ranked #7 in Best Vinyl Cutting Machines
Cricut Explore Air 2
7 sourcesall derived

The Cricut Explore Air 2 is praised for its versatility in cutting over 100 materials including vinyl, leather, and adhesive foils, with a premium fine point blade for detailed work. Reviewers highlight the intuitive Cricut Design Space software with thousands of free projects and templates, and note that the machine is ready to use in about 20 minutes with included materials. However, some users find the setup overwhelming due to the vast number of options and features, and report a steep learning curve despite helpful tutorials. This machine appeals to both novice and professional crafters seeking personalized creations for t-shirts, home decor, and more.

Strengths
  • — Cuts over 100 types of materials including cardstock, vinyl, leather, and adhesive foils
  • — Includes a premium fine point blade for detailed cutting tasks
  • — Intuitive Cricut Design Space software with thousands of free projects and templates
Watch-outs
  • — Setup can be overwhelming for beginners due to the vast number of options and features
  • — Some users report difficulty with the learning curve despite helpful tutorials
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Cricut Joy
Higher ratedRanked #4 in Best Vinyl Cutting Machines
Cricut Joy
8 sources2 derived

The Cricut Joy is a compact, portable cutting machine designed for crafters with limited space. Reviewers praised its ease of use, smartphone operation, and Smart Materials feature that eliminates cutting mats for compatible materials. However, the limited 5.5-inch cutting width restricts larger projects. While the mobile app is functional, it's less intuitive than the laptop version. The device is ideal for hobbyists and small-scale creators but may not suit those needing large-format cutting capabilities. Users recommend it for its precision and versatility in handling various materials.

Strengths
  • — Compact and portable design, easy to pack up and move between locations
  • — Operates entirely via smartphone app or laptop, with no physical buttons required
  • — Smart Materials feature eliminates need for cutting mats with compatible materials
Watch-outs
  • — Limited cutting width of only 5.5 inches, restricting large project capabilities
  • — Mobile app interface is cumbersome and less functional than laptop version
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Derived means the reviewer published no score, so one was inferred from their written verdict. Everything else is a number the publisher printed. How we rank.

How they stack up

Cricut Explore Air 2

The Cricut Explore Air 2 is more intuitive than the Maker 4 and Maker 3, but it lacks the advanced cutting capabilities and material range of those models. Unlike the Explore 5, it's bulkier and doesn't offer the same compact design, though it's more beginner-friendly.

Cricut Joy

The Cricut Joy is more portable and smartphone-controlled than the Maker 4 and Maker 3, but it has a much smaller cutting area. Unlike the Explore 5, it lacks the dual-clamp system and doesn't support scoring or engraving, making it less versatile for complex projects.

Specs side-by-side

SpecCricut Explore Air 2Cricut Joy
MaterialsOver 100 types including cardstock, vinyl, leather, adhesive foilsSmart Materials compatible
Cutting Width12 inches5.5 inches
Max Speed2x faster5.65 inches per second
ConnectivityBluetooth and USBBluetooth
SoftwareCricut Design SpaceCricut Design Space
Dimensions22.8 in12.5 in x 6 in x 5.5 in
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