Head-to-head · Best Vinyl Cutting Machines

Cricut Joy 2 vs Silhouette Cameo 5

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

The short answer

Silhouette Cameo 5 comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.1 vs 4.3). The gap is mostly about Advanced crafters needing long-cut and delicate material handling — read the strengths below before deciding.

Ranked #3 in Best Vinyl Cutting Machines

Cricut Joy 2

4.1

$139as of Jul 7

The Cricut Joy 2 is a compact, ultra-portable cutting machine designed for quick, everyday crafting projects. Tom's Guide noted its suitability for custom cards, decals, and labels, while the official Cricut Shop emphasizes its compatibility with home inkjet printers for full-color sticker creation. The machine comes bundled with essential materials for immediate use, though it lacks the cutting capacity of larger models. It's ideal for beginners and casual crafters who need a space-saving solution, but serious users may find its limitations restrictive.

Strengths

— Ultra-compact design at 4.5 inches for easy portability and space-saving storage
— Works with home inkjet printers to create full-color stickers
— Includes essential materials and tools for up to 35 projects out of the box

Watch-outs

— Limited cutting width compared to larger Cricut models
— Requires Cricut Access subscription for full Design Space software access

$139 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Higher ratedRanked #1 in Best Vinyl Cutting Machines

Silhouette Cameo 5

4.3

$390as of Jul 7

The Silhouette Cameo 5 stands out as a fast and accurate cutting machine that surpasses the Cricut Maker in cut length capabilities, reaching up to 16 feet. Reviewers praised its improved registration marks and print-and-cut functionality, with one reviewer noting it has replaced their Cricut machines entirely. The inclusion of a roll feeder and electrostatic mat attachment enhances versatility for larger projects and delicate materials, though the electrostatic mat requires careful setup and doesn't work well with textured materials. This machine is ideal for crafters seeking advanced cutting capabilities but may not suit beginners due to its more complex software requirements.

Strengths

— Fast and accurate cutting performance with improved registration marks for flawless print and cut
— Supports cut lengths up to 16 feet compared to Cricut Maker's 12-foot maximum
— Includes built-in roll feeder for larger vinyl projects

Watch-outs

— Electrostatic mat requires careful setup with protective sheet and may not work well with textured materials
— Limited instruction manual provided with electrostatic mat accessory

$390 · Buy at canada.michaels.com Full review →

How they stack up

Cricut Joy 2

The Cricut Joy 2 stands out for its ultra-portable design and inkjet compatibility, features not available in the Cricut Explore 4 or Maker 4. However, its limited cutting width and subscription requirement for full software access make it less suitable for complex projects compared to the Silhouette Cameo 5 or VEVOR Vinyl Cutting Plotter, which offer more robust cutting capabilities.

Silhouette Cameo 5

The Silhouette Cameo 5 surpasses the Cricut Explore 4 in cut length capabilities and includes a roll feeder and electrostatic mat, features not found in the Cricut Maker 4 or Joy 2. However, its electrostatic mat requires careful setup and isn't compatible with textured materials, unlike the more universally compatible Cricut Joy 2. It also lacks the beginner-friendly interface of the Cricut Maker 4.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	Cricut Joy 2	Silhouette Cameo 5
Max Cut Width	4.5 in	12 x 12 in
Max Cut Length	48 in (121.9 cm)	Up to 16 feet
Compatible Materials	75+ materials	textiles, adhesive stickers, paper, wood, magnetic sheets, and even tattoos
Connectivity	Bluetooth	Bluetooth
Software	Design Space	Silhouette Studio®
Blade Type	Fine point blade	Auto Blade
Dimensions	9.1"D x 5.4"W x 2.8"H	25"D x 11"W x 9"H

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