Head-to-head · Best Vinyl Cutting Machines

Cricut Joy 2 vs VEVOR Vinyl Cutting Plotter

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

Cricut Joy 2 comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.1 vs 3.9). The gap is mostly about Casual crafters needing compact and portable solutions — read the strengths below before deciding.

Higher ratedRanked #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 →

Ranked #4 in Best Vinyl Cutting Machines

VEVOR Vinyl Cutting Plotter

3.9

$389.9as of Jul 7

VEVOR's 34-inch vinyl cutting plotter offers solid performance at an affordable price point, with reviewers praising its sturdy construction and familiar interface reminiscent of high-end Roland machines. The included SignMaster software is well-regarded for its ease of use and functionality, though some users noted issues with the included vinyl quality and low audio in setup videos. Customer feedback indicates it's particularly well-suited for shop decals, window graphics, and HTV work, with one reviewer calling it a 'workhorse' for its price. However, it lacks Bluetooth connectivity and the included vinyl is considered subpar by some users.

Strengths

— Sturdy stand with rollers for holding vinyl roll and catch cloth to prevent signs from dropping
— Includes SignMaster CUT v5 software on USB thumbdrive and CD with serial number for activation
— Clean cuts achieved with proper blade selection (45° for Oracal 651, 60° for small lettering)

Watch-outs

— Included vinyl is poor quality with insufficient backing thickness
— No Bluetooth connectivity
— Software installation video has very low audio quality

$389.9 · Check Price on Amazon 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.

VEVOR Vinyl Cutting Plotter

The VEVOR Vinyl Cutting Plotter offers a cost-effective solution with a sturdy build and familiar interface compared to the Cricut Joy 2 and Brother ScanNCut SDX125E, which lack its roll-holding stand and catch cloth. However, it doesn't support Bluetooth connectivity and has subpar included vinyl, unlike the more feature-rich Cricut Explore 4 or Silhouette Cameo 5.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	Cricut Joy 2	VEVOR Vinyl Cutting Plotter
Max Cut Width	4.5 in	34 in
Max Cut Length	48 in (121.9 cm)	1350 mm
Compatible Materials	75+ materials	paper, cardstock, vinyl, and fabric
Connectivity	Bluetooth	COM+USB
Software	Design Space	SignMaster CUT v5
Blade Type	Fine point blade	45° or 60°
Dimensions	9.1"D x 5.4"W x 2.8"H	60.2 x 25.2 x 40.6 in

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