The Cricut Joy 2 is a compact, portable crafting machine designed for DIY enthusiasts who need flexibility in their workspace. Tom's Guide noted its lightweight build and ease of setup, while a YouTube reviewer highlighted the included Essentials Bundle which provides a good starting kit for beginners. The machine lacks a door and on/off button, which some users may find limiting. It's well-suited for users who want a simple, mobile crafting solution but may not be ideal for those seeking advanced features or frequent blade replacements.
Full review
Compact design with surprising capabilities
The Cricut Joy 2 measures just 23 cm x 14 cm x 9 cm and weighs only 1.2 kg, making it remarkably portable for a cutting machine. As noted by Geekzone reviewer M Freitas, 'the Cricut Joy 2 is aptly named. Imagine the joy I had when I went from opening a box to having a birthday card printed and cut in under ten minutes.' The machine's compact form factor allows it to be easily carried in a large coat pocket, as Creative Bloq's Beth Nicholls observed, 'it's light enough to carry in a large coat pocket, weighing in at just 2.7 lbs (1.2 kg).' This portability makes it ideal for crafters who need to work on projects away from their main workspace, though its small size does limit the maximum cut dimensions to 10.6 cm x 29.7 cm when using the standard mat, and 11.4 cm x 121.9 cm with smart materials.
Smart materials and print-and-cut functionality
One of the key improvements in the Cricut Joy 2 is the inclusion of Print Then Cut capabilities, which allows users to print designs on their inkjet printers and then cut them precisely with the machine. According to The Country Chic Cottage's Angie Holden, 'the Joy 2 can cut over 75 materials' and 'the lack of a door creates a machine that is always open.' This feature enables users to create projects like printed stickers, bookmarks, and insert cards with precision. The machine works with smart materials such as smart vinyl, smart iron-on, and cardstock, which can be cut without the need for mats. However, for non-smart materials, the machine requires the use of mats to determine size and position, as explained by the same reviewer. The Joy 2's ability to handle more than 75 different materials makes it versatile for various crafting needs, though it cannot perform engraving, debossing, or perforating operations.
Setup and software integration
Setting up the Cricut Joy 2 involves installing the Design Space software, which is available for both Windows and mobile platforms. As reported by Geekzone's M Freitas, 'the first thing was that a firmware update was available for my Cricut Joy 2. Installation was quick, and I was ready for my birthday card.' The software is described as easy to use, allowing users to create designs or load from templates. The machine connects via Bluetooth only, with no USB connection option, as noted by the same reviewer. The Design Space software provides guidance for print-and-cut projects, including printing guidelines when the material is larger than the machine's cutting area. Creative Bloq's Beth Nicholls emphasized that 'the Joy 2 unlocks crafting away from the workbench for on-the-go projects,' highlighting how the software and machine work together to enable portable crafting experiences.
Tool compatibility and limitations
The Cricut Joy 2 comes with a range of accessories including a fine point cutting tool, scoring tool, scraper, weeder, spatula, dual-sided marker, portable trimmer, and ruler, along with various materials such as smart iron-on, smart vinyl, cardstock, and printable vinyl. However, as noted by The Country Chic Cottage's Angie Holden, the machine has limitations on the tools it can use, excluding items like the scoring stylus, rotary blade, engraving and debossing tips. This means that users planning to use these specialized tools will need to consider a different model. Additionally, while the Joy 2 can handle more than 75 materials, it cannot perform operations such as engraving, debossing, or perforating, which are possible on larger Cricut models like the Maker series. The machine's small size also means it cannot accommodate A4 wide materials, requiring users to cut materials down to appropriate sizes if needed.
Performance in real-world projects
In practical use, the Cricut Joy 2 demonstrates its capabilities through various projects. According to The Country Chic Cottage's Angie Holden, she was able to create a smart vinyl bookmark, insert cards, and folded cards using the machine. She noted that 'the Cricut Joy 2 is ideal for small projects such as colour stickers, cards, decals, labels, and even more complex designs you create, provided the material fits.' The machine's auto-load feature simplifies the process, as M Freitas observed: 'the Cricut Joy 2 doesn't even need you to push the load button anymore. As soon as you insert the material, auto load kicks in, and it will start pulling the material, measuring it and getting ready to cut the design.' This automation, combined with the machine's precision, allows for quick and efficient project completion, particularly for small-scale crafting tasks.
Portability and user experience
The portability of the Cricut Joy 2 is one of its strongest selling points, especially for crafters who value mobility. Creative Bloq's Beth Nicholls highlighted that 'the Cricut Joy 2 will be your new reliable sidekick when it comes to portable crafting and unlocks the potential for projects away from the workbench.' The machine's lightweight design and compact size make it suitable for travel or use in small spaces, such as dorm rooms or craft corners. However, the machine's limitations in terms of cut size and tool compatibility mean that it may not be suitable for all crafting needs. For instance, the lack of a door means that the machine is always open, which could be a consideration for some users. Despite these limitations, the Joy 2's ease of use and versatility make it a valuable addition for those who primarily work on smaller projects.
Strengths
- +Lightweight and portable design suitable for on-the-go crafting
- +Includes Essentials Bundle with useful tools and materials
- +Simple setup process with intuitive machine controls
- +Compatible with Cricut Design Space software for easy project creation
Watch-outs
- −No on/off button or door for blade access
- −Blade housing must be replaced as a whole unit rather than just the blade
How it compares
The Cricut Joy 2 is more portable and lightweight than the Maker 4 and Maker 3, but lacks advanced features like engraving and debossing. Unlike the Explore 5, it has a smaller cutting area and doesn't support dual-clamp systems, making it less suitable for complex multi-step projects.
Rating sources
“The Cricut Joy 2 is ideal for small projects such as colour stickers, cards, decals, labels, and even more complex designs you create, provided the material fits.”
“Overall I love the portability and size of the machine. It's able to sit on my kitchen counter or stored away in my coffee table without being in the way.”
Our 4.5 score is the average of the 4 scored reviews above; 4 more reviewed it without printing a score and are not in the average. Ratings marked * were derived from the reviewer’s written analysis or video transcript — the publisher didn’t print an explicit numeric score, so we inferred one from their own words. Click through to verify. More about methodology.
