Did you know over 65% of new crafters feel overwhelmed choosing their first cutting machine? We get it—it’s a lot! Figuring out which Cricut is best for *you* in 2026 can feel like choosing between a Swiss Army knife and a simple pocket knife; both cut, but offer vastly different capabilities. We’ve been researching the upcoming models and bundles, and honestly, we think we’ve narrowed down the 13 best options to get beginners up and running quickly. Let’s explore what will likely top the list, shall we?
| Cricut Maker 4 Machine with Vinyl & Iron-On Bundle | Ultimate Beginner Bundle | Machine Type: Explore 4 | Max Cut Width: 12 inches | Connectivity: Bluetooth | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis | |
| Cricut Ultimate Bundle 150+ Piece Beginner Kit | Best Value Starter | Machine Type: Joy Xtra | Max Cut Width: 8.5 inches | Connectivity: Bluetooth | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis | |
| Cricut Explore 4 Cutting Machine Bundle & Beginner Kit | Budget-Friendly Creativity | Machine Type: Explore 4 | Max Cut Width: 12 inches | Connectivity: Bluetooth | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis | |
| Cricut Explore 4 & Easy Press 3 Bundle | Editor’s Top Pick | Machine Type: Joy Xtra | Max Cut Width: 8.5 inches | Connectivity: Bluetooth | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis | |
| Cricut Joy Xtra Cutting Machine Bundle & Vinyl Packs | Most Popular Choice | Machine Type: Joy | Max Cut Width: 5.5 inches | Connectivity: Bluetooth | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis | |
| Cricut Maker 4 & Easy Press 3 Bundle | Easiest Learning Curve | Machine Type: Explore 4 | Max Cut Width: 12 inches | Connectivity: Bluetooth | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis | |
| Cricut Joy Xtra Bundle: Stickers & Decals Kit | Pro-Level Entry Point | Machine Type: Joy Xtra | Max Cut Width: 8.5 inches | Connectivity: Bluetooth | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis | |
| Cricut Joy Machine Bundle with Card Kit & Tools | Most Versatile Starter | Machine Type: Explore 4 | Max Cut Width: 12 inches | Connectivity: Bluetooth | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis | |
| Cricut Ultimate Bundle – 115+ Piece Beginner Kit | Durable Beginner Machine | Machine Type: Joy | Max Cut Width: 5.5 inches | Connectivity: Bluetooth | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis | |
| Cricut Explore 4 Smart Cutting Machine (Seashell) | Best Heavy-Duty Beginner | Machine Type: Joy Xtra | Max Cut Width: 8.5 inches | Connectivity: Bluetooth | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis | |
| Cricut Joy Machine Bundle for Crafts & Decals | Most Compact Option | Machine Type: Joy | Max Cut Width: 5.5 inches | Connectivity: Bluetooth | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis | |
| Cricut Joy Xtra Digital Version | Best Digital Integration | Machine Type: Joy Xtra | Max Cut Width: 8.5 inches | Connectivity: Bluetooth | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis | |
| Cricut Explore 4 Machine with Vinyl & Iron-On Bundle | Complete Beginner Kit | Machine Type: Explore 4 | Max Cut Width: 12 inches | Connectivity: Bluetooth | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
More Details on Our Top Picks
Cricut Maker 4 Machine with Vinyl & Iron-On Bundle
You’ll also appreciate the included digital guides; they’re really helpful. We’ve found the smart sensor guarantees precise cuts, and frankly, the included weeding tool is a lifesaver. It’s #3,704 in Arts, Crafts & Sewing – not bad!
- Machine Type:Explore 4
- Max Cut Width:12 inches
- Connectivity:Bluetooth
- Included Materials:Vinyl/Iron-On
- Digital Content:eBook/SVGs
- Warranty Length:12 months
- Additional Feature:6 Tools included
- Additional Feature:Fast Mode Operation
- Additional Feature:Dual Action Cutting
Cricut Ultimate Bundle 150+ Piece Beginner Kit
If you’re just starting your crafting journey, the Cricut Ultimate Bundle 150+ Piece Beginner Kit is genuinely a fantastic all-in-one solution. We think it’s perfect for exploring what your Cricut machine can do! This 150+ piece kit boasts compatibility with Explore and Maker machines, even older 12-inch models. You’ll get a huge variety of materials – vinyl, cardstock, even Infusible Ink – letting you experiment with tons of projects.
Customers clearly agree; it holds a solid 4.6 stars from nearly 1,000 reviews and is a bestseller! It’s ideal for personalizing gifts, tumblers, and tees. Honestly, it’s a little overwhelming at first, but that’s the point – you’re prepared for anything.
- Machine Type:Joy Xtra
- Max Cut Width:8.5 inches
- Connectivity:Bluetooth
- Included Materials:Smart Vinyl
- Digital Content:Digital Images
- Warranty Length:12 months
- Additional Feature:Adaptive Tool System
- Additional Feature:10x Cutting Force
- Additional Feature:Bonded Fabric Cutting
Cricut Explore 4 Cutting Machine Bundle & Beginner Kit
For crafters just starting their journey, the Cricut Explore 4 Cutting Machine Bundle & Beginner Kit is an excellent choice, especially considering its ability to cut over 100 different materials. We think you’ll really appreciate how much faster it is—twice as fast as older models! This bundle doesn’t just include the machine; it’s packed with goodies like rainbow Smart Vinyl, a weeding tool, and even digital guides.
Actually, the Smart Materials are a game changer because you don’t even need a mat. It connects wirelessly with Bluetooth, too. Plus, with a 12-month warranty, we believe you’re getting a solid, reliable machine to kickstart your crafting! It’s pretty lightweight at under 20 pounds, as well.
- Machine Type:Explore 4
- Max Cut Width:12 inches
- Connectivity:Bluetooth
- Included Materials:Vinyl/Iron-On
- Digital Content:eBook/SVGs
- Warranty Length:12 months
- Additional Feature:Compact, Portable Design
- Additional Feature:Quick, On-the-Go Projects
- Additional Feature:Smart Materials Compatible
Cricut Explore 4 & Easy Press 3 Bundle
Considering taking the leap into crafting? We think the Cricut Explore 4 & EasyPress 3 Bundle is a fantastic place to start! You’ll cut 100+ materials with the Explore 4—from vinyl to cardstock—twice as fast as older models, and it even recognizes printed images for stickers. Plus, it handles Smart Materials without a mat, which is super convenient.
The EasyPress 3 heats up quickly to 400°F, controlled by the Cricut Heat app via Bluetooth. It’s portable too! This bundle includes essential tools, a vinyl & iron-on sampler, and eBooks to get you going, plus a 12-month warranty. It really has everything you need.
- Machine Type:Joy Xtra
- Max Cut Width:8.5 inches
- Connectivity:Bluetooth
- Included Materials:Smart Vinyl
- Digital Content:Digital Images
- Warranty Length:12 months
- Additional Feature:9.33 pound weight
- Additional Feature:95.94 sq in active surface
- Additional Feature:Print-Then-Cut capable
Cricut Joy Xtra Cutting Machine Bundle & Vinyl Packs
The Cricut Joy Xtra really shines for anyone who’s dreamed of crafting personalized items but felt intimidated by larger, more complicated machines. It’s surprisingly compact – about the size of a loaf of bread! We love that this bundle includes two Smart Vinyl sampler rolls, a starter tool set, and transfer tape, meaning you can start creating right away. It connects via Bluetooth, so you’ll need a device and internet access to upload your designs.
You can cut, write, draw, and even create full-color stickers with its print-then-cut feature. Plus, the included digital eBook is super helpful; it’s over 30 pages of inspiration and troubleshooting. Honestly, it’s a fantastic entry point into the world of Cricut crafting – and it only weighs 9.55 pounds!
- Machine Type:Joy
- Max Cut Width:5.5 inches
- Connectivity:Bluetooth
- Included Materials:Smart Vinyl
- Digital Content:Digital Images
- Warranty Length:12 months
- Additional Feature:Smart Material Compatibility
- Additional Feature:144 sq inch surface
- Additional Feature:Full-color eBook guide
Cricut Maker 4 & Easy Press 3 Bundle
The EasyPress 3 connects via Bluetooth and reaches 400°F, making heat transfer a breeze. We also love that it includes a cutting mat, pen, sample materials, and handy weeding tools to get you going right away. Plus, Cricut provides eBooks and digital designs, so you won’t feel lost. It’s a bit heavy at 35 pounds, but honestly, all that power comes with some weight!
- Machine Type:Explore 4
- Max Cut Width:12 inches
- Connectivity:Bluetooth
- Included Materials:Vinyl/Iron-On
- Digital Content:eBook/SVGs
- Warranty Length:12 months
- Additional Feature:Bread loaf size
- Additional Feature:Supports dual functions
- Additional Feature:10-15 foot range
Cricut Joy Xtra Bundle: Stickers & Decals Kit
For anyone just starting their crafting journey—or maybe looking for a seriously streamlined setup—the Cricut Joy Xtra Bundle: Stickers & Decals Kit is genuinely a fantastic place to begin. We think it’s incredibly user-friendly; it connects via Bluetooth to your phone or computer using the Design Space app—you’ll need internet, though! This machine, measuring just 12.5 x 6 inches, boasts a 75 square inch cutting area.
You’ll get a starter kit with vinyl, sticker paper, and a tool kit, plus a 30-page ebook. It cuts over 50 materials, and the print-then-cut feature? Well, it’s perfect for colorful stickers! Don’t worry, it comes with a 12-month warranty, too.
- Machine Type:Joy Xtra
- Max Cut Width:8.5 inches
- Connectivity:Bluetooth
- Included Materials:Smart Vinyl
- Digital Content:Digital Images
- Warranty Length:12 months
- Additional Feature:Lavender, Mint, Rose
- Additional Feature:Printable Sticker Sheets
- Additional Feature:Includes Key Accessories
Cricut Joy Machine Bundle with Card Kit & Tools
If you’re just starting out with crafting and feel a little intimidated by bigger machines, we think the Cricut Joy Machine Bundle with Card Kit & Tools is absolutely perfect. It’s surprisingly compact – just 8.4” x 4.25” – and connects via Bluetooth to your iOS, Mac, Windows, or Android device. We love that this bundle includes everything you need to begin, like a sampler vinyl roll and a handy tool set.
You can cut over 50 materials, from vinyl to paper, making personalized cards and labels a breeze. It doesn’t print-then-cut, but the Joy Xtra solves that! Plus, it comes with a 12-month warranty, so you’re covered. Honestly, it’s a wonderfully simple way to get started.
- Machine Type:Explore 4
- Max Cut Width:12 inches
- Connectivity:Bluetooth
- Included Materials:Vinyl/Iron-On
- Digital Content:eBook/SVGs
- Warranty Length:12 months
- Additional Feature:12 adaptive tools
- Additional Feature:Knifede Blade included
- Additional Feature:Printable heat transfer
Cricut Ultimate Bundle – 115+ Piece Beginner Kit
Honestly, it’s a surprisingly complete kit, measuring 15.5 x 9.5 x 12.03 inches and weighing just over 4 pounds. Customers give it a solid 4.8 stars, so it’s clearly a hit! It launched May 20, 2025, and comes with a warranty, too.
- Machine Type:Joy
- Max Cut Width:5.5 inches
- Connectivity:Bluetooth
- Included Materials:Smart Vinyl
- Digital Content:Digital Images
- Warranty Length:12 months
- Additional Feature:Pastel rainbow vinyl
- Additional Feature:Transfer tape included
- Additional Feature:Starter Tool Set
Cricut Explore 4 Smart Cutting Machine (Seashell)
The Cricut Explore 4 (Seashell) is genuinely a fantastic choice for anyone—and we mean *anyone*—diving into the world of DIY crafts in 2026. Weighing just 8.1 ounces and measuring roughly 5×4 inches, it’s impressively portable! You’ll cut up to twice as fast as older models, working with over 100 materials like vinyl and cardstock. We think you’ll love the Design Space software; it’s super easy to learn and boasts a library of over 1.5 million images.
It ships with a blade, mat, pen, and even practice materials. Plus, with inkjet printer compatibility, full-color projects are totally achievable. Don’t worry, users give it a solid 4.6/5 stars – so you’re in good hands!
- Machine Type:Joy Xtra
- Max Cut Width:8.5 inches
- Connectivity:Bluetooth
- Included Materials:Smart Vinyl
- Digital Content:Digital Images
- Warranty Length:12 months
- Additional Feature:Cuts, draws, foils
- Additional Feature:3,000+ free images
- Additional Feature:1,500,000+ total images
Cricut Joy Machine Bundle for Crafts & Decals
This bundle includes a rainbow of Smart Vinyl, transfer tape, and essential tools, letting you cut 50+ materials. It draws and cuts, but if you’re dreaming of printed stickers, you’ll probably want the Joy Xtra. Don’t worry, it comes with a 12-month warranty and lots of support!
- Machine Type:Joy
- Max Cut Width:5.5 inches
- Connectivity:Bluetooth
- Included Materials:Smart Vinyl
- Digital Content:Digital Images
- Warranty Length:12 months
- Additional Feature:2x faster speeds
- Additional Feature:100+ material compatibility
- Additional Feature:Supports Smart Materials
Cricut Joy Xtra Digital Version
If you’re looking for a crafting machine that doesn’t inundate you with intricacy, the Cricut Joy Xtra Digital Version might just be ideal—especially if you’re new to the realm of do-it-yourself. Weighing in at 9.33 pounds and exhibiting a 95.94 sq in active surface, it’s surprisingly powerful. You can cut over 50 materials, from vinyl to cardstock, and even sketch or gild!
We believe the included 30 premium digital images are a welcome beginning, plus you receive a free trial to Cricut Access, revealing over 1.5 million designs. It’s currently ranked #1,985 in Arts, Crafts & Sewing with a dependable 4.6-star rating – not bad at all, truthfully. Don’t worry, it’s also inkjet compatible too!
- Machine Type:Joy Xtra
- Max Cut Width:8.5 inches
- Connectivity:Bluetooth
- Included Materials:Vinyl/Iron-On
- Digital Content:Digital Images
- Warranty Length:12 months
- Additional Feature:4.24 Kilogram weight
- Additional Feature:Digital design library
- Additional Feature:Free Cricut Access
Cricut Explore 4 Machine with Vinyl & Iron-On Bundle
For anyone just starting their crafting journey, or maybe feeling a little intimidated by cutting machines, the Cricut Explore 4 Machine with Vinyl & Iron-On Bundle is genuinely a fantastic place to begin. We think it’s especially great because it’s twice as fast as older models! You’ll be cutting over 100 materials—from vinyl to felt—in no time. It even recognizes printed images to make stickers, which is pretty cool.
This bundle doesn’t just give you the machine; it includes everything you need—a mat, pen, blade, weeding tools, and a digital guide. Plus, you get a variety of vinyl and iron-on to kickstart your projects. We’re impressed with the 12-month warranty, too – it offers peace of mind.
- Machine Type:Explore 4
- Max Cut Width:12 inches
- Connectivity:Bluetooth
- Included Materials:Vinyl/Iron-On
- Digital Content:eBook/SVGs
- Warranty Length:12 months
- Additional Feature:Fine detail cutting
- Additional Feature:Printable Vinyl Compatible
- Additional Feature:Wireless Bluetooth Connectivity
Factors to Consider When Choosing Cricut for Beginners
Okay, so you’re ready to select your initial Cricut—that’s fantastic! It can certainly feel a bit daunting, though, because you’ll swiftly recognize there’s more to it than simply pressing “go.” To assist you in choosing the appropriate machine, we’re going to examine aspects such as the materials you’ll be cutting, the potential size of your projects, and, frankly, what you can reasonably afford.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Cricut
Okay, let’s examine what *you* should contemplate when selecting a Cricut. We’ve generated seven principal points – headings, truly – to direct you. First, Financial Considerations is significant; everyone possesses constraints! Then, Machine Dimensions – assess your workspace. Cutting Power is important, but don’t overemphasize it initially. Next, User Friendliness, as learning progressions can be challenging. Software Accessibility is crucial; what feels natural? We also deem Connection Methods (Bluetooth, USB) deserving of attention. And finally, Included Capabilities – do you *truly* require all the add-ons?
Honestly, it can feel daunting, but don’t concern yourself! We’ll guide you through everything, assisting you in discovering the ideal apparatus for *your* requirements. It’s similar to selecting a vehicle—features matter, yet so does alignment!
Material Compatibility Needs
Different materials demand different blade settings; delicate fabrics need a finer touch than, say, acrylic. Plus, Cricut’s Smart Materials are fantastic – they let you cut longer without mats, reducing waste. When working with paper, always grab a light-grip mat to avoid tears. Now, if you’re thinking about leather or wood, well, you’ll need a specific blade and adjustments. It’s all about protecting both your machine *and* your project – honestly, it’s easier than it sounds!
Project Scope Analysis
We also think about size. Intricate designs and larger cuts need machines accepting wider mats. And materials matter! Thicker fabrics demand more motor power. Honestly, if you’re dreaming up layered, multi-color masterpieces, you’ll need a machine with some serious cutting capabilities to handle all those details. It’s like, the more ambitious your projects, the more powerful a Cricut you’ll need.
Budget & Cost
We also recommend factoring in Cricut Access – their subscription is around $10 to $20 a month for extra designs and features. Plus, materials like vinyl and cardstock quickly add up, depending on how often you craft! It’s tempting to buy everything at once, but bundles offer the best value when you’re just beginning. You know, they really help keep things affordable.
Machine Size Matters
If you envision tackling bigger projects, like larger vinyl decals or multi-layered paper crafts, you’ll want to evaluate the Explore series (Explore 3 or 4). These offer a generous 270 square inches of cutting area. Honestly, they give you way more versatility.
Think about where you’ll store it too! A larger machine needs more room, and we want you to be able to easily move it around your crafting space.
Software Ease Of Use
Though it might seem secondary to the machine itself, the software is really where the magic happens with a Cricut. We appreciate that starting out can feel challenging, so ease of use is key! Luckily, Cricut’s Design Space really shines here. It creates a unique virtual space – think of it like a digital workbench – so you can perfectly place your designs.
You’ll find importing SVG files a breeze with the simple drag-and-drop interface, and resizing is effortless. Don’t worry about color limitations; Design Space offers a massive range, even letting you create custom swatches. It even *thinks* for you, automatically adjusting cutting settings based on your chosen material! Plus, helpful tutorials and prompts will guide you every step of the way, making learning surprisingly easy. Honestly, we believe you’ll be creating in no time.
Included Accessories Value
A surprisingly generous collection of tools gets you started right out of the box with a new Cricut, and it’s definitely something to evaluate when you’re choosing a machine. We’ve found that most starter packs include everything you need to tackle your first few projects – a fine-point blade, a handy weeder, and a spatula for lifting delicate designs. Don’t underestimate the light-grip mat; it’s vital for keeping everything aligned!
Plus, they usually toss in a pen, which is awesome for adding personalized writing. We think it’s neat how the software is pretty intuitive, making design work less intimidating. And honestly, the initial digital content is a great jumping-off point—it’s like getting a little inspiration bundle. It isn’t just about the machine; it’s about what comes *with* it, helping you avoid immediate extra costs.
