Sure, you could buy precut letters and shapes for all of your craft projects. But if you’re an avid crafter, chances are good you’ve considered buying a Cricut machine. From vinyl to cardstock to fabrics like leather and felt, Cricut machines can easily cut any number of materials.
If you’re not satisfied with the results from cutting things with an X-ACTO knife or a pair of scissors, the Cricut can take things to the next level. But if you’re on a budget and know what you’re looking for, then there are plenty of great Cricut alternatives out there, too. One of Cricut’s biggest competitors is Silhouette, whose offerings are still on the pricier side, but Amazon also has some more affordable options.
What Is the Cricut, And Why Is It So Popular?
From the $129.99 Cricut Joy to the $169.99 Cricut Explore Air 2 to the $249.99 Cricut Maker, Cricut has a cutting machine for every crafter’s needs. Their reliability and ease of use make Cricut the go-to brand for cutting machines, whether you just want to cut materials like vinyl and paper with the Cricut Joy or you want to cut fabrics and matboard with the Cricut Maker.
As blogger Sarah Maker explains, Cricut machines use Bluetooth technology to cut perfect shapes every time. Once the machine has your design, it will cut it out with the machine’s blades. The cutting mat keeps your material in place, and the machine does all of the hard work for you. Think perfectly cut letters, shapes and more.
The Cricut Maker, aka the company’s most high-end product, boasts that it can cut more than 300 materials and is compatible with 13 different Cricut tools. If you’re making all kinds of monograms, personalized iron-ons or home décor, it’s a godsend. But if you’re new to crafting and don’t need all the bells and whistles, Cricut isn’t the only brand with solid cutting-machine options on the market.
What Should You Look for in Cricut Alternatives?
If the Cricut Joy is still out of your price range, you have options. But before you commit to buying any of the Cricut dupes below, there are a few factors to keep in mind.
- What materials are you trying to cut? If you’re only cutting cardstock, paper, and iron-ons, there’s no need to buy a fancier machine that can cut thicker fabrics, too. Conversely, if you’re using a Cricut machine to help with sewing projects or costume making, you’ll want to look for Cricut alternatives that can cut through fabric like felt or leather.
- What shapes do you need to cut? Some simpler Cricut dupes, like the Sizzix Big Shot, don’t use Bluetooth technology. That means there aren’t as many options as you’ll find in Cricut Design Space. But if you aren’t picky or only need simple designs, the lower price point might be worth it.
- What’s your skill level? Some simple Cricut alternatives, like the Bira cutting machine, are aimed at beginners. Other Cricut dupes, like the Silhouette Portrait, have more features but are still more affordable than Cricut machines.
1. Sizzix Big Shot
Description: The Sizzix Big Shot is more affordable than the Cricut machines, but it also has a limited number of features. Unlike the Cricut, it doesn’t use Bluetooth technology to create your pattern, instead relying on die cuts. Still, Sizzix has plenty of die-cut options, and this machine makes embossing a breeze, too.
Why It’s a Good Cricut Alternative: If all you need a cutting machine for is cutting and embossing, the Sizzix Big Shot is a solid, reliable option. Amazon customers praise this machine for its reliable, clean cuts and rave about how great it is for cardmaking projects. The Sizzix Big Shot is aimed at beginners who might not need all of the advanced functions that pricier Cricut machines have to offer. And if you’re a Michaels Rewards member, you’ll be happy to know that the craft store has plenty of Sizzix accessories, too.
Promising Review: “It cuts foam, card stock and even chipboard with ease … I am extremely happy with this die-cutting machine and I will be ordering many more Sizzix products and dies.” — DaniDizzle
The Cost: $104.28 (reg. $137.99) at Amazon.com
2. Bira Craft Die-Cutting & Embossing Machine Combo
Description: This Bira Craft starter kit comes with several plates and a cutting mat. It’s easy to use and is great for embossing and cardmaking. Your die-cut options are limited, but it gets the job done with ease. It’s also smaller in size than most other cutting machines.
Why It’s a Good Cricut Alternative: You can’t beat Bira’s price point. At $39.99, this machine is significantly cheaper than the Sizzix Big Shot, as well as the current crop of Cricut models. It’s a solid option for those who are just getting into crafting and don’t need fancy features or designs.
Promising Review: “This little die machine works great. I was happily surprised to see how well it cuts! That’s the heart of any die-cut machine. “— Baboonlouie
The Cost: $49.99 (reg. $59.99) at Amazon.com
3. Silhouette Portrait 3 Electronic Cutting Tool
Description: Like the Cricut machines, the Silhouette Portrait 3 uses Bluetooth technology to input your design to be cut. It can handle vinyl, cardstock, paper and fabric for the perfect cut every time.
Why It’s a Good Cricut Alternative: At $199, this is hardly the cheapest option on our list of Cricut dupes. But it’s still a solid $50 cheaper than the Cricut Maker, and it can do more than many of the other Cricut alternatives out there.
Promising Review: “I’m now making my own designs and cutting them on this device. The software from the Silhouette company works great. It’s a good tool for anyone working in vinyl, for both heat pressing or adhesive vinyl.” — David Dorrell
The Cost: $199 at Amazon.com
4. Spellbinders Platinum Die Cutting and Embossing Machine
Description: The Spellbinders Platinum promises to cut vinyl, plastic, cardstock, foil and more with ease. The Amazon product description also notes that it “allows you to use practically every product on the market,” which is great if you have dies from other machines that are still in good shape.
Why It’s a Good Cricut Alternative: At $137.69, the Spellbinders machine is significantly more affordable than a Cricut machine. Cardmaking and scrapbooking projects are sure to be more fun with this die-cutting machine; it’s small, but it gets the job done.
Promising Review: “As a large format machine, the Spellbinders Platinum’s cutting power is amazing- up to eight layers at once (with steel rule Contour dies), takes paper, embossing folders, and dies up to 8.5” wide (letter sized and A4 sheets fit), and, when folded up, actually has a smaller footprint than the Big Shot machine by an inch (which only takes 6” wide dies and paper). ” — Eagle Lobes
The Cost: $137.69 at Amazon.com
5. Sizzix Sidekick Starter Kit
Description: The Sizzix Sidekick is a portable Cricut dupe that comes with a set of cutting pads, along with several stamps and dies, to get you started on your paper-crafting journey.
Why It’s a Good Cricut Alternative: If all you need is a no-frills cutting machine for thinner, smaller materials, you can’t beat the price point of the Sizzix Sidekick. The Sizzix Big Shot is closer to being a Cricut dupe, but the Sidekick works well with smaller dies. It cuts cardstock and paper with ease, making it a great option for scrapbooking or other paper-based craft projects.
Promising Review: “This little sidekick does everything I expected it to do with my small cutting dies … So very convenient.” — Irmy
The Cost: $59.95 at Amazon.com
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