This post may contain affiliate links. This means if you click a link and purchase an item that I recommend, I will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. All opinions are my own.
If you’re trying to understand which Cricut machine to buy to start a Cricut business, this article is for you.
There are currently 7 Cricut machines to choose from and they range in size and functionality.
Depending on the type or Cricut projects you intend to make and sell, certain Cricut machines will work best for you.
For each of the 7 Cricut machines, I list the price, size, what it can do, # of materials it can cut, and why it’s worth starting a small business with each Cricut machine.
Before we jump into this article, sign up to get Cricut business advice in your inbox.
Jump to Sections in this Post
- Start a Cricut business with a Cricut Joy
- Start a Cricut business with a Cricut Joy Xtra
- Start a Cricut business with a Cricut Explore Air 2
- Start a Cricut business with a Cricut Explore 3
- Start a Cricut business with a Cricut Maker
- Start a Cricut business with a Cricut Maker 3
- Start a Cricut business with a Cricut Venture
Start a Cricut business with a Cricut Joy
Price
The regular price of a Cricut Joy is about $179, but you can often catch it on sale at Amazon, Walmart or the Cricut website.
Size
The Cricut Joy is the smallest of all Cricut machines at 8.4 in length x 5.4 in depth x 4.3 in height.
What it can do
The Cricut Joy can cut, write, draw, and foil. The Cricut Joy cannot print then cut.
Materials it can use
The Cricut Joy can be used with 50+ materials.
Can it cut Cricut Smart Materials without a mat?
Yes, the Cricut Joy can cut Cricut Smart Materials without a mat.
Why start a small business with a Cricut Joy machine?
- Need smaller machine for smaller space
- Want to use Smart Materials without cutting mat
- Don’t intend to cut larger projects
- Don’t intend to score, engrave, deboss, perforate, or print then cut
Start a Cricut business with a Cricut Joy Xtra
Price
The Cricut Joy Xtra is one of the newest Cricut machines and regular price is about $199, but you can catch this machine on sale every so often.
Size
The Cricut Joy Xtra is the second smallest Cricut machine at 12.5 in length x 6 in depth x 5.5 in height.
What it can do
The Cricut Joy Xtra can cut, write, draw, foil, and print then cut.
Materials it can cut
The Cricut Joy Xtra can be used with 50+ materials.
Can it cut Cricut Smart Materials without a mat?
Yes, the Cricut Joy Xtra can use Cricut smart materials without a mat.
Why start a small business with a Cricut Joy Xtra?
- Need smaller machine but bigger than the Cricut Joy
- Want to use Smart Materials without cutting mat
- Don’t intend to cut larger projects
- Want to print then cut
- Don’t intend to score, engrave, deboss, or perforate
If you want to make your own Cricut business cards, watch the video below.
Start a Cricut business with a Cricut Explore Air 2
Price
The Cricut Explore Air 2 regularly costs about $199, and is cheaper than the standard size Cricut machines.
I have the Cricut Explore Air 2 and I love it.
Size
The Cricut Explore Air 2 is a standard size Cricut machine at 21.2 in length x 7 in depth x 5.9 in height, which means it can cut larger projects than the Cricut Joy or Cricut Joy Xtra.
What it can do
The Cricut Explore Air 2 can cut, write, draw, foil, score, and print then cut.
The Cricut Explore Air 2 cannot print then cut on glossy paper, but you can use a hack every time you want to use glossy paper with your Cricut Explore Air 2.
Materials it can cut
The Cricut Explore Air 2 can be used with 200+ materials.
Can it cut Cricut Smart Materials without a mat?
The Cricut Explore Air 2 cannot cut Cricut smart materials without a mat. However, if you still want to use Cricut smart materials with your Cricut Explore Air 2, you will need to use a cutting mat.
Why start a small business with a Cricut Explore Air 2?
- Low cost for standard-size machine
- Cut over 200 materials
- Cut, write, draw, foil, score, and print then cut
7 Tips To Make Your First $1,000 Selling Your Cricut Creations
Start a Cricut business with a Cricut Explore 3
Price
The Cricut Explore 3 is regularly priced at around $319.
Size
The Cricut Explore 3 is a standard-size Cricut machine at 22.2 in length x 7 in depth x 5.9 in height, which is only 1 inch longer than a Cricut Explore Air 2 machine.
What it can do
Like the Cricut Explore Air 2, the Cricut Explore 3 can also cut, write, draw, foil, score, and print then cut.
Materials it can cut
The Cricut Explore 3 can also be used with 100+ materials.
Can it cut Cricut Smart Materials without a mat?
The Cricut Explore 3 can cut Cricut Smart Materials without a cutting mat, unlike the Cricut Explore Air 2.
Why start a small business with Cricut Explore 3?
- Want to use Smart Materials without cutting mat
- Use over 100 materials
- Cut, write, draw, foil, score, and print then cut
Start a Cricut business with a Cricut Maker
Price
The regular price of the Cricut Maker is around $299.
Size
The Cricut Maker is almost the same size as the Cricut Explore Air 2 and Cricut Explore 3 at 21.18 in length x 6.99 in depth x 5.93 in height.
What it can do
The Cricut Maker can cut, write, draw, foil, score, engrave, deboss, perforate and print then cut. The Cricut Maker can print then cut on glossy paper.
The Cricut Maker is also much faster than the Cricut Explore Air 2 machine.
Materials it can cut
The Cricut Maker can be used with over 300 materials.
Can it cut Cricut Smart Materials without a mat?
No, the Cricut Maker cannot cut Cricut smart materials without a mat. You will need to use a cutting mat to use smart materials with a Cricut Maker machine.
Why start a small business with a Cricut Maker machine?
- Does more than a Cricut Explore and Cricut Joy machines
- Cut over 300 materials
- Cut, write, draw, foil, score, engrave, deboss, perforate, and print then cut
- Faster than previous machines
- Cheaper than Cricut Maker 3
Where To Sell Your Cricut Crafts – Top 4 Places
Start a Cricut business with a Cricut Maker 3
Price
The regular price for a Cricut Maker 3 is around $429. I also have the Cricut Maker 3 and I love it.
Size
The size of the Cricut Maker 3 is very similar to the Cricut Explore machines and the Cricut Maker at 22.1 in length x 7.1 in depth x 6.2 in height.
What it can do
The Cricut Maker 3 can cut, write, draw, foil, score, engrave, deboss, perforate, and print then cut. The Cricut Maker 3 can print then cut on glossy paper.
Materials it can cut
The Cricut Maker 3 can be used with more than 300 materials.
Can it cut Cricut Smart Materials without a mat?
Yes, the Cricut Maker 3 can cut Cricut Smart Materials without a cutting mat.
Why start a small business with a Cricut Maker 3?
- Want to use Smart Materials without cutting mat
- Cut over 300 materials
- Cut, write, draw, foil, score, engrave, deboss, perforate, and print then cut
- Fastest standard size machine
Click the image below to get the step-by-step guide to start selling your Cricut creations.
Start a Cricut business with a Cricut Venture
Price
The Cricut Ventue is one of the latest Cricut machines and costs about $999 regularly.
Size
The Cricut Venture is the largest Cricut machine at 34.8 in length x 10.4 in depth x 8.8 in height.
What it can do
The Cricut Venture can cut, write, draw, foil, and score.
Materials it can cut
The Cricut Venture can be used with over 100 materials.
Can it cut Cricut Smart Materials without a mat?
Yes, the Cricut Venture can cut Cricut Smart Materials without a mat.
Why start a small business with a Cricut Venture?
- Larger machine to “mass produce” projects
- Cut larger projects
I hope you feel more informed about Which Cricut Machine To Buy To Start A Cricut Business.
My personal recommendation for anyone trying to decide which Cricut machine to buy for their Cricut business is to get the Cricut Maker 3. I’ve had my Cricut Maker 3 since March 2022 and I used it to make a variety of things in my Cricut business including shirts, stickers, cake toppers, acrylic keychains, acrylic signs, wood signs and so much more.
I haven’t had any issues with my Cricut Maker 3 and I do love that it is much faster than my Cricut Explore Air 2.
Want to sell items in your Cricut business with no website, read this article.
Comment below and let me know which Cricut machine you ended up buying for your Cricut business.
