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Are you in the market for a new cutting machine?! Are you overwhelmed with which brand or machine to choose?! I can help! The video below will walk you through how to choose which machine is best for you. Of course I have my favorite machine, but it is such a personal decision so before I tell you which one I’d choose, watch the video and let me know which one is best for you!
How to choose?
There are three questions I want you to think about!
1. What is your budget?
2. What do you want to make?
3. How comfortable are you with your computer/ design software?
Budget
The Cricut Maker retails for $399.99, but usually you can find it for $349.99.
The Silhouette Cameo 4 retails for $299.99, but does not come with everything that the Maker comes with! If you purchase the Rotary Blade, extra mat, and pack of pens, your total will be $354.97.
These are not the only machines sold from Cricut and Silhouette, so if these are out of your budget, don’t worry.
Below is a chart to show everything you are getting with your machine. This is what is included in the machine’s box, so if you choose a bundle, you will get even more than this!
Product Features
Most of the features are very similar. This chart is a good visual comparison to see which machine does what!
What do you want to make?!
Both machines have the ability to cut 100s of materials! More materials than I have ever tried! To see a comprehensive list of all of the materials, check out this article from Cricut. You can assume that if the Cricut Maker can cut it, the Silhouette Cameo 4 can cut it too.
It’s comparing apples to apples in my opinion! If you want to cut vinyl, heat transfer vinyl, paper… even fabric, either machine will be great for you. Let’s talk about what they can’t cut. You won’t be able to cut metal (thicker than an aluminum soda can), thick acrylic, glass, or dense, rigid wood.
If you want to cut heavy chipboard, thick wood, tooling leather, or acrylic, check out the Glowforge. The Glowforge is a more expensive option, but will give you the ability to laser cut through these thicker materials. Use this link to save up to $500.
Each machine has its strengths and weaknesses. Some matter more to certain people. For example, if you plan to open a sticker shop selling images you print and then cut with your cutting machines… the Silhouette Cameo 4 will be a better machine for you. Silhouette Studio allows for a larger “Print and Cut” area and makes it really easy to “kiss cut” your sticker and “cut” out the edge of your sticker sheet.
Or if you are planning on open a sign shop and need to cut super big images… the Cameo 4 would win again. The ability to cut without a mat allows you to cut up to 10 ft long!
But if you plan to cut images with several layers or colors, then the Cricut Maker wins hands down because the software will sort your colors out to the appropriate cutting mats and make the cutting process so easy. Check out the full video to see what I mean!
Does technology scare you?!
Back in 2012, I chose to invest in a Silhouette Cameo because of Silhouette Studio. Software makes a huge difference in how you interact with your machine. I was already using Adobe Illustrator, so Silhouette Studio didn’t scare me.
In 2016, I switched back to team Cricut with the launch of the Explore Air 2. But I felt the limitations of the software very quickly. Some basic functions were missing (still are) and I rely heavily on outside programs to design.
I want you to think about the type of person you are. Do you appreciate a challenge with the understanding that you will have more tools available to do more things? Or are you the type of person who easily gets frustrated with technology and are looking for someone to hold your hand as you learn a new techy skill?
Silhouette Studio is designed to give you all of the power when it comes to designing. Cricut Design Space is designed to make things easy enough for anyone to do it.
There is one caveat, you can use Silhouette Studio Business Edition, create SVGs, and bring them into Cricut Design Space and cut. I feel like you truly get the best of both worlds and personally, this is what I do! But if that is gibberish to you and you are already overwhelmed, get the Cricut Maker and stick to Cricut Design Space. For all of my tech wizards, use Silhouette Studio Business Edition with whatever machine makes you happiest!
Side by Side Cutting Challenge
Originally I was going to blog the side by side cutting comparison, but I decided I really want you to watch the machines in action so you understand how the heck these machines operate! Check out my video to see a head to head cutting comparison where I show how to cut cardstock and fabric using both machines. This is a personal decision and you really can’t go wrong. Of course I have my opinion, but I won’t be offended if you disagree with me. Having worked at both Silhouette America and Cricut, I do whole heartedly believe that Cricut has superior cutting machines than ANY of the competition, but Silhouette America has them beat when it comes to software!
Let me know which machine you end up with!
Have questions or want to connect!?
I know you are just itching to buy your machine! I get it! I was there too and my cutting machine completely changed my life! So much so that I now teach people to use their machines as my full-time job. If you found this comparison helpful and it led you to purchase a machine, I would love for you to consider purchasing a machine through one of the affiliate links below. Affiliate links show retailers that I sent you to shop and they may reward me with a small commission. Since prices are changing often, I have added my affiliate links to several retailers so that you can price compare! Thank you in advance for shopping through my affiliate links and supporting my blog!
Cricut Maker:
Silhouette Cameo 4:
If you are looking for a promo code for Cricut, join my Cricut Facebook Group for the most up to date code since it changes each quarter! Don’t forget to check out my social media sites below so we can be new craft besties!
Thank you for all of this Karley–
I have a question: I want to cut a simple shape out of clear plastic vinyl, many times (like 100) – so I can do quickly, rather than cutting by hand. Can one of thee machines do that, and which would be better? Also, can I cut fabric patterns for small items with these? Thanks!
I would say go with the Maker! http://shrsl.com/200t3 It allows you to cut multiple images super easily and you can cut fabric too!
… or the Cameo4 with the 24″ or roll feature. Many more cut objects per job 🙂
Great video review!! (Silhouette Cameo4 vs Cricut Maker). I believe one BIG difference you missed is that the Cameo4 must reorient its #2 blade out in scrap or continue cutting in a loop (in scrap) to reorient the blade as in the bottom of your heart you question. The Cricut lifts the blade then auto-rotates its knife angle and continues cutting, not consuming scrap. With intricate cuts with #2 blade, the Cameo4 takes forever, moving to scrap and back plus consumes scrap material which may be valuable to you. I have the Cameo for reasons you point out, esp the 5 Kg cutting force for thick material (1/32″ polycarbonate sheets). Also, the Cameo’s User Interface in the cutting section is VERY CONFUSING though has many more (confusing) “tweaks” than the Cricut. This is good for me as I’m an engineer trying to make an easy recipe to publish for mass producing PPE Face shields). The Cameo’s cutting-in-scrap-to-reorient-the-knife is almost not worth it. Keep up the good work!
I can’t seem to figure out dimensions I would need to curve something around a tumbler with uneven parts for my cricut & it’s driving me crazy! I need that warp tool that silhouette has!