If you are into crafting and make cool projects at your home, then you know how useful is having a die cut machine.
Not only it will help you cut and create wonderful pieces but it will actually make crafting a much enjoyable experience.
The best die cutting machines tend to be the size of a small toaster oven. However, finding the right one can be difficult as there are often several factors to consider, such as what kind of features to have, what materials can it cut etc.
We hope that our reviews for five different products below will give you a better idea and help you choose the best die cut machine for you.
In the list below, we featured two manually operated die cuts machine and three advanced models, with several tech features. Most of the advanced models ones can scan and print your designs automatically. As a result, most people think that they’re the best die cut machines on the market.
The manual ones are best if you prefer to be old-fashioned and make your own designs by hand. They also tend to be cheaper when compared to automatic models.
For more detailed insights for each model, you should read our extended reviews below.
Top 5 Die Cut Machine Reviews
Cricut Explore Air 2 Mint - Best Seller Die Cut Machine
Price: Higher Range
Key Features:
The Cricut Explore Air can cut on over 100 different materials. This includes everything from poster boards to premium vinyl. It comes with a 12 x 12 lightgrip cutting mat, a black fine point pen, Cricut software and a two-week free trial to Cricut Access.
The lightgrip cutting mat comes in especially handy for vinyl and htv. The pen is to help make over 370 handwritten cards and other projects. The Scoring stylus is designed to help create nice fold lines for cards, boxes, etc. The Smart Set dial and the Design Space’s custom material selection have over 80 different selections.
With Cricut software, you can upload your images for free on a computer, iPhone or tablet. You’ll have over 100,000 images, fonts and designs to choose from. The software is designed to work up to twice as fast as the previous model.
With all the features this model has, you can already guess that it’s a little bit more expensive than other models, and for good reason.
As for dimensions, it is 24 x 9.5 x 9.5 and it weighs 14 pounds. So you’ll have to consider the space where you can place it. The only disadvantage is that the software can be slow at times.
It comes with a one-year warranty and does not require any batteries.
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Cricut Cuttlebug Die Cut & Embossing - Best Overall Manual Machine
Price: Middle Range
Key Features:
The first thing that’s noticeable about the Cricut Cuttlebug is that it’s shaped like a purse. This is because its 6x8 rubber mat features a collapsible handle with a fold-and-store profile. It has an A2 embossing folder with two metal dies. It can work with a variety of other embossing folders and dies.
It can emboss and give professional-looking results. It can emboss various materials but especially tissue paper, foil, acetone paper and ribbons. It’s dimensions are 13 x 11.02 x 6.5 and it weighs 10.41 pounds.
The suction feet seem to be the most useful on surfaces that are nonporous, non-textured and level.
It is very similar to its previous model, however, it’s wider. It also uses 6x8 plates. It easily cuts wool felt with thin rule dies.
It’s a manually operated machine and taking in consideration all its features, it’s not cheap but not expensive, either. We put it to the middle range price point.
This Cricut Cuttlebug is the upgraded and improved model but it's similar to the original model from Cricut. Since it can be folded like a purse and is more lightweight, it can be placed just about anywhere.
It’s real disadvantage is that it can be picky to the materials it cuts. It typically works best with non-textured level materials.
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Price: Middle Range
Key Features:
The Sizzix Big Shot Plus is another manual operated cutting machine in this list.
The Sizzix Plus’s big shot comes with cutting pads, one Adapter A and one B plus a platform. It’s A4 sized opening means that it can take larger embosses and dies for larger scrapbooking and even quilting. With this product, you get the entire Sizzix library with the exception of the Pro die.
It can emboss many materials, including balsa wood up to nine inches wide. It also cuts through thin metal sheets. With the purchase of their die cutting machine, Sizzix also offers their own permanent markers, sculpting kit and bold felt paper. The bolt-felt paper comes in 10 different colors and are two millimeters thick.
It’s dimensions are 15.75 x 11.75 x 7.5 and it weighs 16 pounds.
It’s starter kit includes one thick flower cutting pad, one dot embossing folder box, some sample paper, butterfly and other cuts. A Sizzix Big die can cut up to eight layers of fabric. To cut through something like thick vinyl, you need a die like Bigz.
The Sizzix Plus is in the middle price range, mainly because it’s manually operated. Also, most of the material is sold separately.
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Silhouette Wireless Cutting Machine - Best Wireless Die Cut Machine
Price: High Range
Key Features:
The Silhouette Cameo-3 comes with it’s own software that can be used on smartphones, tablets and computers. It has a Bluetooth feature for wireless cutting and plugging into your home computer. It can take various material up to 12 inches wide and 10 inches long. The opening is taller than two millimeters so it can take thicker materials.
It’s the only Silhouette model compatible with AutoBlade. It also comes with it’s own power and USB cables, plus a 12-inch cutting mat. They will soon introduce its own barcode scanning feature. It has 100,000 free designs that you can work with upfront or just upload your image.
It’s dimensions are 22.5 x 8.5 x 6 and it weighs just six pounds.
The Silhouette Cameo-3 is on the expensive side due to its technological features and size. It only gives 100,000 image options upfront but works well with PixScan Technology. As a result, you can easily add new images to the library. Once you purchase a design from the library, it’s yours to use however you wish.
The software also highlights features normally only found on high quality illustrators.
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Price: High Range
Key Features:
The Brother CM350 comes with its own built-in scanner that allows for your designs to be shaped and cut based on your preferences. The smartphone-sized touchscreen allows easy access to all the features and functions. It can connect to either a standalone PC or a wireless network. Its included 12 x 12 mat can be readjusted to fit the size of your material.
It is compatible with Windows Vista and up to Windows 10. It comes with it’s own instruction manual and welding feature. The welding feature makes and then groups the designs automatically.
It’s ScanNut editing and designing app is Cloud-based and does not require a subscription. It can be downloaded on tablets.
The Brother CM350 uses a blade rather than a laser.
Due to it’s advanced technological features, the Brother CM350 is on the expensive side. It now has several new features that were recently added, including a large 4.85 touchscreen, a 300-DPI scanner and an SVG data readability. The third is especially handy so that you can maximize on the designs that you have and not have to spend a lot of money on more.
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Conclusion
The Brother CM350 is our favorite. Unlike the others, it’s SVG Data Readability can help you save money on designs. Also, none of the others have an adjustable mat or a welding feature that groups designs together. Their ScaNut app doesn’t require a subscription and can be downloaded on tablets.
It works well with various materials, including heat vinyl. Honestly, the only thing that’s old-fashioned about it is the fact that it uses a blade instead of a laser. That is known to be a bit of a disadvantage because it still can’t automatically sense the precision of the design.