4 Best Smart Cutter Machines, Tested and Reviewed

When it comes to DIY-ing, many swear by their cutter machine, more commonly known as a Cricut. These machines make it possible to craft custom t-shirts, greeting cards and mugs all from the comfort of your own home. All those Etsy small businesses selling clever t-shirts for bachelorette parties, kids’ birthdays and Mother’s Day? Many use a cutter machine to do it.

Our tester has been using some form of a craft cutter for the better part of a decade. From custom soccer jersey favors at kids’ birthday parties (with each attendee’s name on the back) to bespoke cupcake flags and cool fabric appliques for onesies, she’s cut and engraved through every life milestone. “These machines make me look good,” she says. “They are in large part very easy to figure out and will elevate your crafts to a professional level.”

For this test, our tester tried nearly all of the home cutters on the market including models from Cricut, Glowforge and Silhouette. She cut and scored through common projects to identify the very best cutter machines for each use case.

Read on for our top picks for the best smart cutter machines you can buy.

How We Tested

To choose the cutter machines we tested, we scoured consumer buying guides and bestseller lists on major retailers like Amazon and Walmart. We also looked at brand websites including Cricut, Silhouette and Glowforge for customer reviews and number of models. Over the years, we've tested 13 top-rated cutter machines.

For each machine in our test, we set it up, then cut, scored, engraved and printed using every function available on each machine. We also tested a variety of different materials and noted when the range of materials were limited or inadequate. We looked at the speed and quality of the cuts and engravings. We also carefully evaluated each brand’s design software — a big component of the experience — assessing its ease of use and responsiveness to our design ideas.

We used the cutter machines to cut and score vinyl, wood, acrylic, leather and cardstock, depending on what each machine was compatible with. Our tester used the machines to make everything from 20 bookmarks, which took three and a half hours using a Glowforge, to rubber stamps. The best cutter machines cut a variety of materials cleanly and perform cutting and calligraphy tasks quickly and accurately. Though some projects like place cards for an entire wedding guest list might take hours or days, our top-rated cutter machines performed these tasks effectively and would make these large projects simpler and cheaper.

What is a Cricut Machine?

Cricut is to cutter machines what Kleenex is to tissues. It’s a brand name that’s become so popular, it’s synonymous with the machines. However, that’s for good reason: Cricut machines are slick, hardworking options — and they’re build to last. Our tester has had her personal machine for more than five years, and it still works pretty flawlessly.

Cricut uses proprietary software called Design Space, which is a simple, intuitive program with basic design options that allow you to manipulate your designs using SVG file formats and set them up for printing. Design Space is free, it comes in both desktop and app form, and when you first buy your machine, you also get a trial subscription for the Cricut image and product library, which is the best in this category. It’s not cheap at $99 a year (you can also purchase one-off images), but our tester subscribes every year says it’s always been worth it. Any given image search will yield more than 20,000+results in every style and colorway, and Cricut is constantly partnering with new designers and adding new projects and images daily.

For anyone who’s also been using their Cricut machine for more than a few years, we tested the new generation of Cricut machines for this story. The new generation of Cricut machines does not require a sticky mat to insert your cutting material in every case, which is a big improvement, and the machines and materials are readily available (and often on sale) at most craft stores and online retailers like Amazon and Walmart. Because Cricut is a leader in this space, there are also hundreds of crafter-run Facebook and YouTube groups that offer help and inspiration.

What is a Silhouette Machine?

Silhouettes are another family of great smart cutters for crafters. They’re slightly less expensive than the Cricuts, with similar capabilities. If you talk to crafters who have tried both the Silhouette and Cricut, many will share that preference is really based on what you’re used to since the features are so similar.

The big difference between the Cricut and Silhouette machines is really the design software. Silhouette uses Silhouette Studio, which isn’t quite as intuitive or beginner friendly as Design Space, but once you get acclimated offers more customization options. If you are a designer who likes to make and manipulate images, you may actually like the Silhouette software better. All machines come with a free 1-month subscription to the Silhouette Design store.

What is a Glowforge Machine?

The Glowforge machines take the cutting and engraving power of the Cricut and Silhouette up a considerable notch, which is why they are on the pricier side. They work on many of the same materials that the less expensive machines do (with some notable exceptions), and they allow some really fun exploration into thicker cutting and scoring materials. Ready to engrave your logo on marshmallows?

Glowforge machines use laser technology to cut and score, so there are some inherent material restrictions. Because of this, they have developed a line of always-compatible material called “Proofgrade.” These materials, which range from acrylic to wood, come with a QR code on them. When you put them in the Glowforge, the machine’s camera will automatically recognize it and adjust the cutting settings accordingly. You can use non-Proofgrade materials too, but you have to experiment with the settings, which are not super intuitive and definitely take trial and error to get right.

The settings on non-Proofgrade materials are really the biggest issue when it comes to the Glowforge. When our was making a rubber stamp, she miscalculated the settings initially and cut all the way through the material by accident. Like Cricut, there are community groups you can ask for advice, but until you get the hang of it, expect to waste some material.

Glowforge comes with design software and preloaded projects, but both are on the basic side.

What to Consider Before Buying a Smart Cutter Machine

Will you use it? How often? What kinds of projects will you make? If you’re just planning to make cards and iron ons for t-shirts, some of the basic models will be all you need.

Is space a concern? Think about the tabletop footprint of each machine before investing.

Lastly, these machines all go on sale. Before purchasing at full price, wait a few months to see if you can catch a markdown.

FAQs

What type of cutter machine is best?

The best smart cutter for you depends on how and how often you’ll use it. If your plan is to cut thicker materials or if you need a semi-professional production line, you may want to look into the Glowforge. If, on the other hand you just want to cut cardstock and make cool t-shirts, the Cricuts and Sillouettes are probably perfect.

Are cutter machines safe to use at home?

Cutter machines are generally safe to use if you follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Some laser cutter machines are not compatible with certain materials, so make sure you read the manual and safety instructions included with each machine. Glowforge machines also require ventilation for safety purposes, so you’ll want to make sure you use the air filtration system during use.

How much should I spend on a cutter machine?

How much you spend on a smart cutter depends on how much you’ll use it. Once a year? Maybe the entry level model meets all your needs at $199. A couple projects a year? You may be looking at $429 to get the good Cricut Maker. If you will be using it regularly, need to be able to cut/engrave thicker materials, or for any kind of craft business, you can spend into the thousands.

Other Cutter Machines We Tested

Cricut Venture This is the professional-level machine from Cricut that uses the same intuitive Design Space software and matless cutting options, just on a much larger scale – double the width of the rest of the Cricut line. Great for crafters who need designs for murals or posters or anything that’s BIG. At almost 1k though, you’ll want to make sure its large size is worth its large price tag.

Silhouette Cameo 5 The Cameo 5 is analogous to Cricut’s Maker 3 – it’s a great machine with lots of material options to choose from and features a stronger cutting force than the Maker. It also cuts slightly faster.

Silhouette Curio 2 The Curio is the largest cutter in the Silhouette family with a cutting area of 12x12 inches. It has a flatbed design and 20 mm of vertical clearance, which allows it to handle thicker material.

Glowforge Aura The Aura is a great compromise Glowforge with many of the features of the Pro, at 20% of the cost. The smaller cutting area and slower speed and power are the biggest differences, but if you’re using your machine for crafting, you probably won’t come up against issues that often. The laser is also different than in the Pro however, so there are some basic materials you won’t be able to cut – notably certain colors of acrylic. You will need to either purchase a Glowforge filter to vent or vent it out a window.

Glowforge Spark The brand new Glowforge Spark, released this spring, is a mini version of the Aura. It works just like the Aura, and only takes up the table space of a normal printer. At under $700 it makes laser cutting much more affordable.

Why You Should Trust HGTV Shopping Experts

HGTV Shopping Experts believe the best method for testing products is based on how our fans are going to use them in the real world. In each of our Tested and Reviewed stories, products are not tested in sterile labratory settings that don't mimic real life. Instead, we test products in real homes that reflect our readers real lives, which can also include pets, kids, partners and more. We follow rigorous testing rubrics designed by our expert editors and take copious notes during the testing process. When choosing our top picks, we evaluate all of our testing data and take into consideration many factors including ease of use, price, product availability and practicality. Our goal is to choose the best products for our fans.