Silhouette vs Cricut: Which is the Best Die Cut Machine for You?

Let's break up our die cut machine comparison into sections. I'll be comparing the Cricut Explore Air 2 to the brand new Cricut Maker along with the Silhouette Cameo 3 machines for each answer. Before you continue reading, realize that no machine is ‘better’ than the other. These machines will all work similarly and can cut similar materials, so we will focus on how these machines are different, which machine excels in each area and we'll point out special features that might be of importance to you - ultimately to help you choose the machine that is best suited towards the projects that you want to create.

Automatic / Adaptive Cutting: Cricut Maker and Silhouette Cameo 3 lead the way with Automatic pressure setting functionality. Not having to worry about whether you're cutting your project at the optimal pressure setting for that material is a game-changer and the answer to many a die-cutters prayers. I've wasted plenty of material in utter frustration from not remembering to change the cut setting before I switched materials. Ugghh. 

PixScan: PixScan enables you to precisely cut around a printed design or to insert cut lines into specific locations on your material through the aid of a scanner or simple camera like phone and tablet cameras. The PixScan algorithm allows the Silhouette Cameo 3 to recognize specially placed registration marks on the PixScan cutting mat. This technology is also very ideal for saving any photographed or scanned image into your personal digital library or transforming a hand-drawn sketch into a new custom cut file.

Blades & Cuts: The Cricut Maker has almost all the capability of the Cricut Explore machines, and more. The main differences between the Cricut Maker and Cricut Explore Air 2 are cutting force and tools. The Cricut Maker is 10x stronger than the Cricut Explore Air 2 and the Silhouette Cameo 3. The Cricut Maker's Knife blade cuts thicker materials up to 2.4mm thick, while the Rotary Blade is used for cutting fabric. With the Rotary Blade, you don’t have to worry about tearing the fabric. Both of these tools are controlled by Cricut's new Adaptive Tools System, which automatically controls the pressure and direction. This Adaptive Tool System eliminates the need for a smart dial to control cut pressure settings. Cricut has a dozen additional tools in testing—so the Maker will do more and more as more tools are released.

Silhouette Cameo 3 has an available Auto Blade that doesn't need manual adjustments before each cut. It's sold separately, annoyingly so, as it's a major feature and contributes greatly to it's functionality. Disappointingly, their Fabric Blade isn't a separate blade that is specialized for cutting on fabric, it's the same 'Fine-Point' blade but in a different color, that's it. 

Mats: All 3 machines have 12 x 12 in. cutting mats, as well as 12 x 24 in. mats that come in Light, Standard and Strong Grip/Tack levels for holding an array of materials for cutting. Cricut Maker offers the Fabric Grip Mat, a SUPER strong adhesive mat. 

I chose a very detailed and intricate design to challenge all three die cut machines. I used the recommended mat stickiness level for each brand, and used the best/premier blade for each machine - each machine was setup to perform at it's best capability. The same design was cut by all three machines with the same Recollections 65lb cardstock, but different colors, and with default settings for each machine for the cardstock material. I kept the design small, a width of 4.5 inches, as that's the max size I'd realistically cut for a Greeting Card.

• All upgraded versions of Silhouette Studio are a one time purchase. They will go with you whether you update to a newer version of the software or move to another computer
• Almost every Silhouette owner can benefit from Designer Edition. It will quickly pay for itself in free SVGs alone and make your Silhouette life smoother. Designer Plus is good for embroidery enthusiasts.
• Business Edition is critical for designers, because of the save as SVG feature!
• Whatever you do, don’t pay full price at the Silhouette store. The (affiliate) links in this post will take you to SVG Tools which offers among the best prices and perks and will get you upgraded in 24 hours (usually much quicker).

If you don't want to make your own designs, you can purchase pre-made designs from the Cricut Design Space or Silhouette Design Store. Once you buy a design it becomes your own.  

Both brands offer Subscription based pricing as an alternative to buying images individually, thereby 'renting' the image for the length of your membership.

Subscriptions pricing: $7.99 to $9.99 / month

Most downloads are $0.99 per file. With a subscription, every item with a green 'a' symbol is free to use for the length of your subscription. 

Enroll in a subscription >>

Additional perks: 

• 10% savings on all product purchases on cricut.com
• 10% savings on premium licensed fonts, images, and ready‑to‑make projects from brands like Disney, Sanrio, Simplicity, and Anna Griffin
• Priority Member Care Line (50% less wait time)
• Up to 50% savings on licensed fonts, images, and ready‑to‑make projects ($9.99 level)
• Free economy shipping on orders over $50
  ($9.99 level)

Plus costs of cut files and material for cutting.

Plus costs of cut files and material for cutting.

Plus costs of cut files and material for cutting.

Cricut Explore Air 2: Great all-around die cut machine at the hobbyist level. With 350g of cut force, it's enough to cut all scrapbooking, cardmaking, and paper crafting designs. You get the Cricut Design Space software and you can purchase access to it's cut files and project files. More cut force than the Silhouette Cameo 3, but my cut tests show minimal differences in cut quality. With the Maker being Cricut's flagship model, it makes you question how much longer the Explore Air 2 will exist and be supported. Will there be an Explore Air 3 out soon that makes the 2 obsolete? Only time will tell.

Cricut Maker: With an impressive 4,000g cut force, 10X the others, you'll feel unlimited in what you can cut! Up to 3/32 in. thick! It's Adaptive Tool Set is a dream fulfilled - automatically setting cut force pressures & controlling the direction of the blades. Attention Sewers, thick to thin intricate Fabric designs are easy peasy with the rotary blade. Cricut Design Space has even added Sewing Patterns to their Library. Perfect for the Craftpreneur who will be making all sorts of items to keep up with trends to earn a living from your die cut machine. Get ready to dominate Etsy! Cricut is currently testing more tools to work with their new adaptive cut system, so as time goes on, this machine will get better and better! If the cut quality and variety of materials is the most important factors for you, then the Cricut Maker is for you.

All Cricuts: I only wish the Design Space software got the same attention to detail and improvements that their machines get - it's web-based, which means if you have limited internet connection, you'll have to deal with it, it could be painfully slow depending on your internet speed, or get their iOS app for using the machine and Design Space offline. Also it isn't as robust of a creation tool as the Silhouette Studio or Adobe Illustrator is in terms of functionality. I primarily design in Adobe Illustrator and then import my file into Design Space.

Silhouette Cameo 3: Equal to the Cricut Explore Air 2, well suited to the hobbyist level die cutter. Calling all Teachers, Cameo 3 can cut designs up to 10 ft long without having to break them up into sections! Knock out your classroom decorations in a snap. Cameo 3 can be automatic in it's cut pressure settings, by using the Autoblade, but you'll need multiple passes with it's low 210g of cut force as your material gets thicker. Vinyl & T-shirt artists enjoy the Roll Feeder accessory that eliminates the limitation of 12x12 vinyl & heat-transfer sheets, as well as the crosscutter in the rear. Silhouette Studio Software blows away Cricut's Design Space, hands down.

This post does include affiliate links to all machines & accessories for your convenience (which means if you make a purchase after clicking a link I will earn a small commission which helps keep my blog up and running but it won't cost you a penny more)!