Whether you have a small business selling vinyl products or you are a passionate craftsman and like to do it as a hobby, there are several available options on the market that can fit your needs.
As with any purchase however, some research needs to be done. You don’t want to buy a machine that’s not as advanced as you hoped or something that breaks down after a week of using it.
There are many things you need to take into consideration before making a purchase. Do you need a small personal machine that can satisfy your hobby or something more powerful designed for commercial use? Budget is also an important factor.
Refrain from jumping at the first opportunity you see. Sometimes if you see a product with a price tag that’s too good to be true it can turn out that it is indeed. Learn to weigh out the pros and cons of every item before placing your order.
Additionally, how easy to use is the vinyl cutter? Are you going to need more accessories with it? What is its cutting width? All these questions need to be answered in order for you to make a confident purchase.
Product | Details | Rating |
|---|---|---|
OUR #1 RATED  Cricut Explore Air 2 Mint | 4.5 out of 5 | |
 Silhouette America Vinyl Cutting Machine | 4.5 out of 5 | |
 USCutter Vinyl Cutter | 4 out of 5 | |
 Xyron Creative Station | 4 out of 5 | |
 Brother Electronic Cutting Machine | 4 out of 5 |
Looking at the long list of products available can be intimidating, especially if you’re a beginner and don’t know where to start looking. You need to make an informed purchase. And that's where we come in to try and help you.
We put together the top 10 best vinyl cutter machines in 2021 to get you started. We listed the pros and cons and a handful of details about each product to give you an idea about what its capabilities are and what it can offer.
Graphtec PLUS Vinyl Cutter
It comes equipped with the Graphtec Studio software and Cutting Master Plug-in, and it has a floor stands and rear media roll rack. It has reliable servo motors that are designed for production and accuracy. It's Auto Registration Mark Sensor (ARMS) system assures production efficiency, as it reduces media waste.
It has a fast cutting speed and high cutting force and the USB data interface provides a reliable connection to your computer, whether you’re using a MAC or a Windows PC.
While it definitely has its advantages, the learning curve requires a bit of time. It’s easy to set up, but learning every aspect of this machine in order to use it at its full potential takes a bit of study.
PROS
CONS
Silhouette Portrait 2
Capable of deep cuts, the Silhouette Portrait 2 is a compact and versatile machine. It is Bluetooth compatible and comes with auto adjusting Autoblade, being easy to set up and use.
The software is user-friendly, compatible with both Mac and PC, and it also comes with 50 digital designs and settings for different cuts. It’s capable of cutting material such as card stock and paper, among others.
It’s moderately quiet and suited for smaller scale projects. It is ideal for the hobbyist who is looking to create his DIY masterpiece, or who wants to have a little bit of artistic fun.
PROS
CONS
Silhouette Cameo Electronic Cutting Tool
This product comes equipped with 50 designs, a 12 inch cutting mat and a cutting blade. Its software is compatible with both Mac and PC and offers its users access to a large number of downloadable designs.
Designed for personal use, the Silhouette Cameo is a versatile piece of equipment, being able to handle projects as small as 1/4” wide, and as large as 12” wide. It is able to cut through paper, vinyl and fabric, as well as a number of other materials.
The Cameo can be controlled from a computer as well as an SD card, and it also lets users sketch instead of cut, when the blade is replaced with a pen. Depending on the needs and wishes of the craftsman, the Cameo can be used for creating cards, sketch designs and paper crafting, among many other functions
PROS
CONS
Silhouette CAMEO Cutting Machine
Described as the ultimate DIY machine, the CAMEO can cut more than 100 materials, including vinyl and paper, as well as other materials up to 10 feet long and 12 inches wide. With its large cutting space and large number of materials it can cut, the CAMEO can be an good choice due to its versatility.
It is compatible with Pixscan and can register and cut printed materials. It features Bluetooth technology which makes him wireless, giving the user the chance to connect it to their tablet or smartphone, but it can also be connected to a home computer.
It includes power cable, USB cable, a 12 inch cutting mat, the AutoBlade cutting blade and also the Silhouette Studio software where the users can create their own projects. Users can also select designs from the Silhouette design store, which stores 100,000 readymade designs.
PROS
CONS
Cricut Cuttlebug Die Cutting Machine
The Cuttlebug is a fun and easy to use machine, which offers a simple approach for adding texture to materials. The product includes a 6x8 A Plate, as well as a 2 6x8 B Plates, and a 6x8 Rubber Embossing Mat.
The product is low-tech and doesn’t come with a software, but that does not take away from its versatility. It is able to emboss as well as cut through thin letter, foil and tissue paper, among other materials. It can produce clean looking results, with deep and crisp cuts. It is a compact piece of machinery that is suited for beginners or even children who want to take up the craft.
PROS
CONS
Brother Electronic Cutting Machine
The Brother product is designed to offer artist the freedom they need in order to create the masterpieces they aspire to do. The machine is wireless but can also be connected to a PC. It has a built in 300 DPI scanner, which allows the users to transform the scanned images into cut designs.
It can be controlled using its LCD touchscreen, which can also be used to edit designs before going forward with the project. It is compatible with Microsoft’s operating systems, from Windows Vista to Windows 10. The Electronic Cutting Machine provides precise cutting and more than 600 cutting designs and patterns.
PROS
CONS
Xyron Creative Station
The Creative Station is a compact machine with a folding crank handle, designed to take less space than the standard vinyl cutter. Despite its size, the Creative Station is a laminator, sticker maker as well as a magnet maker.
It doesn’t require batteries or electricity, and it doesn’t use heat, as it uses 5 inches or 9 inches drop-in cartridges which are easy to change in order to achieve the function needed. The product comes pre-loaded with a 25 foot by 9 inch Permanent Adhesive Cartridge.
Other possible cartridges that are available include repositionable or permanent adhesive, the laminate/adhesive combination, the laminate/magnet combination, or the two sided laminate.
PROS
CONS
USCutter Vinyl Cutter
This budget friendly unit blurs the line between personal and commercial. It can be used by a bedroom craftsman as well as by a small business, due to its versatility. It can cut a width of approximately 31 inches, and a length of 8 feet.
It is compatible with standard blades and it comes equipped with a USB and power cable, a blade holder, a pen holder, and 3 45° blades. It also comes with the VinylMaster Cut software, which can be used to create and edit projects, offering many options useful for lettering and general design. It cuts through vinyl, paper and card stock, among other materials.
PROS
CONS
Silhouette America Vinyl Cutting Machine
Designed for personal use, the American Vinyl Cutting Machine uses a simple USB cable and can be connected to a Mac or a PC. Additionally, it has Bluetooth technology and is compatible with AutoBlade as well as PixScan.
It has a higher 2mm clearance, thus being compatible with a deep-cut blade. It can cut through fabric, paper, adhesive vinyl and many more. It comes equipped with AutoBlade, an 8 inch cutting mat, Bluetooth, and a subscription for one month to the Silhouette design store, as well as offering the user 1 year warranty. It operates through the free Silhouette Studio software.
PROS
CONS
Cricut Explore Air 2 Mint
The ideal DIY cutting machine, the Circuit Explore Air 2 Mint is a versatile and high-quality product. It has a big range of options, being suited for making vinyl stickers, to creating greeting cards or home decor items.
It's library is open to users who want to upload their own images or for those who want access to more design options. The machine has embedded Bluetooth, and due to the rich Design Space software, the machine can be used from a computer, a tablet or a smartphone, using the Circuit Design App that is available for both Android and iOS devices.
It can cut through more than 100 types of material, including vinyl, paper, poster board, and many more. Its Smart Set Dial system ensures precise cuts and necessary pressure depending on the type of material.
PROS
CONS
Which Vinyl Cutter Machine Should You Buy?
In conclusion, there are many key aspects to remember. You have to ask yourself how much money you are willing to spend and what exactly you are looking to get out of it – whether you’re trying to start a business or make a couple of greeting cards for your friends.
You also have to be inquisitive before making a purchase. Search as much information as you can about the product, look for reviews and maybe even ask your friends and neighbors – chances are they might know of brand or a specific item that is both budget-friendly as well as high-quality.
Lauren Gamble is an author, mompreneur, co-founder of Naturally Made Essentials. She is on a mission to help thousands of women across the world achieve a healthy, happy lifestyle through teaching natural health practices.
