Best Vinyl Cutting Machines for Hobbyists & Pros in Canada | 2022 Buyer’s Guide
What is the best vinyl cutting machine? These devices can be of two types: desktop vinyl cutters for home use and small to medium projects and professional-grade freestanding cutting machines. Desktop models are compact, have a lower price, cheaper to maintain, and are less noisy. Another essential advantage is that they can work with a wider range of materials than plotters can do. Freestanding cutting machines feature a much larger cutting width and can be used for large projects. Also, they work faster and offer more features.
1. Cricut Explore Air 2 Mint This is the most popular model that works 2 times faster than others, has the app, 370 fonts, and 80 settings. The machine features the 12-inch max material width and cuts over 100 different materials of any thickness. | |
CHECK THE CURRENT PRICE | |
2. Cricut Maker, Champagne This is another 12-inch machine but with more features. It uses various tools, including a special rotary blade for fabrics. It works with over 300 types of materials, has a rich selection of digital patterns and the app. | |
CHECK THE CURRENT PRICE | |
3. Silhouette Cameo 4 with Bluetooth Made with a smart system, this stylish machine has a 12-inch cutting width, a dual-motor system, and a smart system based on sensor technology. It automatically detects the tool type and adjusts settings. | |
CHECK THE CURRENT PRICE | |
4. Brother ScanNCut SDX125EGY Cutting Machine with Scanner Equipped with a built-in scanner, the device will make your work easier. It cuts materials up to 3mm thick, has a 5” LCD display, and an auto blade and holder with a sensor technology detecting the material’s thickness. | |
CHECK THE CURRENT PRICE | |
5. Mophorn Vinyl Cutter Machine 53 Inch Vinyl Cutter Designed for professionals, the machine has a 49.6” cutting width, LCD display, and a speed of up to 800 mm per sec. The speed, pressure, and 4 pinch-rollers are adjustable. The product comes with three 2mm blades. | |
CHECK THE CURRENT PRICE | |
6. Cricut Joy Machine - Compact and Portable DIY Machine This vinyl cutter under $200 is ideal for hobbyists. It weighs just 6 lbs and is compact and portable. It creates continuous cuts up to 4 feet and repeated cuts up to 20 feet. The fine point blade and pen are included. | |
CHECK THE CURRENT PRICE |
Types of Vinyl Cutting Machines
The choice of the right vinyl cutting machine depends on what you are going to use it for. Compact desktop models are more suitable for small projects and personal use while larger freestanding vinyl cutters are intended for commercial use and have greater capacity.
Desktop vinyl cutters
Designed to be placed on a desk, these devices are portable and compact. Typically, they are about the size of a regular printer and do not take much space. This is the most suitable option for personal use and small businesses. In addition to a lower price, desktop vinyl cutters have the advantage of low-noise operation, something that is particularly beneficial for those who need to use the machine at home. One of the popular models is the Cricut Maker with an expandable suite of tools.
These machines are easy to use and set up and do not require special skills to operate them. They are also cheaper to maintain. Since the desktop models can cut through different types of material, they have more applications when compared to freestanding cutters. On the other hand, there is a crucial disadvantage of this option. Desktop vinyl cutters operate at a lower speed. When properly harnessed, such a machine can make hundreds of designs per day.
Freestanding vinyl cutters
For commercial use, you should opt for freestanding machines like the VEVOR Vinyl Cutter. They have a big size and require a dedicated space. These units offer higher cutting precision and more features allowing you to enhance performance. Freestanding vinyl cutters have different capacities depending on whether it is a professional or a semi-professional model. With these machines, you can effectively handle large projects like billboards.
To understand whether you need such a machine, you should consider not only the pros but also the cons. The main disadvantage is the high price and noisy operation. Additionally, freestanding machines can work only with paper and vinyl, unlike the more versatile desktop vinyl cutters. Besides, they are more complicated to operate, which isn't going to be an issue for a professional, though.
Best Vinyl Cutting Machine Review
Below, you will find a review of the best vinyl cutting machines from $180 to $400. You may choose a compact and unsophisticated model for small projects and entertainment, an advanced desktop machine packed with useful features, or a professional plotter with a large cutting width to quickly and accurately cut materials of different sizes.
Cricut Explore Air 2 Mint | Best Overall
With over 9,000 customer reviews, this is the most popular and best-selling desktop vinyl cutter. It cuts and writes up to 2 times faster than competitive models, working with more than 100 different materials. The device cuts materials of any type and thickness, be it vinyl, leather, iron, foil, or vellum. There are over 80 material settings to choose from, which is more than enough. It cuts details with precision and uses more than 370 fonts. This wonderful machine can even imitate handwritten text and create fold lines for envelopes and cards.
To edit and customize your projects, you can use the cloud-based software Design Space. The software allows you to pick a ready-to-use project from over 50,000 available images and 920 patterns or upload your own ones. What we particularly appreciate is that it lets you work in an offline mode, which is very helpful in case the internet connection fails. With the 12-inch max cutting width, the machine measures 24 x 9.5 inches and weighs 14 pounds.
Customers rate the Cricut Explore Air 2 high for its durability and versatility. It is notable that almost 90% of the buyers gave it five stars. Many of them purchase the product as a gift as it has an amazing, sleek design. For example, one man says that his wife loves this machine and he saw “the pure joy in her eyes” when she got it as a gift.
Cricut Explore Air 2 Mint: Check the current price
Cricut Maker, Champagne | Best for Fabrics
One of the peculiarities of this 12-inch machine is that it comes with a rotary blade designed specifically for fabrics. The blade copes with any type of fabric, cutting through them fast and accurately. The machine works equally great on felt and crepe paper, too. That said, the rotary blade is not the only useful tool. The machine uses over 12 tools and capabilities, such as pens, scoring tools, and blades, which is 3 times as much as the Air 2 model offers.
Moreover, it handles 3 times more different materials (over 300 types), ranging from paper and fabric to mat board. The product also includes a knife blade for cutting thicker materials. The downloadable design app is compatible with Android, iOS, Windows, and Mac. There is a selection of digital patterns from the most famous brands. The purchase includes the machine itself, a rotary blade, fine point blade and pen, 2 cutting mats, the design app, materials, and fifty ready-to-make projects.
The Cricut Maker rates 4.8 out of 5 with around 6,500 customer reviews. Some of them joke that this machine is very dangerous because it leads to addictions. One buyer notes that it has tons of fonts, which is much more than other models have. The downside is that the unit needs to be “hooked up” to a computer or a smartphone.
Cricut Maker, Champagne: Check the current price
Silhouette Cameo 4 with Bluetooth | Best Smart System
This stylish machine with a 12-inch cutting width has several advantages over competitive products. First, it uses a dual-motor system allowing the machine to cut in two different ways. It works fast, making smooth and accurate cuts. It is equipped with a smart system based on sensor technology that detects the type of tool you are using and then automatically adjusts settings for cutting.
The unit is made with a roll feeder allowing you to cut vinyl directly from a roll. The feeder holds rolled material while it is being fed into the cutter, something that adds to the convenience of those who have to work longer or need to align the material properly. On top of that, you can use the backlit touch panel to load or pause your projects.
The Silhouette Cameo 4 uses 4 tools, three of which are sold separately. The Rotary blade is a versatile tool for cutting different materials, while the Kraft blade is good for certain types of materials like acetate or leather. The Punch tool is needed for creating weeding points. And the fourth option, the AutoBlade, comes with the product. The advantage of this tool is that it does not require manual adjustment as the software will do the work for you.
Silhouette Cameo 4 with Bluetooth: Check the current price
Brother ScanNCut SDX125EGY Electronic DIY Cutting Machine with Scanner | Best Integrated Solution
What separates this model from others is that it comes with a built-in scanner. This will significantly facilitate your work as you can scan a drawing and immediately save it as a cut file. You can also wirelessly transfer the file to your computer or smartphone. The machine features a large 5-inch touchscreen LCD display that allows you to customize your projects. There is no need for manual adjustment as the device has an automatic blade and holder made with a special sensor technology that detects the material’s thickness.
The SDX125E cuts even tough materials that are as thick as 3 mm. In addition to vinyl and paper, it handles fabric, felt, balsa wood, foam, and more. The product includes a 12 by 12-inch mat, an auto blade, pens, holders, a spatula, an accessory pouch, and a collection of patterns. However, this model has fewer fonts compared to the Silhouette and Cricut cutters, just 9 fonts. The number of patterns is also lower and amounts to 100 options.
Brother ScanNCut SDX125EGY: Check the current price
Mophorn Vinyl Cutter Machine 53 Inch Vinyl Cutter | Best for Professionals
With a cutting width of 49.6 inches and the max paper feed of 53 inches, this machine can cope with almost any kind of project. It cuts at a speed of up to 800 mm per second and has a cutting pressure ranging from 10 to 500 grams. Both features are adjustable and the speed can be as low as 10 mm per second, if needed. The four pinch-rollers can also be adjusted depending on the paper width. The backlight LCD display will help you control the whole process, as well as an emergency stop and start function.
The Mophorn comes with 3 standard two-millimeter blades and a closed blades holder. It has a sturdy heavy-duty design with a metal floor stand and four caster wheels ensuring mobility. The included software will allow you to make customized designs, import artwork, and create your own shapes. Note that the system is not compatible with Mac. Another downside is that it is too heavy and weighs over 63 pounds.
Mophorn Vinyl Cutter Machine: Check the current price
Cricut Joy Machine - Compact and Portable DIY Machine | Best Budget
Recommended for hobbyists who just need to occasionally make T-shirts, decals, or greeting cards, the Cricut Joy Machine is not only inexpensive but also easy-to-use. Another advantage lies in its size and small weight. The unit weighs just 6 pounds and is less than 9 inches long, which makes it very compact and portable. However, this makes the maximum cutting width limited, too. It is only 5.5 inches and no cutting mat is required.
The Joy Machine can make continuous cuts up to four feet while repeated cuts can be as large as 20 feet. A fine point blade and a fine point pen are included in the purchase. Beginners would appreciate 50 ready-to-make projects that come with the product. The Joy Machine rates 4.7 out of 5 stars with more than 1,300 customer reviews. What many users like is the ease of use. You pick a project in the app, the machine cuts and writes, and then you put it together.
Cricut Joy Machine: Check the current price
Best-Selling Vinyl Cutting Machines in Canada | Comparative Table
Brother ScanNCut SDX125EGY Electronic DIY Cutting Machine with Scanner, Make Custom Stickers, Vinyl Wall Art,...
- SCAN DRAWINGS AND MATERIALS: Brother ScanNCut is the only cutting machine series with a built-in scanner. Directly cut printed stickers, precisely place designs without counting blocks, and scan your hand drawn designs, ideas and concepts to convert them to cut files
- STUNNING DIY PROJECTS: Craft with 682 built-in designs including 100 quilting patterns and 9 fonts. Add custom designs and additional free patterns with the USB port and wireless capability, and customize and combine your projects with the easy-to-use 5" touchscreen LCD display
- NO MATERIAL SELECTION REQUIRED The included ScanNCut DX auto blade and auto blade holder uses true automatic material sensor technology to detect the thickness of the material with no blade adjustment or material selection required. Always perform a trial/test cut to confirm a successful cut
- CUTS UP TO 3 millimeter (0.1 in) THICKNESS: The Brother Home Electronic Cutting Machine effortlessly cuts materials up to 3mm thick such as paper, vinyl, fabric, balsa wood, chipboard, foam and felt
- PERFECT FOR HOBBYISTS AND BUDDING ENTREPENEURS: Create original designs for personal use, home décor and gift giving. The SDX125EGY is also whisper quiet, allowing you to cut materials with ease and without disturbing others
- INCLUDED IN THE BOX: The ScanNCut DX comes with a 12" x 12" standard tack mat, black pen, pen holder, touch pen, spatula, accessory pouch, pattern collection with 76 additional patterns, auto blade, auto blade holder, Getting Started guide and 1pc sample cardstock
VEVOR Vinyl Cutter 28 inch Vinyl Cutter Machine 720mm Manual Vinyl Printer LCD Display Plotter Cutter Sign...
- 🎅[CUTTING CAPACITY] - With a maximum paper feed of 720mm(28.3"), maximum cutting width of 630mm(24.8"), cutting precision of +/-0.01mm (0.0004") and paper feed precision of 3m (118")
- 🎅[STRONG STABILITY] - Vinyl cutter with D-typed motherboard and 4M high-speed cache memory. 2 double spring pinch-rollers, and aluminum knurling stick ensure that the paper feed will not deviate by long distance
- 🎅[DIGITAL CONTROL] - Comes with an LCD digital control panel for more intuitive operation. Cutting pressure with 10-500g adjustable, cutting speed with 10-800mm per second adjustable
- 🎅[HIGH COMPATIBILITY] - Available with COMPIM and USB interface. DM/PL, HP/GL language. System: Pentium processor-based PC or compatible computer (Windows), Windows XP/Vista/7/8/10 (32& 64). Works with your installed Fonts, including Dingbat/Wingding Fonts. Import various file formats, including SVG and PDF. NOT compatible with Mac system
- 🎅[WIDELY USED] - Plotter cutter can be used in advertisement field, various decoration, handcraft, supplementary for heat transfer, label & sign making, etc
Mophorn Vinyl Cutter Machine 53 Inch Vinyl Cutter 1350mm Plotter Cutter LCD Display Vinyl Plotter Cutter Machine...
- 【CUTTING CAPACITY】- 53-inch vinyl cutter with maximum paper feed of 1350 mm(53.1"), maximum cutting width of 1260 mm(49.6"), cutting precision of +/-0.01 mm(0.0004"), and paper feed precision of 3 m(118").
- 【STRONG STABILITY】- Adopts D-typed motherboard and 2 MB high speed cache memory. 4 double-spring pinch rollers and aluminum knurling stick ensure that the paper feed will not deviate by long distance.
- 【DIGITAL CONTROL】- Comes with illuminated LCD screen and large control panel. With cutting pressure 10-500g adjustable, and cutting speed 10-800 mm/s adjustable.
- 【HIGH COMPATIBILITY】- Available with COMPIM and USB interface for more precise control. Supports DM/PL, HP/GL language. System: Pentium processor-based PC or compatible computer (Windows), Windows XP/Vista/7/8/10 (32& 64). NOT compatible with Mac system.
- 【WIDELY USED】- Can be used in advertisement field, various decoration, handcraft, supplementary for heat transfer, label & sign making, etc.
VEVOR Vinyl Cutter 28 Inch Plotter Machine 720mm Paper Feed Vinyl Cutter Plotter Signmaster Software Sign Making...
- ★★PRODUCT SIZE- 28 inch vinyl cutter with maximum paper feed of 720 mm (28.3 inch). Maximum cutting width: 630 mm (24.8 inch)
- ★★FLEXIBLE CUTTING- Plotter machine cutter pressure: 10-500g. Cutting speed: 10-800 mm per second. Both adjustable
- ★★HUMANIZED DESIGN- Backlight LCD display for easier handling the working process of sign cutting machine. Emergency stop/start function allows stop and restart
- ★★2 ROLLERS- 2 pinch-rollers on this vinyl cutter plotter machine can be adjusted on the guide rail according to different paper width
- ★★COMPATIBLE TYPE- DM/PL, HP/GL language. System: Pentium processor-based PC or compatible computer (Windows), Windows XP/Vista/7/8/10 (32& 64). NOT compatible with Mac system when used with this cutter
VEVOR Vinyl Cutter 14 Inch Plotter Machine 350mm Paper Feed Vinyl Cutter Plotter PC ONLY Signmaster Software Sign...
- 【CUTTING CAPACITY】- 14-inch vinyl cutter with maximum paper feed of 350mm(13.8"), maximum cutting width of 285mm(11.2"), cutting precision of +/-0.01mm(0.0004"), and paper feed precision of 3m(118").
- 【STRONG STABILITY】- Adopts D-typed motherboard and 2 MB high speed cache memory. 2 double-spring pinch rollers and aluminum knurling stick ensure that the paper feed will not deviate by long distance.
- 【DIGITAL CONTROL】- Comes with illuminated LCD screen and large control panel. With cutting pressure 10-500g adjustable, and cutting speed 10-800mm/s adjustable.
- 【HIGH COMPATIBILITY】- Available with COMPIM and USB interface for more precise control. Supports DM/PL, HP/GL language. System: Pentium processor-based PC or compatible computer (Windows), Windows XP/Vista/7/8/10 (32& 64). NOT compatible with Mac system.
- 【WIDELY USED】- Can be used in advertisement field, various decoration, handcraft, supplementary for heat transfer, label & sign making, etc.
VEVOR Vinyl Cutter 28 Inch Vinyl Cutter Machine 720mm Paper Feed Vinyl Plotters with Floor Stand Vinyl Plotter...
- [CUTTING CAPACITY] - 28-inch vinyl cutter with maximum paper feed of 720mm (28.3") maximum cutting width of 630mm (24.8"), cutting precision of +/-0.01mm(0.0004"), and paper feed precision of 3m(118")
- [STRONG STABILITY] - The vinyl plotter adopts D-typed motherboard and 128K-2M high speed cache memory. 2 double-spring pinch rollers and aluminum knurling stick ensure that the paper feed will not deviate by long distance
- [DIGITAL CONTROL] - Comes with illuminated LCD screen and large control panel. With cutting pressure 10-500g adjustable, and cutting speed 10-800mm/s adjustable
- [HIGH COMPATIBILITY] - Available with COMPIM and USB interface for more precise control. Supports DM/PL, HP/GL language. System: Pentium processor-based PC or compatible computer (Windows), Windows XP/Vista/7/8/10 (32& 64). NOT compatible with Mac system
- [WIDELY USED] - The vinyl cutter printer can be used in advertisement field, various decoration, handcraft, supplementary for heat transfer, label & sign making, etc
Cricut Joy Machine - Compact and Portable DIY Machine For Quick Vinyl, HTV Iron On and Paper Projects | Makes...
- DIY Made Easy Whether you are new to DIY, or a seasoned crafter looking for a more convenient way to complete those quick projects. This smart little cutting, writing, and label making machine is perfect for you. Cricut Joy's small size makes it the perfect gift for anyone
- Add that personal touch adding that extra touch to your projects is easier than ever. Cricut Joy can make continuous cuts up to 4 feet and repeated cuts up to 20 feet using Cricut smart materials. (Available in Vinyl, HTV Iron On, and Label Vinyl varieties.) No cutting mat needed. Just load and go. Or use other popular materials like Cricut Infusible Ink, Cardstock, or Insert Cards using Cricut Joy Cutting Mats and Cricut Joy Card Mats
- Get organized: See you later label maker. Cricut Joy can cut and write custom labels for a variety of home organization projects. Organizing the pantry, toiletries, storage bins and more with Cricut Smart Vinyl and Cricut Pens
- Design for free: Upload and create your own designs for free using Cricut design space. Design on your computer tablet or mobile device using our iOs or Android apps. Take your design space experience to the next level with Cricut access, a monthly subscription to our vast library of over 100k images, fonts, and make-it-now projects
- Included in the box: Cricut joy cutting machine, premium fine point blade and housing, fine point pen, standard grip mat (4. 5" x 6. 5"), welcome card, power adapter, free trial membership to cricut access (for new subscribers, 50 ready-to-make projects online, and sample smart material for a practice cut.)
VEVOR Vinyl Cutter Machine, 28 Inch Paper Feed Cutting Plotter Bundle, Adjustable Force & Speed Vinyl Printer,...
- Trusted Performance: Max Paper Feed: 28"/720mm; Max Cutting Width: 24.8"/630mm; Cutting Thickness: 0.04"/1mm. The smart vinyl cutter machine enjoys a good reputation for its robust performance. Fast and precise stepper motor works efficiently in low noise. D-typed motherboard & 2MB high-speed cache memory achieves a long time offline cutting and supports your data storage.
- Accurate Cutting: Cutting Precision: +/-0.0004"/0.01mm; Paper Feed Precision: 118"/3m. 3 double-spring pinch rollers match with an aluminum knurling stick to ensure that the paper feed will not deviate by long distance. Real-time adjustment of cutting pressure (10-500g) & cutting speed (10-800mm/s) contribute a lot to accurate cutting.
- High Compatibility: Our plotter cutter machine is available with COMPIM & USB interface for easier connection. Support DMPL/HPGL multiple languages. Software: Signmaster. Compatible System: Windows XP/Vista/7/8/10/. NOT compatible with the Mac system.
- Digital Control Panel: Come with the LCD screen and a large control panel, making sign-making easier. The emergency stop and start feature allows you to stop cutting and restart, which is more secure and convenient. Roland compatible blade holder gives you access to the most economical blades available. Note: When the machine is running, do not approach the blade; otherwise, your finger might get injured.
- Versatile Uses: Prepare to be dazzled by this vinyl cutting machine which can take your creative vision from your mind to reality with an easily customizable and intuitive interface. Widely used in cutting sticker and decal vinyl, scrapbook papers, card stock, vinyl lettering, pinstriping, and general signage.