Joy can only cut the most common craft materials: paper, cardboard, iron, vinyl and adhesive paper. It is also the only machine that can cut without a mat, thanks to the new Smart Vinyl and Smart Iron On technology (another feature that makes it faster and easier to use). The Cricut Maker is the top-of-the-line, full-size Cricut machine. You can do almost any type of project you can think of with this machine.
The Cricut Joy is the most economical of the Cricut machines and the smallest. For someone who has just started manufacturing and who doesn't want to spend time, money and space on a high-end machine, the Joy is the way to go. It could also be a second machine for the experienced craftsman who wants to do crafts on the go or do some niche projects. Let's see what both models can do.
The Explore Air 2 is a full-size machine that allows you to carry out projects up to 12 inches wide and 24 inches long. Cricut Joy is a simple cutting machine for creating hundreds of creative projects. It comes with everything you need to start and practice. If you are a person who does crafts for the first time, I think you will find it very easy to use.
The Cricut Joy is a die cutting and writing machine known for its small size and easy to use style. As you can see below, there is a big difference between the size of the Cricut Joy and the size of the Cricut Explore Air 2.We can't have a post discussing the Cricut Joy versus the Cricut Explore without talking about the mats or the lack of them. If you're more of a specific craftsman, have something in particular you want to start with or run a business focused on one type of product, it's easier to hear suggestions and a comparison of Cricut machines on how it will work with your craft. We can't have a comparison between the Cricut Joy and the Cricut Explore without actually cutting with the machines.
Learn how to print and cut stickers on your Cricut machine with this fun tutorial and free printable. However, with the Cricut Explore series, there is also a port on the back for connecting a USB cable and connecting it directly to your computer. It's certainly the most versatile machine of the two, but the Cricut Joy has some special features that make it worth considering as well. If you've been using an older Cricut or Silhouette, if you've mastered that machine and are looking for an upgrade, the Joy isn't worth it for you.
I've shared ideas for Cricut shirts for boys and Cricut shirts for girls and you'll see in most of my posts that I use a variety of machines. The Cricut Joy is a great product, but if this is your first time using a machine like this, it might seem a little intimidating to start. The Cricut Explore Air 2 is a full-size, full-featured craft machine that lets you do a multitude of projects. With the Cricut Joy, however, I feel like I have more creative freedom and can do things I wouldn't have tried before.
If you're looking for a small cutting tool, either for portability or to save space when not in use, the Cricut Joy is the one you'll want. Many of the accessories, tools and materials on the Maker and Explore Air 2 are interchangeable, while the Cricut Joy has its own line. So if there are no buttons, how do you download and load materials and start cutting with the Cricut Joy? You do well at Cricut Design Space.
