{"id":4816,"date":"2021-04-18T14:02:00","date_gmt":"2021-04-18T22:02:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sunflowersummerco.com\/?p=4816"},"modified":"2022-04-16T20:58:43","modified_gmt":"2022-04-17T04:58:43","slug":"silhouette-or-cricut","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sunflowersummerco.com\/silhouette-or-cricut\/","title":{"rendered":"Silhouette Cameo 4 vs Cricut Maker: Which one is the best cutting machine for you?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

So you don’t know if you want a Cricut<\/a> or Silhouette<\/a>. And you want to make sure you’re buying the best cutting machine. Or at least one that will do what you want. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most websites do a comparison of the Cricut<\/keyword> Maker vs the Silhouette Cameo 3. But I’m going to do a comparison between the Cricut<\/keyword> Maker and the most recent model of the Silhouette machines. The Silhouette Cameo 4.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Both provide precision cuts and will save a lot of time on your paper crafts or other crafts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For those of you who hate reading, here is an infographic comparing the Silhouette Cameo 4 and the Cricut<\/keyword> Maker. I go into detail below to help you decide on which new machine to get.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"\/<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Price<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Price is a huge factor. When you purchase one of these machines. You’ll probably be spending the most money you’ve ever spent on a crafting product.  But it will be worth it. I promise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You will appreciate the ease of cutting intricate designs at the press of a button.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Silhouette Cameo 4<\/a> cost about $300<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cricut Maker<\/a> cost about $400<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Winner- Silhouette Cameo 4<\/p>\n\n\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t

\n \n\t
\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\"Silhouette\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\tSilhouette Cameo 4\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t$195.00<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

Getting a Silhouette will change your crafting experience. You will be able to make things that look amazing in half the time.<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tBuy From Amazon\t\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tBuy From Swing Designs\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\n\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\tWe earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.<\/span>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t03\/15\/2024 06:50 am GMT <\/i>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\n

lasso ref=”cricut-maker-3″ id=”9887″ link_id=”540″]<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cutting Force<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Before the Silhouette Cameo 4 came out, Cricut<\/keyword> would’ve won easily. A Cricut<\/keyword> Maker has a cutting force of 4000 grams and the old Silhouette Cameo 3 only had a cutting force of 210 grams. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But now the tables have turned. The new Cameo 4 has a cutting force of 5000 grams. 1000 grams more than the Cricut<\/keyword> Maker.  So now the Silhouette machine can cut through tougher materials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you only plan to cut vinyl and paper, the cutting force doesn’t matter too much. But if you plan on moving onto balsa wood, leather, and other thicker, harder to cut materials, you’re going to need more cutting force.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Winner- Silhouette Cameo 4<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Blades Available<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you are looking for a machine that has more blade options, you’ll want to get a Cricut<\/keyword> Maker. It’s been around longer than the Silhouette Cameo 4. The Cricut<\/keyword> Maker has 10 different blades with an adaptive tool system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The amount of blads is probably the main difference between them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Cricut<\/keyword> has:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  1. Fine Point blade<\/strong> <\/li>
  2. Deep Point blade<\/strong> <\/li>
  3. Bonded Fabric blade<\/strong><\/li>
  4. Rotary blade<\/strong><\/li>
  5. Knife blade<\/strong><\/li>
  6. Quick Swap Perforation blade<\/strong><\/li>
  7. Quick Swap Wavy blade<\/strong><\/li>
  8. Quick Swap Debossing tip<\/strong><\/li>
  9. Quick Swap Engraving tip<\/strong><\/li>
  10. Quick Swap Scoring Wheel tips<\/strong><\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    <\/a>Find out about the different blades here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The Silhouette Cameo 4 currently has 3 blades-<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    1. One tap Autoblade<\/strong>– This is your main blade. It’ll automatically choose how much of the blade is showing. No need to manually adjust the blade. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    2 Rotary blade<\/strong>– Used for cutting fabric and crepe paper. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    3. Kraft Blade<\/strong>– Used for cutting thicker materials like leather, craft foam, and balsa wood<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Silhouettes don’t have as many blade options as Cricut<\/keyword> but they can always come out with more in the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Make sure you always have extra blades on hand. They do get dull and will need to be replaced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Winner- Cricut<\/keyword> Maker<\/p>\n\n\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t

    \n \n\t
    \n\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\"Cricut\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\tCricut Maker 3\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t$394.75<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
    <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tBuy Now on Amazon\t\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tBuy From Cricut\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\n\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t\t\tWe earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.<\/span>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t\t03\/14\/2024 03:00 pm GMT <\/i>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\n\n

    What size materials can they cut?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    When you first buy<\/keyword> your die cutting machine, you’ll think, “I’m only going to do x,y, and z.” (at least I did) But when you learn about the many things the machine can do, you’ll want to do it all!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Some of those things require a larger cutting area. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    A Silhouette Cameo 4 has the ability to do matless cutting. (A mat is a sticky sheet of plastic that you place the material you’re cutting on) You can cut paper and vinyl without a cutting mat with a Silhouette. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    When you are cutting without a mat, you can cut things that are 12 inches x 10 feet. When cutting with a mat, you can cut up to 12″ x 24″. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    You can also upgrade to a 15″ cutting width with the Silhouette Cameo Plus or 20″ cutting width with the Silhouette Cameo Pro.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    A Cricut<\/keyword> maker can cut up to 12″x 24″. A much smaller area than the Silhouette. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Winner- Silhouette Cameo 4<\/p>\n\n\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t

    \n \n\t
    \n\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\"Silhouette\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\tSilhouette Cameo 4\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t$195.00<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
    <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t\t

    Getting a Silhouette will change your crafting experience. You will be able to make things that look amazing in half the time.<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tBuy From Amazon\t\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tBuy From Swing Designs\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\n\t\t\t

    \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t\t\tWe earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.<\/span>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t\t03\/15\/2024 06:50 am GMT <\/i>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\n\n

    Software<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Another thing to consider before you purchase your die-cutting machine is the software that comes with your Cricut<\/keyword> or Silhouette and its ease of use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Silhouette software (called Silhouette Studio) is a program that you download onto your computer. You don’t have to have WiFi to use it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"Silhouette<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Silhouette Studio Software is great software. From what I’ve read, some Cricut<\/keyword> users prefer to use Silhouette Studio with their Cricut<\/keyword> machines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    You will be able to design lots of files with the software. This can save you money because you won’t need to buy<\/keyword> cut files for $3-4 each.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    If you are looking to do a lot of your own designs or customize other people’s designs, go with a Silhouette.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The only downside of the software is that you’ll need to upgrade your software to Designer Edition to be able to import SVG files. Most of the files you get online will be SVG files.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    You can buy<\/keyword> the upgrade on Amazon<\/a> or Swing Design<\/a>. The upgrade is so worth it if you choose to go with Silhouette.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t

    \n \n\t
    \n\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\"Silhouette\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\tSilhouette Studio Designer Edition Software\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t$36.13<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
    <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tBuy Now\t\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\n\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t\t\tWe earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.<\/span>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t\t03\/14\/2024 02:14 pm GMT <\/i>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\n\n

    There are even more upgrades you can purchase if you want the software to do more and I currently have business edition so I can export as SVG files.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    There are no upgrades to the free software<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    If you are not very tech-savvy and you just want to use designs other people have created, Cricut<\/keyword> Design Space is for you. It isn’t great for making your own designs. But it is very user-friendly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"cricut<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Cricut software in the past needed an internet connection but it is now a program you install on your computer so it will not have the issues of being web-based.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    You can also upload SVG into the Cricut<\/keyword> Design Space without having to purchase an upgrade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Another plus for Cricut<\/keyword> Design Space is that you can use your tablet or phone to connect to your Cricut<\/keyword>. You are unable to do this with Silhouette Studio.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    I honestly prefer to use Adobe Illustrator for my design software and use Silhouette Connect. It saves me time because I don’t have to export SVG files to Silhouette Studio to cut but I get the power of Illustrator.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Winner- Draw<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    It really depends on what you want and need. If you would like to make your own designs, go with Silhouette. If you want to use your phone or tablet and only need to do basic things and want to use your mobile devices, go with Cricut<\/keyword>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t

    \n \n\t
    \n\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\"Silhouette\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\tSilhouette Cameo 4\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t$195.00<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
    <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t\t

    Getting a Silhouette will change your crafting experience. You will be able to make things that look amazing in half the time.<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tBuy From Amazon\t\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tBuy From Swing Designs\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\n\t\t\t

    \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t\t\tWe earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.<\/span>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t\t03\/15\/2024 06:50 am GMT <\/i>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t
    \n \n\t
    \n\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\"Cricut\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\tCricut Maker 3\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t$394.75<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
    <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tBuy Now on Amazon\t\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tBuy From Cricut\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\n\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t\t\tWe earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.<\/span>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t\t03\/14\/2024 03:00 pm GMT <\/i>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\n\n

    Speed of Cutting<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Cut speed is how fast the machine can cut something out. The Silhouette Cameo 4 can cut 3 times faster than the previous version. So now, cut times will be about the same whether you get a Cricut<\/keyword> or Silhouette.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Winner- Draw<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Available files to cut<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Both Silhouette and Cricut<\/keyword> have a library of files that you can purchase from. This is great for when you’re just getting started. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The cost for a Silhouette Design Store subscription ranges from $4.99 for $10 of credits, to $29.99 a month for $250 in credits. You then use these credits to buy<\/keyword> designs. One design costs $0.99 to $2.50 depending on the complexity of the design. Most designs are only $0.99.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    If you don’t want to pay a monthly subscription, you are able to buy<\/keyword> the designs individually. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Cricut offers a design library too. But you are only able to buy<\/keyword> designs in bundles. So even if you only want one design, you’ll still need to buy<\/keyword> the design bundle. These bundles are about $15-$20.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    You can buy<\/keyword> a Cricut<\/keyword> Access subscription for $9.99 paid monthly or $7.99 paid annually. This gets you access to<\/p>\n\n\n\n