Cricut VS Silhouette | Side By Side the Cameo 4 Vs The Maker

Sharing is caring!

Cricut vs Silhouette are the names I always hear when it comes to cutting machines and true vinyl and scrapbooking crafters. So let’s figure out which is better, in this post covering silhouette cameo 4 vs Cricut maker.

Hopefully, in this post, I can help you choose between the Cricut and Silhouette because both are amazing machines.

Firstly, I’m not one to try and sell someone on something they don’t want. But, I am always looking for the best products for making my crafts. I am going to talk about some main differences, a little about the design software and ease of use.

Second, I like to give you the information that I have gathered and then let you choose for yourself. So that leaves the question: Cricut vs Silhouette?

So, I got this fantastic opportunity to check out both the Silhouette Cameo 4 and the Cricut Maker. I have been a Cricut user since that first 6-inch machine.

I decided to share that with you and help you figure out which cutting machine to buy (if that’s what you’re planning–if you’re not planning to buy a cutting machine, this is still going to be informative.

Finally, let’s get this comparison started, that’s what you’re here for right?

Cricut vs Silhouette Quick Comparison Table

Cricut vs Silhouette Side-by-Side Comparison	Cricut	Silhouette
Size	22.6″x 7.09″ x 6.22″	22.44 in. x 7.68 in. x 6.69 in.
Draw?	Yes	Yes
Emboss?	Yes (see attachment)	Yes (see attachment)
Etch?	Yes (see how here)	Yes
Score?	Yes (see attachment)	No
Compatible Media	Vinyl, Heat transfer material, Cardstock, Photo paper, Corrugated paper, Chipboard, Fabric, and more	Vinyl, Heat transfer material, Cardstock, Photo paper, Corrugated paper, Chipboard, Fabric, and more
Cut Size	12″x24′	12″x10′
Fabric Cutting	Yes	Yes
Deep Cuts	Yes	Yes
Price	Check Price	Check Price

How does the Silhouette Cameo vs Cricut compare?

Most importantly, I love my cutting machines. Let’s be clear, I could, honestly, spend, literally all day making new projects with different angles and crazy fun ideas. 

Unfortunately for me, real-life noses its way in–but I’m fighting that. You’ll eventually be able to relate.

I probably spend at least 40-50 hours a week cutting, weeding, transferring, and developing cut designs, if not more. So, I am very well informed, and I want to help you make your decision.

And I’ve been as excited for the release date of the Silhouette 4 as I was about getting the Cricut Maker. 

But which vinyl cutting machine is the best?

Cricut Vs Silhouette Comparison – Which Cutting Machine Is the Better?

Both the Silhouette Cameo 4 and the Cricut Maker can wide range of materials. And when I say a variety of materials, I’m serious.

The Cricut Maker or Silhouette Cameo 4, unlike older machines, can cut over 300 types of materials from paper to thicker materials like fabric, felt, and even wood.

We’ll get more into that later, but, needless to say, there are a lot of things the Cricut Maker can cut and the Silhouette Cameo 4, too.

Both the Silhouette 4 and the Maker have the ability to be used via USB cable and Bluetooth, so you can print and cut super easily using a computer or a tablet (even if the tablet doesn’t accept USB.

So you don’t even have to be corded, which is a great plus to me. But we still have yet to determine Cricut vs Silhouette.

And, both the Cricut and the Silhouette have online sites where you can access designs to make your digital crafts, modify your own designs and send the files to the cutting machine easily.

The Cricut Design Space requires an internet connection to be able to print, while the Silhouette Studio does not.

Another thing, too, is that the Cricut just has 3 buttons–Design Space walks you through everything else; while the Silhouette 4 has a touch panel that allows you to make adjustments to the machine, as opposed to on the computer. 

So, now you can see that there are some significant differences! I am going to go ahead and break it down a little more for you.

Which of the 2 Cutting Machines Use Cut Files?

Honestly, if you look into Cricut Design Space Software and the Silhouette Studio Software. They both have the capabilities to cut SVG files. Both are great for beginners, but only the Silhouette has a built-in roll feeder.

So, the full suite of Cricut machines (including the Maker and the Cricut Explore Air, and the Cricut Joy, all of them), and the Silhouette Cameo line take those SVG files and turn them into precise cutting lines perfect for sewing patterns, cut and emboss projects like cards, and it also cuts vinyl lettering or designs.

However, if you need some inspiration or free SVGs to use on your cutting machine of choice, you can check out my library here.

What are the Materials That the Cricut Maker can Cut?

• Balsa Wood (or Bass Wood) 
• Felt
• Fabric
• Craft Foam
• Paper
• Chipboard
• Leather
• Poster Board

Above all, the Cricut Maker cuts over 300 different materials, and the above is just a brief list.

In short, it has a downward cutting force of 4kg, which means that it’s a breeze for the Cricut Maker to cut materials up to 2.4mm thick.

Additionally, the Cricut Maker is limited to a cutting size of 12-inches wide by 24-inches long.

All Of The Blades That the Cricut Maker Can Use?

• Rotary Blade | They offer a rotary blade that will cut through fabric that is unbonded. So, you don’t need a stabilizer as the Explore machines require. 
• Scoring Wheel | This is a nice upgrade from the Scoring Stylus. Saves time and offers a clean line. 
• Knife Blade | You can use this to cut thicker leather and even items like balsa wood, which is incredible for crafting.  
• Basic Perforation Blade | Creates perfect tear-offs and easy peel-aways using paper, cardstock, acetate, poster board, and more
• Wavy Blade | Quickly create a fun wavy edge on a variety of popular materials.
• Fine Debossing Tip | Customize projects with crisp, detailed debossed designs – no folders necessary (buh bye Cricut Cuttlebug)
• Engraving Tip | Engrave unique and permanent designs on a variety of materials.

Which Blades Do The Cricut Maker Come With?

• Rotary Blade + Drive Housing
• Premium Fine-Point Blade + Housing

Other items in the box with your Cricut Maker.

• Fine Point Pen, Black
• FabricGrip™ Machine Mat, 12″ x 12″ (30.5 cm x 30.5 cm)
• LightGrip Machine Mat, 12″ x 12″ (30.5 cm x 30.5 cm)
• Welcome Book
• USB cable
• Power adapter
• Free trial membership to Cricut Access™ (for new subscribers)
• 50 free ready-to-make projects, including 25 sewing patterns
• Materials for a practice project

Because this is an expandable suite of tools, they often come up with new, fun blades to add–expanding what you can cut and how. And both are great for small business use. So which is better in a competition between the Cricut vs Silhouette?

What Can the Silhouette Cameo 4 Cut?

As I mentioned before, the Silhouette 4 cuts over 300 different materials, and here’s a brief list:

• Balsa Wood (or Bass Wood) 
• Felt
• Fabric
• Craft Foam
• Paper
• Chipboard
• Leather
• Poster Board

With a downward cutting force of 5kg, the Silhouette Cameo 4 can cut materials of up to 3mm thick material. Just another thing that makes it hard to choose between the Cricut vs Silhouette.

Additionally, the Silhouette Cameo 4 (base model) will be limited to 12-inches by 10-foot long cuts, while the Silhouette Cameo 4 Plus will allow 15-inch by 10-foot long cuts, and the Silhouette Cameo Pro will allow cuts of up to 20-inches by 10-foot long.

Also, something about the Cameo that I feel is important to think about, is the ability that it has to cut without a cutting pad.

I haven’t had a chance to try meatless cutting on my Cameo yet, but I will. You can believe it.

The other thing is the cutting speed. If you have one of the older Silhouette machines, you know that they’re always improving the speed the machines can cut.

And the Silhouette Cameo 4 is no different. It’s significantly faster than previous Silhouette cutters and that’s fantastic.

All Of The Blades Does the Silhouette Cameo 4 Use? 

This is important when it comes to comparing the Cricut vs Silhouette.

• Rotary Blade | They offer a rotary blade that will cut through fabric that is unbonded. That means you don’t need a stabilizer as the older Silhouette Cameo machines require. 
• Deep Cut Blade | This blade is hand-adjusted for depth and can cut things like craft foam up to 2mm thick.
• Knife Blade | You can use this to cut thicker leather and even items like balsa wood, which is, as I said before, incredible for crafting.  
• Punch Blade | Marks your vinyl or heat transfer showing you which sections to remove, to help cut down on the time you need to weed.

What Blades Does The Silhouette Cameo Come With?

• AutoBlade

What Items are in the box in addition to the Silhouette Cameo and Auto Blade?

• Power cable & USB cable
• 12-inch Cutting Mat
• Silhouette Studio® software (download)
• 100 exclusive designs (download)
• 1-month Silhouette Design Store subscription (available with tool registration)
• Adaptor Set (for use with tools from older machines)

There are fewer blades than the Cricut Maker, but as the Silhouette Cameo 4 is just being released, it’s possible they’ll put out more in this expandable suite of tools after the machine has been on the market for a while.

Cricut Maker vs Silhouette Cameo Price Comparison

To clarify the cost, the Cricut Maker: is, at the time of this post $399 and you can buy one here.

Also, the Silhouette Cameo 4: is at the time of this post $299 and you can buy one here (that price is for the base model–the Plus and Pro are $399 and $499, supposedly)

In addition to the cost of the base machines, you’ll also want to add a couple of blades to your tool chest, trust me. So, look at the pricing on those before you make your final decision.

So, In the Cricut vs Cameo race, Who Wins??

After comparing the Cricut vs Silhouette, I determined the Cricut is, presumably, more versatile, because of the wider variety of blades.

But, the variety of materials that the Silhouette cuts could genuinely be much wider. Honestly, that is because the downward pressure it can exert is substantially more.

Also, the Cricut is at a higher price point. You could probably buy the Silhouette 4 AND all the extra blades you might want and still end-up cheaper than the Cricut Maker. But that’s not all.

Above all, the Silhouette Cameo 4 has a wider cut area. I know that might not seem like a big deal to you now but, as you get used to things it may become one.

But if you are in the middle of making a banner for your kid’s school function and it needs to be 8 feet long–and your Cricut only cuts something 24-inches long…well, that’s a lot of splicing you might be looking at.

What Else To Compare

But, Cricut Design Space, in its entirety, is free. The Silhouette Studio has only limited capabilities with their free level–and several paid levels that get you access to other features.

So, really, there are pros and cons to both machines.

Clearly, they’re both better than the Sizzix Big Shot, in my opinion. But no one can say that there is one clear winner.

In short, you’ll have to decide what’s going to work best for you, most importantly. 

In Conclusion, if you found this Cricut vs Silhouette cutting machine comparison helpful, be sure to pin it. You’ll want to come back and make sure before you make your purchase.

If you have been thinking about getting into sublimation, you may enjoy Best Sublimation Printer For Shirts-5 Amazing Options!

The bottom line is you will have to decide for yourself which is the best cutting machine for you. They both have Bluetooth connectivity.

However, Silhouette Design Studio doesn’t need wifi, whereas, Cricut Software requires internet access.

And while both have a paid version of their software you can also use the free version. And although I do love the free software, I also adore all that Cricut access has to offer too!

Both Cricut and the silhouette can cut vinyl decals, and heat transfer vinyl in both simple designs and intricate designs too.

In my opinion, there is a learning curve to the silhouette. But I have been a Cricut user since the first machines came out.

Did you know that you can clean your Cricut mat?

Sharing is caring!