Cricut vs Silhouette - Should I buy a Cricut or a Cameo?

The question I get asked the most is Cricut or Cameo? It is an incredibly difficult question to answer without going in depth into so many different aspects of the machines.
So who will win the battle of Cricut vs Silhouette? That would be different to every person. Whether you choose a Cricut or a Silhouette Cameo - that will be up to you, and your business needs.
The Cricut will be a winner for some people, but the Cameo might be a better fit for others.

This channel is the best place to learn many different types of Cricut Crafts. Kelly Rossouw is dedicated to making the best Cricut tutorials for you, helping you to live an easier creative Cricut life.

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[sandralogue]

Thank you so much. I have been thinking about buying a vinyl cutter but had no idea where to start. This is the first video that compares so many different aspects of both machines from an impartial point of view.

[MaisieStirfry]

This is hands down the best video I've come across that compares Cricut and Silhouette (and I've watched many over the last couple of days!). Thank you so much--I'll definitely check out your other videos, and have subscribed. I still can't decide between the two, but your positive comments about Cricut's customer care are swaying me in that direction (and I have heard very negative comments about Silhouette customer care, unfortunately). Thank you again :)

[RelateWithRele]

This video was super informative, thank you for sharing

[micknorthyard]

Since the Cricut software is cloud based, the choice was really simple for me, Silhuette all the way.

[hanriebotha]

Thank you, I love your videos. I currently live in the UAE and was unsure about the Cricut support and availability in SA, but I feel much better after watching your video. I love my Cricut.

[dmcrafter]

I've watched so many comparison videos, thank you for being so clear and concise!! Best one I've seen! :)

[nahnisjourney]

Wow! I love how you have designed your silhouette cutter. It’s BEAUTIFUL!!!

I know I’m a year late seeing your video, but I’m new to the Silhouette Cameo 4.

I have the CRICUT Explorer Air 2, and recently (the Saturday before Mother’s Day, 2023) I acquired the Silhouette Cameo 4 from someone sold to me off Facebook Marketplace as a “New” cutter. It has a big long scratch on the cover, which is about 6 inches long, the autoblade was not properly installed, and it was shaking and rattling very loudly in the left corner when I turned it on. Although, she told me that she sold it because she already was comfortable using the CRICUT Explorer Air 2, and decided not to learn the new machine and its software. She said she turned it on and back off because it was louder than the CRICUT. So she placed it in her closet.

She shipped the machine to me loosely in a liquor box with about 4 small ziplock bags in the box.

Needless to say, I was shocked when I received it. The noise it made was not normal. Although, the Cameo is louder than the CRICUT, but the shaking, rattling noise was not the normal sound.

The machine did not cut anything at first.

I went to YouTube to ask about the noise, and quickly found the answer. The carriage needed to be reset by turning the machine off, and manually sliding the carriage from left to right about 6 times. Then, turn the machine back on with the carriage still in the right hand corner. When I turned it back on, it automatically aligned itself properly to the left position. The loud noise was now gone.

The autoblade: I thought the blade was dull or defective, so around 3:00 A.M., I woke up with that blade on my mind. I went to Amazon to order a couple of replacement blades only to see the product video, which demonstrated how to properly install the autoblade. OH MY GOODNESS!!!! The blade only needed to be pushed down into the carriage to close the gap between the carriage and the blade, and then push in the locking mechanism to hold the autoblade securely in place. Now, this machine cuts really good. It quietly aligns itself every time.

However, I do need to learn the correct settings for the various materials that I desire to cut. The liquor box didn’t include nothing else; just the machine and the one autoblade. Nothing else.

I have concluded that the lady thought she had unloaded a defective machine for $200. I thought the same thing, but, so far, the machine is working fine now. I did cut a couple of designs, and it left the last character off the design on both pieces of HTV. So far, that has only happened twice. I wonder what could be causing this problem of leaving off the last letter in a design. I had to cut the letters separately and piece the design together to press them with my heat press. I also have figure out why the mirror option doesn’t work unless I flip the design before clicking SEND. when it asks to mirror the design, the image doesn’t actually cut mirrored. I have ruined two pieces of 3D PUFF HTV. I HAVE to figure this out. Meanwhile. I will be flipping my designs before clicking SEND.

I have ordered two replacement autoblades, two deep cut blades, two 12x24 long mats, two 12x12 mats, and the stand for stacking the two cutters. The CRICUT is one the top with the bottom screwed onto the top of the white stand, and the Silhouette Cameo 4 is on the bottom.

What do you think about this situation? I would greatly appreciate your feedback.

Thank you,
Donna Watson

[xBenjaminG]

Thanks for the video !
Very complete, the best comparison video I have ever listened to!

[josealeman]

I still can`t decide which one to get..lol thanks for the info..

[card_stock_gliders]

Very helpful! Thank you. Plastic v. metal parts, alone, is almost enough for me to choose a Cricut.

[surgicaltechcrafter]

I have had a cricut since 2006 absolutely love it and my monthly subscription. Having heard so many good things about silhouette 2 years ago I purchased a cameo 4 bundle and upgraded to business edition when it was 49.00. I set it off to the side to give 100% during my Christmas vacation to learn. I was so frustrated just registering it I threw it back in the box and printed off a return shipping label. Slept on it and the next morning with a clear mind unboxed it and tried again come to find out I mistyped a serial number so I decided to keep it. Fast forward 2 years later it is back in the box I hated learning the software well now my work schedule is better working weekend midnights so I have mon through Fridays off and recently purchased an online class with SVG &me which is teaching me Inkscape and GUESS WHAT? also included is how to use silhouette. So I am determined to master the cameo and business edition.

[Tessiefaye]

Thank you for this great video. I found that you were very fair and impartial in your assessment of both. I have both and have had the Cameo for about 8 years and a cricut of some sort since it came out in 2005. I've had about 10 different cricuts starting from the baby one, the Expression, Air, the Imagine, to the Maker so I am partial and have had extreme success with Cricut support.. I initially purchased the cameo1 for the print and cut feature because at that time Cricut did not print then cut. Then the Imagine came out at it Print and cut on the same machine. It was a HP printer and Cricut in one. That was my favorite Cricut machine. I, upgraded a few years ago to the cameo3 for the rhinestone feature. I rarely use the cameo because being a Cricut user I never felt comfortable with the silhouette software. I don't care about vectors, and trace lines, it was too much of me.

[savvybuilds]

Excellent explanation! Thank you! I have much to learn.

[charlenepidhany]

Thank you. Very helpful. Love your hair

[katherine]

Thank you for this video, it is by FAR the best one I have seen on this subject! I have been a Silhouette user for 10+ years and have had my current Cameo 3 for six years. It has started acting up so I am trying to decide between Silhouette and Cricut. I love Silhouette Studio and I am excited to realize if I upgrade from Designer to Business, I can export my file as an SVG. you have been a huge help! I think I am going with the Cricut Explorer 3. Thanks again! ☺

[xoxolorae]

So I had 2 crickets and finally switched over to Silhouette this year. I will say, there are def pros and cons to both but the reason I switched is because I just couldn't get my Cricuts to cut consistently. Maybe I was unlucky with 2 duds, but I think the Software was just too annoying to me. I loved the machine itself because they have more colors and I prefer the way they look over the Cameo. But I just gave up after months of trying to make it work for me. I've had the Cameo for 2 months and it instantly was so much easier to use and cut way more consistently. The software is just more intuitive IMO.

The only main con on the Cameo is how LOUD this machine is. It is jarringly loud. You can watch tons of YT videos about it, it's a known issue. However, I work with my headphones on so I don't really care that much. Just walk away from it. In general, I'm just having a much better experience with my Cameo, so if Cricut isn't working out for you for whatever reason, I think Cameo will be a good switch. And in terms of which one to pick first, honestly, if it's your first time, I think Cricuts are cheaper and there are always sales on them, so maybe try Cricut first and then if it doesn't work out for you, you should exchange it for a Cameo.

[deeandreayarbro]

I think by me starting off i think im gonna start with the cricut and then get the other later thanks for this information very helpful

[victorneto]

I have to say. I am deeply impressed by your clarity and precise conversation. I have seen several videos about this subject and regardless of gender, 90 % of these people are just bulshit and endless bla bla bla and exasperating out of context and idiotic assassination of the linguistic form of comunication. All it took for me was warching 2 of your videos to fall completely in love with your way of explaining things. I am very humbled and pleased to have found you on you tube. My sincere and heart felt compliments to you. I wish all the best and all the success Kelly. Thank you so much for beeing there. Be nice to somebody today beautifull person

[cherisegroenewald]

Thanks for always being honest. It's so refreshing. Thats way you are the best.

[aguilarangela]

i am considering purchasing a Cricut Maker 3 and also Silhouette Software Business edition. i want the user friendly Cricut but the creativity of the Silhouette software..