10 Best Vinyl Cutters 2025 in the United States

The Cricut Explore 4 - Smart Cutting Machine offers a comprehensive bundle for those interested in arts and crafts. With a cutting width suitable for various projects, it can handle over 100 different materials, including vinyl, iron-on HTV, and cardstock. This versatility makes it a strong choice for hobbyists and small business owners looking to personalize items or create custom designs.

The machine also features drawing, foiling, and scoring capabilities, enhancing its functionality beyond just cutting. The inclusion of the Cricut Design Space app, compatible with multiple platforms (iOS, Android, Windows, and Mac), allows for easy design customization and project management. Additionally, it works with most inkjet printers for full-color designs, which is a plus for creating stickers and other detailed items.

The essentials bundle provides a wide range of materials and tools, ensuring you have everything you need to start right away. On the downside, the machine's weight (17.36 pounds) and package size (24.5 x 9.8 x 9.7 inches) may make it less portable. Moreover, while the Design Space app is free, accessing the extensive library of images and project templates requires a subscription to Cricut Access, which might be an additional cost to consider. Despite these minor drawbacks, the Cricut Explore 4's ease of use and extensive capabilities make it an excellent choice for both beginners and experienced crafters.

The Brother ScanNCut SDX125EGY is a versatile vinyl cutter that offers a generous cutting width of about 11.7 inches, which suits most hobby and small business projects. One of its strongest features is the built-in scanner, allowing you to scan your own designs or printed stickers directly and cut them precisely without complex setup. This feature is quite unique and helps with custom and detailed work. The cutter can handle materials up to 3 millimeters thick, including vinyl, paper, fabric, and even thin wood or foam, giving you flexibility for various crafts.

The automatic blade adjustment is a real time-saver since it senses material thickness and adjusts without manual input, reducing the chance of cutting errors. The machine comes with a good number of built-in designs (682), plus you can add more via USB or wireless connection, which adds to its creative potential. It features an easy-to-use 5-inch touchscreen that makes navigating settings straightforward, even if you're new to cutting machines. Connectivity includes USB and wireless, which are convenient for transferring patterns, but it doesn’t support direct app-based control like some competitors.

The cutting speed and force are suitable for typical DIY and small business needs but may not match industrial-grade machines if you require very fast or very heavy-duty cutting. The Brother ScanNCut SDX125EGY represents a strong choice for hobbyists and small entrepreneurs seeking a reliable, quiet, and easy-to-use vinyl cutter with added scanning capability, making it ideal for personalized projects and light to moderate use.

The Cricut Joy Xtra Smart Cutting Machine is a compact and versatile option for anyone interested in crafting with vinyl and other materials. One of its standout features is the ability to cut over 50 different materials, which includes vinyl, iron-on, and cardstock. This makes it a great choice for hobbyists and small businesses looking to create custom designs or crafts. The precision cutting capability allows users to handle intricate designs with ease, and it also has the added functionality to write, draw, and foil, expanding its utility beyond just cutting.

In terms of software compatibility, the Cricut Joy Xtra works seamlessly with Cricut's design software, which is user-friendly for beginners. It offers good connectivity options, allowing you to connect through Bluetooth, making it easy to send designs wirelessly from your devices. The machine's compact size (12.5 x 6 x 5.5 inches) also makes it suitable for smaller workspaces, appealing to those who may not have lots of room.

While the Cricut Joy Xtra may have limitations in its cutting width and force compared to larger or more professional-grade vinyl cutters, it is still an excellent choice for casual crafters and small project creators, especially those working with vinyl. Its ease of use, versatility, and compact design are strong points, though it may not meet the needs of users looking for heavy-duty cutting capabilities or larger workspaces.