Cricut Maker 3 vs Cricut Explore 3 vs Silhouette Cameo 5 vs Brother ScanNCut
By EmbroidHub Editorial Team · Updated · How we compare
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Cutting machines cut vinyl, iron-on, cardstock and even fabric into any shape you design, for shirts, decals, cards and party decor. Cricut is the best-known brand, Silhouette is the favorite of many small businesses, and Brother's ScanNCut has a built-in scanner that works without a computer.
Quick picks
- Cutting the widest range of materials: Cricut Maker 3Check price on Amazon
- Vinyl, iron-on and paper crafts: Cricut Explore 3Check price on Amazon
- Small businesses and design control: Silhouette Cameo 5Check price on Amazon
- Quilters and cutting without a computer: Brother ScanNCut SDX SeriesCheck price on Amazon
Side-by-side comparison
| Product | Best for | Price tier | Materials | Matless cutting | Needs a computer or phone | Software | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cricut Maker 3 | Cutting the widest range of materials | Premium | 300+ incl. fabric and wood | Yes, Smart Materials | Yes | Cricut Design Space | See on Amazon |
| Cricut Explore 3 | Vinyl, iron-on and paper crafts | Mid-range | 100+ | Yes, Smart Materials | Yes | Cricut Design Space | See on Amazon |
| Silhouette Cameo 5 | Small businesses and design control | Mid-range | Vinyl, cardstock, iron-on and more | Yes, with supported materials | Yes | Silhouette Studio | See on Amazon |
| Brother ScanNCut SDX Series | Quilters and cutting without a computer | Premium | Fabric, paper, vinyl and more | No | No | Built-in screen + CanvasWorkspace | See on Amazon |
#1 · Cutting the widest range of materials · Premium
Cricut Maker 3
Cricut's most capable machine. Its Adaptive Tool System cuts more than 300 materials, including fabric, felt, balsa and leather, and Smart Materials can be cut without a mat in long runs.
What we like
- Cuts the most materials, including fabric
- Matless cutting with Smart Materials
- Easy Design Space app
Keep in mind
- Most expensive
- Many features need Cricut Access subscription
- Materials
- 300+ incl. fabric and wood
- Matless cutting
- Yes, Smart Materials
- Needs a computer or phone
- Yes
- Software
- Cricut Design Space
#2 · Vinyl, iron-on and paper crafts · Mid-range
Cricut Explore 3
Does almost everything the Maker 3 does for vinyl, iron-on and cardstock, at a lower price. It does not use the rotary blade for fabric or the knife blade for thick materials.
What we like
- Great value for vinyl and paper
- Matless cutting with Smart Materials
- Fast
Keep in mind
- No rotary or knife blade
- Materials
- 100+
- Matless cutting
- Yes, Smart Materials
- Needs a computer or phone
- Yes
- Software
- Cricut Design Space
#3 · Small businesses and design control · Mid-range
Silhouette Cameo 5
Silhouette Studio software runs on your computer and gives you more design control, and the Cameo 5 handles wide 12-inch materials, long cuts and a wide range of tools.
What we like
- Powerful desktop software
- Less dependent on a subscription
- Wide material support
Keep in mind
- Steeper learning curve
- Materials
- Vinyl, cardstock, iron-on and more
- Matless cutting
- Yes, with supported materials
- Needs a computer or phone
- Yes
- Software
- Silhouette Studio
#4 · Quilters and cutting without a computer · Premium
Brother ScanNCut SDX Series
A built-in scanner lets you scan a drawing, a stamp or a fabric print and cut around it right on the machine's touchscreen, no computer needed. Popular with quilters and appliqué makers.
What we like
- Built-in scanner
- Works without a computer
- Great for fabric and appliqué
Keep in mind
- Smaller ecosystem of designs
- Higher price
- Materials
- Fabric, paper, vinyl and more
- Matless cutting
- No
- Needs a computer or phone
- No
- Software
- Built-in screen + CanvasWorkspace
Do you need a subscription?
Both Cricut and Silhouette machines work without a subscription, using your own designs or uploaded files. Cricut Access and Silhouette's design store add large libraries of ready-made designs and fonts for a monthly or yearly fee.
Our verdict
Most crafters doing shirts, mugs and decals should get the Cricut Explore 3. Pick the Maker 3 to cut fabric and thick materials, the Silhouette Cameo 5 if you run a small shop and want design control, and the Brother ScanNCut for quilting and cutting without a computer.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cricut or Silhouette better for beginners?
Cricut is usually easier for beginners thanks to its simple Design Space app and huge online community. Silhouette rewards people who want more control.
Can a Cricut cut fabric?
The Cricut Maker 3 cuts fabric with its rotary blade. The Explore 3 can cut fabric only when it is bonded to a backing.
Specs and features come from the manufacturers and can change between versions. Prices change often on Amazon, so check the current price and the exact model before you buy.