Hey everyone, Nikki here! For the past few months since we
started releasing cut files, I have wanted to compare the Cricut Explore and
the Silhouette Cameo machines. Now that
I have both, I decided to do some videos and a blog post to compare them. I hope it helps as you decide which one to buy.
First, let’s start with some specifications of each:
Cricut Explore
Weight 10.9 lbs.
Full software free
Dual carriage: Explore and Explore Air
Single carriage on Explore One
Internet required to use software
Images stored online
Cut .jpg, .png, .bmp, .gif, .svg, and .dxf free
Software is web based with automatic updates
Blade adjustment is automatic by smart dial on the machine
Has built in storage for extra blades and tools
Print then cut feature
Explore Air has built in wireless. Explore and Explore One
needs a blue tooth adapter to be wireless
Cricut store with subscription option and single image
purchases. Can also purchase cartridges.
Multi layer files broken into layers automatically
Design on a canvas
Silhouette Cameo
Weight 6.5 lbs.
Basic software free but also paid upgrade option for full
software
Cut .jpg, .png, .bmp, .gif, .wmf, .gsd/gst and .dxf
free Must pay an upgrade fee to use .svg
files
Layered images added as a group and must be ungrouped and
moved to different mats
Single carriage
Print then cut feature
Images stored on personal computer
No internet required to use software
Design on a virtual cutting mat
Matless cutting feature
Manually adjust the blade
Software is downloaded and updates must be downloaded also
Now on to my personal experience with both machines.
The Cricut Design software is online and requires internet
to work. Sometimes you get a notice that
says the flash player needs updated and you either have to update it or close
the web browser and restart it before it works.
Silhouette software does not need internet which is a definite plus in
my book.
The Cricut is less noisy and sounds like the movement of the
blade and mat is more fluid than the Silhouette but both finished products were
cut perfectly.
The Silhouette is slower at cutting than the Cricut.
I do not like that the layers are not automatically
separated on the silhouette software and I really do not like the fact that you
have to pay an upgrade fee to use .svg files.
.svg files are much easier to use than .dxf files. Both software
programs allowed me to manipulate the size easily. Overall, both are great machines and you
can’t go wrong with either. They both
cut the images perfectly.
To compare speeds, I cut the same image out with both
machines in the same size. Cricut Explore One finished in
2 minutes exactly and Silhouette Cameo finished at 5
minutes 19 seconds.
If you want to see some of the features up close, here's a video I put together comparing the two and showing them in action:
https://youtu.be/s-QWl9bvzHw
I really hope this short blog and video help you determine
which product personally suits you between these two cutting machines. Also, be sure to check out all our CKC Cut Files available - we have so many fun ones to choose from!
~ Nikki
