In our latest review, technical expert Heather Nugent tests out the new Cricut Joy Xtra™ smart cutting machine.
Are you looking for a device to help up your craft game? Or perhaps you’re a small arty business owner who wants to expand the range of products you sell.
Well, this compact and convenient machine might just be the tool for you. We put this device to the test to find out if it lives up to the hype.
About the expert: Heather Nugent
Heather Nugent is a seasoned technical expert with over ten years of experience in craft publishing. Skilled in a variety of crafts, including sewing, embroidery and paper crafting, she has a passion for creating beautiful, hands-on projects.
Throughout her career, she has contributed to well-known publications such as Your Home, RSPB Wild Times, Love Embroidery, and Simply Sewing, sharing her expertise and creativity with craft enthusiasts.
Whether it's stitching, crafting or designing, Heather has the knowledge and experience to put this tool through its paces, to give you a thorough and honest review you can trust.
What is a Cricut Joy Xtra™?
The main purpose of the device is super speedy and precise cutting. It can create intricate designs with ease for a professional finish.
The Cricut Joy Xtra™, in combination with the vast selection material available, allows you to customise and create all sorts of craft projects.
It cuts, writes, draws and foils to make trending projects like full-colour stickers, custom cards, T-shirts, vinyl decals and more.
In particular, this machine is great at precisely cutting out intricate designs which you can use to make cards and vinyl designs, while still being very quick and easy to use. The Print Then Cut function is especially useful as it allows users to import images to make stickers and iron-on motifs.
To get the most from the machine a subscription to the accompanying app, Cricut Design Space, is needed. But, there is still plenty to be done with the basic free version of the app. Although there are a few minor issues (detailed below), overall, the Cricut Joy Xtra is a must-have for any avid crafter.
Specs and requirements
The Cricut Joy Xtra™ requires a compatible computer or mobile device with Bluetooth wireless abilities and high-speed internet connection.
If the Print Then Cut feature is required, you will also need an ink-jet printer.
How does it differ from Cricut Joy™?
It’s larger than the Cricut Joy™ but still fairly light-weight and compact. The biggest benefit being how you can now create larger designs of 8.5 inches wide.
It also allows you to use the print and cut feature which uses an ink-jet printer to make detailed stickers and iron on designs for fabric and then precisely cuts them out.
It is worth noting that the tools are all compatible with both models.
How was the set-up process?
In the box you will find a manual with brief instructions and a card that directs you to the website to activate your machine. I downloaded the app on my phone and then followed the instructions on screen to set-up the Cricut Joy Xtra™. This was a pleasantly easy process. I also installed it onto a MacBook and had no issues.
When using the Print Then Cut function I was required to do a bit of troubleshooting to align the blade with the image for cutting, but this also worked extremely well.
Do I need a subscription?
Without a subscription, you upload and cut your own designs with the basic version of the app. You can also pay individually for projects in the Cricut Design Space library without paying for the full subscription.
However, a subscription will allow you full access to all the designs and projects on the app - which come not only with the assets you need to create the design, but step by step instructions to help with the process.
Whether you want the subscription will come down to user personal use and preference. It very much depends on the type of projects you want to produce. But you can still use a lot of the functions without it.
Cricut Design Space
There is a vast library of designs and projects you can make. Each one with its own detailed instruction to assist you in the process. It is fairly easy to operate if you have experience using art editing software and will allow you to create simple designs with text and the font options are all really stylish and varied.
There are over 100 simple free motifs and projects that you can access without a paid subscription, but to get the most out of the app and the machine I think a full subscription is required. Although, you can buy individual motifs without paying for a whole subscription.
To create more intricate designs for yourself I would recommend using a more advance piece of art software and then importing the design (you can then edit it within the app). When printing, the app will add guidelines around the design which the machine will then use to help line up the cutting guide.
The Print Then Cut feature created a great finished product but I experienced a few hiccups during the process. The first issue being that my printer did not like the ‘printable iron-on for light fabric’ It took a few attempts before it picked up the paper to print.
Secondly, the cut itself wasn’t particularly clean, and it stuck in a few places when I tried to peel away the excess around the design. Although, neither of these points ruined the finished effect of the project – which looked very sleek and professional, but the process was not as smooth as with the other materials I tried.
Price
The device is £199.99 for the machine only, but we recommend the machine, materials and subscription bundle, which is currently £269.99, for the best value.
The basic machine comes with:
- Cricut Joy Xtra machine™
- Premium Fine-Point Blade + Housing
- Cricut Joy™ Fine Point Pen
- Cricut Mini Weeder
- Welcome card
- Power cable
- Free trial subscription to Cricut Access™ (for new subscribers)
- 100 free, pre-designed projects in the companion app
- Materials for a practice cut
If you choose to buy the materials bundle you will receive:
- Cricut Joy Xtra™ Light Grip Machine Mat
- Cricut Joy Xtra™ Standard Grip Machine Mat
- Cricut Joy Xtra™ Card Mat, 4.7 in x 6.6 in
- Portable Trimmer, 13 in (33 cm)
- Basic Tool Set
- Printable Sticker Paper – A4 (8 ct)
- Printable Vinyl, Gold – A4 (10 ct)
- Cricut Joy™ Gel Pens 1.0 mm, Teal/Purple/Pink (3 ct)
- Cricut Joy™ Permanent Markers 1.0 mm, Red/Blue/Green (3 ct)
- Cricut Joy Xtra™ Smart Iron-On™ Sampler, Classics (3 ct)
- Cricut Joy Xtra™ Smart Iron-On™ Sampler, Holographic (3 ct)
- Cricut Joy Xtra™ Smart Vinyl™ Writable Vinyl – Removable (3 ct)
- Cricut Joy Xtra™ Smart Label™ Paper – Permanent (4 ct)
- Cricut Joy Xtra™ Smart Vinyl™ – Permanent, Pinwheel Sampler (3 ct)
- Cricut Joy Xtra™ Smart Vinyl™ – Permanent, Roller Skate Sampler (3 ct)
- Cricut Joy Xtra™ Transfer Tape (3 ft)
- Cricut Joy™ Insert Cards, Glitz and Glam Sampler R20 (10 ct)
- Cricut Joy™ Insert Cards, New Romantic Sampler A2 (12 ct)
- Cutaway Cards, Corsage Sampler - R20 (8 ct)
Bluetooth Connectivity
Connectivity can be intermittent as the machine is only able to be used through Bluetooth. I didn’t have any issues when using the app on my phone or my mac, but having spoken to a colleague who also has this machine, she has experienced some issues on occasion with getting her computer and the Cricut Joy Xtra™ to connect to each other.
It’s a shame that there isn’t also the option to connect using a wire as nothing beats the reliability of a cable connection.
Other stuff to note
Not limited to the Cricut App for design files – you can download SVG or PNG files from online stores which will work with the machine.
Good for crafters who have some dexterity issues when using scissors, however it’s still a little fiddly to remove the small pieces around the designs.
Summary
The initial outlay for the Cricut Joy Xtra™ is a little pricey, but if you are passionate about papercraft, a craft enthusiast, or someone with a small business looking to expand your product range then this machine is a must!
The device is also great for people who are less arty as it is a great tool for helping you to realise your creative vision even if you aren’t confident in your drawing skills.
On the flip side it’s also a great tool for artists and illustrators as you will be able to easily apply your art onto clothing, accessories, homewares and more.
Get Started using the Cricut Joy Xtra™ with this exclusive cottagecore tote using Cricut Printable Iron-On for Light Fabrics and hand embroidery.
