Buy Cricut Joy 2 for most new buyers. Cricut lists the Joy 2 at a $99 US starting price (2026), compared with $179 for the original Joy, and the newer machine is lighter, flatter, supports 75+ materials, adds Print Then Cut and scoring, and uses an Easy Printables sensor. Choose the original Cricut Joy only when your projects are limited to basic cards, labels, decals, drawing, foil and vinyl and you can obtain it at a substantial discount.
Cricut Joy 2 vs. Cricut Joy at a glance
Both machines are compact Bluetooth cutters built for small craft projects. They use Cricut Design Space, accept compatible Smart Materials without a cutting mat, and handle narrow designs such as cards, labels, decals and short iron-on graphics. The Joy 2 keeps that workflow but adds the features most likely to change what you can make: printable projects, scoring and a broader material list.
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| Feature | Cricut Joy | Cricut Joy 2 |
|---|---|---|
| US starting price listed by Cricut (2026) | $179 | $99 |
| Dimensions | 8.4 x 5.4 x 4.3 in | 9.1 x 5.4 x 2.8 in |
| Weight | About 3.9 lb (1.77 kg) | 2.7 lb (1.2 kg) |
| Supported materials | 50+ | 75+ |
| Print Then Cut | No | Yes |
| Scoring | No | Yes |
| Foil transfer | Yes | Yes |
| Maximum Smart Materials width and length | 4.5 in wide; up to 4 ft long | 4.5 in wide; up to 4 ft long |
| Maximum cut speed | 5 inches per second | 5.3 inches per second |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 1.0 | Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) |
The prices are Cricut’s listed US starting prices in 2026, not a guarantee of a current bundle or store price. Bundles, stock and regional pricing change, so compare the complete package rather than the machine-only number.
What Cricut Joy 2 adds
Print Then Cut for printable stickers and labels
The decisive upgrade is Print Then Cut. Joy 2 can read the registration marks around a printed design and cut around each shape. That enables full-colour stickers, illustrated labels, planner sheets and other printable projects that the original Joy cannot cut in this way. Joy 2 includes an Easy Printables sensor intended to make that alignment and detection process automatic.
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- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
Print Then Cut is not a printer built into the machine. You need a separate compatible inkjet printer to print the artwork first. The usual sequence is to create or upload the design in Design Space, send it to the printer, place the printed sheet on the mat, and let Joy 2 scan the marks before cutting. Without an inkjet printer, Joy 2 still works as a conventional vinyl, cardstock, drawing and foil cutter, but you cannot use its printable-material advantage.
Scoring for folds and structured paper projects
Joy 2 supports scoring; the original Joy does not. A scoring tool creates a crease so a card, box component or folded decoration bends accurately instead of cracking or wandering. If your bundle does not include a scoring tool, budget for the Joy-compatible tool separately. Scoring is useful even when you never print stickers because it turns a flat cut into a repeatable folded object.
A lighter, flatter body and automatic loading
Joy 2 weighs 2.7 lb (1.2 kg), while Joy weighs about 3.9 lb (1.77 kg). Its 2.8-inch depth is also much flatter than Joy’s 4.3 inches, although Joy 2 is slightly wider at 9.1 inches versus 8.4 inches. Those differences matter if the cutter lives on a shelf, travels to classes or is put away after each project. Joy 2 also provides automatic load-and-go behavior, reducing manual steps when feeding compatible materials.
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A broader material list
Cricut lists Joy 2 as compatible with 75+ materials, compared with 50+ for Joy. The list includes vinyl, iron-on, printable materials and cardstock. The count does not mean every material is equally suitable for every design: thickness, adhesive, finish and required tool still matter. It does mean Joy 2 leaves more room for projects that go beyond basic adhesive vinyl and paper.
Where the original Cricut Joy still makes sense
You only make simple, narrow projects
Original Joy remains practical for names and labels, small decals, greeting cards, simple iron-on designs, drawing with compatible pens and markers, and foil-transfer details. Those are the machine’s core jobs, and the original model already supports foil transfer. If you do not need printed full-colour artwork or scored folds, Joy can complete that project list without paying for features you will not use.
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
You find a genuinely large discount
Cricut’s listed starting price is higher for the original Joy, but an older machine can make financial sense when a retailer’s discount is substantial and the package includes the tools and mats you need. Compare the final checkout total: a bare machine plus replacement mats can erase the apparent saving. Also check return terms and the condition of any clearance unit.
You already own Joy-compatible supplies
Existing Smart Vinyl, Smart Iron-On, mats, pens and foil-transfer supplies can lower the cost of staying with the original. That advantage is strongest for a current Joy owner deciding whether to upgrade, rather than for a first-time buyer choosing between two new machines.
Size, speed and connectivity differences
The cutting area is effectively the same for both machines. Smart Materials can be 4.5 inches wide and an individual continuous design can run up to 4 feet long. Neither is a wide-format apparel cutter. For repeated cuts, Cricut lists approximately 20 feet of total length, but that does not turn the machine into a 12-inch desktop plotter; every individual design still has the 4.5-inch width limit.
Joy 2’s listed maximum cut speed is 5.3 inches per second, compared with 5 inches per second for Joy. That 0.3-inch-per-second difference is modest and should not be the main buying reason. It may shorten long, simple cuts, while intricate shapes, multiple passes and material settings can dominate the actual project time.
Joy uses Bluetooth 1.0; Joy 2 uses Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE). Both are wireless workflows through Design Space. BLE is designed for lower power consumption and current device compatibility, but your phone, tablet or computer still needs a supported operating system and an active Design Space setup.
Rank #3
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- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
What each machine can cut and how far it can go
Smart Materials without a mat
Smart Vinyl, Smart Iron-On and Smart Label materials can load directly into either machine without a cutting mat. Align the material straight, feed it through the guides and let the machine measure and cut. A mat is still useful for scraps, small offcuts and materials that are not sold in a Smart format.
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Cardstock, printable sheets and many specialty materials are placed on a compatible mat. Budget for replacement LightGrip mats because adhesive surfaces collect paper fibers and lose hold over time. Use the mat size and material setting shown in Design Space; forcing a thick or poorly supported sheet can cause lifting, incomplete cuts or tearing.
Width and length planning
Designs wider than 4.5 inches must be divided into panels or made on a larger Cricut model. For a long banner, Joy can cut a continuous Smart-Material design up to 4 feet, while repeated cuts can extend to approximately 20 feet. Plan seams and alignment before cutting because the machine cannot create one uninterrupted piece wider than its feed path.
Ownership cost: the machine is only the first line
Compare the supplies required for your actual projects, not just the listed machine prices.
- Smart materials: Smart Vinyl, Smart Iron-On and Smart Label rolls are convenient because they do not need a mat, but every finished project consumes material.
- Mats: Keep compatible LightGrip mats for cardstock, printable sheets and scraps. Replacements are a normal consumable.
- Tools: Joy 2’s scoring capability requires a compatible scoring tool if your bundle does not supply one. Pens or markers are needed for drawing and writing projects.
- Printer: Print Then Cut requires a separate inkjet printer, plus ink and printable media. This is the largest potential add-on cost for a sticker-focused buyer.
- Design Space and optional content: Cricut shows Cricut Access at $9.99 per month on its US product page. Treat that as a current listed price rather than a permanent worldwide rate; you can also work with your own uploads and available Design Space projects without assuming a subscription is required.
A useful comparison is total first-project cost: machine, one roll or pack of the material you will actually use, a mat if needed, the tool required for the operation, and—only for printable projects—the printer and ink. A cheaper original Joy can become the more expensive choice if you later add a second machine or replace it to obtain Print Then Cut.
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| Your main project | Better fit | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Full-colour stickers or illustrated labels | Cricut Joy 2 | Print Then Cut and the Easy Printables sensor; an inkjet printer is required. |
| Scored cards, folded tags or small boxes | Cricut Joy 2 | Scoring support and a compatible scoring tool. |
| Simple vinyl labels and decals | Either | Both support narrow Smart Materials cuts; choose by price, condition and included supplies. |
| Small iron-on names or motifs | Either | Both use Smart Iron-On and share the 4.5-inch width limit. |
| Drawing, writing or foil details | Either | Both support pens/markers and foil transfer; Joy 2 adds other capabilities but is not required. |
| Frequent transport or limited shelf depth | Cricut Joy 2 | It weighs 2.7 lb and is 2.8 inches deep, versus about 3.9 lb and 4.3 inches for Joy. |
| Lowest possible purchase price after a clearance deal | Original Cricut Joy | Only if the discount is substantial and the included tools meet your needs. |
How to make common projects
Basic vinyl label or decal (either model)
- Open Design Space, select your Joy model and create a design no wider than 4.5 inches.
- Choose the correct Smart Vinyl setting, or place regular vinyl on a compatible mat.
- Load the material straight through the guides. Smart Materials use the matless load-and-go path; scraps use a mat.
- Run the cut, unload the material and weed the excess vinyl.
- Apply transfer tape when the design contains multiple pieces, then place it on the cleaned surface.
For a long sign, check the design length before pressing Make. A single continuous Smart-Material design can be up to 4 feet long; wider lettering must be split into sections.
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Print Then Cut sticker sheet (Joy 2)
- Create or upload the artwork in Design Space and arrange the stickers inside the printable area shown on screen.
- Choose Make, send the sheet to a compatible inkjet printer and use the print settings recommended for your printable material.
- Place the printed sheet on the specified mat, keeping the registration marks unobstructed.
- Load the mat into Joy 2. Its Easy Printables sensor reads the marks and guides the cut around each design.
- Unload only after the cut finishes. If edges are offset, inspect lighting, print scaling, mat adhesion and registration-mark visibility before retrying.
The original Joy cannot perform this registration-mark workflow. You can still cut pre-printed shapes manually only by treating them as ordinary material and accepting that the machine will not automatically locate each printed outline.
Scored card (Joy 2)
- Choose a card or folded-project design that assigns a score operation.
- Install the compatible scoring tool when Design Space prompts you, then load cardstock on the recommended mat.
- Let Joy 2 score first and cut second; do not remove the sheet between operations.
- Fold along the crease after unloading and reinforce the fold from the back if the cardstock is heavy.
On the original Joy, you can draw fold guides with a pen, but it does not provide the dedicated scoring operation. That workaround is less consistent for repeated cards and does not create the same crease.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Do you need a printer for Cricut Joy 2?
Only if you want Print Then Cut. Joy 2 does not require a printer for Smart Vinyl, Smart Iron-On, cardstock cuts, drawing or foil transfer. It does require a compatible inkjet printer for printable stickers, printable labels and other full-colour Print Then Cut projects. Factor in ink and printable media as recurring costs, not just the one-time printer purchase.
If your goal is monochrome labels or simple decals, cut ordinary or Smart Vinyl instead and skip the printer. If your goal is photographic, illustrated or multi-colour stickers, Joy 2 is the appropriate Joy model, but the printer becomes part of the system.
Common pitfalls and fixes
Expecting wide apparel graphics
The 4.5-inch maximum width applies to both machines. For a shirt graphic wider than that, divide the artwork into aligned sections or choose a larger-format cutter. Do not buy Joy 2 expecting a wider cutting path simply because it is newer.
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
Buying Joy 2 without planning the tool bundle
Check whether the package includes a scoring tool, mats and pens. A low machine-only price can require immediate add-ons for the project you have in mind. Price the complete setup before ordering.
Print Then Cut misalignment
- Confirm that the artwork was printed at 100% scale rather than fit-to-page.
- Keep all registration marks clear of tape, ink smears and decorative backgrounds.
- Use the designated mat and ensure the sheet is firmly adhered and square.
- Reduce glare and follow Design Space’s calibration prompt if cuts remain offset.
Material lifting or incomplete cuts
Clean the mat, replace it when it no longer holds the sheet, and select the exact material setting. For Smart Materials, reload the roll straight and leave enough clearance behind and in front of the machine. Small scraps are more reliable on a mat than on a nearly empty Smart-Material strip.
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Confusing a subscription with machine capability
Cricut Access can provide optional content for a listed US monthly price, but it does not add a wider cutting path or turn original Joy into a Print Then Cut machine. Decide on the hardware first, then decide whether a content subscription saves you time.
Final buying decision
Choose Cricut Joy 2 if you are buying new, want printable stickers or labels, need scored folds, value a lighter and flatter machine, or want access to the broader 75+ material list. Its $99 US starting price listed by Cricut in 2026 is lower than the original Joy’s $179 starting price, although real checkout prices depend on region and bundle.
Choose the original Cricut Joy only when your work is firmly limited to basic vinyl, iron-on, cards, drawing and foil, and the machine is available at a substantial discount with the supplies you need. It remains capable within its 4.5-inch format, but it cannot add Print Then Cut or scoring through software updates.
For most first-time buyers, Joy 2 is the safer long-term purchase: the capabilities you may grow into are already built in, while the machine remains compact enough for the same small-project workspace.
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