If you want one answer: the original Cricut Maker is the best Cricut machine overall in 2026, because its 10X cutting force and 300+ material range handle leather, wood and heavy cardstock that the lighter machines refuse. If you only cut vinyl and iron-on, the Cricut Joy is the smarter buy.
That is the part most roundups skip. Cricut currently sells machines across three families, and the gap between them is not price so much as force, cutting width and material range. Choosing wrong usually means paying for cutting power you will never use, or fighting a machine that will not cut the material you actually bought it for.
Our team compared all eight current Cricut machines against each other over several weeks, checking cutting width, tool counts, included supplies and what real owners report back after living with them. Below is every model, ranked by what it is genuinely good at. Last updated for October 2026.
We also kept our guides for other creative gear, including our fog and haze machine picks for filmmakers, if you are building out a creative workspace rather than a single craft corner.
Table of Contents
- Top 3 Best Cricut Machines for October
- All Eight Cricut Machines Compared in 2026
- 1. Cricut Maker – The Original for Heavy Materials
- 2. Cricut Maker 3 – Faster Cuts With Matless Capability
- 3. Cricut Explore Air 2 – The Highest-Rated Way In
- 4. Cricut Maker 4 – Print-Then-Cut for Apparel Work
- 5. Cricut Explore 5 – Compact 12 Inch Cutting Width
- 6. Cricut Joy – Portable Value for Decals and Labels
- 7. Cricut Joy Xtra – More Cutting Room in a Small Body
- 8. Cricut Joy 2 – Smallest Machine for Labels and Cards
- How to Choose the Right Cricut Machine in 2026
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Which Cricut Machine Should You Buy?
Top 3 Best Cricut Machines for October
Two other machines deserve a mention before the full list. The Cricut Maker 3 doubles the speed of the original and adds matless Smart Materials cutting, which is the single biggest workflow upgrade in the lineup. The Cricut Maker 4 adds Print-Then-Cut registration to most inkjet printers, so you can cut full-color printed stickers straight off a home printer.
All Eight Cricut Machines Compared in 2026
This table is the fast version of the whole guide. Every machine below has its own section further down with the detail on what it cuts, what arrives in the box and who should skip it.
| Product | Specs | Action |
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 Cricut Maker |
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 Cricut Maker 3 |
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 Cricut Explore Air 2 |
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Check Latest Price |
 Cricut Maker 4 |
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Check Latest Price |
 Cricut Explore 5 |
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Check Latest Price |
 Cricut Joy |
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Check Latest Price |
 Cricut Joy Xtra |
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Check Latest Price |
 Cricut Joy 2 |
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Check Latest Price |
1. Cricut Maker – The Original for Heavy Materials
Cricut Maker – Smart Cutting Machine – with 10X Cutting Force, Cuts 300+ Materials, Create 3D Art, Home Decor & More, Bluetooth Connectivity, Compatible with iOS, Android, Windows & Mac, Champagne
10X cutting force
300+ materials
13 tools
18 lb body
12 x 12 in mat area
Pros
- Cuts paper fabric leather light wood and matboard cleanly
- 10X force handles heavy materials lighter machines cannot
- Bluetooth stays stable from across the room
- Built-in top storage keeps the work surface tidy
- Vast font and design library in Design Space
Cons
- No built-in screen so a computer or phone is required
- Design Space needs an internet connection to run projects
- Clamp accuracy varies by about 1mm side to side
The original Maker is the machine we come back to after testing the whole range. It weighs 18 pounds, which sounds heavy until you cut something that thinner machines will not touch. Then it sounds exactly right.
The specification that matters most is the 10X cutting force paired with 300+ supported materials. That is not marketing copy about paper. It is the difference between a balsa wood cut that works and a knife blade that stalls halfway through the design.
Fourteen compatible tools cover cutting, writing, scoring, foiling, engraving and debossing, and the tool storage built into the top of the machine means you are not chasing a blade holder across the craft table every session. Owners repeatedly single out the pen tool, because it draws neatly even if your handwriting is not.
Bluetooth pairing is genuinely reliable. Reviewers report a stable connection from around 15 feet away, so the machine can sit on a shelf and the computer stay on the desk. That matters more than it sounds in a small room.
When the original Maker is the right buy
This is the machine for anyone who already knows they will work in leather, matboard, fabric or light wood. The reusable FabricGrip and LightGrip mats are included, and the material ceiling is high enough that you will not hit a ceiling soon.
It is also the one Cricut that rewards slower cutting. Long-time owners in r/cricut often describe the original Maker as sturdier and more precise than the faster generations, and that is a real pattern in the reviews rather than nostalgia.
When the original Maker is the wrong buy
If you cut vinyl and iron-on only, you are paying for capability you will not touch. Most of what people use a Cricut for takes minutes, not hours, and the smaller machines do it just as well.
Two real limitations stand out. There is no built-in screen, so a paired computer or phone is mandatory, and the two clamps can sit about 1mm apart side to side, which shows up in precision work like origami. The pen holder also accepts Cricut-branded pens only.
2. Cricut Maker 3 – Faster Cuts With Matless Capability
Cricut Maker 3 & Digital Content Library Bundle – Includes 30 Images in Design Space App – Smart Cutting Machine, 2X Faster & 10X Cutting Force, Cuts 300+ Materials, Blue, Leather,Vinyl
2X faster than the original
300+ materials
13+ tools
Matless cuts to 12 ft
6.82 kg
Pros
- Clean exact cuts across vinyl fabric and cardstock
- Noticeably faster on repeat production jobs
- Rotary blade and deep-point blade widen material range
- Bluetooth transfer removes the USB cable
- Compact enough to store between projects
Cons
- No tools in the box so a weeder is a separate buy
- Every material needs its own pressure and blade setting
- Full design library needs a Cricut Access subscription
The Maker 3 keeps the original 10X cutting force and doubles the speed, which turns long production runs from a chore into a background task. If you make decals in batches for a market stall or an Etsy shop, that speed difference is the whole reason to choose it.
Its bigger contribution is matless cutting with Smart Materials. A single image cuts up to 12 feet, or you can run repeated cuts to 75 feet, without loading a mat. For long decal runs that is a genuine workflow change rather than a spec-sheet line.
Ownership reports describe clean, exact cuts through vinyl, fabric and cardstock, with the rotary blade and deep-point blade widening the material range well past paper. Bluetooth job transfer is the other quiet win. You stop shuttling a USB cable back and forth for every project.
The bundle registers 30 bonus images to your account at setup and unlocks beginner guides plus expert-led workshops inside the design app. That is real onboarding value if you have never used a die cutting machine before.
When the Maker 3 earns its place
Buy it when output volume matters. Repeat jobs, shop inventory and long iron-on runs are where the 2X speed and the 75-foot matless capability pay back every time you use them. It folds down to 21.28 inches wide and 5.9 inches tall, so storage is not the problem it used to be.
It is also the most sensible upgrade path from an Explore machine for someone who has hit the material ceiling and wants fabric and thicker stock without jumping to the newest generation.
When the Maker 3 disappoints
It is not strictly point and click. Each material needs its own pressure and blade settings, and cut time climbs as thickness increases, so the speed advantage shrinks on heavy jobs. The bundle also ships without tools, meaning at minimum a weeder or spatula is a separate purchase.
Two further cautions from reviews. A minority of machines have failed to power on, and owners report real difficulty sourcing replacement parts afterwards. And the full image and font library still sits behind the optional Cricut Access subscription.
3. Cricut Explore Air 2 – The Highest-Rated Way In
Cricut Explore Air 2, Mint
100+ materials
12 x 12 in mat included
Bluetooth
7.1 kg
Premium Fine Point Blade
Pros
- Highest average rating in this lineup at 4.8 out of 5
- Plug-and-play setup with no assembly
- Cuts leather and engraves reliably
- Bluetooth pairs from a computer or a phone
- Usable free tier in the design software
Cons
- Will not cut fabric wood or chipboard like the Maker line
- Some machines arrive with a faulty Bluetooth module
- Instruction material is thin so tutorials fill the gaps
Owner satisfaction is the story here. At 4.8 out of 5 across more than 1,800 reviews, this is the highest-rated machine in the Cricut range, and the gap is not marginal. Ninety-seven percent of reviews are four stars or better.
Setup is the other reason people like it. There is no assembly, the blade and a black fine point pen are already fitted, and a 12 by 12 inch LightGrip mat is in the box. You can go from unboxing to a first sticker sheet in a single evening.
It still cuts more than most beginners expect. Reviewers report reliable results on premium vinyl, iron-on, cardstock, faux leather and adhesive foils, plus dependable engraving. A 12 by 12 inch mat is a generous canvas for a first machine.
When the Explore Air 2 is the right buy
It suits first-time crafters, gift buyers and anyone who wants a machine that works out of the box with nothing else to order. The included mat, blade and pen mean your first evening is spent making things rather than comparing accessories.
Home organisation is where this machine quietly excels. Labelling drawers, storage bins and pantry jars is repetitive, fast work that suits a light-duty machine better than a heavy one, and the Bluetooth connection lets you drive it from a tablet while you hold the bin.
When the Explore Air 2 is the wrong buy
It stops well short of the Maker line on materials. Fabric, wood, chipboard and genuinely thick leather projects are outside what it handles, and if your hobby list already includes those, you will outgrow it quickly.
Reliability is not perfect at delivery. A small number of reviews describe machines arriving with a Bluetooth module that cannot be replaced outside the return window, and one review reports the software not functioning at all and requiring a return. The instruction material is also minimal, so expect to learn through tutorials.
4. Cricut Maker 4 – Print-Then-Cut for Apparel Work
Cricut Maker 4 – Smart Cutting Machine (Seashell) | Digital Content Bundle
300+ materials
Print-Then-Cut with inkjet printers
270.25 sq in work area
9.59 kg
Pros
- Cuts cleanly and quickly on vinyl cardstock fabric and rubber
- Knife blade handles thick material such as red rubber
- Print-Then-Cut works well for full-color stickers and apparel
- Phone pairing is quick and setup is straightforward
- Seashell finish looks good in a craft room
Cons
- Cutting mat can arrive bent because the box is undersized
- Some bundles arrive with missing pieces
- Bundled extras are thin relative to the machine
The Maker 4 is the current generation of the machine most people picture when they say Cricut. It cuts, draws, foils, scores, engraves, debosses and perforates across 300+ materials, and the 270.25 square inch work area is the largest in this roundup.
Its defining feature is Print-Then-Cut. Load a sheet printed on a standard home inkjet printer, and the machine scans the registration marks to cut around your artwork. For full-colour stickers and personalised apparel that is a capability no other tier here offers.
Owners rate the cut quality and speed highly, and the knife blade earns specific praise for thick material such as red rubber. Reviews also flag that it runs much faster than the machines these owners replaced, which is the sentiment we hear most often from people upgrading.
The free design library includes 3,000+ images and 100+ fonts, which is generous next to the smaller machines. Print-Then-Cut does need a margin of unused mat at each end of the sheet, so plan your print layout accordingly.
When the Maker 4 is the right buy
It is the pick for apparel makers and anyone printing their own sticker sheets, because registration-based cutting turns a home inkjet into part of the production line. It also handles the widest variety of materials of anything we tested.
If you have outgrown a lighter machine and do not want the step change in size, this is the natural upgrade. The 7.1 by 22.1 by 6.2 inch footprint is still shelf-friendly compared with the original Maker.
When the Maker 4 is the wrong buy
Its one-star share is visibly higher than the older models, and the causes are specific rather than general. The most common is a cutting mat that arrives bent because the box is too small to hold it flat. Some bundles also arrive with pieces missing.
There is a second, sharper issue: a small number of reviews report defective machines where the cut only registers in one corner of the mat. That is a hardware fault rather than a settings problem, and it is worth checking the full mat area on a test cut before you commit to a project.
5. Cricut Explore 5 – Compact 12 Inch Cutting Width
Cricut Explore® 5 Essential Bundle + Digital Content, Taupe
12 in cutting width
30% more compact than earlier Explore models
100+ materials
six tools
Pros
- Cuts fast and cleanly with professional-looking results
- 30% smaller footprint than earlier Explore models
- Essential Bundle covers up to 65 projects
- Snap-in pen holder is a real convenience gain
Cons
- Print-Then-Cut calibration is reported as unreliable
- Older marker tools and the debossing tool no longer fit
- No dust cover so a separate cover is needed
The Explore 5 keeps a full 12 inch cutting width while shrinking 30 percent against earlier Explore models. That combination is unusual and it is the reason this is the most interesting machine in the current lineup for anyone short on shelf space.
You get 100+ supported materials and six tools, and the Essential Bundle supplies enough vinyl, iron-on, cardstock and transfer material for up to 65 projects. For a first machine that is a generous amount of material to start on without ordering anything else.
Owners upgrading from an Explore 4 report a clear gain in speed and efficiency, and the new snap-in pen holder is singled out as a small but genuine improvement. The design itself is the sleeker of the two recent generations.
Note that the Deep Cutting Tool is sold separately. If you plan to cut foam or rubber, add it to the first order, because it is not in the box.
When the Explore 5 is the right buy
Apartment crafters and small home offices should look here first. A 12 inch cut in a smaller body means full-size iron-on designs fit on a desk, which is exactly what the smaller Explore models compromised on.
It is also the current-generation option if your previous machine was an Explore Air 2 that has started giving you trouble. Owners of ageing Air 2 units frequently ask the same question in craft groups, and this is the intended step up.
When the Explore 5 is the wrong buy
It is the most polarising machine in this set, and the complaints are concrete. Print-Then-Cut is reported as unreliable, with frequent misregistration and failed calibration, so if full-colour printing is your main goal the Maker 4 is the safer bet.
The tool ecosystem also changed. Only markers labelled for this generation fit, older marker tools and the debossing tool are incompatible, and there is no dust cover, so you will want a separate one. A few bundles also arrive without the machine mats, and first-time setup and calibration are not well explained.
6. Cricut Joy – Portable Value for Decals and Labels
Cricut Joy Machine & Digital Content Library Bundle
50+ materials
Matless continuous cuts
3.9 lb body
5.5 x 8.5 x 4.25 in
StandardGrip mat
Pros
- Compact and light enough to carry and store anywhere
- Cuts 50+ common materials including iron-on
- Matless Smart Material allows very long continuous cuts
- Quick Bluetooth pairing to phone or laptop
- Draws and writes as well as it cuts
Cons
- Small cutting width limits it to decals and small cards
- Cannot cut fabric wood or leather or other thick materials
- Cricut Access subscription is needed for the full design library
The Joy is the reason most people start crafting at all. It weighs 3.9 pounds, measures 5.5 by 8.5 by 4.25 inches, and cuts 50+ common materials including cardstock, vinyl decal and iron-on. Nothing about it is intimidating.
Its underrated feature is matless cutting with Smart Materials, which allows super-long continuous cuts from a single load. On a machine this small, a cut that would need three mat re-loads on a bigger machine happens in one go.
With more than 2,000 reviews averaging 4.5, this is the most proven compact machine Cricut has made. Owners describe it as the best value option without reservation, and the standard setup takes a couple of minutes over Bluetooth.
The pen function deserves more attention than it gets. Because the Joy draws and writes as well as it cuts, label making and card borders are fast, and the writing stays neat even on projects where a handwriting sample would not.
When the Joy is the right buy
It is the correct answer for vinyl decals, iron-on apparel, labels and simple cards, which is most of what new crafters actually make. If you have never used a Cricut before, this is the least expensive way to find out whether you enjoy it.
The matless continuous cut also makes it good for long decal runs on a single sheet. R/cricut users repeatedly make the point that if you only cut vinyl, any machine in the range will do, and this is the cheapest of them that does it well.
When the Joy is the wrong buy
The small cutting width is the hard limit. Decals, labels and small cards fit; anything needing a full 12 inch design does not. There is also no fabric, wood or leather cutting of any kind, so it is a dead end for textile or thick-material work.
The bundled tool set is minimal for the range of projects the machine attracts, and the full design library still requires the Cricut Access subscription. Expect to move up a size once your projects outgrow the mat.
7. Cricut Joy Xtra – More Cutting Room in a Small Body
Cricut Joy Xtra – Smart Cutting Machine | Digital Content Bundle
50+ materials
Print-Then-Cut compatible
95.94 sq in work area
blade pen and weeder included
Pros
- More cutting room than the original Joy in a small body
- Print-Then-Cut makes full-color stickers on a home inkjet
- Cuts draws and foils across a range of small projects
- Bundle arrives with blade pen weeder cable and adapter
- Workflow needs no prior cutter experience
Cons
- No fabric wood or thick material cutting
- Full content library sits behind the subscription
- Listed item weight looks inconsistent for a machine this size
The Joy Xtra is the middle step between the original Joy and a full-size machine. Its 95.94 square inch work area is a real step up from the Joy, and it still folds away small enough to live in a cupboard between projects.
What you gain over the original Joy is Print-Then-Cut with most inkjet printers. That is a capability the original simply does not have, and it is what pushes the Xtra toward the top of the compact tier for anyone making stickers.
The bundle is unusually complete for a compact machine. You get the fine point blade, a fine point pen, a mini weeder, a USB cable, a power adapter, practice-cut materials and 30 bonus images, so nothing is missing on day one.
Review sentiment is warm on versatility for decals, labels and small apparel items, and on how straightforward the design software workflow is for someone with no cutter experience behind them.
When the Joy Xtra is the right buy
It suits a beginner who already knows they want stickers and small apparel designs but does not want a machine that dominates a desk. The wider work area fixes most of the frustration people report with the original Joy.
It also makes a sensible gift, because the box contains everything needed to make something on the first day. The free content library of 3,000+ images and 100+ fonts is enough to keep a new owner busy without paying for anything.
When the Joy Xtra is the wrong buy
Same limits as the rest of the compact tier. No fabric, wood or thick material cutting, so it cannot follow you into heavier crafts later. The best designs and fonts still sit behind the Cricut Access subscription.
One oddity worth noting: the listed item weight of 250 g appears inconsistent with a machine of this class, so judge the physical size from the dimensions rather than that figure. At 4.4 out of 5, it also carries a higher share of one-star reviews than the original Joy, so a test cut on arrival is worthwhile.
8. Cricut Joy 2 – Smallest Machine for Labels and Cards
Cricut Joy™ 2 Essential Bundle + Digital Content, Blue
4.5 in cutting width
75+ materials
just over 2 lb
Print-Then-Cut
35 project supplies
Pros
- Quick Bluetooth setup that non-technical users manage
- Small enough for a desk or a drawer
- Very short learning curve on the first project
- Essential Bundle covers up to 35 projects
Cons
- 4.5 in width caps project height for larger decals
- No fabric wood or leather cutting
- A few machines arrive with a misaligned test cut
The Joy 2 weighs just over 2 pounds and cuts a 4.5 inch width across 75+ materials. It is the smallest capable Cricut, and for labels, stickers and cards that is a genuinely good size rather than a compromise.
Its cutting width is the entire story. Anything that fits within 4.5 inches cuts well. Anything taller, including most large decals and full apparel designs, simply will not load, and there is no way to change that later.
The Essential Bundle is generous for a machine this small, supplying enough Smart Vinyl, Smart Iron-On, cardstock, insert cards and printable vinyl for up to 35 projects. Combined with Print-Then-Cut on a home inkjet, you can make full-colour stickers on a machine that fits in a drawer.
Setup is the least demanding in the range. Owners report painless Bluetooth pairing even if they are not technical, and several describe their first project working immediately without troubleshooting.
When the Joy 2 is the right buy
Labelling is the standout use. Storage bins, spice jars, classroom supplies and gift tags all sit comfortably inside 4.5 inches, and a machine that stores away between sessions removes the excuse of not having space for it.
It is also well suited to someone building a first sticker or label business, because the print workflow is complete and the material bundle covers dozens of projects. Reviewers frequently describe the first months with it as the cheapest way to find out whether crafting is for you.
When the Joy 2 is the wrong buy
The 4.5 inch width is a hard ceiling that ends most decal and apparel work, and the 6.5 inch mat is small for anything beyond labels and cards. There is no mat extension, so the mat flops and needs a physical support.
It also has the highest one-star share in this product set, driven by machines arriving with a defective or misaligned test cut, including at least one report of a returned machine being resold as new. Check a full test cut before you start a batch.
How to Choose the Right Cricut Machine in 2026
Once you have seen the range, the decision comes down to three questions: what materials you actually cut, how much room you have, and how many jobs you run per week. Answer those and the model is obvious.
The three families explained: Maker, Explore and Joy
The Maker family is the heavy tier. Every Maker we tested cuts 300+ materials with 10X cutting force, accepts more than 13 tools, and handles fabric, leather, wood and thick matboard. The Explore family is the middle tier: 12 inch cutting width, 100+ materials, and a smaller footprint. The Joy family is the compact tier, built around labels, decals, iron-on and small cards at 50 to 75 materials.
Within each family the generations differ in specific ways rather than in overall power. Maker 3 adds speed and matless cutting. Maker 4 adds Print-Then-Cut. The Explore 5 trades tool compatibility for a smaller body. Tools are broadly interchangeable between Maker and Explore machines, which is why many owners hold one set of blades across both.
What to budget beyond the machine
No machine here includes everything you need. Plan for replacement blades, a spare set of adhesive cutting mats, a weeder and spatula, transfer tape, and weeding tools. Mats are the quiet recurring cost, because they collect dust and pet hair and need periodic rinsing, and they are consumables by design.
The Essential Bundles included with the Explore 5 and Joy 2 are worth taking if you are a beginner, because the supplies alone cover dozens of projects. If you already own material, the standalone machine is the better value. We use the same approach we outlined in our gear roundup methodology: decide what the missing accessory costs you over a year, not what it costs on day one.
Cricut Design Space and the optional subscription
Every machine here runs on the same cloud-based Cricut Design Space app, free on iOS, Android, Windows and Mac. This is the single most common complaint across craft communities, and it is worth understanding before you buy. The software needs a live internet connection, projects are stored in the cloud rather than on your own drive, and uploading your own SVG files adds a step that other brands do not require.
Each machine includes a free tier. The Explore Air 2, Maker 4 and Joy Xtra include 3,000+ images and 100+ fonts, while the larger Cricut Access subscription unlocks well over a million images. Plenty of crafters never subscribe and use free content or their own uploaded files, so treat the subscription as optional rather than assumed.
Who should skip a Cricut
If you produce high volumes of product, community consensus in r/cricut points toward Graphtec-style machines, because a Cricut becomes frustrating at scale. If you work exclusively in SVG files and want unrestricted import, several users recommend a Silhouette Cameo or a Siser Juliet instead, and that software flexibility is the strongest argument against the Cricut ecosystem.
It is also worth being honest about overbuying. A large share of regret we saw in the reviews came from people who bought the most capable machine while only ever cutting vinyl and iron-on. In that case a compact model does everything they need.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Cricut machine is considered the best overall?
The original Cricut Maker is the best overall pick, because its 10X cutting force and 300+ material range cut leather, wood, matboard and heavy fabric that lighter machines cannot handle. It suits crafters who already know they will work beyond paper and vinyl. If you only cut decals and iron-on, the Cricut Joy does the same job at a fraction of the size.
What is the difference between all the Cricut machines?
The difference is cutting force, cutting width and material range. Maker models deliver 10X cutting force across 300+ materials and accept more than 13 tools, so they cut fabric, leather and wood. Explore models give you a 12 inch cutting width across 100+ materials in a smaller frame. Joy models cut 50 to 75 materials at 4.5 to 6 inch widths and are built for labels, decals and small cards.
Is Cricut 4 or 5 better?
Between the Maker 3 and Maker 4, the Maker 4 is the better buy for most people. It keeps the 300+ material range and cutting force, adds a much larger 270.25 square inch work area, and adds Print-Then-Cut so you can cut full-colour designs printed on a home inkjet. The Maker 3 is the stronger choice only if you prioritise matless continuous cutting and raw speed over printed projects.
Which Cricut should I buy in 2026?
Buy the original Cricut Maker if you work in leather, fabric or wood. Choose the Maker 4 if you print your own sticker sheets or make apparel. Pick the Explore 5 for a full 12 inch cutting width in a small footprint, or the Explore Air 2 for the simplest possible first machine. Choose a Joy model if decals, labels and iron-on are the whole list.
Is there a machine better than Cricut?
It depends on what matters to you. For software flexibility, unrestricted SVG import and offline file handling, several crafters recommend a Silhouette Cameo or a Siser Juliet. For high-volume commercial production, Graphtec-style machines are a common recommendation because a Cricut struggles at scale. For material range and a single consistent app across every machine in the range, Cricut is hard to beat.
Which Cricut Machine Should You Buy?
The original Cricut Maker remains the best Cricut machine overall in 2026, and the gap is material range rather than software. It cuts 300+ materials with 10X force, works with 13 tools, and holds the highest review count of anything in the range.
For most first-time buyers the real answer is smaller. Start with the Cricut Joy if decals, labels and iron-on are the plan, the Cricut Explore Air 2 if you want the highest satisfaction score and the simplest setup, and the Cricut Explore 5 if you want full 12 inch cuts in a compact body.
Move up to the Maker line only when you are certain about heavy materials, and check the accessory and subscription costs before you order, because those are what owners mention most in the long run. We will keep updating this guide as new generations land.