There are so many different cutters out there on the market it’s easy to get confused. If you’ve finally narrowed it down to getting a Cricut over a Silhouette, then a Cricut Joy over the Explore, but then discovered there’s actually the standard Cricut Joy and then the Joy Xtra, it can be so frustrating. So today we are going to take a look at Cricut Joy vs Cricut Joy Xtra and answer all your questions about them.
What’s the Difference Between Cricut Joy and Cricut Joy Xtra?
The Cricut Joy is the original small cutting machine, while the Joy Xtra is a newer, slightly larger version that has more features including Print Then Cut.
Can Cricut Joy do Print Then Cut?
Unfortunately no, the original Cricut Joy does not support Print Then Cut. You can only cut pre-colored materials like vinyl, cardstock, or Smart Paper. If making stickers is something you really want to try, you’ll need to upgrade from the standard Joy to the Joy Xtra.
Does Cricut Joy Xtra do Print Then Cut?
Yes! The Cricut Joy Xtra allows you to use a home printer to print designs (like stickers) and then cut them out using the Joy Xtra. Of course, you can still cut out your normal pre-colored materials like vinyl and cardstock too.
What materials can I cut with Joy and Joy Xtra?
Both the Joy and Joy Xtra can cut:
- Smart Vinyl
- Iron-On
- Sticker Paper (Xtra only for Print Then Cut)
- Smart Labels
- Cardstock
- Infusible Ink Sheets
What size can they cut?
The maximum cutting width on the Joy is 4.5 inches, whereas the Joy Xtra is bigger with a maximum cutting width of 8.5 inches. This makes a huge difference on the projects you can create! With the Xtra being better for larger T-shirt designs, car stickers, or anything you want to be more visible.
Are they both portable?
If size and compatibility is important to you, you’ll be pleased to know both machines are compact enough to be able to move about. Portability is great if you don’t have much room to craft. The standard Cricut Joy is still smaller, so if you are wanting the smallest machine, that’s your best bet.
What are they best used for?
The Cricut Joy is best for smaller projects like cards, labels, and small vinyl projects, whereas the Joy Xtra is better for creating larger decals. Plus the Joy Xtra has the Print Then Cut feature to make stickers.
Can I use them both with my mobile?
Yes! Both the Cricut Joy and Joy Xtra can be used with the Design Space app for mobile and on desktop. (You may find the desktop version easier to use.)
What’s cheaper?
The Cricut Joy is a more budget-friendly Cricut machine. If you’re just getting started and want to get started without too much commitment, give the Joy a try. If you want to start experimenting with more features, the Joy Xtra is more expensive but still cheaper than the Maker and Explore. The Joy Xtra is a great place to start your Cricut journey too.
Is the Cricut Joy Xtra worth it?
The Joy Xtra is definitely worth it if you still want a small-sized machine but want something a bit later than the original Joy, and the main feature is the Print Then Cut ability it has. If you’re not fussed about making stickers or larger projects, you’ll be fine with the standard Joy.
Both machines are great ways to start crafting with Cricut. The Joy is perfect for crafters who value simplicity and portability. Whereas the Joy Xtra is better for those who want a bit more creative freedom. Click here to check out what materials you can cut with the different Cricut machines!
💡 Need Project Ideas?
Check out our free Cricut files here, and explore beginner projects for both Joy and Joy Xtra!