Last Updated on October 25, 2023 by April
This post is sponsored by Cricut and contains affiliate links. As always, the thoughts and opinions presented are my own.
The Cricut Joy Xtra is a compact and lightweight cutting machine that has caught the attention of beginner and experienced crafters alike. Its sleek design and affordable price make it an appealing option for beginners, while its versatile capabilities keep experienced users interested.
In this review, we will explore the features and performance of the Cricut Joy Xtra, as well as the value it offers compared to other cutting machines on the market.
Key Takeaways
- Cricut Joy Xtra is an affordable and versatile cutting machine, perfect for beginners and experienced crafters.
- The compact size and extensive material compatibility make the Joy Xtra suitable for various crafting projects.
- Enhancements from the original Cricut Joy, such as the larger cutting size, improve the user experience and offer added value.
- One of the standout features of the Cricut Joy Xtra is the unique print then cut functionality, a game-changer for crafters looking to create intricate designs and custom stickers. This feature, coupled with the user-friendly Design Space app, allows for seamless creation and cutting of various projects.
Unboxing and First Impressions
Upon unboxing the Cricut Joy Xtra, crafters will immediately notice its compact and lightweight design, making it an ideal choice for hobbyists with limited crafting space or those who appreciate easy storage.
This beginner-friendly cutting machine offers the functionality and capabilities crafters need for various projects without the heftier price tag of its larger counterparts.
Out of the Box
When unboxing the Cricut Joy Xtra, users will find almost everything they need to get started with their crafting journey, including:
- Cricut Joy Xtra machine: This compact and portable cutting machine is perfect for hobbyists and offers versatility for a wide range of crafting projects.
- Premium Fine-Point Blade + Housing: A quality blade for precise cuts in various materials.
- Cricut Joy™ Fine Point Pen: This fine-point pen allows crafters to create intricate designs and add personal touches to their projects.
- Cricut Mini Weeder: A handy tool for removing small pieces of vinyl or other materials from cuts.
- Welcome card: A quick start guide to help users begin their crafting experience with ease.
- Power adapter: Necessary for powering the Cricut Joy Xtra machine.
- Free trial subscription to Cricut Access™ (for new subscribers): A great opportunity for new users to access a library of fonts, images, and designs to boost their creativity.
- 50 free, pre-designed projects in the companion app: A helpful collection of beginner-friendly projects allowing users to familiarize themselves with the machine’s functions.
- Materials for a practice cut: Users can try their hand at a practice cut, using the provided materials, before starting on their crafting projects.
Cricut Joy Xtra’s intuitive design and user-friendly components make it a compelling choice for crafters who want a reliable and accessible cutting machine without breaking the bank.
If you want ease of mind knowing you have everything you need to make designs, consider opting for the machine & materials bundle.
Why the Cricut Joy Xtra is Great for Beginners
The Cricut Joy Xtra is an excellent choice for beginners who are just starting in the world of crafting and digital design due to its user-friendly features and versatile capabilities.
The easy-to-learn companion app, Cricut Design Space
This software is accessible on your phone or laptop, allowing users to edit images, create designs, and manage cutting tasks right from their devices.
Pre-designed templates remove the guesswork from starting a new project
With a generous library of options to choose from, beginners can easily select and modify templates according to their preferences and needs.
This feature not only simplifies projects for new users but also inspires creativity and boosts confidence.
Cricut holds your hand when it comes to the learning process
The Cricut Xtra offers on-demand education through step-by-step tutorials, video lessons, and other helpful resources to guide newcomers in mastering the techniques and tricks of using their new cutting machine.
With the wide range of guidance materials available, users can gain proficiency in operating the Cricut Joy Xtra in a short period.
What Types of Projects Can Be Created With Cricut Joy Xtra?
The Cricut Joy Xtra offers a versatile and compact cutting machine that allows users to create various projects. With its diverse functions and easy-to-use interface, it is perfect for crafting enthusiasts and beginners alike.
- Full-color custom stickers: Thanks to its accurate cutting capabilities, users can design and produce professional-quality stickers with ease. The machine allows for high-resolution and vibrant prints, making it perfect for personalizing laptops, notebooks, or any other surface.
- Personalized t-shirts: By using the machine’s iron-on transfer feature, users can easily create custom designs for their clothing. This function is ideal for creating one-of-a-kind gifts or enhancing a personal wardrobe.
- Custom cards and gift tags: Whether it is for a birthday, anniversary, or holiday, homemade cards add a personal touch to any gift. The machine’s precise cutting abilities make it easy to produce professional-looking results for all types of paper crafts.
- Labels: From organizing household items to personalizing office supplies, custom labels offer both functionality and style. The machine’s capabilities in cutting various materials, like vinyl and paper, make it suitable for creating diverse label designs for a range of purposes.
My Favorite Beginner-Friendly Cricut Joy Xtra Sticker Sheets
If this is your first time using a Cricut machine, you can enjoy the freebies using the Design Space app. You also have the option to upgrade to a Cricut Access subscription.
I highly recommend upgrading as there are so many high-quality project designs to choose from on Access. I am personally obsessed with the sticker sheets. Here are some of my favorites!
Materials You’ll Need
- Printable Sticker Paper
- Light Grip Mat (for Cricut Joy Xtra)
- Cricut Joy Xtra Machine (or any other print and cut machine from Cricut)
- Inkjet Printer
Autumn Stickers Sheet
See the Project on Cricut Design Space
This is such a cute fall-themed sticker sheet set featuring a happy bat, colorful autumn leaves, a delicious pie, and cozy cold-weather drinks. I love how these stickers get me in the holiday spirit!
Halloween Stickers
See the Project on Cricut Design Space
Boo! Get ready for Halloween with adorably spooky creatures, a gravestone, and candy corn stickers.
Succulent Stickers
See the Project on Cricut Design Space
As a plant lover, I am truly in love with this beautiful succulent sticker set. These stickers are great for notebooks, bullet journals, and plant pots.
Calendar Stickers
See the Project on Cricut Design Space
While we are on the topic of bullet journals, don’t forget to keep your bujo calendar organized with this useful sticker set.
Rainbow Stickers
See the Project on Cricut Design Space
Add a little color and joy to your life with these cheerful rainbow stickers. You can keep them for yourselves or spread the love by giving some to your friends, family, and even strangers.
Overall, the Cricut Joy Xtra offers many creative possibilities for users interested in crafting customized projects. From full-color stickers to personalized t-shirts, cards, labels, tags, and more, the machine’s versatility, accuracy, and ease of use make it a valuable tool for any artist or hobbyist.
Design and Size
The Cricut Joy Xtra is a cutting machine that offers a compact and portable design, making it an ideal choice for crafters with limited space or those who need an easily storable machine.
Dimensions
Cricut Joy Xtra Machine: 12.5 in x 6 in x 5.5 in (31.7 cm x 15.2 cm x 13.9 cm)
Max Cut Size With Machine Mat: 8.2 in x 11.7 in (20.8 cm x 29.7 cm)
Mac Cut Size With Smart Materials: 8.5 in x 4 ft (21.6 cm x 1.2 m)
Appearance
The appearance of Cricut Joy Xtra features an elegant, laid-back design that’s meant to be seen. The machine comes in a clean white color, giving it a refreshing and sophisticated look.
Although it is relatively small and light, the Cricut Joy Xtra still packs a punch with its performance and features.
In summary, the Cricut Joy Xtra is a great option for those looking for a compact, lightweight, and easy-to-store cutting machine that still offers a variety of useful features and a convenient design.
Machine Capabilities
Cricut Joy Xtra Features
The Cricut Joy Xtra is a versatile cutting machine that is compact and portable, making it an ideal choice for crafters with limited space or those who prefer easy storage.
It can work with over 50+ materials and offers the ability to cut, draw, write, and perform foil transfer projects with ease. The Joy Xtra can handle new materials and is compatible with a range of tools such as blades, Cricut Joy Pens, and foil transfer tools.
Smart Materials cutting inaccuracies are not a concern. The machine guarantees precision by automatically tracking the materials, allowing for a load-and-go process without any worries. This feature is known as self-alignment and ensures accurate cuts every time.
Cutting and Writing Capabilities
Cricut Joy Xtra’s cutting and writing capabilities are improved compared to its predecessor, the Cricut Joy. It can cut various materials, including smart materials, cards, and iron-on materials.
- The cutting size is expanded to 8.5″x 11″ (A4) when using a machine mat, and it can cut up to 4 feet long with Smart Materials.
- With 350gf of cut pressure, Joy Xtra users will not need to switch out the blade for cutting thicker materials.
- The machine can also draw, write, and perform foil transfer projects without requiring hot tools.
Cricut Joy Xtra vs. Cricut Joy
The Cricut Joy Xtra is a step up from the original Cricut Joy as it features a larger cutting size and an expanded suite of capabilities.
While both machines can work with smart materials, cards, and iron-on materials, the Joy Xtra can handle a wider range of new materials and is compatible with additional tools like blades, Cricut Joy Pens, and foil transfer tools.
The Joy Xtra boasts a larger cutting size of up to 8.5″x 11″ (A4) using a machine mat and up to 4 feet long with Smart Materials, compared to the more limited cutting size of the original Joy.
Overall, the Cricut Joy Xtra is a powerful and versatile cutting machine that offers crafters a more expansive range of creative possibilities in a compact and easy-to-store design.
Materials Overview
What Materials Can Be Used With the Cricut Joy Xtra?
The Cricut Joy Xtra is a versatile cutting machine capable of working with various types of materials to cater to a wide range of projects. Some common materials compatible with the Joy Xtra include:
- Vinyl: for creating decals or custom designs on various surfaces
- Iron-on: also known as heat-transfer vinyl (HTV) for T-shirts or fabric projects
- Cardstock: for crafting cards, tags, or paper-based decorations
- Sticker paper: for creating custom stickers or labels
- Transfer tape: for easy application of decals or designs onto surfaces
As demonstrated, the Cricut Joy Xtra offers multiple options for creative crafts, expanding beyond traditional Cricut materials to give users more freedom.
Cutting Different Materials
When using different materials with the Cricut Joy Xtra, it is vital to adjust the blade settings to achieve the best results. Some materials may require a deeper cut and more pressure, whereas others need a lighter touch.
Additionally, when working with materials such as vinyl and iron-on, it might be necessary to use a card mat to securely hold the material in place during the cutting process.
The Cricut Joy Xtra accommodates new materials, expanding the variety of projects one can accomplish. Users are encouraged to experiment with their material choices to discover their full potential.
Print Then Cut Functionality
One unique feature of the Cricut Joy Xtra is the Print Then Cut functionality. This capability allows users to print their designs onto printable materials, such as cardstock or sticker paper, using a home printer.
Once printed, the Joy Xtra can precisely cut around the printed design, creating a polished, professional appearance.
By integrating print functionality with cutting capabilities, the Cricut Joy Xtra further expands its potential, allowing for intricate and detailed projects that were previously unattainable with earlier models.
Pricing and Value for Money
Cost of Machine
The Cricut Joy Xtra has a competitive price point of $199. This makes it an affordable investment for those who want to explore the world of crafting and die-cutting without breaking the bank.
Although it is slightly more expensive than the original Cricut Joy, the added features and capabilities provide more value for the cost.
Value Proposition
The Cricut Joy Xtra offers an impressive feature set for the price:
- Wider Workspace: The Xtra model provides a workspace with a cutting width of up to 6.5 inches, ensuring more design freedom compared to the original Joy’s 4.5-inch maximum cutting width.
- Speed: With a cut speed of 5.65 inches per second, the machine swiftly tackles projects, maximizing productivity for its six-pound weight.
- Included Accessories: This beginner cutting machine comes with almost everything needed to start creating projects immediately. Included in the box are a Premium Fine-Point Blade + Housing, Cricut Joy Fine Point Pen, Cricut Mini Weeder, USB cable, and Power adapter, a free trial subscription to Cricut Access (for new subscribers), and 100 pre-designed projects in the companion app.
To start using the Cricut Joy Xtra, you’ll need a compatible device and a high-speed internet connection. Additionally, you’ll need materials, a machine mat, and some basic tools.
Pro Tip: To simplify the process, it’s recommended to purchase the Cricut ‘Machine + Materials Bundle,’ which includes everything you need in one convenient package.
Considering these features, the Cricut Joy Xtra proves to be a value-for-money option for beginners and experienced users alike. Its included accessories, expanded workspace, and impressive speed make it a worthy addition to any crafter’s toolkit.
