Cricut’s $99 craft cutting machine helped me feel creative again

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FollowSee All ReviewsCricut’s $99 craft cutting machine helped me feel creative againThe Cricut Joy 2 is delivers quick, satisfying results, though the companion app’s onboarding could use some work. The Cricut Joy 2 is delivers quick, satisfying results, though the companion app’s onboarding could use some work. by Sheena Vasani Sheena VasaniCommerce WriterPosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.

Technical Details

FollowSee All by Sheena VasaniMay 10, 2026, 2:00 PM UTC If you buy something from a Verge link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics statement. The desk-friendly Cricut Joy 2 comes in multiple colors.

Photo: Sheena Vasani / The Verge Sheena Vasani Sheena VasaniPosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. FollowSee All by Sheena Vasani writes about tech news, reviews gadgets, and helps readers save money by highlighting deals and product recommendations for The Verge. I’ve always been skeptical of products that claim to help you lead a more creative life.

But one recently won me over. I’ve spent three weeks with the Cricut Joy 2, a smart cutting and drawing machine that made it easy for me to get back into making stickers, cards, bookmarks, and more. The small $99 gadget isn’t perfect, but its capabilities and app-provided templates were just what I was looking for.

Industry Implications

Caregiving, self-criticism, and mental health struggles have made it tough to tinker and doodle like I used to, and yet the Joy 2 clicked with me. It doles out quick wins when you’re in the mood to create. I made both personalized stickers and bookmarks and eventually got back into a creative flow.

I even painted the canvases underneath. Photo by Sheena Vasani / The VergeI’ve been testing the Cricut Joy 2 and Ultimate Plus Bundle, which normally costs $229 and comes with a bunch of extras, including smart vinyl and iron-on sheets, as well as tools like a fine-point blade. Getting started didn’t take much time.

I connected the machine, installed Cricut’s Design Space software on my laptop (also available on iOS and Android), and ran my first test cut in well under 30 minutes. Watching the machine cut that first design made me clap in excitement. That part was easy, but the app’s onboarding needs some work.

This advance offers important signals about the future of the sector, and the tech world is watching closely.