Cricut Mini makes it easy to maximize your creativity for cutting projects. This tiny die cutting machine is packed with features that you might not expect from one so small. It measures just 3.69 inches high but still manages to offer a very respectable cutting bed. It can cut shapes and fonts up to 11.5 inches long on a relatively wide range of materials.
Many Cricut-brand machines are shackled to a system of cartridges that we don't especially like. The Mini is not. You can still use the cartridges, which cost extra to buy, but you don't have to. We like that. Cartridges have their place. For some users, they are still the easiest and best way to get great designs. It can be nice to just plug a cartridge into your die cutting machine, push a button and have the finished cut come out quickly. We don't like the idea of being tied down to them, though, and you're not with Cricut Mini.
With this machine and its free online design application Craft Room, you will be able to arrange and create designs using all Cricut content, but you can only cut the images that you own and content linked to your Cricut Craft Room account. We love the fact that Craft Room is available anywhere with an internet connection. If design inspiration strikes, simply log in and move some shapes around. Cut it out when you are back by your Cricut Mini.
If you are a longtime Cricut devotee and have invested in some cartridges already, you can still use them with the Mini. Just plug them into your machine and cut. You will have much more freedom if you use Craft Room though. It allows you to quickly and easily resize, weld text together, manipulate color and texture, and to fit objects to a path.
It would make a lot of sense for such a tiny machine to have a carrying handle, but it doesn't. However, since it weighs only 5.5 pounds, you should not have any problems with portability. This machine also makes it easy to adjust factors such as blade depth and pressure for different materials.
Cricut Mini is pretty versatile. It can precisely cut cardstock, chipboard, acetate, vinyl, rubber, fabric and more. Some of these materials require multiple passes, but it is nice to know that the capability is there. The Mini is not the die cutting machine to use for most foam and sponge materials, however.
This die cutting machine is a cutter to the core. It is not designed to do much beyond that. It will not draw, pierce, engrave or emboss materials for you. That won't matter to every user, but some folks may want to look for a machine with a little more versatility.
Cricut's customer support is good. We especially like all of the video tutorials for this die cutting machine. The customer service representatives we spoke with were all very helpful and friendly.
The Cricut Mini will not help you do anything beyond cutting, and it will not cut every material, but we think you will like the way this tiny dynamo precisely cuts paper and fabrics. This die cutting machine is our favorite Cricut so far because it allows you to use Cricut cartridges but also allows you to design and cut your own patterns without them.
