If your crafting habit currently looks like a mountain of glitter and a machine the size of a microwave, Cricut has some very good news for your desk space. Today, they’ve pulled the curtain back on two new evolution-of-the-species machines: the Cricut Joy 2 and the Cricut Explore 5. Whether you’re a “make a custom card five minutes before the party” person or a “label every jar in the pantry” person, these updates are looking pretty sleek.
Cricut Joy 2: Small Machine, Big Main Character Energy
The original Joy was already the “little engine that could” of the crafting world, but the Joy 2 is leveling up. It still fits in the palm of your hand, but it’s picked up a major new skill: Print Then Cut.
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The Big Update: Thanks to a brand-new sensor, you can now make full-color stickers.
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Ready, Set, Craft: Cricut is leaning hard into bundles. These new kits come with enough materials to knock out up to 150 projects right out of the box. No more “I forgot to buy the transfer tape” tantrums.
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The Colors: It’s launching in Blue, Coral, and a very sharp Jade Green (the latter is a Michaels exclusive).
Cricut Explore 5: The “Incredible Shrinking” Workhorse
The Explore has always been the gold standard for versatility, but let’s be honest—it’s a bit of a desk hog. The Explore 5 fixes that by being 30% more compact than the previous version.
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No Compromises: Even though it’s smaller, it still handles the heavy hitters: vinyl, apparel, magnets, and even rubber stamps.
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The Write Stuff: They’ve streamlined the interface and added “snap-in” pen loading, making the writing and drawing experience much less of a chore.
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The Colors: You can snag it in Taupe or a Michaels-exclusive Teal.
Which One Fits Your Vibe?
| Feature | Cricut Joy 2 | Cricut Explore 5 |
| Best For | Cards, Labels, & Portability | Apparel, Magnets, & Versatility |
| Special Skill | Palm-sized full-color stickers | 30% smaller footprint than before |
| Tool Support | Compact tools | Compatible with 6 different tools |
Price ranges:
Cricut Joy 2: $99 – $229
Cricut Explore 5: $199 – $349
Cricut clearly understands something many of us learn the hard way: creative ambition expands to fill whatever space you give it. The question isn’t whether you want to make more; it’s whether your desk can survive it. With the Joy 2 and the Explore 5, the company seems to be answering a quiet but persistent complaint from crafters everywhere. Yes, you can have power. No, it doesn’t have to dominate your entire dining table.
The Joy 2 makes a compelling case for small-but-mighty, especially with Print Then Cut finally entering its chat. Full-color stickers in a palm-sized machine feel less like a novelty and more like a gateway drug to “just one more project.” Meanwhile, the Explore 5 trims down without trimming capability, which is arguably the smarter evolution. A smaller footprint that still handles apparel, magnets, and multiple tools? That’s the kind of upgrade that respects both your ambition and your square footage.
If you’re weighing an upgrade or thinking about your first machine, this feels like a moment worth investigating. Head over to the Cricut website to compare bundles, check availability, and see which model fits your crafting style before your next burst of inspiration hits.