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Large-format cutting machines for bigger projects
Once your designs regularly go past 12 inches, a wider machine saves you from tiling and seams. These are the wider consumer machines from Cricut and Silhouette. They take a lot more room than a 12-inch cutter, so measure first.
Ordered by use case, not score: the two 24-inch-class machines first, then the 15-inch CAMEO 5 Alpha Plus. Only the Venture has an editorial score, because we haven't found independent testing of the two Silhouette models yet.
The picks
Fastest claimed speed
Cricut Venture
Cricut claims 25.4 in/s and up to 75 ft of repeated cuts, but cutting runs from the desktop app only.
- 24 in class width
- 25.4 in/s claimed
- Up to 75 ft repeats
- Desktop app only
24-inch Silhouette
Silhouette CAMEO PRO MK-II
Roll feeder and a 24 x 24 in mat in the box, and it runs from Silhouette Studio.
- 23.6 in wide
- Roll feeder included
- 2 tool mounts
- USB + Bluetooth
Not scored yet: Not scored: we found no independent hands-on testing of this model yet.
Middle ground at 15 inches
Silhouette CAMEO 5 Alpha Plus
A lot wider than a 12-inch machine without the footprint of a 24-inch one.
- 15 in wide
- 16 ft max length
- 2 tool mounts
- USB + Bluetooth
Not scored yet: Not scored: we found no independent hands-on testing of this model yet.
Space and setup
The Venture is a different class of machine. Cricut lists it at 34.7 lb and 8.81 x 34.82 x 10.4 in, and Jennifer Maker reports Cricut's recommended clear space as 34.8 x 42.5 x 41.3 in. The CAMEO PRO MK-II is 34.49 in wide and 19.84 lb, and Silhouette notes that no stand is included. The CAMEO 5 Alpha Plus is 25.28 in wide and 12.7 lb, closer to a normal desk machine.
Materials and software lock-in
The Venture's long matless cuts use Cricut's 13 in and 25 in Smart Materials. Jennifer Maker points out that ordinary 24 in vinyl rolls don't fit its matless path. Silhouette's machines take lined materials through a roll feeder. The Venture also cuts only from Design Space for desktop, not from the mobile app.
Side by side
| Spec | Cricut Venture | Silhouette CAMEO PRO MK-II | Silhouette CAMEO 5 Alpha Plus |
|---|---|---|---|
| CraftGearGuide editorial score | 7.5/10 | Not scored | Not scored |
| Max cut width (matless) | About 24 in usable on 25 in Smart Materials (13 in rolls also fit) | 23.6 in with lined material (roll feeder) | Up to 15 in (14.6 in listed operating width) |
| Max length (matless) | 12 ft single image; up to 75 ft of repeated images | Unresolved: 192 in (16 ft) with lined material in the spec table; 60 ft listed as maximum cutting length | 16 ft (Silhouette's maximum cutting length) |
| Max cut area on mat | 23.75 x 27.75 in (24 x 28 mat); 23.75 x 11.75 in (12 x 24 mat), per Jennifer Maker; mats sold separately | 23.2 x 24 in | 14.6 x 15 in guaranteed operating area |
| Print-then-cut max (US Letter) | 9.94 x 7.44 in (larger sheets supported; see review) | Not stated by Silhouette (registration-mark reading supported) | Not stated by Silhouette (uses four-point registration marks) |
| Max material thickness | Not stated by Cricut | 3 mm | 3 mm |
| Tools | 7 compatible | 2 plunger tool mounts; automatic blade adjustment | 2 plunger tool mounts; automatic blade adjustment |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth; USB cables included | USB 2.0 and Bluetooth | USB 2.0 and Bluetooth |
| Subscription | Not required to cut; paid Cricut Access unlocks the full library and some features | None required; SVG and PDF import needs the paid Designer Edition upgrade | None required; SVG and PDF import needs the paid Designer Edition upgrade |
| Size (W x D x H) | 34.82 x 8.81 x 10.4 in (Cricut lists 8.81 x 34.82 x 10.4 in) | 34.49 x 7.68 x 6.69 in | 25.28 x 6.94 x 4.89 in |
| Weight | 34.7 lb | 19.84 lb | 12.7 lb |
| Links | Cricut Venture review | Check price on AmazonSilhouette CAMEO PRO MK-II review | Check price on AmazonSilhouette CAMEO 5 Alpha Plus review |