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Silhouette CAMEO 5 Alpha Plus review
Research-based review. This model has not been hands-on tested by CraftGearGuide.
Quick verdict
Not scored yet: Not scored: we found no independent hands-on testing of this model yet.
The CAMEO 5 Alpha Plus is the 15-inch version of the CAMEO 5 Alpha, with the same 3 mm clearance, two tool mounts and 16 ft maximum length. It's a sensible middle ground if 12 inches is too narrow and a 24-inch machine is too big. We haven't scored it because we couldn't find independent hands-on testing.
Buy it if
- Your decals or signs regularly run 12 to 15 inches wide.
- You want Silhouette Studio and two tool mounts.
- A 24-inch machine won't fit your space.
Skip it if
- Your projects fit in 12 inches. The standard Alpha is smaller.
- You want a machine with independent test results behind it.
- You don't want to pay extra to open SVG files in Silhouette Studio.
Specs
| Max cut width (matless) | Up to 15 in (14.6 in listed operating width) |
|---|---|
| Max length (matless) | 16 ft (Silhouette's maximum cutting length) |
| Max cut area on mat | 14.6 x 15 in guaranteed operating area |
| Print-then-cut max (US Letter) | Not stated by Silhouette (uses four-point registration marks) |
| Max material thickness | 3 mm |
| Tools | 2 plunger tool mounts; automatic blade adjustment |
| Cutting tool in the box | AutoBlade |
| Also in the box | Cameo Plus cutting mat, Sketch Pens adapter, power adapter |
| Claimed cut speed | Up to 300 mm/s (about 11.8 in/s, calculated) |
| Connectivity | USB 2.0 and Bluetooth |
| Design software | Silhouette Studio 5 |
| Subscription | None required; SVG and PDF import needs the paid Designer Edition upgrade |
| Size (W x D x H) | 25.28 x 6.94 x 4.89 in |
| Weight | 12.7 lb |
| Warranty (US) | Not stated on the product page |
Advantages and limitations
Advantages
- Up to 15 in wide, with a 14.6 x 15 in guaranteed operating area.
- 16 ft maximum cutting length and 3 mm thickness, per Silhouette.
- Two tool mounts with automatic blade adjustment.
- USB and Bluetooth.
Limitations
- 25.28 in wide and 12.7 lb.
- No independent hands-on testing found.
- SVG and PDF import needs the paid Designer Edition.
- Print-and-cut area not published.
What we could verify
Silhouette's product page lists a guaranteed operating area of 14.6 x 15 in, a 16 ft maximum cutting length, 3 mm maximum material thickness, two plunger tool mounts with automatic blade adjustment, four-point registration marks for print and cut, and USB 2.0 plus Bluetooth. It's 25.28 x 6.94 x 4.89 in and 12.7 lb. It comes with a Cameo Plus mat, an AutoBlade and a Sketch Pens adapter.
How much wider than a 12-inch machine?
From 11.6 in (the lined-material width Silhouette lists for the standard Alpha) to 14.6 in is 3 in more usable width, or about 26% more.
Calculated from Silhouette's listed widths: (14.6 - 11.6) / 11.6 = 0.26.
What we couldn't verify
We didn't find an independent hands-on review of the Alpha Plus. The CAMEO 5 Alpha review covers the evidence for the shared platform, including reports on its predecessor. Silhouette also doesn't publish a print-and-cut area for this model.
How it compares
| Spec | Silhouette CAMEO 5 Alpha Plus | Silhouette CAMEO 5 Alpha | Cricut Venture |
|---|---|---|---|
| CraftGearGuide editorial score | Not scored | 7.5/10 | 7.5/10 |
| Max cut width (matless) | Up to 15 in (14.6 in listed operating width) | 12 in class (11.6 in listed for lined material) | About 24 in usable on 25 in Smart Materials (13 in rolls also fit) |
| Max length (matless) | 16 ft (Silhouette's maximum cutting length) | 16 ft (Silhouette's maximum cutting length) | 12 ft single image; up to 75 ft of repeated images |
| Max cut area on mat | 14.6 x 15 in guaranteed operating area | 12 x 24 in guaranteed operating area | 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 |
| Print-then-cut max (US Letter) | Not stated by Silhouette (uses four-point registration marks) | Not stated by Silhouette (uses four-point registration marks) | 9.94 x 7.44 in (larger sheets supported; see review) |
| Max material thickness | 3 mm | 3 mm | Not stated by Cricut |
| Tools | 2 plunger tool mounts; automatic blade adjustment | 2 plunger tool mounts; automatic blade adjustment | 7 compatible |
| Connectivity | USB 2.0 and Bluetooth | USB 2.0 and Bluetooth | Bluetooth; USB cables included |
| Subscription | None required; SVG and PDF import needs the paid Designer Edition upgrade | None required; SVG and PDF import needs the paid Designer Edition upgrade | Not required to cut; paid Cricut Access unlocks the full library and some features |
| Size (W x D x H) | 25.28 x 6.94 x 4.89 in | 22.28 x 6.94 x 4.89 in | 34.82 x 8.81 x 10.4 in (Cricut lists 8.81 x 34.82 x 10.4 in) |
| Weight | 12.7 lb | 11.5 lb | 34.7 lb |
| Links | Check price on Amazon | Check price on AmazonSilhouette CAMEO 5 Alpha review | Cricut Venture review |
Questions
- What's the difference between the CAMEO 5 Alpha and Alpha Plus?
- Width and size. Silhouette lists a 12 x 24 in guaranteed operating area for the Alpha and 14.6 x 15 in for the Alpha Plus, which also takes a larger Cameo Plus mat. Both list 3 mm thickness, 16 ft maximum length and 300 mm/s maximum speed.
- Why isn't this machine scored?
- Our rubric needs at least one independent hands-on source for a score. We haven't found one for the Alpha Plus, so we show verified specs instead of guessing.
Bottom line
If 12 inches keeps cramping your designs and you like Silhouette Studio, the Alpha Plus is the logical step. We'll score it once there's independent testing to base a score on.