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Silhouette CAMEO PRO MK-II 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 PRO MK-II is Silhouette's 24-inch machine. It comes with a roll feeder and a 24 x 24 in mat, uses the same Silhouette Studio as smaller CAMEOs, and takes lined materials rather than one brand's matless rolls. We haven't scored it because independent hands-on testing is thin, and Silhouette's length specs conflict.
Buy it if
- You want 24-inch cutting without committing to one brand's matless materials.
- You already design in Silhouette Studio.
- You want a roll feeder in the box.
Skip it if
- You want to cut from a phone or tablet.
- You don't have a spot for a 34.5 in wide machine; there's no stand included.
- You want a machine with independent test results behind it.
Specs
| Max cut width (matless) | 23.6 in with lined material (roll feeder) |
|---|---|
| Max length (matless) | Unresolved: 192 in (16 ft) with lined material in the spec table; 60 ft listed as maximum cutting length |
| Max cut area on mat | 23.2 x 24 in |
| Print-then-cut max (US Letter) | Not stated by Silhouette (registration-mark reading supported) |
| Max material thickness | 3 mm |
| Tools | 2 plunger tool mounts; automatic blade adjustment |
| Cutting tool in the box | AutoBlade 2 |
| Also in the box | Roll feeder, 24 x 24 in cutting mat, pen adapter, adjustment tool (no stand) |
| Claimed cut speed | Up to 300 mm/s (about 11.8 in/s, calculated) |
| Connectivity | USB 2.0 and Bluetooth |
| Design software | Silhouette Studio (Windows 10+, macOS 10.10+ listed) |
| Subscription | None required; SVG and PDF import needs the paid Designer Edition upgrade |
| Size (W x D x H) | 34.49 x 7.68 x 6.69 in |
| Weight | 19.84 lb |
| Warranty (US) | Not stated on the product page |
Advantages and limitations
Advantages
- 23.2 x 24 in cutting area, with a 24 x 24 in mat in the box.
- Roll feeder included.
- Two tool mounts and 3 mm maximum thickness, per Silhouette.
- USB and Bluetooth.
Limitations
- Silhouette lists both 16 ft and 60 ft as length limits.
- No independent hands-on testing found.
- No stand included.
- SVG and PDF import needs the paid Designer Edition.
What we could verify
Silhouette lists a 23.2 x 24 in cutting area, 23.6 in width with lined material through the roll feeder, 3 mm maximum material thickness, 300 mm/s maximum speed, two plunger tool mounts with automatic blade adjustment, registration-mark reading, and USB 2.0 plus Bluetooth. It measures 34.49 x 7.68 x 6.69 in and weighs 19.84 lb. The box includes a roll feeder, a 24 x 24 in cutting mat, an AutoBlade 2 and a pen adapter. Silhouette notes that a stand isn't included.
The length conflict
The same spec table gives 192 in (16 ft) with lined material and 60 ft as the maximum cutting length. We don't know whether 60 ft needs a particular mode or material. Until Silhouette clarifies, we treat 16 ft as the safe planning figure.
Weight compared with the Cricut Venture
19.84 lb versus 34.7 lb: the CAMEO PRO MK-II is about 43% lighter than the Venture, and at 34.49 in it's a similar width.
Calculated from each maker's listed weight: (34.7 - 19.84) / 34.7 = 0.43.
What we couldn't verify
We didn't find a detailed independent hands-on review. Retailer blogs describe it, but they sell the machine, so we don't treat them as independent evidence. Silhouette doesn't publish a print-and-cut area for this model.
How it compares
| Spec | Silhouette CAMEO PRO MK-II | Cricut Venture | Silhouette CAMEO 5 Alpha Plus |
|---|---|---|---|
| CraftGearGuide editorial score | Not scored | 7.5/10 | Not scored |
| Max cut width (matless) | 23.6 in with lined material (roll feeder) | About 24 in usable on 25 in Smart Materials (13 in rolls also fit) | Up to 15 in (14.6 in listed operating width) |
| Max length (matless) | Unresolved: 192 in (16 ft) with lined material in the spec table; 60 ft listed as maximum cutting length | 12 ft single image; up to 75 ft of repeated images | 16 ft (Silhouette's maximum cutting length) |
| Max cut area on mat | 23.2 x 24 in | 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 | 14.6 x 15 in guaranteed operating area |
| Print-then-cut max (US Letter) | Not stated by Silhouette (registration-mark reading supported) | 9.94 x 7.44 in (larger sheets supported; see review) | Not stated by Silhouette (uses four-point registration marks) |
| Max material thickness | 3 mm | Not stated by Cricut | 3 mm |
| Tools | 2 plunger tool mounts; automatic blade adjustment | 7 compatible | 2 plunger tool mounts; automatic blade adjustment |
| Connectivity | USB 2.0 and Bluetooth | Bluetooth; USB cables included | USB 2.0 and Bluetooth |
| Subscription | 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 | None required; SVG and PDF import needs the paid Designer Edition upgrade |
| Size (W x D x H) | 34.49 x 7.68 x 6.69 in | 34.82 x 8.81 x 10.4 in (Cricut lists 8.81 x 34.82 x 10.4 in) | 25.28 x 6.94 x 4.89 in |
| Weight | 19.84 lb | 34.7 lb | 12.7 lb |
| Links | Check price on Amazon | Cricut Venture review | Check price on AmazonSilhouette CAMEO 5 Alpha Plus review |
Questions
- How long a cut can the CAMEO PRO MK-II make?
- Silhouette's spec table lists 23.6 x 192 in (16 ft) with lined material through the roll feeder, but also lists a 60 ft maximum cutting length. We haven't confirmed which applies to what, so plan around 16 ft per pass.
- Does it need Cricut-style special materials to cut without a mat?
- Silhouette's spec table describes lined material fed through the included roll feeder and doesn't name a required brand. Cricut's matless cuts, by contrast, are specified for Cricut Smart Materials.
Bottom line
For a 24-inch machine that isn't tied to one brand's rolls, the CAMEO PRO MK-II is worth a look, especially if you already use Silhouette Studio. We'd like independent testing and a clear length spec before scoring it.