Cricut Joy 2 vs Cricut Joy: Which Compact Cricut Machine Is Right for You?

New machine, more possibilities! The latest iteration of our compact cutting machine, Cricut Joy™ 2 keeps the portable, everyday-project feel of Cricut Joy™, but adds new full-color sticker and printable-project capability. Here’s what changed from the previous generation, what stayed the same, and which machine fits your crafting style.

Cricut Joy 2 vs Cricut Joy at a Glance

Bottom line: Both Cricut Joy and Cricut Joy 2 are compact, beginner-friendly cutting machines. With Cricut Joy 2, you have the addition of the Print Then Cut function, allowing you to create full-color printable projects like stickers.

What’s new with Cricut Joy 2?

Cricut Joy 2 focuses on expanded cutting power and experience improvements while maintaining the compact size users have come to know and love. Here are the specifics on what’s new:

1. New Print Then Cut functionality

The new Cricut Joy 2 is the next generation of our ultra-compact cutting machine and includes a powerful update: it works with your home inkjet printer to help you make full-color stickers and other printable designs with multiple colors.

Simply create your design, print it, follow the directions on Design Space to trim down your paper size to fit your Cricut Joy mat, and watch Cricut Joy 2 use its newly installed sensors to automatically recognize the design and precision cut your stickers in minutes.

2. Simplified setup and design process

The new machine leans into a cleaner, more beginner-friendly experience on Cricut Design Space, reducing friction when getting started. Design Space updates include things like new Guided Flows for all of the most popular project types, from cards and cardstock cutouts to t-shirts, vinyl decals, and full-color stickers.

3. Stronger in-box bundle

With the new Cricut Joy 2, you get more materials and tools included in your box for a lower starting price, so you can start crafting right away without extra purchases. Plus, bundle options allow you to choose more materials included with your machine, depending on the level of crafting you plan on using your machine for. Check out our blog post on Cricut Joy 2 and Cricut Explore 5 bundle options to help find the right bundle option for you.

4. New fun colors to fit your life and personality 

Cricut Joy 2 is available in three colors: Blue, Coral, and Jade Green. The Jade Green color is only available through Michaels. The Blue and Coral machines are available wherever Cricut machines are sold, depending on your bundle option. These fun new machine colors allow you to match your personal style, and paired with the machine’s compact size, it fits perfectly into any space and can be left out and shown off.

Can Cricut Joy make stickers? What about Cricut Joy 2?

Cricut Joy cannot make Print Then Cut stickers. The machine does not have a Print Then Cut sensor and therefore cannot recognize printed designs to cut around them.

Cricut Joy 2 on the other hand, can make Print Then Cut stickers. Simply use your home inkjet printer to print your design, and then watch the automatic sensors on Cricut Joy 2 recognize and precision cut your stickers.

For crafters looking to make stickers with a Cricut Joy machine, the new Cricut Joy 2 is the best choice for full-color, professional-looking printable projects.

Cricut Joy 2 vs Cricut Joy for labels, cards, and decals

Labels

Both Cricut Joy 2 and Cricut Joy machines excel at the basics of compact crafting, easily creating Labels with Smart Label™ Writable Vinyl for organization.

Similarly, both Cricut Joy and Cricut Joy 2 have writing capabilities for label and card-making. However, Cricut Joy 2 will only be compatible with the new universal pen sets and marker sets, while Cricut Joy can use either the new universal pen sets or original, machine-specific Joy pen sets. If you would like to use a universal pen on your Cricut Joy, you will simply need to use the new adapter tool, which comes in the box with most universal pen sets.

For printable label-making, Cricut Joy 2 is equipped with a new sensor allowing for Print Then Cut, while Cricut Joy is not.

Cards

Cricut Joy and Cricut Joy 2 are both compatible with Cricut card materials such as Insert Cards and Cutaway Cards and handle intricate cut designs with ease.

If you plan to make a card from scratch (instead of using Cricut Insert Cards or Cutaway Cards), Cricut Joy 2 is the machine for you. While the original Cricut Joy machine is not compatible with any scoring tool or stylus, the new Cricut Joy 2 is compatible with the new Scoring Tool that comes in the box with the machine.

Vinyl Decals

Both Cricut Joy and Cricut Joy 2 cut both Permanent and Removable adhesive vinyl. Likewise, both machines support Smart Materials for matless cutting.

Overall verdict for projects

The biggest difference between Cricut Joy 2 vs Cricut Joy comes down to project possibilities. The new Cricut Joy 2 gives you the power to make Print Then Cut stickers, score cardstock and paper for custom cards, and is compatible with more than 75 different materials, while Cricut Joy has none of these new functions and is only compatible with 50 materials.

Materials, size, and everyday-project fit

Searching for a Cricut Joy machine for beginners? Cricut Joy and Cricut Joy 2 are both designed for simplicity and first-time crafters. They both work with Smart Materials™, allowing you to cut without a machine mat, which means faster setup and more making. You can cut vinyl, iron-on, paper, and specialty paper with both machines, and both Cricut Joy and Cricut Joy 2 have the same compact footprint, perfect for small spaces.

When comparing Cricut Joy vs Cricut Joy 2 the biggest difference really comes down to this: what are you trying to make? Simple label-making, basic decals, and custom cards are all possible with both the original Cricut Joy and the new Cricut Joy 2. If you want to go beyond these simple projects, explore full-color printable projects, and expand your material options, then Cricut Joy 2 is the machine for you.

Should you upgrade from Cricut Joy to Cricut Joy 2?

Whether you should upgrade from Cricut Joy to Cricut Joy 2 comes down to what type of crafter you are and what you want to make next—especially if you’re looking to move beyond simple projects into more advanced or full-color creations.

If you’re happy making simple projects and you already own a Cricut Joy, there’s no urgency to upgrade — but if you want to do more (especially full-color stickers and expanded materials), Cricut Joy 2 is a meaningful step up in capability.

Shop the right machine for you

Ready to start creating? Make your DIY dreams come true and shop Cricut Joy 2 to create full-color stickers, printable projects, iron-on designs, vinyl decals, and so much more. Check out Cricut Joy to make labels, cards, and simple decals¹.

Still unsure? Check out our helpful machine comparison chart to see a full breakdown of features, tools, machine compatibility & more.

1. Cricut Joy is available for purchase only at retailers where Cricut machines are sold while supplies last and is no longer sold through Cricut.com. ↩︎

FAQs