I am so excited to get to try out Cricut’s latest cutting machine: Cricut Joy Xtra. This adorable and affordable cutting machine will be on every new crafter’s wish list. Cricut sent me the new machine along with a bunch of new materials and accessories to go along with it so that I can do a full Cricut Joy Xtra review and unboxing for you.
This is a sponsored post written on behalf of Cricut. All opinions are 100% my own. Affiliate links are used in the post, if you buy using my link I will earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
I am a fan of Cricut cutting machines already so I opened the Cricut Joy Xtra with high expectations. The first thing I noticed is how small and light it is. This is perfect for crafters that don’t have a lot of space or a full room to devote for crafting. You can make anywhere with Joy Xtra. It’s small enough to use on a kitchen table, coffee table, countertop, or office desk. It can easily be tucked into a cubby, sit on a shelf, or stored in a closet. You can see the size comparison with my Cricut Explore Air 2 below.
I love the white color as well, it can easily blend in with most people’s decor and not be an eye sore like some of the bigger cutting machines can. Don’t let the small size fool you. It can still tackle all of the big projects you can do with other cutting machines. Joy Xtra makes projects up to 8.5”x11” (A4) on a machine mat and up to 4’ long
with Smart Materials.
What Comes in the Cricut Joy Xtra Box?
The Joy Xtra comes with everything you need to get started. Included in the box are:
- Cricut Joy Xtra machine
- Premium Fine-Point Blade + Housing
- Cricut Joy™ Fine Point Pen
- Cricut Mini Weeder
- USB cable and Power adapter
- Free trial subscription to Cricut Access™ (for new subscribers)
- 100 free, pre-designed projects in the companion app
One of my favorite features of any new Cricut machine is that they come with materials that you can use to do a practice cut so you can get a feel for how the machine works. It comes with several different materials like transfer tape, smart vinyl, smart iron on, and smart label. I love that I can play around with these and not mess up any materials that I paid extra for to use on projects.
Cricut Joy Xtra Setup
Setting up the Joy Xtra was so simple. I literally just plugged in the USB cable from the machine into the power adapter. The machine is Bluetooth enabled so you will need to download the Cricut Design Space app onto your computer or phone. Then just hit machine setup and then pick Joy Xtra and it will walk you through the setup process. I think it took me less than 5 minutes to get everything up and running.
It even takes you through the practice cut which is just cutting out the Cricut logo onto the smart vinyl that came in the box. I love how quickly it cuts!
It was so easy to weed and remove the vinyl! No more changing out blades for different materials. One blade is all you need! Joy Xtra has 350gf of cut pressure. Unlike with other 9” cutters on the market, with Joy Xtra, you don’t need to switch out your blade to cut thicker materials.
My Favorite Joy Xtra Features
Affordable
First of all, I love the price. At $199 it is more affordable than most other cutting machines on the market. You get a small portable machine that you can still create your favorite projects with: full-color custom stickers,
personalized t-shirts, cards, labels, drinkware, and so much more.
Make your own stickers!
Joy Xtra has a sensor to enable Print Then Cut functionality. You can print your favorite images on Cricut’s Sticker Paper (there is even waterproof sticker paper!) using an ink jet printer and then cut them out using the Joy Xtra. With a toddler starting potty training and a preteen wanting to decorate her school supplies, this is perfect for me!
Perfect for Beginners
Not only is the price point great for beginner crafters, but with the Joy Xtra you can get started right away. Cricut holds your hand while getting started and provides on-demand education to support you throughout your journey. Unlike other cutting machine software, Cricut’s intuitive design software is accessible on your phone or laptop.
You never have to worry about your Smart Materials cutting inaccurately with Joy Xtra’s alignment guides. Simply load and go – the machine ensures precision by auto-tracking the material. With Cricut’s easy-to-learn companion app, easy-to-edit images, and predesigned templates, it makes the process of creating a breeze.
Foil Transfer
If you are a fan of adding foil to your crafts you will be happy to know that you can create beautiful foil transfer projects with Joy Xtra and Cricut’s unique Foil Transfer Tool. No hot tools required.
The Cons
Overall, I love the new Joy Xtra but I couldn’t do an honest review without mentioning some things I’m not thrilled with. They are minor but I thought I would mention them.
One thing I do miss from the bigger machines is the storage for some of the accessories I use. I loved being able to have all of my weeders, spatulas, and scissors kept right there on my cutting machine in the little storage compartments. There are no storage compartments on the Joy Xtra.
The other thing is that the stickers and other print then cut capabilities can only be printed with an inkjet printer, not a laser jet printer. I have a laser jet printer in my home so in order to use these features, I will have to order a new printer. Just keep that in mind if you are specifically buying for the print to cut features.
New Joy Xtra Materials and Accessories
With a new cutting machine comes new materials! Like I mentioned previously, there is new printable sticker paper including waterproof sticker paper that is also UV friendly. These are perfect for water bottles!
There is also printable vinyl and printable iron on (available for both light and dark fabrics). Perfect for creating custom full-color projects like decor, labels, and more. No more complex layering or multiple sheets of heat transfer vinyl! That means easier crafting!
There are also Smart Labels. They come in Kraft labels or Writable Vinyl. The Writable Vinyl easily peels away without damaging surfaces, so you can label everything without commitment. It works without a mat, so you can just load and go with your Cricut Joy Xtra machine. Browse professional label designs, or create your own from scratch in the Cricut Design Space app. Use with compatible Cricut Pens and Markers.
Joy Xtra also has it’s own new mats: Light Grip, Standard Grip, and Card Mat that fits all available Cricut card sizes.
Overall Thoughts
I will be doing a more in depth project to really put it to the test in the next week. Be sure to check back for that post.
I am very excited about using all of the new capabilities the Joy Xtra offers to make crafting so much easier. It is the perfect machine for beginners that want to make some of the most popular projects: mugs, shirts, decor, cards, stickers, etc. It cuts over 50 different types of materials. Plus, the compact size makes it perfect for every space.
The price is perfect for those who want to start crafting without a huge investment. I think it is great for those of use who are hobby crafters, new and old alike!
