Cricut and Sizzix are two of the biggest names in the manufacture of die cutters and embossers. And while there’s no doubt that the two have their fair share of merits and demerits, it’s only by taking a closer look that we can determine which company is best placed to provide you with the best value.
About Cricut - An Overview
This is a brand name owned and managed by a company known as Provo Craft. It’s based in Spanish Fork, Utah but has a wide market presence throughout the US and beyond. They mainly specialize in the production of electronic and manual die cutters. Some of their popular home die cutting machines include the Explore Air, Explore Air 2, and the Maker.
About Sizzix - An Overview
Since 2001, Sizzix, a brand owned by Ellison has stood out with its ability to produce award-winning die cutting machines. Their range of products includes the Eclips2 electronic die cutter, several manual cutters, steel-rule dies, embossing folders, and chemically-etched dies.
The California-based company is known for partnering with some of the leading artists in the game to expand its market presence, among them Jo Packham, Susan Tierney-Cockburn, and Tim Holtz. Its products are highly popular among hobbyists, quilters, scrapbookers, cardmakers, and sewers.
What Makes The Two Different?
To a large extent, these two brands may seem to have a lot in common. But look a little closer and you’re bound to discover quite a few differences.
Here’s a head-to-head comparison to help us get a clearer picture of the factors and features that set the two apart.
1. The Machines
Cricut seems to focus more on the electronic die cutting machines. In fact, all of its current, best-selling die cutters are all electronic ones. We’re talking about the entire Explore family and the Maker. But even so, they still maintain a considerable market presence in the manual die cutting segment particularly with their all-time favorite, the Cuttlebug.
Sizzix, on the other hand, seems to be lagging behind in the electronic die cutting machine manufacturer. So, far they only have Eclips2 which seems to be struggling to keep up with the kind of quality the Cricut Maker has come to be known for.
Generally, they seem keen on retaining its strong grip of the manual die cutting realm. Indeed, its manual cutters among them the Big Shot and Vagabond 2 are some of the most sought-after ones.
So, Cricut seems to have an edge over its rival in terms of future-readiness, quality, and innovation.
Software
Cricut uses the Design Space software, a web-based program that enables one to edit their crafts remotely. But Sizzix hasn’t been left too far behind either. They recently launched the use of the eCAL software for their Eclips2 device.
Both software programs are free to download although you may need to cough out a few cents to access some of their premium features.
Still, Cricut seems to have an upper hand over Sizzix. Their Design Space software can be accessed offline through their iOS app. However, by the time of publishing this review, Sizzix didn’t have a mobile app for their eCAL software and it wasn’t possible to access their platform offline.
2. Customer Support
It’s a mixed bag of fortunes when it comes to the kind of customer support offered by these two giants. Sizzix has a toll free phone line and email-based support. They, however, seemed to take a bit longer to respond to email queries, especially on the weekends.
Their arch nemesis is no better either. Although they have a diverse customer support platform that comprises mobile and email support, some of their clients complain of being kept on hold upon calling their support line.
We think that even though the two have done a lot on this front, there’s still room for improvement. So, it’s a tie.
3. Warranty
Only a company that’s ready to stand behind the quality of their products can provide a warranty for its products. In that regard, Sizzix provides a 1-year warranty for its flagship electronic die cutter and 3-year warranty for its manual cutters. On its part, the ProvoCraft brand offers a 1-year limited warranty for all of its products.
The battle was closely fought but we think that the Ellison owned brand has a slight edge all thanks to its 3-year warranty for the manual die cutters.
Conclusion
Cricut seems to have better machines and software. The two seems to be having almost similar customer support issues. Sizzix seems to have a slight advantage on its warranty terms.
Verdict: Cricut is the clear winner with two points against its rival’s one.
Hello there, my name is Carole Lokey from Texas. I am a die cutting and scrapbooking enthusiast and I have been sharing my passion with my friends and likeminded folks for close to 15 years now. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with me via the contact page. Learn More>>