Get the Cricut Joy Xtra if:
- You make stickers and want Print then Cut beyond 4.5 in.
- You cut things wider than 4.5 in.
- You’re fine with a bigger machine (12.5 x 6 x 5.5 in, 6 lb).
The short answer
Bigger stickers and decals? Joy Xtra
Tiny space, cards and labels? Joy 2
Both are Cricut’s compact machines with 3 compatible tools and 4 ft matless cuts on Smart Materials. Width is the big difference: 8.5 in on the Joy Xtra vs 4.5 in on the Joy 2. The Joy 2 is smaller (2.7 lb vs 6 lb), scores fold lines, and comes with a Scoring Tool and a mat.
Best for bigger stickers
Pick the Cricut Joy Xtra if
- You want Print then Cut stickers bigger than the Joy 2’s 4.5 in format.
- You want decals up to 8.5 in wide.
The Amazon listing is the Joy Xtra with a digital content bundle. Cricut says the box has the Premium Fine-Point Blade + Housing, a fine point pen and a mini weeder; a machine mat is not listed in the box.
See current price on AmazonBest for tiny spaces and cards
Pick the Cricut Joy 2 if
- You want the smallest machine: 9.1 x 5.4 x 2.8 in, 2.7 lb.
- You make cards and labels: it scores, and a Scoring Tool is in the box.
- You want a machine mat included.
The Amazon listing is Cricut’s Joy 2 Essential Bundle. Cricut says the machine comes with a Premium Fine Point Cutting Tool, Scoring Tool, dual-sided marker and a 4.5 x 6.5 in Light Grip mat.
See current price on AmazonBefore you buy: Cricut doesn’t list a machine mat in the Joy Xtra box. The Joy 2 listing is a bundle with starter materials. Listings change, so check who the seller is and that it’s new before you order.
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Key specs
3Joy Xtra
spec rows won
spec rows won
4Joy 2
spec rows won
spec rows won
6even or
unclear
unclear
The Joy Xtra wins on cut size and Print then Cut size. The Joy 2 wins on scoring, size, weight and what’s in the box. Speed is too close to call.
A green check marks the clearly better spec for most people, no check means a tie, a tiny gap or a spec the makers measure differently, and every figure comes from Cricut’s own product pages and comparison chart, not from Amazon.
| Joy Xtra | Joy 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Widest matless cut | 8.5 in x 4 ft (Cricut Smart Materials only) | 4.5 in x 4 ft (Cricut Smart Materials only) |
| Biggest cut on a mat | 8.2 x 11.7 in | 4.2 x 11.7 in (large mat) |
| Cut speed (maker figure) | Up to 5.65 in/s | Up to 5.3 in/s |
| Thickest material | Not listed | Not listed |
| Compatible tools | 3 | 3 |
| Materials (maker count) | 50+ or 75+ (Cricut lists both) | 75+ |
| Print then Cut | Yes (home inkjet printer) | Yes, in a 4.5 in format |
| Extra effects | No scoring, engraving, debossing or perforating | Scores; no engraving, debossing or perforating |
| Connection | Bluetooth | Bluetooth |
| Software / devices | Design Space: iOS, Android, Mac, Windows | Design Space: iOS, Android, Mac, Windows |
| Size (W x D x H) | 12.5 x 6 x 5.5 in | 9.1 x 5.4 x 2.8 in |
| Weight | 6 lb | 2.7 lb |
| In the box | Premium Fine-Point Blade + Housing, fine point pen, mini weeder | Premium Fine Point Cutting Tool, Scoring Tool, dual-sided marker, 4.5 x 6.5 in mat |
Spec notes
- Matless cuts (4 ft) need Cricut Smart Materials on both.
- The 5.65 vs 5.3 in/s speed gap is small, so it isn’t checked.
Where the sources disagree
- Cricut Joy Xtra materials: the product page says 50+ materials; Cricut’s comparison chart says 75+. Cut speed is 5.65 in/s on the product page and 5.6 in/s on the chart.
- Cricut Joy Xtra sheet size: the product page says it works with US Letter and A4 material sizes, but lists the largest cut on a machine mat as 8.2 x 11.7 in, and a Letter sheet is 8.5 in wide. We use the 8.2 x 11.7 in figure for what fits on a mat.
- The biggest cut on a mat and Print then Cut check marks hold whether the Joy Xtra is 8.2 in or 8.5 in wide.
What it can make
Common projects, judged only from what each maker says the machine and its tools can do. Short names, grouped by type; the line under each badge is the spec behind it.
- Can do the maker lists it for this machine (some tools are sold separately)
- Just barely possible, with a limit the maker states (size, material brand or blade)
- Can’t the maker doesn’t list it for this machine, or a listed spec rules it out
| Project | Joy Xtra | Joy 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Vinyl and iron-on | ||
| Shirt decal | Can doCuts iron-on (HTV). | Can doCuts iron-on, up to 4.5 in wide. |
| 11 in decal | Can’t8.5 in max width. | Can’t4.5 in max width. |
| 6 ft banner | Can’t4 ft matless max. | Can’t4 ft matless max. |
| Paper | ||
| Folded cards | Can’tCricut lists no scoring for Joy Xtra. | Can doScoring Tool in the box. |
| Color stickers | Can doPrint then Cut. Cricut lists US Letter and A4 material sizes; the mat cut area is 8.2 x 11.7 in. | Just barelyPrint then Cut, but only 4.5 in wide. |
| Foil accents | Can doJoy Foil Transfer Kit (sold separately). | Can doJoy Foil Transfer Kit (sold separately). |
“Sold separately” tools are extra purchases. Cut limits are the maker’s maximums; real results depend on the material and blade.
Notes and sources
Cricut’s longest matless cuts (up to 12 ft, or 4 ft on Joy machines) only work with Cricut Smart Materials; everything else goes on a machine mat.
Sources (maker pages, checked October 9, 2026):
Who should buy which
Get the Cricut Joy 2 if:
- You want the smallest, lightest machine.
- You make cards, labels and small decals.
- 4.5 in wide is enough.
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Skip it if
Skip the Joy Xtra
Skip it if your projects are labels, cards and small decals under 4.5 in. The Joy 2 does them, adds scoring, and is smaller.
Skip the Joy 2
Skip it if you want bigger stickers or anything wider than 4.5 in.
Questions about this pair
Does the Joy 2 do Print then Cut?
Yes, in a 4.5 in format.
Which one scores?
The Joy 2. Cricut lists scoring for Joy 2 and not for Joy Xtra.
Do they use the same tools?
Both Cricut pages list 3 compatible tools: a cutting blade, a foil transfer tool and pens and markers. The Joy 2 page also lists a Scoring Tool in the box, but doesn’t say whether it counts as one of the 3.