Get the Silhouette Cameo 5 Alpha if:
- You work with 12 in materials.
- Desk space matters.
- You want the 24 in long mat area.
The short answer
Fits a 12 in workflow? Cameo 5 Alpha
Need 15 in material? Alpha Plus
Both have a 300 mm/s cutting speed, a 3 mm material limit, two tool holders, USB and Bluetooth, and 4-point registration. The Plus takes material up to 15 in (14.6 in cut width, vs 11.6 in for the Alpha on lined material) and adds a Power Slide Lid. The Alpha is 3 in narrower overall and 1.2 lb lighter.
Best for 12 in materials
Pick the Silhouette Cameo 5 Alpha if
- Your vinyl and paper are 12 in or smaller.
- You want the smaller machine: 22.28 in wide.
- You want the longer 12 x 24 in mat area.
The Amazon listing is the Cameo 5 Alpha machine (matte black). Silhouette says the box has an AutoBlade, a 12 in Standard Tack mat, a sketch pen adapter and a download of Silhouette Studio.
See current price on AmazonBest for 15 in materials
Pick the Silhouette Cameo 5 Alpha Plus if
- You cut 15 in vinyl or heat transfer rolls.
- You want signs and decals up to 14.6 in wide.
- You want the Power Slide Lid.
The Amazon listing is the 15 in Cameo 5 Alpha Plus. Silhouette says the box has an AutoBlade, a Cameo Plus Standard Tack mat, a sketch pen adapter and a download of Silhouette Studio.
See current price on AmazonBefore you buy: Check the cutting mat size you need: the Alpha uses a 12 in mat (12 x 24 in area), the Plus a Cameo Plus mat (14.6 x 15 in area). Listings change, so check who the seller is and that it’s new before you order.
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Key specs
1Cameo 5 Alpha
spec rows won
spec rows won
1Cameo 5 Alpha Plus
spec rows won
spec rows won
11even or
unclear
unclear
Only two rows differ enough to check: cut width (Plus) and size (Alpha). The 1.2 lb weight gap is under our 20% threshold, so it has no check. Speed, thickness, tool holders and Print & Cut are the same on Silhouette’s pages.
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 Silhouette America’s own product pages, not from Amazon.
| Cameo 5 Alpha | Cameo 5 Alpha Plus | |
|---|---|---|
| Widest matless cut | 11.6 in x 16 ft (lined material) | 14.6 in x 16 ft (lined material) |
| Biggest cut on a mat | 12 x 24 in | 14.6 x 15 in |
| Cut speed (maker figure) | Up to 300 mm/s (about 11.8 in/s) | Up to 300 mm/s (about 11.8 in/s) |
| Thickest material | 3 mm (max material thickness) | 3 mm (max material thickness) |
| Compatible tools | 2 tool holders | 2 tool holders |
| Materials (maker count) | Not counted | Not counted |
| Print then Cut | Yes, 4-point registration marks | Yes, 4-point registration marks |
| Extra effects | Embossing and foil stamping with extra tools (Silhouette doesn’t list engraving) | Embossing with extra tools; Power Slide Lid |
| Connection | USB 2.0 and Bluetooth | USB 2.0 and Bluetooth |
| Software / devices | Silhouette Studio: Windows 10+, macOS 13+ | Silhouette Studio 5 (minimum system not listed on this page) |
| Size (W x D x H) | 22.28 x 6.94 x 4.89 in | 25.28 x 6.94 x 4.89 in |
| Weight | 11.5 lb | 12.7 lb |
| In the box | AutoBlade, 12 in Standard Tack mat, sketch pen adapter, Studio download | AutoBlade, Cameo Plus Standard Tack mat, sketch pen adapter, Studio download |
Spec notes
- Matless figures are for lined material such as vinyl on a backing sheet.
- Silhouette’s Alpha page lists foil stamping and its Alpha Plus page doesn’t. That may be a listing gap rather than a real difference, so the Extra effects row has no check.
- The Alpha’s mat area is longer (12 x 24 in) but narrower than the Plus (14.6 x 15 in), so that row has no check.
Where the sources disagree
- Silhouette Cameo 5 Alpha weight: the product page says 11.5 lb; Silhouette’s user’s manual says the Alpha alone weighs about 5 kg (about 11 lb) and the Alpha Plus about 5.5 kg (about 12.1 lb; product page: 12.7 lb). We use the product page figures. The gap between the two models is about 1.1 to 1.2 lb either way, and the check marks don’t change.
- Silhouette Cameo 5 Alpha speed: the page intro says “a maximum speed of 400 mm/s,” but the spec table lists 300 mm/s for cutting and 400 mm/s for sketching. We use 300 mm/s for cutting.
- Silhouette Cameo 5 Alpha Plus speed: the page text says “cutting speeds up to 400mm/s,” but its spec table lists a 300 mm/s maximum cutting speed. We use 300 mm/s.
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 | Cameo 5 Alpha | Cameo 5 Alpha Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Vinyl and iron-on | ||
| Shirt decal | Can doSilhouette’s manual lists iron-print sheets. | Can doSilhouette’s manual lists iron-print sheets. |
| 11 in decal | Can do12 in on a mat, 11.6 in on lined roll. | Can do14.6 in wide. |
| 14 in sign | Can’t12 in max width. | Can do14.6 in wide on mat or roll. |
| 6 ft banner | Can do16 ft on lined material. | Can do16 ft on lined material. |
| Matless roll | Can doAny lined material, up to 16 ft. | Can doAny lined material, up to 16 ft. |
| Paper | ||
| Color stickers | Can doPrint & Cut with 4-point registration. | Can doPrint & Cut with 4-point registration. |
| Thick and specialty | ||
| Quilt pieces | Just barelySilhouette lists fabric but no rotary blade on this page. | Just barelySilhouette lists fabric but no rotary blade on this page. |
| Metal tag | Can’tSilhouette doesn’t list engraving for the Alpha. | Can’tSilhouette doesn’t list engraving for the Alpha Plus. |
“Sold separately” tools are extra purchases. Cut limits are the maker’s maximums; real results depend on the material and blade.
Notes and sources
Silhouette’s matless figure (16 ft) is for lined material such as vinyl on a backing sheet.
Sources (maker pages, checked October 9, 2026):
Who should buy which
Get the Silhouette Cameo 5 Alpha Plus if:
- You buy 15 in rolls.
- You want wider signs and decals.
- You want the Power Slide Lid.
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Skip it if
Skip the Cameo 5 Alpha
Skip it if you already buy 15 in rolls or want decals wider than 11.6 in.
Skip the Cameo 5 Alpha Plus
Skip it if all your materials are 12 in. You’d get a bigger machine for width you won’t use.
Questions about this pair
Is the Plus faster?
No. Silhouette lists the same 300 mm/s maximum cutting speed for both.
Same software?
Both use Silhouette Studio. Silhouette’s manual covers Windows and macOS for both machines, and the Alpha Plus page doesn’t list a minimum system.
Do they use the same manual?
Yes, Silhouette publishes one manual for the CAMEO5α and CAMEO5α PLUS.