When comparing cutting machines, often enough you see apples compared to oranges, and it doesn’t make any sense.
Before you begin a comparison or ask about comparing machines, ask yourself what it is that your are looking for in a system — are you looking for something very small and portable? Are you looking for something that ‘does it all’? Are you looking for something that is more of a custom cutter? What sizes of die will you be using for the life of the machine? What is your style? What is your budget? Then, find out how you would ‘class’ that machine and compare it to the same types in that category.
You will drive yourself crazy trying to compare every single machine to each other. I classify them this way (it would be like trying to compare motorcycles, automobiles and jet planes otherwise — there are different tools for different needs, desires and budgets):
Small, mini machines:
- Sizzix Sidekick
- Quickuts,
- EK Success
- Empunchlar hand tool
- ZAZ (Accucut)
- Boss Kut
Standard personal diecut systems:
- Wizard (Spellbinders)
- Sizzix
- Big Shot
- Zipe Mate
- All Star
Commercial diecut machines:
- Accucut Grande Mark,
- Ellison Prestige
- Select
Electronic cutters (computer driven):
- Wishblade
- Pazzles
- Creative
- Cutter
- Craft Robo
Electronic cutters (stand alone):
- Cricut
- Xyron Personal Cutting System
There’s a lot out there! The point of view that I come from is that:
1) I like having something that is as universal as possible so I can choose from more than one company and process a variety of materials
2) The system has to be durable and doesn’t have a lot of replacement parts (or stuff that will wear down more than a couple times a year and cost more than $10-$20 to replace — think about the blades and cutting mats, software updates on electronic cutters or cutting mats/platforms on a mechanical machine)
3) The company that will stand behind their product (one of the electronic cutters only gives you 10 DAYS FROM DATE OF ORDER to inform the company that it doesn’t work right or you can’t get your money back! In my opinion, that doesn’t say much for how durable they think their cutter is or what they think of their shipping service).
Not everybody needs, wants or can afford what I’ve set my personal preferences at. You are the one who will make the final decision anyway.
I did a LOT of research into the different types before buying. I own dies from just about every manufacturer out there, LOL. Nothing like field testing equipment!
So where do we start? Seriously, if you really want to get into discussion (not an argument), I think we just need to set up some general categories to start from or we’ll just talk ourselves silly!
You could even start by asking whether you should get a mini machine or a standard machine… or do you need a commercial machine?
As I’ve stated, ALL the machines are good — some are better at certain functions than others; some are easier for folks to use than others because of physical ability/patience/environment; some are more portable than others. Some are going through a break in period and there might be a few bugs.
