Hardware

Published on February 27th, 2026 | by Admin

Cricut Introduces Cricut Explore 5 and Cricut Joy 2  

Cricut®, Inc. (NASDAQ: CRCT) is making personalisation easier than ever with the introduction of two innovative cutting machines: Cricut Explore™ 5 and Cricut Joy™. These machines represent the start of a new era for Cricut users, including a sleeker modern machine design, a dramatically simplified, guided software experience, and all the tools and materials needed to get making right out of the box. 

Cricut Joy™ 2 and Cricut Explore™ 5, announced in Australia and New Zealand to align with global launch date, will be available from 6th of March in leading retailers. 

Introducing Cricut Joy™ 2: Cute. Compact. Clever. 

Cricut Joy 2 – available in a two-toned blue colourway – is Cricut’s most compact cutting machine. Perfect for fast, fun, everyday creations like custom cards, labels, simple decals, and now, for the first time, full-colour stickers thanks to its all-new Print Then Cut sensor. Cricut Joy 2 offers portability without compromise, enabling creativity in any space in your home. From organising your home to making last-minute personalised gifts, Cricut Joy 2 is your DIY best friend. 

Introducing Cricut Explore 5:  Sleek. Speedy. Simplified. 

Cricut Explore 5 – available in neutral taupe colourway – is the newest evolution of one of Cricut’s most popular cutting machines, redesigned to be 30 per-cent more compact than the previous generation so it fits more naturally into modern homes — without sacrificing performance or capability. 

Ideal for cutting vinyl decals, making custom clothing, full-colour stickers, cards, wedding and party decor, and specialty projects like magnets, Cricut Explore 5 is compatible with six tools* and features an improved writing and drawing experience with snap-in pen loading and a streamlined interface.  

Both Cricut Joy 2 and Cricut Explore 5 will be sold as an Essential Bundle, which includes must-have tools and accessories as well as an assortment of popular materials, perfect for those looking to make a wide variety of creations right out of the box. The Essential Bundles allow users to start making straight away, they’ve been thoughtfully curated to make the creative journey easy and enjoyable from the outset.   

“Our users have consistently told us they want products that are easier to use and more affordable. We listened and simplified the entire experience end-to-end,” said Ashish Arora, CEO at Cricut. “From the moment they open the box, everything required to be successful is included. We guide them through a reimagined onboarding and design experience with intuitive, guided flows that take the guesswork out of making and make it easier than ever to go from idea to finished project with confidence.”   

A Reimagined Design Experience 

At the heart of this launch is a significantly enhanced Design Space platform, purpose‑built to assist creators and make them feel confident from the moment inspiration strikes.  

New Guided Flows are designed to understand a user’s project intent—what they want to make—and provide step-by-step guidance to move from idea to finished project with ease. Intuitive and contextual, the guided flows surface only what’s needed at each stage of the design process and help users understand exactly what materials, blanks, and tools are required for a successful outcome.  

Within guided flows, the Canvas is now automatically sized to reflect a user’s selected project type, while Project Preview allows users to see their design on the intended blank (e.g., T-shirt, mug, phone case). These updates help give users confidence that their projects will turn out as desired.  

Cricut also introduced Create AI, a new feature in Design Space available only to paid subscribers that generates custom, cut-ready, single-layer AI designs. This allows users to turn their wildest ideas, like “a dinosaur with a unicorn horn riding a skateboard,” into project-ready artwork in seconds. 

Together, these updates reinforce Cricut’s commitment to being the go-to creative platform where software and hardware work in harmony to support creators at every stage of their journey while keeping the focus where it belongs: Creativity. 

Cricut Joy™ 2 Essential Bundle  

The Cricut Joy™ 2 Essential Bundle comes with the must-have tools as well as an assortment of popular materials. This bundle is perfect for those looking to make a wide variety of creations right out of the box. It has enough supplies to make up to 35+ projects*.  

Essential Bundle Inclusions:  

  • Cricut Joy 2 smart cutting machine  
  • 10 x Value Cardstock 8.5” x 11” sheets 
  • 6 x Smart Vinyl 5.5” x 8.5” sheets 
  • 6 x Transfer Tape 5.5” x 8.5” sheets, Standard Grip  
  • 4 x Smart Iron-On 5.5” x 8.5” sheets 
  • 2 x Insert Card Sets 4.25” x 5.5”, 
  • 3 x Printable Vinyl sheets, A4, White  
  • Premium Fine Point Cutting Tool and Scoring Tool 
  • Dual-Sided Marker, Black 
  • Light Grip Machine Mat 4.5 in x 12 in 
  • Card Mat 5.5 in x 8.25 
  • Paper Ruler, Weeder, Scraper, Spatula, and Trimmer 12” 

Features Include:  

  • Print-then-Cut Sensor (NEW)  

Recognises & precision-cuts around inkjet-printed images to create full-colour stickers & so much more.  

  • Precision-cuts 75+ materials (NEW)  

Works with popular materials, including vinyl, iron-on (HTV), cardstock, printables & more.   

  • Writes, draws, foils & scores  

Works with Cricut Pens & Markers to write & draw plus, it scores & adds beautiful foil accents with the new Scoring Tool 

  • Ultra-compact & portable  

Weighing just over 1kg  (1.2kg), ideal for making in any place at home  

  • Expand what is possible with Smart Materials™  

Makes projects up to 4.2 in (10.6 cm) x 11.7 in (29.7 cm) on a machine mat & up to 4 ft (1.2 m) long with Smart Materials™ 

Cricut Explore™ 5 Essential Bundle 

The Cricut Explore 5 Essential Bundle comes with must-have tools as well as an assortment of popular materials. This bundle is perfect for those looking to make a wide variety of creations right out of the box. It’s enough supplies to make up to 65+ projects. * 

Bundle Inclusions:  

  • Cricut Explore 5 smart cutting machine  
  • 10 x Value Cardstock 8.5” x 11” sheets 
  • 6 x Smart Vinyl 13” x 9.5” sheets 
  • 6 x Transfer Tape 13” x 9.5” sheets, Standard Grip  
  • 4 x Smart Iron-On 13” x 9.5” sheets 
  • 2 x Insert Card Sets 4.25” x 5.5” 
  • 3 x Printable Vinyl, A4, White  
  • Premium Fine Point Cutting Tool and Scoring Tool 
  • Dual-Sided Marker  
  • Light Grip Cutting Mat 12” x 12” 
  • 2×1 Card Mat 
  • Paper Ruler, Weeder, Scraper, Spatula, 13” Trimmer 

Features Include:  

  • New Modern & Compact Design  

30% more compact, and lighter than the previous Explore model, with the same dependable 12 inch cutting performance.  

  • Writes, draws, foils & scores  

Works with Cricut Pens & Markers to write & draw plus, it scores & adds beautiful foil accents.  

  • Precision-cuts 100+ materials  

Works with popular materials, including vinyl, iron-on (HTV), cardstock, printables & more. Cuts thicker materials to make custom magnets and more (Deep Cutting Tool sold separately). Compatible with 6 tools. Precise cutting at industry-leading speeds.    

  • Print-then-Cut Sensor  

Recognises & precision-cuts around inkjet-printed images to create full-colour stickers & so much more.  

  • Expand what is possible with Smart Materials  

Makes projects up to 12 in x 12 in (30.5 cm x 30.5cm) on a machine mat & up to 12 ft (3.6 m) long with Smart Materials™ 

Pricing and Availability  

Cricut Joy 2 and Cricut Explore 5 will be available from leading retailers from Friday 6th March. 

Cricut Joy 2 Essential Bundle 

Where to buy: 

  • Australia: RRP $249 at Spotlight, Officeworks, and BIG W 
  • New Zealand: RRP $349 as Spotlight exclusive

Cricut Explore 5 Essential Bundle 

Where to buy: 

  • Australia: RRP $449 at Spotlight, Harvey Norman, and Officeworks 
  • New Zealand: RRP $599 at Spotlight and Harvey Norman 


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