Apparently, you are now not sure to buy Cricut Imagine or Cricut Expression 2. They two seem to be great cutting machines. However, did you know that these two machines have different capabilities? Cricut Imagine has a built-in printer which enables you to print solid colors and textures directly on your patterns. On the other hand, Cricut Expression 2 is dedicated to cutting tasks, and it has the abilities to work independently or with a computer. So, which model should you buy? See the breakdown of Cricut Imagine vs Expression 2 below!
Capabilities
Cricut Imagine is a result of the cooperation between Provo Craft and HP. It is a cutting machine with a built-in printer. It is able not only to cut your artistic patterns, but also to produce them with solid, vibrant colors and textures. Such functionality indeed seems very attractive. However, the versatility comes at a cost. This model has very limited cutting capabilities – see our previous post, Cricut Imagine vs Cricut Expression, too.
The biggest concern is that you can’t move the image on the page easily. There is no “move image” button to resize and move the image to the middle or other side of the page. Hence, you may need to buy the Gypsy to do such trivial control. It is also rather slow, and the cutting mat tends to stick to the paper and move around when the blade is cutting. Don’t forget that the ink cartridges will need to be replaced every once in a while – that’s an additional cost.
On the other hand, Cricut Expression 2 is a dedicated cutting machine. It does not do any printing. It focuses on cutting, and it gets the job done very well. It is a well-built model without significant issues. You can, of course, move the image around. This model is faster and more powerful, as it can cut some thicker materials including chipboards.
Operation
Cricut Imagine is an independent machine. That’s generally a good thing. You don’t need to connect it to a computer in order to work. However, the downside is that it can’t work with a computer. The computer connection is only for firmware updates. It doesn’t work with Cricut’s software, and using third-party software will void the warranty.
On the other hand, Cricut Expression 2 is more flexible. It can work independently without a computer connection. However, it can also connect to a computer via the USB port, and then you can use the Cricut Craft Room software to design.
Cutting Size
The next difference of Cricut Imagine vs Expression 2 that you should not forget is the cutting mat. Cricut Imagine works with a special cutting mat which has a border. The machine needs the border to detect the edges. There are only 12×12 cutting mats available for Cricut Imagine. It cannot cut 12×24. On the other hand, Cricut Expression 2 can use both 12×12 and 12×24 cutting mats.
Cricut Imagine Vs Expression 2
| Cricut Imagine | Cricut Expression 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Provo Craft & Novelty/ Imagine | Cricut |
| Key differences | - From beginners to experts, you’ll have fun making a wide variety of projects, including scrapbook layouts, cards, home or office décor, education materials, special event signage, and much more - Cricut Imagine offers endless possibilities; the rest is up to you | - 12 in x 24 in cutting capability - Compatible with all cricut cartridges – including cricut imagine cartridges. (cricut imagine cartridges will just cut images, not print images or patterns.) |
| Price | ||
| Customer Ratings* | 3.2 out of 5 stars | 3.8 out of 5 stars |
| Best Deal* | Save Money Please click here | Save Money Please click here |
NOTE : Product prices, availability, ratings and save money information are accurate as of the date/time indicated on post time (as seen right bellow the tittle) and are subject to change. Any price, ratings, availability and save money information displayed on Amazon Site at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Conclusion
Between these two models Cricut Expression 2 is much more recommended. It has much better performance and capabilities, and it is able to work with 12×12 and 12×24 cutting mats. On the other hand, although Cricut Imagine’s built-in printing functionality seems nice, the overall performance is not good.