Glowforge vs Cricut: Laser or Cutting Machine for Your Crafts?

"Glowforge or Cricut?" is one of the most common questions crafters ask when they want to move beyond paper and vinyl. The two machines look similar on a desk and both cut out shapes from a design, but they work in completely different ways. A Cricut drags a small blade through the material. A Glowforge is a laser that burns through it, and can also engrave. Here's how that changes what you can make; see how we research.

The short answer

Prices from Cricut's and Glowforge's US stores in October 2026. Glowforge has sold the Aura for $999 on sale.

What a Cricut does better

Vinyl, iron-on and stickers are the Cricut's home ground, and it's the right tool for them. It cuts precise shapes in thin, flexible materials without heat, smoke or fumes, and Cricut says the Maker 4 works with more than 300 materials, from vinyl, iron-on and cardstock to fabric, leather and balsa wood. It's also much cheaper: the Maker 4 lists at $399.

A laser can't replace it for vinyl. Most craft vinyl is PVC, which gives off chlorine gas when lasered; see what materials you can laser. Many crafters who buy a laser keep their Cricut for exactly this reason.

What a laser does better

Wood and acrylic. A Cricut's Knife Blade is rated for materials up to 3/32 inch (about 2.4 mm), and cuts them slowly in many passes. A laser cuts wood, plywood and dark acrylic in minutes; even the low-power Glowforge Aura handles material up to 1/4 inch, and more powerful lasers cut 8 mm to 20 mm or more. See our best laser engravers for wood.

Engraving. This is the big difference. A laser burns text, logos and even photos into wood, leather, slate, coated tumblers and more, which is how most laser crafters make products to sell. A Cricut's Engraving Tip only scratches soft metals and acrylic.

Thick and hard materials. Leather, chipboard and acrylic that a blade struggles with are routine for a laser.

The catches with a laser

• Price. Even entry-level enclosed lasers cost more than a Cricut, from about $499.
• Fumes. Lasering makes smoke that must be vented or filtered; see our laser engraver safety guide.
• Fire risk. You should never leave a laser running unattended.
• Material limits. Diode lasers like the Aura can't cut clear acrylic, and no laser should touch PVC.

Glowforge or another laser?

Glowforge's strength is simplicity: the Aura is a Class 1 enclosed laser with cameras and the easiest app of any laser we cover, which makes it appealing to Cricut users. The trade-off is power and value. At 6W it's slow and limited to thin material, it needs Wi-Fi and Glowforge's cloud app to work, and enclosed rivals with 10W or 20W lasers cost less. Read our full Glowforge Aura review.

The closest thing to a "Cricut-style" laser is the xTool M2: a Class 1 enclosed 10W laser with two cameras and air assist for $499, with an optional inkjet module so you can print a design and cut it out, the way Cricut users make stickers. Compare more options in our best Glowforge alternatives and best laser engravers for beginners.

Which should you buy?

• Vinyl decals, T-shirts, mugs, cards, stickers and fabric: a Cricut. It's cheaper, cleaner and built for these materials.
• Wooden signs, ornaments, coasters, acrylic earrings, leather patches and engraved gifts: a laser.
• A bit of everything: many crafters end up with both. If you already own a Cricut, add an enclosed laser rather than replacing it.