Crafting usually feels like a chore when you have to lug out a massive machine, but the new Cricut Joy 2 is changing that vibe entirely. Shipped to users earlier this year in early 2026, this tiny gadget is designed to sit on a bookshelf and come out only when inspiration strikes. For anyone who has felt their creativity hit a wall, the $99 price point and simplified features make it surprisingly easy to just start making things again.
The biggest shift in this new generation is how light it actually is. The original model was already small, but the Joy 2 has dropped down to just 1.2 kg. According to a hands-on review by The Verge, this weight reduction makes the machine feel less like a heavy appliance and more like a portable tool you can use anywhere in the house. It fits into the palm of your hand but still packs enough punch to cut over 50 different materials, including vinyl, iron-on, and cardstock.
The game-changing sticker sensor
For years, if you wanted to make full-color stickers, you had to buy a much more expensive machine. That changed recently with the introduction of the “Print Then Cut” sensor on the base Joy model. This optical sensor allows the machine to look at a page you printed on your home inkjet printer and cut out the shapes perfectly. It is a feature that used to be reserved for machines twice this size, and bringing it to the $99 tier is a massive win for casual crafters.
The hardware isn’t just about stickers, though. The Joy 2 now supports “Universal Pen Sets,” which means you aren’t stuck buying specialized, expensive Joy-only pens anymore. It also adds scoring capabilities for the first time in this specific technology lineup. This allows you to create crisp fold lines for custom cards or small gift boxes without needing to do it by hand. It really simplifies the process of going from an idea in your head to a finished product on your desk.
Software and the AI boost
Cricut updated its “Design Space” software to match the new hardware launch. They added “Guided Flows,” which basically hold your hand through the entire setup process. If you are a subscriber, you also get access to the new “Create AI” tool. You can type in a prompt like “cute space cat eating pizza” and the software generates a custom image for you to cut out. It takes away the fear of the blank canvas that often stops people from being creative.
When you compare the Cricut Joy 2 vs the original Joy, the upgrades are mostly about removing the friction that stops you from crafting. The original was great, but the Joy 2 feels like a more complete thought. It doesn’t require a dedicated craft room or a massive budget. It just requires a tiny bit of desk space and a few minutes of your time.
Why the Cricut Joy 2 sticker sensor marks a turning point for home crafting
The decision to include the “Print Then Cut” sensor in a $99 machine is a calculated move to dominate the entry-level market. Historically, the crafting industry has locked this specific optical scanning technology behind a “pro-sumer” paywall, often forcing users to spend $200 or more to access automated sticker making. By democratizing this specific sensor, Cricut is shifting its business model away from high-margin hardware and toward long-term digital subscriptions.
This paradigm shift matters because it lowers the barrier to entry for small business entrepreneurs and hobbyists alike. Competitors like Silhouette and Brother now face immense pressure to match this price-to-feature ratio in their own compact lines. For the average user, this means the Joy 2 is no longer just a “companion” machine for quick labels—it is now a fully capable primary device for most standard household creative projects.