Crafts

If you are someone who requires a lot of space for your artistic or crafting projects, you know the value of having a dedicated craft table. Regular desks may not have sufficient or appropriate storage, and using the family dining table can be inconvenient to say the least. To help you find the ideal craft table, we have conducted thorough research to provide you with the best options available.

As a seasoned crafter, I’ve tried and tested many tables in my day, and I’m here to guide you through the chaos and help you find the perfect table for your crafty endeavors.

Who came out on top? Drum roll, please…

Experience ultimate crafting efficiency with the Sauder Craft Pro, featuring a spacious 60×30 inch tabletop, ample storage space, and heat, stain, and scratch-resistant melamine top. And it will look great from any angle – our top pick for the best craft table, hands down.

Our Top Pick	The Sauder Craft Pro Series
	South Shore Crea Counter-Height Craft Table
Runner Up	Project Center Desk
Best Budget Option	Ameriwood Home London Hobby Desk
Another Worthy Mention	Sew Ready Studio Designs Folding Multipurpose Hobby and Craft Cutting Table
Also Consider	Arrow 901 Auntie

Also in this guide.

• Frequently Asked Questions
• Other Crafting Tables We’ve Reviewed

This craft table is hands down the best choice for any crafter looking to organize their space and get work done.

First off, the design is top-notch. It’s specifically crafted with crafters in mind, with ample drawer space and open storage areas for all your baskets, books, and other crafting essentials. And let’s talk about that tabletop – at 60 by 30 inches, it’s a much larger working surface than any standard office desk. There’s plenty of room for a large cutting mat, plus all your other craft equipment like a Cricut, sewing machine, task light, and more.

But the real standout feature of this table is the 3 large central drawers. Not only do they keep your craft tools close at hand, but you can actually remove them and place them on your worktop for easy access to everything you need. And let’s not forget about the heat, stain, and scratch-resistant melamine top – this table is sturdy and won’t vibrate when you’re sewing or working with other equipment.

Now, I know what you’re thinking – what are the cons? To be honest, the only downside we could find is that you won’t be able to get your knees under this table easily. So if you prefer to work sitting down, you might want to consider our next option. But other than that, this table is a solid choice for any crafter looking to maximize their time and efficiency. It’s affordable, looks good from any angle, and has plenty of storage and workspace.

The melamine top is heat, stain, and scratch-resistant this table is sturdy and won’t vibrate when sewing, for example.

Pros:

• Large tabletop surface area for ample crafting space
• Ample storage with drawers and open storage spaces for baskets and books
• Affordable price
• Laminated wood on all sides for a stylish appearance from any angle
• Heat, stain, and scratch-resistant melamine top for durability and stability

Cons:

• The only downside that we should point out is that you’re not going to get your knees under this one. So if you work solely sitting down you should go for our next option.

Check the latest price for The Sauder Craft Pro Series on Amazon.

It comes complete with four pull-out storage bins, two large and two medium, making it ideal for keeping clutter like fabric off-cuts, yarns, or wool roving for needle felting out of sight. It also comes with eight adjustable shelves that can be slanted to hold paper, card, vinyl sheets, heat transfer paper, and more, and like our top choice, it also has a generous middle drawer to keep accessories such as scissors and fabric knives close at hand but safely away.

At 34 inches high, this table is a little taller than average, which makes it a comfortable height for standing without having to hunch over. It is an ideal height for cutting with a self-healing mat or for quilting, stamping, stained glass crafting, and more. Alternatively, it can easily be used with a stool.

The table is 53 inches wide and nearly 27 inches deep, and has a large scratchproof and water-resistant surface area, providing plenty of room for a die-cutting machine, embroidery or sewing machine, serger, or even a cabbing machine for jewelry making, etc. And you can rest assured it’s made from non-toxic laminated particleboard and comes with a 5-year warranty.

Pros:

• Large storage area for rolls of paper or fabric
• Multiple shelves and built-in spindles for ribbon spools
• 4 pull-out storage bins for clutter
• 8 adjustable shelves for organizing supplies
• Comfortable standing height for cutting or quilting
• Large scratchproof and water-resistant surface area
• Non-toxic laminated particleboard material
• 5-year warranty

Cons:

• May be too tall for some users to work comfortably while seated
• May be too wide or deep for some craft rooms

The Project Center Desk is a top-of-the-line craft table designed for professional crafters and serious hobbyists. With a spacious 15 sq ft surface area and adjustable shelves, it provides plenty of space to work on larger projects, as well as ample storage for all of your craft supplies.

One of the standout features of the Project Center Desk is its height – it is tall enough to work comfortably while standing up, without straining your back or neck. This is a great option for crafters who prefer to work standing up or those who simply want to switch up their working position throughout the day.

In addition to its ergonomic design, the Project Center Desk is also stylish, with a professional look that will fit in well with any craft room. It is available in three colors – oak, black, and white – so you can choose the one that best fits your personal style.

While it is a little pricier than the Sauder Craft Pro, the Project Center Desk is a solid investment for any serious crafter. It is built to last, with a durable construction that will withstand years of use. Plus, with its large working area and adjustable shelves, it provides plenty of customization options to fit your specific crafting needs. Overall, the Project Center Desk is a top pick for any crafter who values style, versatility, and comfort in their craft table.

Pros:

• Adjustable shelves for customizable storage options
• Large working surface area of 15 sq ft
• Ability to work comfortably while standing or sitting
• Available in oak, black, or white to match your craft room decor

Cons:

• More expensive than the Sauder Craft Pro table
• No drawer space for easy access to essential tools and supplies

Check the latest price and color options for the Project Center Desk on Amazon.

In addition to its stylish design, it is also a budget-friendly option and comes in two finishes: espresso and white. It features a countertop workspace of 47″ wide by 26″ deep and 12 storage cubbies, each measuring 9″ deep, 11.5″ wide, and 15.25″ tall. There is ample space for books, binders, and crafting accessories, although it should be noted that there is no storage space for larger crafting equipment like a sewing machine. The desk is made of laminated hollow core, particleboard, and MDF and is compact but sturdy. Some pros of this desk include its contemporary design, wide countertop space with integral wall shelving, choice of finishes, and good storage. However, it should be noted that it is not waterproof or water-resistant, so it may be a good idea to protect the table surface if your craft involves liquids.

Pros:

• Contemporary design
• Wide countertop space with integral wall shelving
• Choice of two finishes
• Good storage with 12 cubbies

Cons:

• Not waterproof or water-resistant
• No storage for larger crafting equipment such as sewing machines

For general crafts, there is a plain tabletop version, and for dressmakers and quilters, there is a version with a grid marked out in inches and centimeters with additional radial and angled lines.

You can choose between a fixed or adjustable height, ranging from 30.25″ to 39.25″. This is ideal if you prefer to work standing up. The adjustability in 1.5″ increments means you won’t be hunched over, which is much better for your back.

There are two slide-out wire mesh storage draws in the central area and a bottom shelf that’s the perfect size for a die-cutting machine. Additionally, the table has lockable castors for either portability or stability.

Pros:

• Fold-away option for easy storage
• Versions available for general crafts or dressmaking/quilting
• Adjustable height for standing work
• Two slide-out storage draws and bottom shelf for storage
• Lockable castors for portability or stability

Cons:

• There are no cons with this table – if you specifically want one that is lightweight, portable, and foldable. It may not be as strong as a regular table, but it may just be ideal for your needs.

Check the latest price and options for Sew Ready Studio Designs Table on Amazon.

They offer a fantastic range of sewing and quilting cabinets, although they may not be the cheapest options. This particular cabinet is more affordable than most in their range and comes with a feature that more than compensates for the price.

The table has an automatic lift that raises your sewing machine into place for you. Sewing machines, especially quilting ones, can be heavy and this feature prevents you from straining your back every time you want to set it up. The elevating mechanism also places your machine completely flush with the tabletop, which is ideal for larger projects, such as quilting.

The cabinet comes with a universal insert that can accommodate most sewing machines. However, you can also order a custom insert from Arrow for a specific size of machine. The only downside is that you’ll need a screwdriver and plenty of time to assemble the cabinet. There is a video on Amazon that shows the assembly process, which, while not rocket science, only needs to be done once.

Pros:

• Automatic lift raises sewing machine into place, reducing strain on back
• Flush tabletop design is helpful for larger projects
• Comes with universal insert that can accommodate most sewing machines, or custom insert can be ordered from Arrow
• Plenty of drawer space for fabrics and tools

Cons:

• May require some assembly with a screwdriver and time
• More expensive than some other options on the market

Check the latest price for the Arrow 901 Auntie Em on Amazon.

Other Crafting Tables We’ve Reviewed:

These are the products that didn’t quite make our top picks, but they’re still pretty good so you might like to take a look:

Skill level: Complete Beginner

Now all you need to add is your free printable handmade label.

With so many different types of rock tumblers available, choosing the best rock tumbler can be a little confusing.

We’ve done our research and picked the best ones out for you.

We ultimately whittled our choices down to a few clear winners and we’ve put together comprehensive reviews of each one to find you the best rock tumbler on the market today. Our research showed that there were 5 clear winners.

Editor’s Award	Brand
Our Top Pick	Lortone 3A Single Barrel Tumbler
Best Large Capacity Rock Tumbler	MJR Tumblers Rock Tumbler
Best Rock Tumbler Kit	Rock Tumbler Kit for Kids or Beginners by Lortone
Best Rock Tumbler for Kids (Available US & UK)	National Geographic Professional Rock Tumbler Kit
Another Worthy mention	Dan&Darci Advanced Professional Rock Tumbler Kit

Click below to jump to full review.

• Our Top Pick
• Best Large Capacity Rock Tumbler
• Best Rock Tumbler Kit
• Best Rock Tumbler for Kids
• Another Worthy mention
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Other Rock Tumblers We’ve Reviewed

Reviews of Our Top Picks for the Best Rock Tumbler

Our Top Pick: Lortone 3A Single Barrel Tumbler

This one is a 3 lb, single-barrel machine. It’s ideal for tumbling stones up to 1 1/4 inches but it’s also perfect for jewelry tumbling too.

The hard rubber barrel is designed to reduce noise levels increase durability and it has a ribbed interior to enhance the tumbling action of the machine. Unlike our next choice below, it also comes with a steel, rather than a plastic lid which means it won’t wear out.

The tumbler simple to operate and the motor is maintenance-free, designed for continuous use and is UL approved.

What We Like:

• High-quality Machine | This isn’t a cheap Chinese import it’s high-quality durable and one of the best rock tumblers out there. It’s made here in the US and backed up by a 1-Year manufacturer’s warranty.
• Range of Different Barrel Capacity Options | We have featured the 3lbs version in this guide but Lortone Rock Tumblers come in a range of different capacity sizes. You can choose the size most suitable for your needs by clicking the Amazon link at the end of this section.

Buying Factors to Consider:

There’s no downside to buying this machine. Even if you’re a beginner the nature of rock tumbling means you’ll need a durable machine capable of continuous use over many weeks so you should choose a good quality machine that won’t let you down.

It’s a stand-alone machine that doesn’t come with any extras though, and for a beginner knowing what accessories you need can be a little daunting.

Fortunately, Lortone has thought of that and there is a starter kit that you buy separately to get you up and running. If you’d prefer a starter kit take a look at our best kit review here.

Check the latest price of the Lortone 3A Single Barrel Tumbler on Amazon.

Best Large Capacity Rock Tumbler: MJR Tumblers Rock Tumbler

A double-barrel rock tumbler will do just that – double your capacity. The problem is, most double barrel ones will only take you from 3lbs to 6 lbs or 6 to 12 lbs.

MJR Tumblers are a well respected US company that has been making one of the best rock tumblers for over 20 years. They have a wide range of large capacity rock tumblers specifically designed to tumble larger quantities of tumbling rough over a prolonged and continuous period of time.

The one we have shown above has a 20 lbs capacity, but you could go for an extra-large, single barrel, 30lbs one if you prefer.

You may now be wondering whether it’s also possible to tumble smaller quantities of rock if you go for a large capacity machine. Well, yes, it is – provided you fill the barrel to 3/4 full (plastic pellets are perfect for the job – they’re designed to be fillers) you can still tumble smaller amounts of tumbling rough just as well with a larger capacity machine.

Another option is to go for a tumbler with multiple barrels, MJR Tumblers have great 18 lbs option, shown below.

The advantage of this 18 lbs three-barrel tumbler is that you can tumble rocks at different stages of the process at one time. That’s particularly handy if, for example, at the end of the first stage, some of your rocks need more time than others before moving on to the next stage.

Whichever size you go for, MJR Tumblers have a heavy-duty motor with automatic thermo overload protection – so you don’t have to worry about leaving your tumbler running while you’re away from it.

The frame is made from sturdy 16 gauge welded steel – powder coated for scratch and corrosion resistance and the rollers are rubber-coated steel.

What’s more, the interiors of the commercial-grade plastic barrels are finned for maximum efficiency – the fins work as lifter bars to keep the rough continually rolling.

The barrels themselves have a tapered neck design for easy loading and unloading, of rocks and a heavy-duty rubber cap keeps the water sealed tightly inside.

What We Like:

• Wide Range of Sizes Available | You’re not limited to a standard size with this brand, allowing you to tumble much larger quantities of rocks at a time. You can choose between a large capacity barrel or a combination of two or more.
• Automatic Thermo Overload Protector | A good safety feature so you don’t have to worry about running your tumbler in a different location to where you are.

Buying Factors to Consider:

This is a great large-capacity range of tumblers from a well-respected company who have been making one of the best rock tumblers you can get. Made here in the US for over 20 years.

Check the latest price for the MJR Tumblers Rock Tumbler on Amazon.

Best Rock Tumbler Kit: Rock Tumbler Kit for Kids or Beginners by Lortone

This is a complete kit that will take you all the way through from beginner to serious hobbyist.

Unlike other kits out there, there’s no compromise on the quality of the tumbler that you get with the kit.

This kit comes complete with the 3A, 3 lb, single-barrel machine that we have featured above.

You also get 1 lb each of coarse 80 grit, medium 220 grit, and fine 600 grit, as well as 4 ozs of micro alumina rock polish, 4 oz of plastic pellets, and full instructions to guide you through the rock tumbling process.

What’s more, you also get a full 1lb of mixed tumbling rough – which is more generous than many kits out there.

The kit even includes some good reading material, to increase your knowledge of the subject, including Peterson First Guide to Rocks and Minerals, Amazing Agates, and the Professional Gemstone Tumbling Guide pamphlet.

Buying Factors to Consider:

All in all, this is a super kit and though it cost a little more than the kits coming up below, if you want a very good quality kit, this is definitely the one you should go for.

Check the latest price for the Rock Tumbler Kit for Kids or Beginners by Lortone on Amazon.

Best Rock Tumbler Kit for Kids: National Geographic Professional Rock Tumbler Kit

For the lower price point you get a 2lbs tumbler, and though that’s smaller than the Lortone one feature above, 2lbs is a more manageable size for kids.

The machine gives you more control over the tumbling process than our last pick too.

You can set the programable timer to count down the days and what’s more you can also set the speed. That means you can actually speed up the tumbling time – great for those who are eager to see the final result.

And, of course, the great thing about having a timer function that counts down and then switches off is that it’s great for forgetful kids. It saves on power and it will prevent the gemstones from becoming over tumbled and therefore smaller than they should be as a result.

Included with this kit are a very generous 2 lbs of rough gemstones, including dalmatian jasper, red jasper, tiger’s eye, aventurine, amethyst, and more. Eight polishing grit packs, jewelry fastenings, and an information guide, with instructions.

If you’re on a budget, you can opt for the cheaper hobby version. This kit includes the tumbler, four polishing grits, a sifter, and nine types of real rough gemstones.

What We Like:

• Great Starter Kit for Older Children | The 2lbs rubber barrel size is perfect for kids and the kit comes with a generous 2 lbs of rough gemstones.
• Programmable Timer with Speed Control | Having a timer that counts down and then switches off is great for forgetful kids. It saves on power and it will prevent the gemstones from becoming over tumbled and therefore smaller than they should be as a result. This Machine also has the added feature of being able to adjust the tumbling speed.

Check the latest price of the National Geographic Professional Rock Tumbler Kit on Amazon.

Check the latest price of the National Geographic Professional Rock Tumbler Kit (hobby kit) on Amazon UK.

Another Worthy Mention: Dan&Darci Advanced Professional Rock Tumbler Kit

It features a (comparatively speaking) low noise leak-resistant barrel backed up by a heavy-duty motor.

Included in the kit is a tumbling grit pack, consisting of one coarse, and one fine, one pack of pre-polish, and a polish pack.

You also get 0.5 lbs of rocks, a mesh strainer, jewelry fasteners, and a gem storage bag.

There’s even a handy detailed guide to take you through the process.

Check the latest of the Dan&Darci Advanced Professional Rock Tumbler Kit on Amazon.

Other Worthy Mention No.2: Discover with Dr. Cool Hobby Rock Tumbler

What we like about this kit is the set and forget feature which is ideal for kids. The machine has a programmable timer that will automatically count down the days for you and switch itself off when the cycle is complete. This saves on power if your kids forget to turn it off and it also prevents the gemstones from becoming over tumbled.

The kit comes 1/2 lbs of good quality gemstones including rose quartz, amethyst, sodalite, tiger’s eye, jasper, agate, and more.

It also includes 4 grades of polishing grit, jewelry fastenings, a guide with instructions for polishing and educational information written by teachers along with an activity book with 10 puzzles and games.

It’s a great little starter kit and the higher quality rubber barrel makes it quieter than cheap plastic on would. It only has a 1lb barrel capacity which would account for the lower price point than our top choice but it’s a more manageable size for children to handle, filling and emptying the barrel.

What We Like:

• Affordable Kit Designed for Younger Children | It’s a great budget option for kids and would make a nice gift. It’s a small kit making it ideal for younger kids to handle the barrel while filling it with rough gemstones or emptying it between tumbling cycles.
• Programmable Timer | It’s a really useful feature for forgetful kids. Not only does it save on power but it will prevent the gemstones from becoming over tumbled and smaller than they should be as a result.

Buying Factors to Consider:

It’s a great kit for children but if tumbling rocks is something you’d like to try yourself or at least have a go as a joint project with your kids, the barrel capacity is very small so you’d probably want to give this one a miss and either go for our alt choice, next or go for the larger, 3lb capacity ones at the beginning of this guide.

Check the latest price of the Discover with Dr. Cool Hobby Rock Tumbler on Amazon.

Other Rock Tumblers We’ve Reviewed:

These are the products that didn’t quite make our top picks, but they’re still pretty good so you might like to take a look:

This is a straight-to-the-point guide to help you choose the best cabbing machine.

With just a little practice you can custom make your own beautiful cabochons from trimmed, pre-cut slabs for cabbing, ready to fit any easily obtainable fine-quality cabochon setting of your choice.

Cabbing machines are, it has to be said, quite pricey when you compare them, for example, to machines you might use for other crafts, but I suspect that’s because lapidary is a more highly specialized niche, and as such, a craft that hasn’t so far been flooded with cheaper and not so well-made Chinese imports.

All of the cabbers in this guide are well-made, high-quality machines, made here in the US. Our research showed that there were three clear winners for the best cabbing machine.

So whether you are a professional jewelry maker or a lapidary hobbyist in the making, we’ll now take a look at the very best machines out there.

For Hobbyists to Pro Lapidarist: CabKing 6″ Cabbing Machine

The CabKing more than lives up to its regal-sounding name. We should warn you it’s not cheap, but this lapidary machine is practically a complete workstation in itself and even comes with an accessory kit so it has everything you need to complete the lapidary grinding to polishing process from rough pre-cut slabs to handcrafted beautifully polished cabochons.

It’s designed for all skill levels from beginners to pro-Lapidarist jewelry makers and it’s suitable for everyone simply because it requires no special skill to use it.

On the left shaft of the CabKing are two electroplated diamond grinding wheels (one coarse and one finer grit), plus one coarse electroplated diamond resin wheel.

On the right are three electroplated diamond resin wheels to take you through the lapidary polishing process and there’s one canvas polishing pad and one full-face diamond lap. Just so you know (because you can’t see them in the photo above), these are flat discs for use on the end of the right shaft.

The cabbing unit has an adjustable water system provided by an included 30-watt water pump. You will just need to add two buckets, one with clean water for the pump and one to collect the dirty water expelled by the unit’s simple drainage system.

The cabbing machine is backed up by a strong 1/4 horsepower direct-drive motor. That means there are no belts or pulleys to maintain, and it will give you a steady 1800rpm.

The kit comes complete with a diamond paste syringe containing a strong concentrate of high-quality diamonds suspended in a water-based carrier to give the cab the ultimate high gloss finish.

You also get removable stone trays, extra wheel spacers, hand rests, splash guards, safety goggles, a waterproof apron, and a handy booklet on How to Use Diamond Abrasives to Cut Gemstones, and a conveniently placed, built-in LED lamp so you can clearly see what you’re doing.

This is a wonderful machine for making your own high-quality handmade cabochons that are suitable for all kinds of jewelry pieces. It will also polish glass, synthetic materials, and metals too.

What We Like:

• Complete Kit with Water Pump and Accessories | You basically just need just a couple of cheap plastic buckets and some beautiful 1/8″-1/4″ pre-cut rock slabs for cabbing and you’re set up and ready to go.
• US Company Backed up With a One-Year Warranty | It’s easy to buy additional tools to fit this US-assembled machine. You can buy an extra diamond resin wheel or grinding wheel, for example, if you want to choose a different grit size.
• Very User-Friendly | Everything is set up for you. You don’t have to swap out the grinding or polishing disks to use this machine as you will with the cheaper models we’ll be looking at next.

Things to Consider:

The 6″ CabKing is well worth the initial investment for the quality of the machine you are getting especially considering the fact that you get all the extras including a 30-watt water pump. We’ve chosen the 6″ diameter wheel version because the step up in price to the 8″ cabbing machine is pretty steep. If you have big hands or specifically want to work with larger stones, you may feel it’s worth paying that much extra for to get wider wheels and more generous spacing but otherwise, this size is better value for money.

However, if you aren’t ready to invest in the King of cabbing machines just yet, we have a much more affordable one for you to look at next.

Check the latest price of the CabKing 6″ Cabbing Machine on Amazon.

Best for Beginners to Hobbyists: Hi-Tech Diamond 6″ All-U-Need

This cabber works a little differently from our first pick in that this one is a flat lap machine. With this type of machine, you’ll be working from above. The motor rotates flat discs specifically designed to grind, smooth and polish rocks, minerals, and more.

You can make free-form shapes, create flats or make stunning cabochons for any type of jewelry you want. It’s suitable for a wide variety of natural gemstones including quartz, agate, jasper, tourmaline, corundum, opal, and more. It’s even suitable for synthetic gemstones, enamels, and metals.

The All-U-Need cabbing machine is a high-powered, 1/4 horsepower, machine that’s easy to operate. There’s just one simple dial that lets you choose which speed you want to work at and it runs anywhere between 800rpm and 3,400rpm. We should add, this flexibility in speed is a useful feature and one that, notably, the CabKing doesn’t have.

Everything you need is included in the kit to get you started straight out of the box. You get four different electroplated diamond discs ranging from a coarse to a smooth grit and one polishing pad. You also get a 2-gram syringe of diamond paste, a polishing compound for that glass-like finish.

The clean water system is easy to use and you get one clean and one dirty water cup included.

What We Like:

• Affordable Price | It’s several hundred dollars cheaper than the CabKing featured above making it more realistically priced for a hobbyist.
• Adjustable Speed | You can choose how fast you would like the machine to work. The speed is adjustable (via a simple dial) from 800rpm to 3,400rpm.

Things to Consider:

The only slight drawback of this machine is that when you need to change your grit size you will need to manually swap the electroplated diamond discs. But considering the price difference between this one and our first choice, it’s not that much of a downside.

Lastly, you might want to consider how you want to work. With this machine, you will most likely be standing and working from above.

For some people, that may be uncomfortable and some may even prefer to work at a crafting desk sitting down just because it’s easier to hold the dop stick with a steady hand.

If so, you should skip this option and go for our alt pick next.

Check the latest price of the Hi-Tech Diamond 6″ All-U-Need on Amazon.

Best Alternative Pick for Beginners to Hobbyists: Hi-Tech Diamond 6″ Slant Cabber

In all other respects, this machine is the same as our last choice above. You get the same features and the same high quality, so there’s basically no downside to choosing the slant version of this cabbing machine.

Both machines are just as popular but without this variation, if you prefer to work sitting down you would have to rig up a very low work table or else opt for the considerably more expensive CabKing above.

What We Like:

• Slant Design | It’s such a simple design variation but it will give you a more comfortable experience if, for whatever reason, you prefer to sit while you work.

Check the latest price of the Hi-Tech Diamond 6″ Slant Cabber on Amazon.

The airbrushes in this guide are the best you’ll find. Some are more suitable for beginners and others, are more for serious artists and professional use. We’ve made this guide the best airbrush as simple to follow as possible so you’ll find it easy to choose which airbrush would best suit your needs. The two main airbrush types are divided into two sections below.

I just want to point out that if you’re just starting out, but want to invest in the best quality you can buy, you should just be aware that although in theory, it would be nice to have just one or two finest quality brushes on hand to last you through the years, the parts are pretty delicate and easy to break when you take them apart.

So you should be extra careful until you’re familiar with dismantling them for cleaning and adjustment of the needle and nozzle, or, if you want to be on the safe side, choose one of our budget airbrushes for your first one.

If you find this guide helpful, and you still need to choose an airbrush compressor you should head over to our air compressor guide next.

Siphon Feed Airbrushes

Siphon Feed Airbrushes are distinguishable by the bottle attachments that feeds the airbrush from underneath. For that reason, they are most suitable for using larger quantities of paint than the gravity-feed ones (which have a small color cup on top).

They’re ideal for using with pre-mixed paints giving you the ability to swap easily between jars of different ready-mixed colors. They are suitable for all kinds of airbrush paint from acrylics to solvent-based lacquers and automotive paints, or equally, make up for body painting too.

They’re used for all kinds of hobbies and by professional artists. Larger versions are even used to paint walls and other home and garden decorating projects.

Gravity Feed Airbrushes

These are distinguishable by a small color cup that sits on top of the airbrush. These airbrushes use gravity to feed the brush from above.

That means they need less PSI (air pressure) to works and are suitable for fine and even ultra-fine details and for those who mix multiple blends of smaller quantities of paints. The table below will help you find the best airbrush in this category.

Editor’s Award	Best For	Type	Read Our Full Reviews Below
Our Top Pick Siphon Feed Airbrush	Iwata-Medea Eclipse HP BCS Pre-mixed paints. More coverage. General use | 0.5 Needle.	Siphon Feed	Full Review
Alternative Top Pick Siphon Feed Airbrush	Iwata-Medea High-Performance Plus BC Pre-mixed paints. More coverage. Finer details | 0.3 Needle.	Siphon Feed	Full Review
Best Budget Siphon Feed Airbrush	Master Airbrush S622-SET Pre-mixed paints. More coverage. General use | 0.3, 0.5 & 0.8 Needles.	Siphon Feed	Full Review
Our Top Pick Gravity Feed Airbrush	NEO CN Working at less PSI. Smaller paint quantities. Hairline to 2″ pattern spray | 0.35 Needle.	Gravity Feed Airbrush	Full Review
Alternative Top Pick Gravity Feed Airbrush	Iwata-Medea Eclipse HP CS Working at less PSI. Smaller paint quantities. Hairline to 2″ pattern spray | 0.35 Needle.	Gravity Feed Airbrush	Full Review
Best Gravity Feed Airbrush for Miniatures and Artists	Badger R1V Renegade Working at less PSI. Smaller paint quantities. Miniatures and Artists | Ultra-fine 0.21 Needle.	Gravity Feed Airbrush	Full Review
Best Budget Gravity Feed Airbrush	Master Performance G233 Working at less PSI.Smaller paint quantities. General use | 0.2, 0.3 & 0.5 Needles.	Gravity Feed Airbrush	Full Review

Reviews of the Best Airbrush on the Market

You can jump straight to the full reviews in our gravity fed airbrush section here.

Our Top Pick Siphon Feed Airbrush: Iwata-Medea Eclipse HP BCS

You can do everything right, and set the best PSI for your paint, etc. but the defining factor for a good paint spray pattern will still come down to how precisely the needle is centered in the nozzle. And this is the defining factor between an Iwata airbrush and a cheap Chinese one.

Iwata airbrushes are precision-made and each one is hand-tested for correct needle placement and spray pattern. This one has as 0.5 needle and drop-in self-centering nozzle which means it can cover larger surface areas for general use such as backgrounds, etc. but can handle fine details just as well. Its paint spray pattern ranges from hairline to 2″.

It’s a dual-action airbrush, which means that the trigger controls both the paint volume and the airflow. Push down for airflow and pull back for paint.

While other airbrushes out there are only single action (which is basically, push down to spray paint), a dual-action airbrush gives you much greater control over your artwork allowing you to achieve more depth and detail to your work. Dual-action airbrushes also have another useful advantage in that you can use them to just spray air to dry the paint between coats.

They may sound tricky to use but they’re pretty intuitive, so they’re easy to learn.

This one has a 0.5 mm needle, it’s ideal for those who need to push premixed or thicker solvent-based paints like lacquers and automotive paints through the brush or need good coverage over a moderately large surface area. For this reason, it’s best used with an airbrush compressor that is capable of higher PSI’s.

The cutaway handle design allows easy access for precise needle adjustment and easy cleanup.

What We Like:

• 0.5 Needle | For more coverage and easier paint flow for thicker paints.
• Very High-Quality Airbrush | While not as cheap as our budget option it’s a premium quality airbrush and just about the best airbrush on the market you can get, and it will be with you for years. For the quality of it’s atomized spray alone, it’s more than worth the initial outlay.
• Siphon Feed Airbrush | The airbrush is ideal for ready-mixed media, higher viscosity paints and quick change between jars of color in a set palette range.
• 5-Year Warranty | This is an impressively long warranty. It’s longer than other brands. Many don’t even have one at all above Amazon’s return policy, our budget option included.

Buying Factors to Consider:

It’s not a good option if you mix smaller quanitities of your own media. If that applies to you, you should consider a gravity feed or side-feed airbrush instead.

Check the latest price for the Iwata-Medea Eclipse HP BCS on Amazon.

Alternative Top Pick Siphon Feed Airbrush: Iwata-Medea High-Performance Plus BC 

Where a siphon feed (bottle feed) airbrush comes into its own, is in its ability to let you conveniently swap colors within a set palette range. For instance, if the piece you are working on uses a few different pre-mixed colors, you can easily attach and detach each individual bottle of color as required.

This airbrush is outstanding in its ability to handle fine details. It has an ultra-fine 0.3 needle and each steel-alloy screw-in nozzle is hand-tested for accuracy and correct atomization. Steel alloy is more durable and resistant to harsh chemicals than the standard brass nozzles than cheaper brands use.

What We Like:

• Very High-Quality Airbrush | This a premium airbrush for professionals or those who are serious about their craft. The airbrush may cost initially cost more than our budget option but it will last for years to come and it will only highlight (not hinder your natural skills) so it’s more than worth the initial investment that you make.
• Siphon Feed Airbrush | The airbrush is ideal for airbrushing ready-mixed media, higher viscosity paints and quick change between a set palette range of colors.
• 0.3 Needle | For Fine detail work.
• 5-Year Warranty | It’s Awata, so you get an impressively long warranty. Longer than other brands. Many don’t even have one at all above Amazon’s return policy, our budget option included.

Buying Factors to Consider:

If you mix smaller amounts of your own media, You should consider a gravity feed or side-feed airbrush instead.

Check the latest price for the Iwata-Medea High-Performance Plus BC on Amazon.

Best Budget Siphon Feed Airbrush: Master Airbrush S622-SET

It’s a similar model to the Iwata Eclipse and the High-Performance Plus we have looked at above. But you get 3 different needle sizes in this one kit.

The airbrush comes with a 0.3, 0.5 and a 0.8 mm needle so it’s perfect for finer details up to base-coating or larger surface applications. It has a pattern spray up to 2″.

This dual action airbrush is suitable for airbrushing in a wide range of hobbies from temporary tattoos, to cake decorating, t-shirt painting, auto-motorcycle graphics and more.

This one, like our last two picks, is a dual-action airbrush so you’ll have maximum control over the spray.

The airbrush is most suitable for those who work with high viscosity or premixed mediums but it’s suitable for low viscosity paints too.

What We Like:

• Three Needle Sizes Included | It includes 0.3, 0.5 and 0.8 mm needles for finer details to base coating and wider coverage up to 2″.
• Air Hose Included | It comes with a free 6 feet braided air hose with 1/8″ Ends.
• Dual Action Airbrush at a Low Price | You’d expect to only get a single action one for this price (press down for spray and air). Dual-action airbrushes give you more control over your artwork.

Buying Factors to Consider:

If you were to compare quality and the way this one feels in your hand and the spray consistency of this airbrush against those of our previous two picks above, you would be able to tell the difference, but then you would expect that to be the case given the difference in price. They are more for serious artists and professionals, and those airbrushes may be higher-quality than you actually need.

This is a great starter airbrush kit for those just getting into airbrushing and the 3 needle sizes allow you to experiment because you’re basically getting three airbrushes for the low price of one.

Check the latest price for Master Airbrush S622-SET on Amazon.

Our Top Pick Gravity Feed Airbrush: NEO CN Gravity Feed Dual Action Airbrush

If you’re a beginner or hobbyist and you want to add fine details to models and miniatures or indeed any hobby or artwork, this is a great airbrush to pick.

Gravity feed airbrushes work well at lower PSI’s (air pressures) which allow you to airbrush more detail. The Neo has a 0.35 needle and nozzle combination and works best between 5 and 35 PSI so it’s ideally suited to that purpose.

The airbrush is great for custom mixing smaller quantities of paint so you can easily add shading, depth and more subtle color changes to your project.

It comes with two interchangeable color cups – a large, 1/3 oz, which to be honest, is the size you’ll most likely leave on, and medium 1/16 oz size. For the large of the two, there’s a lid. This is a useful addition that many airbrushes don’t have, and it’s great for working on 3d objects or on anything where you might turn your hand – the lid simply prevents you from spilling the paint and ruining your work.

It’s a dual-action airbrush whereby the trigger controls both the paint volume and the airflow. Push down for airflow and pull back for paint. While it’s obviously not as easy as just pushing down to spray, it really isn’t hard to pick up. And the difference is akin to using kids’ crayons to draw with or using colored pencils to add depth and shade.

Dual-action airbrushes also have another useful advantage in that you can use them to just spray air to dry the paint between coats.

So what’s the deal?

Neo airbrushes are very good quality airbrushes and ideal for beginners. The difference between the Neo series and Iwata’s own brand airbrushes is that Iwata’s Neo range is sourced by Iwata from Taiwan. Those made in Japan at the Iwata factory are of finer quality and have the highest attention to detail in their craftsmanship. As you’d expect, Iwata’s own airbrushes do cost considerably more but unless you are at a professional level. A high-end Iwata is probably more than you need.

What We Like:

• Two Interchangeable Cups | Many airbrushes have just one cup that’s attached. Having a choice of two is easier for cleaning and the smaller one helps you see your artwork more easily as it won’t get in your line of vision. That said I think most will prefer the larger cup.
• Best Bang for Your Buck | This is a super low price for the quality of airbrush you get. For those new to airbrushing, it’s by far your best choice.

Buying Factor to consider:

The delicate 0.35mm needle and O-ring nozzle are very easy to break. Especially if you’re a beginner and not sure what you are doing. Extra care should be taken when cleaning or adjusting the airbrush.

Check the latest price for the NEO CN Gravity Feed Dual Action Airbrush on Amazon.

Alternative Top Pick Gravity Feed Airbrush: Iwata-Medea Eclipse HP CS

This one comes with a 1/3 oz color cup and a fine 0.35 needle and nozzle combination like our top pick but unlike the Neo it also features a cutaway style handle for easier needle adjustment and cleanup.

Iwata recommends this one for heavier acrylics and medea textile colors, and that’s something that the cheaper Chinese ones would struggle with.

Precision engineering and in particular the precise centering of the nozzle and needle in this airbrush makes the atomization of all airbrush media a breeze. Iwata hand-test every nozzle for accuracy and correct atomization.

The airbrush has a paint spray pattern ranging from hairline to 2″ so it’s suitable for airbrushing fine details to base coating or larger background areas.

It’s a true favorite among advanced artists and professionals. And if you are serious about your art, the investment will pay off in the sheer quality of workmanship and the perfect atomization you get with this choice.

Check the latest price and color options for Iwata-Medea Eclipse HP CS on Amazon.

Best Gravity Feed Airbrush for Miniatures and Artists: Badger Air-Brush Co R1V Renegade

The precise placement of this 0.21 mm needle and nozzle combination will give you a crisp super-fine hairline to a 1″ paint spray pattern. So the airbrush is ideal for professional artists, taxidermists, and fine-scale miniatures, etc.

Like all our recommendations so far, this one is a dual-action airbrush which is essential, especially when you are getting down to this level of detail, to give you maximum control.

And this one also features a “stopset” trigger which provides an accurate recurring spray pattern memory so you can repeatedly apply the same spray pressure whenever you need to.

The airbrush can easily handle all types of airbrush paints including acrylics, lacquers, urethanes and more.

It’s not super expensive in comparison with some. If you need a fine airbrush for detailed work, you should steer well clear of the cheap Chinese ones anyway. They just aren’t made with enough care and precision to handle a needle and nozzle that small without problems.

Its sleek gunmetal finish gives it an ultra-cool vibe and it performs just as well as it looks. It’s a great investment that will stay your trusted companion for years to come.

What We Like:

• SmartCenter Needle and Nozzle Alignment | The precise alignment of this US-made Badger Airbrush, allows you to work in superfine detail without overspray or spider-webbing. The airbrush is one of the best airbrushes on the market.
• Fine 0.21 mm Needle | The airbrush will give you a crisp, super-fine hairline to a 1″ pant spray pattern.
• Stopset Trigger Feature | This provides you with an accurate recurring spray pattern memory.

Buying Factors to Consider:

Just be careful when you break the airbrush is down for full cleaning, the needle is super-fine. Other than that, if you need a super fine brush, go for it.

Check the latest price and color options for Badger Air-Brush Co R1V Renegade on Amazon.

Best Budget Gravity Feed Airbrush: Master Airbrush Master Performance G233 Pro Set

You’re basically getting three airbrushes in one for a super low price because it includes three different needle and nozzle sets. You get a super fine 0.2 size, a 0.3 and a 0.5 mm needle for backgrounds and general use.

The airbrush is great for leather painting, t-shirt spraying, ceramics, modeling and more.

Buying Factors to Consider:

These low prices airbrushes do lack the quality of craftsmanship that you get with the high-quality branded ones, but that doesn’t mean you won’t get a good result and at this price, they’re great for practicing with.

Other Ones We’ve Reviewed:

These are the products that didn’t quite make our top picks, but they’re still pretty good so you might like to take a look.

And if you need somewhere to store your acrylics and inks, hop over to our craft storage guide and head to the bottom on the page.

My dad who was an amazing artist bought me my first airbrush compressor when I was at art college. It had no air storage tank, it got hot pretty quick, and wow was it noisy – but I loved it!

Within an hour of first using it, it took my art skills to a new level that both surprised and delighted me and it sealed my passion for art for life.

If you already work with an airbrush you’ll know what I’m talking about. If you’re just starting out though and want to give it a try, go for it, I guarantee that just like I was – you’ll be blown away.

Reviews of the Best Airbrush Compressor

With so many on the market to choose from, we’ve done the research for you and put together these reviews of the best airbrush compressor according to different people’s criteria.

Some of the models in our guide are capable of higher PSIs (pounds per square inch) of pressure and put out more volume of air (CFM or cubic feet per minute) than others, but more doesn’t always better – it just depends on what you need for your own particular art form.

One of the things that they do have in common, is that all of these compressors are oil-less. That means they’re all maintenance-free – and also suitable for cake decoration and makeup too.

The ones that made our top list also have air storage tanks. Though you can easily get them without. This is an invaluable asset for maintaining an even-pressure and steady airflow, especially while working on larger projects or for painting for long periods of time.

If you find this guide helpful, and you need to choose an airbrush that’s suitable for your compressor you should head over to our best airbrush guide next.

Whether you have an older compressor that’s seen better days or you’re looking to buy your very first one, this guide will help you choose the right airbrush compressor for your own chosen craft.

Editor’s Award	Brand
Our Top Pick – Best Overall	Master Airbrush Professional Cool Running Model TC-96T
Best for Advanced Artists and Professionals	Iwata-Medea Studio Series Power Jet Pro  Model TC-96T
Best for Detail and Small Scales Projects	Paasche D3000R
Best for General Medium Scale to Larger Projects	AW Pro
Budget Option for General Use	PointZero Airbrush Compressor

Click below to jump to each topic in this guide.

• Our Top Pick – Best Overall
• Best for Advanced Artists and Professionals
• Best for Detail and Small Scales Projects
• Best for General Medium Scale to Larger Projects
• Budget Option for General Use
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Other Airbrush Compressors We’ve Reviewed

Our Top Pick – Best Overall: Master Airbrush Professional Cool Running Model TC-96T

Beginners will love the freedom to experiment with various techniques within the artform using a range of painting media from acrylics and watercolors to relatively thicker paints such as enamels.

Advanced users will appreciate the ability to run 2 airbrushes or low CFM airbrushes, spray guns or airbrush stations due to the powerful ¼ horsepower, twin-piston motor compressor offering wide-range pressure and which puts out an airflow of 1.4 CFM at 57 PSI.

Professional artists and dedicated enthusiasts will love the scope to work for extended periods of time without the worry of overheating the unit. This compressor has a built-in fan, which runs to keep the motor cool. And if the motor ever does get too hot, it’s got an automatic shut off feature for safety.

The air-on-demand, constant pressure is drawn from the 1.5-gallon air storage tank which provides pulsation-free continuous airflow. As I’ve already mentioned, air storage tanks are an indispensable feature for maintaining even pressure while working on larger projects or for painting for long periods of time.

And the moisture trap does a great job of keeping water out of your airbrush.

The compressor has two pressure modes for working at a lower or higher PSI. It also has an auto-stop feature to save power and prolong the life of the compressor. It auto restarts when the pressure starts to drop too low for the mode.

On a practical level, at 62 dB the compressor is relatively quiet. Let me put that into perspective for you. Between 60 and 70 decibels is considered a normal conversation level. So you can certainly run this machine without any complaints from your neighbors.

What We Like:

• Powerful Motor | 1/4 horsepower, twin-piston motor.
• Large Air Storage Tank | A 1.5-gallon tank is larger than most.
• Selectable PSI | For a wide range of applications and painting media.
• Built-In-Fan | To prevent the motor from overheating – allowing for longer or heavier use.

Buying Factors to Consider:

We have looked at the TC-96T in this guide because it’s the better of the two, but there is a cheaper option that’s very similar. The Master Airbrush Model TC-40T has a less powerful motor (1/6 HP) and a smaller air storage tank. It also puts out less CFM (0.8) at 57 PSI. But it costs less than this one does. Therefore you might prefer to save some money and still get a great machine.

Check the latest price for the Model TC-96T on Amazon.

Check the latest price for the Model TC-40T on Amazon.

Best for Advanced Artists and Professionals: Iwata-Medea Studio Series Power Jet Pro  Model TC-96T

That means two air pressure regulators for individual adjustment of airflow – great for two separate workstations. It also has two separate pressure gauges and two separate moisture traps. So it’s ideal for working on joint projects or for setting up different airbrushes for a single project.

The ⅙ HP twin-piston motor is adjustable between the range of 1 PSI to 70 PSI so the machine is suitable for a wide range of art applications and also painting mediums, from high flow acrylics, watercolors, and inks, to leather paint or even food coloring. The compressor can be used with any airbrush including those used for spray tan, airbrush makeup, and more.

The TC-96T has a ½ gallon air storage tank which provides pulsation-free continuous airflow, and though you can’t see it in the image above, it comes with an air hose and adapters, so you can hook it up to any brand of airbrush.

Iwata is a well established and highly regarded brand that specializes in high-performing airbrushes and air compressors.

What We Like:

• Dual Airbrush Set Up | Suitable for two separate setups including two air pressure regulators for individual adjustment of airflow and two separate moisture traps.
• Powerful Motor | ⅙ horsepower, twin-piston motor.
• Air Storage Tank | ½ gallon air storage tank for constant, pulsation-free pressure.
• Adjustable PSI | From 1 PSI -70 PSI for a wide range of applications and painting media.

Buying Factors to Consider:

It’s a well-built high-performing unit and a great option for advanced artists and professionals. It’s not the best option for beginners or casual artists though. The dual nature of the compressor is probably more than a general hobbyist would need.

Check the latest price for the Iwata-Media Power Jet Pro on Amazon.

Best for Detail and Small Scales Projects: Paasche D3000R

The D3000R is a solid choice, but you’re not going to be able to use a paint gun or work on large projects that use thicker mediums requiring a high PSIs to push the paint through. This compressor is designed for those who work at a lower PSI level, for example, those that use gravity feed (cup) airbrushes. This type of airbrush generally needs less airflow to work than the siphon-feed ones. It operates between 20 and 40 PSI making it ideal for those who specialize in painting miniatures and models or those who do detailed work such as illustrations, paintings, cake decorating or other small scale hobbies.

The compressor has a ⅕ horsepower piston motor and like our other top choices, it has an air storage tank. This is a feature worth going for to keep constant pressure and steady airflow while you work.

There’s a moisture trap to keep water out of your airbrush and to increase the compressor’s life, it has an auto-shutoff feature that turns off the compressor when the airbrush isn’t in use.

And if you’re so keen that you’re up at 3 am to get a head start, this machine is as quiet as they come. To give you an idea, 47 decibels is below normal conversation level which is generally between 60 and 70 decibels.

What We Like:

• Low PSI | If you specialize in small scale hobbies arts or crafts, a high PSI compressor is likely to be overkill.
• Super-Quiet | 47 decibels is quieter than most out there, it’s below normal conversation level which is generally between 60 and 70 dB.
• Low Price | This little machine is good value at a low price. It’s perfect for hobbyists but doesn’t skimp on the features an advanced artist would look for.

Buying Factors to Consider:

If you want a compressor for larger projects such as auto graphics you should give this one a miss and go for our next choice.

Check the latest price for the Paasche D3000R on Amazon.

Best for General Medium Scale to Larger Projects: AW Pro

The PSI pressure is adjustable up to a maximum of 100 PSI but the unit has two power modes so the compressor can be tailored to suit any craft. 

It’s most suitable for artists that work with mid-range to higher PSI pressures, for example, those that use siphon feed airbrushes for larger areas. Siphon feed airbrushes generally need more airflow to work. It’s ideal for body art or any larger projects including auto graphics – it even works well with spray guns though there is a limit to the size of project you’ll be able to take on. For furniture spraying, you would need to look at HVLP Spray Guns or even airless paint sprayers.

It has a 1-gallon air storage tank for smooth operation and steady airflow and an auto-stop feature to save power and prolong the life of the compressor, it also has an auto-restart feature for when the pressure starts to drop. It can easily maintain enough pressure to run most airbrushes.

What We Like:

• Powerful Compressor | This machine’s ⅓ HP twin-cylinder piston motor can put an impressive 1.3 CFM and its maximum power mode is 100 PSI.
• Quiet Operation | Considering its power, 59 decibels is lower than normal conversation level.

Buying Factors to Consider:

It packs a punch but if you generally work at a low PSI this one won’t be your best option. If you want a powerful PSI to push heavier painting mediums through or you work on larger projects, however, this is a good one to choose.

This one doesn’t come with a hose so you would need to buy one separately if the airbrush you choose doesn’t come with one. Some of the specialist brands like Paasche and Badger do a good range of air hoses and adapters.

Check the latest price for the AW Pro on Amazon.

Budget Option for General Use: PointZero Airbrush Compressor

It has a 0.8-gallon storage tank for smooth airflow and zero pressure pulsation, and an air-on-demand automatic turn-on and turn-off feature to maintain constant pressure but not overwork the motor.

It runs and maintains enough power to operate most airbrushes. It’s quiet too 55 decibels is quieter than a conversation level.

This one doesn’t come with a hose and you may also need an adapter, however, so you would need to buy these separately if the airbrush you choose doesn’t come with them. Some of the specialist brands like Paasche and Badger do a good range of air hoses and adapters.

Check the latest price for the PointZero Airbrush Compressor on Amazon.

Other Airbrush Compressors We’ve Reviewed:

These are the products that didn’t quite make our top picks, but they’re still pretty good so you might like to take a look:

Die-cutting machines are a valuable piece of equipment for crafters of all levels and for many different types of crafts, from quilting, and even cake decorating to t-shirt printing and all types of papercrafts.

They look like printers but they don’t print. They do, however, sit neatly on your craft desk and cut your pattern shapes out for you according to your craft, whether that’s working with delicate paper, vinyl, heat transfers, card, or fabrics, etc. Some cut leather, balsa wood, or even fondant and more.

They’ll also draw, score and emboss your projects for you.

Some are more suitable for arty people who like to draw their own designs and others are better for creatives who aren’t so much into art.

All of the machines in this guide have abilities beyond the features crafters choose them for. But their simple basic looking design doesn’t tell you much about what they can actually do.

Don’t worry this guide is here to help you choose the right one.

If you’d just like to see our top picks for the best die cutting machine, they are all summed up, right here in the table below. But we’ve also provided you with a full and comprehensive review of each choice.

And below that, is a handy software comparison table so you can see at a glance what software you’ll be using with your machine.

Editor’s Award	Brand	Read More
Our Top Pick – Best for Beginners	Cricut Explore Air 2 Super quick to get you up and running, with minimal drawing skills required. You can design your own images, or, there are tons of online pre-existing images to work with.	Full Review
Our Runner-Up / Best for Offline Design	Brother ScanNCut SDX125E Perfect if you like to create your own designs offline. But it also comes with lots of free built-in images.	Full Review
Best for Cutting Fabrics and Leather Crafts	Cricut Maker Just a step up from our top pick, it features a gliding and rolling blade, that will cut almost any fabric with ease – and without the need for backing material.	Full Review
Best for Using with Rolled Vinyl etc.	Silhouette Cameo 4 Starter Bundle This one has a built-in roll feeder – ideal for rolled vinyl for heat transfers, etc. It’s also food safe for cake decorating.	Full Review
Best Budget / Best Manual Die Cut Machine	Sizzix 660425 Big Shot Machine A must-have portable machine that doesn’t need a power supply, ideal for paper crafting, card making, and quiltmakers	Full Review

Also in this Guide.

• Frequently Asked Questions
• Other Die Cutting Machines We’ve Reviewed

Software Comparison Table

Model	Software	Work Off-Line	Library
Cricut Explore Air 2	Design Space	No	Cricut Access 100,000 Subscription Images. But you can upload your own images for free.
Brother SDX125E	CanvasWorkspace	Yes	600 completely free, built-in images -so no additional after purchase costs.
Cricut Maker	Design Space	No	Cricut Access 100,000 Subscription Images. But you can upload your own images for free.
Silhouette Cameo	Silhouette Studio	Yes	Optional Design Edition To upload your images you will need a 1-time purchase to get the Silhouette Design Edition, but the software is downloadable, so you can work and cut offline.

Reviews of Our Top Picks for the Best Die Cutting Machine

Here are our full reviews for the best die cutting machines out there.

Our Top Pick – Best for Beginners: Cricut Explore Air 2

If you are arty, you can create your own designs from scratch and upload them to cut out from Cricut’s free Design Space software. Or you can subscribe to Cricut Access to choose a design from their library of over 100,000 images and fonts.

This machine will connect to your computer, laptop, tablet or phone through Bluetooth. It’s Mac or Windows, iPhone or Android compatible and as long as you have an internet connection, you can design on the go with Cricut’s cloud-based software. You can also work on your own designs offline and upload them when you’re done.

The software is user-friendly and more simple to use than the Cameo’s Silhouette Studio, (we’ll be looking at the Cameo later in this guide). With Design Space, however, you can pretty much dive straight in without having to master the software first.

The Explorer Air 2 comes with a premium fine point blade and a black fine point pen that can write, score or cut more than 100 different materials, including, iron-on and htv (heat transfer vinyl) for t-shirt printing, paper, and cardstock, adhesive foils, faux leather, and more.

You also get a light-grip adhesive cutting mat which is perfect for fabrics, making it one of the best fabric cutting machines around. It’s also great for vinyl and htv projects.

Although we would not recommend a die cutting machine on looks alone, if aesthetics are important to you, you’ll love its sleek, minimalist design and it even comes in a range of pretty pastel colors. It wouldn’t look out of place in the chicest homes.

You can see it in action in the video below.

What We Like:

• Dual Carriage | Holds and works with two tools simultaneously.
• Widely Compatible | Connects to your iOS, Android, Windows, or Mac and you can work on your phone while you are on the go if you get inspired.
• Cuts Over 100 Materials | It’s perfect for all paper and card-based projects and it’s a great option for cutting all types of transfers for t-shirt printing. If this is something you’d like to do, you should invest in a heat press machine, they can be quite pricey, but there is a good Cricut version at an easily affordable price.
• Design Space | It is a user-friendly program and it’s less complicated to use than Cameo’s Silhouette Studio.

Buying Factors to Consider:

You will need an internet connection as the free to use software is cloud-based. But you can still work offline and upload when you’re done. You’ll need a subscription if you’re more crafty than arty to access Cricut’s vast library of images.

I just want to also say if your internet connection isn’t the best you should go for the Silhouette Cameo or the Brother SDX125E instead, both of which allow you to work and cut offline.

Check the latest price and color options for the Cricut Explore Air 2 on Amazon.

Check the latest price and color options for the Cricut Explore Air 2 on Amazon UK.

Our Runner-Up / Best for Offline Design: Brother SDX125E Electronic Cutting Machine

You don’t need an internet connection for this one to work, it’s a stand-alone machine with more than 600 free built-in images to choose from.

You can select your favorite images directly from the interactive LCD display, and it’ll cut them for you at a touch. If you have offcuts don’t throw them away, simply scan them in and the ScanNCut SDX125E will allow you place and resize your image to fit your offcut. So nothing goes to waste.

If you prefer to work with software, it has a free to use one, called CanvasWorkspace in which you can create your custom cutting patterns or choose from hundreds of ready-made images, fonts, logos, and projects, there are step-by-step instructions with videos tutorials to help you. No annual fee or subscriptions is needed.

Alternatively, you can import an SVG file from your own Adobe software using a USB cable.

The thing that impresses me most, though, is its auto blade knife. It detects the thickness of your material automatically and cuts it accordingly.

That something Cricut machines don’t have, and it takes all the calculating out of adjusting the knife depth yourself. If you just want a kiss cut (one that doesn’t cut through the backing material, think of a sheet of stickers, for example) it will do that too.

And lastly, this one great for midnight crafters, because it’s whisper quiet. Quieter than either the Cricut or Silhouette. Here’s a super quick look at the ScanNCut the video below.

What We Like:

• Auto Blade | Detects the thickness of your material and automatically adjusts to that depth.
• Stand Alone Die Cutting machine | There’s no need for internet connection, software, or any additional purchases to get you started.
• Scanner | It’s great for those who prefer to hand-draw their designs or take inspiration from found-objects to scan. You can also scan your offcuts for the accurate placing of your design. So there’s no waste.
• 600 Free Built-In Images | With this many free images and the ability to scan, this stand-alone machine could be all you’ll ever need.
• Built-In Roll Feeder | For rolled vinyl and heat transfers, etc. allowing you to create larger designs.

Buying Factors to Consider:

There’s are no downside to this machine. It’s pretty amazing. The only thing I would say is that if you want to cut wood or other very thick materials the Cricut Maker we’ll be looking at next is better for that. The Cricut Maker also has more images available if you’d like to have access to huge amounts. But it doesn’t have the Auto Blade feature or the scanning capabilities of this one.

Check the latest price for the Brother SDX125E on Amazon.

Best for Fabrics and Leather Crafts: Cricut Maker

But it’s not just good for sewing projects. It cuts over 300 different material types, from delicate fabrics and paper to matboard, leather and balsa wood.

But what’s most impressive about this machine is the ability it gives you to buy add-on tools to expand its range of capabilities.

If you want to cut thick materials there’s a compatible knife blade that can cut to a depth of 2.4 mm. A scoring wheel will make razor-sharp creases in cardstocks etc. And for those that want to cut fabric for sewing projects, there’s a compatible, washable pen, for marking up your pattern pieces.

It comes with two 12″ x 12″ cutting mats and 50 free ready-to-make projects, including 25 sewing patterns with access to hundreds more.

Like Cricut Explore Air 2 we have looked at above, you can work offline in programs like Illustrator and Photoshop and then upload and cut your own designs directly from Cricut’s cloud-based software. It’ll connect to your computer, laptop, tablet, or phone through Bluetooth and it’s Mac, Windows iPhone, and Android compatible.

With this machine, you are limited only by your own imagination and with a choice of pretty pastel colors, it will look good on any crafting table.

What We Like:

• Widely Compatible | Again, it connects to your iOS, Android, Windows, or Mac and you can work on your phone while you are on the go if you get inspired.
• Expandable Tools | Allowing for advanced capabilities including cutting depth, pattern markups, and deeper scoring.
• Rotary Blade | The gliding, rolling blade will cut just about any fabric with ease without the need for any backing material.
• Design Space | It is a user-friendly program it’s less complicated to use than Cameo’s Silhouette Studio.

Buying Factors to Consider:

This machine has a wider range of capabilities than our top pick but it does cost more and may even do more than you need. To be honest this is the only reason it didn’t win best overall.

And again, I just want to also say, if your internet connection isn’t the best you should go for the silhouette Cameo or the Brother SDX125E instead both of which allow you to cut offline.

Check the latest price and pretty color options for Cricut Maker on Amazon.

Check the latest price and pretty color options for Cricut Maker on Amazon UK.

Best for Using with Rolled Vinyl etc.: Silhouette Cameo 4 Starter Bundle

It’s the only die cutting machine that’s food safe too, so if you’re a pro cake maker this one is great for cutting fondants, etc.

If you’re an artist or graphic designer, however, this is where it comes into its own. The free downloadable Silhouette Studio software is more comparable with professional design software like Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop than Cricut’s more basic Design Space. It’s more focused on giving you additional features, but you’ll need to take time to get familiar with it.

Unlike Cricut which lets you upload your own designs for free, you’ll need to make a 1-time purchase to get the Silhouette Design Edition, but it’s downloadable, so at least with this option, you can work and cut offline.

That means, if your internet connection’s not great, this is a much better option for you.

The Cameo Silhouette is more comparable to the Explorer Air 2 than the Cricut Maker in terms of what it can do.

However, it does have one feature that the Air 2 doesn’t, and that’s the auto blade feature which means the blade automatically adjusts to match your material so you don’t have to know what setting you need, yourself.

It doesn’t come with a rotary blade but if this is something you’d like, you can choose to buy one separately.

What We Like:

• Silhouette Studio | It’s downloadable. You can design and cut offline, it’s also a more sophisticated program than Cricut’s Design Space.
• Food Safe | Great for fondant cutting so if your skill is in cake making, this is a great choice for you.
• Built-In Roll Feeder | For rolled vinyl, and heat transfers, etc. It will take on larger designs.
• Built-In Cross Cutter | To trim your rolled vinyl, etc.

Buying Factors to Consider:

The software is more complex than the Cricut’s easy to use Design Space. You can’t upload your own designs for free, but it is a 1-time purchase and you can work offline. So if you’re arty or you’re internet isn’t great, this is the one you should go for.

Check the latest price for the Silhouette Cameo 4 Starter Bundle on Amazon.

Check the latest price for the Silhouette Cameo on Amazon UK.

Best Budget / Best Manual Die Cut Machine: Sizzix 660425 Big Shot Machine

If you know how to make a sandwich, you can use this machine…

It’s a totally different concept from our other picks in that it has no cutting blade in it. You have to think of this machine as more of an old fashioned mangle or pasta maker.

If you choose this option, you will find yourself collecting any number of beautiful dies. Dies are like cookie cutters. To make your cutout design you simply sandwich your die over your card, in between two cutting mats, and wind them through your Big shot machine.

To be honest, on paper, it kinda sounds like a kid’s toy so it’s probably best to show you an example. Take a look at the kind of results you’ll get bellow.

The deer and flowers are made with Thinlits dies and the circles are made with Framelits dies. Thinlits are shapes and Framlits are frames.

The Big Shot can cut through, all types of paper, card, felt and more. It can even cut through six to eight layers of fabric at a time without leaving frays. This makes it an ideal choice for quiltmakers.

But it isn’t just good at cutting, it’s perfect for embossing too. There are literally hundreds of embossing folders to choose from – it’s compatible with other brands too. And just so you know, embossing folders are just as straight forward and easy to use.

The machine will take dies up to 6″ wide. Included in the box are, 1 extended multipurpose platform and 1 pair of cutting pads. 

You can see the Big Shot in the video below.

What We Like:

• Professional Results for a Budget Option | You don’t need to buy an electric machine to get professional results. If you’re a paper crafter, this machine may be to the only one you need.
• Low-Tech Use it Anywhere | No power supply, internet, computer or frustrating software. Set it up anywhere you like.
• Expandable Library of Dies to Collect | The possibilities are endless from complete designs to individual details so each project will be unique.

Buying Factors to Consider:

The dies and embossing folders are all sold separately so that will increase the cost but the dies often come in sets which makes them more versatile and more economical too. Many of the cutting dies that you can use with this machine are only around the $3 mark.

Check the latest price for Sizzix Big Shot on Amazon.

Check the latest price for Sizzix Big Shot on Amazon UK.

Other Die Cutting Machines We’ve Reviewed:

These are the products that didn’t quite make our top picks, but they’re still pretty good so you might like to take a look.

And if you need some good storage to organize your craft room, please do hop over to our craft organizer guide.