Cricut has launched two new cutting machines in Australia - the Cricut Joy 2 and the Cricut Explore 5 - both available from 6 March 2026.
Both have a new look and work with the updated Design Space app, that now has some AI tools to help create your designs.
Cricut Joy 2
The Joy 2 builds on the original’s appeal - a compact, easy-to-use machine for everyday projects like labels, cards and decals.
The key upgrade is Print Then Cut. For the first time on a Joy-sized machine, you can print designs on a home inkjet printer and have the Joy 2 cut around them - enabling full-colour stickers without moving to a larger cutter.
The Essential Bundle includes tools and materials for 35+ projects out of the box.
Cricut Explore 5
The Explore 5 is a redesign of one of Cricut’s most popular machines, now 30% more compact - a clear win for smaller workspaces without losing capability.
It supports six tools and cuts 100+ materials, from vinyl and apparel to magnets and rubber stamps. Writing and drawing have also been improved with snap-in pen loading and a cleaner interface.
The Essential Bundle includes tools and materials for up to 65 projects out of the box.
Design Space
Both machines launch alongside a significantly updated Design Space software experience.
Guided Flows walk you through projects step-by-step, showing required tools and materials before you hit Make it. There's a new visualisation feature that lets you preview designs to scale on real items like mugs and notebooks - designed to help you reduce the guesswork.
Create AI (subscriber exclusive) lets you generate custom, cut-ready designs from a text prompt in seconds.
Pricing and availability
Both machines are sold as Essential Bundles, which come with a bunch of supplies to get you started.
Cricut Joy 2 + Essential Bundle
- Australia: $249 AUD at Spotlight, Officeworks, and BIG W
Cricut Explore 5 + Essential Bundle
- Australia: $449 AUD at Spotlight, Harvey Norman, and Officeworks
Both machines feel like strong entry points into the Cricut ecosystem. They cover the most common projects, are easier to live with in smaller spaces, and lower the barrier to getting started without needing a full crafting setup.
