If you have been watching craft videos online and wondering whether the Cricut Joy could become your go-to DIY tool, the answer is almost certainly yes. The Joy is the most beginner-friendly machine in the Cricut lineup - no complicated setup, no steep learning curve, and a free app packed with ready-to-make projects. The key to a smooth start is choosing the right starter kit: one that includes materials you will actually use, tools that make the process intuitive, and a machine that matches your project ambitions. In 2026, these five Cricut Joy starter sets lead the pack for new DIY crafters.
| Product | Best For | Est. Price | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cricut Joy Everything Bundle | Complete beginner starter kit | $120-$160 | ★★★★★ |
| Cricut Joy + Smart Vinyl Starter Set | Home organization & decor | $90-$120 | ★★★★★ |
| Cricut Joy + Card Mat + Smart Paper Kit | Paper crafts & card making | $95-$125 | ★★★★☆ |
| Cricut Joy + Iron-On Starter Set | DIY apparel & custom gifts | $100-$140 | ★★★★☆ |
| Cricut Joy Xtra Beginner Bundle | Wider cuts for bigger projects | $145-$185 | ★★★★☆ |
1. Cricut Joy Everything Bundle - Best Complete Beginner Starter Kit
The Joy Everything Bundle is Cricut’s most comprehensive out-of-the-box experience for new crafters. It includes the Joy machine, a selection of Smart Vinyl (both permanent and removable), Smart Iron-On, a card mat, Smart Paper, a Joy Pen Set, and a basic weeding tool - covering vinyl, paper, and iron-on use cases in a single purchase. There is genuinely nothing else to buy before your first project. For a beginner who is unsure which craft direction they will enjoy most, this bundle allows experimentation across every category the Joy supports.
2. Cricut Joy + Smart Vinyl Starter Set - Best for Home Organization & Decor
The Smart Vinyl Starter Set is the most popular Joy kit for a reason: custom labels and home decor stickers are the projects most beginners start with, and this set covers exactly that. It includes the Joy, rolls of permanent and removable Smart Vinyl in a handful of colors, and a scraper tool for applying transfer tape without bubbles. Removable vinyl is beginner-friendly because mistakes peel off cleanly, letting you reposition without damage. This set is perfect for pantry jars, storage bins, water bottles, and wall decals.
3. Cricut Joy + Card Mat + Smart Paper Kit - Best for Paper Crafts & Card Making
This kit orients entirely around the Joy’s paper-cutting capabilities. The Card Mat and Smart Paper Sticker Cardstock enable the Joy to produce a finished, score-fold greeting card in under two minutes with no additional tools. Beginners who enjoy gifting handmade cards or creating party invitations will find this kit immediately rewarding. Smart Paper cuts matlessly and sticks to envelopes and surfaces without glue, making the entire card-making process clean and mess-free. The low price point makes it an ideal gift for a crafty friend who is new to Cricut.
4. Cricut Joy + Iron-On Starter Set - Best for DIY Apparel & Custom Gifts
Personalized T-shirts, tote bags, and baby onesies are among the most popular DIY gifts, and the Joy Iron-On Starter Set makes them accessible to complete beginners. The kit includes the Joy, a roll of Smart Iron-On in one or two colors, and a basic tool set. Some configurations also include a mini heat press. The Joy cuts iron-on matlessly in small-to-medium design sizes, and Cricut Design Space offers dozens of beginner-friendly shirt and bag project templates so there is no need to create designs from scratch. This kit makes a particularly great gift for new parents and crafty teens.
5. Cricut Joy Xtra Beginner Bundle - Best for Wider Cuts & Bigger Projects
The Cricut Joy Xtra cuts 50% wider than the original Joy (4.5 inches vs. 3 inches), giving beginners more room to grow without switching machines. Xtra bundles designed for beginners include the machine, a LightGrip mat, a fine-point blade, and a Smart Vinyl starter pack. The wider path means you can cut full A2 card designs in a single pass, make longer name banners, and tackle decal projects that would require two cuts on the original Joy. If you anticipate outgrowing a starter kit quickly, starting with the Xtra bundle avoids an early machine upgrade.
What to Look For
- Material variety in the kit: A good beginner kit includes at least two material types - such as adhesive vinyl and iron-on, or vinyl and cardstock - so you can discover which you enjoy most before buying large supply rolls.
- Ready-to-make projects: Choose kits that highlight Cricut Design Space readiness. When the app guides you through your first project step by step, the learning curve virtually disappears.
- Tool inclusion: Weeding and transfer tools are essential but easy to overlook. A starter kit that includes at least a weeding hook and scraper saves you a frustrating first project without the right tools on hand.
- Machine upgrade path: If you see yourself eventually wanting to cut fabric or leather, note that the Joy does not support those materials. Starting with the Joy is still smart - it is the best beginner machine - but know that a Maker 3 would be the upgrade path if your project ambitions grow beyond vinyl and paper.
Final Thoughts
The Cricut Joy is the friendliest entry point into the world of DIY cutting machines, and the right starter kit removes every barrier between unboxing and a finished first project. Whether you love making cards, labeling your kitchen, personalizing shirts, or all three, there is a Joy starter set configured for your exact starting point. Pick the kit that matches your first project, and your second and third projects will follow naturally.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Cricut Joy good for absolute beginners with no crafting experience?+
Yes. The Cricut Joy is specifically designed with beginners in mind - it is compact, simple to set up, and pairs with Cricut Design Space, which includes hundreds of ready-to-make projects. You do not need design skills. Pick a project from the app, load your material, and the Joy does the cutting automatically. Most beginners complete their first project within 30 minutes of unboxing.
What is the difference between a Cricut Joy starter kit and a regular bundle?+
A starter kit is curated specifically for beginners - it typically includes beginner-friendly materials (like removable vinyl or cardstock), a step-by-step guide, and tools sized for simple projects. A regular bundle may include higher-volume materials or specialty supplies better suited to intermediate crafters. If this is your first Cricut machine, look for kits labeled as starter or beginner sets.
Do I need a computer or tablet to use the Cricut Joy?+
You need a device with Cricut Design Space installed - available free for iOS, Android, Windows, and macOS. The app connects to the Joy via Bluetooth, so no USB cable is required. A smartphone works fine for basic projects; a tablet or laptop makes it easier to design and preview layouts on larger projects.