Embroidery Machine vs Cricut Maker: Which One Should You Buy?
An embroidery machine side and a Cricut Maker side compared on designs, stitches, fields, cutting, pressing, and warranty for crafters.
On this page
Crafters choosing between stitched designs and cut vinyl face machines that do different jobs. This comparison looks at embroidery machine vs cricut maker examples, with sewing and embroidery machines on one side and a cutting machine and heat press bundle on the other.
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Verdict: Choose an embroidery machine if you want stitched designs on fabric, with built-in designs, stitches, and an embroidery hoop. Choose the Cricut Maker bundle if you want to cut vinyl and iron-on designs and press them onto shirts, hoodies, and tote bags. Pick by the kind of decoration you want to make, not by the machine with the longer feature list.
Machines on the list
Cricut Maker 4 Cutting Machine Bundle
A cutting machine and heat press bundle for custom shirts, hoodies, and tote bags, with vinyl and iron-on materials.
Pros
- Maker 4 cutting machine with EasyPress SE heat press in one bundle
- Vinyl and iron-on materials, tools, and accessories included
- Design, cut, press, and apply in 4 steps
- Auto-shutoff and heat base stated for the EasyPress
Cons
- No embroidery designs, stitches, or hoop are stated
- No weight figure is stated
- No touchscreen, wireless, USB, or app stated
- Bundle dimensions only, with no separate machine size stated
Brother SE2000 Sewing and Embroidery Machine
A sewing and embroidery machine with over 190 built-in designs, 241 stitches, and a 5 by 7 inch field.
Pros
- Over 190 built-in designs and 50 downloadable designs, with 13 fonts
- 241 sewing stitches, with a 5 by 7 inch embroidery field
- Advanced Color Sort and Jump Stitch Trimming for multi-color designs
- 3.7 inch touchscreen, Wireless LAN, USB port, and Artspira app
Cons
- No cutting machine, heat press, vinyl, or iron-on material is stated
- Weight of 38.0 pounds
- Artspira Threads are sold separately, not included
- Intended for sale only in the US at 120 volts
Brother SE700 Sewing and Embroidery Machine
A sewing and embroidery machine with 135 built-in designs, 103 stitches, and a 4 by 4 inch field.
Pros
- 135 built-in designs and 10 embroidery lettering fonts
- 103 built-in sewing stitches, including 10 buttonhole styles
- 4 by 4 inch embroidery field, with hoop, arm, and 8 sewing feet
- 3.7 inch touchscreen, Wireless LAN, USB port, and Artspira app
Cons
- No cutting machine, heat press, vinyl, or iron-on material is stated
- Embroidery field is 4 by 4 inches
- No Color Sort or Jump Stitch Trimming feature is stated
- Intended for sale only in the US at 120 volts
Side by side
| Spec | Brother SE700 | Brother SE2000 | Cricut Maker 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| HQ Score | 65 | 67 | 74 |
| Type | Sewing and embroidery machine | Sewing and embroidery machine | Cutting machine and heat press bundle |
| Embroidery designs | 135 built-in designs | Over 190 built-in, 50 downloadable | Not stated |
| Sewing stitches | 103 stitches | 241 stitches | Not stated |
| Embroidery field | 4 x 4 in | 5 x 7 in | Not stated |
| Cutting and pressing | Not stated | Not stated | Maker 4 cutting machine, EasyPress SE heat press |
| Touchscreen | 3.7 in touchscreen | 3.7 in touchscreen | Not stated |
| Weight | 15.6 pounds | 38.0 pounds | Not stated |
| Warranty | 1 year | 1 year | 1 year |
Specifications are manufacturer rated, as published on each listing and collected 3 November 2026.
Embroidery machine vs cricut maker: what each side does
The Brother machines sew and embroider, stitching designs with thread onto fabric. The Cricut bundle cuts vinyl and iron-on material and presses the cut design onto apparel with a heat press. That difference is the whole comparison.
Designs, stitches, and fields
The SE700 states 135 built-in designs, 10 embroidery lettering fonts, and 103 built-in sewing stitches, including 10 styles of one step auto-size buttonholes. The SE700 states a 4 by 4 inch embroidery field, with an included hoop, embroidery arm, and 8 sewing feet. The SE2000 states over 190 built-in designs and 50 downloadable designs, with 13 embroidery fonts and 241 sewing stitches. The SE2000 states a 5 by 7 inch embroidery field, with an included hoop and 8 sewing feet. The SE2000 also states Advanced Color Sort and Jump Stitch Trimming. The Cricut states no embroidery designs, sewing stitches, or embroidery field.
Cutting and pressing
The Cricut bundle includes a Maker 4 die-cutting machine, an EasyPress SE heat press, tools, and vinyl and iron-on materials. The Cricut listing describes design, cut, press, and apply in 4 steps for custom shirts, hoodies, and tote bags. The Cricut listing states the EasyPress SE gives consistent heat and pressure, with auto-shutoff and a heat base. The Brother listings state no cutting machine, heat press, vinyl, or iron-on material.
Screens, connectivity, and apps
The SE700 states a 3.7 inch LCD color touchscreen for on-screen editing and preview. The SE2000 states a 3.7 inch LCD touchscreen display for on-screen editing. Both Brother listings state Wireless LAN, a USB port, and the Artspira app for custom patterns. The Cricut listing does not state a touchscreen, wireless LAN, USB port, or app, so those points stay unanswered for that bundle.
Size, weight, and support
The SE700 listing states 15.6 pounds, with dimensions of 16.496 by 7.756 by 12.087 inches. The SE2000 listing states 38.0 pounds, with dimensions of 17.559 by 9.488 by 11.811 inches. The Cricut listing states bundle dimensions of 14.0 by 34.0 by 13.0 inches, with no weight figure stated. All three listings state a 1 year warranty term. Both Brother listings state the product is intended for sale only in the US at 120 volts, and that other use or sale may void the warranty.
What the listings leave unclear
The Cricut listing leaves machine-only size unclear, with no separate machine size stated. The Cricut listing leaves weight unclear. The SE2000 listing states Artspira Threads as sold separately.
Choose an embroidery machine if
- You want stitched designs on fabric, with built-in designs and stitches.
- You want an embroidery hoop and field, at 4 by 4 inches or 5 by 7 inches.
- You want a touchscreen, wireless file transfer, and an app for custom patterns.
Choose the Cricut Maker if
- You want to cut vinyl and iron-on designs for shirts, hoodies, and tote bags.
- You want a heat press in the same bundle, with vinyl and iron-on materials included.
- You want an auto-shutoff heat press for consistent heat and pressure.
For more sewing and embroidery choices, see the best sewing and embroidery machine list, and for quilting, the sewing machine for quilting list.
Project Match
- Embroidered designs on fabric: the Brother SE700, with 135 built-in designs and a 4 by 4 inch field.
- Larger embroidered designs: the Brother SE2000, with a 5 by 7 inch field and over 190 built-in designs.
- Custom shirts, hoodies, and tote bags: the Cricut Maker 4 bundle, with a cutting machine, heat press, vinyl, and iron-on materials.
FAQ: lasers and CNC
Can an embroidery machine cut vinyl?
Not the Brother machines here. They stitch designs with thread and state no cutting function. The Cricut machine cuts vinyl and iron-on.
Can the Cricut Maker embroider?
No, based on these listings. The Cricut bundle cuts and presses designs. It states no embroidery designs, stitches, or hoop.
Which embroidery field is larger?
The SE2000 field is 5 by 7 inches. The SE700 field is 4 by 4 inches.
Do all three listings state a warranty?
Yes. The SE700 states a limited warranty of 1 year. The SE2000 states the same limited warranty period. The Cricut states a 1 Year Warranty Against Manufacturer Defects.
Related: sewing and embroidery machines, and all craft machines.
