I’ve owned bigger Cricut machines for years, so I didn’t expect to be impressed by the smallest one in the family. In fact, when I received the Cricut Joy Lavender Bundle, I assumed it would be a “cute little accessory”, the craft equivalent of those novelty mini beer kegs. Fun, but hardly essential. After putting it through a proper trial with real projects, I’m going to say it: this tiny lavender machine earned its spot on my desk.

First Impressions: Size, Colour, and Effortless Setup

First up: the colour, lavender. Gorgeous! I’m not usually sentimental about machines, but this one is genuinely pretty enough to leave out on display. It doesn’t scream “industrial hardware,” it whispers “creative possibilities.”

And the size? Dreamy. You can pick it up with one hand, it weighs next to nothing, and doesn’t demand a dramatic clearing of the dining table to use it. Sometimes crafting should be easy, not a full-scale logistical operation.

Unlike my larger Cricut, there are no buttons. I expected to miss them, but honestly I didn’t. Everything runs through Cricut Design Space, which feels second nature pretty quickly, and the automatic loading keeps the whole process smooth instead of fiddly. It connected instantly to my laptop via Bluetooth and stayed connected (a victory, given how temperamental tech can be). The power cable is generously long, which sounds boring, but is actually extremely helpful.

What’s Included in the Lavender Starter Bundle

In the bundle I received came everything you need to begin crafting immediately, which is the best part about purchasing this way. Instead of staring at a machine wishing you’d bought materials, this bundle gives you enough to start playing instantly.

Included:

  • Smart Removable Vinyl
  • Smart Permanent Vinyl
  • Smart Writable Labels
  • Gold Foil for Smart Transfer
  • Transfer Tape
  • Cardstock
  • Standard Grip Mat
  • Weeding tool
  • Smoothing tool
  • Black pen

No last-minute drive to buy supplies. No “I’ll try it when I have the right resources.” Plug in, start making.

Putting It to the Test: Projects Made with Smart Vinyl & Foil

I put it to work straight away using every material included:

  • Smart Vinyl – used in creating festive Christmas tree baubles. The vinyl adhered well to the ceramic surface.
  • Smart Permanent Vinyl – for decorating a drink tumbler for my sister’s favourite tipple.
  • Writable Labels + Pen – for not so subtle monogram stickers because sharing wings is fine, sharing drinks is not.
  • Gold Foil Transfer – used to create a T-shirt featuring my rottweiler. It looks just like her, minus the side-eye and the drool.
  • Cardstock – I played around with a few decorative cut shapes

Everything cut beautifully. Clean lines, no tearing, fast process, and quiet while working. The monogrammed label looked sharp, the tumbler vinyl stuck perfectly, the baubles look professionally made, and the rottweiler foil shirt may be my new favourite wearable.

Even though the Joy supports mat-less cutting with Smart Materials, I still used the mat for most things, simply because that’s what feels familiar, and it worked flawlessly.

The Joy plays nicely with newer Cricut materials, which means it isn’t limited or outdated. It’s small, but it’s not stuck in the past.

And yes, Cricut materials really are better. I’ve tried cheaper options. The difference when weeding (not the zen gardening type, the tiny-tweezers-and-rage kind) is night and day.

Key Advantages: What I Loved About the Joy

  • The Lavender colour — shallow but true.
  • So compact you actually want to use it.
  • Effortless setup. No wrestling with cables or connections.
  • Clean, fast cutting and beautiful writing.
  • Automatic sensor loading feels premium.
  • Quiet and precise.
  • Compatible with modern Cricut materials.
  • Ideal for spontaneous “I just need one thing” moments.
  • Everything you need is included.

 

Things Worth Considering: Limitations of the Small Format

Here’s where the cautious side of me speaks up:

  • The cutting width is small, so think personalised gifts, labels, stickers, not giant wall decals.
  • Limited tool range compared to Explore or Maker machines.
  • If you love heavy materials (leather, chipboard, etc.), this isn’t the right tool.
  • Smart Materials can get pricey if you’re doing high volume. Quality costs, but it’s still something to consider.

This is not the machine for big production jobs. And that’s okay, that’s not what it’s trying to be.

Who is the Companion Machine Perfect For?

  • Beginners who don’t want to be terrified by a giant machine
  • People who love organising, labelling, gifting and small projects
  • Teachers, parents and last-minute creators
  • Anyone tight on space
  • Anyone who already owns a big Cricut and wants something quicker for everyday use

In my honest opinion, it’s a companion machine, not a replacement.

Final Verdict: Is the Cricut Joy Lavender Bundle Worth the Price?

The Cricut Joy Lavender Bundle genuinely made crafting feel fun again. It removes excuses, reduces setup time, and makes creativity more accessible. It doesn’t claim to do everything and that honesty is part of its charm.

Would I use it again and again? Yes.
Would I recommend it for giant multi-layer logo printing or furniture-sized vinyl? Absolutely not.
Would I recommend it for personalised gifts, labels, small business branding, last-minute presents and everyday creativity? 100%.

Even if weeding remains my nemesis.
That’s the crafting life. I didn’t choose it, the crafting life chose me (with apologies to Tupac).

Thanks to Cricut for the opportunity to trial the Joy Lavender Bundle. I had so much fun testing it out. Currently the bundles retails at Spotlight for $399. Check it out here.