Cricut® Introduces the Next Generation of Creativity – Cricut Joy™ 2 and Cricut Explore® 5

Rhea-AI Summary

Cricut (NASDAQ: CRCT) unveiled two next‑generation cutting machines — Cricut Joy 2 and Cricut Explore 5 — with smaller designs, guided Design Space workflows, and bundled starter supplies. Both machines ship beginning Feb 27, 2026, in the U.S. and Canada; prices range from $99–$349 depending on model and bundle.

New features include a Print Then Cut sensor on Joy 2, six‑tool compatibility on Explore 5, and Create AI for paid Design Space subscribers.

Key Figures

Projects from bundle: up to 150 projects Cricut Joy 2 price range: $99–$229 USD Cricut Explore 5 price range: $199–$349 USD +3 more

6 metrics

Projects from bundle up to 150 projects Estimated projects using included materials in Cricut Joy 2 bundles

Cricut Joy 2 price range $99–$229 USD Launch price range for Cricut Joy 2 in U.S. market

Cricut Explore 5 price range $199–$349 USD Launch price range for Cricut Explore 5 in U.S. market

Availability date February 27 Cricut Joy 2 and Explore 5 availability in U.S. and Canada

Tools compatible six tools Number of tools compatible with Cricut Explore 5

Average project size 4 in x 6 in Basis for project count estimate using included materials

Market Reality Check

Price: $4.35 Vol: Volume 405,665 is 28% bel...

normal vol

$4.35 Last Close

Volume Volume 405,665 is 28% below 20-day average of 566,920. normal

Technical Price 4.35 trades 20% below 200-day MA of 5.47, well under longer-term trend.

Peers on Argus

Peers show mixed moves: SSYS -1.1%, NNDM -2.53%, versus CRSR +3.45% and CAN +3.9...

1 Up

Peers show mixed moves: SSYS -1.1%, NNDM -2.53%, versus CRSR +3.45% and CAN +3.93%; UMAC is flat and only one momentum peer (RGTI up 6.07%) appears, supporting a stock-specific read for this product launch.

Common Catalyst Limited peer news overlap; only SSYS reported a sustainability-related update.

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Feb 17 (Neutral)

Pattern 5 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Feb 17	Investor conference	Neutral	+1.3%	Management presenting at Morgan Stanley TMT investor conference webcast.
Feb 10	Earnings date set	Neutral	-0.4%	Scheduled Q4 2025 earnings release and conference call details.
Feb 06	Product launch	Positive	+3.4%	Launch of Cricut EasyPress SE heat press line with new features.
Nov 04	Earnings results	Positive	-5.2%	Q3 2025 results with revenue growth and improved profitability metrics.
Oct 14	Earnings date set	Neutral	+2.6%	Announcement of Q3 2025 earnings release timing and call access.

Pattern Detected

Product launches have seen positive reactions, while at least one fundamentally strong earnings report coincided with a negative move.

Recent Company History

Over the last six months, Cricut has combined hardware launches and investor communications. On Feb 6, 2026, the EasyPress SE launch saw a +3.36% move, highlighting constructive responses to product innovation. By contrast, strong Q3 2025 financial results on Nov 4, 2025 with revenue of $170.4M and improved margins were followed by a -5.19% reaction. Conference and earnings-date announcements around Oct–Feb produced smaller, mixed price impacts, framing today’s new-machine launch within an ongoing product-refresh cycle.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement expands Cricut’s hardware and software ecosystem with Cricut Joy 2 and Explore 5, ...

Analysis

This announcement expands Cricut’s hardware and software ecosystem with Cricut Joy 2 and Explore 5, plus enhanced Design Space features like Guided Flows and Create AI. These launches follow February’s EasyPress SE introduction and build on Q3 2025 results with revenue of $170.4M and improved margins. Investors may watch adoption of bundles, subscriber engagement with AI-generated designs, and upcoming Q4 2025 earnings on March 3, 2026 to gauge the impact of this product cycle.

Key Terms

design space, create ai

2 terms

design space technical

"enhanced Design Space platform — purpose‑built to reduce guesswork"

A design space is the defined range of ingredients, process settings and manufacturing steps that reliably produce a product meeting required quality and performance. Think of it as a recipe with acceptable tolerances—different combinations inside the space still yield a safe, effective product. For investors, a well-established design space signals lower technical and regulatory risk, faster scale-up and fewer surprises during inspections or production changes.

create ai technical

"Cricut also introduced Create AI, a new feature in Design Space"

Creating AI means designing and building computer systems that can perform tasks usually done by people—like recognizing speech, finding patterns in data, or making decisions—by training models on large amounts of information. For investors, it matters because developing AI can change a company’s cost structure, speed up product development, open new revenue streams, and introduce competitive or regulatory risks; think of it as adding a powerful new tool to a company’s toolbox that can boost returns but also requires ongoing investment and oversight.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

A Media Snippet accompanying this announcement is available by clicking on this link.

SOUTH JORDAN, Utah, Feb. 26, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cricut®, Inc. (NASDAQ: CRCT) is making personalization easier than ever with the introduction of two next-generation cutting machines: Cricut Joy™ 2 and Cricut Explore® 5. These machines represent the start of a new era for Cricut users, including a smaller, modern machine design, a dramatically simplified, guided software experience, and all the tools and materials needed to get started right in the box.

Introducing Cricut Joy 2: Big Creativity, Small Footprint
Cricut Joy 2 is the next iteration of Cricut’s most compact cutting machine – it’s perfect for fast, fun, everyday projects like custom cards, labels, simple decals, and now, for the first time, full-color stickers thanks to its all-new Print Then Cut sensor.

Fitting in the palms of your hands, Cricut Joy 2 offers portability without compromise, enabling creativity in any space in your home. New bundles make it easy for crafters at every level to start making right away. Each bundle includes a cutting machine, popular materials, and essential tools, eliminating the guesswork of additional purchases and giving users everything needed to start — and keep — creating. With built-in savings, a simplified shopping experience, and the supplies to make up to 150 projects right out of the box*, it’s the best way to kickstart the creative journey with confidence and value.

Cricut Joy 2 will be offered in Blue, Coral, and an exclusive Jade Green color, available only at Michaels.

Introducing Cricut Explore 5: More Compact and Made for Bigger Ideas
Cricut Explore 5 is the newest evolution of Cricut’s most popular cutting machine, redesigned to be 30% more compact than the previous generation so it fits more naturally into modern homes — without sacrificing performance or capability.

Ideal for vinyl decals, custom apparel, full-color stickers, cards, and specialty projects like magnets and rubber stamps, Cricut Explore 5 is compatible with six tools* and features an improved writing and drawing experience with snap-in pen loading and a streamlined interface. Also available in new bundle options, crafters can choose the one that best fits their needs and be confident they'll have the supplies to hit the ground cutting.

Cricut Explore 5 will come in Taupe, and an exclusive Teal color available only at Michaels.

“Our users have consistently told us they want products that are easier to use and more affordable. We listened and simplified the entire experience end-to-end,” said Ashish Arora, CEO at Cricut. “From the moment they open the box, everything required to be successful is included. We guide them through a reimagined onboarding and design experience with intuitive, guided flows that take the guesswork out of making and make it easier than ever to go from idea to finished project with confidence.”

“At Michaels, we are passionate about inspiring creativity at every skill level, and our partnership with Cricut allows us to do just that in an exciting new way,” said Chuck Smith, Senior Vice President and General Merchandise Manager at Michaels. “We’re thrilled to collaborate on the launch of Cricut’s newest smart cutting machines—the Cricut Joy 2 and Cricut Explore 5—and to offer our customers exclusive colorways like the Jade Green Joy 2 and the Teal Explore 5, available only at Michaels. These machines combine innovation, ease of use, and style, and we can’t wait for our customers to bring their creative ideas to life with them.”

A Reimagined Design Experience
At the heart of this launch is a significantly enhanced Design Space platform — purpose‑built to reduce guesswork and help creators feel confident from the moment inspiration strikes.

New Guided Flows are designed to understand a user’s project intent—what they want to make—and provide step-by-step guidance to move from idea to finished project without confusion. Intuitive and contextual, the guided flows surface only what’s needed at each stage of the design process and help users understand exactly what materials, blanks, or tools are required.

Within guided flows, the Canvas is now automatically sized to reflect a user's selected project type, while Project Preview allows users to see their design on the intended blank (e.g., T-shirt, mug, phone case). These updates help give users confidence that their projects will turn out as desired.

Cricut also introduced Create AI, a new feature in Design Space available only to paid subscribers that generates custom, cut-ready, single-layer AI designs. This allows users to turn their wildest ideas, like “a dinosaur with a unicorn horn riding a skateboard,” into project-ready artwork in seconds.

Together, these updates reinforce Cricut’s commitment to being the go-to creative platform where software and hardware work in harmony to support crafters at every stage of their journey while keeping the focus where it belongs: Creativity.

Availability & Pricing
Cricut Joy™ 2 and Cricut Explore® 5 will be available beginning February 27th in the U.S. and Canada at Cricut.com and Michaels, as well as in most international markets where Cricut is sold.*

Price ranges:
Cricut Joy™ 2: $99 – $229 USD
Cricut Explore 5®: $199 – $349 USD

For more information, visit www.cricut.com

*Product contents and colors vary by bundle; not available in all regions or all retailers. Specialty tools sold separately. Projects calculated based on 4 in x 6 in average size using included materials.

About Cricut, Inc.
Cricut, Inc. is a creative platform company that makes it easy for users to create meaningful personal items. Cricut hardware and software work together as a connected platform for consumers to make beautiful, high-quality projects quickly and easily. These industry-leading products include a flagship line of smart cutting machines — the Cricut Maker® family, the Cricut Explore® family, and the Cricut Joy® family — accompanied by other unique tools like Cricut EasyPress®, the Infusible Ink™ system, and a diverse collection of materials. In addition to providing tools and materials, Cricut fosters a thriving community of millions of dedicated users worldwide.

Press Contact
Cricut PR
pr@cricut.com

FAQ

When will Cricut (CRCT) ship Cricut Joy 2 and Cricut Explore 5 and where can I buy them?

They will be available beginning Feb 27, 2026 in the U.S. and Canada. According to Cricut, sales start at Cricut.com and Michaels, plus most international retailers where Cricut is sold.

What are the price ranges for Cricut Joy 2 and Cricut Explore 5 (CRCT)?

Cricut lists price ranges of $99–$229 for Joy 2 and $199–$349 for Explore 5. According to Cricut, final price depends on the chosen bundle and included materials.

What new design features does Cricut (CRCT) add to Design Space with this launch?

Design Space now includes Guided Flows and Create AI for paid subscribers to generate cut‑ready artwork. According to Cricut, Guided Flows size canvases automatically and preview projects on intended blanks.

What exclusive color options are offered for CRCT machines at Michaels?

Michaels will carry an exclusive Jade Green Joy 2 and an exclusive Teal Explore 5. According to Cricut, these colorways are available only at Michaels while supplies last.

What capabilities differentiate Cricut Joy 2 from previous Joy models (CRCT)?

Joy 2 adds an all‑new Print Then Cut sensor enabling full‑color stickers and improved portability. According to Cricut, Joy 2 bundles include materials to make up to 150 projects out of the box.

What tools and materials compatibility does Cricut Explore 5 (CRCT) offer for larger projects?

Explore 5 supports up to six tools and improved pen loading for better writing and drawing. According to Cricut, the machine is 30% more compact than the prior generation without losing compatibility.