What is the best cutting machine from Silhouette? Is Silhouette Cameo really better than Curio?
Electronic cutting tools are difficult to compare at face value. Two hugely popular options are Silhouette Cameo and Curio.
They are both strong contenders in presenting more creative possibilities. And they are both from Silhouette.
But how do they compare on some of the most crucial aspects of cutting performance? Which cutting tool will get you a better result?
It is difficult to tell. But let`s put the two contenders into a test to find out which is the best between Silhouette Cameo vs Curio.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Breaking it down
To come up with the best, we are going to examine some of the critical features in cutting:
- Number of materials the machine can cut
- The range of cutting tools each machine offers
- Range of Possibilities
Let`s introduce the competitors.
Silhouette Cameo
The Silhouette Cameo is well-known for its excellent cutting. More precisely, it is excellent for making large banners or home décor.
It has everything you`d expect from a digital die cut machine.
Cutting Power
The Silhouette Cameo handles over 100 materials with effortless precision—from delicate paper to tough stuff like cardboard, vinyl, craft foams, iron-on transfer, cereal box chipboard, craft foams, rhinestone template material, and fabric up to 12 inches deep.
What sets it apart from any other Silhouette electronic cutters is its ability to cut up to 10 feet long. This feature makes the Cameo efficient in making large and long vinyl decals.
The machine comes with a cutting power of 210 grams, which equals Silhouette Curio in comparison. However, the ability to cut up to 10 feet long material gives Silhouette a slight edge over Curio.
Related Reading: Silhouette Cameo 2 vs. 3: Which Should You Buy?
Accessory tools
Cameo is an excellent cutter with the ability to draw.
However, it lags behind when it comes to accessory tools. It doesn`t have tools to emboss, etch, score, or stipple.
The unavailability of these accessories is a substantial limitation to explore all the creative possibilities.
This gives the Silhouette Curio a significant lead over the Cameo cutting machine. However, with third-party accessory tools available, you can still emboss, etch, stipple, and score using the Silhouette Cameo.
Wireless Connection
The Silhouette Cameo comes with the powerful Silhouette Studio software that features Bluetooth technology for wireless cutting on your computer.
The feature is cost-free and offers multiple premium features that present unparalleled possibilities in the creative world.
For instance, you can readily enjoy offline access via Mac and PC. Secondly, it opens a library with tons of online templates to make your creativity exponential.
Besides that, you can readily upload templates from your computer or Smartphone.
The only problem is that their software appears to require more work as you can only use it for small designs.
All in all, Silhouette Cameo and Curio use the same software. So, it is a tie when it comes to the wireless connection.
Pros
- Offers excellent cuts
- Provides the possibility of carrying out a wide range of projects
- Has an AutoBlade that execute faster cuttings
- Has a sleek screen design to help easy use
Cons
- It is large and bulky, thus less portable
- Limited cutting capacity – cutting can`t go more than 12 inches
- The Bluetooth functionality is unreliable
Silhouette Curio
The Curio is one of Silhouette’s new craft machines for DIY projects. It comes with a lineup feature with more excellent capabilities than the Silhouette Cameo.
For instance, you can cut, draw, emboss, score, sketch, stipple, and etch. Having a dual carriage, it empowers you to mix and match functions. It is versatile.
Cutting Power
Everything that Cameo can cut, Curio can cut.
The Silhouette Curio has a similar cutting force of 210 grams as Cameo. The main difference is that Curio has a cutting size of 8.5 inches by 12 inches, while Silhouette Cameo has a cutting size of 8.5 inches by 10 feet.
If it is just for die-cutting, Silhouette Cameo takes a marginal lead because it can make both larger and smaller cuttings.
Accessory Tools
The Curio changes everything when it comes to accessory tools.
Besides cutting and drawing, Curio presents a whole new world of creative possibilities. The machine comes with four distinct tools that Cameo lacks.
It has accessory tools to etch, emboss, score, and stipple—a family of creative tools.
The etching tool can etch soft metal surfaces, like brass, copper, aluminum, etc
With Curio, embossing and scoring is achievable on paper products. However, you can try to emboss on thin metals, too.
On accessory tools, Curio presents a wide range of accessories for cutting, drawing, scoring, stippling, etching, and embossing while its rival, Cameo only cuts and draws. That`s a clean lead for Curio.
However, it is essential to note that these accessories tools for etching, stippling, and deeper cutting come with additional charges for a platform of 8.5 inches by 12inches.
Wireless Connection
As with the Silhouette Cameo, Curio comes with the powerful Silhouette Studio software that features Bluetooth technology for wireless cutting on your computer.
The Bluetooth wireless connection is a critical feature for any design maker. The utility allows you to upload any of your design templates from your computer or phone for cutting.
Both Silhouette Curio and Cameo share similar software. It is, therefore, a tie.
Pros
- Curio can handle more than 100 types of material
- This electronic cutting machine is versatile—can emboss, etch, score, and stipple
- It comes with a dual carriage for multi-function projects and speed
- It is easy to set the machine up
Cons
- It requires you to buy every accessories tool separately
- The cutting machine has limited cutting capacity
Conclusion
So which is better between Silhouette Cameo and Curio?
It all distills down to what you intend to work on. But if you have to choose one, the overall winner is Silhouette Cameo.
From our test, Cameo comes out as the most preferable option. Here is the reason why:
Curio only beats Cameo on coming with accessories that present a whole world of possibilities. However, you separately pay for each accessory tool.
And it’s not like the Cameo cannot emboss, etch, score, or stipple, either — with the use of third-party accessory tools, Cameo can do the work as well.
Cameo beat Curio on the size of cutting—a feature you can do nothing about but get a new machine that can make up to 10 feet long cutting.
