subject: Die Cutting: Big Shot Machine Vs Cuttlebug Machine [print this page] Die Cutting: Big Shot Machine Vs Cuttlebug Machine
Cuttlebug Vs Bigshot
Well this debate has been going on for as long as I care to remember yet, there still doesn't seem to be a definitive answer to which is the best die cutting machine? These two die cutting machines are clearly the market leaders but its worth noting that they don't really have much in the way of competition.
Thus, I've decided to write and article on the pair of them to help people decide once and for all which is better.
For the purpose of this review I will use a 5 star system on the following criteria Price, Availability, compatibility, usability and reliability.
Price
Cuttlebug: Normally sourced for around 54.95 64.95 5*
Sizzix Bigshot: Again found around 54.95 and 64.95 5*
Compatibility
Cuttlebug: Compatibility plates can be arranged to accept a range of different dies. 5*
BigShot: Compatibility Multi purpose platform allows use with nearly everything. 4.5*
Availability
Both machines are relatively good for availability however, when forced to pick between them the Big shot 4* has been known to be out of stock more often than the Cuttlebug 5*.
Usability
This is where in my opinion the big shot take a clear advantage. Having a wide base and slightly heavier weight the big shot can be operated with one hand while using the other to feed the die in. Compared to the Cuttlebug being lighter and not so wide it does have a tendency to tip over or slide back and forth. Thus it requires two hands to operate leaving feeding a die in problematic.
Bigshot 5*
Cuttlebug 3*
Reliability
Both die cutting machines offer great reliability and should see you crafting away for many years to come. However, having said that, recently the big shot has been prone to arms snapping off, leaving a question mark on an other wise great record.
Big Shot 4* Cuttlebug 5*
Totals: C = 23* B = 18.5*
In conclusion the winner is the Cuttlebug just tipping the scales on reliability and availability. However, the big shot give sorting out some reliability and availability issues has the potential to dominate the future opinions.
