Must-Have Tools for Your Cricut

You just got your Cricut, you're staring at a pile of vinyl, and you have no idea which tools you actually need versus which ones are just filling up craft store shelves.

Here's the short answer: you can start cutting with just four or five tools, most of which cost under $10 each. The must-have Cricut tools are a weeding hook, a scraper, a spatula, and a good pair of scissors. Everything else is either a nice upgrade or a situational buy.

Let's break it all down so you don't waste money on stuff that'll sit in a drawer.

Truly Essential Cricut Tools

These are the tools you'll reach for on almost every single project. Don't start cutting without them.

Weeding Hook

This is the one tool that absolutely cannot be substituted. A weeding hook lets you pick away the excess vinyl or iron-on material around your cut design. Without it, you're using your fingernails, and trust me, that gets old after about three minutes. The Cricut weeding tool retails for around $7–$9, but a basic metal hook from a third-party brand like Fiskars or a 5-piece set from Amazon works just as well for $8–$12 total. If you want a deeper look at weeding tool options and techniques, this guide on weeding tools for Cricut covers everything worth knowing.

Scraper or Squeegee

A scraper smooths your vinyl onto your cutting mat so it doesn't shift mid-cut, and it also helps you burnish transfer tape onto a finished design. The Cricut scraper is about $7. The Fiskars version is nearly identical and sometimes cheaper. A credit card works in a pinch, but a real scraper has better grip and a straighter edge.

Spatula

When your cut is done, you need to get it off the mat without tearing it. A spatula slides under delicate cuts and lifts them cleanly. Cricut's own spatula runs about $8. Any thin, flexible craft spatula does the job. Don't skip this one, especially if you're cutting paper or delicate vinyl.

Scissors

A sharp pair of craft scissors is non-negotiable. You'll use them to cut material to size before loading it, trim transfer tape, and clean up edges. Fiskars 8-inch scissors ($8–$12) are a solid, reliable choice that most crafters already have at home.

Brayer

A brayer is a small rubber roller that presses material firmly and evenly onto your mat. It's especially helpful with heat transfer vinyl and fabric. Cricut's brayer is around $8, and third-party versions work just as well. Once you use one, you'll wonder how you managed without it.

Tools Worth Buying Next

These aren't day-one essentials, but they make a real difference once you're cutting regularly.

Weeding Light Pad

A light pad shines through your material so you can see exactly where your cut lines are. It's a game-changer for intricate designs, small lettering, or dark vinyl. You don't need the Cricut BrightPad specifically. A generic A4 LED light pad from Amazon runs $15–$25 and works beautifully. We'll talk more about whether the BrightPad is worth the premium in a minute.

Transfer Tape

If you're working with adhesive vinyl, transfer tape is how you move your weeded design from its backing onto your final surface. Cricut's brand runs about $10–$13 per roll, but Expressions Vinyl and TapeManBlue are popular third-party picks that many crafters actually prefer. Standard-tack works for most projects; strong-tack is better for textured surfaces.

Trimmer or Paper Cutter

A rotary trimmer gives you clean, straight cuts on cardstock, vinyl, and iron-on without fighting with scissors. Fiskars and X-ACTO both make reliable trimmers in the $15–$30 range. If you do a lot of card-making or paper projects, this earns its counter space fast.

The Heat Press Decision

If you plan to do any heat transfer vinyl projects, shirts, tote bags, or anything iron-on, you need consistent heat and pressure. A household iron can technically work, but results are inconsistent and reapplication rates are high.

The Cricut EasyPress 2 (9x9 inch) runs about $99–$119 and is genuinely excellent for home crafters. It heats evenly, holds temperature precisely, and is much safer to use than a full clamshell heat press on a table. For small-batch personal projects and gifts, it's the right tool.

If you're making products to sell, a clamshell heat press in the 15x15 inch range ($150–$300) gives you more platen space and more consistent pressure. Brands like Fancierstudio and Vevor are budget-friendly entry points. The EasyPress is convenient, but it's not a production tool.

Honestly, if you're just starting out, start with the EasyPress. You can always upgrade later, and most beginners don't need a full press on day one.

Tools You Can Skip (At Least at First)

Some tools get a lot of attention but aren't worth the money until you know you'll actually use them.

Cricut BrightPad: It's a good light pad. But at $49–$60, it's two to three times the price of a generic LED pad that does the same job. Wait until you're doing intricate work regularly before spending the extra money.

Cricut-branded tool sets: Cricut sells sets that bundle a hook, spatula, scraper, and tweezers together for around $25–$35. The quality is fine, but you can buy the same tools from third-party brands for less. Check what you already own before buying a branded kit.

Cricut TrueControl Knife: Useful if you do a lot of intricate paper cutting by hand, but if your machine is doing the cutting, this sits unused. At $25, it's not a starter purchase.

For a full beginner-focused breakdown of what to buy and skip, the Cricut Supplies for Beginners: The Essential List is a helpful starting point.

Starter Kit vs Individual Tools

Cricut sells a Basic Tool Set for around $25–$30 that includes a weeding hook, scraper, spatula, tweezers, and scissors. For a first-time buyer, that's a reasonable deal if you don't own any of these yet.

But if you already have decent scissors or a scraper-style tool at home, buying individually gives you more control over quality and cost. A standalone weeding hook, scraper, and spatula from third-party brands will run you $15–$20 total and perform just as well.

The honest middle ground: check what you have, buy the Cricut Basic Tool Set if you have nothing, and add the brayer and transfer tape separately. You'll have everything you need for under $50.

If you want a more detailed first-purchase checklist, the Cricut Beginner Supply List: What You Actually Need walks through materials and tools together.

Where to Buy Cricut Tools for Less

Cricut tools are sold at Amazon, Walmart, Target, Joann, Michaels, and the Cricut website directly. Prices vary more than you'd expect.

• Amazon: Usually the best price on third-party tools and often competitive on Cricut-branded items. Check for bundle deals on weeding sets.
• Joann and Michaels: Regularly run 40–50% off coupons that apply to Cricut tools. Never pay full price here.
• Cricut.com: Watch for seasonal sales, especially around Black Friday and Cricut's semi-annual promotions. They occasionally bundle tools with machine purchases.
• Walmart: Carries the basics at competitive prices. Good for in-store pickup if you need something today.

Third-party tool sets on Amazon often deliver 80–90% of the performance at half the price. For consumables like transfer tape, buying in bulk from specialty retailers like Expressions Vinyl saves you money over time.