WIRED concludes that the Cricut Explore 5 and Siser Romeo are not direct rivals so much as machines for different stages of crafting. The Explore 5 is aimed at casual users who want an accessible way to make cards, decals, banners and occasional clothing projects, while the Romeo suits people producing items such as graphic T-shirts at much greater volume and requiring more control.

The Explore 5 costs $199 for the machine alone, or $250 as a bundle, compared with $600 for the tested Romeo. Cricut’s strengths are its beginner-friendly Design Space software, extensive project ecosystem and simple Load and Go workflow; it cuts up to 12 inches wide and can make matless cuts up to 12 feet with Cricut Smart Materials. The article frames the decision around the point at which a hobbyist’s needs outgrow Cricut’s simplicity and justify the Romeo’s higher cost and professional-oriented capabilities.