UPDATE: The Silhouette Portrait and Cricut Mini are both discontinued. The Portrait has been upgraded to the Portrait 3 and the Mini has been replaced with the Joy. Learn more about these two new machines in my reviews, Silhouette Portrait 3 Review, and Cricut Joy Review.
Looking to compare the differences between the Silhouette Portrait and the Cricut Mini? We are here to help guide you through what’s different about the two machines.
Silhouette Portrait vs Cricut Mini Comparison Chart
Silhouette Portrait | Cricut Mini | |
 |  | |
Cutting Size | 8" x 10" | 8.5" x 12" |
Weight | 3.5 lbs | 5.25 lbs |
Cutting Force | 210 grams | No Data Available |
Works Without Computer | No | No |
Works Without Internet | Yes | No |
Create Custom Designs | Yes | No |
Draw | Yes | Yes |
Print and Cut | Yes | No |
PixScan Technology | Yes | No |
Software | Silhouette Studio Design | Cricut Craft Room Software |
MSRP | $199 | $149 |
Choose between the two machines
The main differences between the Silhouette Portrait and the Cricut Mini is the cutting size and software. They are both similar in terms of size and weight, and both cut and draw similarly.
Silhouette Portrait
The Silhouette Portrait cuts 8 inches wide compared to the 8.5 inches of the Cricut Mini, but the Portrait can cut up to 10 feet long. This is a huge advantage if you are using the Portrait to cut vinyl banners.
The Silhouette Portrait uses the Silhouette Studio Design Software, which is much more powerful than the Cricut Craft Room Software. The Studio Design Software allows users to import, buy, or create custom designs from scratch.
Another neat feature about the Portrait is the PixScan technology. PixScan allows you to take a digital photograph of a picture or design from your camera or smartphone, and upload it to the computer to be cut.
▸ Read the full Silhouette Portrait Review
Cricut Mini
The Cricut Mini cuts 8.5 x 12 inches, which means unlike the Portrait, the Mini can cut full letter sized material.
The Cricut Mini uses the Craft Room Software, which requires an internet connection to work. Although you can’t create custom designs with this software, you can link all the Cricut Cartridges that you already own to your online account to user.
▸ Read the full Cricut Mini Review
Which machine is better
Overall, the Silhouette Portrait is a better machine. It can cut up to 10 feet long, comes with powerful software, and has PixScan technology. If however you already own a lot of Cricut cartridges, the Cricut Mini is worth considering.
>> Click here to read the Silhouette Portrait Amazon reviews
I hope this guide helps you decide between the Silhouette Portrait and Cricut Mini. Which machine do you think is better? Leave us a comment, we’d love to hear from you!
This is just what I needed to decide which machine to buy, thanks a lot, for such a complete review.
Keep up the good work.
The Cutting Size of the Portrait is 8 x 12 – I know, I own one and cut that size – I also own the Cricut – the Portrait is much better at cutting intricate designs than the Cricut – I used both machines but as far as CUTTING – The portrait wins out hands down.
Regarding linking Cartridges to the Craftroom – from what another user told me – she cannot do that if she already linked them to her Gypsy – I do not use the Craftroom but I loved the Gypsy until it died and now Cricut no longer sells them – bad move on their part and a reason I did not upgrade to Cricut Air – – just saying.