Silhouette CAMEO 3 Review – Is This Cutting Machine Still Worth?

If you’re looking for a best cutting machine to help you with your arts and crafts projects, then the Silhouette CAMEO 3 is a good choice. The device comes with handy features and updates that fit for many creative minds. It even has a touch capacitive interface and dual carriage system that can speed up cutting procedures as compared to doing manual measuring and slicing of materials.

A highlight feature of this cutter is its wireless connectivity. Users no longer have to rely on cables and wires to transfer files to the machine. All you need is to connect to it via Bluetooth and you’re just about ready to go!

Creative people, especially those in the arts and crafts sector are looking for simple methods to help them in cutting and slicing different materials. Using the human touch may prove to be efficient at times but we shouldn’t remove human error out of the equation. The CAMEO 3 comes to the scene to help cut and slice a broad range of materials without the need of cables.

This cutting machine stands out from the crowd thanks to its enhanced capabilities to help users create custom designs. Although it’s features and overall performance are impressive, it’s not as powerful as some of its more expensive competitors. On the other hand, it does have a friendlier interface which makes it a suitable choice for beginners.

User-friendliness is the name of the game when using the CAMEO 3. Beginners in the arts and crafts industry may not even want to look further than this machine. It’s a device worth your time and you can experiment with its full-color LCD touchscreen interface. All the features are on said screen to make navigating easy through the different designs. It even has the power to let users adjust color schemes and change language settings.

There are a number of reasons why the CAMEO 3 sets itself apart from the competition with ease. First, it carries the dual-carriage function. It offers a two-tool option instead of other similar devices that only lets users take advantage of one cutting tool. Accessing this functionality is a breeze as all a user has to do is to open the cut settings window found on the LCD screen.

Activate the two-tool setting and the two tolls will be in the position – simultaneously. Hence, users no longer have to waste any time in stopping the machine just to switch from one cutting tool to another. If you’re doing material cutting as part of a business, then you already know that time will always be of the essence. This die cutting machine presents itself as a great machine for letting business users enhance productivity.

Aside from the two-tool feature, the CAMEO 3 also features stippling. It allows users to apply stipple without having to go through multiple convoluted instructions to get to that setting. Just head to the Stipple Window found at the upper right of the LCD touchscreen, click on Stipple Fill, and you’ll find yourself choosing a broad range of stippling options. Choose from different designs like scallop, wave to chevron, strip, metal plate, and zigzag.

As for its overall performance, the Silhouette CAMEO 3 is a versatile machine but not as “multitalented” as other similar devices with more expensive price tags. Even though it can slice and cut a broad range of materials (and with ease), it cannot emboss, engrave, or pierce. Also, it lacks the power to cut through anything that’s tough to deal with including balsa wood and leather.

Ultimately, the idea behind using this cutting tool is great for beginners to intermediate users. Expert users or individuals who require a heavy duty machine may need to look somewhere else. Still, if you’re looking for a very user-friendly cutting machine with many bells and whistles to significantly speed up the process of many arts and crafts projects, then you may no longer want to look further than the CAMEO 3.

Specs:
• Dimensions: 22.5 in x 6 in x 8.5 in
• Weight: 8 pounds 15 ounces
• Maximum cutting width: 12 inches
• Maximum cutting thickness: 2mm
• Can cut 100+ materials (including paper, cardstock, vinyl, fabric, felt, foam, and leather): Yes
• Silhouette Connect™ compatible: Yes
• Silhouette Studio® compatible: Yes
• Print & Cut: Yes
• PixScan™ compatible: Yes
• Built-in optic scanner: Yes
• Matless cutting: Yes
• Roll feeder compatibility: Yes
• Access to Silhouette Design Store: Yes
• Storage compartment: Yes
• USB port: Yes
• Built-in crosscutter: Yes

Additional Features

• The package includes additional accessories like free USB and power cables
• 250 grams of cutting power
• Compatibility with other CAMEO models
• Adjustable spring and pinch rollers
• Sleek and modern design
• LCD touchscreen interface

Pros
• Ability to make professional cuts
• Onboard tool storage comes loaded from the start
• Silhouette Studio software is great for easy cutting, editing, and printing
• Very user-friendly thanks to the LCD touchscreen
• Opens up a broad range of design possibilities for different arts and crafts projects

Cons
• Not as powerful and versatile as compared to more expensive competitors
• It cannot emboss, engrave, or pierce

Even though the Silhouette CAMEO 3 may not be the most powerful or versatile cutting machine on the planet, it still has a good list of features that make it an excellent choice for any person who is into arts and crafts. Its major selling point is its user-friendliness accompanied by a slew of easy-to-use features. Use the machine to transform user experience for the better and you might even rekindle your relationship with cutting with the help of this device. The CAMEO 3 makes itself an ideal launching pad to launch artistic ambitions to new heights. Just don’t use it for cutting or slicing any tough materials and you won’t have any problems with it.