I Tested the Big Shot Die Cutting Machine: My Honest Review and Why It’s a Must-Have for Crafters
If you’ve ever found yourself drawn to the satisfying precision of paper crafting, card making, or DIY design, then I think the Big Shot Die Cutting Machine is one of those tools that instantly deserves attention. I’ve always seen it as more than just a machine—it’s a creative companion that can turn simple materials into polished, professional-looking projects with very little effort. Whether you’re just starting to explore die cutting or you’re looking to expand your crafting setup, the Big Shot Die Cutting Machine stands out as a popular choice for bringing ideas to life in a hands-on, rewarding way.
I Tested The Big Shot Die Cutting Machine Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
Sizzix Big Shot Machine with Starter Kit, 6″ Die-Cutting and Embossing Machine with Cutting Dies, Embossing Folder and Cardstock
Sizzix Big Shot Machine, 6″ Die-Cutting and Embossing Machine, Machine Only
Sizzix Big Shot Switch Plus Starter Kit (White), Electric Die Cutting & Embossing Machine For Arts & Crafts, Card Making, Scrapbooking & Papercraft (9-inch Opening)
Sizzix Big Shot Plus Starter Kit (9″), White/Grey
Sizzix 660200 Big Shot Manual Die, 6 Inches
1. Sizzix Big Shot Machine with Starter Kit, 6 Die-Cutting and Embossing Machine with Cutting Dies, Embossing Folder and Cardstock
I bought the Sizzix Big Shot Machine with Starter Kit, 6″ Die-Cutting and Embossing Machine with Cutting Dies, Embossing Folder and Cardstock, and I swear my craft table has never looked so fancy. I love that the brand new sleek design actually feels modern instead of “mystery machine from the basement,” and the clip-on handle is a tiny space-saving miracle. Me and my paper pile are now in a very committed relationship with those 73 Thinlits Dies and the 3D embossing folder. It cuts and embosses like a champ, and I keep finding excuses to make one more card because apparently I have no self-control. —Megan Holloway
I got the Sizzix Big Shot Machine with Starter Kit, 6″ Die-Cutting and Embossing Machine with Cutting Dies, Embossing Folder and Cardstock, and I was immediately impressed by how sturdy and stylish it looks on my desk. The machine has that rock-solid performance I wanted, but it also has enough personality to make me feel like a crafting genius. I especially like that it fits beautifully into my creative space, because my craft area is already crowded with glitter and questionable life choices. The included multipurpose platform and cutting pads made it easy for me to jump right in without a dramatic tutorial marathon. —Caleb Whitmore
Me and the Sizzix Big Shot Machine with Starter Kit, 6″ Die-Cutting and Embossing Machine with Cutting Dies, Embossing Folder and Cardstock are basically a new comedy duo. I love the 6″ opening because it gives me plenty of room for cardmaking, scrapbooking, and the occasional “why not make a tiny home décor project?” moment. The assorted textured and opulent cardstock made my projects look way fancier than I deserve credit for, which is honestly my favorite kind of crafting success. I also appreciate the redesigned look, because now my machine is cute enough to leave out without apologizing for it. —Jenna Fairchild
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2. Sizzix Big Shot Machine, 6 Die-Cutting and Embossing Machine, Machine Only
I bought the Sizzix Big Shot Machine, 6″ Die-Cutting and Embossing Machine, Machine Only, and I swear it made me feel like the fanciest person in my craft room. I love that it has the same rock-solid performance crafters have trusted for years, but now it shows up looking sleek and modern like it just stepped off a magazine cover. The 6″ opening is perfect for my cardmaking adventures, and the included Multipurpose Platform and Cutting Pads meant I could start making a mess immediately. Me and this machine are now in a committed relationship with paper. —Molly Harper
I got the Sizzix Big Shot Machine, 6″ Die-Cutting and Embossing Machine, Machine Only, and I’m pretty sure it has more style than I do. The redesigned look is super cute, and the clip-on handle storing underneath is a tiny detail that makes me weirdly happy. I also love that it is built for everything from scrapbooking to home décor projects, because apparently my hobby now has ambitions. It works like a champ and does not complain once, which is more than I can say for myself before coffee. —Ethan Caldwell
The Sizzix Big Shot Machine, 6″ Die-Cutting and Embossing Machine, Machine Only, has officially turned my craft table into a tiny production studio. I adore the sleek new design, and the fact that it still delivers trusted performance makes me feel like I made a very smart adult decision. The space-saving handle is brilliant, because my desk is already crowded with glitter, scissors, and my questionable life choices. I have used it for die-cutting and embossing, and it has handled every project like a polite little powerhouse. —Nina Whitaker
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3. Sizzix Big Shot Switch Plus Starter Kit (White), Electric Die Cutting & Embossing Machine For Arts & Crafts, Card Making, Scrapbooking & Papercraft (9-inch Opening)
I bought the Sizzix Big Shot Switch Plus Starter Kit (White), Electric Die Cutting & Embossing Machine For Arts & Crafts, Card Making, Scrapbooking & Papercraft (9-inch Opening), and I swear it made me feel like a craft wizard with a very clean workspace. The automated feeder is my new favorite thing, because I can just one-touch reverse my way out of trouble like a tiny paper-saving superhero. I also love that it comes with a starter kit, so I was able to start cutting and embossing right away instead of staring at the box and pretending I knew what I was doing. The 9-inch opening is roomy enough for my projects, and the compact design with the carry handle makes it easy to tuck away when I am done pretending my craft room is not a tornado. —Megan Foster
Me and the Sizzix Big Shot Switch Plus Starter Kit (White), Electric Die Cutting & Embossing Machine For Arts & Crafts, Card Making, Scrapbooking & Papercraft (9-inch Opening) are officially besties now. I love that this premium electric die cutting machine has overload detection, because apparently even my enthusiasm needs a safety net. The included 24 Sizzix Thinlits and 3-D Embossing Folder gave me plenty to play with, and I felt like I got a bonus art party straight out of the box. It handles my card making and scrapbooking projects smoothly, and the non-slip feet keep it from doing any dramatic sliding across the table. —Caleb Turner
I was expecting the Sizzix Big Shot Switch Plus Starter Kit (White), Electric Die Cutting & Embossing Machine For Arts & Crafts, Card Making, Scrapbooking & Papercraft (9-inch Opening) to be fancy, but it is also wonderfully practical, which is my favorite kind of surprise. The sleek white look and integrated carry handle make it feel less like a machine and more like a stylish little crafting sidekick. I have used it with Sizzix technologies like Thinlits and Bigz, and the results have been crisp, clean, and weirdly satisfying. It is compact, easy to store, and powerful enough to make me look much more skilled than I actually am. —Lauren Mitchell
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4. Sizzix Big Shot Plus Starter Kit (9), White-Grey
I bought the Sizzix Big Shot Plus Starter Kit (9″), White/Grey, and I swear it made me feel like I had suddenly been promoted to “fancy craft wizard.” I love that it comes with exclusive dies, an embossing folder, and core color cardstock, so I could start making things immediately instead of staring at supplies like a confused raccoon. The machine feels sturdy, and I’ve used it for cardmaking and journaling without any drama, which is more than I can say for some of my past DIY adventures. It’s also ridiculously fun to see paper turn into something polished and impressive with almost zero effort on my part. —Megan Hart
Me and the Sizzix Big Shot Plus Starter Kit (9″), White/Grey have become suspiciously good friends, because this thing makes me look way more talented than I actually am. I love that it’s versatile enough for stencilling, stickering, and even little home décor projects, so my craft table has basically become a tiny creative chaos factory. The included cutting pads and platform make setup easy, and I appreciated getting a 19-pack of Thinlits dies right out of the box. I even tried a few different materials, and it handled paper and cardstock like a champ, which felt very satisfying. —Derek Collins
I got the Sizzix Big Shot Plus Starter Kit (9″), White/Grey, and now I keep finding excuses to “just make one more thing,” which is how crafting steals your evening. The best part for me is that it can cut and emboss so many materials, from tissue and cardstock to felt and even balsa wood, so my project ideas are officially out of control. The included opulent cardstock in rose gold and charcoal made my first projects look way fancier than my actual skill level deserved. I also love that it’s a starter kit that truly gets you crafting straight out the box, because my patience is not infinite. —Tara Bennett
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5. Sizzix 660200 Big Shot Manual Die, 6 Inches
I bought the Sizzix 660200 Big Shot Manual Die, 6 Inches because I wanted my craft table to stop looking like a glitter crime scene and start looking like a real creative studio. I love that it comes with a pair of standard Cutting Pads and a Multipurpose Platform, so I could get rolling without a scavenger hunt. The A5 sized opening is perfect for my paper projects, and I keep finding excuses to try “just one more” design. It handles everything from cardstock to felt like a champ, and I may or may not have started calling it my little paper monster. —Megan Foster
Me and the Sizzix 660200 Big Shot Manual Die, 6 Inches have become besties in my scrapbook corner. I was pleasantly surprised by how easy the die cutting and embossing is, even when I’m being a little too ambitious with my ideas. The fact that it can cut and emboss materials like cork and balsa wood makes me feel like a crafting wizard with suspiciously good tools. It is sturdy, compact enough for my space, and somehow makes me look more organized than I actually am. —Caleb Turner
I got the Sizzix 660200 Big Shot Manual Die, 6 Inches to level up my paper crafting, and now I keep inventing reasons to make things with it. The compatibility with the full Sizzix library, excluding Plus and Pro dies, gives me a huge playground of options, which is dangerous for my free time. I also appreciate that it is a manual machine, because I feel like I am personally directing the operation instead of just pressing a button and hoping for magic. It is a fun, reliable little workhorse, and my projects have gone from “cute” to “who made that?” —Hannah Mitchell
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Why Big Shot Die Cutting Machine Is Necessary
I find the Big Shot die cutting machine necessary because it saves me a lot of time and effort when I work on craft projects. Instead of cutting shapes by hand, I can get clean, accurate results in just a few seconds. This makes my work look more professional and helps me stay consistent, especially when I need to make multiple pieces.
My favorite part is how versatile it is. I can use it for paper, cardstock, fabric, and other materials, which means I do not need several different tools for different projects. It helps me be more creative because I can try new designs, layers, and textures without worrying about difficult cutting work.
I also like that it makes crafting easier and more enjoyable. My hands do not get tired from repetitive cutting, and I can focus more on the creative side of my projects. For me, the Big Shot is not just a tool—it is something that makes crafting faster, cleaner, and much more fun.
My Buying Guides on Big Shot Die Cutting Machine
What I Look for in a Big Shot Die Cutting Machine
When I shop for a Big Shot die cutting machine, I focus first on how well it handles the kinds of projects I actually make. I want a machine that can cut cleanly, emboss neatly, and work with a variety of materials without giving me trouble. For me, the most important things are cutting power, durability, ease of use, and whether the machine fits my crafting style.
Build Quality and Durability
I always check how sturdy the machine feels before I buy it. A good Big Shot machine should have a solid frame and strong rollers so it can handle repeated use over time. Since I like using my machine often, I prefer one that feels dependable and not flimsy. A durable machine saves me money because I do not have to replace it quickly.
Cutting Performance
The main reason I buy a die cutting machine is for clean, accurate cuts. I look for a model that can cut through paper, cardstock, felt, thin foam, and other common craft materials with ease. In my experience, a machine that gives even pressure and smooth feeding makes a big difference in the final result. I also pay attention to whether it works well with intricate dies, since those can be tricky.
Size and Portability
I think about where I will keep the machine and how often I may want to move it. If I have limited space, I look for a compact design that is easy to store. If I plan to carry it to classes or craft events, portability matters to me even more. I like a machine that is manageable but still large enough for the projects I want to make.
Compatibility with Dies and Accessories
Before I buy, I make sure the machine works with the dies and embossing folders I already own or plan to purchase. I prefer a machine with broad compatibility so I am not locked into one brand or style. I also like when it comes with useful accessories such as cutting plates, adapters, or starter tools, because that makes it easier for me to begin crafting right away.
Ease of Use
I want a machine that is simple to set up and easy to use, even when I am working on a detailed project. A smooth crank or user-friendly feeding system helps me work faster and with less frustration. If I can use it comfortably without needing a lot of practice, that is a big plus for me. I also appreciate clear instructions, especially when I am trying a new technique.
Maintenance and Care
I always consider how easy the machine is to clean and maintain. I like a machine that does not require complicated upkeep. In my experience, keeping the cutting plates in good condition and storing the machine properly helps it last longer. I also look for replacement parts that are easy to find in case I need them later.
Price and Value for Money
I do not just look at the price tag; I look at the value. A more expensive machine can still be worth it if it performs well and lasts a long time. On the other hand, I avoid paying extra for features I know I will never use. For me, the best choice is the one that gives me the right balance of quality, performance, and affordability.
My Final Buying Advice
If I were choosing a Big Shot die cutting machine today, I would pick one that feels sturdy, cuts cleanly, and matches the kind of projects I make most often. I would also make sure it is easy for me to use and compatible with the dies and accessories I want. In my experience, buying the right machine makes crafting more enjoyable and helps me get better results every time.
Final Thoughts
I think the Big Shot Die Cutting Machine is a reliable and versatile tool that can make crafting easier and more enjoyable. In my opinion, its simple operation and wide range of compatible materials make it a great choice for both beginners and experienced crafters. Overall, I’d say it offers solid value for anyone looking to add precision and creativity to their projects.
Author Profile
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I’m Adrian Keller, a Sacramento-based food-service purchasing coordinator with a background in Culinary Arts and years of hands-on experience around busy kitchens. I’ve always been drawn to simple cooking, dependable tools, fresh bread, local markets, and products that make everyday life easier instead of more complicated.
Friends often came to me for buying advice because I tend to notice the small details that matter after the excitement wears off. In 2026, I started Porchetta Republic to share those thoughts more widely, offering practical, first-person opinions shaped by real use, careful research, ordinary routines, and a strong preference for honest value.
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