Both Silhouette Cameo 3 and Brother Scan N Cut 2 are very popular among experienced users. These two cutting machines have some similarities. They both offer superior performance and quality. However, there are also glaring differences that set them apart from each other. They come with very different features that make them more suitable for different needs. Silhouette Cameo 3 is great if you want to make lots of custom designs. Meanwhile, Brother Scan N Cut 2 makes a perfect solution if you need a stand-alone cutting machine. Continue reading below for the more detailed comparisons between Silhouette Cameo 3 vs Brother Scan N Cut 2!
About Silhouette Cameo 3
There are many people who agree that Silhouette Cameo 3, which we previously discussed in Silhouette Cameo 3 vs Portrait, is one of the most well-known die cutting machines on the market. The popularity means that there are lots of fellow users and communities that can help and support you whenever you come across a problem. This model can handle various materials. Although it is primarily designed for paper-based materials and fabrics, it can also handle vinyl, chipboard, and some others. You may need to use the deep cut blade for the thicker materials.
Silhouette Cameo 3 can work with 12” x 24” cutting mats. However, it can also cut lined media up to 12” x 10’. The wide input tray allows you to work with larger designs and projects. The dual carriage system allows the machine to cut-and-draw or cut-and-score in one run.
This model has a USB port to connect to a computer, on which you can use the Silhouette Studio Designer software for making custom designs. This model also supports the PixScan technology, which allows the user to snap a pic of a custom-drawn design so that the machine can cut it out. But you need to import the images via the software.
About Brother Scan N Cut 2
When choosing between Silhouette Cameo 3 vs Brother Scan N Cut 2, one may notice that the latter model is more expensive. This is because Brother Scan N Cut 2 is a die cutting machine with a built-in scanner. The 300-dpi scanner allows you to scan hand-drawn designs and magazine cutouts and import them directly into the machine to be cut out. So, you don’t need to use a computer to import these custom images – although you can use the built-in scanner pretty much like a regular scanner to save your documents in your computer.
In addition, Brother Scan N Cut 2 is a fully independent machine. Although it can still connect to a computer, it has a wide touchscreen where you can edit and manipulate designs directly. There is an internal memory for saving custom designs. However, the maximum cutting size is only 12” x 24”.
Conclusion
If you prefer a stand-alone die cutting machine that does not require a computer all the time, Brother Scan N Cut 2 is the way to go. Otherwise, you should choose Silhouette Cameo 3, which is able to cut longer materials up to 12” x 10’. Silhouette Cameo 3 is better for creating custom designs.
