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- Best overall: HP Envy 6455e All-in-One Printer
- Best budget: HP LaserJet M110w Wireless Printer
- Best premium: Cricut Maker 3 Smart Cutting Machine
- Best for craft cutting: Cricut Explore 3 Smart Cutting Machine
- Cricut Explore 3 is a cutting machine for custom crafts, not a paper printer; pair it with a printer when projects need printed designs.
- HP Envy 6455e All-in-One Printer is a practical home pick for everyday documents, scanning, and occasional color prints.
- HP OfficeJet Pro 9125e All-in-One Printer suits a busy home office with a 250-sheet input tray and fast print speeds.
- HP Smart Tank 5101 All-in-One Printer is built for frequent printing, with refillable ink tanks and up to 12,000 black pages included.
- Choose a Cricut for cutting and making; choose an HP printer for putting text and images onto paper.
Cricut Explore 3 vs HP printer Black Friday 2026 is not a straight equipment contest: Cricut Explore 3 cuts craft materials, while HP printers put text and images on paper. The right choice depends on whether your priority is custom decals, cards, and apparel projects or everyday documents and photos. We researched and compared specs, reviews and owner feedback to make the difference clear and identify the best fit for distinct needs.
For makers, Cricut Explore 3 works with more than 100 materials and cuts Smart Materials without a mat. For households and home offices, HP offers inkjet, tank, and laser options, each suited to a different printing routine. My pick for most people depends on the job: choose the Cricut for detailed crafting, and choose an HP all-in-one for printing, copying, or scanning. The picks below explain what each product does well and where its limits matter.
How We Picked
- Compared each product’s primary job, so craft cutting and document printing are not treated as interchangeable.
- Reviewed published specifications for material compatibility, print speed, paper handling, connectivity, and included supplies.
- Considered owner feedback about setup, everyday usability, and the type of household or work routine each model serves.
- Prioritized clear use cases, including first-time crafting, family printing, photo projects, and home-office workloads.
- Included models across cutting, inkjet, refillable tank, and monochrome laser categories to cover distinct buying needs.
Comparison Table
| Product | Best for | Supported materials or print type | Maximum cut/print rate | Input capacity or cut length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cricut Explore 3 Smart Cutting Machine | Long custom cuts and beginner-to-intermediate crafts | 100+ materials | Up to 2x faster in Fast Mode than Explore Air 2 | Up to 12 ft |
| Cricut Maker 3 Smart Cutting Machine | Advanced projects and broader material choices | 300+ materials | Up to 2x faster in Fast Mode than Maker | Up to 12 ft |
| HP Envy 6455e All-in-One Printer | Everyday family printing | Color inkjet | Up to 10 ppm black | 100 sheets |
| HP OfficeJet Pro 9125e All-in-One Printer | Busy home offices | Color inkjet | Up to 22 ppm black | 250 sheets |
| HP Smart Tank 5101 All-in-One Printer | Frequent family printing | Color inkjet with refillable tanks | Up to 12 ppm black | Up to 12,000 included black pages |
| HP LaserJet M110w Wireless Printer | Compact monochrome printing | Black-and-white laser | Up to 21 ppm | Not specified |
Best Picks Reviewed
#1
Cricut Explore 3 Smart Cutting Machine
The Cricut Explore 3 Smart Cutting Machine is the best choice for makers who want custom cuts from more than 100 materials. Smart Materials let the machine cut designs up to 12 feet long without a cutting mat.
Best for: Crafters making decals, cards, and apparel projects
- Compatible materials
- 100+
- Matless cut length
- Up to 12 ft
- Cutting modes
- Mat and Smart Materials
- Connection
- Bluetooth and USB
- Cuts a broad range of popular craft materials
- Matless cutting supports longer designs
- Works with Cricut Design Space projects
- Does not print designs onto paper
- Some projects require separate tools or materials
Is the Cricut Explore 3 Smart Cutting Machine worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
Yes. Cricut Explore 3 Smart Cutting Machine is a worthwhile choice for crafters who want reliable digital cutting across more than 100 materials. The Cricut Explore 3 Smart Cutting Machine's 12-foot Smart Materials capacity supports long decals and other designs without a mat.
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#2
Cricut Maker 3 Smart Cutting Machine
The Cricut Maker 3 Smart Cutting Machine is the best premium choice for experienced makers who want expanded tool options. The machine supports more than 300 materials, making it a stronger fit for varied, detailed craft projects.
Best for: Experienced crafters working across many materials
- Compatible materials
- 300+
- Matless cut length
- Up to 12 ft
- Tool system
- Adaptive Tool System
- Connection
- Bluetooth and USB
- Supports more material types than Explore 3
- Offers a wider range of compatible tools
- Handles detailed, varied craft projects
- More capability than basic vinyl projects require
- Does not print designs onto paper
Is the Cricut Maker 3 Smart Cutting Machine worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
Yes. Cricut Maker 3 Smart Cutting Machine is worth considering for makers who need its wider tool compatibility and support for more than 300 materials. Buyers focused on simple vinyl cutting can choose a more streamlined machine.
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#3 · Top pick
HP Envy 6455e All-in-One Printer
The HP Envy 6455e All-in-One Printer is the best everyday home choice for families who need printing, copying, and scanning. The HP Envy 6455e All-in-One Printer's 100-sheet input capacity suits routine household documents and occasional color projects.
Best for: Families printing documents and occasional photos
- Input capacity
- 100 sheets
- Black print speed
- Up to 10 ppm
- Color print speed
- Up to 7 ppm
- Functions
- Print, copy, scan
- Combines three useful home-office functions
- Supports wireless printing
- Compact footprint suits shared home spaces
- Not designed for high-volume office printing
- Color ink use adds ongoing supply needs
Is the HP Envy 6455e All-in-One Printer worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
Yes. HP Envy 6455e All-in-One Printer suits households that want wireless printing, copying, and scanning in one compact device. The HP Envy 6455e All-in-One Printer's 100-sheet tray is ample for ordinary home use but less suited to high-volume work.
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#4
HP OfficeJet Pro 9125e All-in-One Printer
The HP OfficeJet Pro 9125e All-in-One Printer is the best home-office choice for frequent document printing and color work. The HP OfficeJet Pro 9125e All-in-One Printer's published print speeds reach 22 pages per minute in black and 18 in color.
Best for: Busy home offices and small teams
- Black print speed
- Up to 22 ppm
- Color print speed
- Up to 18 ppm
- Input capacity
- 250 sheets
- Functions
- Print, copy, scan, fax
- Fast output for a home-office inkjet
- Large paper tray reduces frequent reloading
- Includes fax alongside print, copy, and scan
- Larger than basic household printers
- Requires replacement ink cartridges
Is the HP OfficeJet Pro 9125e All-in-One Printer worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
Yes. HP OfficeJet Pro 9125e All-in-One Printer is a strong fit for busy home offices that need 22-ppm black printing, color output, and scanning. The HP OfficeJet Pro 9125e All-in-One Printer's 250-sheet tray helps manage longer document runs.
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#5
HP Smart Tank 5101 All-in-One Printer
The HP Smart Tank 5101 All-in-One Printer is the best choice for households that print frequently and want refillable ink tanks. The included ink supports up to 12,000 black pages, according to HP.
Best for: High-volume family printing and schoolwork
- Black print speed
- Up to 12 ppm
- Color print speed
- Up to 5 ppm
- Included black ink yield
- Up to 12,000 pages
- Functions
- Print, copy, scan
- Refillable tanks replace standard cartridges
- High included black-ink page yield
- Useful three-in-one home functionality
- Slower color output than office-focused models
- Bulkier than compact cartridge printers
Is the HP Smart Tank 5101 All-in-One Printer worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
Yes. HP Smart Tank 5101 All-in-One Printer is a good fit for frequent home printing because its refillable tanks include enough black ink for up to 12,000 pages. Families with occasional printing can consider a simpler cartridge model.
See today’s Black Friday price on Amazon
#6
HP LaserJet M110w Wireless Printer
The HP LaserJet M110w Wireless Printer is the best compact choice for people who print black-and-white documents. The HP LaserJet M110w Wireless Printer's rated print speed reaches 21 pages per minute, with a space-saving design for small desks.
Best for: Students and home users who print monochrome
- Print speed
- Up to 21 ppm
- Print color
- Monochrome
- Functions
- Connection
- Wireless and USB
- Fast output for black-and-white pages
- Compact design fits small work areas
- Laser printing suits text-heavy documents
- Cannot print in color
- Does not include copy or scan functions
Is the HP LaserJet M110w Wireless Printer worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
Yes. HP LaserJet M110w Wireless Printer is a sensible pick for users who print mostly black-and-white text and value compact dimensions. The HP LaserJet M110w Wireless Printer's 21-ppm rated speed is useful for routine documents, but it does not print color.
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Is Cricut Explore 3 a printer?
Cricut Explore 3 Smart Cutting Machine is a craft cutter, while HP printers print text and images onto paper. The Explore 3 follows a digital design and cuts material such as vinyl, iron-on, cardstock, and Smart Materials. The machine does not create a printed image by itself, so a project that needs both printed artwork and a cut outline calls for a separate printer and cutter.
An HP inkjet printer is the more direct choice for worksheets, letters, labels, and color images. Some craft workflows combine an HP printer with a Cricut machine: print an image first, then use the cutter to trim around the design. Skip it if the only goal is routine paper printing; a printer is the right tool for that job.
Which is better for crafts: Cricut Explore 3 or an HP printer?
Cricut Explore 3 Smart Cutting Machine is better for cutting custom craft shapes, while an HP color printer is better for printing full-color artwork. The Explore 3 supports more than 100 materials and can cut Smart Materials up to 12 feet long without a mat. Those capabilities suit decals, cards, apparel designs, and personalized gifts.
An HP printer contributes when a project begins with photos, illustrations, or printed labels. A printer alone does not cut custom shapes, and the Cricut alone does not print photos. Makers who need both functions should plan for two devices and check that their chosen materials and design workflow are compatible.
Which HP printer is best for a home office?
HP OfficeJet Pro 9125e All-in-One Printer is the strongest home-office pick in this group, with a 250-sheet tray and rated speeds up to 22 ppm in black. Print, copy, scan, and fax functions cover a wider range of routine office tasks than a basic single-function printer.
HP Envy 6455e All-in-One Printer fits lighter workloads and households that value a compact all-in-one. HP LaserJet M110w Wireless Printer is better for text-heavy users who want monochrome laser output and do not need color or scanning. Match the model to the work: frequent color documents favor an OfficeJet, while straightforward black text favors the LaserJet.
Is an HP Smart Tank printer a good choice for frequent printing?
HP Smart Tank 5101 All-in-One Printer suits frequent home printing with refillable ink tanks and up to 12,000 black pages of included ink. Tank printers are designed for sustained printing routines, making them worth considering for school assignments, household paperwork, and regular documents.
The HP Smart Tank 5101 All-in-One Printer prints color more slowly than its black output, so photo-heavy or rapid color workloads call for a closer look at other models. Consider the expected page volume, the need for color, and the value of copy and scan functions. Occasional printers often have no need for a high-yield tank system.
What should you compare before choosing a Black Friday 2026 pick?
Cricut Explore 3 Smart Cutting Machine and HP printers serve different jobs, so start by deciding whether the priority is cutting craft materials or printing on paper. Compare the product’s core function, supported media, speed, paper capacity, and the supplies required after setup. A low-complexity routine often matters more than a long list of specifications.
For a Cricut, check material compatibility, matless cutting needs, available tools, and design software. For an HP printer, check color requirements, rated speed, tray capacity, and whether scanning or copying matters. Black Friday 2026 is a useful time to compare the complete setup, including ink, paper, cutting mats, and accessories—not only the device.
Buying Guide
Choose the task before the model
Pick Cricut Explore 3 Smart Cutting Machine for custom cuts in craft materials. Pick an HP printer for documents, photos, and paper labels. A cutter and a printer are not substitutes.
Estimate your monthly print volume
Light printing suits HP Envy 6455e All-in-One Printer. Frequent pages point toward HP Smart Tank 5101 All-in-One Printer, while office workloads suit HP OfficeJet Pro 9125e All-in-One Printer.
Decide whether color is essential
HP LaserJet M110w Wireless Printer handles monochrome documents. Choose a color HP inkjet for photos, school projects, and colorful graphics. Review ongoing ink needs before deciding.
Check craft materials and project size
Cricut Explore 3 Smart Cutting Machine supports more than 100 materials and cuts Smart Materials up to 12 feet long. Confirm that the machine, tools, and material fit planned projects.
Compare the complete setup
Include paper, ink, mats, compatible tools, and connectivity in the decision. A device that matches the routine and existing equipment is a better value than unused features.
FAQ
Cricut Explore 3 vs HP printer: which should I buy?
Cricut Explore 3 Smart Cutting Machine is for cutting custom designs from craft materials. An HP printer is for printing text and images onto paper. Choose based on the task; projects that need both printed artwork and custom cuts use both devices.
Can Cricut Explore 3 print photos?
No. Cricut Explore 3 Smart Cutting Machine cuts shapes and designs in compatible materials but does not print photos. Use an HP color printer to print an image, then use a compatible Cricut workflow when the project also needs a custom cut.
Which HP printer is best for family use?
HP Envy 6455e All-in-One Printer is a practical family option for routine documents, occasional color prints, copying, and scanning. Frequent printers can compare it with HP Smart Tank 5101 All-in-One Printer, which includes refillable tanks and high-yield ink.
Which HP printer is best for a small office?
HP OfficeJet Pro 9125e All-in-One Printer is the best fit here for a busy small office. Its 250-sheet input capacity, print speed up to 22 ppm in black, and print, copy, scan, and fax functions support varied office tasks.
Is Cricut Explore 3 good for beginners?
Yes. Cricut Explore 3 Smart Cutting Machine is a capable starting point for makers who want to cut vinyl, cardstock, and other compatible materials. Smart Materials support cuts up to 12 feet without a mat, while more advanced users can compare Cricut Maker 3.
Is a laser printer better than an inkjet for documents?
HP LaserJet M110w Wireless Printer is a strong document choice when black-and-white printing is enough. HP inkjet models offer color and, in all-in-one versions, copying and scanning. Choose by color needs, print volume, and the functions required.