Creating spectacular iron-on shirts, accessories and more require a machine capable of applying evenly distributed heat throughout the design. Deciding between the Cricut EasyPress 2 or a traditional heat press can be made easier once you determine what your preferences and future projects are like. For this comparison, we’ll feature one of the most highly-rated heat presses available online, the FancierStudio Heat Press.
Navigation
Cricut EasyPress vs Heat Press Comparison Chart
Model | Fancierstudio Heat Press | |
![]() | ![]() | |
Price | Check Price | Check Price |
Width | 9″ | 30″ |
Depth | 9″ | 19” |
Weight | 5.7 lbs | 51 lbs |
Heat Plate | 9″ x 9″ | 15″ x 15″ |
Coating | Ceramic | Teflon |
Wattage | 1150 watts | 1800 watts |
Max Temperature | 400°F | 699°F |
Heat-up Time | 3 minutes | 8 minutes |
Temperature Control | Yes | Yes |
Pressure Control | Manual | Adjustable |
Timer | Yes | Yes |
Auto Shutoff | Yes | No |
Safe Touch Exterior | Yes | No |
Dedicated Power Outlet | Not required | Required |
Customer Support | Yes | N/A |
Design and Size
The

Weighing just 6 lbs., the
You’ll want a bit more space around it, too, since you’d want to keep its edges away from anything you won’t want getting hot. Once you’ve settled a place for it in your craft room, you won’t want to move it unless necessary. Design-wise, it has the same industrial-grade look of most heat presses, which are built for function and not for aesthetics. Having the
Heat Settings
The

Cricut improved the heat-up time of the EasyPress by 25% with the newer model. It can reach desired temperatures in under 2 minutes, allowing projects to be completed quickly. In contrast, the Fancierstudio Heat Press needs around 8 minutes to achieve the same heat level, in which time you’re likely to already be done with a press using the Cricut instead.
Still, heat presses are more easily able to retain its temperature. If you’re about to print the same design, material and base multiple times, say on a bunch of 20 T-shirts, the Fancierstudio heat press will be much faster for it.
One thing you’ll find very hard to do on a heat press though is applying iron-on sheets onto rounded items. Hats, stuffed toys, bulky home decor, thick materials and other objects that can’t be flattened simply won’t fit between the plates of a heat press. With the portability of the
Ease of Use
The

Learning how to use the
On the other hand, if you haven’t used a heat press before, you’ll find the size and non-intuitive design of the Fancierstudio heat press to be a bit daunting. You’re also more likely to understand how to operate it by searching videos on YouTube and through trial and error, as the instruction manual isn’t very instructional.
Finally, and perhaps more importantly for many, you won’t come close to getting the customer support you’ll receive from Cricut as from other heat press manufacturers. If the unit you receive isn’t working as intended or develops problems early on, you’ll have a much smoother experience getting answers and fixes from Cricut.
Safety Features
The

Cricut optimized the EasyPress 2 to be as safe to use as possible. Its plastic exterior remains safe to touch even when the machine is in the middle of a press. It comes with an insulated Safety Base where you can dock it while it’s heating up or cooling off. Plus, there’s an auto-off feature that will turn it off if you haven’t moved it in 13 minutes.
The Fancierstudio Heat Press simply doesn’t have any counterparts to these safety features. You’ll have to be very careful not to graze the plates while you’re taking out an item while it’s hot, and you mustn’t forget to turn it off after you’re done. It also generates a lot of heat and requires more power; you’ll need to plug it into a dedicated power outlet to avoid blowing fuses.
Verdict
The
Cricut EasyPress 2

Fancierstudio Heat Press

Unless you’re expanding a crafting business with a lot of volume, the Cricut EasyPress 2 is simply the superior choice. It’s easier and safer to use, and you’ll have plenty of fun experimenting with designs and different materials. Customer support is topnotch, and you can access an extensive inventory of HTV supplies from Cricut themselves. Plus, it looks great in your craft room and it’s actually more affordable than the majority of low-cost heat presses.
You’ll only really want a traditional heat press like the Fancierstudio Heat Press when you’re looking to get large volumes of prints done within a shorter time span. Its ability to be continuously used to press the same designs on the same materials make it ideal for mass producing customized items.
FAQs
If it’s for non-commercial use, the Cricut EasyPress 2 is definitely the better the option. It’s easier and safer to use, the customer support is topnotch, and it’s more portable and versatile as well.
Learning how to use the
The EasyPress 2 is the much safer option. Its plastic exterior remains safe to touch even when the machine is in the middle of a press. It comes with an insulated Safety Base which you can dock while it’s heating up or cooling off. Plus, there’s an auto-off feature that will turn it off if you haven’t moved it in 13 minutes. The Fancierstudio Heat Press doesn’t come with any of these safety features.
The