Silhouette Cameo 4 Review: Is It Worth It?!
There are many cutting machines that can help you out with your crafts. With all the different Cricut, Brother, and Silhouette models, it’s difficult to find the right one for you. So in this article, we’ll take a closer look at the Silhouette Cameo 4 and all the reasons why you should or shouldn’t buy it.
The Cameo 4 is the most advanced among the different Silhouette machines available.
I found the Silhouette Cameo 4 to be an extremely user-friendly device. It was simple and easy to set up, from removing it from its box to switching it on. The intuitive design made it very easy to use the Cameo 4.
As soon as you unbox the Cameo 4, you’ll notice the care and consideration that has been taken to package the cutting machine. All the moving parts are taped down and stabilized to make sure that the Cameo arrive at your door safely.
So let’s take a look at all the features that the Cameo 4 has to offer in more details!
What is the Cameo 4 and what does it do?
The Silhouette Cameo 4 is a desktop cutting machine that can cut various materials from vinyl, card stock, and paper to leather and balsa wood.
The cutting machine comes with several programmed designs and gives you access to the design store, from where you have an extensive range of design options available.
The machine comes in three different sizes 12″, 15″ (Cameo Plus), or 20″ (Cameo Pro), which are based on the width of the cutting area. All the size options can cut up to 18 m in length.
All three versions of the Cameo 4 come with the same internal features and software. There are three different color options available: white, black, and blush pink.
This is one of the finest cutting machines out there. It is easy to use and provides brilliantly precise cutting, ensuring that your designs come out perfectly. The increased cutting force makes it the ideal craft companion, as it allows you to work with so many types of material.
With its easy usage and professional offerings, this product is a good bet for both beginners and experienced craftspeople.
Feature Breakdown
Here is a quick overview of the features the Silhouette Cameo 4 has to offer. Some of these may not be entirely new, but they are much improved in this rendition of the Silhouette Cameo.
Touch Screen Programming
Unlike earlier models, the Silhouette Cameo 4 has a touch panel rather than a touchscreen. So you’ll have to control the Cameo through your computer.
However, there are a few buttons on the side that will help you with loading the materials you want to cut. These buttons light up when switched on and are easy to see even in the dark.
The interface is slick, modern, and responsive, making it easy to use as well as a stylish addition to your work surface.
Increased Cutting Speed And Additional Cutting Force
Not only is the Silhouette Cameo 4 an accurate and precise cutting machine, but it is also very fast.
With a dual-motor system, the Cameo 4 now provides up to 20 times the force of the previous models giving it maximum power, which lets you cut through thicker materials.
There is no need to use a stabilizer backing, as the machine cuts fabric without one.
The Cameo 4 is now also more powerful than the Cricut Maker 3.
Bluetooth Functionality
While not a new feature in the Cameo range, it seems to work better compared to older Silhouette models. It has fantastic connectivity, which was lacking in earlier models.
The Cameo 4 still comes with the standard USB cables if you prefer cable connectivity, but with the improved Bluetooth functionality, you may find yourself packing those away.
You can press the white Bluetooth icon on your Cameo 4 to turn on the Bluetooth. The icon will turn blue if the connection is working.
Tools, Tools, Tools!
The tool carriage provides holders for two tools. One holder is for the single tap auto blade, which will automatically self-adjust its settings to the materials you wish to cut.
The tech on this machine is brilliant and does a lot of the work for you. The machine can now automatically detect the tool type for the cut settings, making the set-up hassle-free.
You can also use the tools from the older model, as the Cameo 4 includes four super useful tool adapters. These can even be used for 3rd party tools.
The auto-detect feature means that the cutting mat does not need to be used, although it is still provided in the kit.
Provided with the Cameo 4 are a rotary blade, a punch tool, a single tap auto blade, and a kraft blade. A weeding tool is also included.
You can learn what each of the blades are for by reading my article on the different Silhouette cutting blades.
Built-In Features
The Silhouette Cameo 4 comes with several new cool and practical built-in features that increase the convenience of the machine 10-fold. A pull-out vinyl feeder makes life a lot tidier and provides added stability and control during the cutting process. This feeder can hold up to 150ft of vinyl.
A built-in cross cutter is a great addition for practicality and precision. This provides yet more ease of use and makes it easy to trim your vinyl once you are finished. Silhouette has considered every aspect of how to improve the Cameo machine cutting and provides you with all the options you could want.
The lid is now retractable and slides back and into the machine, giving you a clean workspace free of unnecessary clutter. The rollers are adjustable and can be manually moved.
Unfortunately, the Cameo 4 doesn’t have a build-in scanner like the Brother Scan-and-Cut. So if you want to scan in your patterns, you’ll need to use a separate scanner.
Silhouette Software
The Cameo 4 comes with software included. Follow the very simple download instructions, and within minutes you will be set up to cut. All the cables can be found in the box as well.
From the get-go, you will have access to 100 exclusive designs for the Cameo 4, and you receive a one-month subscription to the Design Store, to which you have easy access through the Silhouette software. Everything is a click away and very easy to access, making the creative process easier and more enjoyable. You just have to download and go.
Silhouette has also greatly improved the software available online, making a very valuable contribution to what is available. From what was previously termed clunky, Silhouette now provides slick, easy-to-use software that pulls it up from hobbyist to professional.
For more advanced features, you can update your Silhouette software. But for most people, the Basic Edition is enough.
What Can You Cut With The Silhouette Cameo 4?
Due to the increase in cutting force, the Cameo 4 can now cut more materials than any of the other Silhouette models.
Some materials that you can cut include:
- Paper
- Card stock
- Acetate sheets
- Vinyl
- Leather
- Balsa wood
- Cork sheets
- Craft felt
- Heat transfer materials
- Sticker paper
- Vellum
The full list of materials that you can cut with the Silhouette Cameo 4 is a little too long to mention here. You can find more information here.
But As you can see, you can cut pretty much cut any craft material with your Cameo 4 as long as it’s not too thick.
What Can You Make With The Silhouette Cameo 4?
You can use your Silhouette Cameo 4 for almost all of your craft and DIY projects. Some fun ideas to start with include:
- Pantry labels
- Stickers
- Birthday cards
- Signs
- Car decals
- Wall decals
- Paper flowers
- Simple jewelry
- Leather wallet
If you want more project ideas, you can read the series of articles I wrote for the Cricut Maker. This is a different cutting machine, but you can make most of the projects with a Cameo 4 as well.
Check out these vinyl projects, leather projects, card stock projects, home decor projects, and pen projects.
Silhouette Cameo 4 vs Cameo 3
The Cameo 4 is a huge improvement over the older Cameo 3. The machine cuts much faster and comes with a dual-motor system, while the Cameo 3 only had a single motor.
In terms of precision and power, the Cameo 4 far outstrips the Cameo 3 and can now cut a wider variety of materials due to its improved cutting pressure.
The Bluetooth capability has been perfected and you no longer suddenly lose connectivity. The Silhouette Studio software has also been upgraded and now offers a lot more features than before. Due to its easy interface, both beginners and experienced users will be able to enjoy it.
The Cameo 4 dual cutting system, while allowing for the use of different tools thanks to the tool adapter parts, does not allow the combined use of tools. In other words, whereas the Cameo 3 could cut and sketch simultaneously, the Cameo 4 does not provide this function since all the tools need to go in the same carriage.
This does decrease the efficiency of the machine. Even with its increased speed, the need to make two passes instead of one will slow it down. Although you won’t need this feature in all your projects, it’s a little strange to see Silhouette make this change.
The Cameo 4 is closer to Cameo 1 in terms of looks; for those acquainted with Cameo 3, this may be a bit of a disappointment. Nonetheless, this is a good-looking machine with clean, crisp lines. It will make any work surface more attractive.
Pros and Cons
The Silhouette Cameo 4 has a great many Pros:
- Way more powerful than other Silhouette models
- Cuts fast and accurately
- The improved power means you can use so many new and exciting materials
- It is user-friendly, with the touch interface being highly responsive
- It is very well priced for the number of features and quality it provides
- Is compatible with old and new tools
- The software is easy to operate, and the auto features make being creative a very simple process
And it has a few Cons:
- The Cameo 4 is pricier than older Silhouette models
- The Cameo 4 comes with less storage space than older models
- It no longer comes with a storage drawer
- The dual tool carriage does not allow for combined use of tools at the same time
Conclusion
The Silhouette Cameo 4 is Silhouette’s most impressive cutting machine to date. It is a crafter’s dream with its easy-to-use interface and auto features.
The improved cut rate and power ensure that it provides precision cutting of a much wider variety of materials that now include leather, balsa wood, and magnetic material.
This model has taken the Silhouette Cameo cutting machine to new heights. Where the Cameo 3 was a good offering, the Cameo 4 is fast becoming a top choice amongst crafters and professionals.
If you want to buy or check the price of the Silhouette Cameo 4, you can click the appropriate link below.
