If you are a fan of arts and crafts, then you know just how frustrating it can be to cut circles, especially if you need lots of them. You may not know it yet but you need the best circle cutter added to your arsenal of craft tools.
What is a circle cutter? It is a tool that allows you to cut numerous circles out of paper or card stock easily and in uniform sizes every time. Yes, this is a niche tool but when the time comes that you need to cut a lot of perfect circles, a circle cutter will come in handy.
Top 6 Circle Cutter Reviews
1. LION Ev-R-Round Perfect Circle Cutters
I have used other cutters that came with just 2 blades – one of which already comes installed. The nice thing about this product is that you get 5 blades in total. This means you can tackle large projects right from the get-go
There is no need to get extra blades just yet. In addition, the blades can hold their edges quite long. I have only needed to change blades after cutting dozens of circles.
Speaking of the extra blades, the Ev-R-Round cutter comes with a compartment for them. This means that you can replace dull blades quickly and easily. You will not be missing a beat when you are using this cutter for your crafts. You can buy additional replacement blades straight from the company.
If you are making multiple circular cuts, you will love that the blade locks into place securely. This means that every circle that you cut will almost be perfectly identical. This is great if you need to make lots of circles of the same size, like if you will be making a large mosaic. However, this is still not quite as quick as using a punch.
This would have been quite a nice tool if only it also uses English units. This tool only uses metric units, so if you are used to using inches, you would need to convert your measurements first. In addition, this product is quite complicated. It will take some time to get used to how to use it.
- Comes with 5 extra blades
- Features a compartment for the extra blades
- Quite accurate, depending on the sharpness of the blade
- Locks into place for multiple cuts
- Only uses metric units
- Can only cut up to 0.5mm thick only
Although you can only use this for cutting paper, that does not mean you can’t use this for scoring thicker materials. If you will be using mostly paper for your projects, this will work well for you.
2. Fiskars Circle Squeeze Punch
One nice thing about the Fiskars Squeeze Punch is that you do not need to do any adjustments. Just feed the paper into it and squeeze the handle. If you are looking for a tool that can make quick work of several sheets of paper, then you would love this.
Another thing I liked about this circle cutter for stickers is how ergonomic it is. If you have grip strength trouble or suffer from arthritis or muscular degenerative disease, you will be able to use this tool.
Unlike other circle punchers, you do not have to push it down. What you have to do, instead, is squeeze on the handles. It also requires very little effort to squeeze them.
If you need consistent shapes and sizes cut out, this tool has got your back. Because the shape is already set, you do not have to worry about cutting out circles that are of different sizes. You will always get perfect 1-inch rounds every time. It is like you are using a machine to make the cuts.
Now, here is the bad news. You can only use this on paper and maybe thin cardstock. Even if you have a rather strong grip, using this on cardboard will result in rough edges. In addition, this can only punch 1-inch circles. You have to buy another tool to make a different size.
- Easy to use
- Boasts of an ergonomic design
- Great for cutting through regular paper
- Extremely uniform cuts every time
- Does not work well with thicker paper or cardboard
- Can only cut 1-inch circles and semi-circles
This is ideal if you need to cut lots of 1-inch circles and not much of anything else. If you like making mosaics and similar projects, you will love how fast this tool works.
3. LOONENG Craft Scrapbooks Circle Punch
Even a child can use the Looneng circle punch safely, which is why I believe that it is one of the most popular circle cutter paper crafts. The cutting blade is safely tucked inside the durable plastic housing, so there is no risk of young children getting accidentally cut.
The slot you feed the paper through is just around 2mm wide. This means that even small fingers will not reach the blade.
This punch may look like a child’s toy but it boasts very sturdy construction while being made from durable materials. The blade uses a tough zinc alloy material for its construction, which allows it to retain its edge longer. However, if you use this punch exclusively for rather thick card stock, the blade will dull rather quickly.
As mentioned earlier, this tool is designed for children who love arts and crafts, which means that this is easy to use. Just lay it down on the table. Place the paper into the feed slot and gently press down on the plunger. The spring-loaded mechanism makes sure that the cutting blade goes down level and exact.
Just remember that you can only cut 2-inch rounds with this paper punch. If you need other shapes or sizes, you have to buy another punch of a different size. In addition, once the blade gets dull, you will need to replace the entire thing. This would have been much better if the cutting blade was replaceable, or at least easy to sharpen.
- Simple and easy to use
- Made of durable materials and constructed sturdily
- Can cut through different kinds of materials
- Comfortable to use – It does not need that much force to use
- The included blade dulls easily
- Not adjustable – It can only cut 2-inch rounds
This is yet another tool that you can use if you want to make uniform-sized circles (2-inch diameter only though) quickly and easily. This punch may not be a good circle cutter for scrapbooking but it does a terrific job nonetheless. If you need dozens of little circles cut out in a short amount of time, then you would like this.
4. EK Tools Circle Punch
The EK Tools circle punch is one of the most reliable crafting tools that I have had the pleasure of testing. Unlike other paper punchers that struggle to cut through regular copy paper, this one can go through 180 gsm paper without any problem.
I have also tried this on thin card stock and it did okay. However, if you stick a piece of paper that exactly fits the feeder groove, you will find that the edges get a bit jagged.
Because the feed slot is so narrow, even young kids will not be able to squeeze their fingers through the gap. In addition, this puncher also comes with a locking mechanism that keeps the puncher safely closed when placed in storage. However, just to be on the safe side, you should store this tool away from the reach of children.
I also like how you can easily sharpen the cutting blade using a bit of aluminum foil. This will ensure that this tool will have a much longer service lifespan compared to other similar tools.
However, I discovered that I needed to sharpen the blade quite often, so I prepared lots of aluminum foil just in case.
Although I like this tool quite a lot, it is not without shortcomings. For instance, the spring-loaded mechanism is not that strong. There will be times when the blade gets stuck into the stock it is trying to go through. This does not happen all the time but it is quite annoying when it does.
- Can punch through paper up to 180 gsm thick
- Safe for kids to use
- Quite durable – The blade is also easy to sharpen
- Affordable price
- The blade dulls quite easily
- The punch sometimes sticks when used on thicker paper
Despite its flaws, the EK Tools circle punch is quite a workhorse. It is one great choice if you are in search of the most suitable circle cutter for paper. If you need a lot of 2-inch circles done in a short time, you will love using this puncher. Making dozens of circles is no longer a chore but rather a meditative and relaxing activity.
5. OLFA Compass Circle Cutters
One of the reasons why I love this tool is that it can cut up to 6-inch diameter circles. I also noticed that it does so quite accurately. The slide rule is also convenient to use but it would have been better if there were more markings for higher accuracy.
I also like the degree of adjustability that this tool has. You can cut circles as small as ½-inch inch to 60-inch in diameter. This is why I like using this tool when I am adding details to my scale models. I wish that the ruler has a bit more hash marks to make it easier to get an exact size.
The included blades are also quite sharp. This tool uses blades similar to those used by X-acto knives and they can hold an edge for a very long time. In addition, you can adjust the cutting edge for left or right-handed use. You just need to remove the blade and reinstall it with the cutting edge facing the other way.
If you are not used to using the metric system, you might have a bit of a hard time with this tool. Also, if you have not used this type of tool yet, you might find it hard to get used to, so get some practice cuts first. Using a compass-style cutter will take a bit of dexterity, but it is not impossible to learn.
- Can cut circles up to 6 inches in diameter
- Adjustable circle diameter
- The included blades are sharp and durable
- The cutter is durable and secure and will not easily come apart once secured
- Requires a bit of practice to use
- Can only cut through paper or thin cardstock
It would have been much better if the ruled edge was a bit clearer, and if there are grooves that would allow the cutter to lock in place. However, if you know what you are doing, this can be one of the most preferred circle cutters for cardstock. You might not be able to use this properly on your first try, but you will learn eventually.
6. Fiskars Fabric Circle Cutters
Ask any tailor and they will tell you that one of the most difficult parts of the trade is cutting circles from fabrics. The Fiskars circle cutter makes it a whole lot easier, and with high precision. Just place the template over a piece of fabric folded in half and run the cutting blade through the groove with the right measurement.
Other methods of cutting circles out of fabrics slightly damage the material. For instance, using a compass to create a circle on the fabric will create a small pinhole at the center.
This tool will allow you to cut circles cleanly, and without needing to create large marks on the fabric. However, it only works well with thinner fabrics. It might not work so well on denim or thick cotton.
Another nice thing about this tool is that you can cut different sizes of circles. You can cut circles that are as small as 2 inches up to 12 inches in diameter. This is one of the best tools that I have ever used for this purpose.
However, you cannot use it to cut circles that are in between the pre-set diameters. This means you only have 1-inch increments to choose from.
Although I do love this tool, I believe that it is a bit overpriced, especially since it seems quite flimsy. If the plastic was a bit thicker, then I would not think badly of it at all. Also, when cutting using the biggest diameter, the fabric will tend to shift positions, so you have to press down on the tool firmly to keep it from moving.
- Cuts consistent size circles from fabrics
- Allows you to cut circles without making pinholes
- Gives you the freedom to cut circles without tracing lines
- Can make different sizes of circles
- The largest circle is not that accurate
- Seems overpriced for how flimsy the tool is
This is quite a handy tool if you like making quilts or just working with fabrics. This makes cutting circle shapes out of fabrics very easy. There is no need to trace or make pinholes from the compass. This is not good circle cutter for cardboard but this is the best circle cutter for fabric I have ever used.
How to Choose Circle Cutter
Finding a circle cutter that can do a great job, or at least do what you expect it would, can be quite tricky. There are quite a lot of products to choose from and it is easy to make the wrong choice.
However, if you know what to look for, it will make choosing the right tool easier. The factors that you need to consider include:
- Precision
- Consistency
- Adjustability
- Sharpness
- Ease of Use
- Durability
- Cost
Precision
This is important if you need to cut out circles of a particular size. An example is when you will be cutting circles that you will be using to mask a part of your scale model. This means you need a cutter that can cut out circles accurately. If you need a 2-inch circle, the cutter should not make 1-¾-inch rounds.
If you can test out the tool, then it would be better. If you have a friend who has the same tools that you are thinking of getting, ask if you can take them out for a test drive. On the other hand, you can also ask in online forums what they think is the most precise.
Consistency
Another thing that you need to consider is how consistently the tool can cut out circles. This means the tool should be able to cut the same exact size circles every time. If this is the case, then you might want to choose a circle punch instead of an adjustable one.
One application where this is important is when you will be cutting out pieces for mosaics. In this situation, you will need to cut dozens of circles of the same size. Even a small deviation will be quite noticeable. With a circle punch, you just need to press down on the paper and it will create uniform-sized circles every time.
Adjustability
If you will need to cut circles of different diameters, you will need an adjustable circle paper cutter. This will allow you to set the diameter of the circle that you wish to cut.
Most of the time, the adjustable circle cutters are compass-style. This means there is a sharp point that serves as a pivot. Using these kinds of tools will require a steady hand but with a bit of practice, anyone can learn to use them properly.
Sharpness
The included blades of the circle cutter should be sharp enough to cut through the material in just one pass. A dull cutting edge could lead to jagged cut edges.
This will be even more important if you will be using the tool to cut through fabrics or thicker paper stock. The blade should be sharp enough to prevent the cut edges from fraying.
Ease of Use
If you will be creating lots of circles, having a circle cutter that is easy to use will be a plus. This will allow you to make lots of circles in a short amount of time.
If that is the case, you might want to think about getting a circle punch. The great thing about this kind of tool is that you can crank out a lot of circles in a short amount of time. However, one caveat is that circle punchers are not adjustable, meaning if you need another size, you need to get another puncher.
Durability
If you need to cut dozens of circles, you need a tool that can go the distance. The first thing you have to consider in this regard is how long the blade can hold its edge.
If the blade gets dull easily, then it means you will need to replace it often. In some cases, you might even need to replace the whole thing. So, do not pick the cheapest one as it might mean you will be spending more in the long run.
Cost
In the case of circle cutters, unfortunately, you get what you paid for. This means that the cheapest tools that you find are not quite as useful as you first thought they would be. Often, the circle cutters that come cheap would usually only last an hour’s worth of work, sometimes even less.
I suggest that you start your search at the median range of costs. It is not that much of a guarantee that an expensive tool would be better, so you should compare products as much as you can before deciding on one.
Conclusion
A circle cutter will help you make precise round shapes almost effortlessly. If you cannot afford a circuit machine, then a circle cutter will be the next best thing. These tools are much better than using regular scissors and they are a whole lot more precise.
These tools are really handy because it makes cutting out circles not much of a chore anymore. In fact, it can now be a therapeutic and relaxing activity.