5 Underrated Cricut Accessories You’ll Wonder How You Crafted Without!
If you’re anything like me, you probably started with the basics: a machine, a green mat, a weeding tool… and then suddenly you’re three projects deep and thinking, “Why is this so much harder than it needs to be?”
Here are five genuinely underrated Cricut accessories that don’t get enough hype—but make crafting smoother, cleaner, and way more fun. This post contains affiliate links.
1) Brayer (Yes, the “little roller” is a big deal)
A brayer doesn’t look exciting… until you use one and realize your projects stop failing for dumb reasons.
Why it’s underrated: Most people try to press materials down with their hands (hello fingerprints, bubbles, and lifted corners).
What it helps with:
Vinyl and cardstock that won’t stay flat on the mat
Preventing tiny air pockets that cause shifting/crooked cuts
Getting consistent adhesion without stretching materials
Pro tip: Roll from the center outward, especially with cardstock and printable vinyl.
2) Reverse Tweezers (the “third hand” you didn’t know you needed)
Reverse tweezers stay closed until you squeeze—so they hold your small pieces for you.
Why it’s underrated: Everyone buys standard tweezers… and then fights tiny vinyl pieces like it’s a boss battle.
Perfect for:
Layering small vinyl details (faces, letters, skinny outlines)
Holding HTV designs in place while you position
Removing tiny bits without crumpling delicate cuts
Pro tip: Use them while layering to hold one piece steady while you squeegee the other onto it.
3) Piercing Tool (for weeding micro-details without ripping everything)
This one is a game-changer when you’re working with intricate cuts or glitter vinyl (aka the weeding equivalent of punishment).
Why it’s underrated: People assume it’s just another weeding tool, but it’s much more precise.
Best uses:
Tiny centers in letters (A, O, R, e, etc.)
Intricate mandala / floral / script designs
Cleaning cut lines when vinyl is stubborn
Pro tip: If you weed a lot of small text, this tool earns its keep fast.
4) TrueControl Knife (for “I should’ve just trimmed this by hand” moments)
Not everything needs to be cut by the machine. Sometimes you just need a crisp trim, a quick notch, or a perfect edge.
Why it’s underrated: It’s not “Cricut-y” enough to feel essential… but it saves you time constantly.
Use it for:
Trimming vinyl sheets to fit the mat
Cutting transfer tape cleanly
Slicing off weird edges or salvage pieces
Opening packaging without grabbing scissors (you know you do this)
Pro tip: Keep one in your Cricut drawer and you’ll reach for it more than you expect.
5) Light Pad (or even a cheap tracing pad) for perfect placement
If you do layering, paper crafts, or anything involving alignment, a light pad makes you feel like a professional overnight.
Why it’s underrated: People assume it’s “extra,” but it’s actually a problem solver.
It helps with:
Centering designs on blanks
Layering cardstock for shadow boxes
Seeing cut lines on thicker or patterned materials
Perfect placement for print-then-cut style projects
Pro tip: If you’re placing vinyl on cups, signs, or layered cardstock—this reduces “peel and pray” energy.
Quick Bonus: Two “honorable mentions” (because I can’t help myself)
Honorable Mention to my washable lint roller! LOOOVE this thing for quick pick ups of scraps and it helps keep your mat clean!
A scrap keeper! These things are great because you can suction them to your desk, and then drop all those little pesky scraps in there so you don’t end up with vinyl confetti all over your floor.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need a craft room full of gadgets to get better results—you just need a few tools that remove friction from the process. If you’re tired of re-cutting, re-weeding, re-aligning, and re-starting… start here.
