Sizzix Big Shot Switch Plus Review: Worth It? (November 2026)
The Sizzix Big Shot Switch Plus suits crafters who want electric die cutting and embossing in one machine with a 9 inch opening and an automated feeder. Buy it if you cut often and value the hands free feed; skip it if you mostly cut small dies or want a scanner built in.
On this page (8 sections)
- The Sizzix Big Shot Switch Plus at a glance
- Who the Sizzix Big Shot Switch Plus suits
- The specs that matter in daily use
- Setting up the Sizzix Big Shot Switch Plus
- Caring for an electric die cutting machine
- The trade-offs of the Sizzix Big Shot Switch Plus
- Alternatives to the Sizzix Big Shot Switch Plus
- Verdict: is the Sizzix Big Shot Switch Plus worth it?
The Sizzix Big Shot Switch Plus is the electric version of the classic Big Shot, built for crafters who cut and emboss often and would rather not crank a handle. It brings a 9 inch opening, an automated feeder and a starter kit with 24 Thinlits plus a 3-D embossing folder.
It earns a 7.4 from our research team, and it's a clear buy for frequent die cutters who want the machine to do the feeding.
Sizzix Big Shot Switch Plus machine reviews often focus on the motor and feed, so this one sticks to what the product actually gives you. You'll see who it suits, what the 9 inch opening means in daily use, how setup and care work, and where a manual or digital machine makes more sense.
The Sizzix Big Shot Switch Plus at a glance
The Switch Plus is an electric die cutting and embossing machine with a 9 inch opening and automated feeder. It's the motorized sibling of the manual Big Shot, aimed at crafters who run a lot of sandwiches and want a consistent, hands free pull.
Sizzix Big Shot Switch Plus: Best for hands-free die cutting
- Electric operation with automated feeder
- 9 inch opening
- One touch reverse
- Overload detection system
- 24 Thinlits and a 3-D embossing folder in the kit
An electric die cutter and embosser that feeds your sandwich for you. The 9 inch opening takes various cutting pad sizes, and the starter kit gets you cutting on day one.
Pros
- Automated feeder with one touch reverse
- 9 inch opening fits several pad sizes
- Overload detection system
- Starter kit includes 24 Thinlits and a 3-D embossing folder
- Integrated carry handle and non-slip feet
Cons
- Not suitable for Bigz Scoreboards
- Premium price compared with manual machines
The kit ships with 24 Thinlits dies and a 3-D embossing folder, so you can start cutting cardstock and embossing without buying dies separately. That starter bundle is a big part of why this model makes sense for someone moving up from hand tools.
Who should buy the Sizzix Big Shot Switch Plus?
Buy it if you cut and emboss regularly and your wrists or shoulders tire from manual cranking. The automated feeder also helps when you repeat the same die many times for cards, scrapbook pages or event favors.
Skip it if you only pull out a die cutter now and then. A manual machine handles occasional use fine and costs less, and this one's motor and feed are features you'd be paying for without using.
Who the Sizzix Big Shot Switch Plus suits
This machine fits busy cardmakers, scrapbookers and papercrafters who value a smooth automated feed. Sizzix designed it with an overload detection system and a full width sensor, so it works across the Thinlits and Bigz die ranges.
If you've ever stalled halfway through a sandwich on a manual machine, the one touch reverse switch is the feature that sells this model. It backs the sandwich out so you can reposition it without forcing anything.
It's also a good match for someone who embosses as much as they cut. The included 3-D embossing folder means the kit covers both jobs, and the 9 inch opening handles the larger pads those folders often need.
A beginner who has never owned a die cutter can still start here, because the starter kit removes the guesswork of what to buy first.
Where it fits less well is in a small craft space or a club that meets in different rooms. The motor and feeder mean it's a machine to set down and leave in place, and the integrated carry handle helps when you do move it.
The specs that matter in daily use
The 9 inch opening and 56.25 square inches of active surface area are the numbers to weigh first. That opening takes various sized cutting pads, so you aren't locked into one pad size.
The full width sensor means the machine detects the sandwich across its width, which matters when you feed a wide die or a long embossing folder.
Electric operation with an automated feeder changes the workflow more than any single spec. You place the sandwich at the feed, and the machine pulls it through.
The one touch reverse lets you back it out if a die catches or the stack shifts. For repeated cuts, that's less wear on your hands than hand cranking.
Sizzix also builds in overload detection, which is the safeguard you want when a sandwich is too thick.
The kit specs matter too. Twenty-four Thinlits covers a range of shapes, and the 3-D embossing folder gives you a raised design for cards.
It's a kit aimed at year round makes, with geometric shapes, hearts and florals, so you get variety rather than a single theme.
One compatibility note belongs here. The machine works with Thinlits and Bigz dies, but Sizzix says it is not suitable for Bigz Scoreboards.
If scoring is central to your projects, plan for that separately.
Setting up the Sizzix Big Shot Switch Plus
Setup is placing the machine, checking the power and building your first sandwich. The Switch has non-slip feet and an integrated carry handle, so find a stable, flat spot where the feed and exit have room.
Leave space in front for placing sandwiches and behind for them to come out.
Plug it in and run an empty or scrap sandwich first to see how the feeder pulls. The automated feed means you don't push the stack through; you guide it to the intake and let the machine take it.
That first pass tells you the right rhythm before you commit a good die and cardstock.
Then open the starter kit and pick a Thinlits die. Our guide on how to use a Sizzix Big Shot walks through the basic sandwich order for cutting and embossing.
Get the sandwich right and the rest is repeatable, which is the point of the electric feed.
Keep the manual nearby for the first few sessions. It lists the sandwich combinations for cutting and embossing, and the machine's limits, so you don't overload it while you're still learning.
Caring for an electric die cutting machine
Care comes down to keeping the feed clear, the pads flat and the machine dry. Wipe the exterior with a soft, dry cloth and brush crumbs and paper dust out of the feed area.
Loose bits can jam the feeder or throw off the sandwich alignment.
Check your cutting pads for deep scores and warping. Worn pads change the pressure on the die, and the overload detection may step in if the stack gets uneven.
Rotate pads so wear spreads across the surface.
Store the machine somewhere dry with the pads and dies kept flat. The non-slip feet keep it steady in use, but dust settling into the feeder is the thing to guard against.
A quick brush after each session keeps it working smoothly.
Don't force a stuck sandwich. Use the one touch reverse to back it out and rebuild the stack with the right pads.
Forcing it defeats the overload protection the machine is designed around.
The trade-offs of the Sizzix Big Shot Switch Plus
The main trade-off is cost and size against a manual machine. You pay more for the motor and automated feed, and there's more machine to find room for than with a hand-cranked Big Shot.
If you cut a few shapes a month, those are features you won't get much from.
The second trade-off is the scoring limit. Sizzix says the machine is not suitable for Bigz Scoreboards, so a crafter who scores as often as they cut will still need another tool for that step.
Check your die collection for scoreboards before you commit.
The third is breadth of materials. This is a die cutting machine, so it works with the Sizzix die system rather than cutting from a digital file.
If you want to cut your own scanned drawings or work directly from a screen, a digital cutter is the better fit. That's not a fault in the Switch Plus, just a different job.
Finally, the opening size caps what you can feed. Nine inches covers most card and scrapbook work, but oversized projects may need a wider machine.
Our comparison of the Sizzix Big Shot vs Big Shot Plus shows where the 9 inch Plus opening sits against the wider model.
Alternatives to the Sizzix Big Shot Switch Plus
The best alternative depends on what you want from a die cutter. If you want the classic hand-cranked experience and a lower entry point, a manual Big Shot is the obvious comparison.
If your cutting is mostly small detailed dies, a compact manual roller covers it for less. And if you want to cut from your own drawings or digital files, a scanning cutter is a different category.
Sizzix Sidekick Starter Kit
The Sidekick is the small-die option for crafters who cut on the go. Its 2.5 inch opening takes Thinlits, Framelits and embossing folders up to 6.35cm wide, and the vacuum seal holds it to any smooth surface.
At about 2 pounds, it's the machine you pack for a crop or a class. It won't take the large Bigz dies the Switch Plus handles, but for detailed wafer-thin dies it's a lighter, manual alternative.
Our Sizzix Big Shot review covers the full manual machine if you want a middle ground.
Brother ScanNCut SDX125E
The ScanNCut is the digital alternative for cutting your own designs. It has a built-in scanner up to 600 dpi that turns a drawing into a cut file, 682 built-in designs and a 5 inch touchscreen.
It cuts materials up to 3mm thick, including vinyl, fabric and foam. It doesn't use dies or embossing folders, so it's a different way to work, but it's the choice if you want to design on screen rather than press a die.
Our comparison of the Sizzix Big Shot vs Spellbinders Platinum 6 is useful if you're also weighing a manual die cutter.
Verdict: is the Sizzix Big Shot Switch Plus worth it?
The Sizzix Big Shot Switch Plus is worth it for frequent die cutters who want an electric feed, and our score of 7.4 reflects that focus. The automated feeder with one touch reverse, the 9 inch opening and the 24-die starter kit make it a productive machine for cards, scrapbooking and embossing.
Buy it if you cut and emboss regularly, want consistent pressure and would rather the machine pull the sandwich than crank it by hand. Pick the Sizzix Sidekick if your cutting is mostly small detailed dies and you want something portable.
Pick the Brother ScanNCut SDX125E if you'd rather cut your own scanned designs than work from dies. For the hand-cranked classic, read our full Sizzix Big Shot comparison before you decide.
Our score weighs specs, features and buyer feedback against what you're shopping for. If your projects center on scoring as well as cutting, keep in mind the Switch Plus is not suitable for Bigz Scoreboards.
Frequently asked questions
What is the opening size on the Big Shot Switch Plus?
It has a 9 inch opening and 56.25 square inches of active surface area. That opening accommodates various sized cutting pads, and the full width sensor lets it work with all Sizzix technologies including Thinlits and Bigz dies.
Can the Big Shot Switch Plus use Bigz Scoreboards?
No. Sizzix states the machine is not suitable for Bigz Scoreboards.
It does work with Thinlits and Bigz dies, so check the die type before you build a sandwich with a scoring board.
What comes in the Sizzix Big Shot Switch Plus Starter Kit?
The starter kit includes 24 Sizzix Thinlits dies and a 3-D embossing folder along with the machine. That gives you geometric shapes, hearts and floral designs to cut and emboss straight out of the box.
