Sizzix Big Shot vs Big Shot Plus: 6 or 9 Inches? (October 2026)

On this page (6 sections)

1. Sizzix Big Shot vs Big Shot Plus: which opening fits your projects?
2. Which machine suits a small craft space?
3. How do the Big Shot starter kits compare?
4. Is the Big Shot Plus worth choosing over the Big Shot?
5. Should you consider the electric Big Shot Switch Plus?
6. Which Sizzix Big Shot should you choose?

Choose the 6-inch Big Shot for compact projects and the 9-inch Big Shot Plus for wider ones. This Sizzix Big Shot vs Big Shot Plus comparison comes down to the opening your dies and materials need, plus the space you can give a manual machine.

Both machines cut and emboss through a hand-turned roller. The Big Shot has a clip-on handle that stores underneath; the Big Shot Plus has the wider opening and a starter kit with a thin die adapter.

Sizzix Big Shot vs Big Shot Plus: which opening fits your projects?

The Big Shot has a 6-inch opening, and the Big Shot Plus has a 9-inch opening. The Plus gives you 3 inches more width, which matters when a die or project piece will not fit through the smaller machine.

Start with the widest die you expect to use. Measure the die and the material it needs.

Then check compatibility with the machine and its accessories before buying. Opening width is a useful first filter, but it does not confirm that every die or accessory will work.

If your usual shapes fit within 6 inches, you may not gain much from the larger opening. If you often work with wider pieces, the extra width can save you from choosing smaller dies or splitting a project into separate passes.

The Big Shot is aimed at cardmaking, scrapbooking and other papercrafts. Sizzix also describes it as suitable for larger papercraft and home décor projects, so a smaller opening does not limit it to tiny embellishments.

The Big Shot Plus is the better fit when wider projects are part of your regular work. Its kit includes a standard platform and thin die adapter, so you have a broader manual setup to start from.

For a bigger-picture view of machine types and project fit, read our craft cutting machine guide. It explains how manual machines differ from electronic cutters.

What should you measure before choosing?

Measure the die and the work surface you plan to use. A die that fits the opening still needs room for the correct plates and material to pass through.

Think about finished pieces as well as the die itself. A broad sheet may need trimming or repositioning, while a series of smaller shapes can work well on a narrower machine if each die fits.

Also consider where the machine will sit while you work. A hand-cranked machine needs access to its handle and enough space to feed a sandwich through the rollers.

Which machine suits a small craft space?

The Big Shot suits a tighter setup because its clip-on handle stores underneath. The Big Shot Plus is wider, so choose it when the added opening is worth giving more room to the machine.

The Big Shot also has an ergonomic carry handle. That can help when you move it between a shelf and a table, though you still need to carry the platform, cutting pads and project supplies separately.

Before buying, picture the full work session rather than only the stored machine. You need a place to build the sandwich, turn the handle, receive the material on the other side and set aside the pads between passes.

For a shared table, clear a stable area and keep the pieces you need within reach. When crafting away from home, pack the machine and its accessories together so the right platform and pads are available for the die.

Our guide to manual die-cutting machines compares other hand-operated options. You can also compare the Big Shot with another manual machine in Sizzix Big Shot vs Spellbinders Platinum 6.

How do the Big Shot starter kits compare?

Both kits include cutting pads, dies, an embossing folder and cardstock, but the Big Shot kit includes more Thinlits dies. Compare the contents with the dies and materials you expect to use first.

The Big Shot Starter Kit comes with a Multipurpose Platform, one pair of cutting pads, 73 Thinlits dies, a 3D embossing folder and assorted textured and opulent cardstock. Its cardstock pack and dies give a new owner several materials to begin with.

The Big Shot Plus Starter Kit includes one pair of cutting pads, a standard platform, a thin die adapter, 19 Thinlits dies, a Plus embossing folder, 20 core-color cardstock sheets and 20 opulent cardstock sheets in rose gold and charcoal. Its adapter is useful when your planned dies call for it.

The die counts alone do not make one kit a better value for every crafter. Look at the shapes and the accessories you will actually use, especially if you already have Sizzix dies, platforms or folders.

For plate order and pad selection, see our guide to Sizzix Big Shot plates and pads. If this is your first manual machine, the basic Big Shot sandwich steps explain how to layer a project for a pass.

What should you check before the first pass?

Use the platform and pads that match the die and machine. A correct sandwich helps the material feed through evenly and avoids forcing a stack that does not fit.

Lay the die, material and plates on a clear, flat work area before turning the handle. Follow the accessory instructions for the specific die technology, and keep the stack aligned as it enters the rollers.

Turn the handle steadily rather than pushing or pulling the sandwich at an angle. If the stack resists, stop and check the layer order and compatibility instead of forcing it through.

Keep the plates clean and flat between uses, and store the handle under the Big Shot when you're done. These habits make setup easier and keep loose scraps from getting caught in the next project.

Is the Big Shot Plus worth choosing over the Big Shot?

Choose the Plus when you will use its 9-inch opening often; otherwise, the 6-inch Big Shot is the simpler fit. The wider machine earns its place when it lets you use dies or project pieces that would not fit the smaller opening.

The Big Shot Plus is a strong choice for a crafter who regularly makes wider cards, scrapbooking pieces, home décor or other paper projects and wants a manual roller. Its starter kit has the platform, adapter and materials to get started.

Skip the Plus if your dies and projects already fit within 6 inches and the larger opening would sit unused. A wider machine can take up more room, and buying extra capacity you do not need does not improve a small-project workflow.

Pick the Big Shot if you want a compact manual setup, value its under-machine handle storage, or mostly work with dies that fit the 6-inch opening. It is also a sensible choice if you want the starter kit's larger selection of Thinlits dies.

If you are still deciding whether manual die cutting matches your projects, read what a die-cutting machine does. That guide explains the basic process and helps you compare it with other ways to cut craft materials.

Should you consider the electric Big Shot Switch Plus?

Consider the Switch Plus if you want a 9-inch opening with electric feeding. It is a separate electric model, while the Big Shot and Big Shot Plus in this comparison are manual machines.

The Switch Plus has an automated feeder, one-touch reverse and an overload detection system. Its starter kit includes 24 Thinlits dies and a 3D embossing folder.

Sizzix says the Switch Plus works with Thinlits and Bigz technologies, but it is not suitable for Bigz Scoreboards. If one of those dies is central to your work, confirm compatibility before choosing the machine.

The Switch Plus is for someone who wants powered feeding and a wider opening. Skip it if you specifically want a hand-cranked machine or your essential die is a Bigz Scoreboard.

Which Sizzix Big Shot should you choose?

Choose the Big Shot for a compact 6-inch setup, or the Big Shot Plus when you need 9 inches for wider projects. Consider the Switch Plus if electric feeding is a priority and its compatibility limits fit your dies.

Choose the Big Shot when your usual projects fit the smaller opening, you want the handle to store underneath and the included kit suits your plans. Choose the Big Shot Plus when you regularly need the extra width and want a manual machine with a thin die adapter in the box.

Before you decide, measure your widest die, check its compatibility and set aside enough table space for the full pass. That simple check will make the Sizzix Big Shot vs Big Shot Plus decision much clearer.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between the Sizzix Big Shot and Big Shot Plus?

The main difference is opening width: the Big Shot has a 6-inch opening, while the manual Big Shot Plus has a 9-inch opening. The Plus gives you room for wider projects, while the Big Shot's clip-on handle stores underneath when not in use.

Can the Big Shot Plus cut larger dies?

The Big Shot Plus has a 9-inch opening, compared with 6 inches on the Big Shot, giving you room for wider projects. Check whether a die is compatible with the machine and accessories before choosing, and compare its width with the opening.

Is the Sizzix Big Shot Plus electric?

No. The Big Shot Plus Starter Kit is a manual machine.

The Big Shot Switch Plus is the electric option in this comparison, with an automated feeder and one-touch reverse.

Which Sizzix machine is better for a small craft room?

The 6-inch Big Shot is the compact choice in this comparison. Its clip-on handle stores underneath when it isn't in use, while the Big Shot Plus has a wider opening for larger projects.

What comes with the Big Shot Starter Kit?

The Big Shot Starter Kit includes a Multipurpose Platform, a pair of cutting pads, 73 Thinlits dies, a 3D embossing folder and assorted textured and opulent cardstock. The Big Shot Plus kit includes cutting pads, a standard platform, a thin die adapter, 19 Thinlits dies, an embossing folder and cardstock.