US Cutter Heat Press Reviews: Read This Before You Buy!
Should you get a US Cutter Heat Press, or is there a better option?
At one point, we considered the popular USCutter 15×15 heat press to be the best in it’s price range. It was priced about the same as the PowerPress heat press, and so it was the logical choice for a beginner press… until the price suddenly jumped by almost 50%!!
We’ll get into a number of US Cutter heat press reviews, and consider which might be best for you, or whether there are better alternatives.
USCutter Heat Press Machines
USCutter’s range of heat press machines is fairly limited.
On their website, it’s difficult to determine what brands they actually stock, as you can only filter by heat press style or size. However, it is clear they do not stock many of the quality US brands.
When compared with other heat press companies, they also lack in quality supporting content for using their machines. They have a limited YouTube presence, and especially lack in heat press content.
There is a forum connected with the US Cutter website, but with declining interest in forums, the value is limited. There is a small Facebook group that has decent engagement on cutting machines.
If you are looking for a US Cutter cutting machine, I would continue investigating. But if you’re looking for a Heat Press, I recommend visiting the pros at Heat Press Nation.
Heat Press Nation have a much larger range of better heat press machines. They have a large social media presence and a quality YouTube channel with lots of supporting content for heat press machines.
Heat Press Nation have many distribution centers across the US, getting your machine to you quicker. They have excellent customer support and quality control processes. HPN are definitely worth checking out first!
Press all transfers:
- Heat transfer vinyl
- Sublimation transfers
- Inkjet transfers
- Rhinestone transfers
- And more…
Onto all substrates:
- Fabric (shirts, etc)
- Metal
- Wood
- Ceramic
- Glass
Each transfer you use will require its own specific time and temperature setting, so be sure to check the manufacturer’s instructions first. Not all transfers are suitable for all substrates.
Now let’s take a look at a few popular US Cutter heat press machines.
USCutter Heat Press Starter Bundle
The Starter Bundle is US Cutter’s best selling heat press on Amazon. It comes with:
- USCutter 15×15 heat press
- 5 sheets of Siser EasyWeed
- 2 blank t-shirts
- 1 Teflon sheet
Features & Specs
This is a 15 x 15 inch clamshell heat press. Clamshell presses are the preferred style of many because they do not take up much space, are easy to use, and perform well over time.
This machine has the same basic features as most machines in this price range:
- A digital LCD time and temperature display
- A heavy duty, commercial strength steel frame
- Non stick platens
- Soft grip foam handle
- Quick heat up time (10 – 15 minutes)
- Manual pressure adjustment knob
The technical parameters of this machine:
- Time range of 0 – 999 seconds (though why anyone would need to do a 16 minute press I don’t know!!)
- Temperature range of 0 – 480 degrees Fahrenheit
- 110 volts
- 1800 watts
Should you get it? I would first consider the MPress heat press or a Black Series Press from Heat Press Nation.
US Cutter Volcano Heat Press
The Volcano Heat Press is a similar machine to the one just listed, and is also from US Cutter.
It is a bit different in that it can take an attachment mug press. This must be purchased separately, but it’s a nice feature if you were wanting to make custom mugs.
At the same (or similar) price to the previous 15×15 inch machine, I would choose this one over that one.
Volcano Heat Press Features & Specs
Here’s what this heat press machine has going for it:
- A large bright digital LCD time and temperature display
- 15 x 15 heat platen
- Strong steel frame and aluminium body
- Good manual
- USCutter support
The technical specifications:
- Power: 1400W
- Heat platen: 15 x 15 inch
- Time: 0 – 999 seconds
- Voltage: 110 Volt
- Style: Clamshell
- Max temp: 399° F
- Auto open: No
The volcano press also comes with a one year warranty.
Should you get it? I would first consider a Black Series Press or a Signature Series Press from Heat Press Nation.
US Cutter Auto Open Heat Press
Auto Open heat press machines are really great. They cost a bit more, but if you’re going to be using your heat press a lot, pressing t-shirt after t-shirt, you should definitely consider getting one.
This US Cutter press is an entry level auto open, but it has received plenty of good reviews.
As you know, not all machines have this super helpful feature, and this USCutter machine is one of the cheaper heat press machines to have it.
The auto-opening feature may sound a bit superficial or insignificant the first time you hear about it, but trust me, once you’ve used a machine with it, you won’t want to go back to a manual machine quickly.
It means you don’t have to wait beside or rush back to the machine when the press is finished. If you are doing many t-shirts at once you can go and prepare the next one and not worry about opening it when the time is up.
This machine, and other machines with this feature, employ an electromagnetic locking system which keeps the ‘clamshell’ shut tight until the timer runs out. When the time is up, the magnet releases and your machine opens.
This feature is sure to save you time and (therefore) money!
USCutter Auto Features & Specs
Besides being an auto open press, here are some other features:
- ¼ inch steel frame for great durability and making it commercial grade
- Digital LCD time and temperature display
- Foam grip – it makes a difference!
- Non-stick coated heating platen but I’d definitely pick up some spare Teflon sheets as well
- Free 6 pack of 12 x 20 vinyl
Here are the technical specs:
- Voltage: 110V
- Power: 1400W
- Temperature range: 0 – 399 ℉
- Time range: 0 – 999 seconds
This machine also comes with a one year warranty.
So should you get it? I would first consider the Black Series Auto Press or Signature Series Auto Draw Press from Heat Press Nation.
US Cutter Heat Press Machines
These machines can be used both as a craft, hobby, or home press – or also in small business.
They are good sized and reliable machines for doing most jobs. As we go into below, USCutter has good customer service and tech support ready for you. If you have any faults or flaws with your press then it will be easier to get in touch with this seller than many others.
They come fully set up and ready to plug in and go. It’s easy for beginners to start and learn with. It’s simple to use – you can’t go wrong!
Customer Service
The customer service and technical support that comes with USCutter products is an added benefit of buying from them. It’s better than buying a cheap press off Amazon that has no contact details or support.
You can email, call, or even visit them if you really want to – the contact page has all the details. When you call (during business hours) you will be able to speak with someone in the US who will help solve your problem or answer your questions.
US Cutter Instructions
US Cutter heat press manuals are full of helpful information on how to get started, how to calibrate your heat press, how to set time and temperature, heat press transfer time and temperature settings – and much more.
With other machines you’re lucky if you get a one page sheet of paper with any English on it! If you’ve read other heat press reviews you’ll know that’s often the user’s biggest annoyance – that the instructions are rubbish.
US Cutter YouTube
USCutter have some helpful videos on their YouTube channel. They have information on how to use their products, project ideas and more. You can search ‘heat press’ on their page to find those videos too.
I really liked these machines – it’s a shame they had to increase the price so dramatically.
They are more expensive than the cheap heat press machines we’ve looked at in the past, and overall I think that Heat Press Nation is the better option.
HPN are more knowledgeable on heat press machines (it’s their focus), they have a better range, at better prices, and their supporting content is far better. Unless you’re devoted to US Cutter, go with Heat Press Nation.
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Thanks for the detailed info about the US Cutter heat press. I loved it!
You’re welcome! So glad you found the info helpful.