If I were going to do i die cutter it would be the sizzix big shot pro. The crank handles are built better than the accuquilt. As for the cricut air it is pretty new I believe so not sure if anyone will be too familiar with it. I have a brother scanncut that is similar that I love. I believe the newer models are going for a good price on HSN with flex payments. You can actually cut blocks on it and I have seen awesome pictures of full quilts done on it so it is very versatile but I have not tried this yet on mine. I have my sizzix and hardly use it because the dies are so expensive for the die machines, and I only have like 3 quilt dies which probably cost me a hundred dollars just for those so while they do cut many layers it is overall very costly in that you have to but dies for it and dies are only 1 size whereas my scanncut can cut multiple sizes of squares triangles without the need of dies or cartridges. It only cuts one layer thought but it has a 12x24 sheet so you can cut many pieces at a time to fill up the sheet. I can also take pattern pieces from books scan them in and cut as well so while it was initially pricey I have no need of dies which is why my sizzix now collects dust. I love both, but really love my scanncut a lot more