Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I have both the Sizzix Magnetic Platform and the Lifestyle Crafts Genius Magnetic Platform. Since you have probably already read what everyone loves about this Sizzix item, I thought I would contribute my thoughts comparing the pros and cons of each. The Sizzix platform is 6 1/8" wide (15.56 cm) which means it won't fit in the Cuttlebug. The Genius platform is exactly 6" wide, which makes the Genius compatible with the Cuttlebug. Both brands have other important differences, including which platform simultaneously cuts and embosses (Genius), and which is easier to use when lining up an image(Sizzix). My biggest beef with Sizzix's product is the continued use of Clear Plexiglass Cutting Pads. I can't imagine why they keep using these, other than the fact that they are a consumable which needs to be replaced. Even more so with the magnetic platform. Here's the breakdown of PROs and CONs, as I see it: *Sizzix Platform PROs: more compact than the Genius platform (6-1/8" x 8-7/8") and the die cutting edge faces down, making it easier to line up and cut an image. Sizzix magnetic platform has a much stronger magnetic pull. The cutting sandwich is the platform, one un-warped clear cutting pad, the paper, the die facing down, and another clear cutting pad. No tabs or shims to deal with, unless you want to emboss. *Sizzix CONs: You still have to use those awful clear plastic plates that warp. Once it warps, the dies have a harder time making contact with the magnetic surface. Some reviews say that's a myth. No, it's no myth! It's true. I bought a brand new set of Sizzix Cutting Pads just to use with my new Sizzix magnetic platform. I made one pad dedicated to "No Cut"... both pads are still beginning to warp after just 5 or 6 cuts, because the "no cut" pad has to be on top. *Genius PROs: No clear plexi cutting mats to warp after five cuts! The Genius platform embosses simultaneously because of a flexible cutting mat. I really like the self healing mat, so much better than Sizzix clear rigid plates. The Genius only uses ONE cutting pad. The sandwich is: the platform, the die, the paper and the cutting mat. Also, the Genius has a much longer, but slightly narrower, cutting surface (6" x 13") which means it will fit through the Cuttlebug. *Genius CONs: The Genius platform has fewer magnets, spaced farther apart. If you are making a frame with multiple dies, you do have to move and turn the dies to find a good position. And of course, the fact that the cutting edge faces up, is a real bummer. To ensure a perfect image cut, you may want to use a bit of washi tape or a post-it note to keep the paper/die aligned, which is a disappointment considering I bought the Genius magnetic platform to skip that step! Still, the magnetic feature keeps the die from sliding on the platform, which I like. The best thing about both brands of platforms, is that you can toss all those cardstock & cardboard shims you have lying around, because both magnetic platforms cut the wafer-thin dies without a jerry-rigged sandwich of shims! I really like that feature so much! If I was only cutting shapes with no image to line up; I prefer the Genius. If I need to line up the die on a photo or an image; I reach for the Sizzix Platform. Too bad they don't make a hybrid of these 2 brands!