The Complete Tufting Machine Buyer's Guide: Machine Types Explained

June 27, 2026

Choosing your first tufting machine is probably the biggest gear decision you'll make as a new tufter. Get it right and you're set up for years of creative work. Get it wrong and you're fighting your equipment from day one. We've helped thousands of people get started since 2018, and here's what we've learned.

What Is a Tufting Machine?

A tufting machine is a handheld tool that punches yarn through stretched tufting cloth to create a pile. The pile is the loops or cut fibers that form the surface of a rug, wall hanging or textile piece. Tufting is much faster than making hand-knotted rugs. Most beginners complete a 12×12 inch project in a single workshop session.

Every tufting machine comes down to two things:

• Pile type: cut pile, loop pile, or both.
• Pile height: how tall the fibers stand.

These two factors decide what a machine can make and how you should use it.

All Tuft the World machines use precision Japanese motors. They're durable, consistent and built for long-term use.

Machine Types by Pile Style

Cut Pile (e.g., AK-I)

Cut-pile machines automatically cut the yarn after each tuft. This leaves upright fiber ends on the surface.

• The look: a dense, soft, plush, velvety, carpet-like texture. Think of a classic shag rug. This is the most common look for tufted rugs.
• Good for: solid shapes and bold color work, because the cut ends reflect light evenly.
• The AK-I: extremely easy to use, and a great starting point if you know you want cut pile.

Loop Pile (e.g., AK-II)

Loop-pile machines punch yarn through the cloth in a continuous cycle. This leaves uncut loops on the surface.

• The look: a nubby, textured surface with a distinctly textile feel. It's more durable than cut pile and slightly less soft.
• Good for: fine detail. The loops sit more precisely where you place them, so they hold detail better than cut pile.
• Extra step: you'll need to cut the yarn by hand each time you lift the machine.

The AK-II was very easy to operate, but we no longer sell it. If you want loop pile, the DUO and AK5 do both cut and loop.

Cut + Loop (e.g., DUO, AK5, KRD-I)

Cut + loop machines are also called "combination pile" machines. One machine switches between both modes, and many offer multiple pile heights.

This is what most beginners want, because you're not locked into one look. The DUO is our top recommendation for beginners and intermediates because of its flexibility. The AK-III is a high-pile machine that also does both cut and loop, at much greater pile heights.

Can I Convert a Loop-Pile Machine to Cut Pile?

No. A loop-pile machine like the AK-II can only make loops.

Converting it to cut pile isn't a simple add-on. Most of the main parts would need to be changed, which basically means rebuilding the machine. If you want to tuft both cut and loop pile, it's much easier to get a DUO or AK5.

Machine Types by Pile Height

Low Pile

• Pile height: roughly 0.275" to 0.70" (7–18mm).
• Why choose it: this is the most common range for rug tufting. It's practical, durable and great for detailed designs.
• Machines: AK-I, AK-II, DUO (Low Pile), KRD-I and AK5.

High Pile

• Pile height: 0.78" to 2.36" (20–60mm).
• Why choose it: it creates a lush, sculptural texture.
• Machine: the AK-III is TTW's high-pile machine. It needs both electricity and an air compressor. Its learning curve is medium to difficult compared to low-pile machines.

The DUO also comes in Medium and High Pile versions, which give more height without an air compressor (see below).

The Tuft the World Machines Compared

• The Duo: from $199. Cut & Loop. 7–45mm, depending on which of the 3 versions you choose. Best for beginners who want pile height flexibility.
• AK5: $250. Cut & Loop. Fixed at 16mm. Best for beginners who want quiet operation.
• AK-III Industrial: $599. Cut & Loop, high pile. 20–60mm (adjustable). Best for advanced and large-format work.

The Duo (from $199): Best for Beginners Who Want Versatility

The Duo is our most popular beginner machine. It's the only machine we carry that comes in multiple pile heights, so you choose the height you want before you start. All three versions switch between cut and loop pile.

• Low Pile ($199): 7–18mm. Best for detailed flat rugs, wall hangings and most beginner projects.
• Medium Pile ($225): 20–30mm. More texture and depth, great for accent rugs and a lush finish.
• High Pile ($260): 35–45mm. Deep, shaggy results without needing an air compressor.

Not sure which pile height? Start with Low Pile. It's the most forgiving for learning, and the range is versatile enough for almost any beginner project. Go Medium or High only if you're specifically after a deep, textured shag.

The Duo runs on a standard outlet and weighs about 3 lbs. It uses the same thread path most beginners learn on in workshops.

Choose The Duo if: you want pile height flexibility, you want to try both cut and loop pile, or you're on a budget.

Shop The Duo →

AK5 ($250): Best for Quiet Operation

The AK5 costs $50 more than the entry-level Duo. In return, you get a noticeably quieter Japanese brushless motor. If you live in an apartment, tuft late at night or share a workspace, that difference is worth every dollar.

The AK5 also has:

• A digital speed dial on the body, so you can adjust tufting speed without stopping.
• A front-mounted LED light that lights up the needle area. This is genuinely useful for detailed sections or tracing a complex pattern.

Like The Duo, it does both cut and loop pile.

Note: the AK5's pile height is fixed at 16mm for both cut and loop pile and can't be adjusted. If pile height flexibility matters to you, choose The Duo instead.

Choose the AK5 if: you'll be tufting somewhere quiet, you want better speed control, or the LED light appeals to you for detailed work, and you're happy with a 16mm pile height.

Shop the AK5 →

AK-III Industrial ($599): Best for Advanced Tufters

The AK-III is a different category of machine. It's pneumatic, so it needs an air compressor as well as electricity. That's a significant setup cost and logistical consideration, but it unlocks results no electric machine can match.

• Pile height: high-pile shag from 20mm up to 60mm with the longest included needle. These are the deeply textured, almost sculptural pieces you see in high-end interiors and galleries.
• Large pieces: it's better suited to large-format work, 4×5 feet and above.
• Speed and yarn: it moves faster and handles heavy wool yarn without fatigue.

We don't recommend the AK-III as a first machine. It assumes you already know how to tuft, how to set up and maintain equipment, and how to work with an air compressor. If you're just starting out, begin with The Duo or AK5 and come back to the AK-III when you're ready.

Choose the AK-III if: you've been tufting for at least 6 months, you want high-pile or shag pieces above 35mm, or you're doing large-format work professionally.

Shop the AK-III →

Switching Between Cut and Loop (AK5, DUO)

On cut + loop machines like the AK5 and DUO, switching from cut pile to loop pile works the same way.

1. Record your current setup. Take measurements and plenty of photos and videos first, so you can return the machine to its original position if needed.
2. Move the scissors forward. Push them toward the front of the machine so they no longer cut the yarn.

The DUO video collection includes a step-by-step video on changing from cut to loop, and the same steps apply to the AK5. Switching from cut to loop carries very little risk of damaging the machine.

Weight, Power and Using Your Machine Abroad

Weight and power

• Weight: all our machines weigh about 3 lbs, except the AK-III at 4 lbs 10 oz.
• Voltage: all machines are compatible with 110v–220v worldwide. For example, our KRD-I Cut and Loop machine handles 100–240V, so it works in 110V regions (like North America) and 220V regions (like Europe).
• Air compressor: only the AK-III needs one.

Plugs and adapters

Machines ship with a power cord and plug that match the destination country. That plug may not fit outlets elsewhere. If you're tufting abroad, you'll just need an inexpensive plug adapter for the local outlet.

Always keep using your machine's original power adapter. The AK-5 in particular uses a unique adapter that can't be swapped with other models. If you're not sure about your model's power specs, contact support before plugging in abroad.

What Else Do You Need?

A tufting machine alone won't get you far. You'll also need:

• A tufting frame: holds your tufting cloth taut while you work. Our Instant Tufting Frame is adjustable and sets up in minutes.
• Tufting cloth: the backing fabric your yarn punches through. We carry Primary Tufting Cloth in white and gray.
• Yarn: we carry wool, acrylic and eco cotton. For beginners, acrylic is the most forgiving. Wool gives the richest finish.
• Finishing supplies: latex glue, backing cloth and binding tape to finish your piece after tufting.

The easiest way to get started is a Starter Kit, which includes the machine, frame and cloth. Just add yarn.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to take a class before buying a machine?

No. Our machines are designed for beginners and come with enough documentation to get started. That said, if you're in Philadelphia, our in-person workshops will shorten your learning curve a lot.

What's the difference between The Duo and the AK5?

Price and pile height flexibility. The Duo starts at $199 and comes in three pile heights. The AK5 costs $250 and has a fixed 16mm pile height, but it's significantly quieter. Neither is objectively better. It depends on your situation.

Which machine is best for making rugs?

All of them make rugs. The Duo and AK5 are better for flat, low-to-medium-pile rugs with detailed designs. The AK-III is better for large, high-pile rugs with a shag look.

Can I use any yarn?

Not exactly. Tufting machines are designed for specific yarn weights. Yarn that's too thin won't hold in the cloth, and yarn that's too thick won't feed through the needle. All of our yarns are tested for compatibility with our machines.

How long does it take to learn?

Most people are producing clean, intentional tufting within 2–3 hours of practice. The technical skill ceiling is low. Design and finishing skills take longer.

Browse All Tufting Machines →

Full Machine Comparison Table →

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