cricut vs pazzles

Im hoping some of you have some advice for me? my occasionally generous hubby has told me i can have either the cricut or the pazzles if i should so wish for christmas, but i dont know much about either, i know the pazzles is much more expensive, but some things id like to know is;

1. do you still need to keep replacing mats/cutters etc for both?
2. do you still buy cartridges for both?
3. which is most cost effective over long term?
4. and most of all those who have them.....do you use them or do they tend to sit on the shelf in favour of your bugs/bigshots etc.

Any help would be very appreciated, as im not 100% on wether to get one or not, i might get something else all together if i dont get enough info on them,

Thanks for reading xxxxx