# Cricut Maker 3 vs 4 and Maker vs Explore Updated 2026-10-27 · 7 min read · Getting started Choose a Cricut machine by the projects, material width and tools you need. Maker and Explore cover many familiar craft projects; the Joy family offers smaller machines. StickerPix is a separate sticker-printing workflow. A model number alone does not tell you whether a machine suits your job. ## Cricut Maker 3 vs 4: what changes for your project? Cricut Maker 3 and Cricut Maker 4 both support Smart Materials and the Maker tool system. Cricut describes Maker 4 as up to twice as fast as Maker 3 when using a machine mat, with speed depending on the material setting. That is a manufacturer specification, not a timing result from CricutCraft. If your current machine already cuts your chosen material with the required tool, compare the time saved on the jobs you actually repeat before replacing it. Both models still need the correct blade, material selection and Design Space workflow. Design your artwork here, export SVG and check the imported size and operations there. ## Cricut Maker vs Explore: choose the required tool first For a Cricut vinyl cutter machine used mainly for decals, iron-on shirts and paper, start by checking the exact Explore and Maker models against your project. The Maker family also supports specialty tools such as a rotary blade and knife blade. Confirm the tool compatibility and whether it is included before planning fabric or thicker-material projects. A family name does not determine the whole setup. Write down the material, finished size and operation you need, then check the official compatibility list. For printable stickers, confirm Print Then Cut support and plan for a separate compatible printer; the cutting machine does not print the ink. ## Cricut Maker 3, Maker 4 and Maker 5 Start with the Maker family when your project calls for specialty tools, then check the exact material and tool against that model’s compatibility list. Owning a Maker does not mean every thickness of wood, plastic or fabric can be cut. Maker 5 is an officially released model. Its specifications include USB-C and Bluetooth connectivity, with material and tool requirements listed separately. If you already own a Maker 3 or Maker 4, compare the requirements of the project you cannot currently make before deciding to upgrade. ## Cricut Explore Air 2, Explore 3, Explore 4 and Explore 5 The Explore family is relevant to vinyl decals, iron-on shirts, paper projects and printed stickers. Explore 5 is a current model, but do not transfer instructions for its tools and loading process automatically to an older Explore. For an Explore Air 2, keep the full model name when looking up instructions. Searches such as “Cricut Air 2” often mean this machine. A familiar family name does not establish that mats, pens, blades or matless material workflows are interchangeable. ## Original Cricut Joy, Joy Xtra and Joy 2 The original Cricut Joy does not support Print Then Cut. Joy Xtra and Joy 2 do. That difference matters more than the similar names if printed stickers are your main project. Joy Xtra is the official spelling, even when a search says “Joy Extra.” Joy 2 adds scoring and Print Then Cut compared with the original Joy. Check the printable area for the selected model in Design Space; a supported sheet size is not the same as the usable sticker area. ## Sticker printers and machines for shirts For stickers, compare a compatible cutting machine plus your existing printer with StickerPix Print or Print + Cut. Account for refill supplies and the shapes you want to make, as well as the machine itself. For shirts, the cutting machine prepares the iron-on shape and the heat press applies it. A heat press does not replace the cutter. A sublimation printer follows another workflow involving compatible ink, transfers and blanks; it is not required for a simple cut-HTV shirt. ## Check these details before buying accessories Write down your model, largest planned design, material and required operation. Confirm the compatible tool, mat or loading method in the manufacturer’s documentation. This short project checklist is more useful than assuming the newest machine is necessary. The links below are manufacturer references, not our hands-on performance tests. Regional bundles and availability change, so check the current package contents before ordering. ## Compare machine bundles by what your first project needs Before choosing a Cricut Maker 4 bundle, list the tools and materials for your first project. A vinyl decal needs suitable vinyl and a way to transfer it; an iron-on shirt also needs the right transfer material and heat source. Check each item against the seller’s package list rather than assuming every accessory pictured is included. Apply the same checklist to a Cricut Maker 3 bundle or Cricut Explore 4 bundle. Compare the exact machine, blade, mats, material quantities and any separate subscription or trial terms. Extra materials only help if they suit the projects you intend to make. CricutCraft supplies design software and artwork, not these hardware bundles. ## Cricut store and model availability The official Cricut store is a source for current product listings and regional offers. If you are looking for Cricut in stock, verify the full model name, delivery region and seller’s current availability before ordering. This guide does not maintain a live stock feed or reserve a machine. For an older model, use its exact quick-start and accessory documentation even if a shop category now points to a newer generation. You can prepare an SVG project in CricutCraft while checking hardware options; buying a bundle does not change the file handoff into Design Space. ## Questions ### Are Cricut Maker 5 and Explore 5 real machines? Yes. Cricut publishes official product and support information for both models. Use those pages for current specifications and availability. ### Can the original Cricut Joy make Print Then Cut stickers? No. Do not confuse the original Joy with Joy Xtra or Joy 2, which support Print Then Cut. ### Does a newer machine remove the need for Design Space? No. Use the current setup and production workflow that Cricut specifies for your model. CricutCraft prepares artwork and does not control the machine. ## Sources - [Cricut: Maker 4 and Maker 3 comparison](https://help.cricut.com/hc/en-us/articles/28450495457559-Cricut-Maker-4-Quick-Start-Guide) - [Cricut: compatible blades and machine tools](https://help.cricut.com/hc/en-us/articles/360009432294-All-About-Cricut-Blades-and-Machine-Tools) - [Official Cricut store](https://cricut.com/en-us/) - [Cricut: Maker 5 specifications](https://help.cricut.com/hc/en-us/articles/42865107739287-Cricut-Maker-5-specifications-and-requirements) - [Cricut: Explore 5](https://cricut.com/en-us/cutting-machines/cricut-explore/cricut-explore-5) - [Cricut: Joy 2 comparison and quick start](https://help.cricut.com/hc/en-us/articles/36545520180887-Cricut-Joy-2-Quick-Start-Guide) - [Cricut: Joy Xtra quick start](https://help.cricut.com/hc/en-us/articles/26308155935895-Cricut-Joy-Xtra-Quick-Start-Guide) --- Canonical page: https://www.cricutcraft.com/guides/cricut-machine-guide CricutCraft Studio is independent software and is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by Cricut, Silhouette America, Brother, Glowforge or xTool. Product and machine names are trademarks of their respective owners and are used here only to describe compatibility.