Cricut Maker vs Explore: Which Should Sewists and Crafters Buy?
Buy the Cricut Maker 4, about $300, if you will ever cut fabric: only Maker machines use the rotary blade that cuts unbacked fabric. Buy the Cricut Explore 5 Essential Bundle, about $249, if you cut vinyl, iron-on and cardstock; it cuts 100+ materials at 12 inches wide and includes starter materials.
The verdict
For anyone who sews or quilts, the Cricut Maker is the right choice, because the Explore cannot use the rotary blade and can cut fabric only after you bond a stabilizer to the back. For vinyl, iron-on, cards and paper crafts, the Explore does the job for less and its bundle includes materials to start.
The difference is the tool system. The Cricut Maker 4 belongs to Cricut's Maker family, which uses the rotary blade for unbacked fabric and the knife blade for thicker materials, and can engrave and deboss. The Cricut Explore 5 Bundle uses the fine-point, deep-point and bonded-fabric blades, and writes, draws, foils and scores. Both are 12 in class cutters that use Design Space and Print Then Cut.
Cricut Maker 4 vs Cricut Explore 5: side by side
| Feature | Cricut Maker 4 | Cricut Explore 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | About $300 | About $249 with materials |
| Cutting width | 12 in class | 12 in |
| Materials | 300+ | 100+ |
| Unbacked fabric | Yes, rotary blade | No, bonded fabric only |
| Thick materials | Knife blade | Deep-point blade |
| Other functions | Cut, engrave, deboss and more | Write, draw, foil, score |
| Matless cutting | Up to 12 ft with Smart Materials | Smart Materials supported |
| Connectivity | Design Space on desktop and mobile | Bluetooth, Design Space |
| In the box | Machine; check listing for blades and mats | Smart Vinyl, Smart Iron-On, cardstock, insert cards, printable vinyl |
Can a Cricut Explore cut fabric?
Only bonded fabric. To cut fabric on an Explore, you iron a stabilizer or fusible backer to the back so the fabric behaves like a stiff sheet, then cut with the bonded-fabric blade. That works for iron-on applique shapes and felt projects, but the backing stays on the fabric, which changes how it drapes and sews. For quilt pieces and garment pattern pieces you want soft, unbacked fabric, and that needs a Maker's rotary blade on a FabricGrip mat.
The $50 price difference is small next to the cost of buying a second machine later. If there is any chance you will cut fabric, buy the Maker now.
| Project | [[cricut-explore-5-essential-bundle]] | [[cricut-maker-4]] |
|---|---|---|
| Vinyl decals and labels | Excellent | Excellent |
| Iron-on shirt designs | Excellent | Excellent |
| Cards and cardstock | Excellent, plus scoring | Excellent |
| Quilt applique from cotton | Only with stabilizer bonded on | Yes, rotary blade, no backing |
| Sewing pattern pieces | Not practical | Yes |
| Felt and thicker craft materials | Deep-point blade | Rotary or knife blade |
| Engraving and debossing | No | Yes |
Which Cricut is best for quilters and sewists?
The Maker 4 is the best Cricut for fabric. But quilters should weigh non-Cricut options too, because digital cutters cut from a single mat. If you cut many identical pieces, an electric die cutter like the AccuQuilt GO! Big cuts up to 6 layers per pass for about $700. If you want to scan a drawing, add a 1/4 in seam allowance and cut applique without a computer, the Brother SDX325 was designed for quilters and costs about $900.
Before buying, read our guide to choosing a cutting machine for fabric and the best cutting machines for fabric roundup.
Choose Cricut Maker 4 if
- You sew, quilt or do fabric applique.
- You want to cut thicker materials with the knife blade.
- You want to engrave or deboss.
- You want one cutter that will not limit you later.
Choose Cricut Explore 5 if
- You cut vinyl, iron-on, cardstock and printable stickers.
- You want starter materials included in the box.
- You never plan to cut unbacked fabric.
- You want to spend about $50 less.
Our picks by project type
Cricut Joy Xtra Smart Cutting Machine
$179.00A compact cutter for cards, stickers and small decals on Letter and A4 sheets.
Check price
Cricut Explore 5 Essential Bundle
$249.00The 12 in vinyl and paper cutter with materials to start.
Check price
Cricut Maker 4 Smart Cutting Machine
$299.99The Cricut for fabric with rotary blade support.
Check price
Brother ScanNCut DX SDX325 Cutting Machine
$899.99A scanner cutter built around quilting with seam allowance tools.
Check pricePrices change often, so confirm on Amazon. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
This comparison is drawn from published specifications, owner manuals and the consensus of verified owner reviews, not side-by-side testing.
Frequently asked questions
What can the Cricut Maker do that the Explore cannot?
The Maker line uses the rotary blade to cut unbacked fabric and the knife blade for thicker materials, and it can engrave and deboss. The Explore 5 cannot use those Maker tools. It still cuts vinyl, iron-on and cardstock very well, and it writes, draws, foils and scores, so it suits crafters who do not work with fabric.
Is the Cricut Maker worth it over the Explore?
It is if you sew, quilt or want the widest range of materials. The Maker 4 costs about $50 more than the Explore 5 bundle, and that premium buys rotary blade fabric cutting, knife blade support and engraving tools. If you only cut vinyl and paper, the Explore bundle with its included materials is the better value.
What is the bonded-fabric blade?
It is a Cricut blade for fabric that has a stabilizer or iron-on backer applied to the back. The backing stiffens the fabric so a drag blade can cut it cleanly. It works in Explore and Maker machines. The downside is that the backing remains on the fabric, which is fine for applique shapes but not for quilt piecing or garment pieces.
Can I use a Cricut instead of a rotary cutter for quilting?
For applique shapes and small custom pieces, yes. For standard squares, strips and triangles, a rotary cutter with a ruler or a die cutter is usually faster, because a Cricut cuts from a 12 in wide mat. Many quilters keep a 45mm rotary cutter for piecing and use a Cricut Maker 4 for applique and lettering.
Does the Cricut Explore 5 need a computer?
Every Cricut uses Cricut Design Space, which runs on desktop computers and on phones and tablets. The Explore 5 connects by Bluetooth, so a phone or tablet can run projects. If you prefer a cutter that works entirely from its own screen, the Brother ScanNCut SDX325 has a 5 in touchscreen and built-in designs.
Sources
How we research: we compare manufacturer specifications, owner manuals, published standards and recurring themes in verified owner reviews. We do not test products in person, and this is researched guidance, not professional advice. Follow your machine manual and pattern, and take care with rotary cutters, hot irons and needles. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.