Cricut Maker 3 Review: Is This Cutting Machine Still Worth Buying Over the Maker 4?
Only if you find it for less than the Cricut Maker 4. The Cricut Maker 3 is still capable: 300+ materials, 13 tools including the rotary blade for fabric, and matless Smart Material cuts up to 12 ft, or 75 ft repeated. But the Digital Content Bundle costs about $342, more than the faster Maker 4 at about $300.
Our verdict
Buy the Cricut Maker 3 only if it is clearly cheaper than the Maker 4 where you shop, or if you already own Maker tools and want a matching second machine. On current Amazon listings the Maker 3 bundle costs about $342 and the faster Maker 4 about $300, which makes the newer machine the better buy for almost everyone.
The Maker 3 itself remains a strong cutter. Cricut lists 300+ materials, compatibility with 13 tools including the rotary blade for unbacked fabric and the knife blade for thick materials, Bluetooth connectivity, a USB port for charging a device, 10x the cutting force of the Explore Air 2 and matless Smart Material cuts up to 12 ft. This bundle adds 30 Design Space images and states up to 75 ft for repeated matless cuts.
Cricut Maker 3 Bundle specs
| Materials / tools | 300+ materials; 13 compatible tools, most sold separately |
|---|---|
| Cutting force | 10x the Cricut Explore Air 2 (per Cricut) |
| Speed | Up to 2x faster than the original Maker with Smart Materials |
| Matless cuts | Up to 12 ft single image, up to 75 ft repeated (bundle listing) |
| Fabric | Rotary blade and FabricGrip mat, sold separately |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth; USB port for charging a device |
| In the box | Premium Fine-Point Blade and housing, USB cable, power adapter, practice materials; no mat listed |
| Bundle adds | 30 digital images in Design Space |
| Warranty | 1 year limited (US) |
Specs above come from Cricut's Maker 3 product page, Cricut's Maker 3 launch article, the Cricut Maker 3 one year limited warranty and the manufacturer bullets on the Amazon bundle listing.
What does the Cricut Maker 3 do best?
The Maker 3 is a do-almost-anything craft cutter. Cricut says it cuts 300+ materials, from delicate fabric and paper to matboard and leather, and works with 13 tools. The two that matter for sewists are the rotary blade, which cuts backed and unbacked fabric, and the knife blade for balsa, chipboard and tooling leather.
It was the first Maker to cut Smart Materials without a mat. These backed vinyl and iron-on products feed directly into the machine, and the bundle listing states single cuts up to 12 ft and repeated cuts up to 75 ft in one go, which suits banners, long wall decals and batches of identical shirt designs.
Its large owner base is a quiet advantage. Years of tutorials, project files and troubleshooting threads exist for the Maker 3, and Cricut's Design Space works the same way across the Maker family.
What is the honest weakness of the Cricut Maker 3?
It costs more than its faster replacement. The Maker 4 keeps the Maker tool system and 12 ft Smart Material cuts, Cricut says it cuts up to twice as fast on a machine mat, and it lists for about $40 less on Amazon than this Maker 3 bundle. The 30 bonus images do not close that gap for most people.
Read the box contents too. Cricut's in-the-box list for the Maker 3 includes a fine-point blade, cables and practice materials but no cutting mat, and the rotary blade and FabricGrip mat for fabric are separate purchases. The listing shows limited stock, and it depends on the Design Space app on a phone, tablet or computer for every cut, with no screen on the machine.
What do Cricut Maker 3 owners consistently report?
- Praise: matless Smart Material cuts make long vinyl and iron-on projects easier.
- Praise: handles a very wide range of materials, including fabric with the rotary blade.
- Praise: lots of tutorials and community help thanks to a large owner base.
- Complaint: Design Space glitches, account requirements and subscription prompts.
- Complaint: Smart Materials cost more than standard vinyl used with a mat.
- Complaint: the tools that unlock fabric and thick materials add significantly to the cost.
These are recurring themes in retail owner reviews, not measured results.
What warranty and support come with the Cricut Maker 3?
Cricut's US warranty for the Maker 3 is a one year limited warranty against defects in materials and workmanship from the original retail purchase date. During that period Cricut may repair the machine, exchange it for a functionally equivalent product or refund the purchase price. Damage from abuse, accident, misuse or modification is excluded, and blades, blade housings, accessories, software, tools and materials are not covered.
Cricut's product page notes the warranty is valid in the country of purchase by the original purchaser, so buy from an authorized seller and keep your receipt. Cricut's Help Center covers tools, mats and Design Space troubleshooting. We found no recall for the Maker 3 in CPSC's recall search for cutting machines.
How does the Cricut Maker 3 compare with the Maker 4 and its rivals?
The comparison that decides this purchase is Cricut Maker 3 vs Maker 4. For the wider field, see Cricut Maker vs Explore and Cricut Maker vs Silhouette Cameo.
| Machine | Price | Unbacked fabric | Matless cuts | Best reason to choose it |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cricut Explore 5 Bundle | about $249 | No, bonded fabric only | Check listing | Cheaper for vinyl and paper |
| Silhouette Cameo 5 Alpha | about $299 | With Silhouette rotary blade | Up to 16 ft with lined material | Print and cut accuracy |
| Cricut Maker 4 | about $300 | Yes, rotary blade | Up to 12 ft | Faster and currently cheaper |
| Cricut Maker 3 Bundle | about $342 | Yes, rotary blade | Up to 12 ft single, 75 ft repeated | 30 bonus images, long repeated cuts |
Read the Cricut Maker 4 review for the replacement, and the Silhouette Cameo 5 review if print and cut stickers matter more than fabric. The best Cricut machine roundup ranks the whole lineup.
What else should you budget for with the Cricut Maker 3?
Allow $100 to $250 for the tools and consumables most owners add:
- Mats: because no mat is listed in the box, start with FabricGrip 12 x 12 in mats for fabric and a 12 x 24 in FabricGrip mat for longer pieces, plus standard mats for paper and vinyl.
- Blades: the rotary blade and housing for fabric and the knife blade for thick materials.
- Heat press: the Cricut EasyPress 3 9x9 for iron-on shirts and tote bags.
- Materials and software: vinyl, iron-on and Smart Materials rolls, and the optional Cricut Access subscription.
See AccuQuilt vs Cricut Maker if quilt shapes in volume are the goal, and the guide to choosing a cutting machine for fabric for the bigger picture.
Who it suits
Who should skip it
- Anyone who can buy the Cricut Maker 4 for less, which is most buyers today
- Vinyl and paper only crafters; the Cricut Explore 5 Bundle costs less
- Quilters who want scanning and seam allowances; see the Brother SDX325
Alternatives to the Cricut Maker 3 Bundle
Cricut Maker 4 Smart Cutting Machine
$299.99Up to 2x faster on a machine mat with the same Maker tool system and 12 ft matless cuts, for about $40 less on current listings.
Check price
Cricut Explore 5 Essential Bundle
$249.00About $249 with a starter materials bundle, for crafters who cut vinyl, iron-on and paper but not unbacked fabric.
Check price
Silhouette Cameo 5 Alpha Cutting Machine
$299.00About $299 with 4-point registration marks, AutoBlade and cuts up to 16 ft with lined material in Silhouette Studio.
Check pricePrices change often, so confirm on Amazon. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
This review is compiled from manufacturer specifications, the owner manual, warranty terms and recurring themes in verified owner reviews. We did not test this machine in person.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Cricut Maker 3 still worth buying?
Cricut Maker 3 vs Maker 4: what is the difference?
Speed and price. Cricut says the Maker 4 cuts up to twice as fast as previous models on a machine mat. Both use Design Space, cut Smart Materials up to 12 ft without a mat and accept Maker tools like the rotary and knife blades. The Maker 3 bundle adds 30 images and lists 75 ft repeated cuts.
Does the Cricut Maker 3 come with a mat?
Cricut's in-the-box list for the Maker 3 names the machine, a Premium Fine-Point Blade and housing, a USB cable, a power adapter, a Cricut Access trial and practice materials, with no cutting mat listed. Smart Materials cut without a mat, but regular vinyl, cardstock and fabric need one, such as a FabricGrip mat for fabric.
Can the Cricut Maker 3 cut fabric?
Yes. Cricut lists the rotary blade among the Maker 3's compatible tools for backed and unbacked fabric, used with a FabricGrip mat. It cuts felt, cotton, denim and similar fabrics one layer at a time, which suits applique and custom pieces. The rotary blade is sold separately, so check whether a bundle includes it.
What warranty does the Cricut Maker 3 have?
In the United States, Cricut gives the Maker 3 a one year limited warranty from the original retail purchase date, covering defects in materials and workmanship. Cricut may repair, exchange or refund. Blades, housings, accessories, software, tools and materials are excluded. Keep your receipt and buy from an authorized seller.
Sources
- Cricut Maker 3 product page (Cricut)
- Cricut Maker 3: the ultimate cutting machine (Cricut blog)
- Cricut Maker 3 one year limited warranty, US (PDF)
- Introducing Cricut Explore 4 and Cricut Maker 4 (Cricut blog)
- All about Cricut blades and machine tools (Cricut Help Center)
- CPSC recall search
- Amazon bundle listing feature bullets and owner reviews (aggregated themes)
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.