Cricut Maker 4 Review: Is This $300 Cutting Machine Worth It for Sewists?
Yes, for sewists and crafters who want one cutter for fabric, vinyl, iron-on and paper. The Cricut Maker 4 costs about $300 on Amazon, cuts up to 2x faster than earlier Makers, works with 13 tools and 300+ materials, and cuts Smart Materials up to 12 ft without a mat. The rotary blade for fabric is sold separately.
Our verdict
Buy the Cricut Maker 4 if you want a versatile craft cutter that also handles fabric for applique, doll clothes and small sewing pieces, and you are comfortable working in an app. Skip it if you mainly quilt with scanned templates and want a machine that works from its own screen, where the Brother ScanNCut SDX325 suits better, or if you only cut vinyl and paper, where the cheaper Explore line is enough.
Cricut lists a cut speed up to 14.1 inches per second, 13 compatible tools, 300+ materials, a maximum cut size of 11.5 x 23.5 inches on a machine mat and 11.7 inches x 12 ft with Smart Materials, Bluetooth connectivity, and a 15.4 lb weight. The box includes a Premium Fine-Point Blade, a 12 x 12 inch LightGrip mat, a Fine Point Pen and a mini weeder.
Cricut Maker 4 specs
| Cut speed | Up to 14.1 in per second; up to 2x faster than the previous generation |
|---|---|
| Materials / tools | 300+ materials; 13 compatible tools, most sold separately |
| Max cut size, mat | 11.5 x 23.5 in |
| Max cut size, Smart Materials | 11.7 in x 12 ft, no mat |
| Fabric | Rotary blade and FabricGrip mat, both sold separately |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth; needs a compatible device and internet |
| Software | Cricut Design Space (free); optional Cricut Access subscription |
| In the box | Premium Fine-Point Blade and housing, 12 x 12 in LightGrip mat, Fine Point Pen, mini weeder |
| Size / weight | 22.1 x 7.1 x 6.2 in; 15.4 lb |
| Warranty | 1 year limited (US and Canada) |
Specs above come from Cricut's Maker 4 product page, Cricut's Maker 4 announcement, Cricut's limited warranty documentation and the manufacturer bullets on the Amazon listing.
What does the Cricut Maker 4 do best?
The Maker 4 is the most versatile cutter for a mixed craft room. With its 13 compatible tools it cuts, writes, scores, foils, engraves and debosses across 300+ materials, from cardstock and iron-on to leather and matboard. For a sewist, the key tool is the rotary blade, a tiny rolling wheel that cuts cotton, felt and denim with no stabilizer on the back, which only Maker-series machines accept.
Speed is the upgrade over earlier models. Cricut says the Maker 4 cuts up to twice as fast as previous generations when cutting on a machine mat, which adds up when you batch decals, cards or applique shapes for a craft fair.
Matless Smart Materials are Cricut's backed vinyl and iron-on that feed straight into the machine for cuts up to 12 ft, handy for banners, long wall decals and repeated shirt designs. Design Space is free on desktop and mobile, with 3,000+ images, 100+ fonts and 1,000+ projects before any subscription.
What is the honest weakness of the Cricut Maker 4?
The fabric tools are not in the box. Cricut's included items are a fine-point blade, a LightGrip mat, a pen and a weeder. To cut unbacked fabric you need the rotary blade and drive housing (about $55) and a FabricGrip mat; thick materials need the knife blade. Add those and a sewist's real price is closer to $400.
It is also entirely app-dependent. There is no screen on the machine, Cricut states it needs a compatible device with Bluetooth and a high-speed internet connection, and the knife blade's listing notes those projects are not compatible with the iOS and Android apps. Design Space steers heavy users toward the optional Cricut Access subscription. And like any mat cutter, it cuts one layer at a time, so stacks of identical quilt squares are faster with a die cutter.
What do Cricut Maker 4 owners consistently report?
- Praise: noticeably faster cutting on batch projects than older machines.
- Praise: beginner-friendly guided projects in Design Space.
- Praise: clean fabric cuts with the rotary blade and a fresh FabricGrip mat.
- Complaint: the app requires an account and connection, and subscription prompts irritate some owners.
- Complaint: essential fabric and thick-material tools cost extra.
- Complaint: mats lose tack and need replacing regularly.
These are recurring themes in retail owner reviews rather than measured results.
What warranty and support come with the Cricut Maker 4?
In the United States and Canada, Cricut machines bought from authorized sellers carry a one year limited warranty from the original retail purchase date against defects in materials and workmanship. If a defect appears, Cricut may repair the machine, exchange it for a functionally equivalent product or refund the purchase price. The warranty excludes damage from abuse, accident or modification, and does not cover blades and blade housings, accessories, software, tools or materials. Cricut offers optional 2 or 3 year protection plans through a partner.
One year is short compared with sewing machines, so keep your receipt and register the machine. Cricut's Help Center publishes warranty documents, tool guides and troubleshooting. We found no recall for the Maker 4 in CPSC's recall search for cutting machines.
How does the Cricut Maker 4 compare with the Maker 3, Silhouette Cameo 5 and ScanNCut?
Four comparisons cover the real choices: Cricut Maker 3 vs Maker 4, Cricut Maker vs Silhouette Cameo, Cricut Maker vs Explore and Cricut vs Brother ScanNCut.
| Machine | Price | Unbacked fabric | Standout | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cricut Explore 5 Bundle | about $249 | No, bonded fabric only | Bundle of starter materials | Vinyl, iron-on and paper |
| Silhouette Cameo 5 Alpha | about $299 | With Silhouette rotary blade | 4-point print and cut registration | Stickers and labels |
| Cricut Maker 4 | about $300 | Yes, rotary blade | Up to 2x faster, 13 tools | Mixed crafts and sewing |
| Cricut Maker 3 Bundle | about $342 | Yes, rotary blade | 75 ft repeated matless cuts | Only if found cheaper |
| Brother SDX325 | about $900 | Yes, Thin Fabric Auto Blade | Built-in scanner, 140 quilt patterns | Quilters and applique |
Read the Cricut Maker 3 review, the Silhouette Cameo 5 review and the Brother ScanNCut SDX325 review for the alternatives in depth, or AccuQuilt vs Cricut Maker if you cut quilt shapes in volume.
What else should you budget for with the Cricut Maker 4?
For sewing and craft use, plan $100 to $250 beyond the machine:
- Blades: the rotary blade and housing for fabric, and the knife blade for balsa, chipboard and tooling leather.
- Mats: FabricGrip 12 x 12 in mats and a FabricGrip 12 x 24 in mat for longer fabric pieces; mats are consumables.
- Heat press: iron-on shirts press more evenly with the Cricut EasyPress 3 9x9 than a household iron, or the Cricut EasyPress Mini for small spots.
- Materials: vinyl, iron-on and Smart Materials rolls, bought as projects need them.
- Software: the optional Cricut Access subscription if you rely on ready-made designs.
If you plan to sell, work out true costs with the craft pricing calculator. Our guide to choosing a cutting machine for fabric explains when a Cricut is the right fabric tool.
Who it suits
- Crafters who cut vinyl, iron-on, paper and fabric
- Sewists cutting applique, felt and small pattern pieces
- Beginners who like guided projects in an app
- Batch makers who value faster cutting
Who should skip it
- Quilters who want scanning and a built-in screen; see the Brother SDX325
- Vinyl and paper only crafters; the Cricut Explore 5 Bundle costs less
- Anyone who dislikes app-based, account-based software
- Volume quilt cutting of identical shapes
Alternatives to the Cricut Maker 4
Silhouette Cameo 5 Alpha Cutting Machine
$299.00Similar price with 4-point registration, AutoBlade and a Silhouette Studio desktop workflow, for sticker and label makers.
Check price
Cricut Explore 5 Essential Bundle
$249.00About $249 with a starter materials bundle, for vinyl, iron-on and paper crafters who never cut unbacked fabric.
Check price
Brother ScanNCut DX SDX325 Cutting Machine
$899.99A built-in scanner, 5 in touchscreen, 140 quilt patterns and a Thin Fabric Auto Blade, working without a computer or app.
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 4 worth it?
For crafters who cut a mix of materials, yes. About $300 on Amazon buys the fastest Maker, 13 compatible tools, 300+ materials and 12 ft matless cuts. Sewists should add the rotary blade and a FabricGrip mat. If you only cut vinyl and paper, an Explore saves money; if you mainly quilt, the ScanNCut SDX325 is designed around fabric.
Cricut Maker 3 vs Maker 4: which should I buy?
Buy the Maker 4 unless you find a Maker 3 clearly cheaper. Cricut says the Maker 4 cuts up to twice as fast on a machine mat, and both share Design Space, 12 ft Smart Material cuts and the Maker tool system including the rotary blade. On current Amazon listings the Maker 4 costs less than the Maker 3 bundle.
Can the Cricut Maker 4 cut fabric without backing?
Yes, with the rotary blade and drive housing and a FabricGrip mat. Cricut describes the rotary blade as cutting fabric with no backing required, and lists it for Maker machines only. Neither comes in the standard Maker 4 box, so check bundle contents or budget about $70 for both.
Does the Cricut Maker 4 need a subscription or internet?
A subscription is optional: Design Space is free and includes 3,000+ images, 100+ fonts and 1,000+ projects, while Cricut Access unlocks a much larger library. Cricut does state the Maker 4 requires a compatible phone, tablet or computer with Bluetooth and a high-speed internet connection, so plan for a device near your craft table.
Is the Cricut Maker 4 good for quilting?
It is good for applique shapes, custom pieces and fabric labels, cut one layer at a time from a mat. It is slow for stacks of identical squares and triangles, where an AccuQuilt die cutter cuts several layers per pass. Quilters who want to scan templates and add seam allowances on the machine usually prefer the Brother ScanNCut SDX325.
Sources
- Cricut Maker 4 product page and specifications (Cricut)
- Introducing Cricut Explore 4 and Cricut Maker 4 (Cricut blog)
- How to find Cricut warranty documentation (Cricut Help Center)
- All about Cricut blades and machine tools (Cricut Help Center)
- FabricGrip mat tips and tricks (Cricut Help Center)
- CPSC recall search
- Amazon 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.