Recent Maker 4 release sets one crucial question, "Is it worth upgrading now or searching for Maker 3 on sale?" Hobbyists who love to explore new smart cutting machines as soon as they are launched and who don't mind spending the full price on a new device will love the newest Cricut update. Those with doubts should read our comparison of Maker 3 vs 4 to find their best solution.
How much can a device improve in four years? Is Maker 4 much faster and comes with some exclusive features over Maker 3 or not? Digital Art Dreams provides an ultimate look at both machines, comparing their price, dimensions, design, speed, and other specs.
Maker 3 vs 4
Thousands of crafters have been waiting for a new Maker 4 release for nearly four years, hoping it would bring new features, be as fast or nearly as fast as Cricut Venture, but support far more tools and stay within the size of Makers.
Finally, a new machine landed on the store shelves. However, at first glance at Cricut Maker 3 vs Maker 4, you'll see that the size is similar, no new features are announced, and the price tag is higher than the cost of the previous generation. Is it a must to purchase this latest release? Is it better to run to Target, Hobby Lobby, and other stores looking for Maker 3 at 50% off? Comparing the two machines can help you make this decision.
Read also: First Look at Cricut Maker vs Cricut Maker 4.
Release Date
There are nearly four years between Maker 3 vs 4. Cricut Maker 4 was officially released on February 28, 2025, boasting brand new color options not used in previous generation Cricuts.
Maker 3 was launched in June 2021. Back then, it was an update to the original Maker, promising to run up to twice as fast and supporting brand-new Smart Materials that require no mats. It was a small revolution in the world of crafting, which you don't feel when looking at Cricut Maker 3 vs Maker 4.
Dimensions
The latest Cricut Maker 4 is 7.1"D x 22.1"W x 6.2"H and weighs 15.4 pounds.
The previous Maker 3 has the exact dimensions. It is 7.1"D x 22.1"W x 6.2"H (the box is bigger, its dimensions are 11.4"D x 26.3" W x 10.7" H), and its weight is the same 15.4 pounds.
Thus, absolutely nothing has changed in the dimensions of Maker 3 vs 4.
Color Options
The most recent 2025 smart cutting machine does boast brand-new color choices. You can buy Maker 4 in seashell color directly from Cricut, Amazon, or Michaels, and you can purchase Maker 4 in sage color from Michaels exclusively.
The previous Maker 3 has only one color choice, it is light blue.
Design
The Cricut Maker 3 vs 4 design is pretty much alike. The machines look identical and have the same buttons, storage spaces, USB-charging port on the right side, etc.
Besides unique color choices, Maker 4 also uses a new type of connecting cord to your laptop or computer. It is no longer the ordinary USB cable that comes with Maker 3. Instead, it uses a USB-C cord, but you can still use a Maker 3 cord on your Maker 4 machine.
Supported Tools
There are no differences between Cricut Maker 3 vs 4 when it comes to supported tools and accessories. Both smart cutting machines share the exactly same features. They can cut cardstock, vinyl, Smart Materials, leather, light wood, crepe paper, fabric, and felt. They can score, deboss, engrave, perforate, transfer foil, write, draw, etc. They support the same tools, including:
- Premium fine-point blade;
- Knife blade;
- Deep cut blade;
- Rotary blade;
- Wavy blade;
- Perforation blade;
- Bonded fabric blade;
- Foil transfer tool;
- Engraving tip;
- Debossing tip;
- Scoring wheel;
- Scoring stylus;
- Cricut markers and pens.
Price
Another significant difference between Maker 3 and Maker 4 is their price. Being freshly released, Maker 4 is way more expensive. The seashell machine only costs $399, with bundles starting at $459 and going up. The Michaels' exclusive sage version costs $449 and comes only in a bundle with materials for your first projects.
By the way, Maker 4 has more materials for practice cuts than Maker 3.
Cricut Maker 3, on the other hand, can be found with significant discounts at different retail shops across the US. You can pay as low as $199, $179, or sometimes even $159 depending on your discounts and luck with this previous generation smart cutting machine as of February-March 2025.
Comparison chart
| Model | Maker 3 | Maker 4 |
| Release Date | June 2021 | February 2025 |
| Max Cut Size |
11.7 in x 12 ft (30 mm x 3.66m) |
11.7 in x 12 ft (30 mm x 3.66m) |
| Max Cut Speed |
11.3 ips |
14.1 ips |
| Support |
Supported |
Supported |
| Features | Automatic support for 13 tools and 300+ materials |
Automatic support for 13 tools and 300+ materials
|
| Software | Design Space |
Design Space
|
| Connectivity | Bluetooth, USB | Bluetooth, USB |
| Colors | Light blue | Seashell, sage |
| Wheels | Plastic | Plastic |
| Cricut Smart Materials | Supports | Supports |
| Is Mat Needed? | Mat is needed for all materials except Cricut Smart Materials | Mat is needed for all materials except Cricut Smart Materials |
| Mat Size | 12 in x 12 in or 12 in x 24 in | 12 in x 12 in or 12 in x 24 in |
| Size Without Mat | 13 in x up to 12 ft | 13 in x up to 12 ft |
| Compatible with Roll Holder | Yes | Yes |
Read also: Cricut Maker vs Cricut Maker 3.
Difference
Should you buy Maker 4 or stick with Maker 3? It's entirely up to you. Both machines are pretty fast. Although Cricut advertises its Maker 4 as up to twice as fast, its maximum cutting speed is 14.1 ips, which is not twice as fast as the 11.3 ips advertised for Maker 3.
Both smart cutting machines support Smart Materials and Design Space, share the same tools, work with the same mats, and require the same supplies. They look alike but come in different color options. Some hobbyists believe that Maker 4 is louder than 3 because it's faster. Others are sure that it's more silent than Maker 3 and takes less time to "think" about your project before beginning to work on it.
Many crafters still hope that the next release will be even faster, like Venture, but offer support to all tools just like Makers and hopefully introduce some brand-new specs we've never seen before (for example, Cricut might come with a 2-in-1 machine that prints and cuts eliminating the necessary to use a printer to make print then cut projects and sublimations). Time flies so fast that in a blink of an eye, we'll discuss the next upgrade!