Get the Cricut Maker 4 if:
- You want Maker tools (Rotary, Knife, engraving, perforating).
- You cut balsa or unbacked fabric.
- Desk space isn’t tight.
The short answer
Wood, fabric, engraving? Maker 4
Vinyl and cards, less desk space? Explore 5
Same 14.1 in/s and 12 ft matless cuts with Smart Materials. The Maker 4 has the bigger tool list (13 vs 5 or 6) and cuts thicker material (2.4 mm vs 1.5 mm). The Explore 5 is smaller (19.8 in vs 22.1 in wide), 5.4 lb lighter and comes with a Scoring Tool and marker.
Best for wood and fabric
Pick the Cricut Maker 4 if
- You want to cut balsa wood up to 2.4 mm (Knife Blade, sold separately).
- You sew: the Rotary Blade cuts cotton, fleece and denim.
- You want engraving, debossing or perforating.
The Amazon listing is the Maker 4 with a digital content bundle. Cricut says the box has a Premium Fine-Point Blade + Housing, a fine point pen, a 12 x 12 in Light Grip mat and a mini weeder.
See current price on AmazonBest for everyday crafts
Pick the Cricut Explore 5 if
- You make decals, shirts, stickers and cards.
- You want a smaller, lighter machine: 10 lb vs 15.4 lb.
- You want a Scoring Tool and marker in the box.
The Amazon listing is Cricut’s Explore 5 Essential Bundle with a multicolor material sampler. Cricut says the machine comes with a Premium Fine Point Cutting Tool, Scoring Tool, dual-sided marker and a 12 x 12 in Light Grip mat.
See current price on AmazonBefore you buy: Cricut’s comparison chart lists the Maker 5, not the Maker 4. The Explore 5 Amazon listing is a bundle with starter materials. Listings change, so check who the seller is and that it’s new before you order.
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Key specs
4Maker 4
spec rows won
spec rows won
3Explore 5
spec rows won
spec rows won
6even or
unclear
unclear
The Maker 4 wins on reach (thickness, tools, materials, effects). The Explore 5 wins on size, weight and what’s in the box.
A green check marks the clearly better spec for most people, no check means a tie, a tiny gap or a spec the makers measure differently, and every figure comes from Cricut’s own product pages and comparison chart, not from Amazon.
| Maker 4 | Explore 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Widest matless cut | 11.7 in x 12 ft (Cricut Smart Materials only) | 11.7 in x 12 ft (Cricut Smart Materials only) |
| Biggest cut on a mat | 11.5 x 23.5 in | Not listed (Cricut shows 12 x 12 in and 12 x 24 in mats) |
| Cut speed (maker figure) | Up to 14.1 in/s | Up to 14.1 in/s |
| Thickest material | 2.4 mm (Knife Blade) | 1.5 mm (Deep Cutting Tool) |
| Compatible tools | 13 | 5 or 6 (Cricut lists both) |
| Materials (maker count) | 300+ | 100+ |
| Print then Cut | Yes (home inkjet printer) | Yes (home inkjet printer) |
| Extra effects | Engraves, debosses and perforates (tools sold separately) | Scores (Scoring Tool in the box); no engraving, debossing or perforating |
| Connection | Bluetooth | Bluetooth; USB cable in the box |
| Software / devices | Design Space (desktop and mobile) | Design Space (mobile or desktop device) |
| Size (W x D x H) | 22.1 x 7.1 x 6.2 in | 19.8 x 7.5 x 4.7 in |
| Weight | 15.4 lb | 10 lb |
| In the box | Premium Fine-Point Blade + Housing, fine point pen, 12 x 12 in mat, mini weeder | Premium Fine Point Cutting Tool, Scoring Tool, dual-sided marker, 12 x 12 in mat |
Spec notes
- Thickness is what Cricut’s named blade cuts: Knife Blade (Maker 4) vs Deep Cutting Tool (Explore 5).
- Matless cuts up to 12 ft need Cricut Smart Materials on both.
Where the sources disagree
- Cricut Explore 5 size and weight: Cricut’s Explore 5 product page doesn’t list them, so we use the comparison chart (19.8 x 7.5 x 4.7 in, 10 lb). The chart gives the same figures for the Maker 5, whose own product page says 10.9 lb.
- Cricut Explore 5 tools: the same product page says it “works with six tools” in one place and “works with 5 tools” in another.
- Cricut Explore 5 devices: Cricut’s comparison chart lists “iOS, Mac, Windows, Google” for the Explore 5 and “Android” for its other machines, while the product page says only “mobile or desktop device.” We use the product page wording.
- The compatible tools check mark holds under every figure listed: Maker 4 13 vs Explore 5 5 or 6.
What it can make
Common projects, judged only from what each maker says the machine and its tools can do. Short names, grouped by type; the line under each badge is the spec behind it.
- Can do the maker lists it for this machine (some tools are sold separately)
- Just barely possible, with a limit the maker states (size, material brand or blade)
- Can’t the maker doesn’t list it for this machine, or a listed spec rules it out
| Project | Maker 4 | Explore 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Vinyl and iron-on | ||
| Shirt decal | Can doCuts iron-on (HTV). | Can doCuts iron-on (HTV). |
| 11 in decal | Can do11.7 in matless, 11.5 in on a mat. | Can do11.7 in matless width. |
| 6 ft banner | Can do12 ft matless, Smart Materials only. | Can do12 ft matless, Smart Materials only. |
| Paper | ||
| Folded cards | Can doNeeds Scoring Stylus or Wheels (sold separately). | Can doScoring Tool in the box. |
| Color stickers | Can doPrint then Cut with a home inkjet. | Can doPrint then Cut with a home inkjet. |
| Thick and specialty | ||
| Balsa ornaments | Can doKnife Blade cuts balsa up to 2.4 mm (sold separately). | Can’tCricut lists no softwood for Explore 5. |
| Craft foam | Can doDeep-Point Blade, up to 1.5 mm. | Can doDeep Cutting Tool, up to 1.5 mm. |
| Quilt pieces | Can doRotary Blade cuts cotton, fleece, denim (sold separately). | Just barelyBonded (backed) fabric only, with Bonded-Fabric Blade. |
| Metal tag | Can doEngraving Tip for metal (sold separately). | Can’tCricut lists no engraving for Explore 5. |
| Tear-off tickets | Can doPerforation Blade (sold separately). | Can’tCricut lists no perforating for Explore 5. |
“Sold separately” tools are extra purchases. Cut limits are the maker’s maximums; real results depend on the material and blade.
Notes and sources
Cricut’s longest matless cuts (up to 12 ft) only work with Cricut Smart Materials; everything else goes on a machine mat.
Sources (maker pages, checked October 9, 2026):
Who should buy which
Get the Cricut Explore 5 if:
- You mostly cut vinyl, iron-on, stickers and cardstock.
- You want a smaller body.
- You don’t need wood, fabric or metal.
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Skip it if
Skip the Maker 4
Skip it if you only cut vinyl, iron-on and paper. You’d have a bigger, heavier machine than you need.
Skip the Explore 5
Skip it if you plan to cut balsa or unbacked fabric, or want to engrave. Cricut lists none of these for the Explore 5.
Questions about this pair
Is the Maker 4 still on Cricut’s chart?
No. Cricut’s current comparison chart lists the Explore 5 and Maker 5 but not the Maker 4. Cricut’s own Maker 4 page was still up when this page was checked.
Same speed?
Yes, Cricut lists up to 14.1 in/s for both.
Does either need a mat?
Smart Materials cut without a mat up to 12 ft on both. Everything else goes on a machine mat.