Get the Cricut Maker 5 if:
- You want one machine for paper, fabric, softwood and metal engraving.
- You sew and want to cut unbacked fabric.
- You’d use engraving, debossing or perforating.
The short answer
Wood, fabric, engraving? Maker 5
Vinyl, iron-on and cards? Explore 5
Same size on Cricut’s chart (19.8 x 7.5 x 4.7 in), same 14.1 in/s, same 12 ft matless cuts with Smart Materials. The difference is reach. Cricut lists 13 tools and 300+ materials for the Maker 5, and 5 or 6 tools and 100+ materials for the Explore 5. Cricut lists no engraving, debossing, perforating or softwood for the Explore 5.
Best for wood, fabric and metal
Pick the Cricut Maker 5 if
- You want to cut leather or foam core board up to 3 mm (Knife Blade, sold separately), or wood.
- You sew: the Rotary Blade cuts cotton, fleece and denim.
- You want to engrave metal tags or deboss leather.
The Amazon listing is Cricut’s Maker 5 Essential Bundle, which adds starter tools and materials. 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 AmazonBest for vinyl, iron-on and cards
Pick the Cricut Explore 5 if
- Your projects are decals, shirts, stickers and cards.
- You want the same size, speed and 12 ft matless cuts.
- 1.5 mm craft foam is as thick as you cut (Deep Cutting Tool).
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: Both Amazon listings are Cricut bundles with starter materials, so compare what each bundle includes. Listings change, so check who the seller is and that it’s new before you order.
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Key specs
4Maker 5
spec rows won
spec rows won
0Explore 5
spec rows won
spec rows won
9even or
unclear
unclear
The Maker 5 wins four rows: thickness, tools, materials and extra effects. The rest tie or are too close to call.
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 5 | Explore 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Widest matless cut | 12 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 23.75 in (large mat) | 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 | 3 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; USB cable in the box | Bluetooth; USB cable in the box |
| Software / devices | Design Space: iOS, Android, Mac, Windows | Design Space (mobile or desktop device) |
| Size (W x D x H) | 19.8 x 7.5 x 4.7 in | 19.8 x 7.5 x 4.7 in |
| Weight | 10.9 lb | 10 lb |
| In the box | Premium Fine Point Cutting Tool, Scoring Tool, dual-sided marker, 12 x 12 in mat | 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 5) vs Deep Cutting Tool (Explore 5).
- Cricut doesn’t list a maximum cut size on a mat for the Explore 5, only the 12 x 12 in and 12 x 24 in mats it uses.
Where the sources disagree
- Cricut Maker 5 weight: the product page says 10.9 lb; Cricut’s comparison chart says 10 lb.
- Cricut Maker 5 craft foam: the product page says the Deep Cutting Tool cuts craft foam up to 1.5 mm, but Cricut’s comparison chart marks craft foam as “No” for Maker 5. Because Cricut’s own pages disagree, the chart above marks it Just barely and gives no check.
- 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 5 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 5 | Explore 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Vinyl and iron-on | ||
| Shirt decal | Can doCuts iron-on (HTV). | Can doCuts iron-on (HTV). |
| 11 in decal | Can do12 in matless width. | 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 doScoring Tool in the box. | Can doScoring Tool in the box. |
| Color stickers | Can doPrint then Cut with a home inkjet. | Can doPrint then Cut with a home inkjet. |
| Foil accents | Can doFoil Transfer Tool (sold separately). | Can doFoil Transfer Tool (sold separately). |
| Thick and specialty | ||
| Balsa ornaments | Can doChart lists softwood and names balsa; Knife Blade cuts up to 3 mm (sold separately). | Can’tCricut lists no softwood for Explore 5. |
| Craft foam | Just barelyProduct page lists foam up to 1.5 mm (Deep Cutting Tool); Cricut’s chart says No. | 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 doEngraves metal up to 3 mm (tool 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 the same size and speed as the Maker 5.
- You don’t need wood, fabric or metal.
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Skip it if
Skip the Maker 5
Skip it if your list is vinyl, iron-on, stickers and cards. The Explore 5 does all of that at the same speed and size.
Skip the Explore 5
Skip it if you want to cut softwood or unbacked fabric, or engrave. Cricut lists none of those for the Explore 5.
Questions about this pair
Is the Explore 5 slower?
No. Cricut lists 14.1 in/s for both.
Can the Explore 5 cut fabric?
Only bonded (backed) fabric with the Bonded-Fabric Blade. Cricut marks plain fabric as “No” for Explore 5.
Are they the same size?
Yes. Cricut’s comparison chart lists 19.8 x 7.5 x 4.7 in for both.