Get the Cricut Maker 5 if:
- You want the Maker 5, the model on Cricut’s chart, and the 3 mm cut limit.
- Desk space matters: it’s smaller and about 4.5 lb lighter.
- You’d rather have a Scoring Tool in the box than buy one.
The short answer
Thicker cuts, smaller machine? Maker 5
Fine with 2.4 mm cuts? Maker 4
Both have 13 compatible tools, 300+ materials and the same 14.1 in/s top speed. On Cricut’s numbers, the Maker 5 wins four rows and the Maker 4 wins none. It cuts thicker material (3 mm vs 2.4 mm with the Knife Blade), weighs about 4.5 lb less, is smaller, and comes with a Scoring Tool. Default to the Maker 5. Pick the Maker 4 only if 2.4 mm is thick enough for you.
Best for thicker projects
Pick the Cricut Maker 5 if
- You want to cut leather or foam core board up to 3 mm (Knife Blade, sold separately).
- You want a smaller, lighter machine: 19.8 in wide and 10.9 lb vs 22.1 in and 15.4 lb.
- You make cards: a Scoring Tool is in the box.
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 if 2.4 mm is enough
Pick the Cricut Maker 4 if
- 2.4 mm is thick enough for your balsa wood and similar projects.
- You don’t need the Maker 5’s smaller body or 3 mm Knife Blade cuts.
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 AmazonBefore you buy: Cricut’s comparison chart lists the Maker 5, not the Maker 4. 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
0Maker 4
spec rows won
spec rows won
9even or
unclear
unclear
The Maker 5 wins four rows: thickness, size, weight and what’s in the box. The rest are tied or 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 | Maker 4 | |
|---|---|---|
| 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) | 11.5 x 23.5 in |
| Cut speed (maker figure) | Up to 14.1 in/s | Up to 14.1 in/s |
| Thickest material | 3 mm (Knife Blade) | 2.4 mm (Knife Blade) |
| Compatible tools | 13 | 13 |
| Materials (maker count) | 300+ | 300+ |
| Print then Cut | Yes (home inkjet printer) | Yes (home inkjet printer) |
| Extra effects | Engraves, debosses and perforates (tools sold separately) | Engraves, debosses and perforates (tools sold separately) |
| Connection | Bluetooth; USB cable in the box | Bluetooth |
| Software / devices | Design Space: iOS, Android, Mac, Windows | Design Space (desktop and mobile) |
| Size (W x D x H) | 19.8 x 7.5 x 4.7 in | 22.1 x 7.1 x 6.2 in |
| Weight | 10.9 lb | 15.4 lb |
| In the box | Premium Fine Point Cutting Tool, Scoring Tool, dual-sided marker, 12 x 12 in mat | Premium Fine-Point Blade + Housing, fine point pen, 12 x 12 in mat, mini weeder |
Spec notes
- Matless cuts (12 ft) only work with Cricut Smart Materials. The 0.3 in width gap isn’t checked.
- Thickness is what the Knife Blade (sold separately) cuts: 3 mm on Maker 5, 2.4 mm on Maker 4.
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.
- The weight check mark holds under every figure listed: Maker 5 10.9 or 10 vs Maker 4 15.4.
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 | Maker 4 |
|---|---|---|
| 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, 11.5 in on a mat. |
| 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 doNeeds Scoring Stylus or Wheels (sold separately). |
| Color stickers | Can doPrint then Cut with a home inkjet. | Can doPrint then Cut with a home inkjet. |
| Thick and specialty | ||
| Balsa ornaments | Can doChart lists softwood and names balsa; Knife Blade cuts up to 3 mm (sold separately). | Can doKnife Blade cuts balsa up to 2.4 mm (sold separately). |
| Craft foam | Just barelyProduct page lists foam up to 1.5 mm (Deep Cutting Tool); Cricut’s chart says No. | Can doDeep-Point Blade, up to 1.5 mm. |
| Quilt pieces | Can doRotary Blade cuts cotton, fleece, denim (sold separately). | Can doRotary Blade cuts cotton, fleece, denim (sold separately). |
| Metal tag | Can doEngraves metal up to 3 mm (tool sold separately). | Can doEngraving Tip for metal (sold separately). |
| Tear-off tickets | Can doPerforation Blade (sold separately). | Can doPerforation Blade (sold separately). |
“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 Maker 4 if:
- You want Maker-level tools (Rotary, Knife, engraving, perforating) in the Maker 4.
- You already have Maker 4 accessories and mats.
- You don’t need to cut thicker than 2.4 mm.
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Skip it if
Skip the Maker 5
Skip it if you already own a Maker 4 and never hit its 2.4 mm limit. The tools, materials and speed are the same on paper.
Skip the Maker 4
Skip it if you plan to cut 3 mm leather or foam core board, or want the model Cricut’s chart now lists.
Questions about this pair
Do Maker 4 tools work on the Maker 5?
Tools that share a name on both machines (Rotary Blade, Knife Blade, Debossing Tip, Perforation Blade) are the likely matches. Cricut lists 13 compatible tools for both. A few have new names on the Maker 5, like the Engraving Tool and Deep Cutting Tool, so check cricut.com/blades for your exact tool before you buy.
Is the Maker 5 faster?
Not on paper. Cricut lists up to 14.1 in/s for both.
Do I need a subscription?
No. Cricut says neither machine requires a subscription. Design Space is free, and Cricut Access is an optional paid subscription that unlocks more images, fonts and projects.