Quick verdict: Maker 3 is still Cricut’s fastest, most versatile cutter. At 2× the speed of Maker 1 and with Smart-Materials up to 12 ft long, it’s the best choice for crafters who sell on Etsy or run workshops.
Key Reasons to Upgrade
| Feature | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| 2× Speed + 8 Tools | Knife blade, rotary blade, foil tip & scoring wheels for 300+ materials. |
| Smart-Material Mode (no mat) | Load 12 ft rolls of vinyl/HTV and cut in one pass – great for wall quotes & HTV gang sheets. |
| 10× Force (4 kg) | Slices basswood, leather & chipboard cleanly. |
| Adaptive Tool System | Keeps pressure even on curves – crisp cuts on intricate HTV. |
| Design Space + Bluetooth | Wireless cuts from iOS, Android, Mac & Windows; thousands of free images. |
What’s Inside This ASIN (B083F7KJ9S) Bundle
- Maker 3 machine (space-saving mint)
- 13 in × 13 in LightGrip & StandardGrip mats
- Premium fine-point blade + housing
- Smart Vinyl sample sheets (iron-on & permanent)
- USB-A → USB-C cable & power brick
- 100 local fonts + 30 days Cricut Access trial
What Users Say
“I cut 300 shirt decals for a craft fair in one evening – no mat reloads!”
“Rotary blade glides through felt; no frayed edges.”
“Wish Design Space worked offline, but cloud saves my files across devices.”
Specs at a Glance
- Max cut width (matless): 13 in × 12 ft
- Tool compatibility: 8 (Knife, Rotary, Scoring, Foil, etc.)
- Cut force: 4 kg
- Connectivity: USB-C & Bluetooth 5.0
- Machine size / weight: 22.1 × 7.1 × 6.2 in | 15.4 lb
✅ Pros & ❌ Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Fastest desktop cutter (8″/sec) | Requires Design Space (Internet) |
| Matless Smart-Material cuts | Roll holder sold separately |
| Cuts 300+ materials | Learning curve for Knife-blade passes |
| Quiet motor vs. Explore Air 2 |
Perfect Pairings
- HTVRONT 100-Pack HTV Sheets – 43 colors for shirts → Buy
- Cricut Explore 3 & Digital Content – Compare raw force & roll feeder → Review
Final Thoughts
For makers who need speed, power and tool variety, Cricut Maker 3 stays on top. If you mostly cut vinyl decals, Cameo 4’s roll feeder may tempt you, but for fabric, leather and 3-D crafts the Maker 3 bundle is the safer long-term investment.
Want smoother iron-on results? Pair Maker 3 with a quality HTV bundle — explore our favorite vinyl packs here →
