Is the Cricut Maker 3 worth the extra money? (2023)

Do I really need the Cricut Maker 3?

If you're serious about crafting and want a machine that can keep up with you, the Cricut Maker 3 is a more powerful option. It can accept a far wider range of both tools and materials than the Joy, with heads that can work with fabric, leather, wood, and even aluminum sheets.

Do you need an Upgrade? Honestly, you do not need an upgrade if you already have a Cricut Maker. However, if what you have is an Explore Air machine, then it would be wise to get the latest Cricut model which is the Maker 3.

The key difference between the Cricut Maker and the Cricut Maker 3 is that the Cricut Maker 3 works with Smart Materials, which is something that was lacking in the original. Cricut's Smart Materials will allow you to work mat-free, meaning you can continuously work on projects up to 12 feet in length.

Silhouette & Brother

The best competitors to the Cricut are the die-cutting machines from Silhouette and Brother. Silhouette comes the closest to giving Cricut a run for its money, which is possible because of its Cameo and Portrait series of machines.

With the ability to cut more than 300 materials, and compatible with more than 13 tools to cut, score, write, deboss, engrave, and more, the versatile Cricut Maker 3 combines power, speed, and pro-level performance to keep up with your making demands. Cricut helps you make what's possible.

The nickel-and-diming is a lot if you're just a hobby crafter, and you're going to end up spending a lot more if you don't have the skills to build your own designs in Design Space. However, if you sell your crafts on Etsy or elsewhere, I do think a Cricut could be a good investment.

In general, 3-6 months is the average useful life of a Premium Fine Point blade in a Cricut Maker machine.

Can You Engrave with a Cricut Machine? I have been asked this question countless times, and the answer is finally YES! With the Cricut Engraving Tool, engraving is now possible with your Cricut Maker machine!

Watercolor, glow-in-the-dark, new labels and more now available at Cricut.

Can the Cricut Maker 3 cut wood?

You can cut either wood on the Cricut Maker machine. Whichever you choose, just make sure it doesn't have any knots. If a piece as a knot, make sure the knife blade will not have to go through the knot when cutting your pattern.

Both machines are able to use the same blades with all of the Cricut cutting mats to create your own custom designs. Unlike the Maker, the Maker 3 is able to cut Smart Materials without using a mat.

With the launch of Cricut Maker 3, many folks have wondered if the Cricut Maker being discontinued. According to my folks at Cricut, there are no plans to discontinue Cricut Maker any time soon, and support will continue.

Honest Review of the Cricut Maker 3 | Unboxing Video | Unsponsored

What's the Difference Between the Cricut Explore Air 2 and Explore 3. The main difference between the Explore 3 and it's predecessor, the Explore Air 2, is that the Explore 3 can cut Cricut Smart Materials. It also has a sleeker look and can cut much faster than the Explore Air 2 using Fast Mode.

This tool system allows the Maker machine to work with 13 tools, whereas the Explore line of machines can work with 6 tools. The Maker tools can cut, write, score, foil, debs, engrave and more. The Explore 3 can cut, write, score and foil. Let's look a little closer at each blade and tool for each machine.

Yes, you can use the Cricut to cut metal.

Cricut Maker 3 works with our all-new Smart Materials. What makes these new materials unique? They easily load directly into the machine (without a cutting mat!) and stay aligned without any manual adjustment. That means — for the first time ever — you can make cuts up to 12 ft long in one go.

Cricut Explore One

It has all of the precise cutting, writing, and scoring capabilities of the Explore Air machines, and you can cut all the same materials (there are more than 100!).

The latest and greatest in the Explore Family, Cricut Explore 3 can do everything Cricut Explore Air 2 can do, plus more. Cricut Explore 3 works with our all-new Smart Materials.

Does aluminum foil sharpen Cricut blades?

You can easily sharpen all of your Cricut Blades with aluminum foil. This includes: Fine-Point Blades: Fine Point Blades are made from 45-degree German Carbide steel. They're wear-resistant still need to be sharpened regularly.

Blades are easily dulled when you cut paper and vinyl. Clean and sharpening your Cricut blades for a longer lasting great crafting experience. By cleaning and sharpening your Cricut blade, you will save a ton of time and money.

The Cricut Maker can cut pretty much any material less than 3/32 of an inch, or 2.4mm, thick.

These alternative adapters allow you to use Sharpies, Bic markers, Tombow brush markers, Crayola fine-line markers, and many other options! My two favorite pen adapter options are from this shop on Etsy or this brand on Amazon. Both work well with any Cricut Maker, Maker 3, Explore Air 2, or Explore 3 machine!

The only glass etching projects we would endorse are chemical etching projects. You can't directly use your Cricut machine, but it still plays a vital part in producing a cleanly cut, detailed stencil for your project.