Video summary

The NEW Cricut Maker 4: Your Complete Guide

Main summary

Key takeaways

Product Review

Product Reviewed

Cricut Maker 4 (colors mentioned: Seashell and Sage). The video compares it mainly to the Cricut Maker 3, with a brief reference to Cricut Explore 4 as a cheaper alternative.

Key Features Mentioned

  • Up to 2x faster cutting speed

    • Especially noted for mat-based cuts
    • Claimed “two times faster even on a mat” due to Maker 4 technology

  • Supports the Maker tool ecosystem

    • Includes fine point blade (and fine point black pen)
    • Works with Maker-compatible tools, such as:
      • Rotary blade, knife blade
      • Scoring stylus / scoring wheel alternative
      • Engraving/debossing tools and other specialized attachments
    • Some maker-specific tools only work with Maker machines (e.g., gear-on-top tools)

  • Tool compatibility across Cricut machines

    • Maker 4 tools and Explore tools are said to still be usable where appropriate
    • The video notes: “any of your maker tools are going to work with the Maker 4.”

  • Bundled materials & starter readiness

    • Includes enough materials for up to 10 projects

  • Mat included + mat ecosystem

    • Comes with Light Grip mat
    • Other mats mentioned:
      • Standard (green)
      • Strong (purple)
      • Fabric (pink)
      • Optional Card Mat for pre-folded cards

  • Roll cutting option for Smart materials

    • Optional roll holder attaches to the tray to cut Smart materials without a mat
    • Easier for long rolls
    • Roll holder fits Maker 4 (originally for Maker 3)

  • Setup & connectivity

    • Setup via cricut.com setup and Cricut Design Space (desktop or mobile)
    • Connect via Bluetooth or USB
    • Performs a test cut after loading Smart vinyl and checks for correct blade installation
      • Errors if the wrong blade is installed

  • Material capacity

    • Can cut “everything previous models could” (thousands of material types)
    • Described as top-of-line for cutting thin to thick materials
    • Examples mentioned:
      • Vinyl, iron-on, paper, fabric
      • Thicker materials like basswood, leather, wood
      • Also supports engraving/debossing

Price & Availability (as Stated)

  • MSRP: $399
  • Seashell color: available Feb 28 in US & Canada on cricut.com
    • Video also mentions Sage as another color
  • Sage color:
    • Available Feb 28 at Michaels in US/Mexico/Canada (bundle mentioned)
    • Outside those areas: March 14, and only in Sage (per the video)

User Experience (What It Felt Like)

  • Setup described as “super easy” and guided by Cricut
  • First-time experience emphasized:
    • Test cut
    • Ease of quickly producing a Cricut logo decal
  • Cutting quality:
    • High-quality results on both Maker 4 and Maker 3
    • Reviewer states she couldn’t tell a difference in cut quality
  • Important caution:
    • Blade compatibility with the mobile app may be limited
    • Example given: a knife/wood blade may behave differently if only using a mobile workflow
    • Recommendation: check compatibility before relying on mobile-only usage

Speed Test Results vs Cricut Maker 3 (Main Comparison)

Overall Findings

  • Maker 4 is faster most of the time, especially for:
    • Mat-based cuts
    • Print Then Cut
  • Quality is essentially the same between Maker 4 and Maker 3
  • Noted issue:
    • Maker 3 had a connection/processing glitch on the first Smart vinyl run
    • After a reload/correction and recut, results were described as fairly consistent

Specific Tested Categories

  • Smart materials (off the mat)

    • Maker 4 faster after accounting for Maker 3’s initial connection delay

  • Iron-on on a mat

    • Maker 4 finished significantly earlier
    • Reviewer: “speed difference is incredible”

  • Paper on a mat + pen draw

    • Maker 4 completed both drawing and cutting faster

  • Leather (timer test; deep point blade; fabric grip mat)

    • Maker 4: ~1 min 28 sec
    • Maker 3: ~1 min 29 sec
    • Result: Maker 4 about ~1 second faster

  • Basswood (knife blade on strong grip mat)

    • Maker 4: 6 min 3 sec
    • Maker 3: ~6 min 3 sec
    • Result: no meaningful difference (nearly identical totals)

  • Fabric (rotary blade; fabric grip mat; outline hot air balloon)

    • Maker 4: ~53 sec
    • Maker 3: ~57 sec
    • Result: Maker 4 about ~4 seconds faster

  • Print Then Cut

    • Both calibrated
    • Maker 4: completed 9 stickers
    • Maker 3: about halfway through the 5th sticker
    • Reviewer conclusion: Print Then Cut is “definitely two times as fast” on Maker 4

Pros (As Emphasized)

  • Noticeably faster for mat-based projects, especially Print Then Cut
  • Great cut quality comparable to Maker 3
  • Strong overall capability for many materials, including thick materials, plus engraving/debossing
  • Ready to start (materials for ~10 projects + Light Grip mat)
  • Good tool ecosystem and support for Maker/compatible tools

Cons / Limitations (Mentioned)

  • Some specialty-blade speed gains aren’t dramatic in all tests
    • Rotary blade slightly faster; other specialty blades not much different overall
  • Mobile/app blade compatibility may be limited
    • Certain tools (e.g., wood/knife workflows) may not be ideal if using only mobile
  • Not a universal upgrade
    • If you already like Maker 3 and don’t care about faster mat/PnC workflows, upgrading may not be necessary
  • Reminder from the video:
    • Maker 3 had a first-run performance glitch during one Smart vinyl test, but it was corrected for the comparison

Comparisons Made With Other Models

  • Maker 4 vs Maker 3

    • Core difference: faster speed on mat cuts and Print Then Cut
    • Quality described as similar

  • Maker 4 vs “cheaper” option (Explore 4)

    • Reviewer suggests Explore 4 if you don’t need Maker’s broader capabilities
    • Positioned as a savings option without going deep into specs in the transcript

Unique Points Mentioned (Complete List)

  1. Maker 4 announced; reviewer received it ahead of time; sponsored video but opinions are hers
  2. Colors: Seashell (neutral metallic top) and Sage
  3. Availability dates by region/store; Michaels bundle mention for Sage
  4. Maker 4 generation clarification (no Maker 2)
  5. Main claimed improvement: up to 2x faster, even on mat-based cutting
  6. Base box includes materials for up to 10 projects
  7. MSRP: $399
  8. Box contents include machine, fine point blade, clamps A/B, power/USB cords, pen, mini weeding tool, documentation, smart vinyl/iron-on/paper materials, Light Grip mat
  9. Machine control buttons: power, load, unload, go, pause
  10. Pen mounting via clamp B
  11. Blade swapping using clamps; supports additional tools
  12. Maker 4 compatible with Maker tools; some gear-on-top tools require Maker
  13. Tool type examples: rotary blade, knife blade, quick swap housing, engraving/debossing wheels, scoring stylus alternative
  14. Works with Maker pens/markers/infusible ink pens with clamp A
  15. Mats include optional card mat for pre-folded cards
  16. Optional roll holder enables Smart material cutting without a mat (fits Maker 3 roll holder)
  17. Setup via cricut.com setup and Design Space download prompt
  18. Connectivity via Bluetooth or USB
  19. Test cut detects wrong blade and shows errors
  20. Design Space works on desktop and mobile app
  21. Caution: not all blades compatible with mobile workflow
  22. Can cut thousands of materials; Maker line described as top-of-line
  23. Max size/thickness mentioned; thickness up to 2.4 mm (with caveat to check material specs)
  24. Speed test methodology: same computer/internet/Bluetooth; Maker 4 right / Maker 3 left
  25. Smart vinyl test: Maker 3 initially slower due to connection issue; recut showed Maker 4 faster
  26. Iron-on on mat: Maker 4 significantly faster
  27. Paper + pen on mat: Maker 4 faster for both draw and cut
  28. Leather test: ~1 second advantage for Maker 4
  29. Basswood test: essentially same time (6:03 vs ~6:03)
  30. Fabric rotary blade test: Maker 4 about ~4 seconds faster
  31. Print Then Cut: Maker 4 about 2x faster (9 stickers vs Maker 3 halfway through 5th)
  32. Cut quality similar between machines across materials
  33. Guidance: if buying first Maker machine, choose Maker 4; upgrade only if you want speed on mat/PnC
  34. Older machines (Joy/Explore/Maker lines listed) still supported; maker/Maker 3 remain supported
  35. Not obsolete: Design Space continues to work on supported models
  36. Suggests Explore 4 as cheaper alternative if you don’t need Maker’s broader thickness/material capabilities

Speaker Views

  • Angie Holden (primary speaker): performs the evaluation, testing, and recommendations. No other speakers are present.

Concise Verdict / Recommendation

Buy the Cricut Maker 4 if you care about speed—especially for mat-based projects and Print Then Cut. The video shows major time savings in those workflows while maintaining similar cut quality to the Maker 3.

If you already have a Maker 3 and you’re happy with it, upgrade only if faster mat/PnC performance is important to you.

Original video