I see so many people buying the Cricut Maker 3 because it is the newest of the Cricut machines out there, but just because it is the newest does not mean it is the BEST option for you. In this article I will go into detail about why I would never buy, or recommend that someone else buys the Cricut Maker 3.
By the way, this post contains Affiliate Links to companies I have partnered with, such as Amazon. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. You can think of affiliate links like tipping your waitress, only it does not cost you anything extra! Thank you for shopping with my links!
Before you run to the store to purchase a Cricut machine, make sure to do some research and see which machine is right for you. I have a Cricut Machine Comparison article you can check out. One of the moderators in my Cricut Facebook group did a full review of the Maker 3 when it came out.
Pros of the Maker 3
To start with, let’s look at the positives, and the items Cricut lists as features. Some of these are taken right off the Cricut website.
- It is a quieter machine
- It is compatible with more materials
- Writes, draws, foils, engraves, embosses
- Okay, I am calling their bluff on this one! The Cricut can deboss but it cannot emboss. Yes, technically debossing is the opposite of embossing, so if you flip the debossed paper over it would be embossed but let’s call it what it is!
Another item I have heard a lot of feedback on is the ability to cut wood. There are many people who purchased the Maker 3 specifically to cut wood. I did an entire article on the topic of Cutting Wood with the Cricut Maker. If you plan to cut wood as one of your crafts, I would recommend you look into a laser cutting machine.
I have spoken with some cutting machine insiders who really look at the nuts and bolts of a machine and they have told me that the Cricut Maker and the Cricut Maker 3 are pretty much the same machine as far as the system parts. The biggest difference they saw was that the Maker 3 could cut matless.
Cons of the Maker 3
For me, the biggest con of the Maker 3 is that in order to cut without a mat, you have to use the Cricut brand Smart Vinyl. I have openly said that I am not a fan of any of the Cricut vinyl, so why would I pay more for a machine where one of the benefits is being able to use a material I consider low quality?
Another con is the cost. At the time I wrote this article the Cricut Maker 3 was on sale for $399, while the Maker was selling at $199. That is a $200 difference!
How Thick can the Maker 3 Cut?
Materials must be less than 2.4mm thick. This is because the material needs to go under the rollers on the machine. Unfinished plywood sheets that can be used for laser cutting and engraving, DIY ornaments, and architectural models starts at 1/8″ thick, which is 3mm.
What is the Maker 3 app?
This machine uses the same Design Space app and software as all of the other Cricut machines.
Are there Maker 3 Alternatives?
Yes! There are plenty of machines that also allow you to do everything that the Cricut Maker can do including cutting matless. Some options include
What about the Cricut Maker 3 Bundle?
We already looked at the price of getting the Maker 3 machine. Some people would say if you get the Cricut Maker 3 bundle you are getting a better deal since you are getting a TON of supplies. Just look at all of the stuff in the photo below!
Yes, you will need the extra mats, but I have to ask why they are including mats if one of the selling points of this machine is that it can cut matless?
I have already shared how I feel about the Cricut brand vinyl. I actual had some that I threw away because it was so hard to work with! So that makes the 8 rolls of vinyl in the photo above worthless.
The tools are probably the best things in this bundle, and even with saying that, the items I use the most are the weeding tool and the spatula. You can purchase those on their own without getting the bundle. Additionally, I do use my pens a lot so I see those as a good value.
What about the Cricut Explore 3?
For me, prices is a big factor, so I want to share what the price was at the time of this article on all of the machines mentioned in this article. These prices are straight from the Cricut website.
- Cricut Explore Air 2 $179
- Cricut Explore 3 $299
- Cricut Maker $199
- Cricut Maker 3 $399
So, if cost is the biggest factor in your choice, the Explore Air 2 is the lowest prices machine.
Just so you know, I currently have the Explore. Not the 2, but the original Explore. Every project you see on my website or social media is done with the original Explore. Why am I stressing this point? To prove that you do not need the newest and most expensive machine in order to make amazing projects!
Now, the price difference between the Maker and the Explore Air 2 is only $20, so if you can afford it I would strongly encourage you to just get the Maker.
Cricut Questions
Is there anything that I missed? Do you have more questions about the Cricut Maker 3? While I do not own one, I know people who do and they are more than happy to test things out so that I can add to this article.
