Cricut Maker 3

Will Greenwald from PCMag highlights the Cricut Maker 3 as a versatile and powerful crafting machine capable of cutting, drawing, embossing, engraving, perforating, and scoring a wide range of materials, from fabric and leather to wood and aluminum. Praising its expanded tool compatibility, wider material feed, and ability to handle long Smart Materials up to 12 feet, he emphasizes the machine’s appeal for serious crafters and aspiring Etsy sellers. While the $400 price tag and additional costs for tools and materials can add up, the Maker 3’s flexibility and precision justify the investment. Greenwald notes the software’s steep learning curve and occasional clunkiness, especially when uploading custom designs, but finds the included Cricut Design Space library and subscription service helpful for beginners. His hands-on testing with diverse projects—from chipboard birdhouses to intricate kirigami and large vinyl banners—demonstrates the machine’s capabilities and limitations, ultimately awarding it Editors’ Choice for its robust performance and creative potential.

Rachael Penn from Creative Bloq highlights the Cricut Maker 3 as a powerful and versatile smart cutting machine that excels in speed, cutting force, and material compatibility. She emphasizes the standout feature of compatibility with Cricut Smart Materials, enabling mat-free cuts up to 12 feet long, which significantly streamlines large or business-oriented projects. The review praises the machine’s quiet operation, broad tool support, and thoughtful design touches like a tablet holder and dual tool clamps. However, Penn notes the high price point and the fact that the base package lacks essential accessories such as mats and additional tools, which may require extra purchases. While the Cricut Maker 3 closely resembles its predecessor in appearance and many capabilities, the faster cutting speed and Smart Materials support justify the upgrade for serious users. Overall, the review conveys strong enthusiasm for the Maker 3’s performance and versatility, recommending it especially for business users or those seeking the latest features.

Josh Hendrickson from How-To Geek highlights the Cricut Maker 3 as the best crafting machine from the company to date, praising its ease of setup, versatile tool options, and especially the introduction of smart materials that enable cutting projects up to 12 feet long—an impressive leap beyond previous size limitations. He enthusiastically notes how this feature opens creative possibilities for large signs, custom apparel, and intricate designs that were previously impossible. However, he tempers his praise with practical caveats: smart materials are currently limited to vinyl, iron-on, and paper, and they come at a higher cost with some material waste. Additionally, traditional mats remain necessary for many materials and larger formats beyond smart material compatibility. While the Maker 3 offers significant upgrades, Hendrickson advises that existing Cricut owners may not find the upgrade essential unless they frequently need large-scale cuts. Overall, he regards the Maker 3 as a powerful, well-designed machine ideal for new buyers seeking advanced crafting capabilities.

Alice Clarke from GadgetGuy highlights the Cricut Maker 3 as a powerhouse crafting machine that impresses with its versatility, precision, and thoughtful design. Praising its ability to handle over 300 materials and wield two tools simultaneously, Clarke emphasizes how the Maker 3 transforms complex projects—like perfectly cut iron-on patches—into surprisingly easy and enjoyable experiences. While the machine’s size and occasional loudness are minor drawbacks, the main criticism centers on the Design Space software, which she finds unintuitive, inconsistent across platforms, and burdened by a subscription model. Despite these software frustrations, Clarke views the Maker 3 as ideal for dedicated crafters and small business owners who demand professional-grade capabilities. She notes its addictive nature and potential to elevate crafting from a hobby to a creative lifestyle, making it a compelling choice for those ready to invest in a high-end, multi-functional die-cutting tool.

Holly Spanner from Gathered (Our Media Ltd) highlights the Cricut Maker 3 as the most versatile and powerful machine in the Cricut lineup, capable of cutting over 300 materials—including thick and tough ones like leather and balsa wood—making it ideal for serious crafters and small business owners. She praises its fast cutting speed, metal blade housing, built-in tool storage, and compatibility with Smart Materials that eliminate the need for cutting mats. However, Spanner also notes several drawbacks: the machine’s heavy weight, large footprint, relatively high price, and the fact that it is not standalone, requiring connection to a computer or mobile device. The included fine-point blade limits immediate use for diverse materials, necessitating additional purchases. While the subscription-based Cricut Access software unlocks a vast design library, it adds ongoing cost. Overall, Spanner recommends the Maker 3 enthusiastically for those ready to invest time and money, especially as an upgrade, but suggests more casual users consider less expensive models.

Russell Holly highlights the Cricut Maker 3 as a versatile and creatively empowering die-cut machine that significantly expands on its predecessor’s capabilities. Praising its broad tool compatibility, including the innovative QuickSwap system and Smart Materials, he emphasizes how the Maker 3 enables users—from beginners to serious creators—to explore complex projects like fabric cutting, metal engraving, and acid-etching glass. Holly appreciates the machine’s premium build quality and the seamless integration with the evolving Design Space software, which enhances design flexibility across devices. However, he notes a key limitation: the single QuickSwap tool slot restricts workflow efficiency, especially when multiple tools are needed in one project. Despite this, Holly conveys genuine enthusiasm for the Maker 3’s potential to unlock new creative avenues and even support small business ventures, positioning it as the ideal choice for users ready to push beyond basic vinyl cutting. The review balances excitement with thoughtful critique, offering unique insights into both hardware and software strengths.

Angela Tricarico from Business Insider highlights the Cricut Explore 3 as a thoughtfully redesigned smart cutting machine that builds on the strengths of its predecessor, the Explore Air 2, while introducing notable improvements. She praises the new matless cutting technology enabled by Smart Materials, which simplifies crafting and allows for longer cuts up to 12 feet—ideal for larger projects. The Explore 3’s faster cutting speed and streamlined setup, including the removal of the material dial in favor of app-based material selection, are seen as positive changes, though they may increase the learning curve for beginners. While the Explore 3 excels with thinner materials like vinyl and cardstock, Tricarico notes it lacks the versatility of the Maker 3 for thicker materials such as balsa wood and leather. Overall, she regards the Explore 3 as the best mid-range smart cutter available and expresses enthusiasm about upgrading from her previous model, emphasizing its value for crafters seeking efficiency and ease with smart materials.

Zubi Khan from CGMagazine highlights the Cricut Maker 3 as a versatile and user-friendly die-cutting machine well-suited for designers and crafters who want to bring digital art into the physical world. Praising its ease of setup and intuitive Cricut Design Space software, Khan emphasizes the device’s ability to handle a variety of materials like vinyl and cardstock with precision, including custom designs and imported fonts. The review notes the convenience of the cutting process and the quality of results, especially for creating stickers and intricate cutouts. However, Khan points out that the machine’s value is best realized by users who already have their own designs, as the subscription fees for Cricut’s extensive asset library add to the overall cost. Additionally, the need to purchase adhesive mats separately when using non-Cricut materials is a minor drawback. Overall, the Cricut Maker 3 is recommended as an essential, reliable tool for creative projects, balancing ease of use with professional-grade results.