Cricut Maker 4 Review
Sold alongside the Maker 5, fully supported, and frequently the better-value way into the Maker line.
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The Maker 4 is a current machine, not a discontinued one — it is sold alongside the Maker 5 and fully supported in Design Space. It takes the same rotary and knife blades, which is the whole reason anyone buys a Maker. If it is meaningfully cheaper on the day you look, it is the better value.
What you get
Everything that defines the Maker line. The rotary blade cuts unbacked fabric — quilting cotton straight off the bolt, no stabilizer required. The knife blade cuts basswood, chipboard and thick leather. The adaptive tool system takes every Cricut blade and tip. Cut width is the same 11.5 inches as the Maker 5 and the Explore 5, and print-then-cut works identically.
What you give up against the Maker 5
Speed, mainly, on long cuts. If you are cutting a single shirt design, you will not notice. If you are running a production batch of decals, you will. Being the older model in a current line also means stock can be patchy, so availability varies more than for the newer machine.
| Maker 4 | Maker 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Rotary blade (unbacked fabric) | Yes | Yes |
| Knife blade (wood, thick leather) | Yes, sold separately | Yes, sold separately |
| Cut width | 11.5 in | 11.5 in |
| Print then cut | Yes | Yes |
| Speed on long cuts | Slower | Faster |
| Availability | Varies | Consistent |
Who it is for
Anyone who has already decided they need Maker capability and would rather not pay for speed they will not use. Hobbyist quilters, people making occasional wooden signs, anyone cutting thick leather in small quantities. The rotary blade is exactly as good here as it is on the newer machine.
Who it is not for
The same people who should not buy any Maker: anyone whose project list is shirts, decals, stickers and cards. Every one of those cuts identically on an Explore 5 for less money. Buying Maker capability speculatively is the most common overspend in this category, and it is no cheaper a mistake on the 4 than on the 5.
It is also the wrong pick if you are cutting in volume — that is the one place the Maker 5's extra speed genuinely earns its price.
The verdict
A sound purchase for the right buyer, and worth checking the price of before defaulting to the newer model. The decision is narrow: same capability, less speed, usually less money. The full head-to-head is here, and if you have not yet settled the Explore-versus-Maker question, start there instead.
1. Best for maker capability for less
Cricut Maker 4
Cricut · Currently sold · Verified 2026-09-27
Still in the current line and still fully supported, with the same rotary and knife blade capability that is the entire reason to buy a Maker. The Maker 5 is faster on long cuts; on everything else the difference is hard to notice.
What works
- Rotary and knife blade capability, the same reason anyone buys a Maker
- Frequently the cheaper route into the Maker line
- Fully supported in Design Space — this is not a discontinued model
What does not
- Slower than the Maker 5 on long cuts
- Being the older model in the line, stock can be patchy
- Same caveat as every Maker: most beginners never use the rotary blade
Not for you if
You are buying your first machine and have no fabric or wood project in mind. The Explore 5 does your projects for less.
Key specs
- Cuts
- 300+ materials including unbacked fabric, leather, basswood
- Max material width
- 12 in (11.5 in cut width)
- Rotary blade
- Yes
- Knife blade
- Yes — sold separately
- Status
- Current line, sold alongside the Maker 5
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Common questions
Is the Cricut Maker 4 discontinued?
Does the Maker 4 have the rotary blade?
What is the difference between the Maker 4 and Maker 5?
Should I buy a Maker 4 instead of an Explore 5?
Sources
- Cricut official product catalog — Maker 4 current availability and specifications, verified 27 September 2026
How we picked
We verify every product is currently sold by reading the manufacturer's own catalog, compare published specifications rather than marketing copy, and rank on what a first-time buyer has to decide. We do not run lab tests and we do not claim to, and commission never affects the order.
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Cricut Explore 5 vs Maker 5
The Explore-versus-Maker question settled: what the extra blades do, and who will never use them.
The Best Cricut for Beginners
One safe default pick, plus the specific cases where a different Cricut — or no Cricut — is the better buy.
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