Cricut Maker Black Friday 2026: Maker 5, Maker 4 or Maker 3?

The Cricut Maker for Black Friday 2026 comes in four generations: the original Maker from 2017, the Maker 3, the Maker 4 from February 2025 and the new Maker 5 from September 2026. All four take 13 tools. Later generations added matless cutting with Smart Materials, faster cutting on a mat and, on the Maker 5, thicker materials.

What every Maker shares

The Maker is the top line in Cricut’s range, above the Joy and the Explore covered on the Cricut Black Friday guide. Its Adaptive Tool System steers and turns the blade rather than dragging it, and controls the cutting pressure. That system lets it run tools the Explore cannot use, such as the Rotary Blade for cotton, fleece and denim and the Knife Blade for basswood and thicker card. The Maker can also draw, score, engrave and deboss with the right tip.

Every Maker uses a standard 12-inch machine mat, so mats from one generation fit the next.

How the four generations differ

Cricut says the Maker 4 cuts up to twice as fast as the previous generation when cutting on a mat.

The Maker 5 cuts and engraves materials up to 3 mm thick, depending on the material and tool, which covers leather, foam core, corrugated plastic, cardboard and acrylic engraving. Its body is smaller than the Maker 4, with the same 12-inch cutting width. It launched in Slate Blue, with a Teal version sold through one craft retailer.

Cricut Maker machines to compare

Check which Maker it is: the original Maker, Maker 3 or Maker 4. Look for a listing that says new in the box and shows what comes with the machine.

Shop cricut Maker Black Friday 2026: Maker 3, Maker 4 or the Original?→

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• Cricut Maker 4Browse →
• Cricut Maker 3Browse →
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• Maker bundlesBrowse →

Which Maker suits your projects

The original Maker still cuts fabric and wood, but every project goes on a mat, which limits a banner or a long vinyl strip to the mat’s length. If you work mostly in fabric on mats, that matters less. If you cut long runs of vinyl or iron-on, a Maker 3 or later saves you trimming and joining.

The Maker 4 and Maker 5 suit anyone who cuts on a mat often, since mat cutting is where the newer machines gained the most speed. The Maker 5 only matters for its extra depth if you plan to cut thick materials such as foam core or leather. If your projects are mostly vinyl and cardstock, compare an Explore as well, since it cuts the same width with fewer tools.

Before you order a Maker

1. Find the number on the machine or in the model name. “Cricut Maker” alone can mean the 2017 original.
2. Read the bundle list. Cricut sells the Maker in bundles, and only some include the Knife Blade, Rotary Blade or engraving tip.
3. For a used machine, ask for the blades and housings, the mat and the power cable.
4. Check that your computer or phone runs a current version of Design Space, which every Maker needs.