A Cricut cutting machine is a big investment and the last thing you want is to take the plunge only to discover the machine you purchased (or gifted) doesn’t do one of the cool things you heard Cricut could do. There is one Cricut Machine that does anything and EVERYTHING you’ve ever heard a Cricut Machine could do.
The Cricut with the most features is capable of cutting the largest variety of materials and is the fastest is the Cricut Maker 3. The Cricut Maker 3 can cut over 300 materials, is compatible with 13 tools, and can make projects up to 12 feet long.
Cricut Maker 3 does the Most, but requires accessories
The Cricut Maker 3 is the most capable Cricut Machine, but not straight out of the box. Out of the box with what is included, the Cricut Maker 3 can handle vinyl projects, simple cardstock, and sticker projects.
Purchasing all of the Cricut Maker Accessories at the full retail price can cost almost as much as the machine! Fortunately, you can add additional accessories as necessary, and they go on sale!
| Maker Accessory | Retail Price |
| Knife Blade w/ housing | $45.99 |
| Foil Transfer Kit | $39.99 |
| Engraving Tip & Housing | $44.99 |
| Rotary Blade & Housing | $44.99 |
| Debossing Tip | $24.99 |
| Scoring Wheel | $29.99 |
| Perforation Blade | $29.99 |
| Deep Point Blade | $17.49 |
| Wavy Blade | $29.99 |
Not Quite the Most ….Cricut Maker 3 Alternative
The Cricut Maker is the previous generation of the Cricut Maker 3. The main difference is the Cricut Maker is slower than the Cricut Maker 3 . The Cricut Maker is also not compatible with Smart Materials so it does not have the ability to create projects up to 12ft.
Smart Materials can be loaded into a Cricut Maker 3 without using a Mat. Smart Vinyl and Smart Sticker Cardstock are currently available from Cricut for use with the Maker 3 Machine.
The Cricut Maker can cut all of the same materials as the Cricut Maker 3 and the Cricut Maker is compatible with the same accessories as the Cricut Maker 3. The Cricut Maker has been discounted since the new Cricut Maker 3 came out.
Check the price of Cricut Maker on amazon by visiting here.
Check the price of Cricut Maker on Cricut’s site by visiting here.
Not the most but very Capable….Cricut Explore 3
I participate in forums and groups with crafting enthusiasts who prefer their Cricut Explore Machines, to their Cricut Maker Machines for vinyl and cardstock projects. Setting up the Cricut Explore is simple since it has fewer accessories, and machine settings.
