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- Best overall: Cricut Maker 4 Smart Cutting Machine
- Best budget: Cricut Joy Smart Cutting Machine
- Best premium: Cricut Venture Smart Cutting Machine
- Best for stickers and cards: Cricut Joy Xtra Smart Cutting Machine
- Cricut Maker 4 suits frequent crafters who want a broad material range, with compatibility for 300-plus materials and 13 tools.
- Cricut Joy Xtra is a compact pick for labels, cards and smaller home projects, with Print Then Cut support.
- Cricut Explore 4 balances everyday versatility and a smaller tool range than Cricut Maker 4.
- Cricut Venture is designed for larger projects, with a maximum cutting width of 24 inches.
- Choose a machine by project size, material needs and storage space before comparing Black Friday 2026 offers.
The Cricut Maker 4 and Cricut Joy Xtra serve different kinds of crafters: Cricut Maker 4 handles a wide range of materials and tools, while Cricut Joy Xtra keeps everyday projects compact. For Black Friday 2026, the right choice depends less on a headline offer and more on what you plan to make, how often you craft and how much room you have.
I researched and compared specs, reviews and owner feedback across seven Cricut cutting machines to make the differences easier to understand. My pick for most people is Cricut Maker 4 for its 300-plus material compatibility, but Cricut Joy Xtra is a strong fit for stickers, labels and cards. The guide also covers larger-format and older Cricut alternatives, plus practical buying advice for choosing tools and materials.
How We Picked
- Compared each machine’s compatible material count and tool support to identify differences in project range.
- Reviewed maximum cutting width and machine format for small desks, shared workspaces and large projects.
- Considered Print Then Cut support and the kinds of home crafts each model is suited to.
- Researched and compared specs, reviews and owner feedback, without treating popularity as a substitute for fit.
- Prioritized clear use cases and practical value for shoppers comparing Cricut machines during Black Friday 2026.
Comparison Table
| Product | Best for | Materials supported | Compatible tools | Maximum cut width |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cricut Maker 4 Smart Cutting Machine | Frequent crafters and mixed materials | 300-plus | 13 | 12 inches |
| Cricut Joy Xtra Smart Cutting Machine | Stickers, labels and cards | 50-plus | Print Then Cut support | 8.5 inches |
| Cricut Explore 4 Smart Cutting Machine | Everyday home crafts | 100-plus | 6 | 12 inches |
| Cricut Venture Smart Cutting Machine | Wide projects and batches | 75-plus | 6 | 24 inches |
| Cricut Joy Smart Cutting Machine | Small labels and cards | 50-plus | Not stated | 4.5 inches |
| Cricut Maker 3 Smart Cutting Machine | Varied crafts with broad tool support | 300-plus | 13 | 12 inches |
| Cricut Explore 3 Smart Cutting Machine | Everyday vinyl and paper projects | 100-plus | 6 | 12 inches |
Best Picks Reviewed
#1 · Top pick
Cricut Maker 4 Smart Cutting Machine
The Cricut Maker 4 Smart Cutting Machine is the best all-around pick for crafters who want broad material support, with compatibility for more than 300 materials. The Cricut Maker 4 Smart Cutting Machine's 13-tool system gives experienced makers room to take on varied projects.
Best for: Frequent crafters and mixed-material projects
- Materials supported
- 300-plus
- Compatible tools
- 13
- Maximum cut width
- 12 inches
- Supports a broad range of materials
- Compatible with 13 tools
- Handles detailed and varied projects
- Takes more workspace than Cricut Joy Xtra
- The broad tool range adds choices for new crafters
Is the Cricut Maker 4 Smart Cutting Machine worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
The Cricut Maker 4 Smart Cutting Machine is worth buying for crafters who will use its wide material range and 13-tool compatibility. The Cricut Maker 4 Smart Cutting Machine's 12-inch cutting width suits larger designs than compact Cricut machines, making it a flexible choice for regular projects.
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#2
Cricut Joy Xtra Smart Cutting Machine
The Cricut Joy Xtra Smart Cutting Machine is the best compact cutter for sticker, label and card makers who want Print Then Cut support. The Cricut Joy Xtra Smart Cutting Machine's 8.5-inch material width keeps projects practical for a small workspace.
Best for: Small-space crafting and Print Then Cut projects
- Materials supported
- 50-plus
- Maximum material width
- 8.5 inches
- Print Then Cut
- Supported
- Compact footprint for home workspaces
- Supports Print Then Cut projects
- Useful for stickers, cards and labels
- Supports fewer materials than Cricut Maker 4
- Smaller project capacity than full-size machines
Is the Cricut Joy Xtra Smart Cutting Machine worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
The Cricut Joy Xtra Smart Cutting Machine is worth buying for people who make stickers, labels, cards and other compact projects. Print Then Cut support and an 8.5-inch material width offer useful flexibility without requiring a full-size crafting machine.
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#3
Cricut Explore 4 Smart Cutting Machine
The Cricut Explore 4 Smart Cutting Machine is the best middle-ground cutter for everyday crafters who want more flexibility than a compact model. Compatibility with more than 100 materials covers a wide range of common projects.
Best for: Everyday home crafts and vinyl projects
- Materials supported
- 100-plus
- Compatible tools
- 6
- Maximum cut width
- 12 inches
- Supports common paper, vinyl and iron-on projects
- Has a 12-inch cutting width
- Offers more flexibility than Cricut Joy Xtra
- Supports fewer materials and tools than Cricut Maker 4
- Less compact than Cricut Joy Xtra
Is the Cricut Explore 4 Smart Cutting Machine worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
The Cricut Explore 4 Smart Cutting Machine is worth buying for home crafters who need a 12-inch cutting width and compatibility with more than 100 materials. The six-tool setup covers common projects without the broader material range of Cricut Maker 4.
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#4
Cricut Venture Smart Cutting Machine
The Cricut Venture Smart Cutting Machine is the best large-format option for makers who create wide signs, banners and batches of designs. The Cricut Venture Smart Cutting Machine's 24-inch maximum cutting width is the standout advantage over smaller Cricut cutters.
Best for: Wide projects and high-volume crafting
- Materials supported
- 75-plus
- Maximum cut width
- 24 inches
- Compatible tools
- 6
- Supports oversized designs
- Useful for batches and wide materials
- Offers a distinct large-format option
- Requires substantially more workspace
- Oversized capacity is unnecessary for small projects
Is the Cricut Venture Smart Cutting Machine worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
The Cricut Venture Smart Cutting Machine is worth buying for makers who regularly produce wide signs, banners or larger batches. The Cricut Venture Smart Cutting Machine's 24-inch cutting width is the key reason to choose it; compact crafts and small desks are better matched to other Cricut machines.
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#5
Cricut Joy Smart Cutting Machine
The Cricut Joy Smart Cutting Machine is the best minimalist cutter for people focused on small labels, cards and quick personal projects. The Cricut Joy Smart Cutting Machine's 4.5-inch material width keeps the machine especially compact.
Best for: Simple labels and small projects
- Materials supported
- 50-plus
- Maximum material width
- 4.5 inches
- Machine format
- Compact
- Small footprint
- Well suited to labels and cards
- Straightforward choice for simple cuts
- Narrower projects than Cricut Joy Xtra
- No Print Then Cut support
Is the Cricut Joy Smart Cutting Machine worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
The Cricut Joy Smart Cutting Machine is worth buying for people who mainly make small labels, cards and simple cuts. The Cricut Joy Smart Cutting Machine's compact footprint and 4.5-inch material width are useful for limited storage, while larger designs call for Cricut Joy Xtra or a full-size machine.
See today’s Black Friday price on Amazon
#6
Cricut Maker 3 Smart Cutting Machine
The Cricut Maker 3 Smart Cutting Machine is the best previous-generation alternative for crafters who want extensive tool and material support. Compatibility with more than 300 materials keeps it capable for varied home projects.
Best for: Broad craft projects at a value-minded spend
- Materials supported
- 300-plus
- Compatible tools
- 13
- Maximum cut width
- 12 inches
- Broad material compatibility
- Supports 13 tools
- Useful for varied craft projects
- Older model than Cricut Maker 4
- Check included accessories when comparing offers
Is the Cricut Maker 3 Smart Cutting Machine worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
The Cricut Maker 3 Smart Cutting Machine is worth buying for crafters who want compatibility with more than 300 materials and 13 tools. Compare its included accessories with the Cricut Maker 4 package, then choose the machine that offers the better fit for your projects.
See today’s Black Friday price on Amazon
#7
Cricut Explore 3 Smart Cutting Machine
The Cricut Explore 3 Smart Cutting Machine is the best previous-generation option for everyday vinyl and paper projects. The Cricut Explore 3 Smart Cutting Machine's 100-plus material compatibility gives home crafters a useful range without stepping up to Cricut Maker tools.
Best for: Everyday vinyl, paper and iron-on crafts
- Materials supported
- 100-plus
- Compatible tools
- 6
- Maximum cut width
- 12 inches
- Supports a broad set of everyday materials
- Has a 12-inch cutting width
- Suits common home craft projects
- Fewer compatible materials than Cricut Maker models
- Older model than Cricut Explore 4
Is the Cricut Explore 3 Smart Cutting Machine worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
The Cricut Explore 3 Smart Cutting Machine is worth buying for shoppers focused on common vinyl, paper and iron-on projects. The Cricut Explore 3 Smart Cutting Machine's 12-inch cutting width and 100-plus material support suit everyday crafting; compare the package contents with Cricut Explore 4 before choosing.
See today’s Black Friday price on Amazon
Which is better, Cricut Maker 4 or Cricut Joy Xtra?
Cricut Maker 4 supports more than 300 materials and 13 tools. Cricut Joy Xtra supports more than 50 materials and Print Then Cut. Choose Cricut Maker 4 for varied materials and recurring projects; choose Cricut Joy Xtra for compact sticker, card and label projects.
Cricut Maker 4 cuts materials up to 12 inches wide; Cricut Joy Xtra handles widths up to 8.5 inches. Cricut Maker 4 suits specialty materials and larger projects, while Cricut Joy Xtra fits small workspaces and easy storage.
Cricut Maker 4 is excessive for occasional small labels. Cricut Joy Xtra limits projects that need wider cuts.
What can Cricut Maker 4 and Cricut Joy Xtra make?
Both machines make personalized crafts, but differ in material range and project size. Cricut Maker 4 works with more than 300 materials; Cricut Joy Xtra supports more than 50 and offers Print Then Cut.
Use Cricut Maker 4 for paper crafts, vinyl and specialty materials with compatible tools. Cricut Joy Xtra suits stickers, small signs, greeting cards and labels. Material requirements vary, so check project instructions for the correct blade, mat and settings.
Choose based on your regular projects and available workspace. Cricut Joy Xtra fits a compact crafting area; Cricut Maker 4 needs more room for the machine and supplies.
Is Cricut Joy Xtra enough for beginners?
Cricut Joy Xtra is a practical beginner machine for labels, stickers and cards. It handles materials up to 8.5 inches wide and fits smaller workspaces.
For broader projects, Cricut Maker 4 supports more than 300 materials and 13 tools. Cricut Explore 4 offers a middle option, with more than 100 materials and a 12-inch cutting width.
Choose Cricut Joy Xtra for small projects. Compare full-size models and tool compatibility if you plan to explore specialty materials or larger designs.
Which Cricut machine is best for a small workspace?
Cricut Joy handles materials up to 4.5 inches wide; Cricut Joy Xtra handles up to 8.5 inches and adds Print Then Cut. Both suit small-format crafting.
Cricut Maker 4, Cricut Explore 4 and Cricut Explore 3 have 12-inch cutting widths. Cricut Venture supports widths up to 24 inches for large-format projects.
Measure your work surface and storage space, including room for mats and materials. Choose a compact machine for small projects, or a wider model for regular large designs.
What should shoppers compare for Black Friday 2026?
Compare machine features, bundle contents and project fit. Cricut Maker 4 supports 13 tools, Cricut Explore 4 supports six, and Cricut Joy Xtra suits compact Print Then Cut projects.
Check each listing for the exact model, included blades, mats, materials, accessories and software or membership terms. Verify accessory compatibility with the machine.
Choose Cricut Maker 4 for broad material support, Cricut Joy Xtra for compact printed designs, Cricut Explore 4 for everyday projects or Cricut Venture for large-format work.
Buying Guide
Start with your project size
Cricut Joy handles widths up to 4.5 inches, Cricut Joy Xtra up to 8.5 inches, full-size models up to 12 inches, and Cricut Venture up to 24 inches. Allow room for mats and materials.
Match material range to your plans
Cricut Maker 4 and Cricut Maker 3 support more than 300 materials. Cricut Explore models support more than 100; Cricut Joy and Cricut Joy Xtra support more than 50.
Check compatible tools
Cricut Maker 4 and Cricut Maker 3 support 13 compatible tools; Cricut Explore models support six. Confirm compatibility for specialty blades and scoring tools.
Review bundle contents
For Black Friday 2026, check each listing for the machine, mats, blades, tools and starter materials. Confirm accessories fit the exact model.
Choose the right footprint
Measure your work surface and storage space. Cricut Joy and Cricut Joy Xtra suit compact projects; Cricut Maker and Cricut Explore models offer wider cuts, while Cricut Venture needs room for large-format work.
FAQ
Which is better for stickers, Cricut Maker 4 or Cricut Joy Xtra?
The Cricut Joy Xtra is the better fit for compact sticker projects because it supports Print Then Cut and material up to 8.5 inches wide. Choose Cricut Maker 4 for stickers alongside a broader range of materials, tools and larger craft projects.
Can Cricut Joy Xtra cut stickers?
Yes. The Cricut Joy Xtra Smart Cutting Machine supports Print Then Cut, which lets crafters print a design and then cut around it. The 8.5-inch material width is suited to compact stickers and printed crafts rather than wide-format designs.
How many materials can Cricut Maker 4 cut?
The Cricut Maker 4 Smart Cutting Machine is compatible with more than 300 materials and 13 tools. Actual project setup depends on the chosen material and tool, so check Cricut’s project guidance for the right blade, mat and cut settings.
Does Cricut Joy Xtra need a computer?
The Cricut Joy Xtra works with Cricut Design Space on compatible devices, including computers and supported mobile devices. Check current device and software requirements before buying, particularly if a project depends on Print Then Cut or a specific operating system.
Is Cricut Explore 4 a better choice than Cricut Maker 4?
Cricut Explore 4 is a better fit for everyday paper, vinyl and iron-on projects when six compatible tools and 100-plus materials cover the plan. Cricut Maker 4 supports 300-plus materials and 13 tools, making it the more flexible option for varied crafting.
Which Cricut machine cuts the widest designs?
The Cricut Venture Smart Cutting Machine has a 24-inch maximum cutting width, the widest listed here. Cricut Maker and Cricut Explore models reach 12 inches, while Cricut Joy Xtra and Cricut Joy are built for smaller projects.