The Cricut Maker 4 is positioned as a versatile cutting machine for home crafting, and after spending time with it, that description holds up. It’s built to handle common projects like card making, vinyl decals, and personalised stationery, while offering enough depth to grow beyond the basics. From setup through to daily use, it feels designed for regular, practical crafting rather than one-off novelty projects.
I tested the Maker 4 the way most people do. Simple greeting cards came first, followed by vinyl decals and a series of custom bookmarks that quickly became my favourite thing to make. These kinds of projects expose the strengths and weaknesses of a craft machine quickly. Small alignment errors matter. Material choice matters. Workflow matters. Once I understood how Cricut’s Design Space software and cutting mats work together, the process became smoother and more predictable.
That learning curve is part of the experience with any Cricut machine, and the Maker 4 is no exception. It rewards patience and a bit of trial and error, particularly in the early stages. This review looks at how the Cricut Maker 4 performs in real home use, focusing on everyday projects, common challenges raised by users, and whether it offers genuine value for people looking to make crafting part of their routine.
Design
The Cricut Maker 4 has a calm, considered look that feels intentional rather than decorative. It is compact enough to live on a desk full-time and solid enough to feel like a serious piece of equipment. The soft grey body and clean lines give it a neutral presence, which I appreciated while working on everyday projects like cards and bookmarks.
Opening the lid reveals a surprisingly generous cutting area. Materials feed smoothly, and the machine feels stable when running, even on intricate cuts. It does need space in front and behind, particularly if you plan to work with longer materials, but for small to medium projects, it never felt intrusive. I liked leaving it set up between sessions. That alone made me more likely to use it regularly.
How steep is the learning curve for the Cricut Maker 4?
The Maker 4 is friendly, but it does require some patience at the start. My first few projects were simple card decals, and, like many online users, I encountered alignment issues early on. Designs that looked perfect on screen ended up slightly off on the mat. Once I slowed down, double-checked placement, and understood how Design Space interprets material orientation, things improved quickly.
Design Space itself takes time to absorb. A lot is happening on screen, and the temptation is to rush ahead. Making bookmarks became my favourite way to learn because the stakes felt low. A small mistake didn’t ruin the project, and I could experiment with fonts, shapes, and layers freely. After a handful of attempts, I was moving comfortably between templates and custom designs.
Some frustration is unavoidable. Light vinyl and very thin cardstock can be fussy unless the mat is clean and tacky enough. This is a common complaint among Cricut users, and one I experienced more than once. The solution is straightforward, but it is something beginners should expect.
Performance
Once everything is dialled in, the Maker 4 performs reliably. Cardstock cuts were clean and precise, even with fine lettering. Vinyl decals came out smooth when the correct pressure was selected. My bookmarks, which included small cut-outs and layered elements, looked polished enough to give away.
The machine moves at a steady pace. It is not built for speed, and that works in its favour. Cuts feel deliberate and controlled. Larger or more detailed designs take time, but the results feel consistent from start to finish.
Performance dipped slightly with ultra-thin materials. The machine pauses to confirm placement and pressure, which can interrupt the flow of a session. It never failed outright, but it does require attention. Overall, it behaves exactly as you would expect from a machine positioned at this level.
Features
The Maker 4’s adaptive tool system is its standout feature. Swapping tools is simple, and the machine recognises what’s installed automatically. Cutting, scoring, and embossing feel purpose-built rather than secondary additions. Moving between tasks during a session felt natural.
Bluetooth connectivity worked reliably, and Design Space does a good job of recommending material settings. This proved useful when experimenting. On several occasions, the suggested settings prevented overcutting or incomplete passes.
Smart Materials are another highlight. While I mostly used cutting mats, the option to work without one for longer designs adds flexibility. It is the kind of feature you may not use straight away, but it becomes valuable as projects grow more ambitious.
Design Space updates frequently, and the experience can vary from update to update. I noticed occasional lag when loading previews or syncing changes. It did not stop any jobs, but it did slow things down at times.
Add-on Tools
The Cricut ecosystem is extensive. There are blades designed for fabric, leather, and thicker materials, along with tools for embossing, debossing, engraving, and foiling. Each expands what the Maker 4 can handle. I tested only a small selection, but even that made it clear how flexible the platform is.
Cutting mats come in different strengths, and using the correct one makes a noticeable difference, especially with delicate materials. Accessories like roll holders and extended mats are helpful for larger projects, though not essential for everyday crafting.
Costs can climb quickly. The Maker 4 works well straight out of the box, but the add-ons are tempting. A gradual approach makes the most sense. Buy tools as your projects demand them, as opposed to just buying several extras at once, just expecting to use them at some point.
The top thing to keep in mind when using this is how you’ll gravitate to two or three kinds of projects and then just forget about the rest. It’s a very personal machine in that regard, speaking strongly to what you personally find aesthetically pleasing and worthwhile.
Verdict & Value
The Cricut Maker 4 works best as part of a regular creative routine. It rewards patience, supports experimentation, and delivers consistent results once you understand its workflow. For approachable projects like card making, decals, and bookmarks, which are naturally the most common projects, it’s hard to imagine a smart cutting machine as capable.
It has its frustrations. Alignment quirks, software slowdowns and accessory costs are part of the experience. None of them outweighs the machine’s strengths, however. As long as you pump the brakes when it comes to add-ons, the Cricut Maker 4 feels like a very smart investment.
For anyone looking for a craft machine that can grow alongside their skills, the Maker 4 offers strong long-term value. It feels capable without being overwhelming and flexible enough to turn simple ideas into finished pieces you’ll actually want to keep.
You can pick up the machine for just under $700. But can you really put a price tag on a device that can open you up to entirely new ways of thinking? The price tag is even lower if you’re using this to start a money-making side hustle, but on inspiration alone, it’s hard to imagine anyone feeling shortchanged after they start using the Cricut regularly and get past the initial learning curve (which admittedly can be daunting at first).
FOUR AND A HALF STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
Highlights: Can open one up to new forms of expression; learning curve isn’t as steep as you’d think; consistent results
Lowlights: Too many add-on tools can feel like a waste.
You can buy the Cricut Maker 4 online for $698 from Officeworks.
