New Cricut machine coming soon? What Cricut Maker 5 changes for buyers
The short answer for Cricut buyers
If you are searching for new cricut machine coming soon, the key update is that Cricut Maker 5 is no longer just a coming-soon rumor. Cricut announced Maker 5 on September 3, 2026, and said availability would begin on September 4, 2026. As of September 11, 2026, the confirmed new Cricut cutting machine is Maker 5, not an unannounced future model.
That matters because Cricut has already refreshed major parts of its cutting-machine lineup in 2026. Cricut Joy 2 and Cricut Explore 5 arrived earlier in the year, and Maker 5 now fills the premium Maker position with a smaller body, USB-C, updated workflows, and support for compatible materials up to 3 mm thick. The public Cricut announcements reviewed for this article do not confirm another standalone cutting machine scheduled after Maker 5.
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Recent Cricut machine timeline
Cricut’s recent hardware cadence explains why many shoppers were watching for another release. The company refreshed Maker and Explore in 2025, introduced Joy 2 and Explore 5 in February 2026, and then followed with Maker 5 in September 2026. For a consumer craft hardware lineup, that is an active release period. The changes are also broader than cutting speed alone, with more emphasis on bundles, guided setup, Design Space workflows, and material options.
| Date | Model or update | What was confirmed |
|---|---|---|
| February 27, 2025 | Cricut Explore 4 and Cricut Maker 4 | Cricut announced faster cutting on mat materials, more starter materials in the box, and February 28 availability in the U.S. and Canada. |
| February 26, 2026 | Cricut Joy 2 and Cricut Explore 5 | Cricut introduced a compact Joy update and a redesigned Explore model, with initial availability beginning February 27, 2026. |
| March 13, 2026 | Wider Joy 2 and Explore 5 availability | Cricut said both machines would expand to more North American retailers after the initial Cricut.com and Michaels launch window. |
| September 3, 2026 | Cricut Maker 5 announcement | Cricut announced the next Maker model with a more compact design, 3 mm material clearance, USB-C, Bluetooth Low Energy, and workflow updates. |
| September 4, 2026 | Cricut Maker 5 availability | Cricut said Maker 5 bundles would start at USD $349, with an initial two-week availability window through Cricut.com and Michaels. |
The timeline also shows why older launch rumors need context. A post or video saying a new Cricut machine is coming soon may have been accurate before September 4, 2026, but it may now be referring to a product that has already launched.
What is actually new in Cricut Maker 5
Maker 5 is not simply a renamed Maker 4. Cricut’s own comparison materials position the machine as a workflow and materials update rather than a full reinvention of the Maker category. The most important confirmed changes involve material thickness, machine footprint, loading flow, pen handling, and connectivity.
Thicker compatible materials
The main functional change is support for cutting and engraving compatible materials up to 3 mm thick. Cricut describes this as a 25% increase over the previous 2.4 mm limit. In practical use, that may matter for makers who want to work with thicker leather, acrylic, foam core, corrugated plastic, felt, dimensional decor, tags, signage, or jewelry-style blanks. It does not mean every 3 mm material will automatically work well. Users still need to check Cricut’s compatibility guidance for the exact material, blade, mat, and tool combination.
A smaller and lighter Maker body
Cricut says Maker 5 is 30% more compact than the previous generation. The official Maker 4 versus Maker 5 comparison lists Maker 4 at 22.1 in × 7.1 in × 6.2 in and 15.4 lb, while Maker 5 is listed at 19.8 in × 7.5 in × 4.7 in and 10.9 lb. That difference is not just cosmetic. A lighter, lower machine is easier to store on a shelf, move between rooms, or fit into a small craft area.
Workflow and connectivity updates
Maker 5 adds Load & Go workflows, snap-in pen loading, USB-C, and Bluetooth Low Energy. These changes are less dramatic than a new cutting technology, but they target common setup friction. Faster pen swaps help when a project mixes drawing and cutting. USB-C is more convenient for many newer laptops and desktops. Load & Go is designed to reduce setup steps when users are ready to cut.
How Maker 5 fits beside Joy 2 and Explore 5
The 2026 Cricut lineup is easier to compare by project type than by release date. Joy 2 is the compact everyday option, Explore 5 is the mainstream full-size cutter, and Maker 5 is the premium machine for users who want the broadest material and tool range.
| Machine | Best fit | Key confirmed points |
|---|---|---|
| Cricut Joy 2 | Small projects, labels, cards, compact workspaces | Compact machine, bold color options, full-color project support through home inkjet workflows, and bundles aimed at fast setup. |
| Cricut Explore 5 | Popular full-size crafts such as decals, apparel, cards, stickers, and batch projects | Redesigned to be 30% more compact than the previous generation, cuts 100+ materials, supports six tools, and works with Smart Materials for long cuts up to 12 ft. |
| Cricut Maker 5 | Advanced hobbyists, mixed-material projects, engraving, leather, fabric, and dimensional crafts | Works with 300+ materials and 13 tools, supports compatible materials up to 3 mm thick, and adds a smaller body, USB-C, snap-in pen loading, and Load & Go. |
| Cricut Venture | Large-format projects and wider production-style cutting | Designed for wider work than standard desktop models, with a larger cutting width than Joy, Explore, or Maker machines. |
For a first-time buyer, the newest model is not automatically the best choice. A user who mainly makes labels and small decals may not need a Maker. Someone focused on apparel, cards, stickers, and decals may find Explore 5 more cost-effective. A user who wants fabric cutting, engraving, debossing, thicker blanks, and the broadest tool path has stronger reasons to consider Maker 5.
Should current Cricut owners upgrade?
The answer depends on the machine you already own and the projects you actually make. For Maker 4 owners, the upgrade case is strongest if you want the smaller body, USB-C, snap-in pen loading, Load & Go, or 3 mm material clearance. If your work is mostly vinyl, cardstock, stickers, iron-on, and standard paper crafts, Maker 4 remains highly capable and may not feel outdated in daily use.
Explore owners should look at the decision differently. Maker 5 is not just a newer Explore; it sits in a higher tier with more tools and broader material support. If you are moving into fabric, leather, engraving, debossing, or thicker specialty materials, the Maker category is the real upgrade. If you simply want a newer full-size cutter for decals, apparel, cards, and stickers, Explore 5 may be the more focused option.
Joy and Joy Xtra owners should not upgrade only because a new machine exists. Maker 5 brings a much larger capability set and requires more workspace. It makes sense if your projects have outgrown the compact Joy format, not if you only want a refreshed machine for the same small-label workflow.
What to verify before buying a new Cricut machine
The most common buying mistake is comparing model names without comparing the full cost of the workflow. Cricut’s 2026 launches put more emphasis on bundles, included materials, software guidance, and subscription-linked content. Before buying, check these points carefully: See also: Gadgets.
- Bundle contents: Similar machine names can come with different materials, tools, colors, or accessory packs depending on retailer and bundle tier.
- Tool compatibility: Maker 5 supports 13 tool types, but specific blades, housings, scoring tools, and accessories may still be sold separately.
- Material thickness: The 3 mm figure for Maker 5 applies to compatible materials, not every material that measures 3 mm.
- Software requirements: Cricut machines rely on Design Space, a compatible computer or mobile device, Bluetooth or wired connectivity, and internet access for key setup and design functions.
- Subscription assumptions: Cricut Access is not the same as owning the machine. Some content and software features may require a paid subscription, while basic use and selected free content are separate from that subscription.
- Retail availability: New machines often launch first through limited channels, then expand. If you prefer a specific retailer, color, return window, or bundle, waiting a few weeks may be more useful than waiting for another machine.
What the launch says about Cricut’s direction
One clear trend is that Cricut is selling more than hardware specifications. In 2026, the company has described itself as a creativity platform built around Design Space, machines, materials, accessories, guided workflows, and subscription content. The April 2026 AI Project Designer launch also showed Cricut’s interest in turning project ideas into cut-ready designs inside its software ecosystem.
That context helps explain the new machines. Joy 2 and Explore 5 focused on easier out-of-box bundles, compact design, guided flows, and approachable first projects. Maker 5 extends that approach to the premium tier by combining more advanced materials with simplified loading and a smaller footprint. Cricut’s current direction is therefore not only more power; it is also fewer beginner barriers and more software-led project creation.
Buyers should still separate confirmed facts from expectations. It is reasonable to expect Cricut to keep updating Design Space, content libraries, materials, and accessories, because those areas are central to its public strategy. It is not responsible to claim that a specific next machine is coming unless Cricut announces it.
Should you wait for another new Cricut machine?
If you need a machine now and Maker 5 matches your project needs, there is little confirmed reason to wait for an unknown successor. The more practical reason to wait is retail timing. Because Maker 5 launched with an initial limited availability period, some buyers may prefer to wait until more retailers carry it, more bundles are visible, and early user feedback is easier to compare.
If you are considering Explore 5 or Joy 2, those machines are already part of the 2026 refresh cycle. Waiting for a replacement may mean waiting without evidence. Instead, compare each machine with your actual project list: compact labels and quick cards point toward Joy 2; common full-size vinyl, stickers, cards, and apparel point toward Explore 5; advanced mixed-material work points toward Maker 5.
The bottom line is straightforward: the phrase new Cricut machine coming soon now most clearly points to the recently launched Maker 5 story. Unless Cricut announces another model, the better buyer question is not whether something newer is secretly around the corner, but which 2026 Cricut machine fits your projects, workspace, and budget.
Frequently asked questions
Is a new Cricut machine coming soon in 2026?
The confirmed new Cricut cutting machine in September 2026 is Cricut Maker 5. It was announced on September 3, 2026, and availability began September 4, 2026. No later standalone cutting machine has been confirmed in the public Cricut materials reviewed for this article.
What is the newest Cricut machine right now?
As of September 11, 2026, Cricut Maker 5 is the newest confirmed Cricut Maker machine. Cricut Joy 2 and Cricut Explore 5 are also 2026 releases, but they launched earlier in the year.
Is Cricut Maker 5 better than Maker 4?
Maker 5 is newer and adds meaningful updates, including a smaller and lighter body, USB-C, Bluetooth Low Energy, snap-in pen loading, Load & Go, and compatible material support up to 3 mm. Maker 4 still remains capable for many vinyl, cardstock, fabric, and standard Maker projects.
Should beginners buy Maker 5, Explore 5, or Joy 2?
Beginners should choose based on project size and material ambition. Joy 2 suits compact everyday projects, Explore 5 suits mainstream full-size crafts, and Maker 5 is better for users who want to grow into advanced tools, thicker materials, fabric, engraving, and more complex projects.
Does a Cricut machine require Cricut Access?
A Cricut machine can be used without Cricut Access, but some content, library items, and software features may require purchase or subscription. Buyers should separate the cost of the machine from the cost of optional content and subscription features.
