Cricut Maker 3 Vs Cricut Joy: Which Is Right For You?
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If you’re considering buying a Cricut machine but can’t decide between the Cricut Maker 3 and the Cricut Joy, you’re in the right place! These two machines cater to different crafting needs, so choosing the right one depends on your projects, budget, and workspace.
I started my Cricut journey with the Cricut Joy, which was fantastic for quick projects, but I eventually upgraded to the Cricut Maker 3 to tackle bigger and more complex crafts. At first, I was daunted by the larger machine, but I was pleasantly surprised by how similar it is to use.
In this article, I compare the two machines: Cricut Maker 3 vs Cricut Joy, to help you decide which is best for your crafting needs. I also cover the difference between the newer Cricut Joy Xtra and Cricut Maker 4 too.
Overview of Cricut Maker 3 and Cricut Joy
First, let’s take a closer look at what each of these Cricut machines can do and some of the main benefits of each.
Cricut Maker 3
The Cricut Maker 3 is a powerful, full-featured cutting machine designed for serious crafters, small business owners, and DIY enthusiasts.
It cuts over 300 materials, including fabric, wood, leather, and chipboard, and is compatible with a wide range of Cricut tools, such as the rotary blade, knife blade, and foil transfer tool. It also supports Cricut Smart Materials, allowing for matless cutting of larger projects.
And even something as simple as the fact that you can make 4 cards at once using the Cricut Maker card mat, vs making just one at a time with the Cricut Joy. This is where it becomes a potential small handmade business tool too.
You can read my full Cricut Maker 3 review here for more details.
Best For:
- Professional crafters and small businesses
- Large, complex, or multi-material projects
- Sewing, quilting, engraving, and advanced crafting
Cricut Joy
The Cricut Joy is a compact, portable machine designed for quick, everyday crafting. It works well for simple projects like greeting cards, labels, and decals.
While it lacks the versatility of the Maker 3, its ease of use and small footprint makes it perfect for beginners or those with limited crafting space.
You can read my full Cricut Joy review here for more details.
Best For:
- Quick and easy projects
- Labels, cards, and simple vinyl designs
- Small crafting spaces or on-the-go crafting
Key Differences Between Cricut Maker 3 and Cricut Joy
| Feature | Cricut Maker 3 | Cricut Joy |
|---|---|---|
| Cutting Power | Cuts over 300 materials, including wood and leather | Cuts 50+ materials, mainly paper and vinyl |
| Cutting Size | Up to 12 feet long with Smart Materials | Max width 4.5 inches, up to 20 feet long with Smart Materials |
| Tools | Compatible with 13+ tools (knife blade, rotary blade, foil tool, etc.) | Uses only fine-point blade, foil transfer tool and pens |
| Matless Cutting | Yes, with Smart Materials | Yes, with Smart Materials |
| Size & Portability | Larger, requires dedicated workspace | Compact, easy to store and transport |
| Price | Higher cost due to versatility | More budget-friendly |
What’s in the Box?
It’s always good to know what you’re getting when you purchase a new craft machine, so here’s the contents for each of the machines:
Cricut Maker 3 Box Includes:
- Cricut Maker 3 machine
- Premium fine-point blade
- USB cable & power adapter
- Welcome materials
- Free trial of Cricut Access
Note: You don’t get a cutting mat or any pens with the Maker 3 which are 2 things that I think are essential tools, so keep this in mind as an extra expense for getting started.
Cricut Joy Box Includes:
- Cricut Joy machine
- Fine-point blade
- Standard Grip mat (4.5” x 6.5”)
- Black fine-point pen
- USB cable & power adapter
- Welcome materials
- Free trial of Cricut Access
Cricut Joy Limitations
While the Cricut Joy is a fantastic compact cutting machine, it does have some limitations compared to larger models. Its smaller size means it can only cut materials up to 5.5 inches wide, which restricts the types of projects you can create.
Unlike the Cricut Maker 3 or Explore series, it doesn’t support specialty tools like the rotary blade, knife blade, or scoring stylus, limiting its ability to work with thicker materials like wood, chipboard, or fabric.
Additionally, while it does offer matless cutting with Smart Materials, its maximum cut length is 4 feet for individual designs or 20 feet for repeated cuts, which may not be sufficient for more extensive projects.
You do have to get really creative if you are trying to make larger projects. I have been able to create t-shirt designs, but not at the full scale I would have liked and it did mean getting really creative with design positioning on the mat to maximise your workspace.
The Cricut Joy also lacks Print Then Cut functionality (which has been added to the newer Cricut Joy Xtra), which is useful for creating stickers and printable designs.
While it’s perfect for quick, small-scale projects like labels, greeting cards, and simple vinyl decals, those looking for more versatility may find themselves outgrowing the Joy over time. This is what happened for me.
Cricut Joy vs. Cricut Joy Xtra
Cricut recently introduced the Cricut Joy Xtra, which sits between the original Joy and larger machines like the Explore and Maker series.
It offers a wider cutting size (8.5 inches compared to Joy’s 4.5 inches) and supports Print Then Cut, which the original Joy does not. This makes it a better option for sticker makers and those who want more flexibility without moving up to the larger machines.
| Feature | Cricut Joy | Cricut Joy Xtra |
|---|---|---|
| Max Cutting Width | 4.5 inches | 8.5 inches |
| Print Then Cut | No | Yes |
| Smart Materials Compatibility | Yes | Yes |
| Ideal For | Labels, cards, decals | Stickers, slightly larger projects |
What’s New with Cricut Maker 4?
Just as crafters were getting comfortable with the Maker 3, Cricut released the Cricut Maker 4. While it retains most of the powerful features of its predecessor, it offers improved cutting speed, updated connectivity, and even more precision.
If you’re considering a Maker series machine, it might be worth looking into whether the Maker 4 is a better fit for your needs.
As far as the price point goes, it’s actually more affordable than the original retail price of the Cricut Maker 3 too. So really, you can’t go wrong, unless you can pick up a Maker 3 at a heavy discount now that there’s a newer model.
Which One Should You Choose?
Honestly, I love both my Cricut machines for different reasons and don’t think you can go wrong when choosing a Cricut in general, however, here is a quick summary to help you choose the right Cricut machine for you:
Get the Cricut Maker 3 if:
✅ You want to work with a wide range of materials (fabric, wood, leather, etc.).
✅ You need a larger cutting area for big projects.
✅ You plan to use specialty tools like the knife blade or rotary blade.
✅ You run a small business and need a versatile machine.
Alternatively, go a step higher and get the newer Cricut Maker 4 with even faster capabilities and upgrades, if you don’t mind the price for the newest and the best on the market.
Get the Cricut Joy if:
✅ You want a portable, space-saving machine.
✅ You mostly make cards, labels, or smaller projects.
✅ You’re a beginner looking for an easy-to-use Cricut.
✅ You need a budget-friendly option for light crafting.
Alternatively, if simple projects and the lower price point are appealing, but a larger workspace is ideal, consider the Cricut Joy Xtra instead.
Where To Buy A Cricut Machine?
There are quite a few options to purchase a new Cricut machine, depending on where you are located. Here in Australia, you can purchase from Spotlight, Harvey Norman, Officeworks and a few other major retailers. Or on Amazon Australia.
In North America, you can shop on Amazon or directly via the Cricut website:
Final Thoughts: Cricut Maker 3 Or Cricut Joy?
Choosing between the Cricut Maker 3, Cricut Joy, and the newer Cricut Joy Xtra comes down to your crafting needs and budget. If you’re looking for a powerhouse machine, the Maker 3 (or the newly released Maker 4) is the way to go. I love that I am no longer limited by size and that I can now cut extra materials, like thin plywood and fabric too! That’s a whole lot of exciting new possibilities.
But the Cricut Joy or Joy Xtra might be your perfect match if you need a smaller, budget-friendly option for quick projects. The Cricut Joy still has a place in our home. If I just want to do a quick, small-scale project, or if the kids want to make a card, the Cricut Joy still comes out.
Whatever you decide, Cricut machines open up a world of creative possibilities!
