Cricut has once again elevated the crafting experience with the release of the Explore 4 and Maker 4. If you’re wondering how these new models compare to the Explore 3 and Maker 3, this breakdown will help you understand the key differences, focusing on speed and performance.
Speed: A Major Upgrade
One of the most significant upgrades in the Explore 4 and Maker 4 is speed. Let’s examine the numbers:
Speed on One Axis (Straight Cuts):
- Explore 3 / Maker 3:
- 8 inches per second (ips) with Smart Materials
- 5 ips with a cutting mat
- Explore 4 / Maker 4:
- 10 ips with Smart Materials
- 10 ips with a cutting mat
The newer models offer a 25% increase in Smart Materials cutting speed and double the speed when using a mat, making projects faster and more efficient.
Speed on Diagonal Cuts:
- Explore 3 / Maker 3:
- 11.3 ips with Smart Materials
- 7.1 ips with a cutting mat
- Explore 4 / Maker 4:
- 14.1 ips with Smart Materials
- 14.1 ips with a cutting mat
Diagonal cuts see an even bigger improvement, with **the Explore 4 and Maker 4 cutting nearly 25% faster on Smart Materials and doubling the speed on a mat. This upgrade ensures smoother and quicker complex cuts.
What This Means for Crafters
With these enhancements, the Explore 4 and Maker 4 are perfect for:
- Faster production, especially for bulk orders or business use
- More efficient mat-based cutting, eliminating the previous speed gap
- Quicker completion of intricate designs with smoother diagonal cuts
Final Thoughts
While the Explore 3 and Maker 3 remain powerful machines, the Explore 4 and Maker 4 are game-changers in terms of speed and efficiency. If time-saving is a priority for your crafting projects, upgrading to the latest models may be worth considering.
Are you excited about these speed improvements? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
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