The Cricut Maker 5 is here, and the biggest upgrades aren’t just cosmetic. Cricut’s latest flagship smart cutting machine now handles compatible materials up to 3mm thick, a 25% bump over the previous Maker’s 2.4mm ceiling, which means thicker leather, foam core, corrugated plastic, acrylic, and metal are all fair game from a single machine. It also cuts at speeds more than 30% faster than the Maker 4 which is awesome if you are handling big, multiple projects.
The machine is also noticeably smaller at 30% more compact than previous Maker models, according to Cricut, while keeping the same 12-inch cutting width.
Beyond cutting, the Maker 5 can write, draw, foil, score, deboss, emboss, and engrave, all supported by a compatibility list of over 300 materials and 13 specialised tools. The engraving capability feels more front-and-centre this time around, with Cricut including an Engraving Tip in the Essential Bundle rather than selling it separately.
It integrates with Cricut Design Space, the brand’s free design app, which has received a few updates. There are now guided design flows to help new users get started, AI-powered tools to take an idea and turn it into a cut-ready design, and a library that’s grown to over 1.75 million images and 1,500 fonts. The Cricut Access subscription unlocks more of that library, though the core app remains free.
Cricut machines are satisfying to use once you get past the initial learning curve, and the guided flows in Design Space sound like a genuine attempt to shorten that ramp-up time for beginners.
The machine also supports Smart Materials for matless cutting, letting you create projects up to 12 feet long, and the Print Then Cut sensor handles inkjet-printed images for full-colour stickers and similar projects.
The new colour is Slate Blue, which looks clean and a bit less clinical than the white machines of the past. It’s a minor thing, but for a machine that tends to live on a desk or studio bench, the look does matter.
Cricut Maker 5 is available in Australia from 9th September 2026. The Essential Bundle is priced at RRP A$699 and can be found at Spotlight, Harvey Norman, and Officeworks.
About Lauren Chan
Lauren Chan is a tech writer and software developer with a passion for any new kinds of technologies. Also a cat lover (who doesn’t)?
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