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Black Friday Cricut Deals 2026: Maker 4, Explore 5 or Joy Xtra
Three Cricut machines sold by Amazon, from the compact Joy Xtra to the Maker 4, with what reviewers liked, what went wrong, and last year's holiday prices.
The bottom line
For most new crafters, Creative Bloq calls the Cricut Explore 5 probably the best entry point yet: smaller, faster and quieter than the Explore 4, with a starter bundle full of supplies. For cards and small projects, Reviewed's pick is the Joy Xtra, which hit $129 at Amazon during Black Friday 2025, per JenniferMaker. The Maker 4 is the most capable, up to twice as fast as the Maker 3 per TechRadar, but TechRadar's unit failed on every basswood project. Last holiday season Amazon took 13% to 33% off Cricut machines.
Cricut machines to watch this Black Friday
Cricut Explore 5 Essential Bundle
Best for: First-time Cricut owners making cards, decals and gifts
$249.00 on Amazon (checked Oct 30)
Why
- Creative Bloq, after a month of use: probably the best entry point yet, with excellent, crisp cuts even on small lettering
- Noticeably smaller, quieter and faster than the Explore 4, and it now includes a scoring stylus, per Creative Bloq
- The bundle comes with a cutting mat, pen, weeding tools, vinyl, iron-on, cardstock and more, so you can start right away
Watch out
- Not as adaptable as the Maker series, per Creative Bloq
- If you own an Explore 4, Creative Bloq says the upgrade probably isn't worth it
Cricut Joy Xtra Digital Content Bundle
Best for: Cards, labels and occasional small projects
$179.00 on Amazon (checked Oct 30)
Black Friday 2025 on Amazon: $129.00 (today is $50.00 higher)
Why
- Reviewed's Best for Hobbyists: compact, cheaper and large enough for most projects
- Cuts designs 8.5 inches wide and up to 4 feet long, which Reviewed found right for cards, vinyl labels and iron-on decals
- JenniferMaker reported its lowest price ever, $129, at Amazon and the Cricut Shop during Black Friday 2025
Watch out
- One tool clamp and slower cutting than full-size machines, per Reviewed
- It needs its own Joy Xtra-size mats and materials; standard 12-inch mats won't fit
Cricut Maker 4 Digital Content Bundle
Best for: Heavy users who cut fabric, felt and thicker materials
$379.00 on Amazon (checked Oct 30)
Why
- Up to twice as fast as the Maker 3, per TechRadar, and works with over 300 materials, per Tom's Guide
- Tom's Guide calls it a fun machine for beginners and hardcore crafters alike
- Popular Science saw this bundle at $349 on Amazon in mid-December 2025
Watch out
- TechRadar's Maker 4 failed during every basswood project with a firmware error, and wood takes hours to cut; consider a laser cutter for wood
- TechRadar says Maker 3 owners don't need to upgrade
- Cricut-branded materials add up over time, per Tom's Guide
Prices come from Amazon and are checked three times a day. Amazon's price at checkout is the one that counts.
Which one is right for you
| If you... | Pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buying a first Cricut | Explore 5 | Creative Bloq's pick for beginners, with a starter bundle that covers your first projects. |
| Make cards and labels a few times a month | Joy Xtra | Reviewed's hobbyist pick; it hit $129 last Black Friday. |
| Cut fabric, felt or lots of projects every week | Maker 4 | The fastest and most capable of the three; skip it for wood. |
| Already own an Explore 4 or Maker 3 | Keep it | Creative Bloq and TechRadar both say the new models aren't worth upgrading to from those. |
What Cricut machines cost last holiday season
Popular Science's December 2025 roundup of Cricut prices on Amazon showed machines 13% to 33% off: the Maker 4 Digital Content Bundle at $349, the Explore 4 Engagement Bundle at $199, the Joy Xtra at $149 and the original Joy at $99. During Black Friday and Cyber Monday, JenniferMaker found the Joy Xtra at $129, its lowest price ever.
Last year's deals covered the Explore 4 and Joy Xtra; the newer Explore 5 and Joy 2 weren't part of them. Use last year's cuts of 13% to 33% as a guide.
Bundles: count what's in the box
Cricut sells each machine in several Amazon bundles: Essential, Deluxe, Ultimate, Engagement and Digital Content. Bundles of the same machine can be far apart in price, so compare what's in the box, not just the price.
A bigger bundle is only a deal if you'll use the extra materials. Creative Bloq found the Explore 5 Essential Bundle already includes enough to start making cards, decals and gifts.
What about the Cricut Joy 2?
Creative Bloq says Cricut launched the Joy 2 in recent months, and Amazon sells it. We didn't find an independent review of it, so it isn't one of our picks yet.
Before you check out
- Decide what you'll make most: cards and vinyl (Explore 5 or Joy Xtra) or fabric and thicker materials (Maker 4).
- Compare bundles by what's in the box, not just the price.
- Check the seller is Amazon.com or Cricut.
- Budget for materials; Cricut-branded supplies add up.
- Compare with last holiday season's price on this page.
How we put this guide together
We don't test cutting machines. The picks come from Creative Bloq's Explore 5 review (July 21, 2026), Reviewed's Cricut guide, and Tom's Guide's and TechRadar's Maker 4 reviews, limited to machines sold by Amazon. Last year's prices come from Popular Science's December 2025 Amazon Cricut roundup and JenniferMaker's Black Friday 2025 list. Today's prices come from Amazon and are checked three times a day. We earn a commission if you buy through our Amazon links, which doesn't change the price you pay.
Quick answers
Does Cricut go on sale for Black Friday?
Yes. Last holiday season Amazon had Cricut machines 13% to 33% off, per Popular Science, and the Joy Xtra hit $129 during Black Friday, per JenniferMaker.
Which Cricut should a beginner buy?
Creative Bloq calls the Explore 5 probably the best entry point yet. For only cards and small projects, Reviewed recommends the Joy Xtra.
Can a Cricut Maker 4 cut wood?
It can cut thin wood in many passes, but TechRadar's unit failed on every basswood project with a firmware error. TechRadar suggests a laser cutter for regular wood work.
When is Black Friday 2026?
Friday, November 27, 2026, with Cyber Monday on November 30. In 2025 Amazon's Black Friday Week ran November 20 to December 1.
Sources
- Creative Bloq, Cricut Explore 5 review, July 21, 2026
- Reviewed, 'Best Cricut Machines' (Joy Xtra, Best for Hobbyists)
- Tom's Guide, Cricut Maker 4 review, October 27, 2025
- TechRadar, Cricut Maker 4 review, March 8, 2025
- Popular Science, Cricut machines and supplies at Amazon, December 16, 2025
- JenniferMaker, Black Friday and Cyber Monday Cricut deals 2025
- Cricut Explore 5 Essential Bundle, Amazon listing
- Cricut Joy Xtra Digital Content Bundle, Amazon listing
- Cricut Maker 4 Digital Content Bundle, Amazon listing
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