Cricut Explore 5 Review: Worth It? (October 2026)
The Cricut Explore 5 Essential is the best starting point for mixed craft projects, including decals, cards and iron-on designs. Choose Deluxe for more supplies, the Ultimate bundle for its included heat press, or Joy Xtra when its supported materials cover your plans.
On this page (11 sections)
- Cricut Explore 5 review at a glance
- Which Explore 5 bundle fits your plans?
- What materials and projects suit the Explore 5?
- How does Print Then Cut work?
- What does Design Space include?
- How should you set up your first project?
- Which mistakes waste materials?
- How do you care for the machine and supplies?
- Explore 5 compared with Cricut Joy Xtra
- Explore 5 compared with Cricut Maker 4
- Is the Cricut Explore 5 worth it?
The Cricut Explore 5 Essential is the best starting point for mixed craft projects, especially if you want to try decals, cards and iron-on designs. The larger bundles make sense when you have a clear use for their extra supplies or included heat press.
The key choice is the package, not a different cutting machine. All 3 Explore bundles share the same core capabilities, so buying more supplies won't add new machine functions.
Cricut Explore 5 review at a glance
The Explore 5 suits crafters who want 12 in cutting performance across 100+ popular materials. It cuts vinyl, iron-on, cardstock and printable materials, and also writes, draws, foils and scores.
Cricut Explore 5 Essential
- 12 in cutting performance
- Works with 100+ materials
- Supplies for up to 65 projects
Start here if you want to try decals, cards and iron-on designs before buying larger supplies. The mixed materials help you find which crafts you want to keep making.
Pros
- Includes vinyl, iron-on, cardstock and printable vinyl
- Supports cutting, writing, drawing, foiling and scoring
- Includes 25 extra images and 1 font
- Pre-installed cutting blade
Cons
- Deep Cutting Tool is sold separately
- Requires a compatible Bluetooth device and high-speed internet
- Some content and software features require a paid subscription
Cricut describes this generation as 30% more compact than previous models. Its simplified interface and snap-in pen holder are useful changes to consider, but your workspace still needs room for materials to feed through.
The machine works with 6 tools, including a separately sold Deep Cutting Tool for thicker materials such as foam and rubber. A supported function doesn't mean every tool needed for it comes in the bundle.
Who should choose the Cricut Explore 5?
Choose Explore 5 if your plans cross several craft types, such as birthday cards, storage labels and personalized apparel. A mixed-material bundle lets you explore those projects before committing to larger supplies.
Skip it if you only want a few ready-made decorations and don't want to spend time preparing designs, removing excess material or assembling finished pieces. Cutting is one step in the craft, not the whole project.
If stickers and decals dominate your plans, the Cricut Joy Xtra review covers an alternative worth comparing. Check the materials you need before paying for capabilities you won't use.
Which Explore 5 bundle fits your plans?
Essential suits exploration, Deluxe suits regular crafting, and the Ultimate bundle suits buyers who also need a heat press. Choose around your first few projects rather than the largest advertised supply count.
| Bundle | Cricut's estimated project supply | Best reason to choose it |
|---|---|---|
| Cricut Explore 5 Essential | Up to 65 projects | Try several craft types |
| Cricut Explore 5 Deluxe | Up to 100 projects | Stock up for planned craft sessions |
| Cricut Explore 5 Ultimate | Up to 135 projects | Add the included EasyPress Mini LT |
Cricut bases these estimates on an average 4 x 6 in project using the included materials. Larger designs, unused offcuts and changes to your plans will affect how far those supplies go.
Essential: start with a range of crafts
Essential includes Smart Vinyl, Smart Iron-On, Value Cardstock, Insert Card Sets and Printable Vinyl. It's the sensible default if you haven't yet settled on a favorite material.
Use that variety to learn what you enjoy making and finishing. Someone who likes designing cards may find apparel pressing less appealing, even though both start with a cut design.
Skip this package if you already know you'll use a larger mixed supply soon. If you only work with one material, compare the included assortment with a focused supply plan instead.
Deluxe: buy for a real project queue
Deluxe includes the same kinds of popular materials and tools, with a larger supply allocation. It suits a crafter planning several card sessions, decal projects and gifts.
Before choosing it, write down what you expect to make and which materials each item needs. Extra cardstock doesn't solve a shortage of iron-on, so a larger total doesn't automatically match your workload.
Skip Deluxe if you're buying for one event and have no plans beyond it. A smaller starting assortment gives you room to learn your preferred colors and finishes before stocking up.
The heat-press bundle: choose it for the press
The Cricut Explore 5 Ultimate includes an EasyPress Mini LT, making it the package to consider when applying heat-transfer designs is part of your plan. Its extra supplies are secondary to whether you need that equipment.
Skip it if you already have suitable pressing equipment or mainly want stickers and paper crafts. For larger apparel designs, think through how you'll apply the whole design before choosing a bundle around a mini press.
All 3 Explore packages also include 25 extra images and 1 font. That shared digital content isn't a reason to move from one bundle to another.
What materials and projects suit the Explore 5?
The Explore 5 is a strong fit for cut lettering, paper shapes and printed designs that need contour cutting. Pick a project first, then match its material, tool and finishing steps.
For vinyl decals, allow time to remove the unwanted vinyl and transfer the design. Very small lettering and thin details can be harder to handle, so start with bold shapes and readable text.
For cards, think about the finished fold and assembly as well as the cut. Scoring, writing or foiling may call for tools and supplies beyond those used for a basic cut shape.
Iron-on projects need a suitable blank and a pressing method. Follow the material's instructions for placement, temperature, pressure and peeling rather than applying one routine to every transfer.
Don't assume material thickness alone proves compatibility. If fabric is central to your plans, read whether a Cricut can cut fabric before selecting tools or supplies.
For a wider view of projects and machine families, use our complete Cricut machine guide.
How does Print Then Cut work?
Print Then Cut uses a home inkjet printer to print your design, then the Explore 5 cuts around the printed image. The Cricut handles the cutting stage, so you still need a printer for full-color work.
Choose printable material that suits both your printer and the finished project. A decorative paper sticker and a label exposed to moisture have different needs, even if they share the same artwork.
Keep the printed sheet clean and flat, and follow Design Space's print and cut instructions. Avoid changing the print scale outside the guided workflow, since the cut needs to align with the printed design.
Start with a small sheet layout before making a large batch. The Print Then Cut guide explains the workflow in more detail.
What does Design Space include?
Design Space is the free app used to prepare and send projects to the machine. The Explore 5 requires a compatible computer or mobile device, Bluetooth and high-speed internet.
Its free starting library includes 3,000+ images, 100+ fonts and 1,000+ projects. The app also offers guided design flows, customizable templates and AI image generation, though some content and software features require payment.
Start by finding one design you can finish with the materials you have. A large library matters less than knowing whether the specific image, font and feature you want are available to you.
Cricut Access is optional, and additional content can be bought individually. Our guide to whether you need Cricut Access helps you choose between occasional design purchases and a subscription.
How should you set up your first project?
Start with a simple, single-material design and complete it from start to finish. This teaches the full workflow without adding layers, special tools and several finishing steps at once.
Check Cricut's current device requirements before buying, since they may change. Install Design Space, connect the machine as directed and place it on a stable surface with a clear material path.
Unpack and identify the included tools before ordering extras. The Explore machines include a pre-installed cutting blade, but that doesn't cover every supported craft technique.
Choose a basic cardstock shape or vinyl label, then measure the surface it must fit. Confirm the design's finished size in the app before sending it to cut.
Follow the prompts for material selection and loading. Keep hands, loose items and scraps away from moving parts, and leave space for the material to travel without hitting a wall.
Finish that first item before starting a batch. You'll learn more from applying one decal or assembling one card than from cutting a stack of shapes you haven't yet tried to use.
Which mistakes waste materials?
Wrong sizing, mismatched settings and rushed batch work are avoidable sources of waste. Build a short check routine before each cut.
- Measure the destination. A design that fits on the material may still be too large for a mug, card front or shirt placement.
- Match the material setting. Use the actual material type rather than choosing a setting because its name seems close.
- Check iron-on orientation. Follow the transfer material's instructions for mirroring and which side faces down.
- Simplify tiny details. Fine lettering and narrow gaps can make removing unwanted material much harder.
- Finish one item first. Confirm size, assembly and appearance before repeating the same design.
- Keep usable scraps. Label them by material type so similar-looking vinyl and iron-on don't get mixed up.
For repeated gifts or event items, include preparation and finishing in your schedule. Cutting several designs doesn't remove the time needed to weed, transfer, press or assemble them.
How do you care for the machine and supplies?
Keep the feed path clear and store materials flat, clean and labeled. Good storage makes it easier to load materials properly and identify the right settings later.
Remove loose scraps after each session and follow Cricut's care instructions for the machine and tools. Turn off and unplug the machine before any cleaning that requires access near its working parts.
Handle blades with care and keep protective covers where supplied. If cuts become incomplete, check the material choice, loading and tool condition before repeatedly cutting more sheets.
If a project uses an adhesive mat, protect its surface between sessions and follow its cleaning instructions. Keep pens capped and protect paper and printable sheets from moisture or curled edges.
Explore 5 compared with Cricut Joy Xtra
Choose Explore 5 for its broader material range and scoring support; choose Joy Xtra when its supported tasks cover your crafts. Joy Xtra works with 50+ materials and cuts, writes, draws and foils.
Its common projects include stickers, cards, T-shirts and vinyl decals. Print Then Cut works with most inkjet printers, so it remains an option for full-color designs.
The Joy Xtra package includes a Fine-Point Blade, Fine Point Pen, Mini Weeder, USB cable, power adapter and practice-cut materials. It also includes 30 bonus images, but you'll need to plan supplies beyond the initial practice cut.
Skip Joy Xtra if a required material or task falls outside its support. Skip the larger Explore bundle if its extra tools and mixed supplies don't help you finish the projects you actually want.
Explore 5 compared with Cricut Maker 4
Choose between Explore and Maker by the materials and tools your planned projects require. A more capable machine only helps when you have a use for those extra capabilities.
Our Cricut Maker 4 vs Explore 5 comparison covers the models side by side. The broader Cricut Maker vs Explore guide helps you compare the families.
Write down 3 projects you want to make regularly, then identify each one's material and tool needs. If you're still choosing among several machine families, use how to choose a Cricut machine to narrow the options.
Is the Cricut Explore 5 worth it?
Choose the Cricut Explore 5 Essential if you want to explore several common crafts without starting with the largest supply bundle. Move to Deluxe when you have regular projects planned, or choose the heat-press package when you need its included press.
Choose Joy Xtra if its supported materials and tasks cover your plans. Before ordering, match your first project to the included supplies and account for any printer, pressing equipment or special tool it needs.
If an essential project still leaves you unsure about machine choice, read the Cricut Maker vs Explore guide before committing.
Frequently asked questions
What can the Cricut Explore 5 cut?
The Cricut Explore 5 cuts more than 100 popular materials, including vinyl, iron-on, cardstock and printable materials. It also writes, draws, foils and scores.
Thicker materials such as foam and rubber need the separately sold Deep Cutting Tool, so match both the material and tool to your project.
Do you need Cricut Access to use the Explore 5?
No, you can use the Explore 5 with the free Design Space app. Its free starting library includes 3,000+ images, 100+ fonts and 1,000+ projects.
Some content and software features require Cricut Access, while additional designs can also be bought individually.
Start with a project that uses free content.
What is different about the Explore 5 bundles?
The bundles share the same core machine, but include different amounts of supplies. Cricut estimates up to 65 projects for Essential, 100 for Deluxe and 135 for the Ultimate bundle, based on an average 4 x 6 in project.
The last package also includes an EasyPress Mini LT.
Is the Explore 5 better than Cricut Joy Xtra?
Explore 5 is the better fit when you need its broader material range or scoring support. Joy Xtra suits popular projects such as stickers, cards and decals within its supported materials.
Choose from the tasks you need, rather than assuming every crafter benefits from the machine with more capabilities.
