Hey, crafters—brace yourselves, because Cricut just dropped some exciting news that’s about to level up your DIY game. The folks at Cricut have unveiled the next generation of their beloved crafting machines: the Cricut Maker 4 and the Cricut Explore 4. These bad boys are now available for purchase, and they bring faster speeds, pinpoint accuracy, and—get this—lower price tags than their predecessors. Yep, you heard that right: more power, less cash. Let’s unpack what these shiny new toys have in store for us.

It’s been almost four years since Cricut last refreshed its flagship Maker and Explore lines, so the arrival of the Maker 4 and Explore 4 feels like a big deal. These machines are designed to do what Cricut does best: print, cut, and emboss a dizzying array of materials with a Swiss Army knife-like collection of swappable tools. Think vinyl decals for your water bottle, custom cards for your bestie’s birthday, or even leather patches for that jacket you’ve been meaning to zhuzh up.

The Maker 4 will start at $399, while the Explore 4 kicks off at $249—both notably cheaper than the current Maker 3 (launch price $439, now $349) and Explore 3 (launch price $319, now $299). That’s a win for anyone who’s been eyeing a Cricut but couldn’t quite justify the splurge. Plus, they’re rolling out in two chic new colors: sage and seashell. (Because if you’re going to have a crafting machine on your desk, it might as well match your vibe, right?) Each machine comes with a starter bundle of materials for 10 projects, so you can hit the ground running—or cutting, rather.

So, what’s new under the hood? For starters, these machines are fast. Cricut claims they’re up to twice as quick as their predecessors when slicing through popular materials like cardstock and vinyl. If you’re a casual crafter, that might just mean less time waiting around for your “World’s Okayest Mom” sticker to finish. But if you’re one of those Etsy hustlers churning out custom orders, this speed boost could seriously up your production game. Thicker materials like leather or balsa wood won’t see quite the same dramatic jump, but Cricut says you’ll still notice a difference.

Accuracy’s getting a glow-up, too. Both the Maker 4 and Explore 4 are rocking a fancy new optical sensor paired with an upgraded light system. Translation: the machines can “see” your materials better, even if your craft corner is lit by a single flickering bulb. Whether you’re cutting intricate lace patterns or tiny lettering, this should mean fewer oops moments and cleaner results. It’s the kind of upgrade that’ll have perfectionists nodding in approval.

Maker vs. Explore

At a glance, the Maker 4 and Explore 4 look pretty similar to the 3-series models—same sleek design, same user-friendly vibe. But dig into the details, and the differences start to pop. The Maker 4 is the heavy hitter, built to tackle over 300 materials, from delicate fabrics to tough stuff like leather and balsa wood. It’s compatible with a broader range of tools, too, so you can cut, score, emboss, and even engrave with the right attachments. If you’re dreaming of pro-level projects or just want max flexibility, this is your guy.

The Explore 4, meanwhile, is the budget-friendly workhorse. It handles about 100 materials—think vinyl, cardstock, iron-ons—and sticks to the basics like cutting and writing. It’s perfect for beginners or anyone who doesn’t need the full firepower of the Maker. Both machines are solid picks; it just depends on how wild you want to get with your crafting.

Cricut’s subscription drama

If you’ve been in the Cricut orbit for a while, you might remember the Great Subscription Fiasco of 2021. Quick backstory: Cricut tried to limit free monthly uploads to its Design Space software (the app you use to design and send projects to your machine) and push a subscription model for extra uploads. The crafting community was not having it. After a tidal wave of backlash—Cricut backpedaled faster than you can say “vinyl scrap pile” and scrapped the plan.

Good news: the Maker 4 and Explore 4 don’t come with any mandatory subscription strings attached. Design Space is still free to use with your own designs, and you can upload as much as your heart desires. That said, Cricut’s still nudging folks toward its optional Cricut Access subscription ($9.99/month or $95.88/year, per their site). It’s a treasure trove for anyone who loves ready-made projects, extra fonts, and a library of over 300,000 images—plus, you get perks like discounts on materials. Not essential, but handy if you’re a design hoarder.