The Cricut Maker 3 is the most capable cutting machine Cricut has ever produced, and buying it as part of a well-chosen bundle - rather than the base machine alone - sets you up for success from the first cut. The Maker 3’s adaptive tool system accepts more blade types than any other Cricut machine, meaning the accessories you buy alongside it determine how far your projects can go. Whether you are setting up a vinyl crafting station, a fabric cutting workspace, or a mixed-media studio, here are the best Maker 3 bundles, accessories, and compatible materials available in 2026.
Quick Comparison
| Product | Best For | Est. Price | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cricut Maker 3 Everything Bundle | Best all-in-one starter setup | $$$$ | ★★★★★ |
| Cricut Knife Blade | Wood and thick leather cutting | ~$30-60 | ★★★★★ |
| Cricut Maker 3 + EasyPress 3 Bundle | Shirt and HTV workflow setup | $$$$$ | ★★★★★ |
| Siser EasyWeed HTV Multi-Pack | Best HTV material for Maker 3 apparel work | ~$30-60 | ★★★★★ |
| Cricut StrongGrip Mat 3-Pack | Essential for wood, leather, thick materials | ~$30-60 | ★★★★☆ |
1. Cricut Maker 3 Everything Bundle - Best All-In-One Purchase
The Cricut Maker 3 Everything Bundle is the smartest way to buy into the Maker 3 ecosystem. It typically includes the machine, multiple mat sizes (StandardGrip and StrongGrip), a fine-point blade, a rotary blade housing, and a selection of Cricut materials to start creating immediately. Compared to buying items separately, bundles save meaningful money and eliminate the frustration of discovering you are missing a mat or blade on your first project day. Check for seasonal bundle variations - holiday and back-to-school editions often include premium accessories.
2. Cricut Knife Blade - Unlock Wood and Thick Material Cutting
The Cricut Knife Blade is the accessory that separates the Maker 3 from every other Cricut machine. Without it, the Maker 3 is an excellent vinyl and HTV cutter - but with it installed, you can cut balsa wood up to 2.4mm thick, dense chipboard, thick leather, and other rigid materials that no other Cricut blade touches. The Knife Blade fits into the Maker 3’s adaptive clamp B, and Design Space automatically calculates the correct number of passes for each material. It is an essential purchase if wood projects are in your plans.
3. Cricut Maker 3 + EasyPress 3 Bundle - Best for Apparel Makers
For crafters whose primary use case is custom apparel - shirts, bags, hats, and other HTV projects - the Cricut Maker 3 paired with the Cricut EasyPress 3 is a complete professional workflow. The Maker 3 cuts thick and specialty HTV including glitter, flock, and sport-film vinyl, while the EasyPress 3 applies transfers with precise, even heat at the exact temperature and dwell time recommended by the Cricut Heat app. This bundle eliminates the two biggest failure points in shirt making: bad cuts and bad presses.
4. Siser EasyWeed HTV - Best Compatible Material for Maker 3 Apparel
The Maker 3 cuts Siser EasyWeed HTV with outstanding results - clean edges, minimal weeding effort, and transfers that bond permanently to fabric. EasyWeed’s lower pressing temperature (305°F) is well within the Cricut EasyPress 3’s range, and it is available in a wide variety of colors and specialty finishes. A multi-color EasyWeed sampler pack alongside your Maker 3 is the ideal way to stock your HTV library from the start, covering most shirt color requests without ordering individual rolls.
5. Cricut StrongGrip Mat 3-Pack - Essential for Thick Materials
The Maker 3’s most powerful capabilities - cutting wood, thick leather, dense chipboard - all require the StrongGrip mat to hold rigid materials securely during cutting. Standard mats are not strong enough for these applications. A 3-pack of 12x12 StrongGrip mats ensures you always have a clean, tacky mat ready for demanding projects without stopping to clean or replace a single mat. Replace StrongGrip mats when materials start lifting at the edges during multi-pass cuts.
What to Look For
- Bundle contents: The best Maker 3 bundles include at least one StrongGrip mat, the fine-point blade, and either the rotary blade or Knife Blade. Bundles without specialty blades are just the base machine with mats.
- Blade selection: Decide early which materials you will cut most - fabric (rotary blade), wood (Knife Blade), or vinyl/HTV (fine-point blade). Each requires a separate blade purchase beyond what ships with the base machine.
- Mat types: StandardGrip for vinyl, HTV, and paper; StrongGrip for wood, leather, and chipboard; LightGrip for delicate papers. Owning all three types unlocks the full Maker 3 material range.
- Smart Material compatibility: The Maker 3 cuts matless using Smart Vinyl, Smart Iron-On, and Smart Cardstock rolls - ideal for long continuous cuts up to 12 feet.
Final Thoughts
The Cricut Maker 3 is the most capable home crafting cutter on the market, and the right bundle or accessory set unlocks its full potential from day one. Start with an Everything Bundle to get your mats and basic blades covered, then add the Knife Blade for wood projects and the EasyPress 3 for apparel work as your projects grow. Pair it with Siser EasyWeed HTV and Cricut Smart Vinyl, and the Maker 3 will handle virtually every crafting challenge you throw at it.
Frequently asked questions
What comes in the Cricut Maker 3 bundle and is it worth buying?+
Most Cricut Maker 3 bundles include the machine, a StandardGrip mat, a fine-point blade housing, a rotary blade, a scoring stylus, and sometimes Cricut materials like vinyl or iron-on rolls. Bundles typically save $30-80 over buying items separately and are the smartest way to start. Look for bundles that include the Knife Blade if you plan to cut wood or thick leather.
What blades does the Cricut Maker 3 use and which should I buy first?+
The Cricut Maker 3 uses an adaptive tool system with multiple blade types: the fine-point blade for vinyl and paper, the deep-cut blade for thick materials, the rotary blade for fabric, the scoring wheel for folding, and the Knife Blade for wood and leather. Start with the fine-point blade (included) and add the Knife Blade if cutting wood, or the rotary blade if cutting fabric for sewing projects.
Is the Cricut Maker 3 compatible with Cricut Smart Materials without a mat?+
Yes. The Cricut Maker 3 supports Cricut's Smart Material system, which lets you load Smart Vinyl, Smart Iron-On, and Smart Paper Sticker Cardstock rolls directly into the machine without a cutting mat. Smart materials can be cut in lengths up to 12 feet, making them ideal for long banners, repeating patterns, and bulk vinyl or HTV projects without the hassle of mat loading and unloading.