So, when Cricut reached out to me and asked me to try out their Explore Air 2, I was excited to try it and compare the two models. Both machines have a maximum cutting size of 12″ wide by 24″ long. We should add that discounts and sales are common, and you may find these machines for different prices on marketplaces like Amazon. Both the Cricut Maker and the Explore Air 2 are amazing tools for crafters! Can anyone sum up what the … Press J to jump to the feed. If you are trying to start a business with the Cricut, you might also want to invest in the Maker – you never know when you might want one of the newest blades or tools and you are better off only buying one machine to start! Cricut Maker vs Explore Air 2: Cutting Simple Card Stock. Another important but often overlooked feature is how portable are these machines? Every week we publish tips, guides and freebies for craft fans – from the latest machine reviews, to SVGs, fonts and cut file giveaways. Disclaimer: This post includes affiliate links and was sponsored by Cricut; all opinions are my own. The Cricut Makeris the new machine that is on the market. The PtC offering on the Maker is exactly the same as with the Explore Air 2, except that now it can PtC on patterned and colored paper! That said, the Cricut cutter is the most compact one of the two with a 6-inch height … The Explore Air has the edge in having a SmartSet material dial for a variety of cutting applications. Cricut Explore Air 2 and Cricut Maker both have unique uses, overlapping qualities and accessories that come included with your purchase. The bottom compartment of the Maker has rubber reinforcement for sharp ends. As another added bonus, the Maker is also able to work with some really sophisticated new blades: the Rotary blade and the Knife blade. Print Then Cut (PtC) is one of our favorite features with the Cricut machines. Particularly when the Explore Air 2 is only around a year old… The Explore Air 2, on the other hand, is advertised at the moment on the Cricut site for $299.99. The issue that we — and plenty of other users — have with this is that the materials that you most commonly use aren’t necessarily the most common materials for the Cricut community at large. I was thrilled to find this article as I have jut started exploring the differences between the Maker and the Explore Air 2! I hope that this guide helped you to decide which Cricut model you should buy. This one isn’t really a battle, it’s a bloodbath. The Cricut Explore Air 2 What is the Cricut Explore Air 2? I have been loving using my Cricut Maker for over six months now. The Cricut Joy is a small personal cutting machine that is capable of cutting the most popular Cricut materials. Everyday I love testing new machines, materials and techniques and passing my tips and reviews along to my crafting friends and readers. The Cricut Maker is 10x stronger than the Cricut Explore. On the Cricut website, they’re advertising the Maker for $399.99 right now (September 2017). As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. […], Copyright by The Charleston Crafted Blog, LLC, 2020 | Trellis Framework by Mediavine, read my complete review of the Cricut Maker here. This isn’t especially difficult; just a little annoying. Maker vs Cricut Explore Air 2: Overall Verdict, 49 things you can make with the Cricut Maker. I’ve had many questions from both family, friends, and followers on social media asking me the difference between the Cricut Maker vs Cricut Explore Air 2.I’m here to share all the information so that you can figure out if your ready to upgrade (or maybe you don’t own a machine and want to buy one). Recently the original Cricut Explore, Cricut Explore One, and Cricut Explore Air were discontinued as well. None of these programs affect the price that you pay on any purchases made – but it does help us keep the site running. This post also contains affiliate links for your convenience. Which machine do you need? While you can cut fabric with the Explore Air 2 in theory, it’s never been what the machine is best at. This machine will be perfectly sufficient for crafters that stick to thin materials and don’t require any specialist intervention. This will eliminate any of the normal guesswork you have when it comes to marking patterns and ensure that your pieces are fit together as precisely as possible. Cricut Explore Air ™ 2. The variety of shapes used is to simulate simple to more intricate cutting. THIS IS A HUGE AND GIGANTIC STEP, and because of this force, you are now able to use more powerful tools and more complex materials. My circuit explore air 2 has the red light of doom and cricut will not replace. It’s the perfect tool for thick materials and deep cuts. If you’d like to find more of our content, please subscribe to our YouTube channel, like us on Facebook, and don’t forget to sign up for the free VCM Weekly newsletter! The Cricut Maker and the Cricut Explore Air 2. I’m looking into buying a machine and this is definitely helping me to make my decision! , When the Cricut Maker was released this Summer, one of the most popular questions we heard was, “how does it compare to the Explore Air 2?”. It helped me a great deal! The Cricut Maker has no cartridge slot. Print Then Cut is likely the most common reason for needing to calibrate your machine, which is the exact problem I encountered myself! Compare Cricut Explore Air Vs Air 2. The Explore Air 2, on the other hand, is advertised at the moment on the Cricut site for $299.99. After all, that’s what you’re buying it for! Also, if you are a sewer and want to cut out a lot of patterns with non-bonded fabric, you definitely need the Maker. Today, I will be giving you a run down of the Cricut Maker vs Cricut Explore Air 2 so you can make the best decision possible when purchasing your machine! Let’s start with the biggest difference between the machines, Cricut Maker’s Adaptive Tool System™. The adapter connects your cartridges and the Maker via a USB port. Examples of some of these thick materials include: sheet metal, thin wood, thick leather. Check out the pros and cons of each in this article and then take that information and make the best decision for your needs! If you want to cut these materials, you will need to invest in the Cricut Maker. Easy peasy — and you don’t have to do anything at all! This will be less important if you only like to craft when sat at a desk, but if you travel with your cutting machine, or simply like to move it between rooms, it’s worth taking note. The Cricut Joy vs Explore Air 2 vs Maker: which is better? The Cricut Maker eases ahead ever so slightly of the Explore Air 2 in the ease of use stakes — although we do think that both are very easy to master with a little practice. Posted on Published: November 20, 2019 Categories Cricut. Overall, it should be clear that the Cricut Maker is the better machine. The Cricut Maker has all the capability of the Cricut Explore machines, and more. The good news is that neither the Maker or Explore Air require you to use cartridges for your designs any more. This is not an issue unless you have an old Cricut machine/cartridges. The premium German carbide blades cut through most materials like butter and make it the perfect choice for small, intricate designs. I have even ended up with two Cricut cutting machines (read all about how the Cricut Maker and Cricut Explore Air 2 machines compare). The Cricut Maker has 10X the strength and cutting force than any of the Explore family machines. Let’s take a good look at it, and compare it with the other Cricut Machines! I don’t like to play favorites, but it’s hard to deny that the Silhouette Cameo and Cricut cutters hold a special place in my heart! Click here to get this comparison in a FREE printable PDF! Pinterest ; Facebook; Twitter; Should you upgrade your Cricut Explore to the Cricut Maker? For the Cricut Explore Air 2 you can only calibrate using Print Then Cut. We do think that you get a lot of bang for your buck here, but there’s no doubt that that’s a significant sum to lay down on a new cutter. Calling all Cricut owners! While it’s clear that the Cricut Maker has some serious improvements on the Explore Air 2, for some people, those new features won’t justify the price increase. Is this a machine for life or simply one to tide you over until the next big thing comes out? We’ve broken down every battle in the war of Cricut Maker vs Explore Air 2 to help you make the choice of which is the best cutter for you. Let’s be clear: both machines are solid, sturdy and we’ve got no doubt that they’ll be lasting for years to come. I was so lucky to get to attend the Cricut Mountain Makeathon earlier this year, and see the official debut of the Cricut Maker! The Knife Blade — unfortunately not available until later in 2017 — is just as exciting, promising to be like a safer and more effective X-Acto Blade within the machine itself. You can still use your cartridges with the Maker, but it’s a little more difficult. Enjoy this Cricut Maker versus Cricut Explore Air 2 video. There are no dials or buttons on the actual machine because of the Adaptive Cutting System which makes the dial unnecessary. Back to the old Venn diagram days of elementary school, I think they are actually helpful when summarizing the capabilities of the Explore Air 2 vs the Cricut Maker: Essentially, the Cricut Maker can do everything the Explore Air 2 can and MORE! This includes the Cricut Explore Air 2, Cricut Explore Air, Cricut Explore One and Cricut Explore. I’ve been a professional in the world of vinyl cutting for over 10 years now and specialize in educating others on how to use commercial vinyl plotters. Thank you so much for your thoughtful and decisive comparisons! Have you been thinking about upgrading your Cricut Explore Air 2 to a Cricut Maker? The Cricut Explore Air 2 has always been one of the best desktop cutters considering its entry level price. It’s certainly not obsolete, but it doesn’t have the strength and engineering behind it to support the new tools and blades that Cricut are releasing. Our posts may contain affiliate links where we are compensated for purchases you make. Now that it's arrived and I have had a chance to play, I've put together a comparison of the Maker and my previous machine, the Cricut Explore Air 2. The Cricut Explore Air 2 cuts with a deep cut blade, but the knife blade on the Maker can go even deeper. The Cricut Maker also comes with tools that aren’t backward compatible with the Cricut Explore. If you want to be open to more possible materials, I definitely think that the Maker is worth the extra $100! The machine will then automatically adjust its cut settings according to what you’ve set on the dial. OK, we’ll admit it. If you’re looking for something a bit nimbler, the Explore Air is probably more your thing. You can upload your own designs and convert them for free so if you’re a little more experienced and like to create your designs in a more sophisticated program, you have the option to do that. Cricut Maker vs. Maker vs. explore. While it might not have the bells and whistles of the Maker, it’s a perfect machine for paper crafters, or people who like to work with reasonably thin materials, those that love cartridges and people on a more restricted budget. Explore Air vs Explore Air 2. Cricut Explore One Accessory Adapter; Accessory Adapter Replacement (included with Cricut Explore, Cricut Explore Air, Cricut Explore Air 2 and Cricut Maker. These machines are no longer supported by Cricut. I don’t get it. These two craft cutters are very similar. This dial allows you to quickly select from the most common materials. Raspberry, Fushia, Lilac, Rose, Blue, Mint, Black, Sky. Both of these Cricuts can cut over 100 materials. They connect to a great free software – Cricut Design Space – which allows you to create custom designs. More Possibilities. Moving on, the two machines provide you with a 12×12 inch cutting area. The Cricut Maker is a newer and more advanced model than the Cricut Explore Air 2. However, if it’s within your budget but you are just deciding if it is worth it for what you will use it for, read on! The opinions are all mine. Let me start by saying that I absolutely love both machines and have been using the Cricut Maker for over a month now and I’m in love with it! It’s got double the amount of storage space and even space to charge your phone or tablet. So, looks like I have to buy another. Log In Sign Up. The Maker, in contrast, is an all-in-one machine; a one-stop shop. Today I’m comparing the Cricut Maker vs Explore Air 2, I have one of each of these machines currently and I’ve used both extensively for a variety of projects and material types. If you’ve got a question on any machine with a servo motor, make sure you come straight to me! The Rotary Blade itself, which comes included with all purchases of the Maker, is enough to elevate the machine high above the Explore Air 2. This post may contain affiliate links, which means that we earn a small percentage of each sale. Having said that, there are different pros and cons to both machines, and we think that different crafters will be more suited to either one. This promises to work with a variety of different tools — from all the blades already released by Cricut, the brand new Rotary and Knife blades, and any new ones in the future as well. But which machine actually cuts the best? Cricut Maker vs. Cricut Explore Air 2. Crafts, Made with Cricut Cricut Maker vs. This means that, thanks to the adaptive tool system, the Maker can cut thicker materials. With its powerful blades, pens, and scoring tool, Cricut Maker grows with you as you learn each new craft. We’ve already mentioned the huge sewing pattern library that comes with your purchase of the machine but it goes a little further than that. But the Maker just inches ahead when you think about which cutter you’ll want by your side for the next few years. After all, the Cricut Explore Air 2 wasn’t released that long ago and is, by all accounts, a fantastic desktop cutting machine. Aside from being lighter, it has a lower amount of storage (although frankly still well endowed in this area) and will be better for people that like to craft on the road — or even take around to friends’ houses for craft night! If you want to experiment and grow as a crafter, the machine that’s going to help you get there is the Maker. This site is part of the Amazon affiliate program. This post and the photos within it may contain Amazon or other affiliate links. Well, like most things in life, it depends. They each cut tons of materials easily. Winner of the Cricut Maker vs Explore Air 2 Debate: Cricut Maker!!! This post is sponsored by Circuit with affiliate links which means that if you make any purchases I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. The Explore Air, on the other hand, will offer you exactly the same in a few years as it does now. As the leading Explore machines, it seems natural to compare the Explore Air vs the Explore Air 2 together. Plus there’s a huge store of ready-to-make projects and quick cuts to get you started right off the bat. The cutting force of the Cricut Explore Air 2 is 400 grams and the Cricut M a ker ‘s cutting force is 4000 grams. Before you dive into precise testing of both devices, you are invited to check the quick notes about Air and Air 2. Winner: Cricut Maker. It’s a dead heat between the two machines when it comes down to software. The opinions and text are all mine. However, as you might expect, the Cricut Maker is also more expensive than the Explore Air 2. Some of the differences with the new Cricut MakerMachine and the Cricut Explore Air 2are more obvious than others. Thanks to the Adaptive Tool System, Cricut have more or less guaranteed that the Maker will be a vessel for all the different blades and tools they plan to release in future. Both the Cricut Maker and the Explore Air 2 can cut leather, but the type of leather will determine whether or not you can use the fine point blade (Cricut faux leather), deep cut blade (tooling leather), or the Maker-only Knife Blade (thicker leather or garment leather). User account menu • Maker vs. explore. Materials that they can both cut include: There are some materials that ONLY the Maker can cut. It’ll grow with you. Long time Cricut users, however, will be very familiar with cartridges — and will probably have at least one shelf in their craft room dedicated to them! The Cricut Explore Air 2is not going anywhere either. have been contemplating on which cutter is the best.. 2x Faster Cutting and Writing This is something that the Maker has in common with just he Explore Air 2 – it has two times faster cutting and writing. I started with new blades and mats on each so it was as close as possible to be the same cutting conditions. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Here is one of the many reasons why you should: This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Cricut. Explore Air 2: Cutting Fabric. Regardless, if you’re on a budget, the Explore Air is a clear winner. Cricut Explore Air 2 vs. Cricut Maker Comparison I have an Explore Air 2 now. It’s straightforward to use and allows you plenty of editing options so you can really personalize your designs. . That means that cuts are neater and easier, requiring less passes on thicker materials. The Cricut Explore Air 2 has a special place to plug in old Cricut cartridges. As you can see, there are many pros and cons to buying each different Cricut model. The Explore Air 2 is significantly lightly, at 14.8 lbs. I sat these machines side by side for a one on one comparison. What a great and well written review. It also means that the Maker can work with more materials than the Explore Air. We’ve always had to use a separate fabric cutter to get the best cuts. Very easy. But, once again, the Maker takes the crown as the best cutter around. The cutting force of the Cricut Explore Air 2 is 400 grams and the Cricut Maker’s cutting force is 4000 grams. We’ll be totally upfront: we think that both are excellent stand alone machines and we’re pretty sure you’ll be happy if you buy either of them. We should add that discounts and sales are common, and you may find these machines for different prices on marketplaces like Amazon. 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