Your email address will not be published. Meanwhile, the Smart Set Dial is used by Cricut Explore Air 2, works with 6 tools, and automatically calibrates the machine settings based on the material you select. It does have to be noted that you *can* use Smart Materials with the Explore Air 2. We cant wait to hear what you think! Hello, Im Kimberly, the creator of Sweet Red Poppy! differences Since the Explore Air 2 has limited features compared to the Maker 3, it makes sense that its cheaper. So, if you already have a Cricut Maker 3 or Cricut Explore 2 and decide to buy the other machine, you can use the same tools in both cases. cameo Matless cutting with was introduced with Cricut Joy in 2020, but its now expanded to Cricut Explore 3 (and Cricut Maker 3). It is not compatible with older machines, including the Cricut Explore Air 2. Sweet Red Poppy is my creative outlet where I find and create inspiration. Check out my full comparison post, Cricut Maker 3 - Everything You Need to Know, Everything You Need to Know About the Cricut Explore 3, How to Finish Seams Without a Serger: 3 Great Seam Finishes. Or how I can use my Air 2 on my new laptop in permanent, removable, and specialty finishes like glitter and shimmer. The Explore 3 currently only comes in the mint colour. Smart Iron-On comes in a range of sizes up to 9 in regular and specialty finishes, like holographic and glitter. The noise levels increase when switching on Fast Mode, so you wont be able to work late at night or in the weekends (unless you disable Fast Mode and cut materials slower by 50%). These are: Knife Blade, Rotary Blade, Fine-Point Blade, Pens and Markers, Foil Transfer Tool, Wavy Blade, Debossing Tip, Engraving Tip, Scoring Wheels, Perforation Tools, Deep-Point Blade, Bonded-Fabric Blade, and Washable Fabric Pen. But not all designs are free, unless you start paying a subscription fee for Cricut Access for $9.99/month or $95.88/year (save $24). As your project cuts, the roll holder neatly feeds your Smart Material in and out of the Explore 3. As far as the noise level goes, its decent in both cases definitely quieter than a blender or a vacuum cleaner. Still not sure which machine is for you? No more trying to figure out which glue is best. It cant calibrate itself automatically, which means that you have to perform this task manually in Design Space every time you wish to change materials and tools. A docking station is put at your disposal in Cricut Maker 3 so that you can place your tablet or smartphone on top of the machine, in order to easily operate Design Space. circut opinions cricut You can also write (with pens and markers), foil (with the foil transfer tool), and score (with the scoring stylus) using a Cricut Explore. Thanks to the Dual Carriage system, your machine can cut and draw at the same time. Compatible with 6 different tools, the crafting possibilities are endless with this incredible machine. The reason why you cant find a cartridge slow in Cricut Maker 3 is that it doesnt need it. both a well-rounded machine suitable for most crafters, they both have a middle-of-the road price, both have a docking slot on the right for mobile devices or storage, they can both be connected to your computer with a USB cord, or to your computer, tablet or mobile device via Bluetooth, you can use Cricut Design Space with both machines to create your design. You may have noticed that the word Air got dropped between the Cricut Explore Air 2 and the Cricut Explore 3. Its designed to hold your tablet or phone while crafting. Full Cricut Machine Comparison, Free My Favorite People Call Me Teacher SVG, Yes, with Smart Materials (over 6 in length). Im going to go into all the details below, but here are the two primary ways Cricut Explore 3 differs from Cricut Explore Air 2 and other previous Cricut machines: There are also other smaller updates to the design and overall look of Cricut Explore 3. Why isnt the Explore 3 Called the Explore Air 3? The financial gap is too small to matter, but the extra tools and materials can make a difference and give you a clear idea of all that you can achieve with this cutting machine. What Are All Of The Blades That the Cricut Explore 3 Can Use? Certainly. If youre wondering what they are and what they do and what makes them different, youre in the right place! If you need something cut out (or drawn or foiled or written), odds are, these Cricut machines can do it. What is a Cricut machine and what does it do? Luckily, both the Maker 3 and Explore Air 2 have internal storage space dedicated to all your blades and tools, so that you can easily find them without having to use extra parts. You attach it to the pull-out tray at the front of the Cricut Explore 3, and it has a handy built in trimmer. Cricut Explore 3 cuts at up to 8 inches per second, vs. the Cricut Explore Air 2s 4 inches per second. An Easy DIY Gift Idea: Pumpkin Spice Themed Gift Box, Cricut Explore 3 Review (everything you need to know about this new smart cutting machine! To recap, Cricut Maker 3 represents the latest addition to the Cricut family, as well as the most complete cutting plotter released by this manufacturer. Sign up below to get my Free Getting Started With Cricut Guide. Smart Paper is an adhesive-backed paper that is great for scrapbooking, party decor, and card making. Not to worry since were here to help. The Explore 3 is also compatible with Cricut's new Cricut Roll Holder for holding Smart Materials. Plus youll save time because you dont have to prepare your mats. Both have storage in the doors. Learn how your comment data is processed. Have questions? The software and app is free to use, but you can pay a monthly fee for Cricut Access which gives you more fonts and images to use. Cricut Maker 3 can handle large-scaled crafting tasks in record time when enabling the Fast Mode. You can also purchase Smart Materials in long lengths to create an extra long design up to 12 feet. A cartridge represents a set of predefined images that allows you to start cutting tasks on the fly. Your email address will not be published. Compared to Cricut Explore Air 2, the Maker 3 is more expensive by $150. Its free, easy to use, and comes bundled with the Cricut package. As you can see, the Explore 3 and Explore Air 2 look similar, but there are a few subtle differences: Though they have differences, here are some things that the Explore 3 and Explore Air 2 have in common: The Cricut Explore 3 is currently over $100 more than the Explore Air 2. This means that you can broaden your horizons when it comes to crafting since you can work with fleece, knits, moleskin, cashmere, printable magnet sheets, cardstock, foil poster board, and others. Whats the Difference Between the Cricut Explore Air 2 and Explore 3? Just insert the material and go! Cricut Explore 3 is one of the third generation of Cricut cutting machines, which also includes Cricut Maker 3. You can also upload and cut your own files! Use my promo code DIYMOMMY10 to get 10% off until December 31, 2021 when you shop at Cricut.com. My favourite place to buy my Cricut machines, materials and supplies is right off the Cricut website. Cricut sent out machines to a handful of bloggers to try out. Everything changed when I realized just how amazing this machine isand how scrapbooking is just scratching the surface of the crafts a Cricut Explore can actually make! The Explore Air 2 is only a bit larger than the Maker 3, but both machines can be placed on a standard-sized desk next to a computer that you can use to create and upload the designs. Fast Mode is a feature of the Cricut Explore 3 machine which allows you to cut and write up to 2x faster than the previous models. The Explore 3 has a matte finish whereas the Explore Air 3 finish is more glossy. Since then, weve also seen Cricut Explore One and Cricut Air (both now retired, along with the original Cricut Explore). I'm getting an Explore Air 2 in two weeks and am thinking of designing a 3D printable clip that can be snapped onto the Explore Air 2 that brings it up to the Explore 3 for these features. rotary knew 5 Comments. A small upgrade that you may miss is this little ledge on the Explore 3s lid. Now, the Explore 3 is able to cut Smart Materials without using a mat. Because everyones style is individual, customized pieces with a high-end look are what were always after. Lets talk about the Cricut Explore 3 vsCricut Explore Air2: how are they different from each other? In addition to saving you the time of putting materials on a mat, Smart Materials allow the Explore 3 to cut two times faster than the previous model. This is particularly helpful if you have offcuts of Smart Materials that are no longer wide enough to be cut matless. The app is compatible with Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS. Learn all of the features of these two Cricut cutting machines, so you can make an informed decision about which is thebest Cricut Explore machinefor you! If you want to purchase Cricut Explore Air 2 (without a bundle), you will receive a Premium Fine-Point Blade with Housing, a black Fine-Point Pen, a LightGrip Machine Mat with the size of 12 x 12 in (30.5 x 30.5 cm), enough materials to practice cuts, a welcome book, a USB cable and power adapter, Design Space with 50 free, ready projects that you can download from the web, along with a 30-day free trial to Cricut Access (new subscribers only). Instead of cartridges, you can get access to the Cricut Image library of files. The difference is that you can use colored paper to do this on the Explore 3, but not on the Explore Air 2. These materials cut at that faster speed demonstrated above! So, if you want to come up with original designs from scratch and promote them for your crafting business, you still need to purchase a separate application like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, or Corel Draw. While this was a new technology when the Explore Air and Air 2 came out, we all expect Cricut machines to run on Bluetooth. Ive been wanting the larger matless Smart Materials ever since they were released with Cricut Joy, so this is definitely an upgrade I am excited about! Now the current machines are Cricut Explore Air 2 and Cricut Explore 3. Now, its time for the Explore Air 2 to be better at something: compared to the Maker 3, the Explore Air 2 automatically calibrates settings without any problems. Now lets go into more detail on the two big things that make this new machine different from the previous version. does anyone know why there is only Cricut 3 in the Design Space? Make a Read More, Let's flamingle with these four fabulous Read More, 2020 HeyLetsMakeStuff.com | Privacy Policy. It's virtually the same setup as the Explore 3 machine: If you want a thorough explanation on what a Cricut machine is, how to set it up, and how to use it, click here. 5 Easy Cricut Crafts You Can Make & Sell! Before you unload your project, just slide the trimmer across for a clean, straight cut. Cricut Maker 3 is more expensive than the previous version, but its definitely worth taking into account if you plan on upgrading your Cricut machine. Explore Air 2 vs. Cricut Explore 3 | Side By Side Comparison, Cricut Maker vs. Cricut Maker 3 | Side By Side Comparison, Cricut VS Silhouette | Side By Side the Cameo 4 Vs The Maker. 22.6 x 7.09 x 6.22 in (57.4 x 18 x 15.8 cm), 24 x 9.5 x 9.5 in (60.96 x 24.13 x 24.13 cm), Yes, 13 ft wide, up to 75 ft (33 cm wide, up to 22.8 m). They are obviously fewer materials involved, but it makes sense when taking into account the thickness they can handle. You can learn more about these machines right here. They're exactly the same width as the 12x12 mat. It also has a sleeker look and can cut much faster than the Explore Air 2 using Fast Mode. It also doesn't have a contrasting band of colour on the bottom of the machine, so it has a simpler, sleeker look. Along with the Explore Air 2, the Explore 3 can draw, cut, and score on over 100 materials. The main difference between the Explore 3 and it's predecessor, the Explore Air 2, is that the Explore 3 can cut Cricut Smart Materials. Both machines feature additional storage in their tray. The maximum cut area for Smart Paper is 11.7 wide by 11.2 wide. Your email address will not be published. And both Explore machines cut more than 100 different materials using a fine-point blade, bonded-fabric blade, or deep-point blade. Yes, you need a working Internet connection to operate Design Space, in order to explore online projects and use the cutting machine. Learn More About the Cricut Explore Air 2. Cricut Explore Air 2 has a Smart Set Dial that works with only 6 tools: Fine-Point Blade, Deep-Point Blade, Bonded-Fabric Blade, Foil Transfer Kit, Pens and Markers, and the Scoring Stylus. When I say that it changed my lifeit really did. You can read my post Cricut Maker vs. Cricut Maker 3: Which is Best for You? The maximum cut width is 11.7. Smart Vinyl can be cut up to 12 at a time, saving you a ton of time and material if youre making things like borders, pantry or other organization labels, big signs, or wall decals. Smart Vinyl comes in a range of lengths (up to 75! Since the Design Space program is also available for the Explore Air 2, the software drawbacks from the Maker 3 apply here, too. cricut scanncut2 I got my first Cricut Explore back in 2014. Just like the Maker 3, it supports Fast Mode, comes in multiple colors, and can be connected to your computer or smartphone using Bluetooth. Need more Cricut help? Without the cartridge dial taking up space, Cricut expanded the tools storage cup, giving you more room to stash your tools and blades. Meanwhile, the complete asking price of Cricut Explore Air 2 is $249.99, but you can get it for $199.99 right now. Next, you may notice that the cut button is different. Next, the Explore Air 2 will automatically adjust the pressure, depth, and speed settings to deliver fine-tuned results and give your crafting projects a truly professional, polished look. It works for several types of crafting, whether your business handles clothing, greeting cards, embroidery, art prints, wall art, custom vinyl stickers and decals, wedding decor and favors, or something else. Print & Cut is supported, but only on white. This free printable summer coloring page will Read More, This free printable road trip scavenger hunt Read More, Have a special barbecue sauce or rub? If you are happy with your current machine, you dont necessarily need to upgrade at this time if you already have the Explore Air 2. Cricut's current Smart Materials include Smart Vinyl, Smart Iron-On, Smart Label, and Smart Paper. Create an Easy DIY Advent Calendar - with crystals inside! But instead of printing your designs on paper, it uses a premium fine-point blade to cut out pretty much anything you can imagine, including vinyl labels, decals for shirts, paper crafts, and more. Required fields are marked *. This makes the Maker 3 more versatile if you want to go after bigger projects, such as long banners or large posters. Cricut Explore Air 2 vs Cricut Explore 3 Comparison, Cricut Explore Air 2 vs. Cricut Explore 3. Both machines can use mats, but only the Maker 3 can use Smart Materials (Smart Vinyl, Smart Iron-On, and Smart Paper Sticker Cardstock) so that you can perform matless cuts that are up to 13 ft wide and 75 ft (up to 33 cm wide and 22.8 m). Like you would with a phone or other device, you sort of know when its time to upgrade. Check out my full comparison post HERE. There are plastic guides on either side of the tray and a small black sensor on the left side that will help you feed your matless Cricut Smart Materials into the machine properly (which I will talk about later in this post). How to make Personalized Socks with a Cricut, How To Make A DIY Acrylic Keychain (Step By Step Instructions). The Cricut Explore 3 is an electronic cutting machine that can be used on over 100 materials. We are reader supported and may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. + Free Encouragement Stickers to Print, 5 Tips for Organizing your Bathroom Drawers with Cricut Joy. ), How to make Throw Pillows with Cricut Infusible Ink, How to Make Stickers with Cricut (or without!) It holds up to a 75 roll of Smart Vinyl, has a built-in material trimmer, works with both Cricut Explore 3 and Cricut Maker 3. Since there are multiple tools available for cutting and drawing, you need a place to store them in. A workaround is to disable Fast Mode, which means slowing down your business operations. Without a doubt, the 8.81 lbs (4 kg) cutting force of Cricut Maker 3 surpasses Explore Air 2s 0.88 lbs (400 g), which allows you to cut harder materials with up to 0.09 in (2.4 mm) thickness Explore Air 2 cant cut through materials that are thicker than 0.07 (2 mm). The maximum cut width is 11.7. Watermelon Varieties To Grow In Your Garden, Cricut Joy Review: Everything You Need to Know. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Although its slightly smaller than Cricut Explore Air 2, the Maker 3 is heavier by 8.7 lbs (3.95 kg), making it difficult to move it around if you need to rearrange your workspace. The app gives you the possibility to use more than 150,000 images and 500 fonts. Let me know in the comments below. The Explore 3 really cuts 2 times faster than the Explore Air 2. I do not have a Cricut but I'm wanting to one to save on birthday and Christmas cards. The Cricut Explore 3 can cut over 100 different materials including: Everything but the fine point blade is sold separately from the machine. Unlike its bigger brother, the Explore Air 2 performs self-calibration after you select the type of material when using the Smart Set Dial. The Adaptive Tool System is used by Cricut Maker 3 to easily swap between 13 distinct tools without changing the housing. So much so, that Ive been able to turn that love into my work here on my blog. Check out my DIY Height Ruler with Cricut Smart Vinyl to see how to use it! similarities Should I Upgrade To The Cricut Explore 3? While this is designed to go with the new materials, you can use it no matter which machine you are using. Get access to 160+ pages, 30+ printabe cheat sheets, tips & tricks from the expert, projects, and bonus SVG files. Join over 25,000 customers who are getting the most out of their Cricut machine using the Sweet Red Poppy's Guide to Cricut! Cricut Maker vs. Cricut Maker 3: Which is Best for You? However, you can use any other software program to create and personalize designs that you can later import into Design Space, in order to just cut, or print and cut with your Cricut machine. The roll holder sits on the tray of the Explore 3 to keep rolled materials aligned during the cut. You can print a design onto printable vinyl with your desktop printer, and then send it to your machine to cut the design into stickers or decals. Required fields are marked *. The machine case color has been updated to a matte mint green, and the size of the tool cup on the left side of the machine has been made bigger. The Adaptive Tool System works with 13 distinct tools. If you ever plan on expanding your business, though, its safer to get Maker 3 now rather than regretting it later, assuming that that $150 difference wont make a hole in your budget. As we mentioned in the beginning of this article, the Cricut Maker 3 is more suitable for craftmakers whose business covers more areas since it would be a shame to not put the machine to good use by processing over 300 types of materials. Cricut Explore Air 2 is better than the Maker 3 if youre interested in a cheaper cutting machine for a niche crafting business that deals with softer materials. affiliated compensated Other than that, Cricut Explore 3 is the basically same as a Cricut Explore Air 2, so everything you can do with your Cricut Explore Air 2 you can also do with this new machine. Required fields are marked *. That means you can create larger-than-life projects without having to do a ton of piecing together. Copyright 2009 - 2022 The DIY Mommy. You choose your material setting in the Design Space app. I'm Christina and I'm sharing budget-friendly DIY & decor ideas to create a cozy home and life you love! (and how to achieve it!). Always follow the instructions manual. If you purchase something through the link, I may receive a small commission at no extra charge to you. The machine automatically calibrates itself for the Rotary Blade when first sending a project to the machine, but you will have to manually adjust the calibration settings from the design software application every time you want to use a different material or tool. This is definitely a nice accessory to have if you're using long lengths of material with the machine. Although you can connect your computer to the Maker 3 or Explore Air 2 with the help of a USB cable, you can resort to Bluetooth technology if your device supports it, because it means no more wires can get tangled on or under your desk. Id love to answer them in the comments! This means that you wont have to manually adjust the pressure, depth, and speed when switching tools or materials. Compared to their predecessors, both machines have been improved to now cut materials two times faster when using Fast Mode. In 2021, Cricut released its newest line of machines: the Cricut Explore 3 and the Maker 3. Easy projects that are done in 30 minutes or less! Ill go into Smart Materials more here in a second. If you frequently lose the Internet connection in your area, your crafting business will suffer since you wont be able to use the design program. Discover everything about this machine in our Cricut Explore Air 2 review. Dont worrythis machine cuts wirelessly even if it doesnt specifically say so in the machine name! It also has a USB port on standby if you want to also charge your tablet or smartphone. Yes! If you fall in this category, you still need to purchase a third-party graphic editing application like Photoshop unless you already own a copy. When it comes to Cricut Explore Air 2, you should know that it has received plenty of upgrades. Iron-on vinyl for t-shirts and other apparel, The Ultimate Guide to Cricut Explore Air 2, Two Ways to Make Barbecue Labels with Your Cricut, Paper gift boxes using the scoring stylus, Matless Cutting with Cricut Smart Materials. scanncut2 Your email address will not be published. No, you just have to make a one-time payment when getting the Cricut machine. Cricut Explore 3vsCricut Explore Air2: Whats the Difference? The built-in trimmer ensures a straight edge at the end of your project every single time. Hope this helps! You can also use the Cricut Roll Holder with the Cricut Explore 3, which Ill talk about later in this post. All of the same tools, mats, blades, and accessories work, so you dont have to worry about also upgrading everything if you decide you want a Cricut Explore Air 2! Plus, Cricut Maker 3 is newer on the market. Learn how your comment data is processed. To get a little technical, this 8 inches per second cutting speed is on both the X and Y axis, meaning that the cutting speed is also faster than competitor machines. But people may have a hard time deciding between multiple products from the same brand which serve similar purposes, especially when its impossible to test them first hand. In time, this will prove to be an excellent time-saving and cost-saving solution since you will complete crafting jobs quicker and by minimizing waste. It depends on what Cricut machine youre getting. The full price for Cricut Maker 3 is $399.99. If youre inclined toward purchasing Cricut Maker 3 for your small crafting business, you wont regret your decision since its the most complete product from the Cricut family and we can see why. It works with more than 100 materials (but fewer than the Maker 3). What are the Materials That the Cricut Explore 3 can Cut? The Cricut Explore machines are masterfully engineered as wellI never cease to be amazed at the precision with which a Cricut Explore cuts materials. Transfer tape is available in a wider variety of lengths to help you get your backing project off your carrier sheet and onto your base material. Like the Explore Air 2, it's a machine that I can confidently recommend to most crafters as its perfect for a wide range of DIY hobbies. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. if you want more information about the latest generation of machines. cricut air explore silhouette cameo vs machine gift different colors its
cricut explore 3 vs explore air 2