Are you torn between the Cricut Maker and the Cricut Explore Air 2? Cannot decide which is better for you? I have been there! Knowing you want a Cricut, but which one? It is a tough decision. Today we are here so I can give you all the info so you can make the best decision for yourself. Cricut Maker vs Cricut Explore Air 2; lets get started!
A Cricut is a cutting machine that allows you to cut many different materials for crafting. You can use it to make cards, vinyl decals, tshirts and so much more. Buying a Cricut can open up your crafting possibilities allowing you to cut intricate designs fast and easy. There are endless possibilities for crafting with a Cricut no matter which Cricut you may pick.
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Cricut Maker Pros
- It has a charging port so you can charge your device while cutting.
- It has a spot for holding your tablet or smart phone device built into the design.
- Quick swap tools
- 10x more powerful than the Cricut Explore Air 2.
- Best machine for cutting fabrics
- Can cut up to 300 different materials.
Cricut Explore Air 2 Pros
- It has a spot to upload your older cartridges built right into the design.
- It has a materials dial designed into the machine allowing for quick and easy materials setting choices
- The Explore is smaller and lighter than the Cricut Maker.
- It comes in multiple colors.
- Can cut greater than 100 materials.
Cricut Maker Cons
- No spot for uploading your old cartridges.
- Bigger and heavier than the Explore machines.
- No material setting dial.
- The Cricut Maker is more Expensive than the Explore Air 2.
Cricut Explore Air 2 Cons
- No Charging port built into the machine.
- No built-in spot to hold your tablet or smart phone devices.
- Cannot cut the thicker materials like the Maker can.
- No rotary blade made for the Explore Air 2.
Both machines use design space. Also both use the 12” by 12” mats and the 12” by 24” mats.
The Cricut Maker is better at cutting fabric. The Cricut Explore Air 2 can only cut bonded fabric while the Maker uses the rotary blade to cut unbonded fabrics also. The Cricut Makes also gives you access to free sewing patterns in Design Space that you don’t get with the Cricut Explore Air 2.
The Cricut Maker uses something called Quick swap tools. It allows you to switch out blades and tools allowing you to do many things the Cricut Explore Air 2 cannot do. It allows you too switch between the scoring wheel, engraving, debossing, wavy blade, perforation, and the newest tool in the set is for foil transfer.
Both machines allow you to connect to the machine using Bluetooth or a USB cord.
The Cricut Explore Air 2 can cut 100+ materials for a wide range of DIY hobbies. The maker can cut greater than 300 materials including things like leather and wood allowing many more projects at a pro level capability.
The Cricut Explore Air 2 is the better value if you’re only wanting to do paper crafts and vinyl projects. It is cheaper by $100 dollars and will allow you to do everything you need to do and more.
The Maker is more expensive, but it allows you to do so much more than the Explore Air 2. I think it’s definitely worth the price if you are wanting to do anything with fabrics or more advanced projects like engraving or debossing.
I personally own the Cricut Explore Air 2. It has been perfect for the types of projects I have worked on so far (mostly paper crafts and vinyl projects). I would like to work with the Maker one day but it was outside my budget range when I bought my Cricut.
So there you have it, the pros and cons of both machines hopefully leading you to a decision. Will it be the Cricut Maker or the Cricut Explore Air 2?