Sweet Red Poppy is my creative outlet where I find and create inspiration. I love all of the Updates Cricut gave us with the Explore 3.

The Cricut Explore 2 was a huge hit when it was released. Smart Paper is an adhesive-backed paper that is great for scrapbooking, party decor, and card making. Get access to 160+ pages, 30+ printabe cheat sheets, tips & tricks from the expert, projects, and bonus SVG files. Whats your favorite upgrade Cricut made with the Explore 3? Cricut Explore 3vsCricut Explore Air2: Whats the Difference? 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. You choose your material setting in the Design Space app. 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. 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. 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. scanncut2 The Cricut blades, tools, mats, and other accessories are really affordable, especially when comparing to other brands (Brother Scan and Cut comes to mind). The downside is that Cricut Maker 3 doesnt have automatic calibration. Click on the links below for some Cricut project ideas: You lost me when you mentioned the Cricut maker. You type in a URL on your web browser, and the guide shows you how to connect your Cricut to your device via USB or Bluetooth, and how to setup Design Space. Cricut is a brand that creates cutting plotters for home crafters and small business owners. When it comes to Cricut Explore Air 2, you should know that it has received plenty of upgrades. While the Explore Air 2 comes in a variety of colors, the Cricut Explore 3 is only available in one color right now. It is not compatible with older machines, including the Cricut Explore Air 2. Did you know that the new Cricut Explore 3 can cut up to two times faster than the Explore Air 2. It certainly makes my projects go a lot faster! A cartridge represents a set of predefined images that allows you to start cutting tasks on the fly. If this is your *first* Cricut, then I recommend getting a Cricut Explore 3 if its in your budget. 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. Your email address will not be published. Need more Cricut help? Learn how your comment data is processed. Like you would with a phone or other device, you sort of know when its time to upgrade. On the Explore Air 2, the cut button is this C but on the Explore 3, its a more universal play button. As your project cuts, the roll holder neatly feeds your Smart Material in and out of the Explore 3.

This is a huge help when youre working with a deadline. You can read my post Cricut Maker vs. Cricut Maker 3: Which is Best for You? document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. After loading a type of material (paper, vinyl, iron-on, light cardstock, cardstock, fabric, poster board, or custom), you just have to turn the dial to the matching option. Required fields are marked *. On the downside, the Maker 3 doesnt have a cartridge slot, so you will have to separately purchase an adapter if you need one. Its free, easy to use, and comes bundled with the Cricut package. 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. The new Maker 3 has more of a blue hue.

Unlike its bigger brother, the Explore Air 2 performs self-calibration after you select the type of material when using the Smart Set Dial. Matless cutting with was introduced with Cricut Joy in 2020, but its now expanded to Cricut Explore 3 (and Cricut Maker 3). It also has a sleeker look and can cut much faster than the Explore Air 2 using Fast Mode. There is also a Design Space app that you can install on your mobile device. You attach it to the pull-out tray at the front of the Cricut Explore 3, and it has a handy built in trimmer. 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). 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. Your email address will not be published. Furthermore, you can use the Maker 3 to cut materials up to 12 ft (3.6 m) long and 13 in (33 cm) wide, compared to Explore Air 2s 24 in (60.96 cm) long and 12 in (30.48 cm) wide. Cricut Explore 3 cuts up to 2x faster than the Cricut Explore Air 2, when using Smart Materials without a mat. Shop Smart Materials here. 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. 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! But because all Cricut machines are Bluetooth now, they dropped the Air. LightGrip Machine Mat, 12 in x 12 in (30.5 cm x 30.5 cm), materials on a mat and off the cutting mat. They often have great sales and I love their bundle deals. The reason why you cant find a cartridge slow in Cricut Maker 3 is that it doesnt need it. The app is compatible with Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS. 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. So the big question isshould you purchase or stick with the Cricut Explore Air 2, or upgrade to the new Cricut Explore 3? I was a little skeptical of this until I put it to the test. 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? You can connect to the cutting plotter in cordless mode and use Design Space to effortlessly explore templates, import your own designs, and quickly upload them to the machine. 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. cameo Discover the home decor style that best fits your personality and lifestyle. Discover everything about this machine in our Cricut Explore Air 2 review. Cricut Smart Materials are materials that are specifically designed to be cut without a Cricut mat. I like to look at this machine sort of like you would the next generation of your phone. 5 Comments. These materials cut at that faster speed demonstrated above! Plus, its free to use and gives you access to countless templates and fonts. It also added the Dual-Carriage system so that you can use two tools simultaneously to draw and cut within the same cutting session. The Cricut Maker has an adaptive tool system, allowing it to be used with a wider number of tools. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Your email address will not be published. It has all of the same features as the older machines, but you also get the upgraded features of faster cutting and matless Smart Materials. Let me know in the comments below. Smart Materials are materials for the Cricut that have their own backing, so they don't require a cutting mat to cut. 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%). For example, the blades must be replaced when they become dull. 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. You can also upload and cut your own files! Before now, there were unofficial hacks to use the Cricut as a vinyl cutter without a cutting mat, but Cricut Design Space still limited crafters to a maximum material size of 12 x 24.. It costs $399.99 and gives you the possibility to play with all features supported by Cricut, including all blades and tools, Smart Materials, and large cutting projects. And, it can do this two times faster than its predecessor, allowing you to fulfill customer orders in record time and thus bringing in more money for your business. But this doesnt mean you should ever try to cut something that exceeds the thickness limitations, regardless of which machine you try to use. Now, the Explore 3 is able to cut Smart Materials without using a mat. Cricut Maker 3 can handle large-scaled crafting tasks in record time when enabling the Fast Mode. What Do I Need To Get Started With Cricut? Your email address will not be published. They are also wider than regular materials (13 inches vs 12 inches), so they can produce a wider product. Since the Design Space program is also available for the Explore Air 2, the software drawbacks from the Maker 3 apply here, too. 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. Craftmakers have said that Silhouette and Brother machines are quieter, which puts Cricut to a disadvantage. You can use smart materials on a mat like you would regular vinyl, iron on, or cardstock.

Design Space is a childs play. The Cricut Explore Air 2 does have a cartridge slot where you can use your old cartridges, but that has been removed on the Cricut Explore 3. To go along with the release of Smart Materials, Cricut updated their portable trimmer and released this new roll holder. Can you elaborate. Compared to Cricut Maker 2, the previous version, Cricut Maker 3 can make matless cuts when using Smart Materials that are up to 12 ft (3.65 cm) long. Now the current machines are Cricut Explore Air 2 and Cricut Explore 3. When the blades become dull and need to be replaced, you wont need to also change the housing tool, thanks to the QuickSwap Housing System. Print & Cut is supported, but only on white. The difference is that you can use colored paper to do this on the Explore 3, but not on the Explore Air 2. Want to make huge stenciled designs for your walls or home decor signs? Hello, Im Kimberly, the creator of Sweet Red Poppy! Cricut Explore Air 2 is the middle child of Cricut: smaller than Cricut Maker 3 but bigger than Cricut Joy. Right now, Cricut carries Smart Vinyl, Smart Iron-On, and Smart Paper Sticker Cardstock. Cricut Maker 3 isnt the loudest machine in the industry, but its not the quietest either. The Cricut manufacturer designs quality cutting machines for crafting amateurs and business owners with online shops. 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. Although Design Space, the proprietary design software application, is free, you can pay a monthly or yearly subscription for Cricut Access to get unrestricted access to all templates and designs made available by the Cricut community. Christmas Decorating Ideas: Reuse these timeless items year after year! As far as the speed is concerned, we havent noticed anything significant between the two. You can now get Smart Stencil. Before and After: Dated basement bedroom to cozy oasis! The Adaptive Tool System works with 13 distinct tools. consider the Cricut Maker line. A small upgrade that you may miss is this little ledge on the Explore 3s lid. in permanent, removable, and specialty finishes like glitter and shimmer. Sign up below to get my Free Getting Started With Cricut Guide. 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. Certainly. Always follow the instructions manual. And, thanks to the Dual-Carriage system, you can cut and draw at the same time. 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. The Cricut Explore 3 can cut over 100 different materials including: Everything but the fine point blade is sold separately from the machine. Yes! Cricut also added a holder for your device, like on the Maker. Check out my DIY Height Ruler with Cricut Smart Vinyl to see how to use it! You'll be able to cut the fastest when cutting Smart Materials. Heres a breakdown of the technical details when it comes to both machines from the Cricut lineup: Now, lets take a closer look at each cutting machine. Deciding between the Explore 3 and Maker 3? No more trying to figure out which glue is best. 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. If youre trying to make up your mind between buying Cricut Maker 3 or Cricut Explore Air 2, you can trust us to set the record straight. You can directly use Design Space to locate and use various designs ready for cutting. You can learn more about these machines right here. They are obviously fewer materials involved, but it makes sense when taking into account the thickness they can handle. 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). I have never owned a cricut..For a first time user which is the easiest one to start out with.. As you can see from the photos in the article above; even with the side by side the color is still mint with the Explorer 3. Both machines feature additional storage in their tray. Cricut's current Smart Materials include Smart Vinyl, Smart Iron-On, Smart Label, and Smart Paper. Next, you may notice that the cut button is different. 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). Although its a great choice for commercial use, the Explore Air 2 isnt as suitable as the Maker 3 for large-scaled projects since it has a smaller cutting force and cant cut large sizes or materials thicker than 0.07 (2 mm). 8 Easy DIY Christmas Wreaths With Step-By-Step Instructions. similarities You can learn more about these machines right here. rotary knew Im hoping for some new colors later this year. How Is Cricut Explore 3 Different Than Other Cricut Explore Machines? cricut I bought my Air 2 in 2020, I just bought a new laptop strically for my cricut but when loading my Cricut information it doesn't give you the option for the Air 2 and it also will not send my information to my cricut. differences I definitely noticed how quickly the Explore 3 cut Smart Materials the very first time I used it. That means you can create larger-than-life projects without having to do a ton of piecing together. Moreover, the Maker 3 and Explore Air 2 have a Dual-Carriage System, which means that the machines can cut and draw at the same time. 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. Just like the Maker 3, it supports Fast Mode, comes in multiple colors, and can be connected to your computer or smartphone using Bluetooth. Its designed to hold your tablet or phone while crafting. Your email address will not be published. The Explore 3 is also compatible with Cricut's new Cricut Roll Holder for holding Smart Materials. if you want more information about the latest generation of machines. This makes the Maker 3 more versatile if you want to go after bigger projects, such as long banners or large posters. Are you ready to get on track to learning your Cricut? If youre trying to decide between getting the Explore Air 2 and Explore 3, Id definitely recommend going with the Explore 3. For both machines, you can use the Cricut Design Space software on your computer or mobile device, online or off. 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 portable trimmer now measures just over 13 inches to accommodate the Smart Materials. I LOVE teaching people how to use their Cricut machines. 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. This makes it easy to know exactly which machine you are using. Easy projects that are done in 30 minutes or less! The simplest explanation is that the Cricut Explore is an electronic cutting machine that looks sort of like a printer. The Adaptive Tool System is used by Cricut Maker 3 to easily swap between 13 distinct tools without changing the housing. The built-in trimmer ensures a straight edge at the end of your project every single time. Hope this helps! Id love to answer them in the comments! 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. Deciding between the Explore 3 and Maker 3? Just insert the material and go! My blog is full of things to help you create a life you love: easy crafts, fun printables, SVG files for cutting on your Cricut, DIY home and decor ideas, and so much more. These two new machines were released in 2021. Like the rest of the Cricut line, the Explore 3 is a versatile electronic cutting machine for crafting. cricut explore cameo silhouette air should vs which 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! Without the cartridge dial taking up space, Cricut expanded the tools storage cup, giving you more room to stash your tools and blades. Copyright 2009 - 2022 The DIY Mommy. At its most basic, you design something you want to cut in Cricut Design Space, place your material on the cutting mat, confirm your settings, and GO! 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. The roll holder sits on the tray of the Explore 3 to keep rolled materials aligned during the cut. When I say that it changed my lifeit really did. First up is speed! Back then, it was just the original Cricut Explore machine.

The maximum cut area for Smart Paper is 11.7 wide by 11.2 wide. If youve never used a Cricut machine before, its definitely worth getting the Cricut Explore Air 2 Everything Bundle instead of just the machine. cricut There is no materials dial on the top right of the Explore 3. It gives you the possibility to easily change 13 different tools and blades dedicated to scrapbooking, quilting, leatherworking, engraving, debossing, sewing, and other kinds of craftmaking. The Explore 3 currently only comes in the mint colour. Today Im going to share all about the differences between the two current Cricut Explore machines: Cricut Explore 3 and Cricut Explore Air 2. 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. Design Space is Cricut's free software for Mac or PC that allows you to setup your design for cutting, and then send it to your Cricut machine. The older Explorer had a glossy texture. This post and the photos within it may contain Amazon or other affiliate links. In this blog post, we'll be exploring the differences between the Explore 3 and it's predecessor, the Cricut Explore Air 2. [youtube]https://youtu.be/MjDoqQFoj9g[/youtube]. Join over 25,000 customers who are getting the most out of their Cricut machine using the Sweet Red Poppy's Guide to Cricut! Smart Vinyl comes in a range of lengths (up to 75! And dont worry. No, you just have to make a one-time payment when getting the Cricut machine. It depends on what Cricut machine youre getting. Cricut decided to not include the Air in the new machine, since using Bluetooth with its machines is now a standard feature. How to make Personalized Socks with a Cricut, How To Make A DIY Acrylic Keychain (Step By Step Instructions). And both Explore machines cut more than 100 different materials using a fine-point blade, bonded-fabric blade, or deep-point blade. It does have to be noted that you *can* use Smart Materials with the Explore Air 2. Cricut Explore 3 is one of the third generation of Cricut cutting machines, which also includes Cricut Maker 3. Cricut Maker 3 and Cricut Explore Air 2 come in multiple colors, but the color range of Explore Air 2 is a bit bigger, so you can discover more options to find the one that works best for your home office. 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. What's missing are the little guide rails on the front cover that helps keep the roll lined up AND are the connection points for the roll/cutter attachment. Yes, you need a working Internet connection to operate Design Space, in order to explore online projects and use the cutting machine.

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). Another cool advantage of the Smart Set Dial is that you dont have to use a piece of software for calibration (like in Maker 3) since a physical button is easier to operate. A workaround is to disable Fast Mode, which means slowing down your business operations. You may have noticed that the word Air got dropped between the Cricut Explore Air 2 and the Cricut Explore 3. Smart Iron-On can be cut up to 4 at a time, which is perfect for making things like vacation t-shirts for your whole family or a ton of tote bags to add to your online shop. Since the Explore Air 2 has limited features compared to the Maker 3, it makes sense that its cheaper. 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). When you send your design from Design Space to your Cricut, the program will walk you through the material & tool settings so it's fool proof. Thanks to its impressive 8.81 lbs (4 kg) cutting force, you will be able to cut more than 300 materials that are up to 0.09 in (2.4 mm) thick. Why isnt the Explore 3 Called the Explore Air 3? You wont need to spend a fortune every time you wish to replace the blades, tips, and housing. Both have storage in the doors. Cricut Explore Air 2 is a step down since it comes with several limitations. If you purchase something through the link, I may receive a small commission at no extra charge to you. Copyright 2022, Hey, Let's Make Stuff. You can also write (with pens and markers), foil (with the foil transfer tool), and score (with the scoring stylus) using a Cricut Explore. The machine button design has also been slightly updated, with a play triangle button replacing the Cricut C button on the other Cricut Explore machines.