Cricut Explore Air 2 Vs. Maker [Detailed Comparison]

​It has been a long time since Cricut Explore Air 2 was launched. At the time of its launch, it was considered a game changer. This versatile and powerful device has all your desired features in a die-cutting machine. But with the launch of new models such as Cricut Maker, people wonder whether Cricut Explore is still a good option. In this Cricut Explore Air 2 Vs Maker blog, we will closely examine these machines, their differences, and their performance.

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Similarities Between Cricut Explore Air 2 and Maker

Although Cricut Explore Air 2 is an older model, it shares some similarities with Cricut Maker. They are quite similar in terms of productivity and size. You can do most of your regular DIY and craft projects on either of these machines; also, most of the materials and tools you use are interchangeable. You can use the same size materials in the Maker as in the Maker, up to 12 x 24 inches.


Key Features of Cricut Explore Air 2

Cricut Explore Air 2 was released in 2016 as a successor to the Explore Air, and it remains one of the best-priced machines for cutting vinyl and paper. It can easily connect to your Windows and MacOS. It is available in various colors, and although it's an old model, it packs many features, making it one of the beginner-friendly Cricut machines. Let's go through its features one by one:


Bluetooth

The Explore Air 2 can easily connect to your laptop via USB cable or Bluetooth. You can connect your laptop, smartphone, and tablet with your Cricut machine via Bluetooth for wireless cutting. Most people don't need this feature, but it is handy in certain situations.


Dual Tool Holder

The Explore Air 2 features a dual tool holder for two different tools: pens, blades, and the scoring stylus. This means you can cut and draw in a single pass. This feature is handy for creating a greeting card, where you can write a quote and score the card for folding in a single go. It's a time-saving feature that lets you create more multimedia projects.


2x fast mode

The Cricut Explore Air 2 is the speediest cutter from the Explore series. Although it's not as fast as Cricut Maker, it is two times faster than its predecessor. The cutting plotter boasts a 2x fast mode that cuts thin materials such as vinyl and paper at twice the speed. It is yet another time-saving feature that you get with Cricut Explore Air 2.


Design

The Smart Dial and the cartridge slot are available on the Cricut Explore Air 2. You won't find them in Cricut Maker. The cartridge slot lets you insert your old Cricut cartridges into the Cricut machines. You can easily link the cartridges to your Cricut account and access the Cricut Design Space designs. The Smart Set Dial lets you select the material you will use, and the machine automatically calibrates cut settings for Design Space. It lets you easily cut over 100 different materials.



Key Features of Cricut Maker

Cricut Maker was launched in 2017, one year after Cricut Explore was launched. It has all the features of Cricut Explore Air 2 plus the ability to use all the Quick Swap tools and advanced Rotary and Knife blades. The machine can cut over 300 materials twice more than Explore Air 2. But what makes it better than Explore Air 2? To know about it, we must look closely at its key features.


Adaptive Tool System

The Cricut maker features an innovative tool system that gives it ten times more cutting power than Explore Air 2 and lets you cut over 300 materials. These new tools can lift and turn different materials while cutting. You get cleaner curves with thin materials such as paper and cardstock, and the smaller fonts are cut more precisely.


Knife Blade

Cricut Knife Blade is specially calibrated to work exclusively with Cricut Maker; it can't be used with Explore Air. It can cut dense materials up to 2.4 mm thick. When accompanied by the power of the Adaptive Tool System, you can easily cut fine details out of thick materials, including thick leather, mat board, and balsa wood.


Key Difference Between Cricut Explore Air 2 and Maker

The main difference between these two machines is the cutting technology. The Explore Air 2 uses a drag blade technology that moves the material up and down and cuts it side-to-side. In terms of functionality, it works like other home vinyl cutters. The Maker uses the innovative Adaptive tool system to cut, draw, score, and more. The system moves the material left, right, up, and down. It also lifts and turns the cutting heads through your design. This cutting technology is uncommon and hard to find in other machines. It gives Cricut Maker ten times more cutting power than the Cricut Explore Air 2.


Conclusion

There is no doubt that Cricut Explore Air 2 is a powerful and versatile crafting machine, but the Cricut Maker is in a league of its own. With superior cutting power and advanced technology, Cricut Maker opens up a new world of cutting and craft-making. If you are more willing to spend some extra cash, you can get a far superior cutting plotter than Explore Air. With this, we have come to the end of this Cricut Explore Air 2 Vs. Maker blog.


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

In which aspects does Cricut Explore Air 2 perform better than Cricut Maker?

The Explore Air 2 boasts a sleeker design and weighs less than Cricut Maker. It also comes in more colors than Cricut Maker. Cricut Explore Air is also 30% cheaper than the Cricut Maker. Also, the materials dial, and Cartridge slot is also missing from the Cricut Maker.


What types of tools does the Cricut Maker's Adaptive Tool System use?

Cricut Maker uses a wide array of tools:


Which machine is best for cutting felt?

The Explore Air 2 is a good option for cutting dense, thin felt up to 1.5 mm, but it has difficulty cutting out smaller pieces and finer details. The Cricut Maker is a better choice for cutting felt that is 2.4 mm thick.


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Source: https://cricutdesign6cut.wordpress.com/2023/04/08/cricut-explore-air-2-vs-maker-detailed-comparison/